Yahoo Finance Returns On Capital Are A Standout For CF Industries Holdings (NYSE:CF)
What trends should we look for it we want to identify stocks that can multiply in value over the long term? Firstly, we'll want to see a proven return on capital employed (ROCE) that is increasing, and secondly, an expanding base of capital employed. This shows us that it's a compounding machine, able to continually reinvest its earnings back into the business and generate higher returns. And in light of that, the trends we're seeing at CF Industries Holdings' (NYSE:CF) look very promising so lets take a look.
What Is Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)?
For those that aren't sure what ROCE is, it measures the amount of pre-tax profits a company can generate from the capital employed in its business. To calculate this metric for CF Industries Holdings, this is the formula:
Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) ÷ (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)
0.41 = US$5.1b ÷ (US$13b - US$1.1b) (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2022).
Therefore, CF Industries Holdings has an ROCE of 41%. That's a fantastic return and not only that, it outpaces the average of 12% earned by companies in a similar industry.
Check out our latest analysis for CF Industries Holdings
In the above chart we have measured CF Industries Holdings' prior ROCE against its prior performance, but the future is arguably more important. If you'd like, you can check out the forecasts from the analysts covering CF Industries Holdings here for free.
What Can We Tell From CF Industries Holdings' ROCE Trend?
CF Industries Holdings is showing promise given that its ROCE is trending up and to the right. Looking at the data, we can see that even though capital employed in the business has remained relatively flat, the ROCE generated has risen by 4,396% over the last five years. So our take on this is that the business has increased efficiencies to generate these higher returns, all the while not needing to make any additional investments. The company is doing well in that sense, and it's worth investigating what the management team has planned for long term growth prospects.
The Bottom Line
In summary, we're delighted to see that CF Industries Holdings has been able to increase efficiencies and earn higher rates of return on the same amount of capital. Since the stock has returned a staggering 221% to shareholders over the last five years, it looks like investors are recognizing these changes. With that being said, we still think the promising fundamentals mean the company deserves some further due diligence.
CF Industries Holdings does have some risks, we noticed 2 warning signs (and 1 which is potentially serious) we think you should know about.
CF Industries Holdings is not the only stock earning high returns. If you'd like to see more, check out our free list of companies earning high returns on equity with solid fundamentals.
Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.
This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Join A Paid User Research Session
You’ll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here
