CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF) vs International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF)
CF leads on 13 of 17 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of CF Industries Holdings, Inc. and International Flavors & Fragrances 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).
CF
CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
$102.17Basic Materials
IFF
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
$74.71Basic Materials
Total return — CF vs IFF
growth of $100 · last 21yCF +3053.4%IFF +98.6%CF compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
CF IFF
CF vs IFF: by the numbers
- •IFF is the larger company ($19.07B vs $15.70B market cap).
- •CF trades at the lower earnings multiple (9.18 vs 22.85 P/E).
- •CF converts more revenue to profit (23.73% vs 7.90% net margin).
- •CF grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.01% vs 11.71% CAGR).
- •IFF pays the higher dividend yield (2.14% vs 1.96%).
Which is better, CF or IFF?
Metric tally: CF 13 · IFF 4It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueCF(lower P/E)
GrowthCF(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeIFF(higher dividend yield)
QualityCF(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CF | IFF |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 9.18● | 22.85 |
| Forward P/E | 8.90● | 16.84 |
| P/S ratio | 2.13 | 1.78● |
| P/B ratio | 2.95 | 1.36● |
| PEG ratio | 0.26 | 0.18● |
| EV / EBITDA | 4.68● | 12.26 |
| FCF yield | 10.27%● | 2.07% |
Profitability
| Metric | CF | IFF |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 40.41%● | 36.35% |
| Operating margin | 35.68%● | 7.56% |
| Net margin | 23.73%● | 7.90% |
| ROE | 32.91%● | 6.03% |
| ROIC | 14.27%● | 3.19% |
Dividends
| Metric | CF | IFF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.96% | 2.14%● |
| Payout ratio | 22.27% | — |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CF | IFF |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 12.01%● | 11.71% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 43.52%● | -25.13% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 6.13%● | -13.45% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 17.31%● | -10.37% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CF or IFF?
- It depends on your goal. value: CF (lower P/E); growth: CF (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: IFF (higher dividend yield); quality: CF (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CF leads 13 to 4.
- Is CF or IFF cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, CF is cheaper: CF trades at a 9.18 P/E and IFF at 22.85.
- Which has grown faster, CF or IFF?
- Over the past five years, CF grew revenue faster — CF at a 12.01% CAGR versus IFF at 11.71%.
- Does CF or IFF pay a bigger dividend?
- CF yields 1.96% and IFF yields 2.14% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CF or IFF more profitable?
- CF runs the higher net margin — CF at 23.73% versus IFF at 7.90%.
- Which has been the better investment, CF or IFF?
- Over the past 10-year, CF delivered the higher annualized total return — CF at 17.11% versus IFF at -2.84%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
CF Industries P/E ratioInternational Flavors & Fragrances P/E ratioCF Industries dividend yieldInternational Flavors & Fragrances dividend yieldCF Industries ROEInternational Flavors & Fragrances ROECF Industries operating marginInternational Flavors & Fragrances operating marginCF Industries revenue growthInternational Flavors & Fragrances revenue growthCF Industries free cash flowInternational Flavors & Fragrances free cash flow
CF Industries & International Flavors & Fragrances 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.