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U.S. Trade Companies and Distributors Industry Analysis

UpdatedMar 26, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies63
  • 7D1.8%
  • 3M-0.3%
  • 1Y16.6%
  • YTDn/a

Over the last 7 days, the Trade Companies and Distributors industry has remained flat, although notably Sunbelt Rentals Holdings declined by 3.6%. The past year has been better, since the industry has gained 15% in that time. As for the next few years, earnings are expected to grow by 13% per annum.

Industry Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Thu, 26 Mar 2026US$365.4bUS$200.4bUS$16.4b21.2x22.2x1.8x
Sat, 21 Feb 2026US$377.9bUS$187.3bUS$15.5b24.5x24.4x2x
Mon, 19 Jan 2026US$357.8bUS$181.6bUS$15.3b22.7x23.3x2x
Wed, 17 Dec 2025US$332.5bUS$183.2bUS$15.2b19.9x21.9x1.8x
Fri, 14 Nov 2025US$329.8bUS$182.9bUS$15.0b19.9x21.9x1.8x
Sun, 12 Oct 2025US$334.2bUS$179.6bUS$14.8b21.4x22.6x1.9x
Tue, 09 Sep 2025US$356.7bUS$179.0bUS$14.6b23.8x24.5x2x
Thu, 07 Aug 2025US$336.2bUS$182.5bUS$14.7b22x22.8x1.8x
Sat, 05 Jul 2025US$336.7bUS$181.2bUS$13.8b20.4x24.5x1.9x
Mon, 02 Jun 2025US$312.1bUS$182.0bUS$13.9b20.4x22.5x1.7x
Wed, 30 Apr 2025US$291.4bUS$181.7bUS$13.7b19.4x21.3x1.6x
Fri, 28 Mar 2025US$295.6bUS$191.1bUS$14.3b19.4x20.7x1.5x
Sun, 23 Feb 2025US$301.4bUS$190.5bUS$15.0b19.1x20.1x1.6x
Tue, 21 Jan 2025US$319.6bUS$189.5bUS$15.2b19.4x21x1.7x
Thu, 19 Dec 2024US$319.8bUS$189.4bUS$15.3b16.8x21x1.7x
Sat, 16 Nov 2024US$336.3bUS$189.4bUS$15.3b16.5x22x1.8x
Mon, 14 Oct 2024US$316.9bUS$190.9bUS$15.7b14.7x20.2x1.7x
Wed, 11 Sep 2024US$284.4bUS$190.7bUS$15.8b13.2x18x1.5x
Fri, 09 Aug 2024US$282.9bUS$190.5bUS$15.8b15.5x17.9x1.5x
Sun, 07 Jul 2024US$279.4bUS$189.8bUS$15.9b16.2x17.6x1.5x
Tue, 04 Jun 2024US$297.5bUS$189.5bUS$15.8b16.1x18.8x1.6x
Thu, 02 May 2024US$294.8bUS$189.4bUS$16.0b17.3x18.4x1.6x
Sat, 30 Mar 2024US$319.4bUS$188.7bUS$15.8b18.7x20.2x1.7x
Mon, 26 Feb 2024US$298.4bUS$188.7bUS$16.1b17.4x18.6x1.6x
Wed, 24 Jan 2024US$296.6bUS$206.5bUS$16.7b14.8x17.8x1.4x
Fri, 22 Dec 2023US$283.9bUS$205.3bUS$16.8b14.9x16.9x1.4x
Sun, 19 Nov 2023US$258.1bUS$205.5bUS$16.9b13.2x15.2x1.3x
Tue, 17 Oct 2023US$251.2bUS$203.7bUS$16.6b12x15.1x1.2x
Thu, 14 Sep 2023US$244.7bUS$203.8bUS$16.6b12.6x14.7x1.2x
Sat, 12 Aug 2023US$256.0bUS$203.7bUS$16.6b14.5x15.4x1.3x
Mon, 10 Jul 2023US$253.9bUS$202.4bUS$16.5b13.8x15.4x1.3x
Wed, 07 Jun 2023US$233.3bUS$202.0bUS$16.6b12.6x14.1x1.2x
Fri, 05 May 2023US$219.1bUS$202.8bUS$17.1b11.5x12.8x1.1x
Sun, 02 Apr 2023US$227.0bUS$200.0bUS$14.0b13.1x16.3x1.1x
Price to Earnings Ratio

16.3x


Total Market Cap: US$227.0bTotal Earnings: US$14.0bTotal Revenue: US$200.0bTotal 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 22.0x 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-0.15%
Industrials0.65%
Trade Distributors1.83%
Trade Companies and Distributors1.83%
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
GWW W.W. GraingerUS$1.08k2.9%
+US$1.4b		8.9%PE29.9x
URI United RentalsUS$747.593.1%
+US$1.4b		16.5%PE18.9x
FERG Ferguson EnterprisesUS$228.843.1%
+US$1.4b		39.3%PE23.6x
WCC WESCO InternationalUS$276.7610.0%
+US$1.2b		67.4%PE20.9x
CNM Core & MainUS$50.576.1%
+US$508.7m		2.2%PE21.6x

Latest News

CNM
US$50.57
Core & Main
7D
6.1%
1Y
2.2%
AER
US$137.82
AerCap Holdings
7D
1.5%
1Y
33.4%
RUSH.A
US$67.34
Rush Enterprises
7D
6.2%
1Y
21.1%
FAST
US$45.37
Fastenal
7D
0.6%
1Y
17.7%

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$367.15
Watsco
7D
-2.9%
1Y
-28.5%

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.
GWW
US$1,075.87
W.W. Grainger
7D
2.9%
1Y
8.9%

GWW: Future Returns Will Reflect Industrial Recovery Hopes Against Execution And Legal Risks

The analyst price target for W.W. Grainger edges higher by about $6 to roughly $1,150 as analysts factor in a slightly higher assumed future P/E and discount rate, while keeping revenue growth and profit margin expectations broadly steady, reflecting recent target increases across the Street. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on W.W. Grainger points to a cluster of price target increases, with analysts adjusting their models around updated quarterly results, refreshed forecasts and views on the industrial recovery cycle.
ALTG
US$5.58
Alta Equipment Group
7D
-3.6%
1Y
14.1%

ALTG: Long Term 2026 Outlook Will Support Upbeat Outlook

Alta Equipment Group's analyst price target has shifted from $20 to $17 as analysts update their models to reflect revised fair value, slightly adjusted discount rates, and refreshed expectations for revenue growth, margins, and future P/E in light of upbeat long term guidance and ongoing Outperform ratings. Analyst Commentary Bullish analysts are highlighting Alta Equipment Group's long term guidance and recent research updates as key supports for the latest price target revisions.
ZKH
US$3.14
ZKH Group
7D
-4.3%
1Y
-9.5%
SUNB
US$68.47
Sunbelt Rentals Holdings
7D
-3.6%
1Y
20.4%

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$20.83
EquipmentShare.com
7D
-15.1%
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?
URI
US$747.59
United Rentals
7D
3.1%
1Y
16.5%

URI: Infrastructure And Data Center Demand Will Support Upside As AI Tools Scale

The analyst price target for United Rentals has been adjusted slightly higher to $991.39. Analysts point to updated assumptions around discount rates, revenue growth, profit margins and future P/E as they digest a series of recent target changes across major firms.
FERG
US$228.84
Ferguson Enterprises
7D
3.1%
1Y
39.3%

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.
TRNS
US$72.97
Transcat
7D
-1.0%
1Y
1.6%

TRNS: Leadership Transition And Margin Outlook Will Support Higher Future P/E

Analysts are keeping their price target for Transcat steady at $105.00. This suggests only minor adjustments to assumptions for the discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin, and future P/E that do not materially change their overall view.
WCC
US$276.76
WESCO International
7D
10.0%
1Y
67.4%
EVI
US$20.76
EVI Industries
7D
-1.9%
1Y
11.6%
SPPL
US$1.90
Simpple
7D
-14.0%
1Y
-53.7%

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