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U.S. Chemicals Industry Analysis

UpdatedMay 29, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies126
  • 7D0.7%
  • 3M-1.7%
  • 1Y7.7%
  • YTD14.5%

Last week, the Chemicals industry hasn't moved much but Ecolab is up 4.0% in that time. The past year has been better, since the industry has gained 7.7% in that time. As for the next few years, earnings are expected to grow by 17% per annum.

Industry Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Fri, 29 May 2026US$833.0bUS$360.7bUS$11.6b26.8x71.6x2.3x
Sun, 26 Apr 2026US$851.2bUS$356.5bUS$7.0b29.6x121.1x2.4x
Tue, 24 Mar 2026US$787.1bUS$357.0bUS$7.5b26.4x105.2x2.2x
Thu, 19 Feb 2026US$838.0bUS$365.6bUS$8.1b23.9x104.1x2.3x
Sat, 17 Jan 2026US$779.8bUS$372.0bUS$11.0b23.2x70.8x2.1x
Mon, 15 Dec 2025US$719.0bUS$371.7bUS$11.0b24x65.5x1.9x
Wed, 12 Nov 2025US$710.6bUS$371.6bUS$11.0b23.3x64.8x1.9x
Fri, 10 Oct 2025US$761.6bUS$367.8bUS$15.6b25.7x49x2.1x
Sun, 07 Sep 2025US$788.9bUS$367.6bUS$15.5b26.9x50.8x2.1x
Tue, 05 Aug 2025US$756.0bUS$374.7bUS$15.1b24.1x50x2x
Thu, 03 Jul 2025US$795.6bUS$376.6bUS$17.9b23.7x44.4x2.1x
Sat, 31 May 2025US$770.5bUS$378.4bUS$18.1b22x42.7x2x
Mon, 28 Apr 2025US$737.0bUS$379.8bUS$21.7b19.2x34x1.9x
Wed, 26 Mar 2025US$786.9bUS$380.9bUS$23.0b20.5x34.1x2.1x
Fri, 21 Feb 2025US$825.9bUS$380.9bUS$22.9b22.2x36x2.2x
Sun, 19 Jan 2025US$817.6bUS$384.4bUS$23.4b23.2x34.9x2.1x
Tue, 17 Dec 2024US$825.9bUS$384.3bUS$23.4b22x35.2x2.1x
Thu, 14 Nov 2024US$849.1bUS$385.0bUS$23.7b23.9x35.8x2.2x
Sat, 12 Oct 2024US$890.6bUS$388.7bUS$24.2b26.6x36.8x2.3x
Mon, 09 Sep 2024US$832.8bUS$383.8bUS$23.4b25.4x35.5x2.2x
Wed, 07 Aug 2024US$811.8bUS$385.3bUS$24.2b24.9x33.5x2.1x
Fri, 05 Jul 2024US$798.3bUS$379.9bUS$23.4b25.3x34.1x2.1x
Sun, 02 Jun 2024US$827.0bUS$377.3bUS$23.4b25.9x35.3x2.2x
Tue, 30 Apr 2024US$806.2bUS$382.7bUS$26.3b21.3x30.6x2.1x
Thu, 28 Mar 2024US$854.7bUS$384.6bUS$25.4b22.1x33.7x2.2x
Sat, 24 Feb 2024US$811.5bUS$384.6bUS$25.5b19.6x31.8x2.1x
Mon, 22 Jan 2024US$783.8bUS$398.9bUS$31.7b20x24.7x2x
Wed, 20 Dec 2023US$808.4bUS$398.4bUS$31.6b22.1x25.6x2x
Fri, 17 Nov 2023US$762.4bUS$398.9bUS$31.7b18x24x1.9x
Sun, 15 Oct 2023US$739.1bUS$412.0bUS$31.2b15.6x23.7x1.8x
Tue, 12 Sep 2023US$783.3bUS$411.9bUS$31.2b15.4x25.1x1.9x
Thu, 10 Aug 2023US$790.6bUS$411.9bUS$30.8b15.9x25.7x1.9x
Sat, 08 Jul 2023US$803.3bUS$444.3bUS$39.1b14.5x20.6x1.8x
Mon, 05 Jun 2023US$777.6bUS$444.6bUS$39.1b13.3x19.9x1.7x
Price to Earnings Ratio

19.9x


Total Market Cap: US$777.6bTotal Earnings: US$39.1bTotal Revenue: US$444.6bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Chemicals Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 48.7x202420252026
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 71.6x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 48.7x.
  • 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 33% per year over the last three years,
  • Revenues have also declined 6.7% 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 Market1.83%
Materials3.32%
Chemicals0.67%
Diversified Chemicals5.44%
Specialty Chemicals3.26%
Fertilizers and Agricultural Chemicals1.46%
Commodity Chemicals-0.11%
Industrial Gases-2.40%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Fertilizers and Agricultural Chemicals industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 25.3x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 14.7%, which is higher than its past year's earnings growth of 9.6% per year.
Forecasted Growth
  • Analysts are most optimistic on the Diversified Chemicals industry, expecting annual earnings growth of 75% over the next 5 years.
  • In contrast, the Industrial Gases industry is expected to see its earnings grow by 9.8% 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
ECL EcolabUS$260.254.0%
+US$2.8b		-1.5%PE34.8x
PPG PPG IndustriesUS$112.865.8%
+US$1.4b		1.4%PE15.9x
SQM Sociedad Química y Minera de ChileUS$84.056.0%
+US$1.4b		167.2%PE29.4x
CTVA CortevaUS$80.602.0%
+US$1.0b		15.6%PE43.1x
RPM RPM InternationalUS$106.917.8%
+US$982.7m		-6.0%PE20.6x

Latest News

APD
US$278.62
Air Products and Chemicals
7D
-3.7%
1Y
-0.1%
Seeking Alpha • 9h

Air Products and Chemicals: Hormuz Strait And CapEx Discipline In Focus (Rating Downgrade)

Summary Air Products and Chemicals shifts from a buy to a hold as return/risk profile normalizes. The rating adjustment is based on a few key changes both in terms of geopolitics and operating updates from its FQ2 earnings report. APD’s FQ2 2026 earnings beat expectations, but helium supply risks persist with the uncertainties in the Hormuz Strait. Valuation has become less attractive in the meantime: FWD P/E discount has narrowed to 10% below the 5-year average, and the dividend yield has compressed to 2.51%. On the positive side, CapEx discipline is taking hold, with CapEx more focused on core projects and efficiency improvements. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
ECL
US$256.00
Ecolab
7D
1.1%
1Y
-3.6%
SHW
US$303.84
Sherwin-Williams
7D
-1.7%
1Y
-15.3%
CTVA
US$78.28
Corteva
7D
-1.6%
1Y
10.6%
Seeking Alpha • May 28

Corteva: Two Businesses, One Price

Summary Corteva, Inc. (CTVA) is rated Hold due to valuation concerns ahead of its planned separation into Vylor (Seed) and New Corteva (Crop Protection). DCF analysis implies a share price of $51.95, significantly below the current market price, while SOTP multiples suggest higher value, primarily from Vylor's premium profile. Seed/Vylor is higher-margin and more defensible, while Crop Protection/New Corteva faces cyclical and competitive pressures, impacting future standalone multiples. Key risks include execution of the separation, realization of valuation premiums, and segment-specific challenges such as Vylor's market share and New Corteva's pricing pressure. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
LIN
US$497.69
Linde
7D
-3.8%
1Y
6.4%
SQM
US$85.87
Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile
7D
7.1%
1Y
182.2%
MOS
US$23.90
Mosaic
7D
6.2%
1Y
-33.9%
Seeking Alpha • May 27

Mosaic: A Buy On Recent Share Price Dip And Positive External Fundamentals (Rating Upgrade)

Summary Mosaic Company (MOS) is rated a buy as current fertilizer shortages and lower demand create a near-term buying opportunity ahead of expected market normalization. MOS faces several weak quarters potentially, due to reduced potash and phosphate demand, but I anticipate a rebound as fertilizer supplies recover and planting activity resumes. Despite a Q1 net loss of $258 million and ongoing profitability challenges, MOS maintains manageable debt and interest expenses, supporting long-term viability. The market now prices in MOS-specific risks, and I plan to add incrementally if shares decline further, banking on improved fundamentals post-crisis. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
DOW
US$33.75
Dow
7D
-6.3%
1Y
21.7%
SOLS
US$84.23
Solstice Advanced Materials
7D
3.0%
1Y
n/a
Seeking Alpha • May 26

Solstice: Expectations Run Hot

Summary Solstice, a recent Honeywell spin-off, delivered robust Q1 results with 10% sales growth and strong performance in refrigerants and nuclear segments. Despite healthy fundamentals and nuclear growth prospects, Solstice trades at a stretched 30x earnings multiple after a >60% YTD rally. Capital spending is set to outpace depreciation, with $400–$425 million planned in 2024, reflecting aggressive investment in growth initiatives. I remain cautious on Solstice due to elevated valuation, rising corporate costs, and the risk that current enthusiasm, especially around nuclear, may be overextended. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
LYB
US$66.65
LyondellBasell Industries
7D
-4.4%
1Y
18.0%
ESI
US$42.43
Element Solutions
7D
4.1%
1Y
98.5%
PPG
US$112.98
PPG Industries
7D
4.8%
1Y
2.0%
CF
US$112.35
CF Industries Holdings
7D
-7.7%
1Y
23.9%
Seeking Alpha • May 22

CF Industries: The Fertilizer Rally Is Far From Over

Summary CF Industries benefits from a structurally tight nitrogen fertilizer market, driven by geopolitical disruptions and limited new capacity until 2030. CF's North American asset base and low-cost position provide a competitive advantage as global supply remains constrained, supporting elevated pricing. With natural gas feedstock costs down 11% y/y and robust production, Q2 is poised for strong results, with EPS projected at $5.83 versus street at $5.61. I target 29% upside to $156 (7x EV/EBITDA), as CF's higher growth and margins versus peers should close the current valuation gap. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
RPM
US$105.97
RPM International
7D
5.0%
1Y
-6.9%
Narrative Update • May 21

RPM: Operating Leverage And Cost Actions Are Expected To Support Upside

RPM International's analyst price target has edged higher by about $0.43 to $128.07, as analysts update their models to reflect modest adjustments in growth, margin and discount rate assumptions, following a mix of recent target raises and trims across the Street. Analyst Commentary Recent research on RPM International reflects a mix of optimism and caution, with several firms adjusting price targets up and down over a short period.
WLK
US$86.83
Westlake
7D
-2.0%
1Y
22.2%
ALB
US$176.42
Albemarle
7D
2.8%
1Y
216.4%