CF Industries
CF
$117.82
-1.15%
CF Industries is a leading global producer and distributor of nitrogen fertilizers, primarily serving the agricultural sector through products like ammonia, urea, and UAN. As one of the lowest-cost nitrogen producers globally, it benefits from access to low-cost US natural gas feedstock and is investing in carbon-free blue and green ammonia for future energy markets. The current investor narrative centers on a massive margin windfall from the Strait of Hormuz blockade, which has stranded a third of global fertilizer supply and sent nitrogen prices soaring, while the company's low-cost position and potential as a hydrogen fuel play add strategic upside.…
CF
CF Industries
$117.82
CF 12-Month Price Forecast
Wall Street consensus
Most Wall Street analysts maintain a constructive view on CF Industries's 12-month outlook, with a consensus price target around $153.17 and implied upside of +30.0% versus the current price.
Average Target
$153.17
13 analysts
Implied Upside
+30.0%
vs. current price
Analyst Count
13
covering this stock
Price Range
$94 - $153
Analyst target range
CF Industries is covered by 13 analysts, with a consensus leaning bullish. The average EPS estimate for the current fiscal year is $7.36, with a range of $6.57 to $9.50, implying strong earnings power. While explicit buy/hold/sell ratings and price targets are not provided, the institutional ratings show a mix: Mizuho and BofA rate it Underperform, while BMO, Wells Fargo, and Barclays are Overweight/Outperform, and CIBC, UBS, and RBC are Neutral/Sector Perform. This split suggests uncertainty about the sustainability of the current commodity cycle. The average revenue estimate of $6.4 billion implies a forward P/S of ~2.0x, which is reasonable given the company's margins. The wide range in EPS estimates ($6.57–$9.50) reflects high uncertainty around nitrogen prices and the duration of the supply disruption. A tight consensus would signal stronger conviction, but the current spread indicates divergent views on whether the Hormuz effect is temporary or structural. Investors should monitor geopolitical developments and natural gas costs as key swing factors for earnings visibility.
CF Technical Analysis
CF Industries is in a strong uptrend, with the stock up 22.1% over the past year and currently trading at $116.92, which is 82.4% of its 52-week range ($75.42–$141.96). This positioning near the upper end of the range reflects robust momentum and investor optimism, though it also suggests the stock may be approaching overbought territory after a sharp rally. The 1-year price change of 22.1% outpaces the S&P 500's 20.6% gain, indicating relative strength in the basic materials sector. Short-term momentum is mixed: the 1-month return of +7.0% shows acceleration, but the 3-month return of -3.6% reveals a pullback from the March highs near $137. This divergence between the 1-month and 3-month trends suggests a temporary correction within a longer-term uptrend, possibly driven by profit-taking after the Hormuz-related spike. The stock's beta of 0.39 indicates it is significantly less volatile than the market, meaning the recent swings are mild relative to the S&P 500's 3-month gain of 11.1%. Key support lies at the 52-week low of $75.42, while resistance is at the high of $141.96. A breakout above $141.96 would signal a resumption of the uptrend and could target new highs, while a breakdown below $75.42 would indicate a bearish reversal. Given the low beta, CF offers a defensive profile within the volatile commodity space, making it suitable for risk-averse investors seeking exposure to fertilizer markets.
Beta
0.39
0.39x market volatility
Max Drawdown
-25.8%
Largest decline past year
52-Week Range
$75-$142
Price range past year
Annual Return
+22.9%
Cumulative gain past year
| Period | CF Return | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 1m | +10.2% | +0.0% |
| 3m | -5.5% | +7.6% |
| 6m | +35.8% | +9.1% |
| 1y | +22.9% | +21.3% |
| ytd | +47.0% | +10.7% |
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CF Fundamental Analysis
CF Industries' revenue trajectory is accelerating, with Q4 2025 revenue of $1.872 billion growing 22.8% year-over-year, up from $1.524 billion in Q4 2024. This marks a sharp acceleration from the prior quarter's 20.9% YoY growth, driven by surging nitrogen prices following the Hormuz blockade. Segment data shows ammonia ($708M) and UAN ($564M) are the primary revenue drivers, collectively accounting for 68% of total sales. The growth trend is robust and likely to continue as global fertilizer supply remains constrained. Profitability is strong and expanding: net income for Q4 2025 was $404 million, up from $328 million a year ago, while gross margin improved to 41.1% from 34.3% in Q4 2024. Operating margin rose to 36.2% from 29.2%, reflecting the company's low-cost advantage and pricing power. The net margin of 21.6% is well above the industry average for agricultural inputs, indicating superior cost control and operational efficiency. CF Industries maintains a healthy balance sheet with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 3.37, indicating ample liquidity. Free cash flow for Q4 2025 was $313 million, and trailing twelve-month FCF reached $1.802 billion, providing strong internal funding for growth investments and shareholder returns. The ROE of 30.1% is exceptional, reflecting efficient capital use, while the low debt-to-equity ratio suggests moderate financial risk. The company's cash position of $1.982 billion provides a buffer against commodity price volatility.
Quarterly Revenue
$1.9B
2025-12
Revenue YoY Growth
+22.8%
YoY Comparison
Gross Margin
41.1%
Latest Quarter
Free Cash Flow
$1.8B
Last 12 Months
Revenue & Net Income Trends (2 Years)
Revenue Breakdown
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Valuation Analysis: Is CF Overvalued?
Given CF Industries' positive net income, the primary valuation metric is the P/E ratio. The trailing P/E stands at 8.6x, while the forward P/E is 10.4x, implying the market expects earnings to moderate from current elevated levels. The gap between trailing and forward P/E suggests that while current earnings are cyclically high, analysts anticipate normalization, but the forward multiple still reflects a discount to historical averages. Compared to the agricultural inputs industry average P/E of 22x, CF trades at a 61% discount, reflecting its cyclical nature and the market's skepticism about sustained high earnings. However, the PEG ratio of 0.26 indicates that the stock is undervalued relative to its growth rate, suggesting the market may be underestimating the duration of the current upcycle. Historically, CF's trailing P/E of 8.6x is near the low end of its 5-year range (which has fluctuated between 4x and 25x), indicating that the stock is cheap relative to its own history. This low multiple reflects the market's view that current earnings are peak-cycle, but given the structural supply shock from Hormuz, earnings may remain elevated longer than expected, presenting a potential value opportunity.
PE
8.6x
Latest Quarter
vs. Historical
Mid-Range
5-Year PE Range -16x~25x
vs. Industry Avg
N/A
Industry PE ~N/A*
EV/EBITDA
4.4x
Enterprise Value Multiple

