(Reuters) -Linde ( LIN ), the world's largest industrial gases company, on Friday posted quarterly earnings above market expectations, citing higher pricing and productivity initiatives across its segments, and particularly its chemicals and energy unit.

The U.S.-German company, which supplies gases such as oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen to factories and hospitals, reported a 6% rise in its adjusted earnings per share to $4.09 in the April-June period.

That was ahead of analysts' mean estimate of $4.03 per share, according to LSEG data.

Linde ( LIN ) is seen as a bellwether for industrial production as it supplies gases for a range of customers in sectors such as chemicals, manufacturing, steel-making, and food and beverages.

The group raised the lower end of its 2025 earnings per share guidance, and now expects them in a range of $16.30 to $16.50, compared to between $16.20 and $16.50 previously.

Linde's ( LIN ) total sales were up 5% at $8.495 billion in the second quarter, against analysts' forecast of $8.352 billion.