Northbrook, Illinois-based CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF) manufactures and sells hydrogen and nitrogen products for energy, fertilizer, emissions abatement, and other industrial activities. Valued at $16.3 billion by market cap, the company provides clean energy to feed and fuel the world sustainably. The leading global manufacturer of hydrogen and nitrogen products is expected to announce its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings for 2024 after the market closes on Wednesday, Feb. 19.
Ahead of the event, analysts expect CF to report a profit of $1.57 per share on a diluted basis, up 5.4% from $1.49 per share in the year-ago quarter. The company beat the consensus estimates in two of the last four quarters while missing the forecast on two other occasions.
For the full year, analysts expect CF to report EPS of $6.37, down 20.7% from $8.03 in fiscal 2023. Its EPS is expected to decline 3.5% year over year to $6.15 in fiscal 2025.
CF stock has underperformed the S&P 500’s ($SPX) 25.5% gains over the past 52 weeks, with shares up 24.7% during this period. However, it outperformed the Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund’s (XLB) 7.6% gains over the same time frame.
On Oct. 30, CF shares closed up marginally after reporting its Q3 results. Its EPS of $1.55 surpassed Wall Street expectations of $1.05. The company’s revenue was $1.4 billion, topping Wall Street forecasts of $1.2 billion.
Analysts’ consensus opinion on CF stock is moderately bullish, with a “Moderate Buy” rating overall. Out of 15 analysts covering the stock, five advise a “Strong Buy” rating, nine give a “Hold,” and one recommends a “Moderate Sell.” While CF currently trades above its mean price target of $92.03, the Street-high price target of $114 suggests an upside potential of 21.9%.
