April 30 (Reuters) - Industrial gases maker Air Products (APD.N) raised its full-year earnings forecast on stronger pricing as well as benefits from higher helium prices and new assets coming online later in the year.
Disruptions to Qatar’s natural gas processing from the Iran war have driven helium prices sharply higher, a critical gas that supports industries from semiconductors to medical imaging.
The company said it took actions to strengthen helium supply chain resilience for customers, including drawing from its U.S. storage cavern and increasing liquefaction processes in the country.
“Air Products remains cautious given uncertainty around the macroeconomic environment but expects to see benefits in the second half from continued non-helium pricing actions, progress on productivity actions and new assets ramping up,” the company said in a statement.
Its net sales during the second quarter rose 8.7% to $3.17 billion.
For the three months ending March 31, sales in the Europe segment increased by 8.4%, reaching $789 million compared to the previous year.
Last month, Air Products said its operations in Europe had been significantly impacted by rising energy costs due to the conflict, though the overall impact was limited despite plant closures.
Meanwhile, the Asia segment saw an increase of 7.5% to $833 million.
Sales in its largest market, the Americas, rose 7.5% to $1.4 billion.
The Pennsylvania-based company posted an adjusted profit of $3.20 per share, beating analysts’ estimates of $3.06 per share, according to data compiled by LSEG.
The company now anticipates fiscal year 2026 adjusted earnings of $13.00 to $13.25 per share, compared to the previous forecast of $12.85 to $13.15 per share.

Air Products lifts 2026 profit forecast amid stronger helium prices