Zacks Investment Research·Sep 15, 2026
CF Jumps 24% in the Past 3 Months: What's Driving the Stock?CF Industries' 24.3% YTD rally reflects strong nitrogen demand, firm prices, tightening supply and robust shareholder returns.
CF Industries is capitalizing on a structural cost advantage from low-cost North American natural gas, driving gross margins to 51.5% in 2026Q2 and EPS growth of 99.6% year-over-year. The company's robust free cash flow generation (FCF margin of 27.3% in 2026Q...
Price trend, volume and key moving averages
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Revenue growth accelerated to 17.6% in 2026Q2, with gross margin expanding to 51.5% from 28.1% in 2024Q1, reflecting strong operating leverage and cost discipline.
CF Industries reported Q1 2026 adjusted EBITDA of $983 million, with ammonia capacity running at nearly 100%, supported by a tightening global nitrogen market.
The fertilizer sector is becoming more constructive, with investors looking past recent softness toward tightening nutrient markets ahead of the spring application season.
CF Industries is pivoting from a cyclical fertilizer manufacturer to a sophisticated energy company, leveraging its position as the world's largest ammonia producer.
Trailing total returns as of 9/24/2026, which may include dividends or other distributions. Benchmark is S&P 500 (^GSPC).
Check whether operating performance supports the current valuation.
Recent results and news deserve attention only when they alter the forward view.
| Quarter | EPS (Act vs Est) | Revenue (Act vs Est) |
|---|---|---|
Q3 2026Latest Aug 5, 2026 | $4.73-16.0% vs $5.63 | $2.2B-9.3% vs $2.4B |
Q2 2026 May 6, 2026 | $3.99+51.7% vs $2.63 | $2.0B+8.0% vs $1.8B |
Q1 2026 Feb 18, 2026 | $2.99+23.0% vs $2.43 | $1.9B+5.0% vs $1.8B |
Q4 2025 Nov 5, 2025 | $2.19+1.4% vs $2.16 | $1.7B-0.5% vs $1.7B |
CF Industries' 24.3% YTD rally reflects strong nitrogen demand, firm prices, tightening supply and robust shareholder returns.
CF Industries offers structural cost leadership via Henry Hub natural gas, resilient cash flows from carbon capture credits, and disciplined capital returns. CF's first-quartile cost position and robust North American logistics insulate margins against global energy volatility and support market share gains. Section 45Q tax credits and aggressive share buybacks drive durable free cash flow and per-share value compounding, even through commodity cycles.
On the August 31 Mad Money “Off the Charts” segment with Bob Lang, Jim Cramer laid out a copper roadmap.
CF (CF) reported earnings 30 days ago. What's next for the stock?
Benchmark CF against direct peers instead of judging its metrics in isolation.
Key metrics vs top competitors for CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF)
| Company | Price | Market Cap | P/E Ratio | Rev Growth (1Y) | Net Margin | ROE | Div Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $120.67 | $18.54B | 13.45 | 19.34% | 20.54% | 18.94% | 1.67% | |
| $24.37 | $7.75B | 14.34 | 8.36% | 0.36% | 0.35% | — | |
| $75.13 | $36.06B | 15.85 | 3.52% | 8.44% | 9.36% | — | |
| $127.83 | $1.35B | 13.70 | 15.36% | 23.67% | 51.56% | — | |
| $67.39 | $2.29B | 24.07 | -2.21% | 1.62% | 13.69% | — | |
| $5.30 | $6.84B | 29.44 | 4.56% | 3.95% | 4.8% | — |
CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF) vs competitors — business, growth, and fundamentals comparison against the closest industry rivals.
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CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF) SEC filings — annual & quarterly reports (10-K, 10-Q)
Aug 5, 2026·SEC
Aug 5, 2026·SEC
May 6, 2026·SEC
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CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF) stock FAQ — growth, dividends, profitability & financials explained
CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF) reported $7.74B in revenue for fiscal year 2025. This represents a 457% increase from $1.39B in 2003.
CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF) grew revenue by 19.3% over the past year. This is strong growth.
Yes, CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF) is profitable, generating $2.10B in net income for fiscal year 2025 (20.5% net margin).
Yes, CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF) pays a dividend with a yield of 1.67%. This makes it attractive for income-focused investors.
CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF) has a return on equity (ROE) of 18.9%. This is reasonable for most industries.
CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF) generated $1.91B in free cash flow for fiscal year 2025. Positive FCF indicates the company can fund dividends, buybacks, or reinvestment.
