CF vs. PKX: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CF and PKX, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
CF is a standard domestic listing, while PKX trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.
| Symbol | CF | PKX |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | CF Industries Holdings, Inc. | POSCO Holdings Inc. |
| Country | United States | South Korea |
| GICS Sector | Materials | Materials |
| GICS Industry | Chemicals | Metals & Mining |
| Market Capitalization | 14.59 billion USD | 14.90 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | August 11, 2005 | October 14, 1994 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CF and PKX 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 | PKX |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.46% | -0.73% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -4.82% | -12.50% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 15.28% | -9.15% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 2.20% | 64.30% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 0.43% | -1.09% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 5.59% | 7.69% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.85M | 0.23M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.82M | 0.34M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 33.00% | 32.84% |
| Beta | 0.69 | 1.48 |
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.
PKX
1.98%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 41.55%
- Q3
- 17.74%
- Median
- 9.00%
- Q1
- 1.65%
- Min
- -21.32%
PKX’s Return on Equity of 1.98% is on par with the norm for the Metals & Mining industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
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.
PKX
0.68%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 43.69%
- Q3
- 19.12%
- Median
- 6.48%
- Q1
- 1.50%
- Min
- -20.21%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Metals & Mining industry, PKX’s Net Profit Margin of 0.68% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.
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.
PKX
1.80%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 71.84%
- Q3
- 32.31%
- Median
- 12.50%
- Q1
- 2.69%
- Min
- -23.81%
PKX’s Operating Profit Margin of 1.80% is in the lower quartile for the Metals & Mining industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | CF | PKX |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 26.14% | 1.98% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 9.58% | 1.06% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 20.20% | 0.68% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 29.60% | 1.80% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 35.60% | 7.47% |
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.
PKX
1.93
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 5.27
- Q3
- 3.04
- Median
- 1.96
- Q1
- 1.42
- Min
- 0.13
PKX’s Current Ratio of 1.93 aligns with the median group of the Metals & Mining 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
- 1.53
- 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.
PKX
0.49
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 1.10
- Q3
- 0.51
- Median
- 0.33
- Q1
- 0.09
- Min
- 0.00
PKX’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.49 is typical for the Metals & Mining 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
- 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.
PKX
22.24
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 51.62
- Q3
- 22.73
- Median
- 5.76
- Q1
- 0.82
- Min
- -21.72
PKX’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 22.24 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Metals & Mining industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CF | PKX |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 3.22 | 1.93 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 2.78 | 1.28 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.60 | 0.49 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 26.60 | 22.24 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CF
2.31%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 6.59%
- Q3
- 3.67%
- Median
- 2.44%
- Q1
- 1.36%
- Min
- 0.00%
CF’s Dividend Yield of 2.31% is consistent with its peers in the Chemicals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
PKX
4.18%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 8.17%
- Q3
- 3.57%
- Median
- 1.25%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 4.18%, PKX offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Metals & Mining industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
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.
PKX
73.60%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 138.08%
- Q3
- 62.06%
- Median
- 33.17%
- Q1
- 10.41%
- Min
- 0.00%
PKX’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 73.60% is in the upper quartile for the Metals & Mining industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | CF | PKX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.31% | 4.18% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 26.34% | 73.60% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CF
11.40
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 11.40 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
PKX
42.44
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 83.04
- Q3
- 41.69
- Median
- 20.30
- Q1
- 12.95
- Min
- 1.75
A P/E Ratio of 42.44 places PKX in the upper quartile for the Metals & Mining 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
2.30
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 3.90
- Q3
- 2.23
- Median
- 1.00
- Q1
- 0.55
- Min
- 0.15
CF’s P/S Ratio of 2.30 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.
PKX
0.29
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 9.28
- Q3
- 4.28
- Median
- 2.37
- Q1
- 0.86
- Min
- 0.16
In the lower quartile for the Metals & Mining industry, PKX’s P/S Ratio of 0.29 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
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.
PKX
0.34
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 4.68
- Q3
- 2.45
- Median
- 1.55
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.34
PKX’s P/B Ratio of 0.34 is in the lower quartile for the Metals & Mining industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CF | PKX |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 11.40 | 42.44 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.30 | 0.29 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 3.00 | 0.34 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 8.30 | 20.72 |