In a prelude to an official announcement on March 15, Linde AG has revealed a full-year operating profit, before special items, of EUR671 million (USD811 million), up 3.5% on 2002's EUR648 million (USD783 million).

Net profit for the group was EUR108 million (USD131 million), down EUR132 million (USD160 million) from EUR240 million (USD290 million) in 2002.