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.
ALB
Albemarle Corporation
$131.11Basic MaterialsAt close: Aug 7, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
CF
CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
$114.35Basic MaterialsAt close: Aug 7, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — ALB vs CF
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 21yALB +836.0%CF +5066.6%CF compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
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
| Metric | ALB | CF |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 485.59 | 8.48 |
| Forward P/E | N/A | 6.86 |
| P/S ratio | 2.61 | 2.27 |
| P/B ratio | 1.45 | 1.97 |
| PEG ratio | 0.51 | 0.26 |
| EV / EBITDA | 0.28 | 4.88 |
| FCF yield | 3333.33% | 10.86% |
Profitability
| Metric | ALB | CF |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 13.06% | 42.54% |
| Operating margin | 1.82% | 38.12% |
| Net margin | 3.79% | 27.12% |
| ROE | 2.18% | 23.53% |
| ROIC | 0.64% | 14.27% |
Dividends
| Metric | ALB | CF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.24% | 1.75% |
| Payout ratio | N/A | 22.27% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ALB | CF |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 12.84% | 11.04% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | N/A | 43.52% |
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Albemarle P/E ratioCF Industries P/E ratioAlbemarle dividend yieldCF Industries dividend yieldAlbemarle ROECF Industries ROEAlbemarle operating marginCF Industries operating marginAlbemarle revenue growthCF Industries revenue growthAlbemarle free cash flowCF Industries free cash flow
Albemarle & 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 9, 2026.