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U.S. Materials Sector Analysis

UpdatedFeb 09, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies462
  • 7D4.1%
  • 3M21.4%
  • 1Y27.4%
  • YTD13.2%

Over the last 7 days, the Materials industry has risen 4.1%, driven by gains from Southern Copper of 3.8%. This takes the industry's 12 month performance to a gain of 27%. Earnings are forecast to grow by 20% annually.

Sector Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Mon, 09 Feb 2026US$2.0tUS$857.8bUS$40.9b25.4x48.8x2.3x
Wed, 07 Jan 2026US$1.8tUS$852.9bUS$45.8b24.7x38.9x2.1x
Fri, 05 Dec 2025US$1.7tUS$852.7bUS$45.8b22.6x36.7x2x
Sun, 02 Nov 2025US$1.6tUS$847.2bUS$47.6b22.6x34.4x1.9x
Tue, 30 Sep 2025US$1.7tUS$839.0bUS$47.2b23.5x35.4x2x
Thu, 28 Aug 2025US$1.7tUS$838.0bUS$47.3b23.8x35.2x2x
Sat, 26 Jul 2025US$1.6tUS$835.6bUS$49.5b22.9x32.8x1.9x
Mon, 23 Jun 2025US$1.5tUS$837.5bUS$48.5b21.4x31.4x1.8x
Wed, 21 May 2025US$1.6tUS$866.1bUS$49.9b21.4x31.5x1.8x
Fri, 18 Apr 2025US$1.4tUS$864.7bUS$55.2b18.9x26.3x1.7x
Sun, 16 Mar 2025US$1.5tUS$867.8bUS$54.0b21.9x28.5x1.8x
Tue, 11 Feb 2025US$1.6tUS$870.0bUS$48.4b20.8x33x1.8x
Thu, 09 Jan 2025US$1.5tUS$875.8bUS$49.4b18.8x30.5x1.7x
Sat, 07 Dec 2024US$1.7tUS$876.2bUS$49.7b20.7x33.4x1.9x
Mon, 04 Nov 2024US$1.7tUS$879.8bUS$50.2b20.3x33x1.9x
Wed, 02 Oct 2024US$1.7tUS$868.7bUS$50.0b21.4x34.1x2x
Fri, 30 Aug 2024US$1.6tUS$870.3bUS$49.8b21.5x32.7x1.9x
Sun, 28 Jul 2024US$1.6tUS$866.0bUS$50.7b20.6x31.8x1.9x
Tue, 25 Jun 2024US$1.6tUS$871.0bUS$50.1b20.3x31x1.8x
Thu, 23 May 2024US$1.6tUS$871.4bUS$50.2b22x32.5x1.9x
Sat, 20 Apr 2024US$1.6tUS$879.8bUS$52.3b16.5x29.8x1.8x
Mon, 18 Mar 2024US$1.6tUS$880.5bUS$52.5b17.1x29.9x1.8x
Wed, 14 Feb 2024US$1.4tUS$875.7bUS$60.2b18.1x23.6x1.6x
Fri, 12 Jan 2024US$1.5tUS$905.9bUS$63.3b17.6x23.2x1.6x
Sun, 10 Dec 2023US$1.4tUS$906.1bUS$63.4b16.8x22.3x1.6x
Tue, 07 Nov 2023US$1.3tUS$911.0bUS$61.7b14.1x21.8x1.5x
Thu, 05 Oct 2023US$1.3tUS$894.2bUS$63.5b14.1x20.4x1.4x
Sat, 02 Sep 2023US$1.4tUS$889.8bUS$63.0b14.9x22x1.6x
Mon, 31 Jul 2023US$1.4tUS$916.1bUS$70.8b14.1x20.3x1.6x
Wed, 28 Jun 2023US$1.4tUS$936.6bUS$76.8b12.9x17.7x1.5x
Fri, 26 May 2023US$1.3tUS$934.6bUS$77.1b12.6x16.6x1.4x
Sun, 23 Apr 2023US$1.4tUS$949.5bUS$86.3b12.4x15.7x1.4x
Tue, 21 Mar 2023US$1.3tUS$952.5bUS$88.3b11.6x14.8x1.4x
Thu, 16 Feb 2023US$1.4tUS$951.4bUS$88.2b11.9x16.1x1.5x
Price to Earnings Ratio

16.1x


Total Market Cap: US$1.4tTotal Earnings: US$88.2bTotal Revenue: US$951.4bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Materials Sector Price to Earnings3Y Average 30.6x202420252026
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 48.8x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 30.6x.
  • The 3-year average PS ratio of 1.9x is lower than the industry's current PS ratio of 2.3x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Materials industry have declined 23% per year over the last three years,
  • Revenues have also declined 3.4% 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-0.071%
Materials4.13%
Paper and Forestry Products12.03%
Packaging8.39%
Basic Materials5.45%
Metals and Mining4.38%
Chemicals2.61%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Chemicals industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 40.2x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 23.6%, 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 29% 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$200.043.8%
+US$5.9b		113.6%PE37.8x
AU AngloGold AshantiUS$103.959.6%
+US$4.6b		209.4%PE23.3x
IP International PaperUS$46.5814.5%
+US$3.1b		-15.0%PS1x
AEM Agnico Eagle MinesUS$196.603.0%
+US$2.9b		95.6%PE28.6x
NUE NucorUS$192.846.6%
+US$2.7b		40.2%PE25.3x

Latest News

SCCO
US$200.04
Southern Copper
7D
3.8%
1Y
113.6%

SCCO: Copper Tightness And Mixed Street Views May Shape Multiyear Outcome

Analysts have lifted their price target on Southern Copper to US$218 from US$172.32, citing updated expectations around revenue growth, profit margins and future P/E that are reflected in a slightly lower discount rate in their models. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Southern Copper shows a split tape, but there has been a steady stream of bullish analysts lifting price targets as they update models for revenue, margins and P/E assumptions.
LIN
US$448.24
Linde
7D
-2.6%
1Y
-2.7%
BALL
US$66.47
Ball
7D
17.3%
1Y
32.0%

Ball Corporation (NYSE:BALL) Released Earnings Last Week And Analysts Lifted Their Price Target To US$70.15

Feb 06
Ball Corporation (NYSE:BALL) Released Earnings Last Week And Analysts Lifted Their Price Target To US$70.15
NEM
US$115.32
Newmont
7D
2.2%
1Y
148.2%

NEM: Moderating Gold Prices And Execution Risks Will Likely Pressure Stretched Shares

Analysts have lifted their consolidated price target for Newmont by roughly US$35, reflecting refreshed views on guidance, commodity price assumptions and production expectations highlighted in recent research updates. Analyst Commentary Recent research has centered on refreshed price targets and updated views on Newmont's guidance, commodity assumptions and production outlook.
USLM
US$108.55
United States Lime & Minerals
7D
-12.2%
1Y
4.1%
GPK
US$13.26
Graphic Packaging Holding
7D
-10.3%
1Y
-49.8%
AEM
US$196.60
Agnico Eagle Mines
7D
3.0%
1Y
95.6%
CTVA
US$72.60
Corteva
7D
-0.8%
1Y
16.7%
SQM
US$71.48
Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile
7D
-5.0%
1Y
86.3%

SQM: Future Returns Will Reflect Lithium Pricing And Codelco Partnership Execution

Analysts have lifted their fair value estimate for Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile to US$74.00 from US$61.44, reflecting updated views on higher revenue growth assumptions, a lower discount rate, a higher future P/E multiple, and recent research that points to firmer lithium pricing and renewed sector interest, despite at least one more cautious broker stance. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile shows a mix of enthusiasm around lithium pricing and demand, alongside some hesitation about how sustainable that optimism might be for valuation and execution.
NUE
US$192.84
Nucor
7D
6.6%
1Y
40.2%
ALB
US$163.37
Albemarle
7D
-0.9%
1Y
117.4%

ALB: Future Returns Will Depend On Sustained Lithium Tightness And Pricing Power

The analyst price target for Albemarle has been raised from about $148 to roughly $173. This change reflects analysts' use of a slightly lower discount rate, modestly higher revenue growth assumptions, and a higher future P/E multiple, supported by a series of recent target hikes and upgrades tied to stronger lithium pricing and tightening supply expectations.
APD
US$283.12
Air Products and Chemicals
7D
4.5%
1Y
-8.8%

APD: Backlog Execution And Low Emission Projects Will Guide Turnaround Expectations

Analysts have modestly lifted their fair value estimate for Air Products and Chemicals by about $9 to roughly $300 per share, citing updated price targets across several firms and small adjustments to the discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin, and future P/E assumptions. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research paints a mixed picture around Air Products and Chemicals, with several firms revising price targets and reassessing execution risks tied to its project backlog and turnaround efforts.
AU
US$103.95
AngloGold Ashanti
7D
9.6%
1Y
209.4%

AU: Rising Output And Dividend Will Support A Stronger Outlook

Analysts have made a small upward revision to their price target for AngloGold Ashanti to $132 from $131, reflecting slightly higher assumptions for revenue growth, profit margins, and the P/E they are prepared to use in their models. What's in the News AngloGold Ashanti plc declared an interim dividend of US$0.91 per share for the three months ended 30 September 2025, with the ex dividend and record date on the NYSE set for Friday, 28 November 2025, and payment scheduled for Friday, 12 December 2025 (company announcement).
IP
US$46.58
International Paper
7D
14.5%
1Y
-15.0%

IP: Future Corporate Split And Plant Closures Will Shape Execution Risks

Our updated analyst price target for International Paper moves to US$40.00 from US$42.10, as analysts factor in more conservative assumptions on revenue growth and profit margins, while still recognizing support from recent target moves and rating changes across the Street. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on International Paper reflects a mix of support and caution, with several firms revisiting their price targets and ratings as they reassess execution risks, industry conditions, and the impact of the planned split on near term visibility.
EMAT
US$6.13
Evolution Metals & Technologies
7D
-8.9%
1Y
-46.5%

Evolution Metals & Technologies Is Just The Beginning; Caution Is Advised

Jan 24
SIM
US$29.83
Grupo Simec. de
7D
-5.3%
1Y
21.7%