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U.S. Chemicals Industry Analysis

UpdatedMay 05, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies129
  • 7D-2.2%
  • 3M4.2%
  • 1Y10.8%
  • YTD14.9%

Over the last 7 days, the Chemicals industry has dropped 2.2%, driven by a pullback from Linde of 3.4%. On the other hand Dow is actually up 6.5%. This takes the industry's 12 month performance to a gain of 11%. Looking forward, earnings are forecast to grow by 18% annually.

Industry Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Tue, 05 May 2026US$847.2bUS$358.1bUS$9.5b29.3x89.2x2.4x
Thu, 02 Apr 2026US$835.9bUS$357.0bUS$7.3b28.9x114.1x2.3x
Sat, 28 Feb 2026US$838.1bUS$356.9bUS$7.3b24x115.2x2.3x
Mon, 26 Jan 2026US$790.2bUS$372.0bUS$11.0b25.5x71.8x2.1x
Wed, 24 Dec 2025US$724.4bUS$371.7bUS$11.0b23.6x65.8x1.9x
Fri, 21 Nov 2025US$699.8bUS$371.7bUS$11.0b21.4x63.5x1.9x
Sun, 19 Oct 2025US$738.5bUS$367.8bUS$15.6b25.9x47.5x2x
Tue, 16 Sep 2025US$794.2bUS$367.7bUS$15.5b26.5x51.3x2.2x
Thu, 14 Aug 2025US$774.6bUS$367.8bUS$15.7b26.1x49.3x2.1x
Sat, 12 Jul 2025US$806.9bUS$376.6bUS$17.9b24x45x2.1x
Mon, 09 Jun 2025US$780.4bUS$378.4bUS$18.0b22.1x43.3x2.1x
Wed, 07 May 2025US$751.5bUS$378.6bUS$18.1b20.2x41.4x2x
Fri, 04 Apr 2025US$789.6bUS$380.9bUS$23.0b18.9x34.3x2.1x
Sun, 02 Mar 2025US$820.7bUS$380.6bUS$23.2b23.1x35.4x2.2x
Tue, 28 Jan 2025US$824.2bUS$384.4bUS$23.4b22.4x35.2x2.1x
Thu, 26 Dec 2024US$794.0bUS$384.3bUS$23.4b20.5x33.9x2.1x
Sat, 23 Nov 2024US$857.1bUS$384.3bUS$23.5b22.8x36.5x2.2x
Mon, 21 Oct 2024US$906.9bUS$388.6bUS$24.2b26.4x37.4x2.3x
Wed, 18 Sep 2024US$865.2bUS$383.8bUS$23.4b26.1x36.9x2.3x
Fri, 16 Aug 2024US$827.9bUS$384.5bUS$23.8b25.6x34.7x2.2x
Sun, 14 Jul 2024US$821.6bUS$379.9bUS$23.4b26.8x35.1x2.2x
Tue, 11 Jun 2024US$813.4bUS$377.3bUS$23.4b26.6x34.7x2.2x
Thu, 09 May 2024US$828.0bUS$377.7bUS$23.5b22.3x35.2x2.2x
Sat, 06 Apr 2024US$836.9bUS$384.6bUS$25.6b21.8x32.7x2.2x
Mon, 04 Mar 2024US$816.9bUS$384.5bUS$25.5b20x32.1x2.1x
Wed, 31 Jan 2024US$789.7bUS$397.4bUS$30.9b21.1x25.6x2x
Fri, 29 Dec 2023US$816.7bUS$398.4bUS$31.6b21.7x25.8x2x
Sun, 26 Nov 2023US$769.4bUS$398.8bUS$31.6b19.4x24.3x1.9x
Tue, 24 Oct 2023US$711.5bUS$412.0bUS$31.3b15.9x22.7x1.7x
Thu, 21 Sep 2023US$764.9bUS$412.0bUS$31.2b16.5x24.5x1.9x
Sat, 19 Aug 2023US$772.0bUS$412.0bUS$31.2b15.3x24.7x1.9x
Mon, 17 Jul 2023US$819.7bUS$444.3bUS$39.1b13.9x21x1.8x
Wed, 14 Jun 2023US$799.0bUS$444.6bUS$39.1b13x20.4x1.8x
Fri, 12 May 2023US$771.5bUS$444.6bUS$39.2b12.9x19.7x1.7x
Price to Earnings Ratio

19.7x


Total Market Cap: US$771.5bTotal Earnings: US$39.2bTotal Revenue: US$444.6bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Chemicals Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 47.5x202420252026
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 89.2x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 47.5x.
  • The industry is trading close to its 3-year average PS ratio of 2.4x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Chemicals industry have declined 38% per year over the last three years,
  • Revenues have also declined 7.0% 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 Market0.58%
Materials-3.56%
Chemicals-2.23%
Commodity Chemicals4.65%
Diversified Chemicals2.14%
Fertilizers and Agricultural Chemicals1.79%
Industrial Gases-2.92%
Specialty Chemicals-4.14%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Fertilizers and Agricultural Chemicals industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 23.2x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 11.7%, which is lower than the prior year's growth of 40.2% per year.
Forecasted Growth
  • Analysts are most optimistic on the Diversified Chemicals industry, expecting annual earnings growth of 68% over the next 5 years.
  • In contrast, the Industrial Gases industry is expected to see its earnings grow by 10% 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
DOW DowUS$40.586.5%
+US$1.8b		40.2%PS0.7x
LYB LyondellBasell IndustriesUS$76.047.1%
+US$1.6b		35.3%PS0.8x
CTVA CortevaUS$81.692.9%
+US$1.5b		30.9%PE46x
ESI Element SolutionsUS$42.806.0%
+US$592.4m		104.9%PE70.1x
EMN Eastman ChemicalUS$76.726.4%
+US$526.9m		0.7%PE22x

Latest News

LIN
US$493.55
Linde
7D
-3.4%
1Y
9.1%

Linde: A Great Business That's A Bit Too Expensive

May 05
LYB
US$76.04
LyondellBasell Industries
7D
7.1%
1Y
35.3%
EMN
US$76.72
Eastman Chemical
7D
6.4%
1Y
0.7%

Eastman Chemical: An Iran War Beneficiary

May 04
PPG
US$104.08
PPG Industries
7D
-5.6%
1Y
-5.6%
CTVA
US$81.69
Corteva
7D
2.9%
1Y
30.9%
AXTA
US$26.69
Axalta Coating Systems
7D
-9.3%
1Y
-19.8%

AXTA: Future Margin Expansion And Execution Should Drive Long Term Repricing

Axalta Coating Systems' analyst price target has been revised to $42.00, reflecting a modest reset as analysts factor in updated fair value estimates, a slightly lower assumed future P/E multiple, and recent target cuts from several major research firms partially offset by a few upward revisions. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Axalta Coating Systems shows a cluster of target resets, with several cuts from major firms partially balanced by a few higher targets earlier in the period.
DOW
US$40.58
Dow
7D
6.5%
1Y
40.2%

DOW: Tighter Polyethylene Supply And Leadership Transition Will Shape Balanced Outlook

Dow's Analyst Price Target has increased from $29.94 to $42.94 as analysts factor in tighter polyethylene supply, potential margin support, a slightly lower discount rate, adjusted revenue growth and profit margin assumptions, and a modestly reduced future P/E multiple. Analyst Commentary Recent research points to a cluster of price target changes and rating shifts around Dow, with many tied to tighter polyethylene supply, higher energy prices and conflict driven disruptions in the Middle East and Strait of Hormuz.
SHW
US$310.49
Sherwin-Williams
7D
-7.6%
1Y
-13.7%

Sherwin-Williams: Premium Valuation Meets Softening Demand Reality

May 01
CE
US$68.74
Celanese
7D
5.6%
1Y
53.5%
CF
US$125.89
CF Industries Holdings
7D
1.8%
1Y
55.6%
APD
US$298.35
Air Products and Chemicals
7D
-1.3%
1Y
9.6%
ESI
US$42.80
Element Solutions
7D
6.0%
1Y
104.9%
ECL
US$255.59
Ecolab
7D
-4.6%
1Y
0.2%
ALB
US$190.69
Albemarle
7D
-4.4%
1Y
229.1%

ALB: Lithium Price Recovery And Cost Discipline Will Drive Bullish Re Rating

Analysts have nudged Albemarle's implied fair value estimate higher, with the target moving from $230 to $245 as they factor in slightly stronger revenue growth expectations, a modestly higher profit margin outlook, and updated P/E assumptions following a series of recent target hikes and mixed rating changes across the Street. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Albemarle shows a cluster of higher price targets and selective upgrades, even as a few firms trim targets or ratings.
WLK
US$114.87
Westlake
7D
3.3%
1Y
46.9%

WLK: Buybacks Litigation Settlement And CFO Transition Will Shape Balanced Outlook

Analysts have adjusted their price target on Westlake to $121.29 from $117.07, citing updated assumptions around revenue growth, profit margins, and future P/E expectations. What's in the News Westlake appointed Jonathan H.
RPM
US$98.22
RPM International
7D
-6.4%
1Y
-10.7%

RPM: Mixed Earnings Visibility Will Test Cost Actions And Operating Leverage

RPM International's analyst price target is unchanged at $115, as analysts balance recent target increases of up to $10 with several modest cuts and slightly softer assumptions for revenue growth and profit margins. Analyst Commentary Recent research updates on RPM International reflect a mix of optimism and caution, with several price target revisions in both directions and one rating upgrade.