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U.S. Trade Distributors Industry Analysis

UpdatedSep 20, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies59
  • 7D-0.4%
  • 3M-6.6%
  • 1Y6.0%
  • YTD8.9%

In the last week, the Trade Distributors industry is flat overall, with Ferguson Enterprises standing out by going down 3.6%. As for the the longer term, the industry is up 6.0% over the past 12 months. Looking forward, 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
Mon, 21 Sep 2026US$393.3bUS$209.2bUS$15.4b24.3x25.5x1.9x
Wed, 19 Aug 2026US$428.8bUS$208.8bUS$15.4b26.3x27.9x2.1x
Fri, 17 Jul 2026US$409.0bUS$203.1bUS$15.5b25.6x26.3x2x
Sun, 14 Jun 2026US$408.2bUS$202.7bUS$15.5b24.4x26.3x2x
Tue, 12 May 2026US$395.9bUS$200.7bUS$15.7b24.2x25.2x2x
Thu, 09 Apr 2026US$360.0bUS$197.4bUS$15.4b22x23.4x1.8x
Sat, 07 Mar 2026US$392.2bUS$200.5bUS$16.4b21.6x23.9x2x
Mon, 02 Feb 2026US$355.1bUS$188.7bUS$15.4b23x23x1.9x
Wed, 31 Dec 2025US$332.0bUS$183.2bUS$15.2b20.4x21.9x1.8x
Fri, 28 Nov 2025US$325.2bUS$182.8bUS$15.1b19.5x21.6x1.8x
Sun, 26 Oct 2025US$336.4bUS$181.1bUS$14.7b22.9x22.8x1.9x
Tue, 23 Sep 2025US$343.5bUS$179.7bUS$14.8b22.3x23.2x1.9x
Thu, 21 Aug 2025US$352.1bUS$184.6bUS$14.7b22.1x24x1.9x
Sat, 19 Jul 2025US$339.2bUS$181.4bUS$13.8b20.6x24.6x1.9x
Mon, 16 Jun 2025US$315.0bUS$181.3bUS$13.8b19.6x22.8x1.7x
Wed, 14 May 2025US$307.0bUS$182.0bUS$13.9b20.4x22x1.7x
Fri, 11 Apr 2025US$291.1bUS$191.1bUS$14.2b18.2x20.5x1.5x
Sun, 09 Mar 2025US$295.7bUS$190.9bUS$14.4b18.3x20.5x1.5x
Tue, 04 Feb 2025US$315.2bUS$190.2bUS$15.3b18.8x20.6x1.7x
Thu, 02 Jan 2025US$302.5bUS$189.4bUS$15.3b16.1x19.8x1.6x
Sat, 30 Nov 2024US$349.0bUS$189.2bUS$15.3b18.6x22.8x1.8x
Mon, 28 Oct 2024US$316.3bUS$191.1bUS$15.8b14.3x20x1.7x
Wed, 25 Sep 2024US$310.4bUS$190.7bUS$15.8b14.4x19.6x1.6x
Fri, 23 Aug 2024US$301.0bUS$190.5bUS$15.8b15.7x19x1.6x
Sun, 21 Jul 2024US$301.0bUS$189.8bUS$15.9b17.2x18.9x1.6x
Tue, 18 Jun 2024US$281.7bUS$189.8bUS$16.0b14.1x17.7x1.5x
Thu, 16 May 2024US$306.0bUS$189.5bUS$15.8b18.9x19.3x1.6x
Sat, 13 Apr 2024US$307.2bUS$188.7bUS$15.8b18.1x19.4x1.6x
Mon, 11 Mar 2024US$302.9bUS$189.1bUS$16.0b17.2x19x1.6x
Wed, 07 Feb 2024US$292.7bUS$188.6bUS$15.5b15.9x18.9x1.6x
Fri, 05 Jan 2024US$281.3bUS$206.5bUS$16.7b14.8x16.9x1.4x
Sun, 03 Dec 2023US$266.7bUS$205.5bUS$16.9b13.8x15.8x1.3x
Tue, 31 Oct 2023US$239.0bUS$205.5bUS$17.5b11.8x13.7x1.2x
Thu, 28 Sep 2023US$248.7bUS$203.7bUS$16.6b12.6x14.9x1.2x
Price to Earnings Ratio

14.9x


Total Market Cap: US$248.7bTotal 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 21.2x202420252026
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 25.5x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 21.2x.
  • The 3-year average PS ratio of 1.7x 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 2.5% 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-0.16%
Industrials-1.56%
Trade Distributors-0.35%
Trade Companies and Distributors-0.35%
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$1.01k2.5%
+US$1.5b		7.7%PE23.9x
XMTR XometryUS$97.1812.9%
+US$634.6m		80.6%PS6.9x
SUNB Sunbelt Rentals HoldingsUS$73.591.3%
+US$372.9m		2.6%PE21.7x
CNM Core & MainUS$42.614.9%
+US$366.5m		-16.3%PE17.1x
MSM MSC Industrial DirectUS$122.211.4%
+US$94.9m		34.3%PE29.5x

Latest News

QXO
US$11.38
QXO
7D
-7.6%
1Y
-44.8%
Seeking Alpha • 15h

QXO Trades Below Book Value, And The Rate Hike May Work In Its Favor

Summary QXO, Inc. trades below book value and at a market cap less than its recent TopBuild acquisition, despite assembling a leading building products distribution platform. I see market fears over rates and housing as misplaced; higher rates actually enhance QXO's acquisition pipeline and competitive positioning for future roll-ups. Q2 showed 70% YoY revenue growth, a strong cash position, and successful integration progress, though margins compressed due to mix shift and upfront investments. Execution, leverage, and macro risks remain, but the organic EBITDA bridge to 2030 is intact, and the new COO hire strengthens integration and operational focus. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
MSM
US$122.21
MSC Industrial Direct
7D
1.4%
1Y
34.3%
SUNB
US$73.59
Sunbelt Rentals Holdings
7D
1.3%
1Y
2.6%
Narrative Update • Sep 17

SUNB: Rate Inflection And Capex Pressures Will Shape Margins And Returns

Analysts now place fair value for Sunbelt Rentals Holdings at $71, up from $62. This reflects recent upgrades and higher price targets that point to improving margin expectations and rate trends following the latest Q1 results and raised long term outlooks.
GWW
US$1,266.61
W.W. Grainger
7D
-1.0%
1Y
28.2%
Narrative Update • Sep 17

GWW: Extended Premium To Index Will Likely Drive Future Multiple Compression

W.W. Grainger's fair value estimate has increased from $1,031.07 to $1,120.31. This change reflects analyst updates to revenue growth, profit margin, and future P/E assumptions following a series of recent price target revisions across the Street.
WSO
US$311.77
Watsco
7D
-0.8%
1Y
-20.0%
Narrative Update • Sep 17

WSO: Future Returns Will Reflect Margin Recovery And Granite Group Acquisition

Analysts have trimmed the Watsco fair value estimate from $410.60 to $379.20, reflecting lower price targets across the Street after recent Q2 margin pressure, along with modest adjustments to growth, margin, discount rate, and future P/E assumptions. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Watsco highlights a mixed but constructive backdrop, with analysts adjusting price targets and models after Q2 results while keeping a close eye on margins, pricing and near term demand trends.
FERG
US$214.43
Ferguson Enterprises
7D
-3.6%
1Y
-6.5%
Narrative Update • Sep 17

FERG: Large Project Pipeline And Capital Returns Will Support Future Upside

Ferguson Enterprises' analyst fair value target holds steady at $325, with slightly lower discount rate assumptions and marginally higher revenue growth expectations. This reflects recent research that highlights steady earnings delivery, non residential project strength and ongoing share gains, even as some firms point to softer residential trends and more cautious volume expectations.
SITE
US$90.47
SiteOne Landscape Supply
7D
-2.5%
1Y
-33.1%
Seeking Alpha • Sep 16

SiteOne Landscape Supply: The Market Is Pricing In Too Much Weakness

Summary SiteOne Landscape Supply receives a Buy rating as current valuation only requires 5.1% annual free cash flow growth over five years. Despite weak housing and consumer sentiment, SITE delivers stable maintenance demand, gross margin expansion, and earnings growth through pricing and operational initiatives. Acquisitions remain a key growth lever, with a robust pipeline targeting $200M–$300M in annual acquired revenue and demonstrated ROIC improvement post-integration. Margin expansion, not a housing rebound, is the primary driver for SITE’s upside, with management targeting 13% adjusted EBITDA margin by 2030. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
XMTR
US$97.18
Xometry
7D
12.9%
1Y
80.6%
FAST
US$49.01
Fastenal
7D
-0.6%
1Y
3.0%
Narrative Update • Sep 15

FAST: Future Returns Will Hinge On Embedded Execution And Balanced Capital Returns

Analysts have nudged the Fastenal price target higher to about $48.84 from about $47.68. This reflects updated views on slightly higher projected revenue growth, a modestly higher discount rate and a small adjustment to future P/E and margin assumptions.
KRT
US$49.87
Karat Packaging
7D
6.2%
1Y
106.8%
Narrative Update • Sep 14

KRT: Higher Future P/E Will Reflect Mixed Sector And Company Drivers

The analyst price target for Karat Packaging has moved from $41.50 to $46.50 as analysts cite higher assumed future P/E levels and continued company-specific growth drivers referenced in recent research. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Karat Packaging reflects a mix of optimism about company execution and caution about the broader packaging sector.
CNM
US$42.61
Core & Main
7D
4.9%
1Y
-16.3%
WCC
US$344.15
WESCO International
7D
-3.4%
1Y
64.8%
New Narrative • Sep 10

AI Data Center And Grid Investments Will Drive Long-Term Upside Potential

Catalysts About WESCO International WESCO International is a global distributor and solutions provider for electrical, communications, utility and data center infrastructure projects. What are the underlying business or industry changes driving this perspective?
RUSH.A
US$48.92
Rush Enterprises
7D
1.3%
1Y
28.7%
Narrative Update • Sep 10

RUSH.A: Second Half Truck And Service Strength Will Drive Bullish Reassessment

Analysts have cut their fair value estimate for Rush Enterprises from $89.50 to about $59.67, reflecting a slightly lower expected revenue growth rate and a small adjustment to the assumed future P/E. At the same time, recent price target hikes to $85 and $95 highlight support from steady Q2 results and expectations for stronger truck sales and parts and service revenue.
GIC
US$40.38
Global Industrial
7D
3.6%
1Y
12.0%
URI
US$1,013.91
United Rentals
7D
2.5%
1Y
7.7%
HRI
US$135.26
Herc Holdings
7D
-4.0%
1Y
13.6%
Narrative Update • Sep 03

HRI: High Rental Utilization And Pricing Are Expected To Support Upside

Analysts have lifted the blended price target for Herc Holdings by about $12 per share to $186.58, reflecting updated views around historically high rental utilization, accelerating rental rates and expectations for improving demand and margins. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Herc Holdings highlights a mix of optimism around rental fundamentals and caution around execution risks and macro sensitivity.