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U.K. (FTSE) Basic Materials Industry Analysis

UpdatedFeb 28, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies8
  • 7D0.6%
  • 3M15.9%
  • 1Y4.9%
  • YTD12.0%

The Basic Materials is pretty flat in the last 7 days, but RHI Magnesita has stood out, gaining 4.9%. As for the the longer term, the industry is up 3.2% over the past 12 months. Earnings are forecast to grow by 28% annually.

Industry Valuation and Performance

Has the U.K. Basic Materials Industry valuation changed over the past few years?

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Sat, 28 Feb 2026UK£6.0bUK£7.2bUK£235.5m22.3x25.4x0.8x
Mon, 26 Jan 2026UK£5.5bUK£7.2bUK£234.9m20.6x23.4x0.8x
Wed, 24 Dec 2025UK£5.4bUK£7.2bUK£235.2m22x22.9x0.8x
Fri, 21 Nov 2025UK£4.8bUK£7.2bUK£235.7m20.5x20.5x0.7x
Sun, 19 Oct 2025UK£4.7bUK£7.2bUK£235.0m20x20x0.7x
Tue, 16 Sep 2025UK£5.2bUK£7.1bUK£234.8m21.5x22x0.7x
Thu, 14 Aug 2025UK£5.4bUK£7.1bUK£211.2m26.2x25.4x0.8x
Sat, 12 Jul 2025UK£5.9bUK£7.0bUK£311.6m22.7x19x0.8x
Mon, 09 Jun 2025UK£6.1bUK£6.9bUK£308.8m22.7x19.7x0.9x
Wed, 07 May 2025UK£6.2bUK£7.0bUK£309.9m23.4x20x0.9x
Fri, 04 Apr 2025UK£5.6bUK£6.9bUK£308.8m20.4x18.2x0.8x
Sun, 02 Mar 2025UK£5.7bUK£6.6bUK£256.3m28.7x22.2x0.9x
Tue, 28 Jan 2025UK£5.6bUK£6.7bUK£295.4m28.9x19x0.8x
Thu, 26 Dec 2024UK£5.8bUK£6.7bUK£293.2m34.2x19.9x0.9x
Sat, 23 Nov 2024UK£6.2bUK£7.3bUK£308.7m27.4x20.2x0.9x
Mon, 21 Oct 2024UK£6.3bUK£7.3bUK£309.1m28.7x20.5x0.9x
Wed, 18 Sep 2024UK£6.0bUK£7.3bUK£314.0m14.3x19.2x0.8x
Fri, 16 Aug 2024UK£6.1bUK£7.2bUK£333.1m14.8x18.5x0.9x
Sun, 14 Jul 2024UK£6.2bUK£7.3bUK£350.8m13.5x17.8x0.9x
Tue, 11 Jun 2024UK£5.7bUK£7.3bUK£354.3m12.6x16x0.8x
Thu, 09 May 2024UK£5.9bUK£7.4bUK£356.8m12.5x16.4x0.8x
Sat, 06 Apr 2024UK£5.6bUK£7.3bUK£356.4m12.6x15.7x0.8x
Mon, 04 Mar 2024UK£5.8bUK£7.5bUK£457.3m9.7x12.7x0.8x
Wed, 31 Jan 2024UK£6.7bUK£8.8bUK£547.8m10.4x12.3x0.8x
Fri, 29 Dec 2023UK£6.4bUK£8.9bUK£549.9m9.8x11.7x0.7x
Sun, 26 Nov 2023UK£5.7bUK£8.9bUK£549.7m8.5x10.3x0.6x
Tue, 24 Oct 2023UK£36.9bUK£36.6bUK£2.9b9.1x12.6x1x
Thu, 21 Sep 2023UK£37.1bUK£36.2bUK£2.9b10.4x12.8x1x
Sat, 19 Aug 2023UK£37.6bUK£34.5bUK£2.6b10.4x14.3x1.1x
Mon, 17 Jul 2023UK£37.6bUK£33.6bUK£2.6b10x14.3x1.1x
Wed, 14 Jun 2023UK£34.6bUK£34.6bUK£2.7b10x12.8x1x
Fri, 12 May 2023UK£33.7bUK£33.5bUK£2.6b10x12.8x1x
Sun, 09 Apr 2023UK£32.9bUK£33.7bUK£2.6b10.3x12.5x1x
Tue, 07 Mar 2023UK£37.2bUK£34.1bUK£2.7b11x14x1.1x
Price to Earnings Ratio

14x


Total Market Cap: UK£37.2bTotal Earnings: UK£2.7bTotal Revenue: UK£34.1bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.K. Basic Materials Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 17.3x202420252026
Current Industry PE
  • Investors are optimistic on the British Basic Materials industry, and appear confident in long term growth rates.
  • The industry is trading at a PE ratio of 25.2x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 17.3x.
  • The industry is trading close to its 3-year average PS ratio of 0.84x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Basic Materials industry have declined 55% per year over the last three years,
  • Revenues have also declined 41% per year.
  • This means overall sales from these companies are declining and profits are subsequently falling as well.

Industry Trends

Which industries have driven the changes within the U.K. Materials industry?

GB Market1.91%
Materials4.18%
Basic Materials0.56%
Construction Materials0.56%
Industry PEThere are no additional sub-industries under this industry.
Forecasted GrowthThere are no additional sub-industries under this industry.

Top Stock Gainers and Losers

Which companies have driven the market over the last 7 days?

CompanyLast Price7D1YValuation
RHIM RHI MagnesitaUK£33.454.9%
+UK£73.3m		0.5%PE38.3x
MSLH MarshallsUK£1.801.6%
+UK£7.1m		-26.6%PE19.1x
MBH Michelmersh Brick HoldingsUK£0.901.7%
+UK£1.4m		-15.6%PE15.6x

Latest News

RHIM
UK£33.45
RHI Magnesita
7D
4.9%
1Y
0.5%

RHIM: Future Returns Will Soften As Earnings Quality Appears Overestimated

Analysts have modestly raised their price target for RHI Magnesita to £26.96, reflecting updated assumptions on discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin and future P/E that together indicate a slightly adjusted view of the company’s longer term earnings potential. Valuation Changes Fair Value: £26.96 is unchanged, indicating no revision in the central estimate of intrinsic value.
FORT
UK£1.90
Forterra
7D
-2.0%
1Y
24.8%

FORT: Stable Outlook Will Rely On Slightly Improved Margins And Returns

Analysts have nudged their price target on Forterra slightly higher to £1.92, reflecting updated views on discount rates, revenue growth, profit margins, and future P/E assumptions. Valuation Changes Fair Value: The updated fair value estimate is held at £1.92 per share, indicating no change in the central valuation point.
SRC
UK£1.48
SigmaRoc
7D
-1.1%
1Y
85.7%

SRC: Lower Discount Rate And Margin Assumptions Will Likely Cap Share Price Upside

Analysts have nudged their fair value estimate for SigmaRoc from £1.20 to £1.30, citing updated assumptions that pair a slightly lower discount rate with modestly adjusted revenue growth expectations and a higher projected profit margin. Valuation Changes Fair Value is set at £1.30, compared with the prior estimate of £1.20.
BREE
UK£3.58
Breedon Group
7D
-1.1%
1Y
-18.3%

BREE: Future Upside Will Rely On Stable Margins And One P/E Reset

Analysts have nudged their price target for Breedon Group higher to £4.52, reflecting small adjustments in their assumptions for the discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin and future P/E expectations. Valuation Changes Fair Value: £4.52 per share is unchanged, with the updated fair value remaining aligned to the previous estimate.
MSLH
UK£1.80
Marshalls
7D
1.6%
1Y
-26.6%

MSLH: New CEO Appointment Will Support Transform And Grow Plan At Fair Price

Analysts have nudged their price target on Marshalls to £1.85, with the small change tied to updated assumptions for discount rate, revenue growth, profit margins and future P/E expectations. What's in the News Marshalls plc appointed Simon Bourne as permanent Chief Executive Officer, effective January 19, 2026, following his period as Interim CEO that began on November 27, 2025 (Key Developments).
IBST
UK£1.32
Ibstock
7D
-1.5%
1Y
-19.2%

IBST: Cautious Sector Outlook And Trimmed Assumptions Will Shape Future Returns

Analysts have trimmed their fair value estimate for Ibstock from about £1.45 to £1.43, reflecting lower price targets and more cautious assumptions on growth, margins and future P/E multiples following recent sector updates. Analyst Commentary Recent research points to a more cautious stance on Ibstock, with lower price targets and a move to more neutral ratings as analysts reassess earnings risk and valuation multiples.
MBH
UK£0.90
Michelmersh Brick Holdings
7D
1.7%
1Y
-15.6%
STCM
UK£0.20
Steppe Cement
7D
-2.4%
1Y
41.4%