CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF) vs Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. (RS)
CF leads on 14 of 17 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of CF Industries Holdings, Inc. and Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 29, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
CF
CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
$105.70Basic Materials
RS
Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.
$385.78Basic Materials
Total return — CF vs RS
growth of $100 · last 21yCF +3162.3%RS +1465.7%CF compounded faster
CF RS
CF vs RS: by the numbers
- •RS is the larger company ($19.69B vs $16.24B market cap).
- •CF trades at the lower earnings multiple (9.50 vs 25.18 P/E).
- •CF converts more revenue to profit (23.73% vs 5.43% net margin).
- •CF grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.01% vs 10.33% CAGR).
- •CF pays the higher dividend yield (1.89% vs 1.30%).
Which is better, CF or RS?
Metric tally: CF 14 · RS 3It 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
| Metric | CF | RS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 9.50● | 25.18 |
| Forward P/E | 9.21● | 17.95 |
| P/S ratio | 2.20 | 1.35● |
| P/B ratio | 3.06 | 2.81● |
| PEG ratio | 0.26● | 1.28 |
| EV / EBITDA | 5.05● | 15.65 |
| FCF yield | 9.93%● | 3.05% |
Profitability
| Metric | CF | RS |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 40.41%● | 27.22% |
| Operating margin | 35.68%● | 7.52% |
| Net margin | 23.73%● | 5.43% |
| ROE | 32.91%● | 11.32% |
| ROIC | 14.27%● | 8.16% |
Dividends
| Metric | CF | RS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.89%● | 1.30% |
| Payout ratio | 22.27% | 35.54% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CF | RS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 12.01%● | 10.33% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 43.52%● | 19.64% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 6.13%● | -9.42% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 17.99% | 22.21%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CF or RS?
- 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 14 to 3.
- Is CF or RS cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, CF is cheaper: CF trades at a 9.50 P/E and RS at 25.18.
- Which has grown faster, CF or RS?
- Over the past five years, CF grew revenue faster — CF at a 12.01% CAGR versus RS at 10.33%.
- Does CF or RS pay a bigger dividend?
- CF yields 1.89% and RS yields 1.30% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CF or RS more profitable?
- CF runs the higher net margin — CF at 23.73% versus RS at 5.43%.
- Which has been the better investment, CF or RS?
- Over the past 10-year, RS delivered the higher annualized total return — CF at 18.48% versus RS at 20.24%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
CF Industries P/E ratioReliance Steel & Aluminum P/E ratioCF Industries dividend yieldReliance Steel & Aluminum dividend yieldCF Industries ROEReliance Steel & Aluminum ROECF Industries operating marginReliance Steel & Aluminum operating marginCF Industries revenue growthReliance Steel & Aluminum revenue growthCF Industries free cash flowReliance Steel & Aluminum free cash flow
CF Industries & Reliance Steel & Aluminum 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 29, 2026.