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U.S. Chemicals Industry Analysis

UpdatedJun 18, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies128
  • 7D2.5%
  • 3M3.6%
  • 1Y8.3%
  • YTD14.2%

Over the last 7 days, the Chemicals industry has risen 1.7%, driven by gains in Ecolab and Linde of 4.7% and 1.3%, respectively. Meanwhile, Dow actually underperformed within the industry, shrinking 5.1% in the last week. This means that the industry has gained 8.8% over the past year. 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
Thu, 18 Jun 2026US$834.5bUS$360.7bUS$11.6b26.6x71.8x2.3x
Sat, 16 May 2026US$839.9bUS$360.0bUS$11.4b23.8x73.4x2.3x
Mon, 13 Apr 2026US$846.2bUS$357.2bUS$7.3b29.5x116.6x2.4x
Wed, 11 Mar 2026US$809.5bUS$357.1bUS$7.5b25.8x108x2.3x
Fri, 06 Feb 2026US$819.8bUS$371.1bUS$7.5b24.9x109.8x2.2x
Sun, 04 Jan 2026US$729.9bUS$371.7bUS$11.0b23.7x66.3x2x
Tue, 02 Dec 2025US$725.3bUS$371.7bUS$11.0b23x66.1x2x
Thu, 30 Oct 2025US$755.0bUS$371.2bUS$15.9b26.7x47.6x2x
Sat, 27 Sep 2025US$758.1bUS$367.7bUS$15.5b25.9x48.8x2.1x
Mon, 25 Aug 2025US$807.5bUS$367.6bUS$15.5b26.9x52x2.2x
Wed, 23 Jul 2025US$794.1bUS$376.6bUS$17.8b23.3x44.6x2.1x
Fri, 20 Jun 2025US$763.8bUS$378.4bUS$18.1b21.4x42.1x2x
Sun, 18 May 2025US$775.3bUS$378.5bUS$17.2b23.2x45.2x2x
Tue, 15 Apr 2025US$720.0bUS$380.8bUS$23.0b18x31.3x1.9x
Thu, 13 Mar 2025US$789.2bUS$379.3bUS$22.8b21.3x34.5x2.1x
Sat, 08 Feb 2025US$825.2bUS$382.4bUS$22.7b21x36.4x2.2x
Mon, 06 Jan 2025US$771.8bUS$384.3bUS$23.4b19.9x32.9x2x
Wed, 04 Dec 2024US$871.2bUS$384.3bUS$23.4b22.8x37.2x2.3x
Fri, 01 Nov 2024US$856.7bUS$386.7bUS$24.7b24.3x34.7x2.2x
Sun, 29 Sep 2024US$895.1bUS$383.8bUS$23.4b26x38.2x2.3x
Tue, 27 Aug 2024US$857.5bUS$383.8bUS$23.4b25.5x36.6x2.2x
Thu, 25 Jul 2024US$831.6bUS$379.9bUS$23.6b27.2x35.3x2.2x
Sat, 22 Jun 2024US$811.3bUS$377.3bUS$23.4b25.8x34.6x2.1x
Mon, 20 May 2024US$832.8bUS$377.3bUS$23.4b26.3x35.5x2.2x
Wed, 17 Apr 2024US$808.0bUS$384.6bUS$25.6b20.7x31.6x2.1x
Fri, 15 Mar 2024US$845.9bUS$384.6bUS$25.4b20.8x33.3x2.2x
Sun, 11 Feb 2024US$776.7bUS$388.6bUS$31.5b20.3x24.7x2x
Tue, 09 Jan 2024US$803.3bUS$398.8bUS$31.9b20.8x25.2x2x
Thu, 07 Dec 2023US$762.9bUS$398.4bUS$31.6b19.8x24.1x1.9x
Sat, 04 Nov 2023US$744.7bUS$401.8bUS$29.4b16.2x25.3x1.9x
Mon, 02 Oct 2023US$750.7bUS$411.9bUS$31.2b15.8x24.1x1.8x
Wed, 30 Aug 2023US$792.0bUS$412.0bUS$31.2b16.3x25.4x1.9x
Fri, 28 Jul 2023US$838.2bUS$440.1bUS$37.9b13.9x22.1x1.9x
Sun, 25 Jun 2023US$782.6bUS$444.6bUS$39.1b13.1x20x1.8x
Price to Earnings Ratio

20x


Total Market Cap: US$782.6bTotal Earnings: US$39.1bTotal Revenue: US$444.6bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Chemicals Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 49.6x202420252026
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 72.2x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 49.6x.
  • 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 Market1.98%
Materials6.33%
Chemicals2.50%
Specialty Chemicals4.80%
Fertilizers and Agricultural Chemicals2.41%
Industrial Gases1.43%
Commodity Chemicals-3.50%
Diversified Chemicals-8.25%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Fertilizers and Agricultural Chemicals industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 27.1x.
    • 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 78% 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
ECL EcolabUS$269.064.7%
+US$3.4b		3.4%PE36x
LIN LindeUS$515.851.3%
+US$3.1b		12.5%PE33.7x
SQM Sociedad Química y Minera de ChileUS$82.9911.8%
+US$2.5b		150.6%PE29.1x
SHW Sherwin-WilliamsUS$313.803.3%
+US$2.4b		-5.3%PE29.6x
ALB AlbemarleUS$166.5613.1%
+US$2.3b		180.4%PS3.6x

Latest News

HUN
US$12.73
Huntsman
7D
-10.5%
1Y
21.8%
ECL
US$269.06
Ecolab
7D
4.7%
1Y
3.4%
ICL
US$5.24
ICL Group
7D
-4.7%
1Y
-22.6%
DOW
US$32.50
Dow
7D
-5.1%
1Y
14.0%
Analysis Article • 10h

Dow (DOW) Stock Could Be 22.7% Undervalued After Xylem Water Reuse Deal

Dow stock reacts to new water sustainability agreement Dow (DOW) is in focus after Xylem Inc. agreed to design, build and operate advanced water treatment and reuse systems at Dow’s Fort Saskatchewan industrial complex in Alberta, Canada. See our latest analysis for Dow. Despite the sustainability focus of the new Xylem agreement and recent conference appearances, Dow’s share price has eased in the short term, with a 30-day share price return down 14.9%, while the 1-year total shareholder...
LIN
US$515.85
Linde
7D
1.3%
1Y
12.5%
Analysis Article • Jun 17

Linde (LIN) Stock Could Be 4.9% Undervalued As Space Launch Demand Draws Attention

Fresh analyst commentary on Linde (LIN) highlights its role in supplying industrial gases to the growing commercial space launch market, with expectations of a modest positive contribution to annual volume growth. See our latest analysis for Linde. Linde’s recent analyst attention around commercial space launch activity comes on top of strong share price momentum, with a roughly 21% year to date share price return and a 5 year total shareholder return close to 91%, suggesting that interest...
SHW
US$313.80
Sherwin-Williams
7D
3.3%
1Y
-5.3%
Narrative Update • Jun 17

SHW: Housing And Raw Material Headwinds Will Test Future Pricing Power

The analyst price target for Sherwin-Williams has been reduced by about $15 as analysts weigh lower fair value and P/E assumptions against updated expectations for revenue growth and profit margins in a more challenging housing and raw materials backdrop. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Sherwin-Williams highlights a mix of optimism and caution, with several firms adjusting price targets and ratings as they reassess valuation, housing exposure and raw material pressures.
LYB
US$61.81
LyondellBasell Industries
7D
-5.1%
1Y
5.4%
Narrative Update • Jun 16

LYB: Dividend Reset And Polyethylene Pricing Will Shape Future Share Performance

Analysts have increased their fair value estimate for LyondellBasell Industries stock from $38.00 to $63.00, citing updated views on polyethylene pricing, earnings normalization for chemicals, and revised P/E assumptions that are reflected in recent Street price target changes. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on LyondellBasell Industries highlights a mix of optimism around polyethylene pricing and chemicals earnings, alongside more cautious views that focus on how long current conditions can last and what investors may be willing to pay for the stock.
WLK
US$83.48
Westlake
7D
-4.2%
1Y
17.3%
SXT
US$111.05
Sensient Technologies
7D
-7.3%
1Y
15.2%
Narrative Update • Jun 16

SXT: Fair Outlook Balances Higher EPS Guidance With Execution And Margin Risks

The analyst fair value estimate for Sensient Technologies has been updated from $95 to $124, reflecting a revised view on revenue, profit margin and long-term P/E assumptions that aligns with the more constructive stance recently outlined by analysts in Street research. Analyst Commentary on Sensient Technologies Stock Recent Street research around Sensient Technologies has centered on reassessing fair value in light of updated expectations for revenue, margins and long term P/E assumptions.
SQM
US$82.99
Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile
7D
11.8%
1Y
150.6%
CTVA
US$77.37
Corteva
7D
3.9%
1Y
4.4%
Narrative Update • Jun 14

CTVA: Upcoming Spin Focused On Seed And Crop Protection Will Reshape Earnings Mix

Corteva's updated analyst price target edges higher by about $0.14 to roughly $90.05, as analysts refine their assumptions around revenue growth, profit margins and future P/E in light of recent target increases across the Street for the upcoming spin focused on seed and crop protection businesses. Analyst Commentary Recent research updates around Corteva cluster around the upcoming spin of its seed and crop protection businesses, with a series of higher price targets reflecting refreshed views on growth, execution and valuation for what some refer to as "New Corteva." Bullish analysts point to recalibrated assumptions on revenue, margins and P/E, while more cautious voices focus on whether the standalone company can consistently deliver against those expectations once separated.
ALB
US$166.56
Albemarle
7D
13.1%
1Y
180.4%
Narrative Update • Jun 13

ALB: Elevated Lithium Optimism Will Likely Pressure Future Share Returns

Albemarle's updated analyst price target rises by about $5 to $131, as analysts highlight higher long term volume potential, tighter lithium operating rates and a shift to a richer 17.8x future P/E multiple, despite more conservative assumptions for revenue growth and profit margins. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Albemarle reflects a mix of optimism around long term lithium volume potential and more guarded views on how much of this is already reflected in the stock price.
NEU
US$763.57
NewMarket
7D
-7.3%
1Y
17.7%
ESI
US$45.25
Element Solutions
7D
14.6%
1Y
111.7%
Narrative Update • Jun 07

ESI: Upcoming Analyst Day And Updated Assumptions Will Support Future Upside

Analysts have raised their price target for Element Solutions from $40.10 to $47.30, citing updated assumptions for revenue growth, profit margins and a lower implied future P/E multiple as key factors behind the change. What's in the News Element Solutions plans to hold an Analyst/Investor Day, giving you a closer look at the business, capital allocation priorities and updates on long term objectives.
CF
US$105.85
CF Industries Holdings
7D
-3.1%
1Y
5.5%
SOLS
US$85.14
Solstice Advanced Materials
7D
9.6%
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