Compare StocksCF vs QCOM

CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF) vs QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM): Which Is the Better Buy in 2026?

As of 2026-06-19, CF is undervalued at $103, with a DCF intrinsic value of $147 and a margin of safety of 30%. QCOM is overvalued at $226, with an intrinsic value of $128 and a margin of safety of -76%. Of the two, CF has the wider margin of safety.

CF
CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
$102.93
VS
QCOM
QUALCOMM Incorporated
$226.11

Rewards

CF
  • CF Industries Holdings, Inc. has maintained ROIC above 15% for 4 consecutive years, indicating a durable competitive advantage.
  • Return on equity has consistently exceeded 20% over 4 years, indicating efficient use of shareholder capital.
  • Share count has been reduced by 21% over the past 4 years through buybacks, increasing each share's claim on earnings.
QCOM
  • QUALCOMM Incorporated has maintained ROIC above 15% for 4 consecutive years, indicating a durable competitive advantage.
  • QUALCOMM Incorporated scores 73/100 on the Economic Moat Score (Wide Moat), with reinvestment efficiency as the strongest competitive dimension.
  • Free cash flow has grown at a 23.3% CAGR over the past 4 years, demonstrating strong earnings power growth.

Risks

CF
  • PEG ratio of 3.14 indicates the stock is expensive relative to its expected growth — the market may be pricing in more growth than analysts project.
  • 23 insider sales with no purchases over the past 12 months — a persistent pattern of insider selling.
  • Free cash flow has declined at a 19.0% CAGR over the past 4 years — a concerning trend.
QCOM
  • FCF yield of 5.4% suggests reasonable valuation assuming continued moderate growth.
  • 15 insider sales with no purchases over the past 12 months — a persistent pattern of insider selling.

Key Valuation Metrics

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CF
QCOM
Valuation
$1.80B
Free Cash Flow
$12.82B
11.39%
FCF Yield
5.38%
9.27
Trailing P/E
24.34
8.97
Forward P/E
21.20
Quality & Moat
16.55%
ROIC
18.22%
27.30%
ROE
36.08%
39.13%
Gross Margin
54.80%
3.14
PEG Ratio
0.91
Balance Sheet Safety
0.19
Net Debt / Equity
0.20
N/A
Interest Coverage
N/A
0.46
Net Debt / EBITDA
0.42
1.89%
Dividend Yield
1.72%
CF: 4Ties: 2QCOM: 6
CFQCOM

Historical Fundamentals

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CF

Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation. The dashed forward point is the forward P/E — today's price ÷ analyst consensus EPS.

QCOM

Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation. The dashed forward point is the forward P/E — today's price ÷ analyst consensus EPS.

Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation. The dashed forward point is the forward P/E — today's price ÷ analyst consensus EPS.

$1 Retained Earnings Test

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CF
$-1.50
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Market Cap Declined
Σ Retained
$3.20B
Δ Market Cap
$-4.79B
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
QCOM
$5.06
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Exceptional Value Creator
Σ Retained
$11.96B
Δ Market Cap
+$60.46B
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer

Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer

Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis

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CF
23.6% Margin of Safety
Price is 23.6% below estimated fair value
Current Price: $102.93
Fair Value: $134.72
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
QCOM
178.3% Overvalued
Price is 178.3% above estimated fair value
Current Price: $226.11
Fair Value: $81.25
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued

Reverse DCF — Market-Implied Growth

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CF

What growth rate is the market pricing in at $103?

+0.7%
Market-Implied Owner Earnings Growth
Standard FCF implies -2.4%

The market implies +0.7% Owner Earnings growth, above historical trends.

Standard FCF implies a demanding -2.4%, reflecting heavy growth investment.

QCOM

What growth rate is the market pricing in at $226?

+17.5%
Market-Implied Owner Earnings Growth
Standard FCF implies +7.0%

The market implies +17.5% Owner Earnings growth, above historical trends.

Standard FCF implies a demanding +7.0%, reflecting heavy growth investment.

Economic Moat Score

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CF
41/100
Narrow Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None

Narrow moat with roic consistency as the key competitive advantage. Improving revenue predictability would strengthen the moat.

Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.
QCOM
73/100
Wide Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None

Wide moat driven primarily by reinvestment efficiency. Revenue Predictability is the area most vulnerable to competitive pressure.

Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.

Forensic Accounting

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CF
-2.83
Unlikely Manipulator
Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone

M-Score Trend

Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
QCOM
-3.16
Unlikely Manipulator
Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone

M-Score Trend

Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.

Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.

Ownership Breakdown

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CF
Insiders 0.4%Institutions 103.3%
No. of Institutional Holders1,313
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
QCOM
Insiders 0.1%Institutions 84.8%Retail & Other 15.1%
No. of Institutional Holders3,615
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.

High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.

Insider Buying Activity

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CF
0
Buys (3M)
0
Buys (12M)
No open market insider purchases found.
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises
QCOM
0
Buys (3M)
0
Buys (12M)
No open market insider purchases found.
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises

Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises.

Insider Selling Activity

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CF
0
Sells (3M)
23
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $71.51M
FROST BERT A
Officer
$756,000
@ $126.00 · 2026-03-17
MAYER ERIK M.
Officer
$187,035
@ $124.69 · 2026-03-17
WILL W ANTHONY
Director
$10.33M
@ $126.56 · 2026-03-13
MENZEL SUSAN L
Officer
$2.45M
@ $136.06 · 2026-03-12
FROST BERT A
Officer
$854,316
@ $136.69 · 2026-03-12
FROST BERT A
Officer
$1.83M
@ $118.01 · 2026-03-09
MCGRANE MICHAEL PATRICK
General Counsel
$427,089
@ $116.50 · 2026-03-06
MAYER ERIK M.
Officer
$255,749
@ $116.25 · 2026-03-06
WILL W ANTHONY
Director
$6.27M
@ $109.35 · 2026-03-05
MENZEL SUSAN L
Officer
$799,200
@ $111.00 · 2026-03-05
MALIK ASHRAF KHAN
Officer
$270,729
@ $111.00 · 2026-03-05
DEMPSEY LINDA M
Officer
$213,000
@ $106.50 · 2026-03-05
WILL W ANTHONY
Director
$7.01M
@ $109.06 · 2026-03-03
MENZEL SUSAN L
Officer
$415,250
@ $106.09 · 2026-03-03
MCGRANE MICHAEL PATRICK
General Counsel
$291,426
@ $105.36 · 2026-03-03
WILL W ANTHONY
Former
$24.37M
@ $102.63 · 2026-03-02
MENZEL SUSAN L
Officer
$713,232
@ $104.00 · 2026-03-02
FROST BERT A
Officer
$540,761
@ $105.99 · 2026-03-02
MALIK ASHRAF KHAN
Officer
$889,696
@ $103.08 · 2026-03-02
DEMPSEY LINDA M
Officer
$100,000
@ $100.00 · 2026-02-27
MENZEL SUSAN L
Officer
$311,859
@ $97.00 · 2026-02-26
WILL W ANTHONY
Director
$11.22M
@ $100.25 · 2026-02-20
MENZEL SUSAN L
Officer
$1.00M
@ $100.23 · 2025-06-20
FROST BERT A
Officer
$2.57M
@ $98.79 · 2025-06-16
MALIK ASHRAF KHAN
Officer
$549,535
@ $99.95 · 2025-06-13
MENZEL SUSAN L
Officer
$276,300
@ $96.95 · 2025-01-16
MENZEL SUSAN L
Officer
$142,500
@ $95.00 · 2025-01-13
FROST BERT A
Officer
$285,000
@ $95.00 · 2025-01-13
MALIK ASHRAF KHAN
Officer
$844,457
@ $95.00 · 2025-01-13
MENZEL SUSAN L
Officer
$325,000
@ $92.86 · 2024-12-03
MALIK ASHRAF KHAN
Officer
$635,487
@ $90.78 · 2024-11-21
FROST BERT A
Officer
$264,000
@ $88.00 · 2024-11-20
MENZEL SUSAN L
Officer
$180,000
@ $90.00 · 2024-10-04
FROST BERT A
Officer
$270,000
@ $90.00 · 2024-10-04
MALIK ASHRAF KHAN
Officer
$648,269
@ $90.02 · 2024-10-04
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives
QCOM
3
Sells (3M)
15
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $12.65M
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$493,380
@ $197.35 · 2026-06-11
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$529,741
@ $211.90 · 2026-05-12
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$325,854
@ $130.34 · 2026-04-13
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$330,815
@ $132.33 · 2026-03-12
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$458,799
@ $137.65 · 2026-02-06
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$577,620
@ $173.30 · 2026-01-02
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$2.20M
@ $175.29 · 2025-12-19
ROGERS ALEXANDER H
Officer
$2.83M
@ $178.01 · 2025-12-16
CHAPLIN ANN C
General Counsel
$1.28M
@ $178.03 · 2025-12-16
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$567,702
@ $170.33 · 2025-11-07
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$1.38M
@ $166.06 · 2025-10-20
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$522,808
@ $156.86 · 2025-09-02
MARTIN NEIL A
Officer
$122,463
@ $154.82 · 2025-08-21
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$493,610
@ $148.10 · 2025-08-04
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$537,560
@ $161.28 · 2025-07-02
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$486,965
@ $146.10 · 2025-06-02
MARTIN NEIL A
Officer
$120,808
@ $153.70 · 2025-05-21
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$465,846
@ $139.77 · 2025-05-05
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$91,442
@ $141.11 · 2025-04-09
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$119,900
@ $132.63 · 2025-04-08
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$235,262
@ $132.10 · 2025-04-04
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$523,292
@ $156.82 · 2025-03-03
MARTIN NEIL A
Officer
$130,074
@ $174.83 · 2025-02-21
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$509,397
@ $169.80 · 2025-02-12
ROGERS ALEXANDER H
Officer
$3.28M
@ $169.83 · 2025-02-10
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$463,851
@ $154.62 · 2025-01-02
CHAPLIN ANN C
General Counsel
$409,056
@ $158.12 · 2024-12-16
ROGERS ALEXANDER H
Officer
$1.67M
@ $160.59 · 2024-12-10
CHAPLIN ANN C
General Counsel
$1.24M
@ $160.59 · 2024-12-10
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$484,617
@ $161.54 · 2024-12-05
MARTIN NEIL A
Officer
$202,120
@ $155.00 · 2024-11-21
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$491,349
@ $163.78 · 2024-11-14
THOMPSON JAMES H.
Chief Technology Officer
$1.38M
@ $172.09 · 2024-11-08
CHAPLIN ANN C
General Counsel
$313,779
@ $165.06 · 2024-11-04
ROGERS ALEXANDER H
Officer
$539,157
@ $166.15 · 2024-10-02
THOMPSON JAMES H.
Chief Technology Officer
$1.36M
@ $169.80 · 2024-10-01
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives

Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives.

🎭 Mr. Market's Mood

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CF
FearGreed
😨Fear(35/100)

"Market is pessimistic — investigate whether fears are temporary or structural"

Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
QCOM
FearGreed
😐Neutral(50/100)

"Market is pricing this stock without strong emotion in either direction"

Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.

Composite sentiment score based on market signals. Inspired by Buffett’s "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.

⚖️ Buffett Signal

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CF
Awaiting DCF Data

The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.

DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Fear (35)
QCOM
Awaiting DCF Data

The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.

DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Neutral (50)
View CF Full AnalysisView QCOM Full Analysis

Frequently Asked Questions: CF vs QCOM

Is CF Industries Holdings, Inc. or QUALCOMM Incorporated more undervalued in 2026?

Based on our discounted cash flow model, CF trades at a 29.8% margin of safety (intrinsic value $147 vs. price $103), compared to QCOM's -76.1% margin of safety (intrinsic $128 vs. $226).

Which stock has a wider economic moat, CF Industries Holdings, Inc. or QUALCOMM Incorporated?

QCOM scores 73/100 (Wide moat), while CF scores 41/100 (Narrow moat). The moat score measures competitive advantage durability across ROIC consistency, margin stability, revenue predictability, and reinvestment efficiency.

Is CF Industries Holdings, Inc. in financial distress?

CF's Altman Z-Score of 2.8 places it in the Grey zone, signaling elevated bankruptcy risk. QCOM scores 6.5 (Safe zone). The Altman Z-Score is a five-factor model that predicts insolvency within two years; scores below 1.81 indicate significant distress.

Which company has better free cash flow, CF Industries Holdings, Inc. or QUALCOMM Incorporated?

CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF) generates a 11.4% free cash flow yield, compared to QUALCOMM Incorporated's 5.4%. A higher FCF yield means the business converts more of its market value into cash that can be returned to shareholders or reinvested.

Which stock has higher return on invested capital, CF Industries Holdings, Inc. or QUALCOMM Incorporated?

QCOM earns 18.2% ROIC versus CF's 16.5%. A higher ROIC means the company generates more profit per dollar of capital employed, a hallmark of durable competitive advantage in Buffett-style analysis.

Which dividend is safer, CF Industries Holdings, Inc.'s or QUALCOMM Incorporated's?

CF's dividend earns a safety score of 85/100 (Very Safe), compared to QCOM's 84/100 (Very Safe). CF has raised its dividend for 0 consecutive years.

CF vs QCOM: Which Is the Better Buy in 2026? | SafetyMargin.io