Albemarle Corporation (ALB) vs CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF)

CF leads on 13 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Albemarle Corporation and CF Industries Holdings, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 26, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — ALB vs CF

growth of $100 · last 21y
ALB +705.0%CF +3081.8%CF compounded faster
01k2k3k4kStart $10020092013201720212025$805$3,182
ALB CF

ALB vs CF: by the numbers

  • ALB is the larger company ($16.63B vs $15.84B market cap).
  • CF is profitable (23.73% net margin) while ALB runs a net loss (-4.24%).
  • CF grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.01% vs 11.29% CAGR).
  • CF pays the higher dividend yield (1.94% vs 1.15%).

Which is better, ALB or CF?

Metric tally: ALB 2 · CF 13

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthCF(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCF(higher dividend yield)
QualityCF(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricALBCF
P/E ratio9.26
Forward P/E11.268.98
P/S ratio3.042.15
P/B ratio1.702.98
PEG ratio0.26
EV / EBITDA23.454.72
FCF yield3.45%10.17%

Profitability

MetricALBCF
Gross margin18.53%40.41%
Operating margin5.55%35.68%
Net margin-4.24%23.73%
ROE-2.36%32.91%
ROIC0.64%14.27%

Dividends

MetricALBCF
Dividend yield1.15%1.94%
Payout ratio22.27%

Growth (annualized)

MetricALBCF
Revenue CAGR (5Y)11.29%12.01%
EPS CAGR (5Y)15.95%43.52%
FCF CAGR (5Y)92.70%6.13%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-2.13%17.65%

Frequently asked

Which is better, ALB or CF?
It depends on your goal. growth: CF (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CF (higher dividend yield); quality: CF (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CF leads 13 to 2.
Which has grown faster, ALB or CF?
Over the past five years, CF grew revenue faster — ALB at a 11.29% CAGR versus CF at 12.01%.
Does ALB or CF pay a bigger dividend?
ALB yields 1.15% and CF yields 1.94% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is ALB or CF more profitable?
CF runs the higher net margin — ALB at -4.24% versus CF at 23.73%.
Which has been the better investment, ALB or CF?
Over the past 10-year, CF delivered the higher annualized total return — ALB at 7.40% versus CF at 18.20%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

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 June 26, 2026.