CF Industries (NYSE:CF) Stock Price Up 7.2% Following Better-Than-Expected Earnings

CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CF) shares traded up 7.2% during mid-day trading on Thursday after the company announced better than expected quarterly earnings. The stock traded as high as $105.27 and last traded at $102.72. 1,571,503 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 31% from the average session volume of 2,261,891 shares. The stock had previously closed at $95.82.

The basic materials company reported $2.59 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.53 by $0.06. CF Industries had a return on equity of 18.14% and a net margin of 20.47%.The business had revenue of $1.87 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.78 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.89 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up 22.8% on a year-over-year basis.

CF Industries Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 13th will be issued a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 13th. CF Industries’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 24.10%.

Key CF Industries News

Here are the key news stories impacting CF Industries this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 results beat consensus — CF reported Q4 EPS and revenue above estimates, driven by higher nitrogen prices that lifted margins and top‑line despite some volume weakness. CF’s Q4 Earnings and Sales Beat Estimates on Higher Prices
• Positive Sentiment: Strong reported quarter in company release — CF disclosed Q4 net income and adjusted EBITDA that were healthy, plus full‑year 2025 adjusted EBITDA of $2.89B and net earnings of $1.46B, reinforcing cash generation and the payout/valuation story. CF Reports Full Year 2025 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Multiple outlets highlight the upside vs. estimates — several reports note EPS beat (different outlets cite beats of $0.06–$0.11) and revenue ahead of expectations, supporting the near‑term bullish reaction. CF Industries earnings beat by $0.11
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst outlook/earnings previews — note pieces assessing CF’s FY guidance and consensus expectations suggest analysts are updating 2026 EPS and models; this can broaden investor conviction but isn’t a catalyst on its own. Earnings Outlook For CF Industries Holdings
• Neutral Sentiment: Detail/metrics breakdown — coverage comparing headline numbers to key metrics gives investors context on volumes, unit margins and year‑over‑year trends; useful for modeling but not an immediate bullish/bearish trigger. CF Q4: A Look at Key Metrics
• Negative Sentiment: Margin risk as fertilizer prices soften and costs rise — analysts and coverage warn that sustaining current margins depends on fertilizer pricing; rising natural gas costs and lower volumes are headwinds that could compress profitability if prices normalize. Can margins hold as prices fall?

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on CF. Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on shares of CF Industries in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $100.00 target price for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on CF Industries from $87.00 to $80.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. Mizuho set a $95.00 target price on CF Industries in a report on Thursday. Rothschild & Co Redburn set a $72.00 price target on CF Industries in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c)” rating on shares of CF Industries in a research note on Monday, December 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, CF Industries has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $88.64.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On CF Industries

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in CF Industries by 78.0% during the third quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 292 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 128 shares during the period. True Wealth Design LLC grew its holdings in CF Industries by 396.2% during the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 387 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 309 shares during the last quarter. Eastern Bank purchased a new stake in CF Industries in the 3rd quarter worth about $35,000. Peterson Wealth Services raised its position in CF Industries by 451.3% in the 3rd quarter. Peterson Wealth Services now owns 441 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 361 shares during the period. Finally, Root Financial Partners LLC bought a new stake in CF Industries in the third quarter worth about $41,000. Institutional investors own 93.06% of the company’s stock.

CF Industries Stock Up 5.5%

The firm has a market cap of $15.77 billion, a PE ratio of 12.18 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $85.73 and a 200-day simple moving average of $85.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 2.27 and a quick ratio of 1.99.

About CF Industries

CF Industries Holdings, Inc is a leading global manufacturer of hydrogen and nitrogen products for agricultural and industrial customers. The company specializes in the production of ammonia, granular urea, urea ammonium nitrate (UAN), nitric acid and ammonium nitrate, which serve as key inputs for fertilizer blends, industrial chemicals and other downstream applications.

Headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, CF Industries operates production facilities and distribution terminals across North America and the United Kingdom.