UPDATE 1-Linde beats first quarter earnings expectations

(Adds context in paragraph 3, peer comparison in paragraph 4, outlook in paragraphs 5,6)

May 2 (Reuters) - Linde, the world's largest industrial gases company, on Thursday reported adjusted earnings per share above its target range, helped by higher pricing.

The U.S.-German company, which supplies gases such as oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen to factories and hospitals, reported adjusted earnings per share up 10% at $3.75, against a $3.67 forecast from analysts polled by LSEG.

Linde is seen as a bellwether for industrial production as it supplies gases for a wide range of customers in industries such as chemicals, manufacturing and steel-making.

U.S. peer Air Products reported profits above market expactations for the second quarter on Tuesday, as higher margins offset lower sales.

Linde also narrowed its full year earnings per share forecast to between $15.30 and $15.60.

For the second quarter, it expects earnings per share between $3.70 to $3.80. (Reporting by Tristan Veyet and Chiara Holzhaeuser in Gdansk Editing by David Goodman, Elaine Hardcastle)