Linde upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Mizuho

Mizuho upgraded Linde to Buy from Neutral with an unchanged price target of $510. The recent share pullback provides a good entry point for this “defensive leader,” the analyst tells investors in a research note. The firm believes Linde’s defensiveness and consistency in growing earnings should lead to market outperformance. The company’s earnings have continued to grow through favorable mix, productivity and share buybacks, says Mizuho.