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CF vs. LIN: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

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Here’s a clear look at CF and LIN, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

SymbolCFLIN
Company NameCF Industries Holdings, Inc.Linde plc
CountryUnited StatesUnited Kingdom
GICS SectorMaterialsMaterials
GICS IndustryChemicalsChemicals
Market Capitalization14.92 billion USD222.46 billion USD
ExchangeNYSENasdaqGS
Listing DateAugust 11, 2005June 17, 1992
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of CF and LIN by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

CF vs. LIN: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolCFLIN
5-Day Price Return-2.13%0.18%
13-Week Price Return-2.50%1.24%
26-Week Price Return17.04%2.94%
52-Week Price Return4.74%-0.94%
Month-to-Date Return3.54%-0.69%
Year-to-Date Return5.13%13.45%
10-Day Avg. Volume3.35M1.87M
3-Month Avg. Volume2.81M1.75M
3-Month Volatility31.47%12.74%
Beta0.900.93

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

CF

26.14%

Chemicals Industry

Max
29.52%
Q3
13.18%
Median
6.53%
Q1
1.35%
Min
-11.86%

In the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry, CF’s Return on Equity of 26.14% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

LIN

17.46%

Chemicals Industry

Max
29.52%
Q3
13.18%
Median
6.53%
Q1
1.35%
Min
-11.86%

In the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry, LIN’s Return on Equity of 17.46% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

CF vs. LIN: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

CF

20.20%

Chemicals Industry

Max
20.20%
Q3
9.15%
Median
3.94%
Q1
0.60%
Min
-10.43%

A Net Profit Margin of 20.20% places CF in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

LIN

20.20%

Chemicals Industry

Max
20.20%
Q3
9.15%
Median
3.94%
Q1
0.60%
Min
-10.43%

A Net Profit Margin of 20.20% places LIN in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

CF vs. LIN: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

CF

29.60%

Chemicals Industry

Max
27.33%
Q3
13.82%
Median
7.98%
Q1
3.60%
Min
-7.61%

CF’s Operating Profit Margin of 29.60% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Chemicals industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.

LIN

26.75%

Chemicals Industry

Max
27.33%
Q3
13.82%
Median
7.98%
Q1
3.60%
Min
-7.61%

An Operating Profit Margin of 26.75% places LIN in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

CF vs. LIN: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolCFLIN
Return on Equity (TTM)26.14%17.46%
Return on Assets (TTM)9.58%8.10%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)20.20%20.20%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)29.60%26.75%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)35.60%48.45%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

CF

3.22

Chemicals Industry

Max
3.72
Q3
2.38
Median
1.69
Q1
1.42
Min
0.75

CF’s Current Ratio of 3.22 is in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.

LIN

0.93

Chemicals Industry

Max
3.72
Q3
2.38
Median
1.69
Q1
1.42
Min
0.75

LIN’s Current Ratio of 0.93 falls into the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

CF vs. LIN: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

CF

0.60

Chemicals Industry

Max
1.53
Q3
1.00
Median
0.69
Q1
0.41
Min
0.00

CF’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.60 is typical for the Chemicals industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

LIN

0.67

Chemicals Industry

Max
1.53
Q3
1.00
Median
0.69
Q1
0.41
Min
0.00

LIN’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.67 is typical for the Chemicals industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

CF vs. LIN: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

CF

26.60

Chemicals Industry

Max
56.43
Q3
26.33
Median
8.84
Q1
2.54
Min
-9.39

CF’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 26.60 is in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

LIN

33.09

Chemicals Industry

Max
56.43
Q3
26.33
Median
8.84
Q1
2.54
Min
-9.39

LIN’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 33.09 is in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

CF vs. LIN: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolCFLIN
Current Ratio (MRQ)3.220.93
Quick Ratio (MRQ)2.780.70
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)0.600.67
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)26.6033.09

Growth

Revenue Growth

CF vs. LIN: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

CF vs. LIN: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

CF

2.36%

Chemicals Industry

Max
6.59%
Q3
3.67%
Median
2.44%
Q1
1.36%
Min
0.00%

CF’s Dividend Yield of 2.36% is consistent with its peers in the Chemicals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

LIN

1.25%

Chemicals Industry

Max
6.59%
Q3
3.67%
Median
2.44%
Q1
1.36%
Min
0.00%

LIN’s Dividend Yield of 1.25% is in the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

CF vs. LIN: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

CF

26.34%

Chemicals Industry

Max
192.00%
Q3
108.95%
Median
57.38%
Q1
27.28%
Min
0.00%

CF’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 26.34% is in the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

LIN

40.71%

Chemicals Industry

Max
192.00%
Q3
108.95%
Median
57.38%
Q1
27.28%
Min
0.00%

LIN’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 40.71% is within the typical range for the Chemicals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

CF vs. LIN: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolCFLIN
Dividend Yield (TTM)2.36%1.25%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)26.34%40.71%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

CF

11.16

Chemicals Industry

Max
49.43
Q3
32.03
Median
21.32
Q1
14.93
Min
8.66

In the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry, CF’s P/E Ratio of 11.16 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

LIN

32.60

Chemicals Industry

Max
49.43
Q3
32.03
Median
21.32
Q1
14.93
Min
8.66

A P/E Ratio of 32.60 places LIN in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

CF vs. LIN: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

CF

2.25

Chemicals Industry

Max
3.90
Q3
2.23
Median
1.00
Q1
0.55
Min
0.15

CF’s P/S Ratio of 2.25 is in the upper echelon for the Chemicals industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.

LIN

6.58

Chemicals Industry

Max
3.90
Q3
2.23
Median
1.00
Q1
0.55
Min
0.15

With a P/S Ratio of 6.58, LIN trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Chemicals industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

CF vs. LIN: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

CF

3.00

Chemicals Industry

Max
5.01
Q3
2.59
Median
1.50
Q1
0.95
Min
0.30

CF’s P/B Ratio of 3.00 is in the upper tier for the Chemicals industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.

LIN

5.73

Chemicals Industry

Max
5.01
Q3
2.59
Median
1.50
Q1
0.95
Min
0.30

At 5.73, LIN’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Chemicals industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

CF vs. LIN: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolCFLIN
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)11.1632.60
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)2.256.58
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)3.005.73
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)8.1343.18