CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF) vs Royal Gold, Inc. (RGLD)

CF leads on 11 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of CF Industries Holdings, Inc. and Royal Gold, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 10, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — CF vs RGLD

growth of $100 · last 21y
CF +3419.1%RGLD +791.8%CF compounded faster
01k2k3k4kStart $10020092013201720212025$3,519$892
CF RGLD

CF vs RGLD: by the numbers

  • CF is the larger company ($17.52B vs $13.80B market cap).
  • CF trades at the lower earnings multiple (10.24 vs 23.69 P/E).
  • RGLD converts more revenue to profit (48.53% vs 23.73% net margin).
  • CF grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.01% vs 10.85% CAGR).
  • CF pays the higher dividend yield (1.75% vs 0.96%).

Which is better, CF or RGLD?

Metric tally: CF 11 · RGLD 5

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueCF(lower P/E)
GrowthCF(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCF(higher dividend yield)
QualityCF(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCFRGLD
P/E ratio10.2423.69
Forward P/E6.6418.13
P/S ratio2.3812.94
P/B ratio3.302.28
PEG ratio0.261.02
EV / EBITDA5.4116.08
FCF yield9.20%

Profitability

MetricCFRGLD
Gross margin40.41%68.47%
Operating margin35.68%64.21%
Net margin23.73%48.53%
ROE32.91%8.55%
ROIC14.27%5.80%

Dividends

MetricCFRGLD
Dividend yield1.75%0.96%
Payout ratio22.27%28.36%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCFRGLD
Revenue CAGR (5Y)12.01%10.85%
EPS CAGR (5Y)43.52%7.77%
FCF CAGR (5Y)6.13%13.34%
Total return CAGR (5Y)20.11%12.55%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CF or RGLD?
It depends on your goal. value: CF (lower P/E); growth: CF (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CF (higher dividend yield); quality: CF (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CF leads 11 to 5.
Is CF or RGLD cheaper?
On trailing earnings, CF is cheaper: CF trades at a 10.24 P/E and RGLD at 23.69.
Which has grown faster, CF or RGLD?
Over the past five years, CF grew revenue faster — CF at a 12.01% CAGR versus RGLD at 10.85%.
Does CF or RGLD pay a bigger dividend?
CF yields 1.75% and RGLD yields 0.96% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CF or RGLD more profitable?
RGLD runs the higher net margin — CF at 23.73% versus RGLD at 48.53%.
Which has been the better investment, CF or RGLD?
Over the past 10-year, CF delivered the higher annualized total return — CF at 19.66% versus RGLD at 10.51%. 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 July 10, 2026.