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U.K. (FTSE) Chemicals Industry Analysis

UpdatedJun 22, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies21
  • 7D1.4%
  • 3M16.1%
  • 1Y9.7%
  • YTD4.8%

The Chemicals industry is up 2.0% in the last week, with Johnson Matthey up 3.5%. Meanwhile, SulNOx Group actually underperformed within the industry, shrinking 13% in the last week. This takes the industry's 12 month performance to a gain of 10%. Earnings are forecast to grow by 31% annually.

Industry Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Mon, 22 Jun 2026UK£10.7bUK£17.5b-UK£136,166,527.8729.5x-78.3x0.6x
Wed, 20 May 2026UK£10.0bUK£16.6b-UK£140,768,448.6829.4x-70.7x0.6x
Fri, 17 Apr 2026UK£10.0bUK£16.7b-UK£20,783,148.0319.7x-482.7x0.6x
Sun, 15 Mar 2026UK£9.3bUK£16.7b-UK£34,308,454.3024.2x-271.4x0.6x
Tue, 10 Feb 2026UK£10.6bUK£16.8b-UK£37,621,936.6126.8x-282.9x0.6x
Thu, 08 Jan 2026UK£10.2bUK£16.8b-UK£32,365,097.1120.7x-316.5x0.6x
Sat, 06 Dec 2025UK£9.7bUK£16.8b-UK£42,272,767.0424x-230.3x0.6x
Mon, 03 Nov 2025UK£10.1bUK£16.8bUK£423.0m18.9x23.9x0.6x
Wed, 01 Oct 2025UK£9.8bUK£16.8bUK£424.0m21.1x23.1x0.6x
Fri, 29 Aug 2025UK£9.3bUK£16.7bUK£432.4m22.2x21.6x0.6x
Sun, 27 Jul 2025UK£9.7bUK£16.8bUK£449.1m22.1x21.7x0.6x
Tue, 24 Jun 2025UK£9.6bUK£16.8bUK£450.0m22x21.4x0.6x
Thu, 22 May 2025UK£9.1bUK£17.1bUK£603.9m22x15.1x0.5x
Sat, 19 Apr 2025UK£8.1bUK£17.1bUK£594.2m18.6x13.7x0.5x
Mon, 17 Mar 2025UK£9.6bUK£17.1bUK£582.0m15.8x16.5x0.6x
Wed, 12 Feb 2025UK£9.8bUK£17.1bUK£577.2m16.9x16.9x0.6x
Fri, 10 Jan 2025UK£9.9bUK£17.1bUK£576.7m18.3x17.2x0.6x
Sun, 08 Dec 2024UK£10.4bUK£17.1bUK£583.9m18.7x17.7x0.6x
Tue, 05 Nov 2024UK£10.9bUK£18.2bUK£165.1m24.3x66x0.6x
Thu, 03 Oct 2024UK£11.9bUK£18.1bUK£157.6m25x75.3x0.7x
Sat, 31 Aug 2024UK£12.3bUK£18.1bUK£154.7m26.9x79.3x0.7x
Mon, 29 Jul 2024UK£12.4bUK£18.2bUK£193.2m29.5x64.3x0.7x
Wed, 26 Jun 2024UK£12.1bUK£18.2bUK£191.3m30x63.5x0.7x
Fri, 24 May 2024UK£13.5bUK£19.5bUK£255.0m32.2x53.1x0.7x
Sun, 21 Apr 2024UK£13.7bUK£19.6bUK£286.4m23.1x47.7x0.7x
Tue, 19 Mar 2024UK£13.2bUK£19.6bUK£244.5m17.7x53.8x0.7x
Thu, 15 Feb 2024UK£13.1bUK£20.0bUK£143.9m17.9x91.1x0.7x
Sat, 13 Jan 2024UK£12.7bUK£20.0bUK£141.0m18.5x90x0.6x
Mon, 11 Dec 2023UK£13.0bUK£20.0bUK£139.5m18.8x93x0.6x
Wed, 08 Nov 2023UK£12.5bUK£20.8bUK£229.4m15x54.5x0.6x
Fri, 06 Oct 2023UK£12.5bUK£20.9bUK£257.2m16.6x48.6x0.6x
Sun, 03 Sep 2023UK£14.4bUK£21.0bUK£355.1m25x40.5x0.7x
Tue, 01 Aug 2023UK£15.1bUK£21.0bUK£338.2m28.2x44.8x0.7x
Thu, 29 Jun 2023UK£14.1bUK£21.2bUK£800.3m14.4x17.6x0.7x
Price to Earnings Ratio

17.6x


Total Market Cap: UK£14.1bTotal Earnings: UK£800.3mTotal Revenue: UK£21.2bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.K. Chemicals Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average -14.7x202420252026
Current Industry PE
  • Investors are relatively neutral on the British Chemicals industry at the moment, indicating that they anticipate long term growth rates to remain steady.
  • The industry is trading close to its 3-year average PS ratio of 0.62x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • Total earnings for the Chemicals industry have declined over the last three years, with the industry now making a loss overall.
  • Revenues have also declined 6.3% per year, which is driving profits down.

Industry Trends

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

GB Market-1.12%
Materials-5.72%
Chemicals1.43%
Specialty Chemicals1.71%
Commodity Chemicals-1.61%
Industrial Gases-4.10%
Fertilizers and Agricultural Chemicals-8.50%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Commodity Chemicals industry even though it's trading below its 3-year average PE ratio of 30.2x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 29.5%, which is higher than its past year's earnings decline of 81.9% per year.
Forecasted Growth
  • Analysts are most optimistic on the Specialty Chemicals industry, expecting annual earnings growth of 31% over the next 5 years.
  • This is better than its past earnings decline of 16% per year.
  • In contrast, the Industrial Gases industry is expected to see its earnings decline by 56% per year over the next few years.

Top Stock Gainers and Losers

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

CompanyLast Price7D1YValuation
JMAT Johnson MattheyUK£21.383.5%
+UK£120.9m		26.7%PS0.3x
CRDA Croda InternationalUK£31.182.2%
+UK£92.3m		4.2%PE70.4x
IOF IofinaUK£0.5515.8%
+UK£14.4m		136.6%PE17.7x
ELM ElementisUK£1.561.3%
+UK£11.5m		2.8%PE19x
HDD HardideUK£0.7424.2%
+UK£11.4m		803.0%PE40x

Latest News

ELM
UK£1.56
Elementis
7D
1.3%
1Y
2.8%
Narrative Update • Jun 18

ELM: New Audit Oversight Will Support Future Upside Potential

Analysts have nudged their Elementis price target slightly higher to £2.00 from about £2.00, reflecting updated views on fair value, discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin and future P/E assumptions. What’s in the News for Elementis Elementis appointed Ernst & Young LLP as auditor at its Annual General Meeting held on April 29, 2026, replacing the previous audit firm.
CRDA
UK£31.18
Croda International
7D
2.2%
1Y
4.2%
Narrative Update • Jun 16

CRDA: Mixed Broker Revisions And Execution Risks Will Shape Future P/E Path

Croda International's analyst price targets have shifted higher to £32.00 from £30.00, as analysts cite updated assumptions around revenue growth, profit margins and a slightly lower discount rate, along with a modestly adjusted future P/E expectation. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Croda International highlights a mix of optimism and caution, with several firms adjusting ratings and price targets as they reassess the company’s growth prospects, profit outlook and valuation framework.
ESNT
UK£0.83
Essentra
7D
-2.6%
1Y
-15.3%
JMAT
UK£21.38
Johnson Matthey
7D
3.5%
1Y
26.7%
Narrative Update • Jun 16

JMAT: Lower Discount Rate And Higher P/E Assumptions Will Support Future Upside

Analysts have lifted their fair value estimate for Johnson Matthey shares from £24.20 to £25.80, citing recent price target revisions around £2,400. These revisions reflect updated expectations for discount rates, projected revenue trends, profit margins and future P/E assumptions.
ZTF
UK£4.46
Zotefoams
7D
-1.0%
1Y
54.3%
Narrative Update • Jun 15

ZTF: Solid 2026 Outlook And Confirmed Dividend Will Support Repricing Potential

Analysts have kept their £6.13 price target for Zotefoams unchanged, citing only small adjustments in assumptions for the discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin and future P/E as the basis for maintaining their view. What's in the News Zotefoams issued full-year 2026 earnings guidance, stating that expectations remain unchanged and that a solid start to 2026 supports its outlook.
CAR
UK£0.34
Carclo
7D
-7.1%
1Y
-28.4%
TET
UK£3.04
Treatt
7D
0.5%
1Y
11.0%
Narrative Update • Jun 08

TET: Lowered Price View Will Focus On Takeover Offer Downside Risk

Analysts have reduced their price target on Treatt by £0.35, reflecting updated views on revenue growth, profit margins, discount rates and future P/E assumptions. What's in the News Döhler Finance Management B.V. agreed to acquire the remaining 72.10% stake in Treatt plc for approximately £130 million in cash, valuing the offer at £3.05 per share, funded from existing cash resources of the Döhler Group.
SYNT
UK£1.15
Synthomer
7D
-1.2%
1Y
5.5%
Narrative Update • Jun 06

SYNT: Leadership Transition Will Intensify Concerns Over Future Margin Stability

Analysts have nudged Synthomer's fair value higher, lifting the implied price target from £0.59 to £0.62. This reflects refreshed assumptions on revenue growth, discount rate and future P/E.
VCT
UK£6.09
Victrex
7D
-1.8%
1Y
-18.0%
Narrative Update • Jun 05

VCT: Updated Discount Rate And P E Assumptions Will Shape Future Rerating

Analysts have trimmed their price target on Victrex by £1.00, citing updated assumptions for discount rates, revenue growth, profit margins and future P/E multiples that slightly reshape the company’s risk and return profile. What's in the News No recent company specific news for Victrex has been provided in the available sources.
HEX
UK£0.34
Helix Exploration
7D
-5.6%
1Y
35.4%
ITX
UK£1.13
Itaconix
7D
0.4%
1Y
7.1%
HDD
UK£0.74
Hardide
7D
24.2%
1Y
803.0%
IOF
UK£0.55
Iofina
7D
15.8%
1Y
136.6%
SNOX
UK£0.53
SulNOx Group
7D
-12.5%
1Y
-12.5%
SYM
UK£0.09
Symphony Environmental Technologies
7D
28.6%
1Y
0%
ATOM
UK£0.32
Atome
7D
-19.2%
1Y
-46.6%