CF Industries Holdings, Inc. vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? CF Industries Holdings, Inc. trades at $117.89 (market cap $18.31B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $123.23 (market cap $298.31B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 16.3× CF Industries Holdings, Inc.'s market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.82%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CF | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $18.31B | $298.31B |
Sector | Basic Materials | Health |
52-Week High | $137.55 | $129.52 |
52-Week Low | $76.08 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $19.89B | $341.72B |
Dividend Yield | 2.01% | 2.82% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
CF Industries stock trades at $120.92, up 3.42% today, with a bullish technical outlook and strong fundamentals. Recent earnings beats, a 20% dividend hike announced July 8, 2026, and robust profitability metrics like a 23.73% net margin support investor confidence. The stock is near consensus price targets, with moving averages signaling upward momentum.
The outlook is positive, driven by firm nitrogen demand and shareholder returns, but risks include input cost pressures and cyclical industry headwinds. Upside potential exists if earnings continue to exceed expectations, though overbought RSI levels suggest near-term consolidation may occur.
Merck (MRK) trades at $120.8, down 2.6% on the day, with a bullish technical signal and strong support near $120. Recent earnings have consistently beaten expectations, including Q1 2026's smaller-than-expected loss. The company is acquiring Terns Pharmaceuticals to bolster its oncology pipeline, reflecting strategic growth initiatives. Revenue reached $65.01B in 2025 with a net income margin of 28.07%, though 2026 projections show a decline to 13.58%.
The outlook remains positive with a consensus price target of $137.30, implying 13.7% upside. Key opportunities include pipeline expansion via M&A and robust profitability, but risks involve rising debt, patent expirations, and competitive pressures. Institutional buying activity supports bullish sentiment, though earnings volatility and macroeconomic factors warrant caution.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
CF Industries is a leading producer and distributor of nitrogen fertilizers. The company operates seven nitrogen facilities in North America and holds joint venture interests in further production capacity in the United Kingdom and Trinidad and Tobago. CF makes nitrogen primarily using low-cost U.S. natural gas as its feedstock, making CF one of the lowest-cost nitrogen producers globally.
Read more on CF →Merck makes pharmaceutical products to treat several conditions in a number of therapeutic areas, including cardiometabolic disease, cancer, and infections. Within cancer, the firm's immuno-oncology platform is growing as a major contributor to overall sales. The company also has a substantial vaccine business, with treatments to prevent hepatitis B and pediatric diseases as well as HPV and shingles. Additionally, Merck sells animal health-related drugs. From a geographical perspective, just under half of the firm's sales are generated in the United States.
Read more on MRK →