CF vs. RIO: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CF and RIO, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
CF is a standard domestic listing, while RIO trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.
| Symbol | CF | RIO |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | CF Industries Holdings, Inc. | Rio Tinto Group |
| Country | United States | United Kingdom |
| GICS Sector | Materials | Materials |
| GICS Industry | Chemicals | Metals & Mining |
| Market Capitalization | 13.84 billion USD | 98.02 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | August 11, 2005 | June 28, 1990 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CF and RIO 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 | RIO |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.19% | -3.89% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -2.47% | -3.99% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 4.87% | -10.95% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 5.29% | -7.21% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -7.97% | -0.37% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 0.13% | -5.00% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 3.63M | 1.17M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.76M | 2.06M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 34.33% | 21.59% |
| Beta | 0.94 | 1.22 |
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.
RIO
20.91%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 31.09%
- Q3
- 16.14%
- Median
- 7.01%
- Q1
- 1.15%
- Min
- -19.85%
In the upper quartile for the Metals & Mining industry, RIO’s Return on Equity of 20.91% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
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.
RIO
19.12%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 40.97%
- Q3
- 17.87%
- Median
- 7.03%
- Q1
- 1.82%
- Min
- -20.01%
A Net Profit Margin of 19.12% places RIO in the upper quartile for the Metals & Mining 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.
RIO
26.74%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 59.48%
- Q3
- 26.06%
- Median
- 10.50%
- Q1
- 2.89%
- Min
- -21.46%
An Operating Profit Margin of 26.74% places RIO in the upper quartile for the Metals & Mining 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 | RIO |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 26.14% | 20.91% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 9.58% | 11.29% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 20.20% | 19.12% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 29.60% | 26.74% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 35.60% | -- |
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.
RIO
1.63
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 4.81
- Q3
- 2.86
- Median
- 1.94
- Q1
- 1.45
- Min
- 0.13
RIO’s Current Ratio of 1.63 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
- 1.65
- 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.
RIO
0.25
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 1.11
- Q3
- 0.52
- Median
- 0.29
- Q1
- 0.12
- Min
- 0.00
RIO’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.25 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
- 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.
RIO
9.07
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 65.47
- Q3
- 29.91
- Median
- 5.88
- Q1
- 0.91
- Min
- -26.49
RIO’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 9.07 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 | RIO |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 3.22 | 1.63 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 2.78 | 1.13 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.60 | 0.25 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 26.60 | 9.07 |
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.
RIO
6.47%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 9.36%
- Q3
- 3.78%
- Median
- 1.41%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 6.47%, RIO 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
- 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.
RIO
64.89%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 138.08%
- Q3
- 63.28%
- Median
- 38.78%
- Q1
- 12.84%
- Min
- 0.00%
RIO’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 64.89% 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 | RIO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.51% | 6.47% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 26.34% | 64.89% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CF
10.51
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 10.51 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
RIO
10.03
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 57.44
- Q3
- 32.87
- Median
- 18.04
- Q1
- 9.84
- Min
- 0.00
RIO’s P/E Ratio of 10.03 is within the middle range for the Metals & Mining industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
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.
RIO
1.92
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 6.52
- Q3
- 3.19
- Median
- 1.97
- Q1
- 0.59
- Min
- 0.14
RIO’s P/S Ratio of 1.92 aligns with the market consensus for the Metals & Mining industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
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.
RIO
1.97
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 3.92
- Q3
- 2.15
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 0.84
- Min
- 0.25
RIO’s P/B Ratio of 1.97 is within the conventional range for the Metals & Mining industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CF | RIO |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 10.51 | 10.03 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.12 | 1.92 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 3.00 | 1.97 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 7.66 | 20.08 |