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

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 August 9, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnALB vs CF

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 21y
ALB +836.0%CF +5066.6%CF compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $10020092013201720212025$936$5,167
ALB CF

ALB vs CF: by the numbers

  • CF is the larger company ($17.57B vs $15.46B market cap).
  • CF trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (8.48 vs 485.59 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • CF converts more revenue to profit (27.12% vs 3.79% net margin).
  • ALB grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.84% vs 11.04% CAGR).
  • CF pays the higher dividend yield (1.75% vs 1.24%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricALBCF
P/E ratio485.598.48
Forward P/EN/A6.86
P/S ratio2.612.27
P/B ratio1.451.97
PEG ratio0.510.26
EV / EBITDA0.284.88
FCF yield3333.33%10.86%

Profitability

MetricALBCF
Gross margin13.06%42.54%
Operating margin1.82%38.12%
Net margin3.79%27.12%
ROE2.18%23.53%
ROIC0.64%14.27%

Dividends

MetricALBCF
Dividend yield1.24%1.75%
Payout ratioN/A22.27%

Growth (annualized)

MetricALBCF
Revenue CAGR (5Y)12.84%11.04%
EPS CAGR (5Y)N/A43.52%
FCF CAGR (5Y)36.53%17.64%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-9.29%22.41%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, ALB or CF?
CF has the lower trailing P/E: ALB trades at 485.59 and CF at 8.48. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, ALB or CF?
Over the past five years, ALB grew revenue faster — ALB at a 12.84% CAGR versus CF at 11.04%.
Does ALB or CF pay a bigger dividend?
ALB yields 1.24% and CF yields 1.75% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is ALB or CF more profitable?
CF runs the higher net margin — ALB at 3.79% versus CF at 27.12%.
How have ALB and CF total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, ALB delivered 6.18% and CF delivered 21.11% annualized total return. 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 August 9, 2026.