ClearBridge Investments, an investment management company, released its “ClearBridge Large Cap Growth Strategy” second quarter 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. In the second quarter, the growth stocks rebounded from tariff uncertainty, with technology and communication services sectors leading in the return to a risk-on environment. The S&P 500 Index returned 10.9% in the quarter, while the technology-heavy NASDAQ Composite soared 17.7%. The benchmark, the Russell 1000 Growth Index, rose 17.8% in the quarter, outperforming the Russell 1000 Value Index. Against this backdrop, the strategy underperformed its benchmark in the second quarter. IT and communication services sectors contributed to the performance while the health care sector detracted. In addition, please check the fund’s top five holdings to know its best picks in 2025.

In its second quarter 2025 investor letter, ClearBridge Large Cap Growth Strategy highlighted stocks such as Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN). Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN) is an industrial gas company. The one-month return of Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN) was 1.13%, and its shares gained 9.85% of their value over the last 52 weeks. On July 3, 2025, Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN) stock closed at $475.58 per share, with a market capitalization of $223.867 billion.

ClearBridge Large Cap Growth Strategy stated the following regarding Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN) in its second quarter of 2025 investor letter:

"We also initiated a position in U.K.-based Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN), a well-run company operating in an attractive, consolidated end market of industrial gas, which is a key input in many industries including technology, chemicals, manufacturing, health care and electronics. Both the company and the industry are highly disciplined in terms of price and contracting structure, providing downside protection in periods of slower economic growth. The stock’s relative multiple has recently declined due to macroeconomic pressure on sales volumes, providing an attractive entry point. We believe an overlooked feature of Linde’s business is its role as primary provider of gases for rocket propellant and coatings used by companies operating space and satellite businesses."Is Linde plc (LIN) the Best Stock for 15 Years?

A scientist in a lab coat inspecting a cylinder filled with industrial gas.

Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN) is not on our list of 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 75 hedge fund portfolios held Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN) at the end of the first quarter, which was 70 in the previous quarter. Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN) reported sales of $8.1 billion in the first quarter, which was flat compared to Q1 2024 and down 2% sequentially from Q4 2024. While we acknowledge the potential of Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN) as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is as promising as NVIDIA but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the undervalued AI stock set for massive gains.

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In another article, we covered Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN  and shared the list of set-it-and-forget-it stocks to buy according to analysts. In addition, please check out our hedge fund investor letters Q1 2025 page for more investor letters from hedge funds and other leading investors. While we acknowledge the potential of MUSA as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you’re looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.