CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF) vs Smurfit Westrock PLC (SW)

CF leads on 12 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of CF Industries Holdings, Inc. and Smurfit Westrock PLC across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 24, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — CF vs SW

growth of $100 · last 18y
CF +201.2%SW +444.3%SW compounded faster
0200400600800Start $100201120142017202020232026$301$544
CF SW

CF vs SW: by the numbers

  • SW is the larger company ($23.27B vs $15.70B market cap).
  • CF trades at the lower earnings multiple (9.18 vs 61.92 P/E).
  • CF converts more revenue to profit (23.73% vs 1.23% net margin).
  • SW grew revenue faster over the past five years (24.07% vs 12.01% CAGR).
  • SW pays the higher dividend yield (3.98% vs 1.96%).

Which is better, CF or SW?

Metric tally: CF 12 · SW 4

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCFSW
P/E ratio9.1861.92
Forward P/E8.90
P/S ratio2.130.79
P/B ratio2.951.32
PEG ratio0.260.43
EV / EBITDA4.689.22
FCF yield10.27%4.28%

Profitability

MetricCFSW
Gross margin40.41%18.42%
Operating margin35.68%6.24%
Net margin23.73%1.23%
ROE32.91%2.06%
ROIC14.27%3.59%

Dividends

MetricCFSW
Dividend yield1.96%3.98%
Payout ratio22.27%131.81%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCFSW
Revenue CAGR (5Y)12.01%24.07%
EPS CAGR (5Y)43.52%-16.43%
FCF CAGR (5Y)6.13%-3.68%
Total return CAGR (5Y)17.31%0.10%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CF or SW?
It depends on your goal. value: CF (lower P/E); growth: SW (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: SW (higher dividend yield); quality: CF (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CF leads 12 to 4.
Is CF or SW cheaper?
On trailing earnings, CF is cheaper: CF trades at a 9.18 P/E and SW at 61.92.
Which has grown faster, CF or SW?
Over the past five years, SW grew revenue faster — CF at a 12.01% CAGR versus SW at 24.07%.
Does CF or SW pay a bigger dividend?
CF yields 1.96% and SW yields 3.98% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CF or SW more profitable?
CF runs the higher net margin — CF at 23.73% versus SW at 1.23%.
Which has been the better investment, CF or SW?
Over the past 10-year, CF delivered the higher annualized total return — CF at 17.11% versus SW at 4.19%. 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 June 24, 2026.