Oct 23 Reuters French industrial gases supplier Air Liquide reported thirdquarter revenue in line with market expectations and confirmed its fullyear targets on Wednesday, benefiting from growth in its healthcare division, the Americas and Asia.

Air Liquide reaffirmed its expectations of a further increase in its operating margin and a recurring net profit growth at constant exchange rates in 2024. It is targeting an increase of 320 basis points bps in operating margin by 2025 as part of a 3 year strategic plan.

Paving the way for future growth, our investment momentum is particularly strong, Chief Executive Officer François Jackow said in a statement.

The company, which supplies gases such as oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen to factories and hospitals, said its comparable revenue rose 3.3 to 6.76 billion euros 7.30 billion in the JulySeptember period, in line with the consensus from analysts polled by Vara Research.

Air Liquide said that its operating margin in the first nine months of the year improved by 100 basis points, excluding the energy impact.

In a research note, J.P. Morgan, which kept its neutral rating on the stock, described the performance as resilient, noting that strong pricing, especially in the Industrial Merchant business, and the company39;s focus on cost efficiencies had contributed to the margin improvement.

Shares in Air Liquide were down 1 in midmorning trading.

1 0.9258 euros

Reporting by Olivier Cherfan; Editing by Matt Scuffham

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