Investing IdeasBrowse All StocksMarkets
Have your own idea? Try our Stock Screener
Header cover image

U.S. Materials Sector Analysis

UpdatedFeb 03, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies461
  • 7D-2.5%
  • 3M21.3%
  • 1Y23.8%
  • YTD9.5%

Over the last 7 days, the Materials industry has dropped 3.3%, driven by declines in Newmont and Agnico Eagle Mines of 10% and 11%, respectively. In the past year, the industry has gained 22%. Earnings are forecast to grow by 19% annually.

Sector Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Tue, 03 Feb 2026US$1.9tUS$854.3bUS$43.2b25.6x44.3x2.2x
Thu, 01 Jan 2026US$1.7tUS$852.9bUS$45.8b23.4x38x2x
Sat, 29 Nov 2025US$1.7tUS$852.7bUS$45.8b23x36.8x2x
Mon, 27 Oct 2025US$1.7tUS$841.9bUS$49.3b23.3x34.2x2x
Wed, 24 Sep 2025US$1.7tUS$838.3bUS$47.3b23.8x35.7x2x
Fri, 22 Aug 2025US$1.6tUS$838.0bUS$47.3b23.4x34.4x1.9x
Sun, 20 Jul 2025US$1.6tUS$833.0bUS$48.7b22.6x32.8x1.9x
Tue, 17 Jun 2025US$1.6tUS$852.8bUS$48.6b21.8x32x1.8x
Thu, 15 May 2025US$1.6tUS$866.1bUS$50.0b20.7x31.2x1.8x
Sat, 12 Apr 2025US$1.4tUS$863.9bUS$54.3b19x25.8x1.6x
Mon, 10 Mar 2025US$1.6tUS$868.0bUS$54.1b21.2x28.7x1.8x
Wed, 05 Feb 2025US$1.6tUS$868.1bUS$48.6b21.4x32.7x1.8x
Fri, 03 Jan 2025US$1.5tUS$875.8bUS$49.7b18.7x30.4x1.7x
Sun, 01 Dec 2024US$1.7tUS$876.1bUS$49.7b21.6x34x1.9x
Tue, 29 Oct 2024US$1.7tUS$875.1bUS$50.2b21.2x33.4x1.9x
Thu, 26 Sep 2024US$1.7tUS$870.8bUS$49.8b21.6x34.1x1.9x
Sat, 24 Aug 2024US$1.6tUS$870.2bUS$49.9b21.8x32.3x1.9x
Mon, 22 Jul 2024US$1.6tUS$866.8bUS$50.6b19.9x31.5x1.8x
Wed, 19 Jun 2024US$1.6tUS$871.2bUS$50.2b20.2x30.9x1.8x
Fri, 17 May 2024US$1.6tUS$871.5bUS$50.3b21.6x32.3x1.9x
Sun, 14 Apr 2024US$1.6tUS$879.9bUS$52.3b17x30.7x1.8x
Tue, 12 Mar 2024US$1.6tUS$880.5bUS$52.4b17.6x29.7x1.8x
Thu, 08 Feb 2024US$1.4tUS$875.5bUS$60.6b18.1x23.5x1.6x
Sat, 06 Jan 2024US$1.5tUS$906.1bUS$63.4b17.7x23.1x1.6x
Mon, 04 Dec 2023US$1.4tUS$911.1bUS$63.7b17.1x22.6x1.6x
Wed, 01 Nov 2023US$1.3tUS$914.7bUS$64.4b13.8x20.1x1.4x
Fri, 29 Sep 2023US$1.3tUS$894.2bUS$63.5b13.8x20.7x1.5x
Sun, 27 Aug 2023US$1.3tUS$887.3bUS$63.3b14.8x21.1x1.5x
Tue, 25 Jul 2023US$1.4tUS$933.8bUS$74.9b13.7x18.9x1.5x
Thu, 22 Jun 2023US$1.3tUS$937.2bUS$77.1b12.9x17.5x1.4x
Sat, 20 May 2023US$1.3tUS$934.7bUS$77.1b12.8x17.1x1.4x
Mon, 17 Apr 2023US$1.4tUS$952.6bUS$88.1b12.3x15.6x1.4x
Wed, 15 Mar 2023US$1.3tUS$952.6bUS$88.4b11.6x15x1.4x
Fri, 10 Feb 2023US$1.4tUS$956.5bUS$91.1b11.7x15.3x1.5x
Price to Earnings Ratio

15.3x


Total Market Cap: US$1.4tTotal Earnings: US$91.1bTotal Revenue: US$956.5bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Materials Sector Price to Earnings3Y Average 30.4x202420252026
Current Industry PE
  • Investors are optimistic on the American Materials industry, and appear confident in long term growth rates.
  • The industry is trading at a PE ratio of 44.3x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 30.4x.
  • The 3-year average PS ratio of 1.9x is lower than the industry's current PS ratio of 2.2x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Materials industry have declined 22% per year over the last three years,
  • Revenues have also declined 3.7% 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 sector?

US Market-0.35%
Materials-2.46%
Basic Materials0.67%
Chemicals-0.027%
Packaging-1.41%
Paper and Forestry Products-5.48%
Metals and Mining-5.64%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Chemicals industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 39.7x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 22.5%, which is higher than its past year's earnings decline of 0.3% per year.
Forecasted Growth
  • Analysts are most optimistic on the Paper and Forestry Products industry, expecting annual earnings growth of 28% over the next 5 years.
  • This is better than its past earnings decline of 41% per year.
  • In contrast, the Basic Materials industry is expected to see its earnings grow by 11% 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
SCCO Southern CopperUS$192.802.3%
+US$3.6b		122.2%PE36.4x
LIN LindeUS$460.161.1%
+US$2.4b		1.3%PE30.3x
SHW Sherwin-WilliamsUS$356.362.3%
+US$2.0b		-0.4%PE34.2x
STLD Steel DynamicsUS$186.557.6%
+US$1.9b		45.8%PE23x
APD Air Products and ChemicalsUS$270.993.2%
+US$1.9b		-19.8%PS4.9x

Latest News

PPG
US$116.46
PPG Industries
7D
3.4%
1Y
4.0%
SCCO
US$192.80
Southern Copper
7D
2.3%
1Y
122.2%
HL
US$21.55
Hecla Mining
7D
-28.1%
1Y
274.1%

HL: Higher Production Guidance And Margin Outlook Will Reframe Bullish Thesis

Analysts have increased their fair value estimate for Hecla Mining from US$11.90 to US$36.50. They cite updated assumptions around revenue growth, profit margins, discount rate and future P/E that together support a higher long term price target range.
LIN
US$460.16
Linde
7D
1.1%
1Y
1.3%
APD
US$270.99
Air Products and Chemicals
7D
3.2%
1Y
-19.8%
CDE
US$20.32
Coeur Mining
7D
-20.2%
1Y
199.7%
AEM
US$190.82
Agnico Eagle Mines
7D
-11.4%
1Y
101.2%
SHW
US$356.36
Sherwin-Williams
7D
2.3%
1Y
-0.4%
AU
US$94.85
AngloGold Ashanti
7D
-12.2%
1Y
204.0%

Earnings Tell The Story For AngloGold Ashanti plc (NYSE:AU) As Its Stock Soars 36%

Jan 29
Earnings Tell The Story For AngloGold Ashanti plc (NYSE:AU) As Its Stock Soars 36%
NUE
US$180.96
Nucor
7D
1.9%
1Y
37.8%

NUE: Tariff Policies And Capacity Additions Will Shape Future Pricing Power

Nucor’s implied analyst price target has edged up by about $3 to roughly $182, as analysts factor in refreshed steel price forecasts, tariff support for elevated pricing, and slightly adjusted expectations for long term revenue growth, margins, and future P/E multiples. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Nucor reflects a mix of optimism on pricing and market position, balanced by more cautious views on demand and rating resets.
STLD
US$186.55
Steel Dynamics
7D
7.6%
1Y
45.8%
CRH
US$124.60
CRH
7D
1.5%
1Y
28.0%

CRH: Index Additions And Buybacks Will Support Upside Potential

Narrative Update: CRH Analyst Price Target Shift Analysts have nudged their fair value estimate for CRH from about $140.20 to roughly $140.00. This reflects slightly adjusted assumptions for discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin, and future P/E, while keeping their overall view broadly consistent.
RGLD
US$259.46
Royal Gold
7D
-11.7%
1Y
82.7%

Copper Growth Projects And Extended Mount Milligan Life Will Transform Long Term Cash Flows

Catalysts About Royal Gold Royal Gold is a precious metals royalty and streaming company with a portfolio focused on gold, silver and copper interests across producing and development assets. What are the underlying business or industry changes driving this perspective?
NEM
US$112.85
Newmont
7D
-10.4%
1Y
161.7%

NEM: Future Barrick Nevada Deal Pursuit Will Likely Pressure Stretched Shares

Narrative Update on Newmont Analysts have lifted their implied price target on Newmont by about US$7 per share, reflecting updated views on fair value, refreshed commodity price assumptions, and company guidance that points to revenue growth, a different profit margin profile, and a slightly higher future P/E multiple. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Newmont has centered on refreshed commodity price assumptions, updated company guidance, and how those factors flow through to valuation.
SQM
US$75.25
Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile
7D
-10.4%
1Y
93.6%

SQM: Higher Lithium Hopes Will Face Persistent Chilean Royalty Pressure

Analysts have lifted their fair value estimate for Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile to US$40 from US$37, reflecting updated assumptions for higher revenue growth, stronger profit margins, a lower discount rate, and a reduced future P/E multiple, supported by recent price target increases and more constructive sector views in Street research. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile highlights a mixed backdrop, with several firms lifting price targets and turning more constructive on lithium and broader sector sentiment.
ALB
US$164.93
Albemarle
7D
-13.1%
1Y
105.0%

ALB: Future Returns Will Hinge On Sustained Lithium Pricing Strength

The analyst price target for Albemarle has been raised from about $125.49 to roughly $147.79 as analysts factor in higher lithium price assumptions, improved profit margin expectations, and a lower future P/E multiple, supported by a broad wave of recent upgrades and target increases across major research firms. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Albemarle reflects a clear shift toward more constructive views, with several upgrades and higher targets built around revised lithium price decks, inventory tightness, and evolving demand themes such as energy storage and physical AI.