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

U.S. Chemicals Industry Analysis

UpdatedJul 15, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies126
  • 7D-2.3%
  • 3M-1.6%
  • 1Y5.7%
  • YTD13.7%

Over the last 7 days, the Chemicals industry has dropped 2.3%, driven by a pullback from Linde of 2.9%. In contrast, LyondellBasell Industries has gained 7.2%. Over the past 12 months, the industry was up 5.7%. Earnings are forecast to grow by 17% annually.

Industry Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Wed, 15 Jul 2026US$824.3bUS$360.7bUS$11.9b25.6x69.2x2.3x
Fri, 12 Jun 2026US$807.8bUS$360.7bUS$11.6b28.1x69.5x2.2x
Sun, 10 May 2026US$832.6bUS$359.4bUS$12.0b21.8x69.6x2.3x
Tue, 07 Apr 2026US$838.7bUS$357.0bUS$7.3b29.1x114.4x2.3x
Thu, 05 Mar 2026US$826.2bUS$357.0bUS$7.3b23.5x112.4x2.3x
Sat, 31 Jan 2026US$788.8bUS$371.2bUS$9.5b23.6x83.1x2.1x
Mon, 29 Dec 2025US$727.2bUS$371.7bUS$11.0b23.9x66.1x2x
Wed, 26 Nov 2025US$708.8bUS$371.7bUS$11.0b22.7x64.5x1.9x
Fri, 24 Oct 2025US$747.3bUS$367.8bUS$15.6b26.4x48x2x
Sun, 21 Sep 2025US$779.9bUS$367.7bUS$15.5b26.8x50.2x2.1x
Tue, 19 Aug 2025US$788.5bUS$367.8bUS$15.7b24.6x50.3x2.1x
Thu, 17 Jul 2025US$783.5bUS$376.6bUS$18.0b22.7x43.6x2.1x
Sat, 14 Jun 2025US$786.2bUS$378.4bUS$18.1b21.7x43.4x2.1x
Mon, 12 May 2025US$754.7bUS$378.5bUS$17.2b21.4x43.9x2x
Wed, 09 Apr 2025US$695.6bUS$380.8bUS$23.0b16.5x30.3x1.8x
Fri, 07 Mar 2025US$809.6bUS$379.3bUS$22.8b22.1x35.5x2.1x
Sun, 02 Feb 2025US$825.9bUS$382.1bUS$23.3b23.5x35.5x2.2x
Tue, 31 Dec 2024US$787.8bUS$384.3bUS$23.4b20.4x33.6x2x
Thu, 28 Nov 2024US$866.0bUS$384.3bUS$23.5b22.7x36.9x2.3x
Sat, 26 Oct 2024US$883.6bUS$388.9bUS$24.1b25.9x36.6x2.3x
Mon, 23 Sep 2024US$866.7bUS$383.8bUS$23.4b25.3x37x2.3x
Wed, 21 Aug 2024US$844.1bUS$384.5bUS$23.8b25.2x35.4x2.2x
Fri, 19 Jul 2024US$839.5bUS$379.9bUS$23.4b27.8x35.8x2.2x
Sun, 16 Jun 2024US$807.5bUS$377.3bUS$23.4b25.9x34.5x2.1x
Tue, 14 May 2024US$830.1bUS$377.4bUS$23.5b22.7x35.3x2.2x
Thu, 11 Apr 2024US$845.9bUS$384.6bUS$25.6b21.8x33x2.2x
Sat, 09 Mar 2024US$831.2bUS$384.6bUS$25.4b20.8x32.8x2.2x
Mon, 05 Feb 2024US$788.7bUS$396.7bUS$30.8b21.1x25.6x2x
Wed, 03 Jan 2024US$809.5bUS$397.9bUS$31.5b21.7x25.7x2x
Fri, 01 Dec 2023US$764.6bUS$398.8bUS$31.6b19.1x24.2x1.9x
Sun, 29 Oct 2023US$709.5bUS$404.8bUS$30.7b15.2x23.1x1.8x
Tue, 26 Sep 2023US$755.1bUS$412.0bUS$31.2b14.7x24.2x1.8x
Thu, 24 Aug 2023US$773.2bUS$412.0bUS$31.2b15.2x24.8x1.9x
Sat, 22 Jul 2023US$829.6bUS$444.5bUS$39.1b14x21.2x1.9x
Price to Earnings Ratio

21.2x


Total Market Cap: US$829.6bTotal Earnings: US$39.1bTotal Revenue: US$444.5bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Chemicals Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 50.8x202420252026
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 69.2x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 50.8x.
  • The industry is trading close to its 3-year average PS ratio of 2.5x.
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 Market0.22%
Materials-0.81%
Chemicals-2.26%
Diversified Chemicals6.59%
Commodity Chemicals4.36%
Fertilizers and Agricultural Chemicals-0.053%
Industrial Gases-2.69%
Specialty Chemicals-3.67%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Fertilizers and Agricultural Chemicals industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 29.6x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 15.7%, which is higher than its past year's earnings growth of 9.6% per year.
Forecasted Growth
  • Analysts are most optimistic on the Commodity Chemicals industry, expecting annual earnings growth of 38% over the next 5 years.
  • This is better than its past earnings decline of 11% per year.
  • In contrast, the Diversified Chemicals industry is expected to see its earnings growth to stay flat over the next few years.

Top Stock Gainers and Losers

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

CompanyLast Price7D1YValuation
LYB LyondellBasell IndustriesUS$58.557.2%
+US$1.3b		-6.2%PS0.6x
DOW DowUS$30.315.8%
+US$1.2b		8.3%PS0.6x
CF CF Industries HoldingsUS$119.193.7%
+US$652.9m		24.3%PE10.4x
MOS MosaicUS$22.948.6%
+US$578.5m		-36.1%PE162x
ESI Element SolutionsUS$40.655.4%
+US$506.7m		68.0%PE66.6x

Latest News

LIN
US$522.54
Linde
7D
-2.9%
1Y
13.5%
DOW
US$30.31
Dow
7D
5.8%
1Y
8.3%
Narrative Update • Jul 13

DOW: Cost Savings And Tightening Supply Will Support Future Earnings Resilience

Analysts have trimmed their average fair value estimate for Dow to about $48 from $51, citing a wave of lower price targets across the Street as they factor in softer commodity chemicals pricing, easing oil related benefits, and more conservative long term P/E assumptions. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Dow shows a clear reset in price targets, but there are still several areas where bullish analysts see room for the stock to work, particularly around execution, cost control, and potential improvement in supply and pricing conditions.
RPM
US$102.43
RPM International
7D
-5.4%
1Y
-6.9%
Seeking Alpha • Jul 13

RPM International: Maintenance Demand And Wide Portfolio Offerings Support Growth

Summary RPM International earns a Buy rating, driven by resilient maintenance demand and system-based sales strategy. RPM’s exposure to asset maintenance and restoration reduces reliance on new construction cycles, supporting steady growth even in weak macro environments. The $75 million FY2027 savings program and cross-sell opportunities underpin margin expansion and earnings visibility. At 17.5x forward PE, RPM offers upside to $110–$122 per share, with further re-rating potential in a macro upswing. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
CF
US$119.19
CF Industries Holdings
7D
3.7%
1Y
24.3%
IFF
US$74.67
International Flavors & Fragrances
7D
-8.7%
1Y
1.4%
FTK
US$26.77
Flotek Industries
7D
19.5%
1Y
109.1%
ECL
US$269.75
Ecolab
7D
-4.7%
1Y
1.9%
Seeking Alpha • Jul 09

Ecolab: Data Center Growth Insufficient To Support 33x P/E Ratio

Summary Ecolab remains a hold as the current valuation of 33x forward earnings fully prices in near-term growth prospects. ECL's high-tech/data center vertical offers long-term potential, but current contributions are modest and could require substantial M&A capital deployment. Recent acquisitions like CoolIT Systems, at 8.6x forward revenues, are initially dilutive and highlight Ecolab's aggressive strategy to scale high-tech exposure. Organic growth in various Ecolab markets remains slow, making sustained EPS growth reliant on successful, accretive M&A execution. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
ESI
US$40.65
Element Solutions
7D
5.4%
1Y
68.0%
Narrative Update • Jul 08

ESI: Acquisition Premium And Synergy Plan Will Shape Bullish Forward Outlook

Analysts have nudged their price target for Element Solutions higher, with fair value moving from $47.30 to $48.88 as small tweaks to the discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin and future P/E assumptions flow through their models. What’s in the News for Element Solutions Solstice Advanced Materials agreed to acquire Element Solutions in a definitive cash and stock deal valued at about US$14.5b including assumed net debt.
SOLS
US$63.36
Solstice Advanced Materials
7D
2.0%
1Y
n/a
HUN
US$11.91
Huntsman
7D
8.6%
1Y
7.7%
MOS
US$22.94
Mosaic
7D
8.6%
1Y
-36.1%
Narrative Update • Jul 07

MOS: Sulfur And Phosphate Margin Reset Will Shape Balanced Return Potential

The updated analyst price target framework for Mosaic reflects a modest fair value adjustment from about $19.36 to roughly $19.98, as analysts factor in slightly less severe revenue pressure, firmer profit margin expectations, and a lower future P/E multiple informed by recent research that balances reduced Street targets with arguments for eventual margin recovery in phosphate fertilizers. Analyst Commentary Recent research around Mosaic highlights a split view, with some firms pointing to potential value in the stock while several bearish analysts stress ongoing risks tied to phosphate margins, sulfur costs, and broader fertilizer demand.
PPG
US$114.66
PPG Industries
7D
-4.6%
1Y
0.3%
LYB
US$58.55
LyondellBasell Industries
7D
7.2%
1Y
-6.2%
APD
US$299.40
Air Products and Chemicals
7D
-1.9%
1Y
4.4%
CTVA
US$84.91
Corteva
7D
-2.1%
1Y
17.8%
SHW
US$328.50
Sherwin-Williams
7D
-4.0%
1Y
-3.1%