LXU
LSB Industries, Inc.
Chemicals
Market Cap$1.01B
5Y Perf.+1592.3%
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Stock Comparison
LXU vs CF
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
CF
CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
Agricultural Inputs
Market Cap$18.39B
5Y Perf.+307.7%
LXU vs CF — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | LXU | CF |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals | Agricultural Inputs |
| Market Cap | $1.01B | $18.39B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $641M | $7.41B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $46M | $1.76B |
| Gross Margin | 19.6% | 40.4% |
| Operating Margin | 12.5% | 27.1% |
| Forward P/E | 13.0x | 8.5x |
| Total Debt | $489M | $3.95B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $20M | $1.98B |
LXU vs CF — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
LXU
CF
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| LSB Industries, Inc. (LXU) | 100 | 1692.3 | +1592.3% |
| CF Industries Holdi… (CF) | 100 | 407.7 | +307.7% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: LXU vs CF
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: CF leads in 6 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. LSB Industries, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for recent price momentum and sentiment. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
LXU
LSB Industries, Inc.
The Income Pick
LXU is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 0.43
- Rev growth 17.8%, EPS growth 225.9%, 3Y rev CAGR -12.0%
- +117.3% vs CF's +48.5%
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
CF
CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
The Long-Run Compounder
CF carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for long-term compounding and sleep-well-at-night.
- 333.0% 10Y total return vs LXU's 77.6%
- Lower volatility, beta -0.62, Low D/E 50.8%, current ratio 3.37x
- Beta -0.62, yield 1.7%, current ratio 3.37x
Best for: long-term compounding and sleep-well-at-night
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | CF | 19.3% revenue growth vs LXU's 17.8% |
| Value | CF | Lower P/E (8.5x vs 13.0x) |
| Quality / Margins | CF | 23.7% margin vs LXU's 7.2% |
| Stability / Safety | CF | Lower D/E ratio (50.8% vs 94.1%) |
| Dividends | CF | 1.7% yield; the other pay no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | LXU | +117.3% vs CF's +48.5% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | CF | 12.4% ROA vs LXU's 4.0%, ROIC 18.7% vs 4.7% |
LXU vs CF — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
LXU vs CF — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLCFLAGGINGLXU
LXULSB Industries, Inc.
0leads
CFCF Industries Holding…
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs LXUMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
CF4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
CF4/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
CF6/8
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
Tied
—
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
CF2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
—
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CF leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CF is the larger business by revenue, generating $7.4B annually — 11.6x LXU's $641M. CF is the more profitable business, keeping 23.7% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to LXU's 7.2%.
| Metric | LXULSB Industries, I… | CFCF Industries Hol… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $641M | $7.4B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $163M | $2.7B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $46M | $1.8B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $161M | $1.6B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +19.6% | +40.4% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +12.5% | +27.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +7.2% | +23.7% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +25.2% | +21.9% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +18.2% | +19.4% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +12.8% | +115.1% |
CF leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
CF leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 13.3x trailing earnings, CF trades at a 68% valuation discount to LXU's 41.4x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, CF's 6.2x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than LXU's 10.2x.
| Metric | LXULSB Industries, I… | CFCF Industries Hol… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.0B | $18.4B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $1.5B | $20.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 41.35x | 13.35x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 13.05x | 8.48x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 0.31x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 10.23x | 6.24x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.64x | 2.60x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.96x | 2.50x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 55.93x | 10.21x |
CF leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CF leads this category, winning 6 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CF delivers a 20.4% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $20 in annual profit, vs $9 for LXU. CF carries lower financial leverage with a 0.51x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to LXU's 0.94x.
| Metric | LXULSB Industries, I… | CFCF Industries Hol… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +8.9% | +20.4% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +4.0% | +12.4% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +4.7% | +18.7% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +5.9% | +18.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 8 | 8 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.94x | 0.51x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $470M | $2.0B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $20M | $2.0B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $489M | $3.9B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 2.66x | 12.23x |
CF leads this category, winning 6 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
Evenly matched — LXU and CF each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in LXU five years ago would be worth $31,085 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $24,581 for CF. Over the past 12 months, LXU leads with a +117.3% total return vs CF's +48.5%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CF at 22.9% vs LXU's 13.6% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | LXULSB Industries, I… | CFCF Industries Hol… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +64.1% | +50.1% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +117.3% | +48.5% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +46.8% | +85.6% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +210.8% | +145.8% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +77.6% | +333.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +13.6% | +22.9% |
Evenly matched — LXU and CF each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CF leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CF is the less volatile stock with a -0.62 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than LXU's 0.43 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | LXULSB Industries, I… | CFCF Industries Hol… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.43x | -0.62x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $17.21 | $141.96 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $6.34 | $75.42 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +81.7% | +84.3% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 57.2 | 56.0 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.8M | 4.9M |
CF leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates LXU as "Buy" and CF as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply -9.1% upside for CF (target: $109) vs -26.2% for LXU (target: $10). CF is the only dividend payer here at 1.68% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | LXULSB Industries, I… | CFCF Industries Hol… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $10.38 | $108.89 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 11 | 41 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +1.7% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $2.01 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.2% | 0.0% |
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Key Takeaway
CF leads in 4 of 6 categories — strongest in Income & Cash Flow and Valuation Metrics. 1 category is tied.
Best OverallCF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF)Leads 4 of 6 categories
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LXU vs CF: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is LXU or CF a better buy right now?
For growth investors, CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
(CF) is the stronger pick with 19. 3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 17. 8% for LSB Industries, Inc. (LXU). CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF) offers the better valuation at 13. 3x trailing P/E (8. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate LSB Industries, Inc. (LXU) a "Buy" — based on 11 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — LXU or CF?
On trailing P/E, CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
(CF) is the cheapest at 13. 3x versus LSB Industries, Inc. at 41. 4x. On forward P/E, CF Industries Holdings, Inc. is actually cheaper at 8. 5x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — LXU or CF?
Over the past 5 years, LSB Industries, Inc.
(LXU) delivered a total return of +210. 8%, compared to +145. 8% for CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CF returned +333. 0% versus LXU's +77. 6%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — LXU or CF?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
(CF) is the lower-risk stock at -0. 62β versus LSB Industries, Inc. 's 0. 43β — meaning LXU is approximately -169% more volatile than CF relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 51% versus 94% for LSB Industries, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — LXU or CF?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
(CF) is pulling ahead at 19. 3% versus 17. 8% for LSB Industries, Inc. (LXU). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: LSB Industries, Inc. grew EPS 225. 9% year-over-year, compared to 33. 1% for CF Industries Holdings, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, LXU leads at -12. 0% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — LXU or CF?
CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
(CF) is the more profitable company, earning 20. 5% net margin versus 4. 0% for LSB Industries, Inc. — meaning it keeps 20. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CF leads at 33. 4% versus 10. 2% for LXU. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CF leads at 38. 5%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is LXU or CF more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
(CF) trades at 8. 5x forward P/E versus 13. 0x for LSB Industries, Inc. — 4. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CF: -9. 1% to $108. 89.
08Which pays a better dividend — LXU or CF?
In this comparison, CF (1.
7% yield) pays a dividend. LXU does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is LXU or CF better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
(CF) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β -0. 62), 1. 7% yield, +333. 0% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CF: +333. 0%, LXU: +77. 6%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between LXU and CF?
Both stocks operate in the Basic Materials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
CF pays a dividend while LXU does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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Revenue Growth>
%
(LXU: 18.2% · CF: 19.4%)Net Margin>
%
(LXU: 7.2% · CF: 23.7%)P/E Ratio<
x
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