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U.S. Chemicals Industry Analysis

UpdatedAug 26, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies122
  • 7D1.7%
  • 3M-0.5%
  • 1Y5.2%
  • YTD14.5%

In the last week, the Chemicals industry is up 1.7%, with Linde leading the way, up 1.8%. In the last 12 months, the industry was up 5.2%. Earnings are forecast to grow by 22% annually.

Industry Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Wed, 26 Aug 2026US$811.6bUS$364.0bUS$11.7b23.9x69.4x2.2x
Fri, 24 Jul 2026US$821.3bUS$360.7bUS$11.9b25.2x69x2.3x
Sun, 21 Jun 2026US$826.8bUS$360.7bUS$11.6b26.5x71.1x2.3x
Tue, 19 May 2026US$828.6bUS$360.0bUS$11.4b26.3x72.5x2.3x
Thu, 16 Apr 2026US$846.5bUS$357.2bUS$7.3b29.1x116.6x2.4x
Sat, 14 Mar 2026US$818.9bUS$357.1bUS$7.4b28.2x110.3x2.3x
Mon, 09 Feb 2026US$807.4bUS$371.5bUS$7.3b25.4x111.2x2.2x
Wed, 07 Jan 2026US$737.2bUS$371.9bUS$11.0b24.9x67x2x
Fri, 05 Dec 2025US$716.6bUS$371.7bUS$11.0b23x65.3x1.9x
Sun, 02 Nov 2025US$724.5bUS$370.0bUS$13.3b24.7x54.4x2x
Tue, 30 Sep 2025US$764.7bUS$367.7bUS$15.5b25.8x49.2x2.1x
Thu, 28 Aug 2025US$801.7bUS$367.6bUS$15.5b27x51.6x2.2x
Sat, 26 Jul 2025US$795.7bUS$376.7bUS$17.9b24x44.5x2.1x
Mon, 23 Jun 2025US$759.4bUS$378.4bUS$18.1b21.4x41.9x2x
Wed, 21 May 2025US$774.9bUS$378.5bUS$17.1b22.9x45.2x2x
Fri, 18 Apr 2025US$717.6bUS$380.8bUS$23.0b17.4x31.2x1.9x
Sun, 16 Mar 2025US$783.9bUS$379.3bUS$22.8b21.4x34.3x2.1x
Tue, 11 Feb 2025US$812.6bUS$382.4bUS$22.7b21x35.9x2.1x
Thu, 09 Jan 2025US$775.0bUS$384.4bUS$23.5b19.1x33x2x
Sat, 07 Dec 2024US$846.8bUS$384.3bUS$23.4b22.6x36.1x2.2x
Mon, 04 Nov 2024US$854.8bUS$386.7bUS$24.5b24.4x34.9x2.2x
Wed, 02 Oct 2024US$890.7bUS$381.8bUS$23.8b25.4x37.5x2.3x
Fri, 30 Aug 2024US$861.0bUS$383.8bUS$23.4b25.5x36.7x2.2x
Sun, 28 Jul 2024US$836.8bUS$379.4bUS$23.4b27.4x35.7x2.2x
Tue, 25 Jun 2024US$815.6bUS$377.3bUS$23.4b25.8x34.8x2.2x
Thu, 23 May 2024US$832.5bUS$377.3bUS$23.4b26x35.5x2.2x
Sat, 20 Apr 2024US$804.5bUS$384.6bUS$25.6b20.6x31.4x2.1x
Mon, 18 Mar 2024US$837.9bUS$384.6bUS$25.4b20x33x2.2x
Wed, 14 Feb 2024US$774.8bUS$388.9bUS$31.6b18.4x24.5x2x
Fri, 12 Jan 2024US$795.9bUS$398.8bUS$31.9b20.3x24.9x2x
Sun, 10 Dec 2023US$770.6bUS$398.4bUS$31.6b19.6x24.4x1.9x
Tue, 07 Nov 2023US$744.7bUS$401.7bUS$29.4b16.1x25.3x1.9x
Thu, 05 Oct 2023US$741.4bUS$412.0bUS$31.2b15.6x23.7x1.8x
Sat, 02 Sep 2023US$798.8bUS$412.0bUS$31.2b16.7x25.6x1.9x
Price to Earnings Ratio

25.6x


Total Market Cap: US$798.8bTotal Earnings: US$31.2bTotal Revenue: US$412.0bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Chemicals Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 52.6x202420252026
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 69.4x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 52.6x.
  • 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 28% per year over the last three years,
  • Revenues have also declined 4.0% 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-0.31%
Materials6.39%
Chemicals1.66%
Fertilizers and Agricultural Chemicals6.96%
Specialty Chemicals1.60%
Industrial Gases1.41%
Commodity Chemicals-3.22%
Diversified Chemicals-3.46%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Fertilizers and Agricultural Chemicals industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 41.0x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 18.6%, 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 80% 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
LIN LindeUS$487.201.8%
+US$3.9b		1.1%PE31x
CTVA CortevaUS$83.056.6%
+US$3.4b		12.3%PE51.1x
ECL EcolabUS$289.543.4%
+US$2.7b		3.7%PE38.4x
IFF International Flavors & FragrancesUS$87.167.6%
+US$1.6b		30.6%PS2.1x
SQM Sociedad Química y Minera de ChileUS$79.216.4%
+US$1.4b		73.4%PE16.3x

Latest News

IFF
US$87.16
International Flavors & Fragrances
7D
7.6%
1Y
30.6%
LYB
US$62.55
LyondellBasell Industries
7D
-4.3%
1Y
10.5%
Seeking Alpha • Aug 25

LyondellBasell: Less Generous And Smaller, But In A Better State Now (Rating Upgrade)

Summary LyondellBasell Industries is upgraded to a buy, reflecting a more competitive infrastructure base and favorable market positioning. LYB's EBITDA margins surged from 9% to 23% due to cost optimization and Middle East supply disruptions, with further upside on the cards as Bayport resumes. At a forward 6.25x EBITDA multiple and projected 111% YoY EBITDA growth, LYB offers superior value and growth versus DOW. Despite a dividend cut, LYB maintains a 4.1% yield, backed by robust cash coverage. LYB looks like a promising mean reversion bet within the materials universe and is benefiting from reasonably strong momentum cues. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
CTVA
US$83.05
Corteva
7D
6.6%
1Y
12.3%
DOW
US$30.16
Dow
7D
-3.3%
1Y
21.9%
Narrative Update • Aug 24

DOW: Macro Reset And Nuclear Power Projects Will Support Future Earnings Resilience

Dow's updated analyst price target now sits near $44.62, down from $48.00, as analysts factor in softer revenue growth expectations, a lower future P/E multiple, and mixed sector commentary on commodity chemicals and polyethylene pricing. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Dow shows a wide range of views, but several bullish analysts still see upside potential despite reduced price targets.
ECL
US$289.54
Ecolab
7D
3.4%
1Y
3.7%
MOS
US$24.27
Mosaic
7D
14.8%
1Y
-27.1%
SQM
US$79.21
Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile
7D
6.4%
1Y
73.4%
Analysis Article • Aug 22

Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. (NYSE:SQM) Exceeded Expectations And The Analyst Consensus Has Been Reviewing Its Models

Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. ( NYSE:SQM ) just released its second-quarter report and things are looking...
SOLS
US$55.54
Solstice Advanced Materials
7D
-7.6%
1Y
n/a
ESI
US$35.50
Element Solutions
7D
-4.8%
1Y
38.3%
WLK
US$74.80
Westlake
7D
-3.5%
1Y
-13.2%
SHW
US$350.45
Sherwin-Williams
7D
1.5%
1Y
-4.4%
NGVT
US$69.05
Ingevity
7D
-6.7%
1Y
21.2%
FUL
US$57.01
H.B. Fuller
7D
-4.8%
1Y
-7.5%
RPM
US$106.79
RPM International
7D
-3.4%
1Y
-14.9%
CF
US$127.26
CF Industries Holdings
7D
6.3%
1Y
46.9%
LIN
US$487.20
Linde
7D
1.8%
1Y
1.1%
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