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

U.S. Trade Companies and Distributors Industry Analysis

UpdatedFeb 24, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies61
  • 7D-2.7%
  • 3M12.2%
  • 1Y25.7%
  • YTDn/a

In the last week, the Trade Companies and Distributors industry is flat overall, with Ferguson Enterprises standing out by going down 3.8%. The past year has been better, since the industry has gained 26% in that time. Looking forward, 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, 24 Feb 2026US$375.9bUS$187.7bUS$15.3b23x24.6x2x
Thu, 22 Jan 2026US$351.1bUS$181.8bUS$15.4b23.3x22.8x1.9x
Sat, 20 Dec 2025US$332.2bUS$183.1bUS$15.2b20.2x21.9x1.8x
Mon, 17 Nov 2025US$321.1bUS$182.9bUS$15.0b19.8x21.3x1.8x
Wed, 15 Oct 2025US$333.1bUS$179.9bUS$14.9b22.3x22.4x1.9x
Fri, 12 Sep 2025US$344.9bUS$179.1bUS$14.6b22.5x23.7x1.9x
Sun, 10 Aug 2025US$337.1bUS$182.6bUS$14.7b21.1x22.9x1.8x
Tue, 08 Jul 2025US$336.7bUS$181.2bUS$13.8b20.2x24.5x1.9x
Thu, 05 Jun 2025US$315.9bUS$181.1bUS$13.8b19.9x22.9x1.7x
Sat, 03 May 2025US$294.1bUS$181.9bUS$13.7b20.3x21.4x1.6x
Mon, 31 Mar 2025US$289.8bUS$191.1bUS$14.3b19.1x20.3x1.5x
Wed, 26 Feb 2025US$296.8bUS$190.5bUS$14.9b18.6x19.9x1.6x
Fri, 24 Jan 2025US$324.1bUS$189.6bUS$15.2b19.5x21.3x1.7x
Sun, 22 Dec 2024US$308.5bUS$189.5bUS$15.2b16.6x20.2x1.6x
Tue, 19 Nov 2024US$333.5bUS$189.3bUS$15.3b17.1x21.8x1.8x
Thu, 17 Oct 2024US$324.1bUS$190.8bUS$15.7b15.3x20.6x1.7x
Sat, 14 Sep 2024US$292.0bUS$190.7bUS$15.8b13.7x18.5x1.5x
Mon, 12 Aug 2024US$290.8bUS$190.6bUS$15.8b15.6x18.4x1.5x
Wed, 10 Jul 2024US$280.5bUS$189.9bUS$15.9b15.7x17.6x1.5x
Fri, 07 Jun 2024US$288.5bUS$189.9bUS$16.0b16x18.1x1.5x
Sun, 05 May 2024US$299.7bUS$189.5bUS$15.9b17x18.9x1.6x
Tue, 02 Apr 2024US$319.4bUS$188.7bUS$15.8b18.4x20.2x1.7x
Thu, 29 Feb 2024US$301.3bUS$189.1bUS$16.1b17.3x18.8x1.6x
Sat, 27 Jan 2024US$299.5bUS$207.0bUS$16.8b15x17.9x1.4x
Mon, 25 Dec 2023US$289.1bUS$205.3bUS$16.8b14.9x17.2x1.4x
Wed, 22 Nov 2023US$260.9bUS$205.5bUS$16.9b13.1x15.4x1.3x
Fri, 20 Oct 2023US$241.0bUS$203.8bUS$16.6b12.5x14.5x1.2x
Sun, 17 Sep 2023US$246.4bUS$203.9bUS$16.6b13.2x14.8x1.2x
Tue, 15 Aug 2023US$256.8bUS$203.6bUS$16.6b14.5x15.4x1.3x
Thu, 13 Jul 2023US$261.3bUS$202.4bUS$16.5b14.4x15.8x1.3x
Sat, 10 Jun 2023US$237.5bUS$202.0bUS$16.6b12.7x14.3x1.2x
Mon, 08 May 2023US$223.1bUS$202.2bUS$16.9b12x13.2x1.1x
Wed, 05 Apr 2023US$217.6bUS$200.0bUS$14.0b12.2x15.6x1.1x
Fri, 03 Mar 2023US$240.1bUS$195.7bUS$13.6b13.5x17.6x1.2x
Price to Earnings Ratio

17.6x


Total Market Cap: US$240.1bTotal Earnings: US$13.6bTotal Revenue: US$195.7bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Trade Companies and Distributors Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 19.3x202420252026
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 24.7x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 19.3x.
  • The 3-year average PS ratio of 1.6x is lower than the industry's current PS ratio of 2.0x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Trading Companies and Distributors industry have grown 3.9% 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-0.35%
Industrials0.19%
Trade Distributors-2.73%
Trade Companies and Distributors-2.73%
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
URI United RentalsUS$882.701.5%
+US$827.2m		39.7%PE22.3x
FTAI FTAI AviationUS$284.231.6%
+US$449.3m		118.5%PE64.5x
GATX GATXUS$195.992.0%
+US$105.2m		21.1%PE21.2x
RUSH.A Rush EnterprisesUS$73.272.3%
+US$89.2m		32.7%PE21.3x
XMTR XometryUS$57.153.1%
+US$88.7m		82.5%PS4.6x

Latest News

DNOW
US$11.85
DNOW
7D
-27.9%
1Y
-29.5%
AL
US$64.95
Air Lease
7D
0.3%
1Y
36.8%

AL: Lease Deliveries And Margin Outlook Will Support Steady Future Prospects

Analysts have maintained their $65 price target on Air Lease, citing updated assumptions that combine a slightly higher discount rate, a lower future P/E, and a materially higher profit margin outlook as key factors supporting this unchanged valuation view. What's in the News Air Lease delivered one new Boeing 737-8 aircraft to Air Canada, the first of five 737-8 aircraft scheduled to be delivered to the airline in 2026 on lease from the company (Key Developments).
GWW
US$1,116.75
W.W. Grainger
7D
-1.3%
1Y
11.9%

GWW: Future Returns Will Balance P E Assumptions With Execution And Legal Risks

W.W. Grainger's updated analyst price target edges higher to approximately $1,131, with analysts pointing to modest tweaks in revenue growth, profit margin, and assumed future P/E as key supports for the new figure. Analyst Commentary The latest round of Street research on W.W. Grainger centers on a series of higher price targets, including adjustments of $50, $69, $75, $152, and $55, alongside a recent upgrade.
CTOS
US$7.56
Custom Truck One Source
7D
4.1%
1Y
68.8%

CTOS: Expanded Distribution Pact Will Sustain Rich Multiple Despite Modest Assumption Tweaks

Analysts have made small adjustments to their price targets for Custom Truck One Source, maintaining a fair value estimate of $6.50. They have modestly refined assumptions around the discount rate, revenue growth, profit margins, and future P/E ratio to reflect updated views on the company’s risk and earnings profile.
DXPE
US$150.66
DXP Enterprises
7D
1.4%
1Y
70.6%

DXPE: Refinancing And Acquisition Plans Will Support Measured Long Term Outlook

Analysts have kept their price target for DXP Enterprises steady at $136.50. This reflects only very small tweaks to their discount rate, long term revenue growth, profit margin assumptions, and future P/E expectations.
GATX
US$195.99
GATX
7D
2.0%
1Y
21.1%
FTAI
US$284.23
FTAI Aviation
7D
1.6%
1Y
118.5%

FTAI: High Multiple Assumptions Will Test Industrial Gas Turbine Execution

Narrative Update on FTAI Aviation The analyst price target for FTAI Aviation has been reset higher from $147 to $260. This change reflects updated views on revenue growth, profitability, and future P/E assumptions that are broadly consistent with the series of recent price target increases cited by analysts across several firms.
RUSH.A
US$73.27
Rush Enterprises
7D
2.3%
1Y
32.7%

RUSH.A: Buybacks And 2026 Outlook Will Shape Future Return Balance

Analysts have lifted their price expectations for Rush Enterprises, with recent target increases such as the move to $73 helping to support a higher blended fair value estimate of about $78.67 as they factor in updated views on growth, margins, and future P/E multiples. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Rush Enterprises reflects a mix of optimism and caution, with price targets such as the move to US$73 and a US$10 upward adjustment from another firm feeding into the current blended fair value view.
HRI
US$146.19
Herc Holdings
7D
-15.6%
1Y
-4.4%

HRI: Margin Expansion From Integration Synergies Will Drive Future Equity Upside

Narrative Update The analyst price target for Herc Holdings has been trimmed slightly, with our fair value estimate moving from about $178.73 to $177.18 as analysts reset expectations following Q4 results, softer rental company multiples, and updated views on growth, margins, and future P/E. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Herc Holdings reflects a mixed but generally constructive stance, with several firms trimming price targets after Q4 while maintaining positive ratings on the stock.
FERG
US$251.31
Ferguson Enterprises
7D
-3.8%
1Y
46.1%
EQPT
US$29.25
EquipmentShare.com
7D
-13.4%
1Y
n/a
XMTR
US$57.15
Xometry
7D
3.1%
1Y
82.5%

XMTR: Expanded Manufacturing Capabilities And Compliance Credentials Will Support Future Upside

Analysts are maintaining Xometry's fair value target at $65.44, with only minor adjustments to the discount rate, revenue growth outlook, profit margin assumptions, and future P/E expectations supporting the unchanged headline figure. What's in the News Xometry expanded its additive manufacturing capabilities in December 2025 with eight new materials across FDM and SLA processes, targeting advanced use cases in aerospace, defense, medical devices, and automotive sectors.
WCC
US$286.51
WESCO International
7D
-6.7%
1Y
61.4%
URI
US$882.70
United Rentals
7D
1.5%
1Y
39.7%

URI: Secular Project Demand Will Support Future Margin And Buyback Compounding

Our updated analyst price target for United Rentals has been reduced by about $49 to $1,300. This reflects a wave of recent Street revisions as analysts factor in slightly softer revenue growth assumptions, a modestly higher discount rate, a lower future P/E, and a small improvement in expected profit margins.
QXO
US$24.72
QXO
7D
-8.7%
1Y
101.5%
FAST
US$45.05
Fastenal
7D
-1.4%
1Y
20.8%

FAST: Decelerating Sales And Inflation Pressures Will Drive Further Multiple Compression

Narrative Update on Fastenal The updated analyst price target for Fastenal reflects a mixed set of recent Street views, with small model adjustments around revenue growth, profit margins, and long-term P/E assumptions as analysts factor in both higher and lower target revisions following recent research updates. Analyst Commentary Recent Street commentary around Fastenal has tilted more cautious, with several bearish analysts trimming price targets or ratings as they reassess the balance between growth, margins, and valuation.