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U.S. Trade Distributors Industry Analysis

UpdatedMay 31, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies61
  • 7D1.3%
  • 3M0.5%
  • 1Y20.3%
  • YTD9.9%

Over the last 7 days, the Trade Distributors industry has risen 1.3%, driven by gains from United Rentals of 6.1%. This takes the industry's 12 month performance to a gain of 20%. 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
Sun, 31 May 2026US$392.7bUS$202.8bUS$15.5b24.9x25.3x1.9x
Tue, 28 Apr 2026US$398.5bUS$198.0bUS$15.4b24x25.8x2x
Thu, 26 Mar 2026US$365.4bUS$200.4bUS$16.4b21.2x22.2x1.8x
Sat, 21 Feb 2026US$377.9bUS$187.3bUS$15.5b24.5x24.4x2x
Mon, 19 Jan 2026US$357.8bUS$181.6bUS$15.3b22.7x23.3x2x
Wed, 17 Dec 2025US$332.5bUS$183.2bUS$15.2b19.9x21.9x1.8x
Fri, 14 Nov 2025US$329.8bUS$182.9bUS$15.0b19.9x21.9x1.8x
Sun, 12 Oct 2025US$334.2bUS$179.6bUS$14.8b21.4x22.6x1.9x
Tue, 09 Sep 2025US$356.7bUS$179.0bUS$14.6b23.8x24.5x2x
Thu, 07 Aug 2025US$336.2bUS$182.5bUS$14.7b22x22.8x1.8x
Sat, 05 Jul 2025US$336.7bUS$181.2bUS$13.8b20.4x24.5x1.9x
Mon, 02 Jun 2025US$312.1bUS$182.0bUS$13.9b20.4x22.5x1.7x
Wed, 30 Apr 2025US$291.4bUS$181.7bUS$13.7b19.4x21.3x1.6x
Fri, 28 Mar 2025US$295.6bUS$191.1bUS$14.3b19.4x20.7x1.5x
Sun, 23 Feb 2025US$301.4bUS$190.5bUS$15.0b19.1x20.1x1.6x
Tue, 21 Jan 2025US$319.6bUS$189.5bUS$15.2b19.4x21x1.7x
Thu, 19 Dec 2024US$319.8bUS$189.4bUS$15.3b16.8x21x1.7x
Sat, 16 Nov 2024US$336.3bUS$189.4bUS$15.3b16.5x22x1.8x
Mon, 14 Oct 2024US$316.9bUS$190.9bUS$15.7b14.7x20.2x1.7x
Wed, 11 Sep 2024US$284.4bUS$190.7bUS$15.8b13.2x18x1.5x
Fri, 09 Aug 2024US$282.9bUS$190.5bUS$15.8b15.5x17.9x1.5x
Sun, 07 Jul 2024US$279.4bUS$189.8bUS$15.9b16.2x17.6x1.5x
Tue, 04 Jun 2024US$297.5bUS$189.5bUS$15.8b16.1x18.8x1.6x
Thu, 02 May 2024US$294.8bUS$189.4bUS$16.0b17.3x18.4x1.6x
Sat, 30 Mar 2024US$319.4bUS$188.7bUS$15.8b18.7x20.2x1.7x
Mon, 26 Feb 2024US$298.4bUS$188.7bUS$16.1b17.4x18.6x1.6x
Wed, 24 Jan 2024US$296.6bUS$206.5bUS$16.7b14.8x17.8x1.4x
Fri, 22 Dec 2023US$283.9bUS$205.3bUS$16.8b14.9x16.9x1.4x
Sun, 19 Nov 2023US$258.1bUS$205.5bUS$16.9b13.2x15.2x1.3x
Tue, 17 Oct 2023US$251.2bUS$203.7bUS$16.6b12x15.1x1.2x
Thu, 14 Sep 2023US$244.7bUS$203.8bUS$16.6b12.6x14.7x1.2x
Sat, 12 Aug 2023US$256.0bUS$203.7bUS$16.6b14.5x15.4x1.3x
Mon, 10 Jul 2023US$253.9bUS$202.4bUS$16.5b13.8x15.4x1.3x
Wed, 07 Jun 2023US$233.3bUS$202.0bUS$16.6b12.6x14.1x1.2x
Price to Earnings Ratio

14.1x


Total Market Cap: US$233.3bTotal Earnings: US$16.6bTotal Revenue: US$202.0bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Trade Distributors Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 20.1x202420252026
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 25.3x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 20.1x.
  • The 3-year average PS ratio of 1.6x is lower than the industry's current PS ratio of 1.9x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Trade Distributors industry have declined 2.3% 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 Market1.58%
Industrials1.37%
Trade Distributors1.27%
Trade Companies and Distributors1.27%
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$995.676.1%
+US$3.6b		40.6%PE24.9x
FERG Ferguson EnterprisesUS$225.971.2%
+US$515.9m		23.9%PE22.4x
QXO QXOUS$17.253.5%
+US$420.6m		1.5%PS1.5x
CNM Core & MainUS$49.454.6%
+US$410.2m		-9.8%PE21.1x
XMTR XometryUS$95.296.8%
+US$326.2m		187.5%PS6.9x

Latest News

WLFC
US$177.01
Willis Lease Finance
7D
-3.1%
1Y
31.8%
WCC
US$361.17
WESCO International
7D
-0.7%
1Y
115.1%
NPKI
US$14.52
NPK International
7D
-6.4%
1Y
79.5%
AIT
US$303.81
Applied Industrial Technologies
7D
-1.1%
1Y
34.1%
Narrative Update • May 29

AIT: Guidance And Buybacks Will Shape Measured Long Term Return Profile

Analysts have maintained their fair value estimate for Applied Industrial Technologies at $330 while adjusting assumptions such as the discount rate and future P/E. This has supported a reaffirmed price target that reflects updated views on the stock's long-term risk and valuation profile.
XMTR
US$95.29
Xometry
7D
6.8%
1Y
187.5%
Narrative Update • May 29

XMTR: Fair Value View Balances Marketplace Execution And AI Disintermediation Risk

Analysts have lifted the fair value estimate for Xometry to $100.00 from $75.00, citing updated assumptions around slightly higher revenue growth, improved profit margins, a modestly lower discount rate, recent price target increases and upgrades from several firms, and a view that the stock is relatively well positioned against AI disintermediation risks. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research has tilted constructive on Xometry, with several bullish analysts revisiting their price targets and ratings in light of updated assumptions and sector views.
CNM
US$49.45
Core & Main
7D
4.6%
1Y
-9.8%
Narrative Update • May 28

CNM: Share Repurchases And Solid Sales Outlook Will Support Future Upside

Analysts are maintaining their $75.00 price target on Core & Main, citing adjusted assumptions around the discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin, and future P/E that they view as offsetting each other at this stage. What's in the News From November 3, 2025 to March 24, 2026, Core & Main repurchased 2,024,355 shares, representing 1.07% of its shares, for US$97.7 million under its ongoing buyback (company filing).
QXO
US$17.25
QXO
7D
3.5%
1Y
1.5%
MSM
US$109.47
MSC Industrial Direct
7D
2.8%
1Y
34.8%
DNOW
US$12.79
DNOW
7D
-2.1%
1Y
-11.3%
URI
US$995.67
United Rentals
7D
6.1%
1Y
40.6%
GWW
US$1,234.24
W.W. Grainger
7D
-1.1%
1Y
13.5%
Narrative Update • May 21

GWW: Future Returns Will Balance Industrial Recovery Expectations With Valuation And Execution Risks

Analysts have lifted the updated price target framework for W.W. Grainger by about $115 to $1,265.57. They point to slightly higher assumptions for revenue growth, profit margins and future P/E multiples, reflected in recent target increases from firms such as Barclays, Stephens, RBC Capital, Baird, Bernstein and Morgan Stanley.
WSO
US$367.10
Watsco
7D
-2.2%
1Y
-17.2%
Seeking Alpha • May 20

Watsco: A Great Business That's Still Priced Expensively

Summary Watsco remains the leading HVAC distributor with a debt-free balance sheet, a robust technology platform, and a strong market position. Q1'26 results showed stabilization, not recovery, as HVAC equipment volumes trended from double-digit declines to flat, with price increases offsetting volume weakness. The A2L refrigerant transition and e-commerce growth are genuine tailwinds, but the current valuation at 30x forward earnings already prices in significant improvement. I rate WSO a Hold, as the stock's premium reflects anticipated recovery not yet evident in underlying demand, with consensus targets implying modest upside. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
HRI
US$133.00
Herc Holdings
7D
3.1%
1Y
7.3%
FERG
US$225.97
Ferguson Enterprises
7D
1.2%
1Y
23.9%
SITE
US$108.60
SiteOne Landscape Supply
7D
-4.2%
1Y
-7.0%
FAST
US$44.20
Fastenal
7D
0.6%
1Y
6.9%
Narrative Update • May 06

FAST: Future Returns Will Hinge On Execution Resilience And Carrollton Expansion

Analysts have adjusted Fastenal's price target modestly higher to $46.49. This reflects updated discount rate and P/E assumptions alongside recent mixed target changes from Barclays, Bernstein, Baird, and BofA.