CHSCL vs CF

For growth investors, CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

(CF) is the stronger pick with 19. 3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -9. 7% for CHS Inc. (CHSCL). CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF) offers the better valuation at 13. 2x trailing P/E (8. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF) a "Buy" — based on 41 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.

Over the past 5 years, CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

(CF) delivered a total return of +130. 9%, compared to +21. 4% for CHS Inc. (CHSCL). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CF returned +338. 1% versus CHSCL's +59. 2%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

(CF) is the lower-risk stock at -0. 62β versus CHS Inc. 's 0. 10β — meaning CHSCL is approximately -115% more volatile than CF relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, CHS Inc. (CHSCL) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 29% versus 51% for CF Industries Holdings, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

(CF) is pulling ahead at 19. 3% versus -9. 7% for CHS Inc. (CHSCL). Over a 3-year CAGR, CHSCL leads at -9. 5% 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.

CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

(CF) is the more profitable company, earning 20. 5% net margin versus 1. 7% for CHS 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 0. 3% for CHSCL. 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.

In this comparison, CF (1.

7% yield) pays a dividend. CHSCL does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

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, +338. 1% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CF: +338. 1%, CHSCL: +59. 2%), 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.

These companies operate in different sectors (CHSCL (Consumer Defensive) and CF (Basic Materials)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: CHSCL is a small-cap quality compounder stock; CF is a mid-cap high-growth stock. CF pays a dividend while CHSCL 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.