CF vs. MLM: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CF and MLM, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CF | MLM |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | CF Industries Holdings, Inc. | Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Materials | Materials |
| GICS Industry | Chemicals | Construction Materials |
| Market Capitalization | 14.00 billion USD | 37.39 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | August 11, 2005 | February 17, 1994 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CF and MLM 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | CF | MLM |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 4.26% | 3.30% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 2.41% | 12.12% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 2.73% | 13.68% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 6.89% | 18.09% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -6.91% | 7.86% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 1.29% | 20.05% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 3.61M | 0.54M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.86M | 0.44M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 35.45% | 21.85% |
| Beta | 0.93 | 1.03 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CF
26.14%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 26.17%
- Q3
- 13.48%
- Median
- 8.13%
- Q1
- 2.52%
- 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.
MLM
11.88%
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 24.78%
- Q3
- 14.96%
- Median
- 10.37%
- Q1
- 4.14%
- Min
- -2.94%
MLM’s Return on Equity of 11.88% is on par with the norm for the Construction Materials industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
CF
20.20%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 21.80%
- Q3
- 9.57%
- Median
- 4.44%
- Q1
- 1.14%
- Min
- -11.30%
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.
MLM
16.47%
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 28.01%
- Q3
- 15.18%
- Median
- 9.09%
- Q1
- 3.32%
- Min
- -4.30%
A Net Profit Margin of 16.47% places MLM in the upper quartile for the Construction Materials industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
CF
29.60%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 27.33%
- Q3
- 13.97%
- Median
- 8.08%
- Q1
- 4.46%
- Min
- -8.10%
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.
MLM
23.04%
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 31.67%
- Q3
- 18.49%
- Median
- 11.57%
- Q1
- 7.82%
- Min
- -1.44%
An Operating Profit Margin of 23.04% places MLM in the upper quartile for the Construction Materials industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | CF | MLM |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 26.14% | 11.88% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 9.58% | 6.25% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 20.20% | 16.47% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 29.60% | 23.04% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 35.60% | 29.44% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CF
3.22
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 3.38
- Q3
- 2.23
- Median
- 1.73
- Q1
- 1.39
- Min
- 0.55
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.
MLM
2.35
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 5.14
- Q3
- 2.89
- Median
- 1.92
- Q1
- 1.25
- Min
- 0.79
MLM’s Current Ratio of 2.35 aligns with the median group of the Construction Materials industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
CF
0.60
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 1.65
- Q3
- 0.94
- Median
- 0.65
- 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.
MLM
0.58
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 0.99
- Q3
- 0.72
- Median
- 0.55
- Q1
- 0.30
- Min
- 0.00
MLM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.58 is typical for the Construction Materials industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
CF
26.60
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 56.43
- Q3
- 26.33
- Median
- 9.38
- Q1
- 3.10
- 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.
MLM
16.36
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 54.89
- Q3
- 34.04
- Median
- 7.92
- Q1
- 4.28
- Min
- -6.24
MLM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 16.36 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Construction Materials industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CF | MLM |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 3.22 | 2.35 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 2.78 | 1.21 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.60 | 0.58 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 26.60 | 16.36 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CF
2.51%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 6.56%
- Q3
- 4.04%
- Median
- 2.47%
- Q1
- 1.45%
- Min
- 0.00%
CF’s Dividend Yield of 2.51% is consistent with its peers in the Chemicals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
MLM
0.52%
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 5.91%
- Q3
- 4.64%
- Median
- 2.57%
- Q1
- 1.11%
- Min
- 0.00%
MLM’s Dividend Yield of 0.52% is in the lower quartile for the Construction Materials industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
CF
26.34%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 181.25%
- Q3
- 95.01%
- Median
- 53.52%
- Q1
- 26.59%
- 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.
MLM
17.62%
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 174.17%
- Q3
- 91.80%
- Median
- 44.42%
- Q1
- 23.07%
- Min
- 0.00%
MLM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 17.62% is in the lower quartile for the Construction Materials industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | CF | MLM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.51% | 0.52% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 26.34% | 17.62% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CF
10.49
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 42.94
- Q3
- 29.77
- Median
- 20.37
- Q1
- 14.27
- Min
- 6.19
In the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry, CF’s P/E Ratio of 10.49 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
MLM
33.80
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 49.05
- Q3
- 24.51
- Median
- 12.09
- Q1
- 7.70
- Min
- 4.06
A P/E Ratio of 33.80 places MLM in the upper quartile for the Construction Materials industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
CF
2.12
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 4.36
- Q3
- 2.23
- Median
- 1.01
- Q1
- 0.55
- Min
- 0.16
CF’s P/S Ratio of 2.12 aligns with the market consensus for the Chemicals industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
MLM
5.57
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 4.03
- Q3
- 2.26
- Median
- 1.31
- Q1
- 0.66
- Min
- 0.19
With a P/S Ratio of 5.57, MLM trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Construction Materials industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
CF
3.00
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 4.92
- Q3
- 2.56
- Median
- 1.54
- Q1
- 0.97
- 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.
MLM
3.53
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 3.19
- Q3
- 1.80
- Median
- 1.08
- Q1
- 0.72
- Min
- 0.11
At 3.53, MLM’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Construction Materials 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CF | MLM |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 10.49 | 33.80 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.12 | 5.57 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 3.00 | 3.53 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 7.64 | 38.05 |