Aug 2 (Reuters) - Linde ( LIN ), the world's largest

industrial gases company, reported second-quarter results

slightly above expectations on Friday, as it continued to pass

on costs to its diversified client base.

The U.S.-German company, which supplies gases such as

oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen to factories and hospitals,

reported an 8% year-on-year rise in its adjusted earnings per

share to $3.85 between April and June.

That was ahead of analysts' mean estimate of $3.78 per

share, according to LSEG data.