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

U.S. Trade Distributors Industry Analysis

UpdatedAug 17, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies58
  • 7D-0.5%
  • 3M9.8%
  • 1Y15.6%
  • YTD19.0%

Last week, the Trade Distributors industry hasn't moved much but Sunbelt Rentals Holdings is up 7.5% in that time. As for the the longer term, the industry is up 16% over the past 12 months. As for the next few years, earnings are expected to grow by 16% per annum.

Industry Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Tue, 18 Aug 2026US$429.8bUS$208.8bUS$15.4b27.2x28x2.1x
Thu, 16 Jul 2026US$405.6bUS$203.1bUS$15.5b24.2x26.1x2x
Sat, 13 Jun 2026US$406.1bUS$202.7bUS$15.5b24.4x26.2x2x
Mon, 11 May 2026US$394.8bUS$200.7bUS$15.7b23.9x25.1x2x
Wed, 08 Apr 2026US$369.0bUS$200.5bUS$16.4b21.2x22.5x1.8x
Fri, 06 Mar 2026US$397.6bUS$200.5bUS$16.4b22.3x24.2x2x
Sun, 01 Feb 2026US$354.0bUS$186.3bUS$15.3b22.7x23.1x1.9x
Tue, 30 Dec 2025US$333.0bUS$183.2bUS$15.2b20.7x22x1.8x
Thu, 27 Nov 2025US$322.2bUS$182.8bUS$15.1b19.5x21.4x1.8x
Sat, 25 Oct 2025US$334.8bUS$181.1bUS$14.7b22.9x22.7x1.8x
Mon, 22 Sep 2025US$343.5bUS$179.7bUS$14.8b21.9x23.2x1.9x
Wed, 20 Aug 2025US$349.5bUS$184.6bUS$14.7b22.7x23.8x1.9x
Fri, 18 Jul 2025US$336.6bUS$181.4bUS$13.8b20.8x24.4x1.9x
Sun, 15 Jun 2025US$315.0bUS$181.3bUS$13.8b19.6x22.8x1.7x
Tue, 13 May 2025US$296.6bUS$182.0bUS$13.9b20.3x21.3x1.6x
Thu, 10 Apr 2025US$268.9bUS$191.1bUS$14.2b18.6x18.9x1.4x
Sat, 08 Mar 2025US$293.9bUS$190.9bUS$14.4b18.3x20.4x1.5x
Mon, 03 Feb 2025US$315.2bUS$190.2bUS$15.3b19.2x20.6x1.7x
Wed, 01 Jan 2025US$302.3bUS$189.4bUS$15.2b16.1x19.8x1.6x
Fri, 29 Nov 2024US$347.2bUS$189.2bUS$15.3b18.4x22.7x1.8x
Sun, 27 Oct 2024US$316.3bUS$191.1bUS$15.8b14.3x20x1.7x
Tue, 24 Sep 2024US$306.8bUS$190.7bUS$15.8b14.4x19.4x1.6x
Thu, 22 Aug 2024US$295.8bUS$190.6bUS$15.8b15.8x18.7x1.6x
Sat, 20 Jul 2024US$304.4bUS$189.8bUS$15.9b17.2x19.1x1.6x
Mon, 17 Jun 2024US$281.7bUS$189.8bUS$16.0b13.8x17.7x1.5x
Wed, 15 May 2024US$305.3bUS$189.5bUS$15.8b18.4x19.3x1.6x
Fri, 12 Apr 2024US$312.4bUS$188.7bUS$15.8b18.3x19.8x1.7x
Sun, 10 Mar 2024US$302.9bUS$189.1bUS$16.0b17.2x19x1.6x
Tue, 06 Feb 2024US$291.3bUS$188.6bUS$15.5b16.8x18.8x1.5x
Thu, 04 Jan 2024US$281.3bUS$206.5bUS$16.7b14.8x16.9x1.4x
Sat, 02 Dec 2023US$260.2bUS$205.5bUS$16.9b13.8x15.4x1.3x
Mon, 30 Oct 2023US$236.6bUS$205.4bUS$17.5b12.2x13.5x1.2x
Wed, 27 Sep 2023US$244.5bUS$203.8bUS$16.6b12.6x14.7x1.2x
Fri, 25 Aug 2023US$248.6bUS$203.7bUS$16.6b11.9x14.9x1.2x
Price to Earnings Ratio

14.9x


Total Market Cap: US$248.6bTotal Earnings: US$16.6bTotal Revenue: US$203.7bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Trade Distributors Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 20.9x202420252026
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 28.0x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 20.9x.
  • The 3-year average PS ratio of 1.7x 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 2.6% 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 Market0.63%
Industrials0.58%
Trade Distributors-0.45%
Trade Companies and Distributors-0.45%
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$83.145.4%
+US$1.8b		15.9%PE25.7x
URI United RentalsUS$1.16k2.4%
+US$1.7b		27.4%PE27.5x
GWW W.W. GraingerUS$1.32k1.6%
+US$952.9m		34.7%PE33.2x
EQPT EquipmentShare.comUS$21.438.5%
+US$445.4m		n/aPE236.1x
WCC WESCO InternationalUS$372.961.7%
+US$312.4m		77.7%PE25.4x

Latest News

SITE
US$95.65
SiteOne Landscape Supply
7D
-3.8%
1Y
-31.9%
FAST
US$51.23
Fastenal
7D
-1.8%
1Y
4.3%
Narrative Update • Aug 16

FAST: Embedded Customer Solutions And Buybacks Will Support Future Earnings Power

Fastenal's updated analyst price target has moved from $55.00 to $59.00 as analysts factor in refreshed assumptions on revenue growth, profit margins, and future P/E, supported by recent research that highlights the company's onsite and vending transition and updated post Q2 estimates. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Fastenal points to a mixed but generally constructive tone, with several bullish analysts highlighting the company’s execution on onsite locations and vending, as well as solid sales trends around Q2.
QXO
US$13.98
QXO
7D
-9.1%
1Y
-32.2%
SUNB
US$83.14
Sunbelt Rentals Holdings
7D
5.4%
1Y
15.9%
Narrative Update • Aug 16

SUNB: Fair Value View Balances Margin Pressure With Cash Returns And Index Support

Analysts have trimmed the Sunbelt Rentals Holdings fair value estimate from $83.64 to $78.00. This reflects recent price target resets around $62 to $95 that factor in softer margin assumptions, slightly higher discount rates, and updated views on long term returns and rental pricing power.
WSO
US$311.86
Watsco
7D
-4.5%
1Y
-25.6%
Narrative Update • Aug 14

WSO: Margin Pressures And Housing Headwinds Will Test Dividend And Volume Resilience

Analysts have reduced the fair value estimate for Watsco to $330 from $385, as recent research points to pressure on gross margins and a slightly higher assumed discount rate, partially offset by stable volumes and modestly higher recent sales trends. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Watsco points to a more cautious tone, with multiple bearish analysts trimming price targets and highlighting execution risks around margins.
FERG
US$244.98
Ferguson Enterprises
7D
-7.1%
1Y
6.0%
Narrative Update • Aug 14

FERG: Large Project Pipeline And Capital Investments Will Support Stronger Future Upside

Analysts have raised their aggregate price targets on Ferguson into a wide $256 to $325 range, citing Q2 earnings beats, steady share gains, and strong large project exposure that is helping offset softer residential demand. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Ferguson points to a broadly constructive tone following the Q2 earnings report.
EQPT
US$21.43
EquipmentShare.com
7D
8.5%
1Y
n/a
DNOW
US$16.15
DNOW
7D
-3.0%
1Y
10.2%
AER
US$150.45
AerCap Holdings
7D
0.6%
1Y
31.4%
BCC
US$81.94
Boise Cascade
7D
-3.3%
1Y
-3.2%
CNM
US$45.34
Core & Main
7D
-2.1%
1Y
-30.1%
Seeking Alpha • Aug 13

Core & Main: Buy Before Growth Accelerates

Summary Core & Main is initiated with a Buy rating and a $62 price target, implying 35.6% upside as growth trends improve. Recent underperformance stems from sluggish revenue growth, particularly in the PVF segment, but easier comps and segment rebounds are expected to drive sequential acceleration. CNM's diversified product mix, strong M&A track record, and disciplined pricing position the company for margin expansion and potential multiple rerating. Risks include muted municipal spending, margin volatility from supplier dynamics, and execution risk in acquisitions, but leverage remains manageable at 2.2x EBITDA. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
RUSH.A
US$82.13
Rush Enterprises
7D
2.4%
1Y
45.3%
Narrative Update • Aug 13

RUSH.A: Improving Freight Market And Gulf Coast Expansion Will Support Higher Earnings Multiple

Analysts have raised their fair value estimate for Rush Enterprises to $95 from $90, citing recent Q2 results and expectations for improved truck sales and parts and service revenue in the second half of the year. What’s in the News for Rush Enterprises Rush Enterprises’ board declared a cash dividend of US$0.14 per share for both Class A and Class B common stock, with payment scheduled for September 24, 2026, to shareholders of record on September 9, 2026.
URI
US$1,164.82
United Rentals
7D
2.4%
1Y
27.4%
Narrative Update • Aug 11

URI: Elevated P/E Will Test Sustainability Of Current Rental Margin Assumptions

The analyst price target for United Rentals is updated higher. The model fair value rises from about $775.90 to about $964.25 as analysts factor in the recent Q2 beat and raise outcomes, higher long-term revenue and margin assumptions, and a richer future P/E multiple in line with a broad series of Street target increases through 2026.
WCC
US$372.96
WESCO International
7D
1.7%
1Y
77.7%
Narrative Update • Aug 07

WCC: Data Center And Power Backlog Conversion Will Test Rich AI Expectations

Analysts have raised the WESCO International fair value estimate from $285.75 to $313.25, reflecting updated assumptions around sales growth, profitability and P/E multiples following a series of higher Street price targets in the $375 to $440 range and commentary that highlights strong Q2 results, record backlog and exposure to data center and power demand themes. Analyst Commentary Street research on WESCO International over the past several months has centered on how the company converts strong reported metrics into consistent execution.
GATX
US$180.64
GATX
7D
2.4%
1Y
14.2%
GWW
US$1,317.68
W.W. Grainger
7D
1.6%
1Y
34.7%
Narrative Update • Aug 05

GWW: Future Returns Will Balance Endless Assortment Momentum And Margin Headwinds

Analysts lifted the W.W. Grainger fair value estimate by about $26 to $1,301. This reflects a blend of higher Street price targets clustered around $1,300 to $1,428, steady Q2 operating performance, and slightly stronger margin assumptions, offset by a modestly lower future P/E and revenue growth outlook.