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GRO vs CF
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Agricultural Inputs
GRO vs CF — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Industrial Materials | Agricultural Inputs |
| Market Cap | $141M | $18.24B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $0.00 | $7.41B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-67M | $1.76B |
| Gross Margin | — | 40.4% |
| Operating Margin | — | 35.7% |
| Forward P/E | — | 8.4x |
| Total Debt | $606K | $3.95B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $19M | $1.98B |
GRO vs CF — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Nov 24 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil Potash Corp. (GRO) | 100 | 20.2 | -79.8% |
| CF Industries Holdi… (CF) | 100 | 132.4 | +32.4% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: GRO vs CF
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
GRO is the clearest fit if your priority is sleep-well-at-night and defensive.
- Lower volatility, beta 1.84, Low D/E 0.4%, current ratio 6.79x
- Beta 1.84, current ratio 6.79x
- Lower D/E ratio (0.4% vs 50.8%)
CF carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 19.3%, EPS growth 33.1%, 3Y rev CAGR -14.1%
- 338.1% 10Y total return vs GRO's -80.5%
- 23.7% margin vs GRO's 0.0%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Quality / Margins | 23.7% margin vs GRO's 0.0% | |
| Stability / Safety | Lower D/E ratio (0.4% vs 50.8%) | |
| Dividends | 1.7% yield; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +49.6% vs GRO's +19.5% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 12.4% ROA vs GRO's -31.6%, ROIC 18.7% vs -24.6% |
GRO vs CF — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
GRO vs CF — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CF leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CF and GRO operate at a comparable scale, with $7.4B and $0 in trailing revenue.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $0 | $7.4B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$67M | $3.5B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$67M | $1.8B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$27M | $1.6B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | — | +40.4% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | — | +35.7% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | — | +23.7% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | — | +21.9% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | +19.4% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +9.4% | +115.1% |
Valuation Metrics
GRO leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $141M | $18.2B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $123M | $20.2B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -2.06x | 13.24x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 8.41x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 0.30x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | 6.19x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | — | 2.57x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.70x | 2.48x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 10.12x |
Profitability & Efficiency
CF leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CF delivers a 22.3% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $22 in annual profit, vs $-33 for GRO. GRO carries lower financial leverage with a 0.00x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to CF's 0.51x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), CF scores 8/9 vs GRO's 4/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -32.6% | +22.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -31.6% | +12.4% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -24.6% | +18.7% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -30.0% | +18.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 8 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.00x | 0.51x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$18M | $2.0B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $19M | $2.0B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $605,605 | $3.9B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -177.94x | 16.31x |
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 $23,091 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $1,954 for GRO. Over the past 12 months, CF leads with a +49.6% total return vs GRO's +19.5%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CF at 22.6% vs GRO's -42.0% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +32.7% | +48.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +19.5% | +49.6% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -80.5% | +84.1% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -80.5% | +130.9% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -80.5% | +338.1% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -42.0% | +22.6% |
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 GRO's 1.84 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. CF currently trades 83.6% from its 52-week high vs GRO's 66.2% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.84x | -0.62x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $3.99 | $141.96 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $1.25 | $75.42 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +66.2% | +83.6% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 39.3 | 47.0 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 988K | 4.9M |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates GRO as "Buy" and CF as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 51.5% upside for GRO (target: $4) vs -8.3% for CF (target: $109). CF is the only dividend payer here at 1.69% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $4.00 | $108.89 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 1 | 41 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +1.7% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $2.01 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
CF leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). GRO leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics).
GRO vs CF: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is GRO or CF a better buy right now?
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 Brazil Potash Corp. (GRO) a "Buy" — based on 1 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 is the better long-term investment — GRO or CF?
Over the past 5 years, CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
(CF) delivered a total return of +130. 9%, compared to -80. 5% for Brazil Potash Corp. (GRO). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CF returned +338. 1% versus GRO's -80. 5%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
03Which is safer — GRO or CF?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
(CF) is the lower-risk stock at -0. 62β versus Brazil Potash Corp. 's 1. 84β — meaning GRO is approximately -395% more volatile than CF relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Brazil Potash Corp. (GRO) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 0% versus 51% for CF Industries Holdings, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — GRO or CF?
On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
grew EPS 33. 1% year-over-year, compared to -276. 5% for Brazil Potash Corp.. 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.
05Which has better profit margins — GRO or CF?
CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
(CF) is the more profitable company, earning 20. 5% net margin versus 0. 0% for Brazil Potash Corp. — 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. 0% for GRO. 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.
06Is GRO or CF more undervalued right now?
Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for GRO: 51.
5% to $4. 00.
07Which pays a better dividend — GRO or CF?
In this comparison, CF (1.
7% yield) pays a dividend. GRO does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
08Is GRO 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, +338. 1% 10Y return). Brazil Potash Corp. (GRO) carries a higher beta of 1. 84 — 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: +338. 1%, GRO: -80. 5%), 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.
09What are the main differences between GRO 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: GRO is a small-cap quality compounder stock; CF is a mid-cap high-growth stock. CF pays a dividend while GRO 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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