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U.S. Trade Companies and Distributors Industry Analysis

UpdatedSep 12, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies59
  • 7D-1.8%
  • 3M-4.1%
  • 1Y6.8%
  • YTDn/a

Over the last 7 days, the Trade Companies and Distributors industry has dropped 1.8%, driven by W.W. Grainger declining 3.4%. Meanwhile, Sunbelt Rentals Holdings actually outperformed within the industry, gaining 6.0% in the last week. This takes the industry's 12 month performance to a gain of 6.8%. Earnings are forecast to grow by 15% annually.

Industry Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Sat, 12 Sep 2026US$392.5bUS$209.2bUS$15.4b24.9x25.4x1.9x
Mon, 10 Aug 2026US$432.1bUS$206.6bUS$15.3b27.9x28.2x2.1x
Wed, 08 Jul 2026US$411.5bUS$202.8bUS$15.5b23.4x26.6x2x
Fri, 05 Jun 2026US$400.6bUS$202.8bUS$15.5b25.6x25.8x2x
Sun, 03 May 2026US$397.3bUS$199.1bUS$15.6b24.3x25.4x2x
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
Price to Earnings Ratio

14.8x


Total Market Cap: US$246.7bTotal Earnings: US$16.6bTotal Revenue: US$203.9bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Trade Companies and Distributors Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 21.1x202420252026
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 25.4x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 21.1x.
  • The 3-year average PS ratio of 1.7x is lower than the industry's current PS ratio of 1.9x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Trading Companies and Distributors industry have declined 2.5% per year over the last three years.
  • Meanwhile 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 Comparison

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

US Market-0.97%
Industrials-1.77%
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
SUNB Sunbelt Rentals HoldingsUS$72.686.0%
+US$1.7b		-0.6%PE21.4x
WCC WESCO InternationalUS$356.321.4%
+US$236.8m		66.0%PE24.3x
DXPE DXP EnterprisesUS$187.091.7%
+US$47.9m		58.5%PE31.2x
EVI EVI IndustriesUS$15.9016.4%
+US$29.0m		-41.6%PE31.2x
GATX GATXUS$178.530.2%
+US$14.8m		5.1%PE17.4x

Latest News

SUNB
US$72.68
Sunbelt Rentals Holdings
7D
6.0%
1Y
-0.6%
CNM
US$40.62
Core & Main
7D
-8.3%
1Y
-16.5%
WCC
US$356.32
WESCO International
7D
1.4%
1Y
66.0%
New Narrative • Sep 10

AI Data Center And Grid Investments Will Drive Long-Term Upside Potential

Catalysts About WESCO International WESCO International is a global distributor and solutions provider for electrical, communications, utility and data center infrastructure projects. What are the underlying business or industry changes driving this perspective?
GATX
US$178.53
GATX
7D
0.2%
1Y
5.1%
XMTR
US$86.11
Xometry
7D
-6.9%
1Y
69.0%
EVI
US$15.90
EVI Industries
7D
16.4%
1Y
-41.6%
URI
US$989.12
United Rentals
7D
-2.1%
1Y
5.4%
NPKI
US$13.26
NPK International
7D
0.3%
1Y
25.9%
DSGR
US$34.75
Distribution Solutions Group
7D
0.3%
1Y
11.8%
GWW
US$1,280.00
W.W. Grainger
7D
-3.4%
1Y
27.5%
Narrative Update • Sep 03

GWW: Future Returns Will Reflect Automation Expansion And Rich P E Risk Balance

Analysts have lifted the fair value estimate for W.W. Grainger to about $1,333 from roughly $1,301, reflecting updated price targets around $1,400 and research that links recent Q2 results to slightly firmer revenue growth, profit margins, and future P/E assumptions. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on W.W. Grainger clusters around a tighter band of price targets and a more nuanced view of risk and reward.
FERG
US$222.54
Ferguson Enterprises
7D
-2.6%
1Y
5.2%
Narrative Update • Sep 03

FERG: Non Residential Projects And Buybacks Will Support Future Upside

Analysts have nudged the fair value estimate for Ferguson Enterprises higher to about $288 from roughly $279, reflecting updated views on slightly stronger revenue growth, modestly higher profit margins, and a revised P/E assumption following a series of mixed but generally constructive price target revisions after the Q2 earnings beat. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Ferguson Enterprises presents a mixed but generally constructive picture for the stock.
EQPT
US$18.02
EquipmentShare.com
7D
-7.8%
1Y
n/a
QXO
US$12.31
QXO
7D
-7.8%
1Y
-40.7%
DXPE
US$187.09
DXP Enterprises
7D
1.7%
1Y
58.5%
Narrative Update • Aug 21

DXPE: Margin Strength And Higher Earnings Power Will Confront Cyclical Risks

Analysts have raised their price target on DXP Enterprises by $30 to $200, citing updated models that reflect what they view as higher earnings power following recent results. What’s in the News for DXP Enterprises DXP Enterprises reported Q2 revenue of US$576.5m with diluted earnings per share of US$1.76, along with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 12.2%.
AER
US$141.50
AerCap Holdings
7D
-2.7%
1Y
15.7%
HDSN
US$5.41
Hudson Technologies
7D
1.0%
1Y
-46.8%
Narrative Update • Aug 10

HDSN: Contract Win And Pricing Recovery Will Support Future Upside Potential

Hudson Technologies' analyst price target has been revised lower from $8.50 to $7.31, as analysts factor in reduced EBITDA estimates after mixed Q2 results, pricing headwinds on hydrofluorocarbons, and pressure on margins alongside higher spending on growth initiatives. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Hudson Technologies highlights a mixed but constructive tone.