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U.S. Chemicals Industry Analysis

UpdatedJan 02, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies131
  • 7D-0.7%
  • 3M-6.7%
  • 1Y-5.3%
  • YTDn/a

Over the last 7 days, the Chemicals industry has remained flat, although notably Albemarle declined by 5.7%. As for the longer term, the industry has declined 5.3% in the last year. As for the next few years, earnings are expected to grow by 23% per annum.

Industry Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Fri, 02 Jan 2026US$722.0bUS$371.7bUS$11.0b23.6x65.6x1.9x
Sun, 30 Nov 2025US$725.4bUS$371.7bUS$11.0b23x66.1x2x
Tue, 28 Oct 2025US$757.1bUS$370.7bUS$15.9b25.8x47.5x2x
Thu, 25 Sep 2025US$771.1bUS$367.7bUS$15.5b26.1x49.6x2.1x
Sat, 23 Aug 2025US$792.9bUS$367.6bUS$15.5b26.9x51x2.2x
Mon, 21 Jul 2025US$792.2bUS$376.6bUS$18.0b22.7x44.1x2.1x
Wed, 18 Jun 2025US$776.6bUS$378.4bUS$18.1b21.5x42.8x2.1x
Fri, 16 May 2025US$757.6bUS$378.5bUS$17.2b21.9x44.1x2x
Sun, 13 Apr 2025US$720.3bUS$380.8bUS$23.0b18.2x31.3x1.9x
Tue, 11 Mar 2025US$809.2bUS$379.3bUS$22.8b21.4x35.4x2.1x
Thu, 06 Feb 2025US$829.1bUS$382.2bUS$22.3b21.7x37.2x2.2x
Sat, 04 Jan 2025US$770.4bUS$384.3bUS$23.4b19.9x32.9x2x
Mon, 02 Dec 2024US$869.3bUS$384.3bUS$23.4b23x37.1x2.3x
Wed, 30 Oct 2024US$878.4bUS$386.3bUS$24.6b25.5x35.7x2.3x
Fri, 27 Sep 2024US$877.6bUS$383.8bUS$23.5b26x37.4x2.3x
Sun, 25 Aug 2024US$857.5bUS$383.8bUS$23.4b25.6x36.6x2.2x
Tue, 23 Jul 2024US$823.1bUS$379.8bUS$23.5b27.7x35.1x2.2x
Thu, 20 Jun 2024US$813.3bUS$377.3bUS$23.4b26x34.7x2.2x
Sat, 18 May 2024US$826.8bUS$377.3bUS$23.5b26.3x35.2x2.2x
Mon, 15 Apr 2024US$813.6bUS$384.6bUS$25.6b21.1x31.8x2.1x
Wed, 13 Mar 2024US$840.8bUS$384.5bUS$25.4b21.1x33.1x2.2x
Fri, 09 Feb 2024US$772.6bUS$388.5bUS$31.5b19.4x24.5x2x
Sun, 07 Jan 2024US$803.3bUS$398.8bUS$31.9b20.8x25.2x2x
Tue, 05 Dec 2023US$778.1bUS$398.4bUS$31.6b19.7x24.6x2x
Thu, 02 Nov 2023US$717.0bUS$403.9bUS$30.4b15.1x23.6x1.8x
Sat, 30 Sep 2023US$752.3bUS$411.9bUS$31.2b15.8x24.1x1.8x
Mon, 28 Aug 2023US$775.0bUS$412.0bUS$31.2b15.2x24.8x1.9x
Wed, 26 Jul 2023US$839.4bUS$440.6bUS$38.2b14.3x22x1.9x
Fri, 23 Jun 2023US$793.0bUS$444.6bUS$39.1b12.9x20.3x1.8x
Sun, 21 May 2023US$780.3bUS$444.6bUS$39.1b12.8x20x1.8x
Tue, 18 Apr 2023US$812.9bUS$452.1bUS$42.6b12.9x19.1x1.8x
Thu, 16 Mar 2023US$755.7bUS$452.2bUS$42.6b12.3x17.7x1.7x
Sat, 11 Feb 2023US$818.7bUS$450.3bUS$40.2b14.5x20.4x1.8x
Mon, 09 Jan 2023US$794.2bUS$460.9bUS$43.3b14.3x18.3x1.7x
Price to Earnings Ratio

18.3x


Total Market Cap: US$794.2bTotal Earnings: US$43.3bTotal Revenue: US$460.9bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Chemicals Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 38.2x202420252026
Current Industry PE
  • Investors are optimistic on the American Chemicals industry, and appear confident in long term growth rates.
  • The industry is trading at a PE ratio of 65.6x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 38.2x.
  • The 3-year average PS ratio of 2.4x is higher than the industry's current PS ratio of 1.9x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Chemicals industry have declined 37% per year over the last three years,
  • Revenues have also declined 6.9% per year.
  • This means overall sales from these companies are declining and profits are subsequently falling as well.

Industry Trends

Which industries have driven the changes within the U.S. Materials industry?

US Market-1.43%
Materials-2.60%
Chemicals-0.72%
Industrial Gases0.26%
Fertilizers and Agricultural Chemicals-0.11%
Commodity Chemicals-0.23%
Diversified Chemicals-0.62%
Specialty Chemicals-1.67%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Specialty Chemicals industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 59.9x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 24.8%, which is higher than its past year's earnings decline of 8.2% per year.
Forecasted Growth
  • Analysts are most optimistic on the Diversified Chemicals industry, expecting annual earnings growth of 88% over the next 5 years.
  • In contrast, the Fertilizers and Agricultural Chemicals industry is expected to see its earnings grow by 7.2% per year over the next few years.

Top Stock Gainers and Losers

Which companies have driven the market over the last 7 days?

CompanyLast Price7D1YValuation
LIN LindeUS$426.390.4%
+US$756.5m		3.1%PE28.1x
ICL ICL GroupUS$5.713.1%
+US$219.4m		12.8%PE20x
DOW DowUS$23.380.4%
+US$64.0m		-40.7%PS0.4x
FMC FMCUS$13.872.3%
+US$38.7m		-71.4%PS0.5x
EMN Eastman ChemicalUS$63.830.5%
+US$35.3m		-28.0%PE10.4x

Latest News

SQM
US$68.80
Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile
7D
-4.0%
1Y
87.5%

Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile (NYSE:SQM) Takes On Some Risk With Its Use Of Debt

Jan 02
Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile (NYSE:SQM) Takes On Some Risk With Its Use Of Debt
PPG
US$102.46
PPG Industries
7D
-1.8%
1Y
-10.3%

Here's Why PPG Industries (NYSE:PPG) Can Manage Its Debt Responsibly

Dec 29
Here's Why PPG Industries (NYSE:PPG) Can Manage Its Debt Responsibly
DD
US$40.20
DuPont de Nemours
7D
-2.6%
1Y
-46.2%

DD: Share Buybacks Will Drive Future Upside As New China Plant Expands Capacity

Narrative Update on DuPont de Nemours Analysts have modestly raised their average price target on DuPont de Nemours by approximately $0.06, reflecting slightly improved views on the company’s discount rate and profit margin outlook, despite marginally weaker revenue growth expectations. What's in the News Begins construction of a new MOLYKOTE specialty lubricants plant in Zhangjiagang, China, expanding global capacity and targeting fast growing demand across transportation, industrial, energy, and electronics markets, with operations expected to start in early 2027 (Key Developments) The board authorizes a share repurchase program of up to $2 billion, indicating a focus on capital returns to shareholders (Key Developments) Issues updated 2025 guidance, trimming full year net sales expectations to $6.84 billion and guiding fourth quarter net sales of about $1.685 billion (Key Developments) Declares a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share, payable December 15, 2025, and also approves a pro rata special dividend to spin off Qnity to existing shareholders on November 1, 2025 (Key Developments) Introduces new safety and industrial products, including Tyvek APX high breathability chemical protective garments and IntegraTec XTP 100 IG ultrafiltration modules, together with new comfort and mobility testing protocols for soft ballistic body armor (Key Developments) Valuation Changes Fair Value: risen slightly from $47.25 to about $47.31 per share, indicating a marginally higher intrinsic value estimate.
WLK
US$73.94
Westlake
7D
0.3%
1Y
-34.0%

WLK: Future Returns Will Reflect Capacity Closures And Fairly Balanced Prospects

Analysts have nudged their price target on Westlake higher by approximately 1 percent to about $82 per share. This reflects updated assumptions for a slightly higher discount rate and richer future valuation multiples that more than offset trimmed revenue growth and profit margin expectations.
ECL
US$262.52
Ecolab
7D
-1.2%
1Y
13.2%

ECL: Rising Margins And Dividend Growth Will Support Resilient Returns

Analysts have nudged their price target on Ecolab slightly higher, with fair value rising about $0.40 to approximately $292 per share, citing expectations for continued operating margin expansion into 2026 and resilient above average returns on equity, despite a challenging macro backdrop for specialty chemicals. Analyst Commentary Street research remains constructive on Ecolab, with recent updates highlighting both upside drivers and lingering macro sensitivities that could influence the pace of multiple expansion and earnings growth.
RPM
US$104.00
RPM International
7D
-2.0%
1Y
-13.9%

RPM: Dividend Momentum And Cost Relief Will Shape Earnings Rerating Prospects

Analysts have lifted their price target on RPM International by $3 to $129, citing improved earnings leverage prospects and an expected rerating higher following recent stock price weakness and easing concerns around tariff and cost pressures. Analyst Commentary While the latest rating change reflects a more constructive stance on RPM International, the move comes after a period of notable share price retracement around the company’s most recent quarterly earnings.
SHW
US$324.03
Sherwin-Williams
7D
-0.4%
1Y
-3.7%

SHW: Premium Multiple Will Face Macro Headwinds Amid Cautious Earnings Outlook

Sherwin-Williams' analyst-derived fair value estimate has been raised by about $39 to approximately $317 per share, as analysts factor in modestly stronger long term revenue growth expectations and a higher forward P/E multiple. This comes even as they acknowledge a tougher macro environment and a slightly lower margin outlook highlighted in recent Street research.
EMN
US$63.83
Eastman Chemical
7D
0.5%
1Y
-28.0%

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.
FMC
US$13.87
FMC
7D
2.3%
1Y
-71.4%
DOW
US$23.38
Dow
7D
0.4%
1Y
-40.7%
ICL
US$5.71
ICL Group
7D
3.1%
1Y
12.8%
LYB
US$43.30
LyondellBasell Industries
7D
0.1%
1Y
-40.5%

LYB: Future Returns Will Be Driven By Improving Catalyst Segment Demand

Analysts have trimmed their price target on LyondellBasell Industries by about $2 to reflect a softer fair value outlook, citing weaker seasonal demand, slippage in commodity markets, and inconsistent industrial end markets that weigh on revenue growth and profit margin expectations, despite a modestly higher forward P E multiple. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research reflects a cautious stance on LyondellBasell Industries, with multiple firms trimming price targets as they recalibrate expectations for near term earnings and cash generation.
SMG
US$58.35
Scotts Miracle-Gro
7D
0.7%
1Y
-12.4%
ALB
US$141.44
Albemarle
7D
-5.7%
1Y
61.1%

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.
CTVA
US$67.03
Corteva
7D
-0.6%
1Y
19.8%

CTVA: Planned Seed And Pesticide Split Will Unlock Future Earnings Power

The analyst price target for Corteva has been nudged higher by approximately $0.05 to about $77.76, as analysts factor in a slightly lower discount rate and modestly improved long term growth expectations, despite broadly cautious sector commentary and recent target reductions. Analyst Commentary Street research on Corteva reflects a divided but generally constructive view, with price targets drifting lower but ratings remaining skewed toward positive as investors reassess the company’s post breakup trajectory and near term earnings backdrop.
LIN
US$426.39
Linde
7D
0.4%
1Y
3.1%

LIN: Defensive Profile And Buybacks Will Support Shares Into 2026

Linde's analyst price target has been trimmed modestly, falling from about $505.61 to $502.88 as analysts weigh the stock's defensive growth profile, slightly lower fair value multiple assumptions, and a challenging near term macro backdrop against expectations for earnings growth acceleration in 2026. Analyst Commentary Recent research updates present a mixed but generally constructive view on Linde, with analysts balancing its defensive growth profile against persistent macro and volume headwinds across key end markets.