CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF) vs Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD)
CF leads on 12 of 16 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of CF Industries Holdings, Inc. and Steel Dynamics, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 20, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
CF
CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
$123.63Basic MaterialsDelayed quote: Jul 20, 2026, 3:59 PM EDT
STLD
Steel Dynamics, Inc.
$230.49Basic MaterialsDelayed quote: Jul 20, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — CF vs STLD
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 21yCF +5485.9%STLD +4032.7%CF compounded faster
CF STLD
CF vs STLD: by the numbers
- •STLD is the larger company ($33.24B vs $18.99B market cap).
- •CF trades at the lower earnings multiple (11.11 vs 24.68 P/E).
- •CF converts more revenue to profit (23.73% vs 7.22% net margin).
- •STLD grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.46% vs 12.01% CAGR).
- •CF pays the higher dividend yield (1.62% vs 0.89%).
Which is better, CF or STLD?
Metric tally: CF 12 · STLD 4It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueCF(lower P/E)
GrowthSTLD(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCF(higher dividend yield)
QualityCF(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CF | STLD |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 11.11● | 24.68 |
| Forward P/E | 7.24● | 14.03 |
| P/S ratio | 2.58 | 1.76● |
| P/B ratio | 3.58 | 3.64 |
| PEG ratio | 0.26● | 0.98 |
| EV / EBITDA | 5.83● | 15.65 |
| FCF yield | 8.49%● | 1.99% |
Profitability
| Metric | CF | STLD |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 40.41%● | 14.00% |
| Operating margin | 35.68%● | 9.41% |
| Net margin | 23.73%● | 7.22% |
| ROE | 32.91%● | 14.97% |
| ROIC | 14.27%● | 8.19% |
Dividends
| Metric | CF | STLD |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.62%● | 0.89% |
| Payout ratio | 22.27% | 25.69% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CF | STLD |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 12.01% | 12.46%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 43.52%● | 25.18% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 6.13% | 19.91%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 23.94% | 33.27%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CF or STLD?
- It depends on your goal. value: CF (lower P/E); growth: STLD (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CF (higher dividend yield); quality: CF (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CF leads 12 to 4.
- Is CF or STLD cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, CF is cheaper: CF trades at a 11.11 P/E and STLD at 24.68.
- Which has grown faster, CF or STLD?
- Over the past five years, STLD grew revenue faster — CF at a 12.01% CAGR versus STLD at 12.46%.
- Does CF or STLD pay a bigger dividend?
- CF yields 1.62% and STLD yields 0.89% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CF or STLD more profitable?
- CF runs the higher net margin — CF at 23.73% versus STLD at 7.22%.
- Which has been the better investment, CF or STLD?
- Over the past 10-year, STLD delivered the higher annualized total return — CF at 19.82% versus STLD at 26.63%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
CF Industries P/E ratioSteel Dynamics P/E ratioCF Industries dividend yieldSteel Dynamics dividend yieldCF Industries ROESteel Dynamics ROECF Industries operating marginSteel Dynamics operating marginCF Industries revenue growthSteel Dynamics revenue growthCF Industries free cash flowSteel Dynamics free cash flow
CF Industries & Steel Dynamics 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 July 20, 2026.