Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. Takes $1.32 Million Position in CF Industries Holdings, Inc. $CF

Key Points

• Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management acquired 12,239 shares of CF Industries worth approximately $1.32 million, while institutional investors collectively own 93.06% of the company.
• CF Industries reported quarterly EPS of $4.73, below the $5.63 analyst consensus, although revenue increased 17.6% year over year to $2.22 billion.
• The company raised its quarterly dividend from $0.50 to $0.60 per share, equivalent to an annualized dividend of $2.40 and a 1.9% yield; analysts maintain an average “Hold” rating with a $116.56 price target.

Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. acquired a new stake in CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CF - Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 12,239 shares of the basic materials company's stock, valued at approximately $1,325,000.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of CF. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC increased its stake in CF Industries by 3.7% during the first quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC now owns 2,360 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $306,000 after purchasing an additional 84 shares during the period. Eley Financial Management Inc boosted its stake in shares of CF Industries by 0.6% in the first quarter. Eley Financial Management Inc now owns 13,764 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $1,787,000 after purchasing an additional 87 shares during the period. Personal CFO Solutions LLC boosted its stake in shares of CF Industries by 1.1% in the first quarter. Personal CFO Solutions LLC now owns 8,176 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $1,062,000 after purchasing an additional 89 shares during the period. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of CF Industries by 6.9% in the first quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,496 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $194,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Altshuler Shaham Ltd grew its holdings in shares of CF Industries by 36.6% in the first quarter. Altshuler Shaham Ltd now owns 418 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $54,000 after purchasing an additional 112 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.06% of the company's stock.

CF Industries Stock Down 1.5%

Shares of CF Industries stock opened at $127.30 on Wednesday. CF Industries Holdings, Inc. has a 52-week low of $75.42 and a 52-week high of $141.96. The company has a 50 day moving average of $116.87 and a 200 day moving average of $116.34. The company has a quick ratio of 4.32, a current ratio of 4.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. The company has a market capitalization of $19.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.44, a P/E/G ratio of 0.26 and a beta of 0.39.

CF Industries (NYSE:CF - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 5th. The basic materials company reported $4.73 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $5.63 by ($0.90). CF Industries had a net margin of 27.12% and a return on equity of 24.41%. The firm had revenue of $2.22 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.45 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.37 earnings per share. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 17.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts forecast that CF Industries Holdings, Inc. will post 13.7 EPS for the current fiscal year.

CF Industries Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 31st. Investors of record on Friday, August 14th will be paid a dividend of $0.60 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 14th. This is an increase from CF Industries's previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.9%. CF Industries's payout ratio is presently 17.79%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. BMO Capital Markets reduced their target price on shares of CF Industries from $140.00 to $135.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, June 30th. BNP Paribas Exane dropped their price target on shares of CF Industries from $140.00 to $120.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, June 15th. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on CF Industries from $135.00 to $115.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, July 7th. HSBC reduced their price objective on CF Industries from $130.00 to $121.00 in a research note on Wednesday, June 17th. Finally, Zacks Research lowered CF Industries from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, June 15th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $116.56.

CF Industries Profile

CF Industries Holdings, Inc is a leading global manufacturer of hydrogen and nitrogen products for agricultural and industrial customers. The company specializes in the production of ammonia, granular urea, urea ammonium nitrate (UAN), nitric acid and ammonium nitrate, which serve as key inputs for fertilizer blends, industrial chemicals and other downstream applications.

Headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, CF Industries operates production facilities and distribution terminals across North America and the United Kingdom.

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