Japanese (NIKKEI) Chemicals Industry Analysis

Industry Valuation and Performance

Has the Japanese Chemicals Industry valuation changed over the past few years?

Current Industry PE: Investors are relatively neutral on the industry at the moment, considering it's trading close to its 3-year average PE ratio of 13.0x. It appears they believe that earnings will grow in-line with historical growth rates.

Past Earnings Growth: The earnings for companies in the Chemicals industry have declined 3.1% per year over the last three years, while revenues have remained mostly flat. This means that although sales have remained flat, either the cost of doing business or the level of investment back into businesses has increased, which has decreased profits.

Industry Trends

Which industries have driven the changes within the Japanese Chemicals industry?

Industry PE: Investors are most optimistic about the Industrial Gases industry even though it's trading below its 3-year average PE ratio of 12.7x. However analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 5.9%, which is lower than the prior year's growth of 34% per year. So the market might believe that analysts are underestimating future growth. Meanwhile, investors are most pessimistic about the Diversified Chemicals industry, which is trading below its 3-year average of 13.1x.

Forecasted Growth: Analysts are most optimistic on the Specialty Chemicals industry, expecting annual earnings growth of 10% over the next 5 years. However this is lower than its past earnings growth rate of 50% per year. Meanwhile, the Industrial Gases industry is expected to see its earnings grow by 5.9% per year over the next few years.

Top Stock Gainers and Losers

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