Alcoa Corporation (AA) vs CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF)
A side-by-side comparison of Alcoa Corporation and CF Industries Holdings, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 19, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
AA
Alcoa Corporation
$51.54Basic MaterialsDelayed quote: Aug 19, 2026, 4:01 PM EDT
CF
CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
$119.04Basic MaterialsDelayed quote: Aug 19, 2026, 3:59 PM EDT
Total return — AA vs CF
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yAA +135.2% (+8.9%/yr)CF +544.4% (+20.5%/yr)CF compounded faster over this window
AA CF
AA vs CF: by the numbers
- •CF is the larger company ($18.29B vs $13.60B market cap).
- •CF trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (8.82 vs 10.50 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •CF converts more revenue to profit (27.12% vs 9.39% net margin).
- •CF grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.04% vs 5.06% CAGR).
- •CF pays the higher dividend yield (1.68% vs 0.78%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AA | CF |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 10.50 | 8.82 |
| Forward P/E | 7.86 | 7.14 |
| P/S ratio | 1.00 | 2.37 |
| P/B ratio | 1.84 | 3.19 |
| EV / EBITDA | 8.31 | 5.07 |
| FCF yield | 2.59% | 10.43% |
Profitability
| Metric | AA | CF |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 18.79% | 42.54% |
| Operating margin | 7.96% | 38.12% |
| Net margin | 9.39% | 27.12% |
| ROE | 17.33% | 36.52% |
| ROIC | 8.32% | 16.58% |
Dividends
| Metric | AA | CF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.78% | 1.68% |
| Payout ratio | 8.95% | 22.27% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AA | CF |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 5.06% | 11.04% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | N/A | 43.52% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 17.20% | 17.64% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 7.98% | 24.96% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, AA or CF?
- CF has the lower trailing P/E: AA trades at 10.50 and CF at 8.82. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, AA or CF?
- Over the past five years, CF grew revenue faster — AA at a 5.06% CAGR versus CF at 11.04%.
- Does AA or CF pay a bigger dividend?
- AA yields 0.78% and CF yields 1.68% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AA or CF more profitable?
- CF runs the higher net margin — AA at 9.39% versus CF at 27.12%.
- How have AA and CF total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, AA delivered 8.95% and CF delivered 21.01% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Alcoa P/E ratioCF Industries P/E ratioAlcoa dividend yieldCF Industries dividend yieldAlcoa ROECF Industries ROEAlcoa operating marginCF Industries operating marginAlcoa revenue growthCF Industries revenue growthAlcoa free cash flowCF Industries free cash flow
Alcoa & CF Industries appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified August 19, 2026.