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U.S. Chemicals Industry Analysis

UpdatedAug 17, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies123
  • 7D-0.5%
  • 3M-0.3%
  • 1Y6.0%
  • YTD14.0%

Last week, the Chemicals industry hasn't moved much but Albemarle is up 3.8% in that time. The past year has been better, since the industry has gained 6.0% in that time. As for the next few years, earnings are expected to grow by 22% per annum.

Industry Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Mon, 17 Aug 2026US$804.6bUS$362.5bUS$11.1b27.8x72.4x2.2x
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
Price to Earnings Ratio

24.8x


Total Market Cap: US$773.2bTotal Earnings: US$31.2bTotal Revenue: US$412.0bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Chemicals Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 52.2x202420252026
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 72.4x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 52.2x.
  • The 3-year average PS ratio of 2.5x is higher than the industry's current PS ratio of 2.2x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Chemicals industry have declined 29% per year over the last three years,
  • Revenues have also declined 4.2% 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 Market0.63%
Materials-0.63%
Chemicals-0.50%
Commodity Chemicals3.90%
Diversified Chemicals3.06%
Fertilizers and Agricultural Chemicals0.32%
Industrial Gases-0.72%
Specialty Chemicals-1.38%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Fertilizers and Agricultural Chemicals industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 36.3x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 18.5%, which is lower than the prior year's growth of 22.2% per year.
Forecasted Growth
  • Analysts are most optimistic on the Diversified Chemicals industry, expecting annual earnings growth of 83% over the next 5 years.
  • In contrast, the Industrial Gases industry is expected to see its earnings grow by 18% 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
ALB AlbemarleUS$136.153.8%
+US$582.9m		63.9%PE279.8x
NEU NewMarketUS$961.925.7%
+US$477.7m		24.5%PE20.5x
SQM Sociedad Química y Minera de ChileUS$74.322.0%
+US$422.7m		61.1%PE26x
ESI Element SolutionsUS$38.814.1%
+US$375.3m		55.2%PE53x
SOLS Solstice Advanced MaterialsUS$62.653.9%
+US$370.1m		n/aPE47.4x

Latest News

ESI
US$38.81
Element Solutions
7D
4.1%
1Y
55.2%
LYB
US$63.76
LyondellBasell Industries
7D
1.8%
1Y
20.4%
NEU
US$961.92
NewMarket
7D
5.7%
1Y
24.5%
DOW
US$31.07
Dow
7D
1.6%
1Y
33.7%
ALB
US$136.15
Albemarle
7D
3.8%
1Y
63.9%
Seeking Alpha • Aug 14

Lithium At $20/Kg: Why Albemarle Still Has Room To Run

Summary Albemarle is now a focused lithium and bromine pure-play, following the divestiture of its catalyst business and balance sheet improvements. ALB holds world-class lithium assets, securing a low-cost position and structural advantages, with a robust balance sheet and $2.7 billion in liquidity. The current lithium price recovery and disciplined supply underpin a base case EBITDA of ~$2.5 billion, with further upside from Kings Mountain and DLE expansion. Despite an 8% CAGR target return, ALB offers significant operating leverage to lithium prices, making it a speculative buy for patient, risk-tolerant investors. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
SHW
US$359.10
Sherwin-Williams
7D
-1.0%
1Y
0.07%
ECL
US$276.11
Ecolab
7D
-2.9%
1Y
-1.4%
MOS
US$21.61
Mosaic
7D
-7.9%
1Y
-33.1%
RPM
US$113.82
RPM International
7D
-1.8%
1Y
-7.6%
CF
US$118.30
CF Industries Holdings
7D
-2.6%
1Y
40.1%
IFF
US$84.18
International Flavors & Fragrances
7D
-1.1%
1Y
28.9%
Narrative Update • Aug 06

IFF: Food Ingredients Sale And Buybacks Will Support Stronger 2026 Framework

For International Flavors & Fragrances, the analyst fair value estimate has moved modestly higher to about $94.82 from $91.66. This reflects updated views that emphasize improving profit margins and cash returns, while still recognizing more cautious revenue growth assumptions and a slightly higher future P/E expectation across recent research.
ICL
US$5.55
ICL Group
7D
3.9%
1Y
-11.3%
PPG
US$114.11
PPG Industries
7D
-1.2%
1Y
2.8%
SOLS
US$62.65
Solstice Advanced Materials
7D
3.9%
1Y
n/a
Narrative Update • Aug 04

SOLS: Element Solutions Deal Will Reshape Future Earnings And Cash Generation

Solstice Advanced Materials' analyst price target has been reset lower in this update, moving from about $87.67 to about $80.43 as analysts factor in a reduced future P/E multiple following the Element Solutions acquisition, even as they cite firmer revenue growth and profit margin assumptions. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Solstice Advanced Materials highlights a mix of optimism around the Element Solutions acquisition and core growth areas, alongside more cautious views on valuation and deal risk.
LIN
US$482.74
Linde
7D
-2.0%
1Y
0.9%
Seeking Alpha • Aug 03

Linde: My 'Not Cheap' Thesis Has Been True Since 2023

Summary Linde plc remains a 'Hold' due to excessive valuation, despite its world-class fundamentals and robust profitability. LIN trades at a 27x-30x P/E, requiring unrealistic growth or sector re-rating to justify current levels and deliver meaningful upside. Recent results show strong margins, cash generation, and backlog, but capital allocation—especially buybacks at high multiples—raises concerns. My fair value is $340/share, with a 15% annualized hurdle; current risk/reward is unattractive until a significant valuation correction. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
SQM
US$74.32
Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile
7D
2.0%
1Y
61.1%
Narrative Update • Aug 03

SQM: Future Returns Will Hinge On Lithium Volume Execution

The updated analyst price target for Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile increases by about $9 per share. Analysts attribute the change to revised fair value estimates, a slightly lower discount rate, expectations for stronger profit margins, and a lower future P/E.