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U.S. Trade Distributors Industry Analysis

UpdatedAug 09, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies58
  • 7D5.6%
  • 3M8.4%
  • 1Y20.1%
  • YTD19.5%

The Trade Distributors industry has gained 5.6% in the last week and United Rentals up 7.7%. During this same period, the W.W. Grainger underperformed, falling 7.6%. This takes the industry's 12 month performance to a gain of 20%. Looking forward, earnings are forecast to grow by 16% annually.

Industry Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Sun, 09 Aug 2026US$432.0bUS$206.6bUS$15.3b27.9x28.2x2.1x
Tue, 07 Jul 2026US$409.0bUS$202.8bUS$15.5b24x26.4x2x
Thu, 04 Jun 2026US$392.7bUS$202.8bUS$15.5b26.2x25.3x1.9x
Sat, 02 May 2026US$399.9bUS$199.1bUS$15.6b24.3x25.6x2x
Mon, 30 Mar 2026US$358.0bUS$200.4bUS$16.4b20.3x21.8x1.8x
Wed, 25 Feb 2026US$369.1bUS$187.8bUS$15.3b24.2x24.2x2x
Fri, 23 Jan 2026US$360.6bUS$181.8bUS$15.4b23.9x23.5x2x
Sun, 21 Dec 2025US$334.5bUS$183.1bUS$15.2b20.2x22.1x1.8x
Tue, 18 Nov 2025US$321.1bUS$182.9bUS$15.0b19.1x21.3x1.8x
Thu, 16 Oct 2025US$340.3bUS$179.9bUS$14.9b22.1x22.9x1.9x
Sat, 13 Sep 2025US$348.3bUS$179.1bUS$14.6b21.7x23.9x1.9x
Mon, 11 Aug 2025US$337.0bUS$182.6bUS$14.7b21.1x22.9x1.8x
Wed, 09 Jul 2025US$333.5bUS$181.3bUS$13.8b20.6x24.2x1.8x
Fri, 06 Jun 2025US$314.9bUS$181.1bUS$13.8b20x22.8x1.7x
Sun, 04 May 2025US$299.8bUS$181.9bUS$13.7b20.3x21.8x1.6x
Tue, 01 Apr 2025US$289.8bUS$191.1bUS$14.3b18.8x20.3x1.5x
Thu, 27 Feb 2025US$297.9bUS$190.6bUS$14.5b18.5x20.5x1.6x
Sat, 25 Jan 2025US$323.6bUS$189.6bUS$15.2b19.6x21.2x1.7x
Mon, 23 Dec 2024US$308.5bUS$189.5bUS$15.2b16.6x20.2x1.6x
Wed, 20 Nov 2024US$334.2bUS$189.4bUS$15.3b17x21.8x1.8x
Fri, 18 Oct 2024US$324.8bUS$190.8bUS$15.7b15.3x20.7x1.7x
Sun, 15 Sep 2024US$295.2bUS$190.7bUS$15.8b13.7x18.7x1.5x
Tue, 13 Aug 2024US$290.8bUS$190.6bUS$15.8b15.3x18.4x1.5x
Thu, 11 Jul 2024US$277.6bUS$189.9bUS$15.9b15.6x17.4x1.5x
Sat, 08 Jun 2024US$284.6bUS$189.9bUS$16.0b16.2x17.8x1.5x
Mon, 06 May 2024US$300.1bUS$189.5bUS$15.9b17x18.9x1.6x
Wed, 03 Apr 2024US$317.2bUS$188.7bUS$15.8b18.9x20.1x1.7x
Fri, 01 Mar 2024US$302.6bUS$189.1bUS$16.1b17.7x18.8x1.6x
Sun, 28 Jan 2024US$297.2bUS$207.0bUS$16.7b15x17.8x1.4x
Tue, 26 Dec 2023US$289.1bUS$205.3bUS$16.8b14.9x17.2x1.4x
Thu, 23 Nov 2023US$260.7bUS$205.5bUS$16.9b13x15.4x1.3x
Sat, 21 Oct 2023US$238.1bUS$203.8bUS$16.6b12.8x14.3x1.2x
Mon, 18 Sep 2023US$246.4bUS$203.9bUS$16.6b13.2x14.8x1.2x
Wed, 16 Aug 2023US$254.8bUS$203.6bUS$16.6b14x15.3x1.3x
Price to Earnings Ratio

15.3x


Total Market Cap: US$254.8bTotal Earnings: US$16.6bTotal Revenue: US$203.6bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Trade Distributors Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 20.8x202420252026
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 28.2x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 20.8x.
  • 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 2.7% 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 Market4.18%
Industrials3.85%
Trade Distributors5.59%
Trade Companies and Distributors5.59%
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$1.16k7.7%
+US$5.2b		35.4%PE27.4x
FAST FastenalUS$51.848.7%
+US$4.7b		8.0%PE44x
FERG Ferguson EnterprisesUS$256.699.5%
+US$4.3b		14.8%PE25.5x
SUNB Sunbelt Rentals HoldingsUS$81.0812.7%
+US$3.8b		19.7%PE25.1x
QXO QXOUS$16.1621.5%
+US$3.0b		-16.2%PS2x

Latest News

HDSN
US$5.60
Hudson Technologies
7D
-7.4%
1Y
-42.3%
Analysis Article • 21h

Hudson Technologies, Inc. Earnings Missed Analyst Estimates: Here's What Analysts Are Forecasting Now

Last week, you might have seen that Hudson Technologies, Inc. ( NASDAQ:HDSN ) released its second-quarter result to the...
WLFC
US$61.05
Willis Lease Finance
7D
-14.4%
1Y
22.5%
Seeking Alpha • Aug 08

Willis Lease Finance: A Rough Road Ahead

Summary Willis's Q2 results have shown us a demand softening, which caused maintenance reserves to decline and the utilization rate to drop from 87% to 85% YoY. The management fees segment grew significantly by 113%, but given that the firm still accrues most of its revenue from the leasing business, we still need to value against PB. The current PB ratio is widely higher than the 5-year historical level; while this is a true reflection of the current market dynamics, it leaves no margin of safety. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
FAST
US$51.84
Fastenal
7D
8.7%
1Y
8.0%
WCC
US$363.74
WESCO International
7D
5.9%
1Y
78.1%
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$177.71
GATX
7D
-0.6%
1Y
17.5%
ZKH
US$2.85
ZKH Group
7D
-2.4%
1Y
-5.0%
HRI
US$167.90
Herc Holdings
7D
11.8%
1Y
51.9%
Narrative Update • Aug 06

HRI: Higher Fuel And Cost Pressures Will Constrain Future Earnings Multiple

Analysts have lifted the fair value estimate for Herc Holdings to $125.20 from $117.93, reflecting updated assumptions around demand, fleet utilization, and margin recovery that are consistent with recent Street price target increases for the stock. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Herc Holdings has centered on updated price targets and refreshed views on demand, fleet utilization, and margin recovery.
MSM
US$122.92
MSC Industrial Direct
7D
-0.4%
1Y
42.8%
Narrative Update • Aug 06

MSM: Cost Cuts And Metalworking Focus Will Drive Future Earnings Power

Analysts have lifted the fair value estimate for MSC Industrial Direct to $155 from $100, citing the company's focused metalworking exposure, cost reduction efforts, and expectations for improved margins and earnings power over the coming years. Analyst Commentary on MSC Industrial Direct Recent research coverage on MSC Industrial Direct has leaned positive, with several bullish analysts pointing to focused metalworking exposure, cost reduction plans, and potential earnings power as key supports for higher fair value estimates.
FERG
US$256.69
Ferguson Enterprises
7D
9.5%
1Y
14.8%
GWW
US$1,277.55
W.W. Grainger
7D
-7.6%
1Y
34.5%
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.
SPPL
US$2.54
Simpple
7D
-26.8%
1Y
-8.0%
WSO
US$330.10
Watsco
7D
6.7%
1Y
-19.7%
Seeking Alpha • Aug 05

Watsco: Transient Headwinds, Good Long Term Opportunity

Summary Watsco, Inc. (WSO) is rated a buy after a post-earnings pullback, with normalization post-A2L transition expected to drive recovery. Watsco's gross margin contraction is seen as transient, with mix improvement and pricing initiatives targeting medium-term margin expansion. Digital ecosystem adoption and underpenetrated high-margin parts/supplies sales provide a runway for market share gains and margin upside. Watsco offers a 4%+ dividend yield, double-digit EPS growth potential, and trades at a discount to industrial distribution peers. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
QXO
US$16.16
QXO
7D
21.5%
1Y
-16.2%
EVI
US$13.99
EVI Industries
7D
-0.6%
1Y
-39.6%
URI
US$1,162.84
United Rentals
7D
7.7%
1Y
35.4%
Narrative Update • Jul 28

URI: Mega Project Exposure And Q2 Beat Will Support Future Compounding

United Rentals' analyst price target has been raised from $1,300.54 to $1,550.00, as analysts factor in updated Q2 earnings models, modestly higher revenue growth assumptions, and a higher future P/E multiple, while applying a similar discount rate and somewhat lower profit margin expectations. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on United Rentals points to a broadly optimistic tone, with many bullish analysts revisiting their models after the Q2 report and related previews.
SUNB
US$81.08
Sunbelt Rentals Holdings
7D
12.7%
1Y
19.7%
Narrative Update • Jul 24

SUNB: Rising Capex Inflation Versus Flat Rental Rates Will Pressure Margins

Analysts have trimmed the fair value estimate for Sunbelt Rentals Holdings to $62 from $65. This reflects updated price targets that weigh ongoing margin pressures from higher capex and operating costs against generally steady rental rates.