Air Liquide, the French Gas Manufacturer, Benefited from Strong Demand Last Year. Thanks to Efficiency Measures and Price Increases in the Industrial Division, the Company was Able to Increase its Profit. CEO Francois Jackow is Optimistic that Profitability Will Continue to Rise in the Coming Years.

Here is the translated heading in English:

"As the company that competes with the German conglomerate Linde announced on Tuesday in Paris, sales increased by 3.7 percent to 27.6 billion euros compared to the previous year. This meets analysts' expectations, although some had hoped for more. However, taking into account the sharp decline in energy prices and negative currency effects, sales actually fell by 7.8 percent. Therefore, Air Liquide is forced to pass on price fluctuations to its large industrial customers."

Net Profit Reached Approximately 3.1 Billion Euros Last Year, Representing an Increase of Nearly Twelve Percent Over the Previous Year. The Dividend Per Share is Raised to 3.20 Euros, Corresponding to an Increase of 8.5 Percent Compared to the Previous Year. For the Current Year, CEO Jackow Aims to Further Increase the Operating Margin and Boost the Adjusted Net Profit at Constant Exchange Rates. In 2020, the Adjusted Net Profit was 3.3 Billion Euros.

"Moreover, Jackow Commits to Medium-Term Business Growth. Over the Next Five Years, Revenue is Expected to Increase by an Average of Five to Six Percent Annually. The Operating Margin is to be Improved by 3.2 Percentage Points in the Period from 2022 to 2025, Which is Twice as Much as Originally Planned. In Total, the Company is Planning Investments of 16 Billion Euros."

UBS analysts were positively surprised by the margin improvement excluding energy cost effects. JPMorgan analysts rated the figures as good overall but emphasized that the planned margin increase for 2024 and 2025 is crucial. UBS experts also highlighted the better-than-expected organic growth.

At EURONEXT in Paris, Air Liquide's shares rose sharply on Tuesday. At the time of this article, the gain was 6.03 percent, and the share price stood at 118.28 euros. Thus, Air Liquide's shares reached new all-time highs.