Air Liquide, the French industrial gas giant, has announced a remarkable record net profit of 3.5 billion euros for the year 2024, reflecting an increase of 6.4% compared to the previous year. This impressive financial achievement comes despite a slight dip in sales, which stood at 26.9 billion euros, marking a minor decrease of 0.4%. The company has attributed this decline primarily to negative currency effects, particularly due to the depreciation of the US dollar against the euro.

The CEO, François Jackow, emphasized the company's commitment to improving operational excellence even in a challenging economic environment. He highlighted that the operational margin has improved to above 20%, which reflects the company's efficiency and ability to adapt to market conditions. As the company navigates through these challenging times, it expresses confidence in its ability to enhance profitability indicators further by the year 2026.

As Air Liquide continues to grow its profit margins, this financial stability positions the company favorably in the industrial sector. The forecasts for the upcoming years indicate a strong focus on maintaining operational improvements and addressing the fluctuations in currency impacts on sales. This outlook is crucial as it influences investor confidence and the company's strategy to sustain growth amidst global economic uncertainties.