CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF) vs Dow Inc. (DOW)
CF leads on 11 of 14 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of CF Industries Holdings, Inc. and Dow Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 24, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — CF vs DOW
growth of $100 · last 7yCF +142.7%DOW -39.1%CF compounded faster
CF DOW
CF vs DOW: by the numbers
- •DOW is the larger company ($21.86B vs $15.70B market cap).
- •CF is profitable (23.73% net margin) while DOW runs a net loss (-7.02%).
- •CF grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.01% vs -0.66% CAGR).
- •DOW pays the higher dividend yield (4.62% vs 1.96%).
Which is better, CF or DOW?
Metric tally: CF 11 · DOW 3It depends on what you're optimizing for:
GrowthCF(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeDOW(higher dividend yield)
QualityCF(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CF | DOW |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 9.18 | — |
| Forward P/E | 8.90● | 9.49 |
| P/S ratio | 2.13 | 0.56● |
| P/B ratio | 2.95 | 1.43● |
| PEG ratio | 0.26 | — |
| EV / EBITDA | 4.68● | 44.52 |
| FCF yield | 10.27% | — |
Profitability
| Metric | CF | DOW |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 40.41%● | 6.16% |
| Operating margin | 35.68%● | -2.31% |
| Net margin | 23.73%● | -7.02% |
| ROE | 32.91%● | -18.11% |
| ROIC | 14.27%● | 0.51% |
Dividends
| Metric | CF | DOW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.96% | 4.62%● |
| Payout ratio | 22.27% | — |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CF | DOW |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 12.01%● | -0.66% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 43.52%● | -20.06% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 6.13%● | -24.60% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 17.31%● | -8.83% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CF or DOW?
- It depends on your goal. growth: CF (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: DOW (higher dividend yield); quality: CF (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CF leads 11 to 3.
- Which has grown faster, CF or DOW?
- Over the past five years, CF grew revenue faster — CF at a 12.01% CAGR versus DOW at -0.66%.
- Does CF or DOW pay a bigger dividend?
- CF yields 1.96% and DOW yields 4.62% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CF or DOW more profitable?
- CF runs the higher net margin — CF at 23.73% versus DOW at -7.02%.
- Which has been the better investment, CF or DOW?
- Over the past 5-year, CF delivered the higher annualized total return — CF at 17.11% versus DOW at -8.83%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
CF Industries P/E ratioDow P/E ratioCF Industries dividend yieldDow dividend yieldCF Industries ROEDow ROECF Industries operating marginDow operating marginCF Industries revenue growthDow revenue growthCF Industries free cash flowDow free cash flow
CF Industries & Dow 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 June 24, 2026.