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U.S. Materials Sector Analysis

UpdatedJul 17, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies447
  • 7D-0.3%
  • 3M-8.4%
  • 1Y17.6%
  • YTD5.8%

Last week, the Materials industry hasn't moved much but Nucor is up 4.1% in that time. As for the the longer term, the industry is up 18% over the past 12 months. As for the next few years, earnings are expected to grow by 16% per annum.

Sector Valuation and Performance

Has the U.S. Materials Sector valuation changed over the past few years?

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Fri, 17 Jul 2026US$1.9tUS$861.8bUS$53.7b22.1x34.6x2.2x
Sun, 14 Jun 2026US$2.0tUS$863.8bUS$53.8b22.2x36.4x2.3x
Tue, 12 May 2026US$2.0tUS$861.9bUS$54.2b21.1x36.5x2.3x
Thu, 09 Apr 2026US$1.9tUS$846.0bUS$43.6b21.4x44.2x2.3x
Sat, 07 Mar 2026US$2.0tUS$845.6bUS$43.9b21.6x44.8x2.3x
Mon, 02 Feb 2026US$1.9tUS$854.3bUS$43.2b25.1x44.3x2.2x
Wed, 31 Dec 2025US$1.7tUS$853.0bUS$45.8b23.6x38x2x
Fri, 28 Nov 2025US$1.7tUS$852.7bUS$45.8b22.7x36.5x2x
Sun, 26 Oct 2025US$1.7tUS$841.9bUS$49.3b23.3x34.2x2x
Tue, 23 Sep 2025US$1.7tUS$838.3bUS$47.3b24x35.7x2x
Thu, 21 Aug 2025US$1.6tUS$838.2bUS$47.4b23x34.2x1.9x
Sat, 19 Jul 2025US$1.6tUS$833.0bUS$48.7b22.6x32.8x1.9x
Mon, 16 Jun 2025US$1.6tUS$852.8bUS$48.6b21.5x32x1.8x
Wed, 14 May 2025US$1.6tUS$866.1bUS$50.0b20.8x31.3x1.8x
Fri, 11 Apr 2025US$1.4tUS$863.9bUS$54.3b18.4x26.5x1.7x
Sun, 09 Mar 2025US$1.6tUS$868.0bUS$54.1b21.2x28.7x1.8x
Tue, 04 Feb 2025US$1.6tUS$869.9bUS$48.8b21.4x32.7x1.8x
Thu, 02 Jan 2025US$1.5tUS$875.9bUS$49.7b19.5x30.4x1.7x
Sat, 30 Nov 2024US$1.7tUS$876.1bUS$49.7b21.6x34x1.9x
Mon, 28 Oct 2024US$1.7tUS$875.1bUS$50.2b21.5x33.4x1.9x
Wed, 25 Sep 2024US$1.7tUS$870.6bUS$49.8b22.2x33.5x1.9x
Fri, 23 Aug 2024US$1.6tUS$870.2bUS$49.9b21.1x32.5x1.9x
Sun, 21 Jul 2024US$1.6tUS$866.0bUS$50.2b19.9x31.7x1.8x
Tue, 18 Jun 2024US$1.5tUS$871.2bUS$50.2b20.2x30.7x1.8x
Thu, 16 May 2024US$1.6tUS$871.5bUS$50.3b19.9x32.2x1.9x
Sat, 13 Apr 2024US$1.6tUS$879.9bUS$52.3b17x30.7x1.8x
Mon, 11 Mar 2024US$1.5tUS$880.5bUS$52.4b17.8x29.4x1.7x
Wed, 07 Feb 2024US$1.4tUS$875.6bUS$61.2b17.7x23.3x1.6x
Fri, 05 Jan 2024US$1.5tUS$905.2bUS$63.0b17.7x23.3x1.6x
Sun, 03 Dec 2023US$1.4tUS$911.1bUS$63.7b17.1x22.6x1.6x
Tue, 31 Oct 2023US$1.3tUS$915.3bUS$64.5b13.5x20x1.4x
Thu, 28 Sep 2023US$1.3tUS$894.4bUS$63.4b14.6x20.5x1.5x
Sat, 26 Aug 2023US$1.3tUS$887.3bUS$63.3b14.8x21.1x1.5x
Mon, 24 Jul 2023US$1.4tUS$933.8bUS$74.9b13.8x18.9x1.5x
Price to Earnings Ratio

18.9x


Total Market Cap: US$1.4tTotal Earnings: US$74.9bTotal Revenue: US$933.8bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Materials Sector Price to Earnings3Y Average 34.1x202420252026
Current Industry PE
  • Investors are relatively neutral on the American Materials industry at the moment, indicating that they anticipate long term growth rates to remain steady.
  • The industry is trading close to its 3-year average PE ratio of 34.1x.
  • The industry is trading close to its 3-year average PS ratio of 2.0x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Materials industry have declined 10% per year over the last three years,
  • Revenues have also declined 2.6% 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 sector?

US Market-0.88%
Materials-0.31%
Paper and Forestry Products5.19%
Packaging4.29%
Basic Materials1.66%
Chemicals0.35%
Metals and Mining-2.39%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Chemicals industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 50.9x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 16.6%, which is higher than its past year's earnings decline of 1.4% per year.
Forecasted Growth
  • Analysts are most optimistic on the Paper and Forestry Products industry, expecting annual earnings growth of 56% over the next 5 years.
  • This is better than its past earnings decline of 64% per year.
  • In contrast, the Basic Materials industry is expected to see its earnings grow by 12% 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
NUE NucorUS$236.614.1%
+US$2.1b		68.3%PE23.2x
CTVA CortevaUS$87.301.9%
+US$1.1b		19.5%PE46.6x
STLD Steel DynamicsUS$235.513.1%
+US$1.0b		78.9%PE24.8x
LYB LyondellBasell IndustriesUS$59.175.0%
+US$910.3m		-6.4%PS0.6x
RS RelianceUS$395.934.4%
+US$853.0m		17.8%PE25.1x

Latest News

AU
US$76.76
AngloGold Ashanti
7D
-6.5%
1Y
61.1%
NUE
US$236.61
Nucor
7D
4.1%
1Y
68.3%
Narrative Update • Jul 16

NUE: Tight Steel Supply And Higher P E Assumptions Will Shape Returns

Nucor's updated analyst price target rises from about $189 to $234, reflecting analysts' focus on higher modeled revenue growth, a richer future P/E assumption, and continued support from recent price target revisions across the Street. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Nucor shows a mix of optimism on long term steel pricing and demand, paired with pockets of caution around valuation, earnings quality, and how much good news is already reflected in the stock.
MP
US$45.24
MP Materials
7D
-13.3%
1Y
-28.4%
Narrative Update • Jul 16

MP: Federal Backing And U.S. Magnet Buildout Will Drive Long-Term Upside

Analysts have adjusted their justified price target for MP Materials to $97.81 from $93.20, citing updated views on long term revenue growth, profit margins, and future P/E assumptions that reflect the latest research inputs. What's in the News MP Materials is receiving extensive U.S. government support, including a $400 million Department of Defense equity investment and a 10 year pricing floor for neodymium praseodymium oxide, along with multi year commercial contracts and a reported $500 million long term supply deal with Apple.
DOW
US$29.92
Dow
7D
3.1%
1Y
5.6%
Seeking Alpha • Jul 16

Dow Inc. Thrives On Growing Gap Between U.S. & Europe Natural Gas Prices

Summary Dow Inc. is rated a buy, with a tactical approach to accumulate shares under $30 and take profits near $40. North American production gives DOW a structural advantage as global natural gas prices rise, especially amid European and Asian supply risks. Cost-cutting measures and favorable market dynamics, partly driven by the Iran conflict, are stabilizing earnings despite recent sales and net loss declines. DOW’s dividend yield near 5% supports a hold strategy if shares trade sideways, balancing income and capital appreciation potential. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
NEM
US$89.70
Newmont
7D
-5.9%
1Y
54.2%
CDE
US$14.35
Coeur Mining
7D
-10.2%
1Y
58.0%
Narrative Update • Jul 16

CDE: Rising Gold And Silver Assumptions Will Drive Future Upside Potential

The analyst price target for Coeur Mining has been raised by $3, from $16.00 to $19.00, as analysts factor in updated gold and silver price assumptions, higher modeled revenue growth, a modestly higher future P/E multiple, and a slightly increased discount rate. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Coeur Mining highlights a split in sentiment, with some firms lifting price targets while others flagging execution and valuation risks.
CCK
US$117.21
Crown Holdings
7D
5.1%
1Y
10.3%
Narrative Update • Jul 16

CCK: India Expansion And Climate Plan Will Drive Future Returns

Analysts have nudged their price target for Crown Holdings to $128, reflecting updated views on fair value, discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin, and future P/E assumptions. What’s in the News for Crown Holdings Crown Holdings published a detailed climate transition plan aligned with its Twentyby30 program, outlining a decarbonization roadmap and long term sustainability targets across scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions.
RS
US$395.93
Reliance
7D
4.4%
1Y
17.8%
LIN
US$513.22
Linde
7D
-3.1%
1Y
10.4%
LYB
US$59.17
LyondellBasell Industries
7D
5.0%
1Y
-6.4%
Narrative Update • Jul 15

LYB: Normalizing Chemical Spreads And Debt Burden Will Pressure Future Returns

LyondellBasell Industries' analyst price target has been revised down from $50.61 to $48.00 as analysts factor in softer commodity chemicals conditions, slightly lower revenue growth expectations, a modest adjustment to future P/E assumptions, and a small improvement in projected profit margins. Analyst Commentary Recent research on LyondellBasell Industries points to a more careful stance from several institutions, with multiple price target resets that cluster in the mid to high US$60s and below, alongside a wide range of ratings from Underperform to Overweight.
AEM
US$136.97
Agnico Eagle Mines
7D
-6.7%
1Y
16.3%
Narrative Update • Jul 13

AEM: Barnat Production Disruption Will Ultimately Cap Upside Despite Rich Pipeline

The updated analyst price target for Agnico Eagle Mines reflects a lower fair value estimate of $118.47. Analysts cite reduced commodity price forecasts, production adjustments at Canadian Malartic, and expectations for mixed near term sector conditions.
CF
US$121.42
CF Industries Holdings
7D
3.8%
1Y
31.1%
SCCO
US$172.48
Southern Copper
7D
-1.9%
1Y
85.6%
Narrative Update • Jul 09

SCCO: Valuation Premium Will Face Pressure From Expected Production Declines

Southern Copper's updated fair value estimate has been raised to $131.50 from $125.74 as analysts factor in recent price target hikes, a modestly lower assumed revenue decline, improved profit margin assumptions, and a slightly lower future P/E multiple for the stock. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Southern Copper shows a clear split between constructive long term views on copper and more cautious opinions on where the stock is currently trading.
STLD
US$235.51
Steel Dynamics
7D
3.1%
1Y
78.9%
Narrative Update • Jul 08

STLD: Higher Steel Pricing Assumptions Will Confront Softer EPS Guidance

Steel Dynamics' updated analyst price target has increased to $221.33 from $169.10, as analysts factor in firmer assumptions around revenue growth, profit margins and sector pricing reflected in recent research commentary. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Steel Dynamics shows a mix of optimism on long term steel demand and more cautious views on earnings execution and valuation.
FCX
US$58.38
Freeport-McMoRan
7D
-5.1%
1Y
30.3%
CTVA
US$87.30
Corteva
7D
1.9%
1Y
19.5%