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U.S. Specialty Chemicals Industry Analysis

UpdatedDec 24, 2025
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies62
  • 7D1.5%
  • 3M-1.7%
  • 1Y-4.5%
  • YTDn/a

Over the last 7 days, the Specialty Chemicals industry has risen 1.4%, and Ecolab contributed the most with a gain of 2.4%. However, the industry is down 3.6% over the past year. As for the next few years, earnings are expected to grow by 26% per annum.

Industry Valuation and Performance

Has the U.S. Specialty Chemicals Industry valuation changed over the past few years?

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Wed, 24 Dec 2025US$339.0bUS$156.1bUS$4.8b25.2x71x2.2x
Fri, 21 Nov 2025US$324.1bUS$156.1bUS$4.8b22.2x68x2.1x
Sun, 19 Oct 2025US$334.4bUS$150.9bUS$5.1b26.9x65.6x2.2x
Tue, 16 Sep 2025US$345.9bUS$150.8bUS$5.1b27.3x68x2.3x
Thu, 14 Aug 2025US$341.8bUS$150.9bUS$5.3b27.3x64.8x2.3x
Sat, 12 Jul 2025US$347.4bUS$152.8bUS$5.2b24.3x66.7x2.3x
Mon, 09 Jun 2025US$336.8bUS$154.6bUS$5.3b22x63.6x2.2x
Wed, 07 May 2025US$328.9bUS$154.8bUS$5.4b21.5x60.6x2.1x
Fri, 04 Apr 2025US$339.5bUS$155.7bUS$6.5b20.7x51.9x2.2x
Sun, 02 Mar 2025US$361.2bUS$155.4bUS$6.5b24.5x55.5x2.3x
Tue, 28 Jan 2025US$361.2bUS$158.3bUS$5.5b24x66.1x2.3x
Thu, 26 Dec 2024US$354.6bUS$158.3bUS$5.5b23.2x64.7x2.2x
Sat, 23 Nov 2024US$380.5bUS$158.3bUS$5.5b25.5x69.4x2.4x
Mon, 21 Oct 2024US$403.8bUS$161.9bUS$7.2b26.6x56.4x2.5x
Wed, 18 Sep 2024US$388.7bUS$164.1bUS$6.7b26.4x57.9x2.4x
Fri, 16 Aug 2024US$366.6bUS$164.8bUS$7.1b26.2x51.7x2.2x
Sun, 14 Jul 2024US$364.3bUS$159.1bUS$7.5b27.4x48.6x2.3x
Tue, 11 Jun 2024US$351.6bUS$156.5bUS$7.5b28.9x46.7x2.2x
Thu, 09 May 2024US$363.7bUS$156.9bUS$7.5b27.3x48.3x2.3x
Sat, 06 Apr 2024US$358.0bUS$158.6bUS$8.5b27.2x41.9x2.3x
Mon, 04 Mar 2024US$355.5bUS$158.5bUS$8.5b27.3x41.9x2.2x
Wed, 31 Jan 2024US$348.3bUS$165.6bUS$13.2b27.8x26.4x2.1x
Fri, 29 Dec 2023US$361.6bUS$164.6bUS$13.0b30.3x27.8x2.2x
Sun, 26 Nov 2023US$324.9bUS$164.9bUS$13.0b28.4x24.9x2x
Tue, 24 Oct 2023US$295.2bUS$165.4bUS$10.5b20.6x28x1.8x
Thu, 21 Sep 2023US$322.0bUS$165.4bUS$10.4b22x30.8x1.9x
Sat, 19 Aug 2023US$327.5bUS$165.4bUS$10.4b23.9x31.3x2x
Mon, 17 Jul 2023US$346.7bUS$165.0bUS$9.9b20.3x34.9x2.1x
Wed, 14 Jun 2023US$333.4bUS$165.3bUS$10.0b19.2x33.5x2x
Fri, 12 May 2023US$315.1bUS$165.5bUS$10.1b19.9x31.1x1.9x
Sun, 09 Apr 2023US$316.7bUS$162.0bUS$9.1b20x34.8x2x
Tue, 07 Mar 2023US$328.0bUS$162.3bUS$9.2b20.3x35.7x2x
Thu, 02 Feb 2023US$348.5bUS$166.0bUS$6.9b21.9x50.7x2.1x
Sat, 31 Dec 2022US$320.7bUS$165.4bUS$7.1b19.5x45x1.9x
Price to Earnings Ratio

45x


Total Market Cap: US$320.7bTotal Earnings: US$7.1bTotal Revenue: US$165.4bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Specialty Chemicals Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 59.7x202320242025
Current Industry PE
  • Investors are optimistic on the American Specialty Chemicals industry, and appear confident in long term growth rates.
  • The industry is trading at a PE ratio of 70.5x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 59.7x.
  • The 3-year average PS ratio of 3.1x is higher than the industry's current PS ratio of 2.2x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Specialty Chemicals industry have declined 12% 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 Comparison

How does U.S. Specialty Chemicals compare with similar industries?

US Market2.62%
Materials3.08%
Chemicals1.18%
Specialty Chemicals1.48%
Fertilizers and Agricultural Chemicals2.51%
Industrial Gases0.74%
Commodity Chemicals-0.23%
Diversified Chemicals-0.58%
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
SQM Sociedad Química y Minera de ChileUS$70.8910.5%
+US$1.9b		89.2%PE38.6x
ALB AlbemarleUS$146.7011.9%
+US$1.8b		63.0%PS3.5x
ECL EcolabUS$264.742.0%
+US$1.5b		10.0%PE37.8x
IFF International Flavors & FragrancesUS$66.372.8%
+US$458.4m		-22.0%PS1.5x
DD DuPont de NemoursUS$41.041.5%
+US$247.2m		-46.9%PE23.7x

Latest News

EMN
US$62.49
Eastman Chemical
7D
-1.8%
1Y
-31.8%

EMN: Cost Savings And Asset Utilization Will Support Stronger Free Cash Flow

Analysts have nudged their average price target for Eastman Chemical slightly higher to about $73 from roughly $72.75, citing expectations for 2026 earnings tailwinds from cost savings, improved asset utilization, and resilient free cash flow even through a sluggish demand backdrop. Analyst Commentary Bullish analysts highlight that, despite modest adjustments to price targets, the long term investment case for Eastman Chemical remains underpinned by 2026 earnings tailwinds, including structural cost savings and improved asset utilization that are expected to drive margin expansion and profit growth from 2025 onward.
PPG
US$102.67
PPG Industries
7D
-1.0%
1Y
-15.1%

PPG: Cyclical Recovery And Margin Expansion Will Lift Depressed Share Price

Analysts have nudged our PPG Industries fair value estimate slightly higher to $119.00 from $118.45, reflecting expectations for modestly improved profitability and valuation support, despite a series of trimmed but still constructive Street price targets in the $112 to $129 range. Analyst Commentary Street research remains mixed but generally constructive on PPG, with recent actions combining modest target cuts and at least one notable rating upgrade.
KWR
US$143.62
Quaker Chemical
7D
4.5%
1Y
1.9%

KWR: Ongoing Share Repurchases Will Likely Support Strong Future Share Performance

Narrative Update Analysts have raised their price target on Quaker Chemical by $0.00 to account for slightly lower discount rate assumptions and modest adjustments to long-term growth and profitability forecasts. What's in the News Completed share repurchase of 638,901 shares, about 3.59% of outstanding shares, for a total of $85.75 million under the buyback program announced on February 28, 2024 (company filing) Between July 1, 2025 and September 30, 2025, repurchased 29,791 shares, representing 0.17% of shares, for $3.81 million as the final tranche of the current authorization (company filing) Ongoing capital return via buybacks signals management confidence in long term cash generation and balance sheet strength (company filing) Valuation Changes Fair Value: unchanged at $166.00 per share, reflecting no net impact from the updated assumptions.
BCPC
US$156.63
Balchem
7D
-1.9%
1Y
-6.3%

BCPC: Share Repurchases And Dividend Increases Will Drive Attractive Future Returns

Analysts have maintained their price target on Balchem at approximately $191.00. This reflects only marginal tweaks to underlying assumptions such as discount rate, revenue growth, and profit margin, rather than a material change in their outlook.
ECL
US$264.74
Ecolab
7D
2.0%
1Y
10.0%
ALB
US$146.70
Albemarle
7D
11.9%
1Y
63.0%

ALB: Lithium Price Rebound Is Expected To Limit Future Share Upside

Analysts have raised our Albemarle fair value estimate to $75 from $58, reflecting higher projected lithium prices, improved demand expectations, and stronger medium term earnings power. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Albemarle has turned incrementally constructive on lithium pricing and near term earnings, but the overall tone remains balanced as many price targets and ratings embed limited upside from current levels.
SQM
US$70.89
Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile
7D
10.5%
1Y
89.2%
AXTA
US$32.28
Axalta Coating Systems
7D
2.8%
1Y
-6.3%

AXTA: AkzoNobel Merger Is Expected To Unlock Long-Term Upside Despite Macro Headwinds

Axalta Coating Systems’ fair value estimate has been nudged higher to approximately $36.87 from $36.80, as analysts factor in slightly lower discount rates and steady long term growth and margin assumptions, despite modest price target cuts and rating downgrades following the announced merger with AkzoNobel and a softer macro backdrop for coatings demand. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Axalta reflects a divided but generally constructive stance, with modest target cuts and some rating downgrades balancing ongoing Buy ratings.
IFF
US$66.37
International Flavors & Fragrances
7D
2.8%
1Y
-22.0%

IFF: 2026 Demand Recovery Will Drive Rebound From Cyclical Headwinds

Analysts have trimmed their price target for International Flavors & Fragrances by less than $1 to about $81.49, reflecting slightly higher discount rates and modestly lower long term profit expectations, even as they still anticipate eventual growth reacceleration. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research reflects a mixed but generally constructive view on International Flavors & Fragrances, with modestly reduced price targets balancing execution risks against potential for margin improvement and renewed growth in the medium term.
NEU
US$708.14
NewMarket
7D
-1.2%
1Y
33.8%

NewMarket's (NYSE:NEU) Upcoming Dividend Will Be Larger Than Last Year's

Dec 14
NewMarket's (NYSE:NEU) Upcoming Dividend Will Be Larger Than Last Year's
DD
US$41.04
DuPont de Nemours
7D
1.5%
1Y
-46.9%

DD: Share Returns And Qnity Separation Will Shape A Balanced Outlook

Narrative Update Analysts have cut their average 12 month price target on DuPont de Nemours to approximately 44 dollars from about 62 dollars. This reflects reduced expectations for revenue growth and profit margins, along with a higher assumed valuation multiple and discount rate.
SCL
US$46.56
Stepan
7D
-3.8%
1Y
-30.9%

Why Stepan Company (NYSE:SCL) Could Be Worth Watching

Dec 12
Why Stepan Company (NYSE:SCL) Could Be Worth Watching
RPM
US$105.40
RPM International
7D
-1.4%
1Y
-16.4%

RPM: Dividend Momentum And Earnings Leverage Will Shape Rerating Prospects

Analysts have lifted their price target on RPM International to $117 from about $94, reflecting expectations for faster revenue growth and a higher future P/E multiple. At the same time, they acknowledge near term margin pressures and see room for a valuation rerating as earnings leverage improves.
SHW
US$324.05
Sherwin-Williams
7D
-1.2%
1Y
-6.5%

SHW: Pricing Power And Margin Discipline Will Drive Upside Through Macro Volatility

The analyst price target for Sherwin-Williams has been modestly increased to about $386 from roughly $386, as analysts balance cautious views on a challenging macro environment and uneven end markets with support from select target raises and an unchanged long-term earnings multiple outlook. Analyst Commentary Recent research updates on Sherwin-Williams reflect a mixed but generally constructive stance, with modest target changes capturing both improving company specific execution and ongoing macro uncertainty across key end markets.
SXT
US$96.36
Sensient Technologies
7D
2.7%
1Y
31.2%
MTX
US$61.03
Minerals Technologies
7D
-1.8%
1Y
-20.5%