Global supply chains are still feeling the shock of the Strait of Hormuz disruption, even as oil routes reopen and headline risks cool down. Energy, fertilizer and freight costs already feed into inflation, and that can ripple through company earnings, balance sheets and investor sentiment long after ships start moving again. This article picks out 3 stocks exposed to the recent news: two where inflation and supply tightness could be a tailwind, and one where congestion and higher funding costs may work against the business. The goal is to help you think through what to own and what to avoid as these pressures play out.

A.P. Møller - Mærsk (CPSE:MAERSK B)

Overview: A.P. Møller Mærsk is a Copenhagen based integrated logistics company that moves containers by sea, land and air, runs ports and terminals, and provides warehousing, customs and value added services for customers across consumer goods, retail, chemicals, autos, technology and healthcare.

Operations: Maersk generates most of its revenue from Ocean shipping at US$34.2b, followed by Logistics & Services at US$15.4b, Terminals at US$5.4b, with smaller contributions from unallocated items and eliminations.

Market Cap: DKK226.1b

Investors watching supply chain tensions cannot ignore A.P. Møller Mærsk, but the story is increasingly uncomfortable. The company faces vessel backlogs around the Strait of Hormuz, prolonged route diversions and higher fuel costs at a time when management is already warning about industry overcapacity and bumpy freight rates. Profit margins sit at 3% versus 12.6% last year, Q1 2026 net income was US$53m, and analysts expect earnings to keep falling even as Maersk spends heavily on fleet renewal, terminals and logistics acquisitions. A sizeable buyback and strong terminals and logistics operations help, but with regulatory fines, volatile rates and central banks keeping financing conditions tight, the risk is that investors are paying for an earnings profile that may prove fragile once temporary disruptions fade.

Maersk’s thin 3% margins, pressure on earnings and heavy investment plans raise tough questions about resilience once freight disruption fades, so it is worth reading the 1 key reward and 4 important warning signs (1 is major!)

CF Industries Holdings (CF)

Overview: CF Industries Holdings is a Northbrook based fertilizer producer that makes ammonia and nitrogen products used in crop nutrition, emissions control and various industrial processes across North America, Europe and other international markets.

Operations: CF Industries generates most of its revenue from Ammonia at US$2.3b and Urea Ammonium Nitrate Solution at US$2.3b, followed by Granular Urea at US$1.9b, Other products at US$540m and Ammonium Nitrate at US$378m.

Market Cap: US$16.2b

CF Industries sits at the heart of the current supply shock, with Gulf export constraints and damaged nitrogen capacity pushing up fertilizer prices while the company benefits from relatively low cost North American gas and high margins. The stock currently appears inexpensive on earnings, has a 1.89% dividend yield and high quality earnings. It also faces clear risks if global supply recovers, new capacity comes onstream or regulators increase pressure on fertilizer use and carbon. For investors assessing whether this mix of tight nitrogen supply, share repurchases and early low carbon ammonia projects represents an opportunity or a potential value trap, it may be useful to examine CF Industries’ recent performance and valuation signals in more detail.

CF Industries’ earnings power, low cost position and nitrogen tightness have many investors focused on the obvious, but the real question is what the market is missing about this setup. It is worth reading the 4 key rewards and 1 important major warning sign

Nutrien (TSX:NTR)

Overview: Nutrien is a Saskatoon based agricultural company that supplies farmers with crop inputs and services, including fertilizer, crop protection products, seed and agronomic advice, supported by its own potash, nitrogen and phosphate production network.

Operations: Nutrien generates most of its revenue from Downstream Retail at US$18.2b, with additional contributions from Nitrogen at US$4.3b, Potash at US$3.8b, Phosphate at US$1.9b and smaller amounts from Corporate and Others and Eliminations.

Market Cap: CA$41.5b

Nutrien offers a mix of inflation exposure and income that many investors look for when supply chains are tight. It sits on both sides of the fertilizer market, running low cost potash and nitrogen assets while also owning a global retail arm that can help pass higher input and freight costs through to farmers, as recent Q1 2026 results and dividend payments highlight. At the same time, high leverage, ongoing portfolio reviews in areas like Trinidad and phosphate, and regulatory and environmental scrutiny around fertilizer use mean the story is not risk free. The key question is whether current pricing power and balance sheet moves are enough to justify the valuation as the Strait of Hormuz disruption keeps fertilizer markets tight.

Nutrien’s mix of pricing power and leverage is getting more interesting as supply chains stay tight, but the real story sits in the 4 key rewards and 2 important warning signs (1 is major!) that hints at one underappreciated swing factor investors keep overlooking

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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.