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U.S. Trade Distributors Industry Analysis

UpdatedJun 30, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies59
  • 7D0.1%
  • 3M16.4%
  • 1Y21.1%
  • YTD16.9%

Last week, the Trade Distributors industry hasn't moved much but Fastenal is up 3.9% in that time. As for the the longer term, the industry is up 21% over the past 12 months. Earnings are forecast to grow by 14% annually.

Industry Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Tue, 30 Jun 2026US$418.8bUS$202.9bUS$15.5b25.3x27.1x2.1x
Thu, 28 May 2026US$394.0bUS$202.8bUS$15.5b24.7x25.4x1.9x
Sat, 25 Apr 2026US$401.7bUS$197.9bUS$15.4b24.3x26.1x2x
Mon, 23 Mar 2026US$350.6bUS$200.5bUS$16.4b19.8x21.4x1.7x
Wed, 18 Feb 2026US$380.3bUS$187.5bUS$15.4b24.9x24.6x2x
Fri, 16 Jan 2026US$353.6bUS$181.6bUS$15.3b22.6x23x1.9x
Sun, 14 Dec 2025US$332.0bUS$183.2bUS$15.2b19.9x21.9x1.8x
Tue, 11 Nov 2025US$326.5bUS$182.9bUS$15.0b20.1x21.7x1.8x
Thu, 09 Oct 2025US$343.5bUS$179.7bUS$14.8b22.4x23.2x1.9x
Sat, 06 Sep 2025US$358.2bUS$179.0bUS$14.6b23.9x24.6x2x
Mon, 04 Aug 2025US$332.8bUS$182.4bUS$14.5b21.7x22.9x1.8x
Wed, 02 Jul 2025US$325.6bUS$181.2bUS$13.8b19.8x23.7x1.8x
Fri, 30 May 2025US$312.0bUS$182.0bUS$13.9b20.6x22.5x1.7x
Sun, 27 Apr 2025US$299.2bUS$191.5bUS$14.1b19.3x21.2x1.6x
Tue, 25 Mar 2025US$289.5bUS$190.8bUS$14.3b19.9x20.3x1.5x
Thu, 20 Feb 2025US$315.8bUS$190.6bUS$15.0b20.9x21.1x1.7x
Sat, 18 Jan 2025US$316.8bUS$189.5bUS$15.2b19.4x20.8x1.7x
Mon, 16 Dec 2024US$325.0bUS$189.5bUS$15.2b17.6x21.3x1.7x
Wed, 13 Nov 2024US$346.2bUS$191.3bUS$15.3b16.9x22.6x1.8x
Fri, 11 Oct 2024US$309.1bUS$190.8bUS$15.7b14.5x19.7x1.6x
Sun, 08 Sep 2024US$281.7bUS$190.7bUS$15.8b13.2x17.8x1.5x
Tue, 06 Aug 2024US$289.6bUS$190.5bUS$15.8b15.7x18.3x1.5x
Thu, 04 Jul 2024US$281.6bUS$189.8bUS$15.9b15.9x17.7x1.5x
Sat, 01 Jun 2024US$294.4bUS$189.5bUS$15.8b16.7x18.6x1.6x
Mon, 29 Apr 2024US$300.5bUS$189.2bUS$15.8b18.2x19x1.6x
Wed, 27 Mar 2024US$316.6bUS$188.8bUS$15.8b17.3x20x1.7x
Fri, 23 Feb 2024US$293.4bUS$188.6bUS$15.5b17.2x19x1.6x
Sun, 21 Jan 2024US$291.8bUS$206.5bUS$16.7b14.8x17.5x1.4x
Tue, 19 Dec 2023US$285.1bUS$205.3bUS$16.8b14.4x17x1.4x
Thu, 16 Nov 2023US$260.4bUS$205.5bUS$16.9b13.2x15.4x1.3x
Sat, 14 Oct 2023US$250.9bUS$203.7bUS$16.7b11.9x15.1x1.2x
Mon, 11 Sep 2023US$245.4bUS$203.8bUS$16.6b11.7x14.7x1.2x
Wed, 09 Aug 2023US$255.3bUS$203.4bUS$16.6b14.7x15.4x1.3x
Fri, 07 Jul 2023US$251.7bUS$202.4bUS$16.5b13.8x15.2x1.2x
Price to Earnings Ratio

15.2x


Total Market Cap: US$251.7bTotal 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 27.1x 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 Market0.31%
Industrials-0.68%
Trade Distributors0.096%
Trade Companies and Distributors0.096%
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
FAST FastenalUS$47.403.9%
+US$2.1b		10.6%PE41.9x
URI United RentalsUS$1.12k2.7%
+US$1.9b		49.0%PE28.1x
QXO QXOUS$17.826.5%
+US$783.3m		-17.3%PS1.5x
GWW W.W. GraingerUS$1.35k0.9%
+US$560.4m		30.1%PE35.9x
WSO WatscoUS$410.603.4%
+US$546.4m		-7.0%PE36.1x

Latest News

AIT
US$334.16
Applied Industrial Technologies
7D
-1.2%
1Y
43.8%
Seeking Alpha • 7h

Applied Industrial Technologies: Slowing Growth Cannot Support Rising Valuations Indefinitely

Summary Applied Industrial Technologies has seen it stock price appreciate for years, but there could be trouble lurking underneath due to earnings growth lagging behind. The appreciation in the stock price was backed by strong growth, but lately this growth has slowed down and could slow down further in the short term. AIT may not grow fast enough in the coming years to justify elevated valuations if we go by the financial model used in a recent Investor Presentation. There is reason to think AIT has become overvalued with the way the stock has gone up, which is why I am neutral on AIT with a hold rating. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
SUNB
US$72.90
Sunbelt Rentals Holdings
7D
-12.4%
1Y
13.0%
FERG
US$238.61
Ferguson Enterprises
7D
0.6%
1Y
9.6%
SITE
US$114.76
SiteOne Landscape Supply
7D
7.6%
1Y
-5.1%
FAST
US$47.40
Fastenal
7D
3.9%
1Y
10.6%
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.
HRI
US$146.29
Herc Holdings
7D
-4.7%
1Y
11.1%
Seeking Alpha • Jun 28

Herc Holdings Growing With Data Centers And Acquisition

Summary Herc Holdings Inc. is rated Strong Buy with a one-year target price of $251.50, reflecting transformative growth drivers. HRI's acquisition of H&E and expansion into specialty rentals for data center construction are expected to boost margins and EBITDA. Specialty Solutions, including data center rentals, offer higher margins but currently represent just 14% of HRI's revenue base. Management's three-year strategy and synergy realization underpin expectations for substantial EPS and productivity gains through 2030. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
GWW
US$1,353.29
W.W. Grainger
7D
0.9%
1Y
30.1%
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$343.46
WESCO International
7D
-7.1%
1Y
85.5%
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$20.23
EquipmentShare.com
7D
-15.3%
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$178.33
GATX
7D
-0.8%
1Y
16.1%
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
BCC
US$79.26
Boise Cascade
7D
9.3%
1Y
-8.7%
DXPE
US$162.97
DXP Enterprises
7D
-3.6%
1Y
85.9%
Narrative Update • Jun 24

DXPE: Q1 Momentum And Water Expansion Will Shape A Measured Outlook

Analysts have reduced their price target for DXP Enterprises to $158.50, citing a recent downgrade in research that notes a slightly lower discount rate and marginally adjusted P/E assumptions, while leaving core growth and margin expectations unchanged. What’s in the News for DXP Enterprises DXP Enterprises reports Q1 2026 sales growth of 9.5% year over year, with contributions from Service Centers, Innovative Pumping Solutions, and Supply Chain Services segments, according to recent earnings coverage.
QXO
US$17.82
QXO
7D
6.5%
1Y
-17.3%
DNOW
US$13.12
DNOW
7D
-4.3%
1Y
-11.5%
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.
WSO
US$410.60
Watsco
7D
3.4%
1Y
-7.0%
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...
URI
US$1,122.67
United Rentals
7D
2.7%
1Y
49.0%
Seeking Alpha • Jun 18

United Rentals: A Full Valuation Given A Cloudy Macro

Summary United Rentals is rated a "Sell" at current levels, with shares up 56% over the past year and ~20% downside to fair value. URI's shift toward specialty rentals, strong free cash flow, and market share gains underpin its business resilience despite muted nonresidential construction. Management raised 2024 guidance, now targeting $2.3 billion in free cash flow and $7.625–$7.875 billion in EBITDA, reflecting confidence in near-term demand. Valuation is stretched at a 3.5% free cash flow yield; I see fair value at $880, with improved balance sheet and structural advantages warranting a premium. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha