FMC
FMC Corporation
Agricultural Inputs
Market Cap$1.86B
5Y Perf.-84.9%
Compare Stocks
2 / 10Try these comparisons:
Stock Comparison
FMC vs CF
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
CF
CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
Agricultural Inputs
Market Cap$19.97B
5Y Perf.+336.0%
FMC vs CF — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | FMC | CF |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Agricultural Inputs | Agricultural Inputs |
| Market Cap | $1.86B | $19.97B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $3.43B | $6.74B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-2.50B | $1.38B |
| Gross Margin | 35.3% | 39.8% |
| Operating Margin | -59.5% | 35.1% |
| Forward P/E | 8.4x | 9.1x |
| Total Debt | $4.20B | $3.25B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $585M | $1.61B |
FMC vs CF — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
FMC
CF
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| FMC Corporation (FMC) | 100 | 15.1 | -84.9% |
| CF Industries Holdi… (CF) | 100 | 436.0 | +336.0% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: FMC vs CF
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: CF leads in 5 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. FMC Corporation is the stronger pick specifically for valuation and capital efficiency and dividend income and shareholder returns. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
FMC
FMC Corporation
The Income Pick
FMC is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and defensive.
- Dividend streak 7 yrs, beta 1.63, yield 15.6%
- Beta 1.63, yield 15.6%, current ratio 1.32x
- Lower P/E (8.4x vs 9.1x)
Best for: income & stability and defensive
CF
CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
The Growth Play
CF carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth -10.5%, EPS growth -14.4%, 3Y rev CAGR -3.2%
- 362.9% 10Y total return vs FMC's -25.3%
- Lower volatility, beta -0.62, Low D/E 42.8%, current ratio 3.08x
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | CF | -10.5% revenue growth vs FMC's -18.3% |
| Value | FMC | Lower P/E (8.4x vs 9.1x) |
| Quality / Margins | CF | 20.5% margin vs FMC's -72.9% |
| Stability / Safety | CF | Lower D/E ratio (42.8% vs 200.0%) |
| Dividends | FMC | 15.6% yield, 7-year raise streak, vs CF's 1.6% |
| Momentum (1Y) | CF | +60.7% vs FMC's -54.9% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | CF | 9.7% ROA vs FMC's -23.0%, ROIC 13.9% vs -21.2% |
FMC vs CF — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2024
FMC vs CF — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLCFLAGGINGFMC
FMCFMC Corporation
2leads
CFCF Industries Holding…
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs FMCMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
CF6/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
FMC4/4
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
CF9/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
CF6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
CF2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
FMC2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CF leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CF is the larger business by revenue, generating $6.7B annually — 2.0x FMC's $3.4B. CF is the more profitable business, keeping 20.5% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to FMC's -72.9%. On growth, CF holds the edge at +21.1% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | FMCFMC Corporation | CFCF Industries Hol… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $3.4B | $6.7B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$1.9B | $3.3B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$2.5B | $1.4B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$91M | $1.7B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +35.3% | +39.8% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -59.5% | +35.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -72.9% | +20.5% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -2.7% | +25.4% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -4.1% | +21.1% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -17.8% | +41.3% |
CF leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
FMC leads this category, winning 4 of 4 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | FMCFMC Corporation | CFCF Industries Hol… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.9B | $20.0B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $5.5B | $21.6B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -0.83x | 19.00x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 8.42x | 9.07x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 0.76x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | 8.09x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.54x | 3.36x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.89x | 3.05x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 11.39x |
FMC leads this category, winning 4 of 4 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CF leads this category, winning 9 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CF delivers a 17.9% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $18 in annual profit, vs $-82 for FMC. CF carries lower financial leverage with a 0.43x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to FMC's 2.00x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), CF scores 4/9 vs FMC's 2/9, reflecting mixed financial health.
| Metric | FMCFMC Corporation | CFCF Industries Hol… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -82.3% | +17.9% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -23.0% | +9.7% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -21.2% | +13.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -25.9% | +13.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 2 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 2.00x | 0.43x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $3.6B | $1.6B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $585M | $1.6B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $4.2B | $3.2B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -0.24x | 13.86x |
CF leads this category, winning 9 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
CF leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in CF five years ago would be worth $27,264 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $2,058 for FMC. Over the past 12 months, CF leads with a +60.7% total return vs FMC's -54.9%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CF at 24.3% vs FMC's -43.2% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | FMCFMC Corporation | CFCF Industries Hol… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +4.3% | +60.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -54.9% | +60.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -81.6% | +92.0% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -79.4% | +172.6% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -25.3% | +362.9% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -43.2% | +24.3% |
CF leads this category, winning 6 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 FMC's 1.63 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. CF currently trades 90.2% from its 52-week high vs FMC's 33.2% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | FMCFMC Corporation | CFCF Industries Hol… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.63x | -0.62x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $44.78 | $141.96 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $12.17 | $75.42 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +33.2% | +90.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 41.3 | 53.8 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 3.2M | 4.8M |
CF leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
FMC leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates FMC as "Hold" and CF as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 4.8% upside for FMC (target: $16) vs -15.0% for CF (target: $109). For income investors, FMC offers the higher dividend yield at 15.65% vs CF's 1.57%.
| Metric | FMCFMC Corporation | CFCF Industries Hol… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $15.58 | $108.89 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 42 | 41 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +15.6% | +1.6% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 7 | 5 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $2.33 | $2.01 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.1% | +7.6% |
FMC leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
CF leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). FMC leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Analyst Outlook).
Best OverallCF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF)Leads 4 of 6 categories
Loading custom metrics...
FMC vs CF: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is FMC or CF a better buy right now?
For growth investors, CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
(CF) is the stronger pick with -10. 5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -18. 3% for FMC Corporation (FMC). CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF) offers the better valuation at 19. 0x trailing P/E (9. 1x 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.
02Which has the better valuation — FMC or CF?
On forward P/E, FMC Corporation is actually cheaper at 8.
4x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — FMC or CF?
Over the past 5 years, CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
(CF) delivered a total return of +172. 6%, compared to -79. 4% for FMC Corporation (FMC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CF returned +362. 9% versus FMC's -25. 3%. 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 — FMC or CF?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
(CF) is the lower-risk stock at -0. 62β versus FMC Corporation's 1. 63β — meaning FMC is approximately -361% 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 43% versus 2% for FMC Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — FMC or CF?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
(CF) is pulling ahead at -10. 5% versus -18. 3% for FMC Corporation (FMC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: CF Industries Holdings, Inc. grew EPS -14. 4% year-over-year, compared to -757. 4% for FMC Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, CF leads at -3. 2% 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 — FMC or CF?
CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
(CF) is the more profitable company, earning 20. 5% net margin versus -64. 6% for FMC Corporation — meaning it keeps 20. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CF leads at 29. 4% versus -54. 4% for FMC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — FMC leads at 37. 0%, 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 FMC or CF more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, FMC Corporation (FMC) trades at 8.
4x forward P/E versus 9. 1x for CF Industries Holdings, Inc. — 0. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for FMC: 4. 8% to $15. 58.
08Which pays a better dividend — FMC or CF?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
FMC Corporation (FMC) offers the highest yield at 15. 6%, versus 1. 6% for CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF).
09Is FMC 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. 6% yield, +362. 9% 10Y return). FMC Corporation (FMC) carries a higher beta of 1. 63 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (CF: +362. 9%, FMC: -25. 3%), 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 FMC 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.
In terms of investment character: FMC is a small-cap income-oriented stock; CF is a mid-cap quality compounder stock. 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.
Find Stocks Like These
Explore pre-built screens for each stock's profile, or build a custom screen to find stocks that outperform both.
Revenue Growth>
%
(FMC: -4.1% · CF: 21.1%)You Might Also Compare
Based on how these companies actually compete and overlap — not just which sector they're filed under.