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U.S. Trade Companies and Distributors Industry Analysis

UpdatedMar 31, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies63
  • 7D-1.8%
  • 3M-2.6%
  • 1Y14.6%
  • YTDn/a

In the last week, the Trade Companies and Distributors industry is down 1.8% with QXO down the most at 10%. Over the past 12 months, the industry was up 15%. Earnings are forecast to grow by 13% annually.

Industry Valuation and Performance

Has the U.S. Trade Companies and Distributors Industry valuation changed over the past few years?

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Tue, 31 Mar 2026US$358.0bUS$200.4bUS$16.4b20.3x21.8x1.8x
Thu, 26 Feb 2026US$374.4bUS$187.4bUS$15.1b23.2x24.7x2x
Sat, 24 Jan 2026US$363.3bUS$181.8bUS$15.4b23.1x23.6x2x
Mon, 22 Dec 2025US$334.5bUS$183.1bUS$15.2b20.2x22.1x1.8x
Wed, 19 Nov 2025US$313.9bUS$182.9bUS$15.0b19.2x20.9x1.7x
Fri, 17 Oct 2025US$340.1bUS$179.9bUS$14.9b21.6x22.9x1.9x
Sun, 14 Sep 2025US$341.0bUS$179.1bUS$14.6b21.7x23.4x1.9x
Tue, 12 Aug 2025US$340.9bUS$182.6bUS$14.7b21.5x23.1x1.9x
Thu, 10 Jul 2025US$334.8bUS$181.3bUS$13.8b20.6x24.3x1.8x
Sat, 07 Jun 2025US$316.2bUS$181.1bUS$13.8b20.2x22.9x1.7x
Mon, 05 May 2025US$299.9bUS$181.9bUS$13.7b20.3x21.8x1.6x
Wed, 02 Apr 2025US$290.7bUS$191.1bUS$14.3b19x20.4x1.5x
Fri, 28 Feb 2025US$298.8bUS$190.7bUS$14.5b18.8x20.6x1.6x
Sun, 26 Jan 2025US$323.2bUS$189.6bUS$15.2b19.6x21.2x1.7x
Tue, 24 Dec 2024US$308.5bUS$189.4bUS$15.2b16.4x20.2x1.6x
Thu, 21 Nov 2024US$333.5bUS$189.4bUS$15.3b16.9x21.8x1.8x
Sat, 19 Oct 2024US$325.2bUS$190.8bUS$15.7b15.6x20.7x1.7x
Mon, 16 Sep 2024US$295.2bUS$190.7bUS$15.8b13.7x18.7x1.5x
Wed, 14 Aug 2024US$287.5bUS$190.6bUS$15.8b13x18.2x1.5x
Fri, 12 Jul 2024US$281.2bUS$189.8bUS$15.9b16.2x17.7x1.5x
Sun, 09 Jun 2024US$285.6bUS$189.8bUS$16.0b15.3x17.9x1.5x
Tue, 07 May 2024US$302.6bUS$189.5bUS$15.9b17.4x19.1x1.6x
Thu, 04 Apr 2024US$317.2bUS$188.7bUS$15.8b18.5x20.1x1.7x
Sat, 02 Mar 2024US$303.5bUS$189.2bUS$16.1b17.8x18.9x1.6x
Mon, 29 Jan 2024US$297.2bUS$207.0bUS$16.7b15x17.8x1.4x
Wed, 27 Dec 2023US$289.1bUS$205.3bUS$16.8b15.1x17.2x1.4x
Fri, 24 Nov 2023US$259.9bUS$205.5bUS$16.9b13x15.3x1.3x
Sun, 22 Oct 2023US$238.1bUS$203.8bUS$16.6b12.8x14.3x1.2x
Tue, 19 Sep 2023US$246.7bUS$203.9bUS$16.6b13.3x14.8x1.2x
Thu, 17 Aug 2023US$251.6bUS$203.6bUS$16.6b13.5x15.1x1.2x
Sat, 15 Jul 2023US$257.3bUS$202.5bUS$16.5b14.2x15.5x1.3x
Mon, 12 Jun 2023US$237.5bUS$202.0bUS$16.6b12.7x14.3x1.2x
Wed, 10 May 2023US$225.0bUS$202.1bUS$16.8b12.4x13.4x1.1x
Fri, 07 Apr 2023US$213.3bUS$200.1bUS$14.0b12.2x15.3x1.1x
Price to Earnings Ratio

15.3x


Total Market Cap: US$213.3bTotal Earnings: US$14.0bTotal Revenue: US$200.1bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Trade Companies and Distributors Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 19.5x202420252026
Current Industry PE
  • Investors are optimistic on the American Trading Companies and Distributors industry, and appear confident in long term growth rates.
  • The industry is trading at a PE ratio of 21.8x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 19.5x.
  • The 3-year average PS ratio of 1.6x is lower than the industry's current PS ratio of 1.8x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Trading Companies and Distributors industry have grown 5.5% per year over the last three years, while revenues have remained mostly flat.
  • This means that companies overall are more efficiently conducting business since profits are increasing while sales have been flat.

Industry Comparison

How does U.S. Trade Companies and Distributors compare with similar industries?

US Market-3.50%
Industrials-4.18%
Trade Distributors-1.79%
Trade Companies and Distributors-1.79%
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
FAST FastenalUS$45.121.5%
+US$769.4m		16.4%PE41.2x
FERG Ferguson EnterprisesUS$223.650.5%
+US$223.6m		39.6%PE23x
MSM MSC Industrial DirectUS$89.973.3%
+US$159.6m		15.8%PE24.5x
GWW W.W. GraingerUS$1.06k0.3%
+US$130.3m		7.0%PE29.4x
BCC Boise CascadeUS$74.954.3%
+US$110.1m		-23.6%PE20.2x

Latest News

HRI
US$96.87
Herc Holdings
7D
-7.0%
1Y
-27.9%
MSM
US$89.97
MSC Industrial Direct
7D
3.3%
1Y
15.8%

MSM: Future Returns Will Reflect JPMorgan Downgrade And Completed Buyback Program

Analysts have inched up their fair value estimate for MSC Industrial Direct to $86.20 from about $85.83, reflecting updated assumptions on discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin, and future P/E after recent price target revisions such as Baird's move to $94 following Q1 results and a downgrade highlighted by JPMorgan research. Analyst Commentary Bullish Takeaways Bullish analysts see the updated models after Q1 results as keeping the story intact, with the US$94 price target suggesting they still view the shares as reasonably aligned with current earnings power and P/E assumptions.
MGRC
US$109.76
McGrath RentCorp
7D
1.0%
1Y
-1.5%
GWW
US$1,057.22
W.W. Grainger
7D
0.3%
1Y
7.0%
TITN
US$16.29
Titan Machinery
7D
5.2%
1Y
-4.4%
URI
US$713.86
United Rentals
7D
-2.5%
1Y
13.9%
QXO
US$18.21
QXO
7D
-10.3%
1Y
34.5%
BCC
US$74.95
Boise Cascade
7D
4.3%
1Y
-23.6%

BCC: Future Returns Will Rely On Stabilizing Pricing And Housing Recovery

Analysts have nudged their price targets on Boise Cascade higher into a range of about $81 to $103, citing stabilizing pricing, company specific initiatives heading into 2026, and expectations for more balanced execution despite a weak housing backdrop. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Boise Cascade highlights a mix of optimism and caution, with price targets clustered in a range of about $81 to $103 and ratings spanning Buy, Neutral, and Underperform.
AER
US$131.98
AerCap Holdings
7D
-2.4%
1Y
29.2%
FAST
US$45.12
Fastenal
7D
1.5%
1Y
16.4%

FAST: Modest February Sales Strength Will Still Drive Further Multiple Compression

Analysts have nudged Street price targets on Fastenal modestly higher, with moves such as Baird's lift to $52 and Barclays' to $44. These changes reflect updated models that factor in recent data points like stronger than expected February average daily sales.
WSO
US$348.91
Watsco
7D
-9.4%
1Y
-31.4%

WSO: Future Upside Will Emerge As Peer Multiple Support Strengthens

Analysts have lifted the Watsco price target by about $8, citing higher peer valuations and updated assumptions on growth, margins, discount rate, and future P/E as the main drivers of the change. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Watsco shows a mix of optimism and caution, with several price targets adjusted and ratings held at Neutral.
BXC
US$52.99
BlueLinx Holdings
7D
7.6%
1Y
-29.3%

BXC: Rebased Earnings Framework Will Support Higher Future Share Repricing

Analysts have revised the price target on BlueLinx Holdings to $71.25 from $82, reflecting updated views on fair value, discount rates and earnings assumptions, with recent Street research, including a cut to $75, helping to frame this reset. Analyst Commentary Recent commentary around BlueLinx Holdings points to a more measured outlook on upside potential, even as analysts maintain a constructive stance on the company’s long term prospects.
SUNB
US$64.10
Sunbelt Rentals Holdings
7D
-4.5%
1Y
18.2%

Mega Projects And Specialty Segments Will Drive Long Term Upside Potential

Catalysts About Sunbelt Rentals Holdings Sunbelt Rentals Holdings provides equipment rental solutions across General Tool and Specialty categories to construction and nonconstruction customers in North America and the U.K. What are the underlying business or industry changes driving this perspective? Strong activity in data centers, health care, infrastructure, energy and manufacturing mega projects, combined with recent large project wins and related fleet investment, positions Sunbelt to support multi‑year project cycles that can support rental revenue and capital efficiency.
EQPT
US$19.31
EquipmentShare.com
7D
-5.1%
1Y
n/a

Mega Project Exposure And OWN Program Will Reshape Long Term Earnings Power

Catalysts About EquipmentShare.com EquipmentShare.com operates a tech enabled equipment rental and job site services platform focused on large, complex construction and industrial projects. What are the underlying business or industry changes driving this perspective?
FERG
US$223.65
Ferguson Enterprises
7D
0.5%
1Y
39.6%

FERG: Large Project Exposure And Capital Returns Will Drive Medium Term Upside

Analysts have lifted their average price targets on Ferguson into a roughly $252 to $300 range, citing Q4 results, medium term growth and margin targets, and the company's positioning in non residential and large project markets as key supports for the updated outlook. Analyst Commentary Recent research points to a broadly constructive stance on Ferguson, with price targets clustered in the low to high $200s and a few reaching $300, as analysts refresh models following the latest Q4 report and management's medium term framework.
WCC
US$257.14
WESCO International
7D
-2.9%
1Y
65.6%