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U.S. Chemicals Industry Analysis

UpdatedAug 07, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies123
  • 7D-0.2%
  • 3M-0.8%
  • 1Y9.6%
  • YTD14.1%

Last week, the Chemicals industry hasn't moved much but Sherwin-Williams is up 5.4% in that time. The past year has been better, since the industry has gained 9.6% in that time. Looking forward, earnings are forecast to grow by 21% annually.

Industry Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Fri, 07 Aug 2026US$804.6bUS$361.6bUS$10.4b26.9x77.1x2.2x
Sun, 05 Jul 2026US$855.5bUS$360.7bUS$11.9b25.9x71.9x2.4x
Tue, 02 Jun 2026US$820.9bUS$360.7bUS$11.6b26.4x70.6x2.3x
Thu, 30 Apr 2026US$841.6bUS$357.5bUS$7.0b30.2x120.7x2.4x
Sat, 28 Mar 2026US$827.4bUS$357.0bUS$7.5b27.4x110.2x2.3x
Mon, 23 Feb 2026US$841.7bUS$358.5bUS$8.4b28.6x100.6x2.3x
Wed, 21 Jan 2026US$775.5bUS$372.0bUS$11.0b22.6x70.4x2.1x
Fri, 19 Dec 2025US$719.1bUS$371.7bUS$11.0b23.6x65.5x1.9x
Sun, 16 Nov 2025US$712.3bUS$371.6bUS$11.0b22.9x64.8x1.9x
Tue, 14 Oct 2025US$733.0bUS$367.8bUS$15.6b25.3x47.1x2x
Thu, 11 Sep 2025US$784.1bUS$367.7bUS$15.5b25.6x50.6x2.1x
Sat, 09 Aug 2025US$763.4bUS$368.0bUS$15.8b24.2x48.3x2.1x
Mon, 07 Jul 2025US$805.6bUS$376.6bUS$17.9b23.8x44.9x2.1x
Wed, 04 Jun 2025US$767.3bUS$378.4bUS$18.0b21.9x42.5x2x
Fri, 02 May 2025US$752.7bUS$379.1bUS$21.5b18.8x35.1x2x
Sun, 30 Mar 2025US$773.7bUS$380.9bUS$23.0b19.4x33.6x2x
Tue, 25 Feb 2025US$812.4bUS$380.9bUS$23.5b21.3x34.6x2.1x
Thu, 23 Jan 2025US$827.3bUS$384.4bUS$23.4b22.7x35.3x2.2x
Sat, 21 Dec 2024US$783.0bUS$384.3bUS$23.4b20.4x33.4x2x
Mon, 18 Nov 2024US$841.3bUS$385.1bUS$23.8b23.6x35.3x2.2x
Wed, 16 Oct 2024US$899.2bUS$388.7bUS$24.2b26.4x37.2x2.3x
Fri, 13 Sep 2024US$846.7bUS$383.8bUS$23.4b25.4x36.1x2.2x
Sun, 11 Aug 2024US$824.4bUS$384.5bUS$23.8b24.6x34.6x2.1x
Tue, 09 Jul 2024US$796.4bUS$379.9bUS$23.4b25.3x34x2.1x
Thu, 06 Jun 2024US$815.4bUS$377.3bUS$23.4b26.9x34.8x2.2x
Sat, 04 May 2024US$803.4bUS$378.3bUS$23.8b22.2x33.8x2.1x
Mon, 01 Apr 2024US$854.5bUS$384.6bUS$25.6b22x33.4x2.2x
Wed, 28 Feb 2024US$807.4bUS$384.6bUS$25.5b19.6x31.7x2.1x
Fri, 26 Jan 2024US$778.3bUS$399.0bUS$31.7b20.4x24.5x2x
Sun, 24 Dec 2023US$811.0bUS$398.4bUS$31.6b21.7x25.7x2x
Tue, 21 Nov 2023US$763.5bUS$398.8bUS$31.6b19.4x24.1x1.9x
Thu, 19 Oct 2023US$734.5bUS$412.0bUS$31.2b15.3x23.5x1.8x
Sat, 16 Sep 2023US$775.9bUS$412.0bUS$31.2b15.5x24.9x1.9x
Mon, 14 Aug 2023US$789.2bUS$412.0bUS$31.2b15.3x25.3x1.9x
Price to Earnings Ratio

25.3x


Total Market Cap: US$789.2bTotal Earnings: US$31.2bTotal Revenue: US$412.0bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Chemicals Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 51.7x202420252026
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 77.1x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 51.7x.
  • 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 31% 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 Market3.47%
Materials2.89%
Chemicals-0.21%
Specialty Chemicals4.74%
Commodity Chemicals1.61%
Industrial Gases-2.87%
Fertilizers and Agricultural Chemicals-9.97%
Diversified Chemicals-14.96%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Specialty Chemicals industry even though it's trading below its 3-year average PE ratio of 64.1x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 21.3%, which is higher than its past year's earnings growth of 2.4% per year.
Forecasted Growth
  • Analysts are most optimistic on the Diversified Chemicals industry, expecting annual earnings growth of 82% over the next 5 years.
  • In contrast, the Fertilizers and Agricultural Chemicals industry is expected to see its earnings grow by 16% 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
SHW Sherwin-WilliamsUS$363.425.4%
+US$4.5b		3.9%PE32.6x
IFF International Flavors & FragrancesUS$84.556.4%
+US$1.3b		31.6%PS2x
ECL EcolabUS$283.461.5%
+US$1.2b		5.1%PE37.7x
SQM Sociedad Química y Minera de ChileUS$72.455.9%
+US$1.1b		87.4%PE25.4x
PPG PPG IndustriesUS$117.164.6%
+US$1.1b		10.4%PE16.6x

Latest News

CF
US$116.73
CF Industries Holdings
7D
-7.2%
1Y
40.8%
IFF
US$84.55
International Flavors & Fragrances
7D
6.4%
1Y
31.6%
ALB
US$125.42
Albemarle
7D
6.5%
1Y
79.0%
CC
US$15.11
Chemours
7D
-11.7%
1Y
24.1%
Narrative Update • Aug 05

CC: PFAS Settlement Will Support Cleaner Operations And Stronger Future Outlook

Analysts have trimmed their Chemours price target from $21.00 to $19.00 as updated assumptions point to different expectations for fair value, profitability, growth and future P/E levels. What’s in the News for Chemours Chemours announced a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection to resolve claims related to PFAS discharges and other alleged non compliance at its Washington Works, Fayetteville Works, and Chambers Works facilities.
OLN
US$18.74
Olin
7D
-15.5%
1Y
-2.5%
CTVA
US$76.86
Corteva
7D
-14.0%
1Y
8.2%
Narrative Update • Aug 04

CTVA: Upcoming Seed Spinoff And Crop Protection Pipeline Will Reshape Earnings Mix

Analysts lifted their price target for Corteva to $92.40 from $90.05, pointing to updated expectations around the Vylor seed spinoff, the crop protection and fertilizer backdrop, and the revised P/E and profitability assumptions cited in recent research. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Corteva centers on how the Vylor seed spinoff, crop protection trends, and fertilizer market conditions may affect valuation, growth prospects, and execution risk.
FMC
US$10.55
FMC
7D
-10.8%
1Y
-71.1%
Narrative Update • Aug 04

FMC: Balance Sheet Repair And New Patents Will Support Crop Protection Rebound

FMC's updated fair value estimate has shifted lower to $19.25 from $23.48 as analysts cut price targets into an $11 to $16 range. They cite ongoing pricing pressure, generics competition, sector headwinds, and a balance sheet focused on stabilization rather than rapid expansion.
PPG
US$117.16
PPG Industries
7D
4.6%
1Y
10.4%
SOLS
US$62.18
Solstice Advanced Materials
7D
8.3%
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.
HUN
US$10.14
Huntsman
7D
-16.0%
1Y
6.7%
Narrative Update • Aug 03

HUN: Olin Merger And Earnings Mix Shift Will Shape Future Repricing

Huntsman’s analyst fair value estimate has shifted from $15.00 to $16.00 as analysts factor in recent price target revisions across the Street, along with updated views on earnings quality, margin support, and the timing of any demand recovery. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Huntsman shows a wide range of views, but with a clear split between cautious and more constructive voices.
LIN
US$490.11
Linde
7D
-3.6%
1Y
4.4%
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$72.45
Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile
7D
5.9%
1Y
87.4%
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.
SHW
US$363.42
Sherwin-Williams
7D
5.4%
1Y
3.9%
SMG
US$62.06
Scotts Miracle-Gro
7D
-9.1%
1Y
3.5%
ECL
US$283.46
Ecolab
7D
1.5%
1Y
5.1%
Narrative Update • Jul 30

ECL: High Tech And AI Data Center Demand Will Drive Future Upside

Ecolab’s updated analyst price target edges higher to about $324 from about $317. This reflects analyst views that rising organic sales, stronger contributions from high tech and bio processing, and ongoing pricing and digital initiatives support slightly higher expected growth and margin assumptions, despite a modestly higher discount rate and a lower future P/E multiple.
RPM
US$115.65
RPM International
7D
7.3%
1Y
-2.9%
Seeking Alpha • Jul 27

RPM International: Steady Progress And Better Positioning, Arguably Undervalued (Upgrade)

Summary RPM International now presents a more attractive relative value after underperforming the S&P 500 and seeing its valuation moderate. Construction and Performance segments are gaining share, with operating synergies and MAP 3.0 restructuring expected to drive margin and efficiency improvements. Management guides for 3%-7% revenue and 5%-10% EBITDA growth, with pricing actions and working capital gains supporting free cash flow expansion. Discounted cash flow and sector-high EBITDA multiples suggest RPM is undervalued, offering a potential 20%+ upside for patient, value-oriented investors. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha