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CF Industries (CF) Hits New 52-Week High: What's Driving It?
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Shares of CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF - Free Report) scaled a fresh 52-week high of $51.80 on Aug 29, before closing the session at $51.64.
CF Industries has a market cap of roughly $12 billion and its average volume of shares traded in the last three months was around 2,708.3K. The company has an expected long-term earnings per share growth rate of 6%.
CF Industries’ shares have gained 25.6% in the last three months, significantly outperforming the industry’s growth of 7%.
Driving Factors
A better-than-expected performance in the second quarter along with upbeat outlook for nitrogen demand and pricing has contributed to the rally.
The company’s profit surged in the second quarter to $148 million or 63 cents per share from $3 million or a penny a year ago. Earnings also beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 42 cents.
CF Industries benefits from higher nitrogen demand driven by healthy corn plantations and cyclical recovery in the nitrogen fertilizer industry. The company expects strong demand in Brazil through the remainder of 2018. It sees a year-over-year increase in urea imports to Brazil during the second half of 2018.
Higher production costs across Europe and China coupled with reduced production due to the enforcement of environmental regulations in China tightened global nitrogen supply and demand balance and boosted nitrogen prices during first-half 2018. These factors are expected to continue to drive prices in the third quarter. The company also expects demand in Brazil and India to support global nitrogen prices through the balance of 2018.
Earnings estimates for CF Industries have also moved north over the past month. Over this period, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2018 has increased by around 37% to $1.37. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2019 has also moved up 6.5% over the same timeframe to $1.80.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2018 earnings reflects an expected year-over-year growth of a staggering 648%. For 2019, earnings are expected to rise 31.7% year over year.
Some better-ranked companies in the basic materials space are Huntsman Corp. (HUN - Free Report) , Celanese Corp. (CE - Free Report) and Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (APD - Free Report) .
Celanese has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 10% and carries a Zacks Rank #1. The stock has rallied 20.8% in a year.
Air Products has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 16.1% and a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Shares of the company have risen 15.8% in a year’s time.
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CF Industries (CF) Hits New 52-Week High: What's Driving It?
Shares of CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF - Free Report) scaled a fresh 52-week high of $51.80 on Aug 29, before closing the session at $51.64.
CF Industries has a market cap of roughly $12 billion and its average volume of shares traded in the last three months was around 2,708.3K. The company has an expected long-term earnings per share growth rate of 6%.
CF Industries’ shares have gained 25.6% in the last three months, significantly outperforming the industry’s growth of 7%.
Driving Factors
A better-than-expected performance in the second quarter along with upbeat outlook for nitrogen demand and pricing has contributed to the rally.
The company’s profit surged in the second quarter to $148 million or 63 cents per share from $3 million or a penny a year ago. Earnings also beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 42 cents.
CF Industries benefits from higher nitrogen demand driven by healthy corn plantations and cyclical recovery in the nitrogen fertilizer industry. The company expects strong demand in Brazil through the remainder of 2018. It sees a year-over-year increase in urea imports to Brazil during the second half of 2018.
Higher production costs across Europe and China coupled with reduced production due to the enforcement of environmental regulations in China tightened global nitrogen supply and demand balance and boosted nitrogen prices during first-half 2018. These factors are expected to continue to drive prices in the third quarter. The company also expects demand in Brazil and India to support global nitrogen prices through the balance of 2018.
Earnings estimates for CF Industries have also moved north over the past month. Over this period, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2018 has increased by around 37% to $1.37. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2019 has also moved up 6.5% over the same timeframe to $1.80.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2018 earnings reflects an expected year-over-year growth of a staggering 648%. For 2019, earnings are expected to rise 31.7% year over year.
CF Industries Holdings, Inc. Price and Consensus
CF Industries Holdings, Inc. Price and Consensus | CF Industries Holdings, Inc. Quote
Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider
CF Industries is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock.
Some better-ranked companies in the basic materials space are Huntsman Corp. (HUN - Free Report) , Celanese Corp. (CE - Free Report) and Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (APD - Free Report) .
Huntsman has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 8.5% and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). Shares of the company have gained 20% in a year. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Celanese has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 10% and carries a Zacks Rank #1. The stock has rallied 20.8% in a year.
Air Products has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 16.1% and a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Shares of the company have risen 15.8% in a year’s time.
Best Electric Car Stock? You'll Never Guess It.
Zacks Research has released a report that may shock many investors. One stock stands out as the best way to invest in the surge to electric cars. And it's not the one you may think!
Much like petroleum 150 years ago, lithium battery power is set to shake the world, creating millionaires and reshaping geo-politics. Soon electric vehicles (EVs) may be cheaper than gas guzzlers. Some are already reaching 265 miles on a single charge. With battery prices plummeting and charging stations set to multiply, revenues that were already at $31 billion in 2016 are expected to blast to over $67 billion by the end of 2022.
See Zacks Best EV Stock Free >>