Is CF Industries Stock Underperforming the S&P 500?

Company Overview - CF Industries Holdings, Inc. is based in Northbrook, Illinois, and specializes in manufacturing and selling hydrogen and nitrogen products for various applications including energy, fertilizer, and emissions abatement, with a market cap of $13.8 billion [1] Market Position - CF Industries is classified as a large-cap stock, with its market cap exceeding $10 billion, highlighting its size and influence in the agricultural inputs industry [2] - The company benefits from scale, integration, and cost leadership in nitrogen fertilizer production, supported by efficient manufacturing and access to natural gas [2] - CF's strategic geographic footprint and commitment to operational excellence and sustainability enhance its competitive advantage, allowing for efficient distribution and responsiveness to demand fluctuations [2] Stock Performance - CF's stock has declined 18% from its 52-week high of $104.45, reached on June 16, and has underperformed the S&P 500 Index, which gained 12.2% over the same three-month period [3][4] - Year-to-date, CF shares have risen marginally and increased 4.9% over the past 52 weeks, underperforming the S&P 500's year-to-date gains of 13.8% and 17.4% returns [4] Recent Financial Results - In Q2, CF reported an EPS of $2.37, exceeding Wall Street expectations of $2.35, and revenue of $1.9 billion, surpassing forecasts of $1.7 billion [5] - Despite these results, CF's stock closed down more than 3% following the earnings report [5] Competitive Landscape - The Mosaic Company has outperformed CF, showing a 36% increase year-to-date and 30.8% returns over the past 52 weeks [5] Analyst Sentiment - Wall Street analysts maintain a cautious outlook on CF, with a consensus "Hold" rating from 17 analysts and a mean price target of $93.33, indicating a potential upside of 9% from current levels [6]