FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Linde (DE:LING), which is preparing to merge with U.S. peer Praxair (N:PX), saw operating income rise 3.5 percent in the first half, buoyed by a strong European industrial gases business and growth at its plant engineering unit.
Adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose to 2.21 billion euros (£1.96 billion), Munich-based Linde said on Wednesday.
The company reiterated its full-year guidance for operating profit growth of up to 5 percent, when adjusted for foreign exchange effects, and a return on capital employed of about 10 percent.