** Shares in Air Liquide AIRP.PA edge up 2.7% after the French gas company published a slight FY beat, confirmed 2026 guidance, and announced new operating margin targets for 2027
** Recurring operating profit rose to 5.58 billion euros ($6.56 billion) in 2025, slightly above the Vara consensus of 5.56 billion euros; sales of 26.94 billion euros came also a touch above consensus
** Air Liquide proposed a dividend of 3.70 euros, higher than analysts' expectations of 3.39 euros
** Co targets an increase in 2027 operating margin of 100 basis points, meaning an overall improvement of 560 basis points over the 2022-2027 period
** "Overall, a reassuring print", J.P. Morgan says, with results "a bit better" than expected, while Jefferies deems dividend beat "significant"
** The share price touches its highest level since mid-November 2025
** Second best performer on France's blue-chip CAC 40 .FCHI Index
($1 = 0.8511 euros)
(Reporting by Olivier Cherfan)
((olivier.cherfan@thomsonreuters.com))
