CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF) vs International Paper Company (IP)

A side-by-side comparison of CF Industries Holdings, Inc. and International Paper Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 9, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnCF vs IP

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
CF +585.8% (+21.2%/yr)IP +20.1% (+1.8%/yr)CF compounded faster over this window
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001kStart $10020182020202220242026$686$120
CF IP

CF vs IP: by the numbers

  • CF is the larger company ($20.65B vs $19.32B market cap).
  • CF is profitable (27.12% net margin) while IP runs a net loss (-14.20%).
  • CF grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.04% vs 4.18% CAGR).
  • IP pays the higher dividend yield (5.07% vs 1.56%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCFIP
P/E ratio9.96N/A
Forward P/E8.9526.61
P/S ratio2.670.80
P/B ratio3.601.34
EV / EBITDA5.6828283.46
FCF yield9.23%2.55%

Profitability

MetricCFIP
Gross margin42.54%27.75%
Operating margin38.12%-11.45%
Net margin27.12%-14.20%
ROE36.52%-23.78%
ROIC16.58%-9.23%

Dividends

MetricCFIP
Dividend yield1.56%5.07%
Payout ratio15.57%N/A

Growth (annualized)

MetricCFIP
Revenue CAGR (5Y)11.04%4.18%
EPS CAGR (5Y)43.52%-12.39%
FCF CAGR (5Y)17.64%-26.96%
Total return CAGR (5Y)27.31%-3.79%

Frequently asked

Which has grown faster, CF or IP?
Over the past five years, CF grew revenue faster — CF at a 11.04% CAGR versus IP at 4.18%.
Does CF or IP pay a bigger dividend?
CF yields 1.56% and IP yields 5.07% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CF or IP more profitable?
CF runs the higher net margin — CF at 27.12% versus IP at -14.20%.
How have CF and IP total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, CF delivered 21.02% and IP delivered 1.90% 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 September 9, 2026.