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U.S. Trade Distributors Industry Analysis

UpdatedJul 01, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies59
  • 7D3.0%
  • 3M15.8%
  • 1Y20.3%
  • YTD17.4%

The Trade Distributors industry is up 3.0% in the last week, with United Rentals up 6.6%. Meanwhile, EquipmentShare.com actually underperformed within the industry, shrinking 18% in the last week. This takes the industry's 12 month performance to a gain of 20%. 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
Wed, 01 Jul 2026US$417.0bUS$202.9bUS$15.5b24.8x27x2.1x
Fri, 29 May 2026US$397.6bUS$202.8bUS$15.5b24.7x25.7x2x
Sun, 26 Apr 2026US$398.5bUS$197.9bUS$15.4b24.3x25.8x2x
Tue, 24 Mar 2026US$350.6bUS$200.5bUS$16.4b20.5x21.4x1.7x
Thu, 19 Feb 2026US$377.4bUS$187.3bUS$15.4b24.7x24.5x2x
Sat, 17 Jan 2026US$358.4bUS$181.6bUS$15.3b22.7x23.4x2x
Mon, 15 Dec 2025US$332.0bUS$183.2bUS$15.2b19.9x21.9x1.8x
Wed, 12 Nov 2025US$329.5bUS$182.9bUS$15.0b19.9x21.9x1.8x
Fri, 10 Oct 2025US$346.3bUS$179.7bUS$14.8b22.2x23.4x1.9x
Sun, 07 Sep 2025US$358.2bUS$179.0bUS$14.6b23.9x24.6x2x
Tue, 05 Aug 2025US$332.8bUS$182.4bUS$14.5b22.1x22.9x1.8x
Thu, 03 Jul 2025US$332.5bUS$181.2bUS$13.8b20.2x24.2x1.8x
Sat, 31 May 2025US$312.5bUS$182.0bUS$13.9b20.4x22.5x1.7x
Mon, 28 Apr 2025US$298.8bUS$191.5bUS$14.1b19.3x21.2x1.6x
Wed, 26 Mar 2025US$297.1bUS$191.1bUS$14.3b19.8x20.8x1.6x
Fri, 21 Feb 2025US$314.9bUS$190.6bUS$15.0b19.7x21x1.7x
Sun, 19 Jan 2025US$319.6bUS$189.5bUS$15.2b19.4x21x1.7x
Tue, 17 Dec 2024US$325.0bUS$189.4bUS$15.2b17.5x21.3x1.7x
Thu, 14 Nov 2024US$342.0bUS$189.4bUS$15.3b16.9x22.3x1.8x
Sat, 12 Oct 2024US$306.5bUS$190.9bUS$15.7b14.7x19.5x1.6x
Mon, 09 Sep 2024US$281.7bUS$190.7bUS$15.8b13.2x17.8x1.5x
Wed, 07 Aug 2024US$284.6bUS$190.5bUS$15.8b15.6x18x1.5x
Fri, 05 Jul 2024US$281.6bUS$189.8bUS$15.9b15.9x17.7x1.5x
Sun, 02 Jun 2024US$297.5bUS$189.5bUS$15.8b16.7x18.8x1.6x
Tue, 30 Apr 2024US$300.5bUS$189.2bUS$15.8b17.9x19x1.6x
Thu, 28 Mar 2024US$320.1bUS$188.8bUS$15.8b18.7x20.2x1.7x
Sat, 24 Feb 2024US$299.1bUS$188.6bUS$15.5b17.4x19.4x1.6x
Mon, 22 Jan 2024US$292.8bUS$206.5bUS$16.7b14.8x17.6x1.4x
Wed, 20 Dec 2023US$287.0bUS$205.3bUS$16.8b15x17.1x1.4x
Fri, 17 Nov 2023US$258.6bUS$205.5bUS$16.9b13.1x15.3x1.3x
Sun, 15 Oct 2023US$250.9bUS$203.7bUS$16.7b11.9x15.1x1.2x
Tue, 12 Sep 2023US$247.6bUS$203.8bUS$16.6b12x14.9x1.2x
Thu, 10 Aug 2023US$254.3bUS$203.5bUS$16.6b14.5x15.3x1.2x
Sat, 08 Jul 2023US$253.9bUS$202.4bUS$16.5b13.8x15.4x1.3x
Price to Earnings Ratio

15.4x


Total Market Cap: US$253.9bTotal Earnings: US$16.5bTotal Revenue: US$202.4bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Trade Distributors Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 20.4x202420252026
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 27.0x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 20.4x.
  • The 3-year average PS ratio of 1.6x is lower than the industry's current PS ratio of 2.1x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Trade Distributors industry have declined 2.2% 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 Market1.92%
Industrials2.63%
Trade Distributors2.96%
Trade Companies and Distributors2.96%
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$1.13k6.6%
+US$4.4b		46.3%PE28.3x
FAST FastenalUS$48.035.3%
+US$2.8b		12.1%PE42.4x
GWW W.W. GraingerUS$1.36k3.0%
+US$1.9b		29.3%PE36x
WSO WatscoUS$416.737.5%
+US$1.2b		-8.5%PE36.6x
QXO QXOUS$17.286.5%
+US$768.8m		-18.4%PS1.5x

Latest News

SUNB
US$74.81
Sunbelt Rentals Holdings
7D
-0.8%
1Y
18.7%
URI
US$1,132.89
United Rentals
7D
6.6%
1Y
46.3%
Narrative Update • Jun 30

URI: AI Rental Tools And Building Cycle Tailwinds Will Shape Returns

United Rentals' analyst price target has been raised from $1,084.25 to $1,120.00. Analysts point to higher peer targets and recent research citing operational execution, capital allocation, and technology focus as key supports for the updated valuation inputs, including a modestly higher future P/E assumption.
FERG
US$237.33
Ferguson Enterprises
7D
1.4%
1Y
7.4%
CNM
US$48.25
Core & Main
7D
3.9%
1Y
-21.3%
SITE
US$114.41
SiteOne Landscape Supply
7D
8.5%
1Y
-9.4%
FAST
US$48.03
Fastenal
7D
5.3%
1Y
12.1%
Narrative Update • Jun 29

FAST: Margin Pressures And Elevated P/E Will Drive Future Multiple Compression

Analysts have nudged the Fastenal fair value estimate higher to $39.90 from $38.00. This reflects updated expectations for revenue growth, profitability and long term P/E assumptions informed by recent price target moves and commentary around sales trends and margin pressures.
GWW
US$1,360.40
W.W. Grainger
7D
3.0%
1Y
29.3%
Seeking Alpha • Jun 27

W.W. Grainger: Great Company, At A Bad Price

Summary W.W. Grainger, Inc. has a fantastic track record. The company's supply chain investments have positioned the company as the MRO distribution leader. Improving business confidence bolsters GWW's short-term outlook. Great earnings growth is already more than priced in. I estimate GWW stock to have a -15% downside to $1158. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
WCC
US$345.43
WESCO International
7D
-2.2%
1Y
82.6%
Narrative Update • Jun 26

WCC: Data Center Expansion And Newark Deal Will Drive Future Upside

Analysts have lifted the WESCO International fair value estimate from $415 to $440, citing a refined discount rate and updated assumptions on revenue growth, profit margins, and future P/E that align with recent upward price target moves across the Street. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on WESCO International points to a generally constructive tone, with several firms adjusting price targets and one initiating coverage, all while highlighting the same broad set of growth themes.
EQPT
US$19.66
EquipmentShare.com
7D
-17.7%
1Y
n/a
Narrative Update • Jun 26

EQPT: Upsized 2034 Notes And Raised 2026 Guidance Will Drive Future Repricing

The updated analyst narrative for EquipmentShare.com lifts the fair value estimate to $24, reflecting a mix of higher expected profit margins, a lower future P/E assumption, and recent Street price target changes that now cluster around the mid-$20s after Q1 model revisions. Analyst Commentary Recent research on EquipmentShare.com shows a split tape, with some firms lifting long term expectations while others temper near term enthusiasm and reset price targets closer to current levels.
GATX
US$177.19
GATX
7D
-0.4%
1Y
13.5%
Seeking Alpha • Jun 25

GATX's Growth Spurt Doesn't Justify An Upgrade

Summary GATX remains rated "Hold" due to fair valuation and challenging industry conditions, despite strong operational growth and recent large-scale fleet expansion. GATX's acquisition of 101,000 railcars from Wells Fargo for $4.2 billion drove significant revenue and cash flow increases, particularly in its North American segment. Management forecasts 2026 EPS between $9.50 and $10.10, with operating cash flow and EBITDA expected to rise to $921.9 million and $1.43 billion, respectively. Industry trends favor lessors like GATX, but economic headwinds and a potential U.S. recession temper near-term upside, supporting a neutral stance. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
QXO
US$17.28
QXO
7D
6.5%
1Y
-18.4%
DNOW
US$12.97
DNOW
7D
-3.3%
1Y
-9.2%
Narrative Update • Jun 24

DNOW: MRC Global Integration And Buybacks Will Support Future Upside

Analysts have nudged their fair value estimate for DNOW from $16.00 to $16.25, citing recent coverage that points to the MRC Global acquisition, increasing midstream and natural gas infrastructure investment, and a healthier, more diversified revenue base as key supports for the updated price target assumptions. Analyst Commentary Recent research on DNOW points to a mix of supportive and cautious views around the stock, with analysts focusing on the MRC Global acquisition, energy infrastructure exposure, and execution around systems integration and diversification efforts.
AER
US$145.78
AerCap Holdings
7D
-0.4%
1Y
26.1%
ALTG
US$6.47
Alta Equipment Group
7D
-9.6%
1Y
-3.7%
Narrative Update • Jun 23

ALTG: Stable Outlook And Refined Assumptions Will Support Bullish Thesis

Analysts have kept their average price target for Alta Equipment Group steady at $17.00, citing only small refinements to revenue growth, profit margin, and forward P/E assumptions rather than any broad shift in the outlook. What’s in the News for Alta Equipment Group No recent company specific news on Alta Equipment Group is available from the provided primary sources.
WSO
US$416.73
Watsco
7D
7.5%
1Y
-8.5%
Analysis Article • Jun 21

Watsco (WSO) Stock Could Be 5.3% Undervalued as Momentum Meets Valuation Questions

Recent trading in Watsco (WSO) has put the air conditioning and heating distributor back on investor watchlists, as the stock’s returns over the past month and past 3 months stand out in a mixed market. See our latest analysis for Watsco. At a share price of $401.04, Watsco’s recent momentum, including a 1 month share price return of 6.9% and 3 month share price return of 4.1%, contrasts with a 1 year total shareholder return that is down 2.0%, even though the 5 year total shareholder return...
ZKH
US$2.26
ZKH Group
7D
-5.4%
1Y
-26.6%
Narrative Update • Jun 18

ZKH: Share Repurchase And Improved Profit Outlook Will Support Future Upside

Analysts have made a small adjustment to their price target for ZKH Group stock, reflecting slightly updated fair value, discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin, and future P/E assumptions. The implied valuation shift is measured in just a few cents per share based on these refined inputs.