novel compounds which , when used as a components of liquid crystal compositions , have good compatibility with other components and also have large values of dielectric anisotropy and optical anisotropy , and liquid crystal compositions containing the same are provided , which compounds are 4 &# 39 ;- cyano - 3 &# 39 ;- halogenophenyl 4 - benzoate expressed by the formula ## str1 ## wherein r represents an alkyl group of 1 to 10 carbon atoms or -- m -- o -- p -- ch 3 wherein m and p each represent an integer of 0 to 8 and m + p ≦ 8 , and x represents a halogen atom .