CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF) vs Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. (RS)

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 August 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnCF vs RS

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
CF +569.9% (+20.9%/yr)RS +588.4% (+21.3%/yr)RS compounded faster over this window
200400600Start $10020182020202220242026$670$688
CF RS

CF vs RS: by the numbers

  • RS is the larger company ($21.81B vs $18.44B market cap).
  • CF trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (8.90 vs 24.85 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • CF converts more revenue to profit (27.12% vs 5.66% net margin).
  • CF grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.04% vs 8.57% CAGR).
  • CF pays the higher dividend yield (1.67% vs 1.15%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCFRS
P/E ratio8.9024.85
Forward P/E7.2018.53
P/S ratio2.391.40
P/B ratio3.212.98
EV / EBITDA5.1115.64
FCF yield10.34%2.44%

Profitability

MetricCFRS
Gross margin42.54%26.89%
Operating margin38.12%7.88%
Net margin27.12%5.66%
ROE36.52%12.09%
ROIC14.27%8.16%

Dividends

MetricCFRS
Dividend yield1.67%1.15%
Payout ratio22.27%34.83%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCFRS
Revenue CAGR (5Y)11.04%8.57%
EPS CAGR (5Y)43.52%19.64%
FCF CAGR (5Y)17.64%-1.79%
Total return CAGR (5Y)22.15%23.86%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, CF or RS?
CF has the lower trailing P/E: CF trades at 8.90 and RS at 24.85. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, CF or RS?
Over the past five years, CF grew revenue faster — CF at a 11.04% CAGR versus RS at 8.57%.
Does CF or RS pay a bigger dividend?
CF yields 1.67% and RS yields 1.15% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CF or RS more profitable?
CF runs the higher net margin — CF at 27.12% versus RS at 5.66%.
How have CF and RS total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, CF delivered 21.40% and RS delivered 21.54% 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 August 13, 2026.