Investing IdeasBrowse All StocksMarkets
Have your own idea? Try our Stock Screener
Header cover image

U.K. (FTSE) Materials Sector Analysis

UpdatedApr 13, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies156
  • 7D4.0%
  • 3M11.8%
  • 1Y85.0%
  • YTD20.1%

Over the last 7 days, the Materials industry has risen 4.0%, driven by gains from Rio Tinto Group of 3.4%. Meanwhile, Guardian Metal Resources actually underperformed within the industry, shrinking 7.7% in the last week. In the last 12 months, the industry was up 87%. Earnings are forecast to grow by 18% annually.

Sector Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Mon, 13 Apr 2026UK£329.1bUK£286.3bUK£9.0b19.6x36.7x1.1x
Wed, 11 Mar 2026UK£315.0bUK£286.9bUK£9.2b20.8x34.2x1.1x
Fri, 06 Feb 2026UK£307.6bUK£274.3bUK£6.3b23.3x49x1.1x
Sun, 04 Jan 2026UK£276.2bUK£275.9bUK£6.3b20.9x43.7x1x
Tue, 02 Dec 2025UK£250.7bUK£280.5bUK£6.5b18.9x38.8x0.9x
Thu, 30 Oct 2025UK£246.5bUK£281.0bUK£6.9b15.5x35.6x0.9x
Sat, 27 Sep 2025UK£226.8bUK£277.0bUK£6.8b16.5x33.3x0.8x
Mon, 25 Aug 2025UK£200.9bUK£274.6bUK£6.7b20x30x0.7x
Wed, 23 Jul 2025UK£205.2bUK£273.5bUK£6.8b15.8x30.2x0.8x
Fri, 20 Jun 2025UK£185.0bUK£274.4bUK£6.9b15.8x27x0.7x
Sun, 18 May 2025UK£193.7bUK£278.0bUK£7.1b15.3x27.1x0.7x
Tue, 15 Apr 2025UK£181.3bUK£279.9bUK£7.1b14.7x25.4x0.6x
Thu, 13 Mar 2025UK£199.9bUK£283.6bUK£7.2b14.9x27.7x0.7x
Sat, 08 Feb 2025UK£213.2bUK£293.6bUK£9.0b15.5x23.7x0.7x
Mon, 06 Jan 2025UK£211.0bUK£299.5bUK£9.2b15.7x22.9x0.7x
Wed, 04 Dec 2024UK£223.9bUK£294.7bUK£9.2b16.3x24.2x0.8x
Fri, 01 Nov 2024UK£228.1bUK£292.8bUK£8.8b17.1x26x0.8x
Sun, 29 Sep 2024UK£238.5bUK£283.5bUK£8.5b16.6x28x0.8x
Tue, 27 Aug 2024UK£222.2bUK£286.6bUK£8.5b15.8x26.1x0.8x
Thu, 25 Jul 2024UK£228.7bUK£285.5bUK£13.6b16.2x16.9x0.8x
Sat, 22 Jun 2024UK£238.2bUK£290.8bUK£13.7b15.5x17.4x0.8x
Mon, 20 May 2024UK£261.4bUK£291.7bUK£13.7b17.9x19x0.9x
Wed, 17 Apr 2024UK£245.2bUK£297.4bUK£14.3b14.3x17.2x0.8x
Fri, 15 Mar 2024UK£216.8bUK£291.1bUK£14.0b13.1x15.5x0.7x
Sun, 11 Feb 2024UK£216.8bUK£303.7bUK£19.5b11.4x11.1x0.7x
Tue, 09 Jan 2024UK£245.9bUK£346.9bUK£29.2b10.4x8.4x0.7x
Thu, 07 Dec 2023UK£243.0bUK£351.3bUK£29.5b10.4x8.2x0.7x
Sat, 04 Nov 2023UK£237.6bUK£356.7bUK£29.9b10.3x7.9x0.7x
Mon, 02 Oct 2023UK£272.3bUK£388.3bUK£32.5b10.3x8.4x0.7x
Wed, 30 Aug 2023UK£263.4bUK£378.8bUK£32.2b10.4x8.2x0.7x
Fri, 28 Jul 2023UK£282.2bUK£395.6bUK£39.7b10.2x7.1x0.7x
Sun, 25 Jun 2023UK£264.8bUK£401.5bUK£43.5b10x6.1x0.7x
Tue, 23 May 2023UK£269.1bUK£409.0bUK£44.3b10.2x6.1x0.7x
Thu, 20 Apr 2023UK£296.2bUK£407.4bUK£44.3b10.3x6.7x0.7x
Price to Earnings Ratio

6.7x


Total Market Cap: UK£296.2bTotal Earnings: UK£44.3bTotal Revenue: UK£407.4bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.K. Materials Sector Price to Earnings3Y Average 22x202420252026
Current Industry PE
  • Investors are optimistic on the British Materials industry, and appear confident in long term growth rates.
  • The industry is trading at a PE ratio of 36.7x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 22.0x.
  • The 3-year average PS ratio of 0.78x is lower than the industry's current PS ratio of 1.1x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Materials industry have declined 41% per year over the last three years,
  • Revenues have also declined 11% 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 sector?

GB Market1.87%
Materials4.04%
Basic Materials6.69%
Chemicals5.07%
Metals and Mining4.00%
Paper and Forestry Products1.56%
Packaging1.30%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Metals and Mining industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 21.9x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 17.5%, which is lower than the prior year's growth of 126.8% per year.
Forecasted Growth
  • Analysts are most optimistic on the Paper and Forestry Products industry, expecting annual earnings growth of 33% over the next 5 years.
  • This is better than its past earnings decline of 24% per year.
  • In contrast, the Packaging industry is expected to see its earnings grow by 4.0% 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
RIO Rio Tinto GroupUK£73.453.4%
+UK£4.0b		69.1%PE16.1x
ANTO AntofagastaUK£37.889.6%
+UK£3.3b		149.5%PE37.8x
AAL Anglo AmericanUK£35.076.0%
+UK£2.1b		58.1%PS2.7x
FRES FresnilloUK£35.964.7%
+UK£1.2b		252.5%PE25.8x
GLEN GlencoreUK£5.660.4%
+UK£246.0m		123.0%PE245.9x

Latest News

HOC
UK£6.52
Hochschild Mining
7D
5.7%
1Y
114.8%
CTL
UK£0.075
CleanTech Lithium
7D
-11.8%
1Y
-16.7%
ROCK
UK£0.0014
Rockfire Resources
7D
-10.8%
1Y
55.6%
ANTO
UK£37.88
Antofagasta
7D
9.6%
1Y
149.5%
AAL
UK£35.07
Anglo American
7D
6.0%
1Y
58.1%

AAL: Teck Merger And Revised Production Guidance Will Support Future Rerating

The updated analyst work on Anglo American nudges the fair value estimate up by about £0.33 per share to £46.07, as analysts factor in higher projected revenue growth, a slightly lower profit margin, a modestly lower future P/E and a higher discount rate, set against a mixed series of recent price target changes across the Street. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research around Anglo American presents a mixed picture, with some caution from large global banks sitting alongside more optimistic views from bullish analysts who see value support and potential upside tied to execution and corporate actions.
PAF
UK£1.58
Pan African Resources
7D
6.9%
1Y
229.7%

PAF: Production Delivery And Higher Quality Earnings Will Support Re Rating Potential

Analysts have trimmed their fair value estimate for Pan African Resources from about £1.75 to roughly £1.71 per share, reflecting a slightly higher discount rate, modestly softer revenue growth assumptions and a lower projected profit margin, even though the future P/E expectation edges up. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Pan African Resources points to a mix of optimism and caution, with price targets adjusted and underlying assumptions refined rather than completely overhauled.
CAML
UK£1.57
Central Asia Metals
7D
-5.6%
1Y
1.4%

CAML: Higher Profit Margins And Cash Returns Will Support Bullish Re Rating Potential

Analysts have trimmed their price target on Central Asia Metals to £2.40 from £2.45, citing updated assumptions that combine a lower revenue growth outlook, higher expected profit margins, and a reduced future P/E multiple. Analyst Commentary Even with a trimmed price target to £2.40, analyst commentary still highlights areas where Central Asia Metals could appeal to investors who are comfortable with the risks of the sector and the company’s specific profile.
JMAT
UK£20.32
Johnson Matthey
7D
5.7%
1Y
71.8%

JMAT: Future Returns Will Reflect Cautious Ratings And Large Capital Return Plan

Analysts have trimmed their Johnson Matthey price targets, with recent adjustments such as Berenberg moving to £22.50 from £25.50 and Deutsche Bank to £21.20 from £24.00. These changes reflect reassessments of growth and margin assumptions, alongside a shift to Neutral ratings at some firms around the £20.00 level.
RIO
UK£73.45
Rio Tinto Group
7D
3.4%
1Y
69.1%

RIO: Cautious Outlook As Copper And Iron Ore Assumptions Turn More Conservative

Analysts have raised the fair value estimate for Rio Tinto Group to £58.52 from £41.00. This change reflects updated views on revenue growth, profit margins and sector valuation following a series of mixed price target revisions and rating downgrades across the Street.
GLEN
UK£5.66
Glencore
7D
0.4%
1Y
123.0%

GLEN: Fair Outlook Balances Ended Megamerger Talks And Evolving Earnings Expectations

Glencore's analyst price target has shifted within a relatively tight range, with moves such as JPMorgan trimming its view to £4.60 and Berenberg nudging its target to £6.00. Analysts are reassessing fair value using slightly lower discount rates, modestly different revenue growth assumptions, and small adjustments to expected profit margins and future P/E.
GMET
UK£2.63
Guardian Metal Resources
7D
-7.7%
1Y
560.8%
FRES
UK£35.96
Fresnillo
7D
4.7%
1Y
252.5%
TIN
UK£1.12
Cornish Metals
7D
-3.0%
1Y
51.7%
IMC
UK£0.017
IMC Exploration Group
7D
-8.3%
1Y
200.0%
MET1
UK£0.016
Metals One
7D
-7.2%
1Y
-93.8%
80M
UK£0.0096
80 Mile
7D
-8.1%
1Y
274.9%