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 September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CF
CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
$115.98Basic MaterialsDelayed quote: Sep 28, 2026, 10:15 AM EDT
RS
Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.
$389.51Basic MaterialsDelayed quote: Sep 28, 2026, 10:14 AM EDT
Total return — CF vs RS
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCF +579.0% (+21.1%/yr)RS +545.6% (+20.5%/yr)CF compounded faster over this window
CF RS
CF vs RS: by the numbers
- •RS is the larger company ($19.89B vs $17.82B market cap).
- •CF trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (8.60 vs 22.66 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 (1.58% vs 1.26%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CF | RS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 8.60 | 22.66 |
| Forward P/E | 7.73 | 16.60 |
| P/S ratio | 2.30 | 1.26 |
| P/B ratio | 3.10 | 2.69 |
| EV / EBITDA | 4.94 | 14.20 |
| FCF yield | 10.72% | 2.71% |
Profitability
| Metric | CF | RS |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 42.54% | 26.89% |
| Operating margin | 38.12% | 7.88% |
| Net margin | 27.12% | 5.66% |
| ROE | 36.52% | 12.09% |
| ROIC | 16.58% | 9.36% |
Dividends
| Metric | CF | RS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.58% | 1.26% |
| Payout ratio | 15.57% | 28.80% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CF | RS |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 26.45% | 23.47% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CF or RS?
- CF has the lower trailing P/E: CF trades at 8.60 and RS at 22.66. 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 1.58% and RS yields 1.26% 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 21.35% and RS delivered 21.11% annualized total return. 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 September 13, 2026.