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U.S. Materials Sector Analysis

UpdatedJul 27, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies444
  • 7D1.8%
  • 3M-5.5%
  • 1Y15.0%
  • YTD7.0%

In the last week, the Materials industry is up 1.8%, with Freeport-McMoRan up 6.5%. This means that the industry has gained 15% over the past year. Looking forward, earnings are forecast to grow by 15% annually.

Sector Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Mon, 27 Jul 2026US$1.9tUS$870.1bUS$57.4b21.8x32.6x2.1x
Wed, 24 Jun 2026US$1.9tUS$863.7bUS$53.8b21.2x36.2x2.3x
Fri, 22 May 2026US$1.9tUS$863.0bUS$53.6b20.6x35.3x2.2x
Sun, 19 Apr 2026US$2.0tUS$840.7bUS$42.7b22.5x47.3x2.4x
Tue, 17 Mar 2026US$1.9tUS$845.7bUS$43.6b20.8x43.2x2.2x
Thu, 12 Feb 2026US$2.0tUS$858.0bUS$41.1b25.9x49.8x2.4x
Sat, 10 Jan 2026US$1.8tUS$853.0bUS$45.8b25.5x40x2.1x
Mon, 08 Dec 2025US$1.7tUS$852.8bUS$45.8b22.7x36.5x2x
Wed, 05 Nov 2025US$1.6tUS$847.4bUS$47.6b21.7x33.7x1.9x
Fri, 03 Oct 2025US$1.7tUS$835.9bUS$46.9b24.7x35.8x2x
Sun, 31 Aug 2025US$1.7tUS$837.9bUS$47.3b24.1x35.3x2x
Tue, 29 Jul 2025US$1.6tUS$834.8bUS$47.9b22.5x34.2x2x
Thu, 26 Jun 2025US$1.6tUS$837.5bUS$48.4b21.6x32.1x1.9x
Sat, 24 May 2025US$1.6tUS$866.2bUS$49.9b20.7x31.4x1.8x
Mon, 21 Apr 2025US$1.5tUS$864.7bUS$55.2b18.9x26.4x1.7x
Wed, 19 Mar 2025US$1.6tUS$867.8bUS$54.0b22x28.8x1.8x
Fri, 14 Feb 2025US$1.6tUS$870.8bUS$49.8b20.9x32x1.8x
Sun, 12 Jan 2025US$1.5tUS$872.0bUS$49.3b18.3x30.5x1.7x
Tue, 10 Dec 2024US$1.7tUS$876.2bUS$49.7b21.1x33.3x1.9x
Thu, 07 Nov 2024US$1.7tUS$876.9bUS$49.5b23.8x33.8x1.9x
Sat, 05 Oct 2024US$1.7tUS$868.6bUS$50.1b21.4x33.4x1.9x
Mon, 02 Sep 2024US$1.7tUS$870.4bUS$49.8b21.5x33.2x1.9x
Wed, 31 Jul 2024US$1.6tUS$865.9bUS$50.8b20.3x31.8x1.9x
Fri, 28 Jun 2024US$1.5tUS$870.9bUS$50.1b20.2x30.7x1.8x
Sun, 26 May 2024US$1.6tUS$871.5bUS$50.3b21.9x32x1.8x
Tue, 23 Apr 2024US$1.6tUS$879.7bUS$52.4b16.4x29.7x1.8x
Thu, 21 Mar 2024US$1.6tUS$880.6bUS$52.2b17.3x30x1.8x
Sat, 17 Feb 2024US$1.5tUS$874.7bUS$57.4b19x25.5x1.7x
Mon, 15 Jan 2024US$1.5tUS$905.9bUS$63.3b17.6x23.2x1.6x
Wed, 13 Dec 2023US$1.4tUS$906.1bUS$63.4b16.7x22.4x1.6x
Fri, 10 Nov 2023US$1.3tUS$908.9bUS$64.0b13.9x20.7x1.5x
Sun, 08 Oct 2023US$1.3tUS$894.2bUS$63.5b13.7x20.4x1.4x
Tue, 05 Sep 2023US$1.4tUS$889.8bUS$62.9b14.9x22x1.6x
Thu, 03 Aug 2023US$1.4tUS$903.7bUS$66.2b14.2x21.1x1.5x
Price to Earnings Ratio

21.1x


Total Market Cap: US$1.4tTotal Earnings: US$66.2bTotal Revenue: US$903.7bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Materials Sector Price to Earnings3Y Average 34.3x202420252026
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 34.3x.
  • 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 4.7% per year over the last three years.
  • Meanwhile revenues have remained mostly flat.
  • This means that although sales have remained flat, either the cost of doing business or the level of investment back into businesses has increased, which has decreased profits.

Industry Trends

Which industries have driven the changes within the U.S. Materials sector?

US Market-1.05%
Materials1.77%
Packaging4.76%
Metals and Mining4.43%
Paper and Forestry Products0.61%
Chemicals-0.31%
Basic Materials-2.02%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Chemicals industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 51.3x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 16.5%, which is higher than its past year's earnings decline of 3.0% per year.
Forecasted Growth
  • Analysts are most optimistic on the Paper and Forestry Products industry, expecting annual earnings growth of 55% over the next 5 years.
  • This is better than its past earnings decline of 64% per year.
  • In contrast, the Metals and Mining 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
FCX Freeport-McMoRanUS$62.606.5%
+US$5.5b		43.0%PE30.6x
AEM Agnico Eagle MinesUS$145.136.4%
+US$4.5b		17.3%PE13.8x
NUE NucorUS$247.567.3%
+US$3.8b		71.3%PE24.3x
NEM NewmontUS$93.194.5%
+US$3.8b		46.4%PE11.4x
SCCO Southern CopperUS$179.292.4%
+US$3.5b		91.6%PE26.4x

Latest News

AEM
US$145.13
Agnico Eagle Mines
7D
6.4%
1Y
17.3%
SHW
US$317.51
Sherwin-Williams
7D
-1.9%
1Y
-5.5%
FCX
US$62.60
Freeport-McMoRan
7D
6.5%
1Y
43.0%
DOW
US$29.84
Dow
7D
-1.7%
1Y
16.1%
NEM
US$93.19
Newmont
7D
4.5%
1Y
46.4%
ALB
US$114.85
Albemarle
7D
-2.8%
1Y
53.6%
AU
US$79.67
AngloGold Ashanti
7D
6.4%
1Y
60.9%
Narrative Update • Jul 23

AU: Geita Financing And Buybacks Will Support Stronger Future Shareholder Returns

Analysts have revised their price target for AngloGold Ashanti to $134.00 from $155.00, citing updated assumptions for revenue growth, profit margins, the discount rate, and the future P/E multiple. What's in the News Nedbank CIB arranged a US$500 million (about $714.2 million) financing facility for AngloGold Ashanti’s Geita Gold Mine in Tanzania, one of the largest mine financings solely underwritten by an African bank, with funds intended to support mine life beyond 10 years and production targets towards 600,000 oz per year.
SCCO
US$179.29
Southern Copper
7D
2.4%
1Y
91.6%
Narrative Update • Jul 23

SCCO: Elevated P E And Copper Euphoria Will Restrain Future Returns

Southern Copper's analyst price targets have shifted higher, with the internal fair value estimate rising from $163.13 to $167.79 as analysts factor in updated copper price forecasts, firmer profit margin assumptions, and a tighter supply outlook for the metal. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Southern Copper shows a mix of optimism on copper fundamentals and caution on the stock's valuation and risk reward, with several price targets clustered around the US$135 to US$172 range.
IFF
US$75.94
International Flavors & Fragrances
7D
-1.7%
1Y
0.9%
WLK
US$73.82
Westlake
7D
-4.0%
1Y
-14.0%
USAR
US$14.15
USA Rare Earth
7D
-7.1%
1Y
16.9%
Narrative Update • Jul 21

USAR: CHIPS Funding And New Leadership Will Drive Mine To Magnet Chain

Analysts now see fair value for USA Rare Earth at $30, down from $32. The change reflects updated sector valuation inputs along with continued confidence that new leadership and recently secured funding support the company’s mine to magnet build out.
MP
US$41.30
MP Materials
7D
-9.6%
1Y
-35.6%
SW
US$48.56
Smurfit Westrock
7D
12.6%
1Y
0.06%
Seeking Alpha • Jul 20

Why I View Smurfit Westrock As Overvalued Above $40/Share

Summary Smurfit Westrock Plc is a BBB-rated, Ireland-based packaging company offering a well-covered 4.1% yield. SW trades at a seemingly high P/E due to multi-year earnings lows, making current valuation appear expensive. Despite sector-wide caution, I rate SW a 'Hold' with a $39/share price target, citing insufficient risk/reward upside. SW meets quality and dividend criteria but lacks compelling valuation or upside to justify a Buy at present. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
IP
US$42.16
International Paper
7D
16.3%
1Y
-24.0%
NUE
US$247.56
Nucor
7D
7.3%
1Y
71.3%
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.
SIM
US$26.51
Grupo Simec. de
7D
-11.2%
1Y
-5.2%