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U.S. Trade Distributors Industry Analysis

UpdatedJul 22, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies60
  • 7D-1.5%
  • 3M4.0%
  • 1Y11.1%
  • YTD11.6%

Over the last 7 days, the Trade Distributors industry has dropped 1.5%, driven by a pullback from United Rentals of 4.9%. In the past year, the industry has gained 11%. As for the next few years, earnings are expected to grow by 14% per annum.

Industry Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Thu, 23 Jul 2026US$402.3bUS$203.1bUS$15.5b24.1x25.9x2x
Sat, 20 Jun 2026US$420.0bUS$202.7bUS$15.5b25.6x27.1x2.1x
Mon, 18 May 2026US$390.8bUS$202.7bUS$15.5b24x25.2x1.9x
Wed, 15 Apr 2026US$383.8bUS$197.7bUS$15.4b23.4x24.9x1.9x
Fri, 13 Mar 2026US$376.4bUS$200.5bUS$16.4b20.5x22.9x1.9x
Sun, 08 Feb 2026US$383.8bUS$186.7bUS$15.3b24.7x25.1x2.1x
Tue, 06 Jan 2026US$340.3bUS$183.2bUS$15.2b21.4x22.4x1.9x
Thu, 04 Dec 2025US$328.1bUS$182.8bUS$15.1b19.8x21.8x1.8x
Sat, 01 Nov 2025US$329.7bUS$182.6bUS$15.5b21.8x21.3x1.8x
Mon, 29 Sep 2025US$343.3bUS$179.7bUS$14.8b22.7x23.2x1.9x
Wed, 27 Aug 2025US$357.9bUS$184.6bUS$14.7b23.6x24.4x1.9x
Fri, 25 Jul 2025US$344.8bUS$181.6bUS$13.8b21.5x25x1.9x
Sun, 22 Jun 2025US$315.3bUS$181.2bUS$13.8b19.6x22.9x1.7x
Tue, 20 May 2025US$316.8bUS$181.6bUS$14.1b19.9x22.4x1.7x
Thu, 17 Apr 2025US$294.8bUS$191.2bUS$14.2b18.2x20.7x1.5x
Sat, 15 Mar 2025US$281.1bUS$190.9bUS$14.3b19x19.6x1.5x
Mon, 10 Feb 2025US$311.1bUS$190.2bUS$15.3b19x20.3x1.6x
Wed, 08 Jan 2025US$301.3bUS$189.4bUS$15.3b16.9x19.8x1.6x
Fri, 06 Dec 2024US$349.4bUS$189.4bUS$15.3b18.1x22.8x1.8x
Sun, 03 Nov 2024US$316.8bUS$191.3bUS$15.4b15.5x20.6x1.7x
Tue, 01 Oct 2024US$311.9bUS$190.9bUS$15.7b14.4x19.9x1.6x
Thu, 29 Aug 2024US$300.6bUS$190.6bUS$15.9b15.7x18.9x1.6x
Sat, 27 Jul 2024US$307.0bUS$190.1bUS$15.9b18.2x19.3x1.6x
Mon, 24 Jun 2024US$285.2bUS$189.9bUS$15.9b15.6x17.9x1.5x
Wed, 22 May 2024US$306.0bUS$189.5bUS$15.8b17.9x19.3x1.6x
Fri, 19 Apr 2024US$292.7bUS$188.6bUS$15.8b17.5x18.5x1.6x
Sun, 17 Mar 2024US$305.0bUS$188.4bUS$15.8b16.4x19.3x1.6x
Tue, 13 Feb 2024US$299.3bUS$188.6bUS$15.5b16.9x19.3x1.6x
Thu, 11 Jan 2024US$283.2bUS$206.5bUS$16.7b14.6x17x1.4x
Sat, 09 Dec 2023US$267.3bUS$205.3bUS$16.8b13.6x15.9x1.3x
Mon, 06 Nov 2023US$250.8bUS$205.2bUS$16.8b12x14.9x1.2x
Wed, 04 Oct 2023US$246.0bUS$203.7bUS$16.6b12x14.8x1.2x
Fri, 01 Sep 2023US$256.1bUS$203.8bUS$16.6b12.4x15.4x1.3x
Sun, 30 Jul 2023US$254.5bUS$204.2bUS$16.8b13.7x15.1x1.2x
Price to Earnings Ratio

15.1x


Total Market Cap: US$254.5bTotal Earnings: US$16.8bTotal Revenue: US$204.2bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Trade Distributors Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 20.6x202420252026
Current Industry PE
  • Investors are optimistic on the American Trade Distributors industry, and appear confident in long term growth rates.
  • The industry is trading at a PE ratio of 25.9x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 20.6x.
  • The 3-year average PS ratio of 1.7x is lower than the industry's current PS ratio of 2.0x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Trade Distributors industry have declined 2.6% 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 Trends

Which industries have driven the changes within the U.S. Industrials industry?

US Market-0.68%
Industrials-0.88%
Trade Distributors-1.53%
Trade Companies and Distributors-1.53%
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
AIT Applied Industrial TechnologiesUS$341.444.2%
+US$509.7m		27.9%PE31.3x
AER AerCap HoldingsUS$150.611.9%
+US$444.7m		33.3%PE6x
DSGR Distribution Solutions GroupUS$34.5125.6%
+US$326.8m		16.2%PE292x
MSM MSC Industrial DirectUS$127.282.9%
+US$199.9m		45.3%PE30.7x
DNOW DNOWUS$14.244.7%
+US$116.8m		-6.7%PS0.8x

Latest News

SUNB
US$72.44
Sunbelt Rentals Holdings
7D
-0.8%
1Y
8.3%
AER
US$150.61
AerCap Holdings
7D
1.9%
1Y
33.3%
DSGR
US$34.51
Distribution Solutions Group
7D
25.6%
1Y
16.2%
WSO
US$362.00
Watsco
7D
-6.5%
1Y
-25.7%
GWW
US$1,354.01
W.W. Grainger
7D
-1.3%
1Y
29.6%
Narrative Update • Jul 16

GWW: Endless Assortment And Earnings Momentum Will Support Balanced Future Expectations

The analyst price target for W.W. Grainger in this framework moves from $1,399 to $1,460. This reflects analysts' use of slightly lower discount rates, modestly higher revenue growth and profit margin assumptions, and a higher future P/E multiple supported by recent Street research pointing to earnings momentum, pricing power and a broadening industrial recovery.
FERG
US$229.63
Ferguson Enterprises
7D
-0.4%
1Y
0.8%
Narrative Update • Jul 16

FERG: FloWorks Deal And Cautious Outlook Will Shape Risk Balance

For Ferguson Enterprises, the analyst price target has shifted to $235.28 from $207.12 as analysts incorporate updated assumptions around slightly higher revenue growth, a modestly higher profit margin, an adjusted discount rate, and a higher future P/E multiple, while also weighing recent research that highlights subdued near term growth expectations and mixed pricing tailwinds. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Ferguson Enterprises points to a more cautious tone, with some high profile firms reassessing both the stock's upside potential and the pace of fundamental progress.
QXO
US$13.85
QXO
7D
-9.6%
1Y
-37.4%
AIT
US$341.44
Applied Industrial Technologies
7D
4.2%
1Y
27.9%
HRI
US$151.04
Herc Holdings
7D
1.4%
1Y
7.7%
DXPE
US$172.57
DXP Enterprises
7D
4.2%
1Y
68.9%
Seeking Alpha • Jul 14

DXP Enterprises: Water Pivot Priced In; Awaiting Q2 Data To Break The Base Case

Summary DXP Enterprises is rated hold, as its recent pivot to high-margin water/wastewater is already priced in. Q1 results show 9.5% sales growth and an 11.1% adjusted EBITDA margin, but organic momentum is wobbling and margin gains are offset by rising SG&A. Valuation sits near the base case at ~$155/share, with downside to $91 and upside to $213 depending on profit/multiple shifts and leverage impact. The August quarter is pivotal; key metrics to watch are organic growth, adjusted EBITDA margin, and whether elevated $28M corporate expenses normalize. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
URI
US$1,035.06
United Rentals
7D
-1.2%
1Y
28.9%
Narrative Update • Jul 14

URI: AI Tools And Construction Cycle Tailwinds Will Temper Future Returns

United Rentals' analyst price target is now framed around a higher fair value estimate of about $1,154.86, up from $1,120. Analysts point to strong sector demand, supportive U.S. macro data, and company specific execution as key drivers behind the revised outlook.
WCC
US$330.55
WESCO International
7D
-1.8%
1Y
55.5%
Narrative Update • Jul 10

WCC: Data Center Cooling Deal Will Test Margins And Current Share Pricing

The analyst price target for WESCO International has been adjusted modestly higher to reflect an updated fair value of about $280. Analysts are balancing conservative near-term sales and margin expectations with longer-term themes around data center growth, industrial recovery, and rising power generation demand.
MSM
US$127.28
MSC Industrial Direct
7D
2.9%
1Y
45.3%
Narrative Update • Jul 09

MSM: Future Margin Gains And Cost Cuts May Not Justify Premium

The analyst price target for MSC Industrial Direct has been raised from $145 to $150, with analysts pointing to SG&A leverage, cost-out initiatives and expected margin improvement as key supports for the higher fair value estimate. Analyst Commentary Recent research on MSC Industrial Direct highlights a mix of confidence in the company’s cost controls and questions about how much of that story is already reflected in the stock’s valuation.
GATX
US$180.34
GATX
7D
1.8%
1Y
17.0%
DNOW
US$14.24
DNOW
7D
4.7%
1Y
-6.7%
CNM
US$43.75
Core & Main
7D
-2.0%
1Y
-32.7%