Investing IdeasBrowse All StocksMarkets
Have your own idea? Try our Stock Screener
Header cover image

U.S. Chemicals Industry Analysis

UpdatedMar 16, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies128
  • 7D0.6%
  • 3M14.6%
  • 1Y2.8%
  • YTD12.2%

The Chemicals industry has been flat over the last week, but Sherwin-Williams has lost 4.1%. Furthermore, the industry has been flat for the past year as well. As for the next few years, earnings are expected to grow by 21% per annum.

Industry Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Mon, 16 Mar 2026US$814.4bUS$357.1bUS$7.4b28.2x109.7x2.3x
Wed, 11 Feb 2026US$814.4bUS$371.7bUS$7.3b26.6x111.9x2.2x
Fri, 09 Jan 2026US$745.3bUS$371.9bUS$11.0b25.2x67.8x2x
Sun, 07 Dec 2025US$706.9bUS$371.7bUS$11.0b23.4x64.4x1.9x
Tue, 04 Nov 2025US$723.6bUS$370.0bUS$13.3b24.7x54.4x2x
Thu, 02 Oct 2025US$767.8bUS$367.8bUS$15.6b25.9x49.4x2.1x
Sat, 30 Aug 2025US$802.7bUS$367.6bUS$15.5b26.5x51.6x2.2x
Mon, 28 Jul 2025US$801.1bUS$375.9bUS$16.6b23.5x48.2x2.1x
Wed, 25 Jun 2025US$775.2bUS$378.4bUS$18.1b22.1x42.7x2x
Fri, 23 May 2025US$762.1bUS$378.5bUS$17.1b22.5x44.4x2x
Sun, 20 Apr 2025US$725.0bUS$380.8bUS$23.0b17.4x31.5x1.9x
Tue, 18 Mar 2025US$783.9bUS$379.3bUS$22.8b21.3x34.3x2.1x
Thu, 13 Feb 2025US$823.3bUS$382.6bUS$23.0b20.7x35.9x2.2x
Sat, 11 Jan 2025US$776.5bUS$384.4bUS$23.5b18.3x33.1x2x
Mon, 09 Dec 2024US$847.4bUS$384.3bUS$23.4b22.6x36.2x2.2x
Wed, 06 Nov 2024US$859.6bUS$386.8bUS$23.6b25.5x36.5x2.2x
Fri, 04 Oct 2024US$884.3bUS$381.7bUS$23.8b24.9x37.2x2.3x
Sun, 01 Sep 2024US$873.6bUS$383.7bUS$23.4b25.6x37.3x2.3x
Tue, 30 Jul 2024US$836.8bUS$379.4bUS$23.4b26.3x35.7x2.2x
Thu, 27 Jun 2024US$804.0bUS$377.3bUS$23.4b25.7x34.3x2.1x
Sat, 25 May 2024US$819.5bUS$377.3bUS$23.4b26.1x34.9x2.2x
Mon, 22 Apr 2024US$804.1bUS$384.5bUS$25.7b20.8x31.2x2.1x
Wed, 20 Mar 2024US$837.8bUS$384.6bUS$25.4b20.3x33x2.2x
Fri, 16 Feb 2024US$778.3bUS$387.5bUS$29.4b20x26.5x2x
Sun, 14 Jan 2024US$794.6bUS$398.8bUS$31.9b20.4x24.9x2x
Tue, 12 Dec 2023US$776.3bUS$398.4bUS$31.6b20.4x24.6x1.9x
Thu, 09 Nov 2023US$726.5bUS$399.3bUS$31.7b15.4x22.9x1.8x
Sat, 07 Oct 2023US$740.7bUS$412.0bUS$31.2b15.6x23.7x1.8x
Mon, 04 Sep 2023US$798.8bUS$412.0bUS$31.2b16.7x25.6x1.9x
Wed, 02 Aug 2023US$838.0bUS$437.7bUS$37.4b14.4x22.4x1.9x
Fri, 30 Jun 2023US$807.4bUS$444.5bUS$39.1b14.3x20.7x1.8x
Sun, 28 May 2023US$755.8bUS$444.6bUS$39.1b12.7x19.3x1.7x
Tue, 25 Apr 2023US$804.6bUS$452.2bUS$42.9b12.8x18.7x1.8x
Thu, 23 Mar 2023US$761.0bUS$452.1bUS$42.6b12.1x17.9x1.7x
Price to Earnings Ratio

17.9x


Total Market Cap: US$761.0bTotal Earnings: US$42.6bTotal Revenue: US$452.1bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Chemicals Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 43.2x202420252026
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 110x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 43.2x.
  • 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 44% per year over the last three years,
  • Revenues have also declined 7.6% 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-2.40%
Materials-3.42%
Chemicals0.59%
Commodity Chemicals5.22%
Fertilizers and Agricultural Chemicals4.98%
Diversified Chemicals2.89%
Industrial Gases2.73%
Specialty Chemicals-3.22%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Fertilizers and Agricultural Chemicals industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 19.8x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 12.9%, which is lower than the prior year's growth of 40.2% per year.
Forecasted Growth
  • Analysts are most optimistic on the Commodity Chemicals industry, expecting annual earnings growth of 67% over the next 5 years.
  • This is better than its past earnings decline of 16% per year.
  • In contrast, the Fertilizers and Agricultural Chemicals industry is expected to see its earnings grow by 13% 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$493.922.1%
+US$4.8b		7.3%PE33.2x
APD Air Products and ChemicalsUS$287.984.9%
+US$3.0b		-2.6%PS5.3x
CF CF Industries HoldingsUS$129.5716.7%
+US$2.8b		66.7%PE13.7x
LYB LyondellBasell IndustriesUS$72.308.2%
+US$1.8b		-3.8%PS0.8x
DOW DowUS$36.626.7%
+US$1.7b		-2.4%PS0.7x

Latest News

LYB
US$72.30
LyondellBasell Industries
7D
8.2%
1Y
-3.8%
LIN
US$493.92
Linde
7D
2.1%
1Y
7.3%
NEU
US$584.66
NewMarket
7D
-5.8%
1Y
9.7%
CF
US$129.57
CF Industries Holdings
7D
16.7%
1Y
66.7%

Low Carbon Ammonia And CCS Projects Will Support A Stronger Long Term Outlook

Catalysts About CF Industries Holdings CF Industries Holdings produces nitrogen based fertilizers and low carbon ammonia for agricultural and industrial customers worldwide. What are the underlying business or industry changes driving this perspective?
WLK
US$112.04
Westlake
7D
5.4%
1Y
4.0%

Three Pillar Plan And Housing Tailwinds Will Transform Earnings Quality

Catalysts About Westlake Westlake is a global producer of performance and essential materials and housing and infrastructure products that serve construction, industrial and municipal end markets. What are the underlying business or industry changes driving this perspective?
MOS
US$29.31
Mosaic
7D
8.9%
1Y
10.5%
ALB
US$158.22
Albemarle
7D
-6.7%
1Y
99.4%
APD
US$287.98
Air Products and Chemicals
7D
4.9%
1Y
-2.6%
PPG
US$101.89
PPG Industries
7D
-5.9%
1Y
-10.5%

PPG: Rising Margin Confidence And Cash Returns Will Support Bullish Outlook

The analyst fair value estimate for PPG Industries edges up to $125.75 from $125.30, reflecting Street price target increases across several firms as analysts update their models on discount rates, long run margin assumptions, and future P/E expectations. Analyst Commentary Street research around PPG Industries has been active, with a cluster of firms updating their models and target prices.
ECL
US$274.18
Ecolab
7D
-2.7%
1Y
8.9%

ECL: Upward Sector Catalysts And Buybacks Will Support Elevated Execution Risk

The updated analyst price target for Ecolab reflects a modest recalibration in our model. The fair value estimate of $321.86 is supported by slightly higher revenue growth assumptions, a lower discount rate, and broadly consistent profit margin and future P/E inputs that align with a recent wave of upward price target revisions from multiple research firms.
RPM
US$99.76
RPM International
7D
-2.8%
1Y
-14.1%

RPM: Cost Actions And Operating Leverage Will Support Earnings Through Temporary Headwinds

The analyst price target for RPM International is unchanged at $115, as analysts balance mixed recent price target revisions with slightly adjusted assumptions for discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin, and future P/E. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research around RPM International reflects a mix of optimism on earnings power and a series of price target trims that point to execution and valuation questions.
SHW
US$319.78
Sherwin-Williams
7D
-4.1%
1Y
-6.6%

SHW: Mixed Rating Resets And Active Capital Returns Will Shape Future Pricing Power

The updated analyst price target for Sherwin-Williams reflects a modest fair value adjustment of about $1. Analysts are factoring in slightly lower discount rate and revenue growth assumptions, a small trim to expected profit margins, and a marginally higher future P/E multiple following recent earnings and mixed, but active, target revisions across the Street.
CE
US$57.74
Celanese
7D
12.2%
1Y
-0.4%

CE: Expanded Technology Investments And Lower Multiple Assumptions Will Weigh On Future Upside

Analysts have reduced their price target on Celanese to $41.00. The change is primarily linked to updated assumptions on the discount rate, revenue trends, profit margin and future P/E.
IFF
US$69.61
International Flavors & Fragrances
7D
-4.9%
1Y
-15.2%
DOW
US$36.62
Dow
7D
6.7%
1Y
-2.4%
AXTA
US$27.59
Axalta Coating Systems
7D
-5.8%
1Y
-21.3%

AXTA: Fair Value View Balances Akzo Merger Uncertainty And Refinish Volume Headwinds

Axalta Coating Systems' analyst fair value estimate has shifted from $30.00 to $33.00 as analysts factor in a mix of recent price target increases from firms raising their views on the stock and fresh caution from others citing merger related uncertainty and auto refinish volume headwinds. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Axalta Coating Systems reflects a split view.