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Cf Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF)
:CF

Cf Industries Holdings (CF) AI Stock Analysis

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CF

Cf Industries Holdings

(NYSE:CF)

Rating:80Outperform
Price Target:
$94.00
▼(-6.29%Downside)
CF Industries scores highly due to robust financial performance, strategic growth initiatives, and strong technical momentum. The company's attractive valuation and positive earnings call sentiment further bolster its score. However, potential risks such as ammonia price volatility and trade challenges should be monitored.
Positive Factors
Operational Performance
CF posted strong revenue and EBIT across most segments, with Ammonia the biggest driver of the beat producing at a 100% operating rate during the quarter.
Strategic Investments
The JV structure for the Blue Point project derisks the project, ensures offtake for 60% of production and reduces CF funding requirements for the project to 40%.
Negative Factors
Valuation Concerns
CF shares are trading at a valuation premium compared to its historical median and relative to normalized EBITDA, reaching the upper end of the comfortable range.
Volume Forecasts
The updated 2Q volume forecasts show a decline in nitrogen volume, despite strong 1Q volumes, suggesting a decrease in production or demand.

Cf Industries Holdings (CF) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Cf Industries Holdings Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionCF Industries Holdings, Inc. is a leading global manufacturer and distributor of agricultural fertilizers. Operating primarily in the chemicals sector, the company produces ammonia, urea, and other nitrogen-based fertilizers that are critical for enhancing crop yields. Headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, CF Industries operates multiple production facilities across North America and is committed to providing essential products that support global food production needs.
How the Company Makes MoneyCF Industries Holdings generates revenue primarily through the sale of nitrogen-based fertilizers, including ammonia, urea, and urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) solutions. The company operates large-scale production facilities that convert natural gas into nitrogen products, which are then distributed to wholesalers, retailers, and international markets. Revenue is influenced by global agricultural demand, natural gas prices, and the company's ability to efficiently manage logistics and distribution. Key partnerships with agricultural distributors and strategic contracts for natural gas supply also play significant roles in stabilizing and enhancing CF Industries' revenue streams.

Cf Industries Holdings Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:May 07, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: 25.04%|
Next Earnings Date:Aug 06, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call reflected a strong financial performance with increased earnings and robust cash flow, driven by high operational efficiency and strategic growth initiatives. However, concerns were raised about potential volatility in ammonia prices, trade policy challenges, and capital inflation risks.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Financial Performance
CF Industries reported net earnings attributable to common stockholders of approximately $312 million, or $1.85 per diluted share, marking a 60% increase compared to the first quarter of 2024. Earnings per share were approximately 80% higher, reflecting a significantly lower share count.
Robust Cash Flow and Shareholder Returns
The company generated adjusted EBITDA of $644 million and returned $530 million to shareholders in Q1 2025, including $434 million repurchasing 5.4 million shares. A new $2 billion share repurchase program was authorized, set to run through the end of 2029.
Operational Excellence and Strategic Growth Initiatives
Production network operated at 100% utilization rate with over 2.6 million tons of gross ammonia produced. Nearing completion of carbon capture and sequestration project at Donaldsonville Complex, expected to start in the second half of 2025. Blue Point joint venture with JERA and Mitsui presents a compelling growth opportunity.
Positive Market Outlook
Strong global nitrogen demand driven by low corn stocks and high fertilizer demand. USDA reported corn planting expectations of 95 million acres in the U.S., with low channel inventories supporting prices.
Negative Updates
Potential Volatility in Ammonia Prices
Expected startup of new ammonia capacity in North America may bring more volatility to global ammonia prices as trade flows adjust.
Challenges in Global Trade and Tariffs
Russian fertilizer continues to enter the U.S. market tariff-free, creating trade policy challenges and potential impacts on global trade flows.
Cost Inflation and Capital Expenditures
Concerns about potential capital inflation and strong demand for good labor as the company invests in new projects like Blue Point.
Company Guidance
In the CF Industries Q1 2025 earnings call, the company provided robust financial guidance and strategic updates. CF Industries reported an adjusted EBITDA of $644 million for Q1 2025, reflecting strong performance amid favorable global nitrogen industry conditions. The company announced its ongoing commitment to shareholder returns, having returned $5 billion to shareholders since 2022, and authorized a new $2 billion share repurchase program to run through 2029. The production network achieved a 100% utilization rate, producing over 2.6 million tons of gross ammonia, with projections for approximately 10 million tons in 2025. The Blue Point joint venture with JERA and Mitsui was highlighted as a significant growth opportunity, positioning CF Industries to meet the increasing demand for low-carbon ammonia. Furthermore, the company is nearing completion of its carbon capture and sequestration project at the Donaldsonville Complex, targeting 45Q tax credit generation on up to 2 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. CF Industries anticipates strong cash generation and continues to expect a tightening global nitrogen supply-demand balance through the end of the decade.

Cf Industries Holdings Financial Statement Overview

Summary
CF Industries exhibits strong profitability and robust cash flows, highlighted by efficient operations and solid equity returns. Despite a decrease in revenue, the company maintains a healthy balance sheet and demonstrates effective leverage management. Continued focus on revenue growth will be crucial for sustained performance.
Income Statement
78
Positive
The income statement shows strong profitability with a consistent gross profit margin of 36% and a net profit margin of 22% TTM. While revenue has decreased by approximately 8% annually, the company maintains solid EBIT and EBITDA margins at 23% and 36% respectively, indicating efficient operations. However, the decline in revenue growth is a concern for future stability.
Balance Sheet
75
Positive
The balance sheet reflects a healthy financial position with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, indicating manageable leverage. Return on equity stands at 28%, highlighting effective use of equity. The equity ratio of 36% ensures a stable financial foundation, though slightly lower than previous periods, suggesting a minor increase in liabilities compared to equity growth.
Cash Flow
83
Very Positive
Cash flow metrics are robust, with operating cash flow to net income ratio over 1.8 indicating strong cash generation capability. Free cash flow grew by 6% TTM, and the free cash flow to net income ratio is notably high at 1.39, emphasizing substantial liquidity and financial flexibility.
Breakdown
TTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
6.13B5.94B6.63B11.19B6.54B4.12B
Gross Profit
2.22B2.06B2.54B5.86B2.39B801.00M
EBIT
1.41B1.75B2.23B5.40B1.73B623.00M
EBITDA
2.20B2.81B3.27B6.28B3.07B1.53B
Net Income Common Stockholders
1.34B1.22B1.52B3.35B1.26B432.00M
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
1.41B1.61B2.03B2.32B1.63B683.00M
Total Assets
13.31B13.47B14.38B13.31B12.38B12.02B
Total Debt
3.30B3.25B3.23B3.23B3.72B4.22B
Net Debt
1.89B1.63B1.20B902.00M2.09B3.54B
Total Liabilities
6.01B5.87B6.00B5.46B6.34B6.42B
Stockholders Equity
4.78B4.99B5.72B5.05B3.21B2.92B
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
1.86B1.75B2.26B3.39B2.35B922.00M
Operating Cash Flow
2.41B2.27B2.76B3.85B2.87B1.23B
Investing Cash Flow
-495.00M-469.00M-1.68B-440.00M-466.00M-299.00M
Financing Cash Flow
-2.27B-2.21B-1.37B-2.70B-1.46B-542.00M

Cf Industries Holdings Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price100.31
Price Trends
50DMA
84.58
Positive
100DMA
82.35
Positive
200DMA
83.64
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
4.19
Negative
RSI
71.38
Negative
STOCH
76.12
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For CF, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 100.31 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 93.49, above the 50-day MA of 84.58, and above the 200-day MA of 83.64, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 4.19 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 71.38 is Negative, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 76.12 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for CF.

Cf Industries Holdings Risk Analysis

Cf Industries Holdings disclosed 22 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Cf Industries Holdings reported the most risks in the "Ability to Sell" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 3 New Risks
1.
If we fail to successfully enter into or close collaborations, joint ventures, partnerships or acquisitions, or successfully manage such transactions, it could adversely affect our business and growth opportunities. Q4, 2024
2.
Failure of technologies to perform, develop or be available as expected could adversely affect our ability to produce low-carbon ammonia and our financial results or reputation. Q4, 2024
3.
Failure, inadequacy, breach of, or unauthorized access to, our information technology systems or those of third-party service providers or customers could negatively affect our business and operations. Q4, 2024

Cf Industries Holdings Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (51)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
CFCF
80
Outperform
$16.25B13.2326.14%1.99%0.66%25.75%
UAUAN
79
Outperform
$942.60M12.5025.16%10.14%-7.27%-9.30%
FMFMC
72
Outperform
$5.20B15.988.81%5.57%1.45%-70.85%
ICICL
70
Neutral
$8.74B22.456.70%2.54%-3.48%-18.34%
MOMOS
69
Neutral
$11.56B31.453.09%2.41%-13.37%-50.63%
SMSMG
57
Neutral
$3.51B121.514.98%4.34%0.75%
51
Neutral
$2.01B-1.27-21.11%5.15%2.92%-30.46%
* Basic Materials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
CF
Cf Industries Holdings
100.31
28.94
40.55%
UAN
CVR Partners
89.18
20.32
29.51%
FMC
FMC
41.62
-12.29
-22.80%
MOS
Mosaic Co
36.44
9.48
35.16%
SMG
Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
60.85
-3.59
-5.57%
ICL
Icl
6.77
2.55
60.43%

Cf Industries Holdings Corporate Events

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
CF Industries Holds Annual Shareholder Meeting, Elects Directors
Neutral
May 8, 2025

On May 6, 2025, CF Industries Holdings, Inc. held its annual meeting of shareholders, where various matters were voted upon. All nominated directors were elected to serve for a one-year term, while the compensation of the company’s named executive officers was approved. Additionally, KPMG LLP was ratified as the independent registered public accounting firm for 2025. A shareholder proposal regarding the approval requirement for excessive golden parachutes was not passed.

Product-Related AnnouncementsBusiness Operations and Strategy
CF Industries Announces Joint Venture for Ammonia Facility
Positive
Apr 8, 2025

On April 8, 2025, CF Industries Holdings, Inc. announced a joint venture with JERA Co., Inc. and Mitsui & Co., Inc. to construct a low-carbon ammonia production facility at the Blue Point Complex in Louisiana. The project, expected to start production in 2029, aims to be the world’s largest of its kind, with an annual capacity of 1.4 million metric tons. The initiative represents a significant step towards building a low-carbon ammonia value chain, addressing global demand for sustainable energy solutions, and is expected to qualify for tax credits under Section 45Q for carbon sequestration.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.