- Air Liquide (OTCPK:AIQUF, OTCPK:AIQUY) warns of slower growth in sales and profitability despite its recent acquisition of U.S.-based Airgas that was designed to offset poor economic prospects in Europe.
- The company says it is seeking revenue growth of 6%-8% annually between now and 2020, and expects to deliver a return on capital employed in excess of 10% after 5-6 years; its ROCE was 10.3% in 2015, short of a targeted 12%-13% return.
- When the Airgas deal was announced last November, it was expected to help Air Liquide overtake rivals Linde (OTCPK:LNAGF), Air Products (NYSE:APD) and Praxair (NYSE:PX) to the top spot in North America and help diversify away from slow-growth Europe.