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

U.S. Materials Sector Analysis

UpdatedJan 01, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies459
  • 7D-2.0%
  • 3M1.3%
  • 1Y17.0%
  • YTD17.6%

Over the last 7 days, the Materials industry has dropped 2.0%, driven by pullbacks in Agnico Eagle Mines and Newmont of 6.5% and 4.7%, respectively. This takes the industry's 12 month performance to a gain of 17%. As for the next few years, earnings are expected to grow by 19% per annum.

Sector Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Fri, 02 Jan 2026US$1.7tUS$852.9bUS$45.8b23.4x38x2x
Sun, 30 Nov 2025US$1.7tUS$852.7bUS$45.8b23x36.8x2x
Tue, 28 Oct 2025US$1.7tUS$841.9bUS$49.3b23.4x34.2x2x
Thu, 25 Sep 2025US$1.7tUS$838.3bUS$47.3b24x35.6x2x
Sat, 23 Aug 2025US$1.6tUS$838.0bUS$47.3b23.9x34.5x1.9x
Mon, 21 Jul 2025US$1.6tUS$833.0bUS$48.7b22.6x32.8x1.9x
Wed, 18 Jun 2025US$1.6tUS$852.8bUS$48.6b21.4x32.2x1.8x
Fri, 16 May 2025US$1.5tUS$866.1bUS$50.0b20.7x30.9x1.8x
Sun, 13 Apr 2025US$1.4tUS$863.9bUS$54.3b19x26.6x1.7x
Tue, 11 Mar 2025US$1.6tUS$867.9bUS$54.1b20.7x28.6x1.8x
Thu, 06 Feb 2025US$1.6tUS$868.0bUS$47.6b21.2x33.7x1.8x
Sat, 04 Jan 2025US$1.5tUS$875.8bUS$49.7b18.9x30.2x1.7x
Mon, 02 Dec 2024US$1.7tUS$876.1bUS$49.7b21.6x34x1.9x
Wed, 30 Oct 2024US$1.7tUS$875.0bUS$50.6b20.7x33.4x1.9x
Fri, 27 Sep 2024US$1.7tUS$870.8bUS$49.7b21.5x33.8x1.9x
Sun, 25 Aug 2024US$1.6tUS$870.3bUS$49.9b21.8x32.9x1.9x
Tue, 23 Jul 2024US$1.6tUS$866.9bUS$50.6b20.5x31.4x1.8x
Thu, 20 Jun 2024US$1.6tUS$871.2bUS$50.2b20.2x30.9x1.8x
Sat, 18 May 2024US$1.6tUS$871.5bUS$50.3b21.9x32.1x1.9x
Mon, 15 Apr 2024US$1.6tUS$879.9bUS$52.3b17x30.2x1.8x
Wed, 13 Mar 2024US$1.6tUS$880.5bUS$52.4b17.7x29.7x1.8x
Fri, 09 Feb 2024US$1.4tUS$875.5bUS$60.5b18.4x23.7x1.6x
Sun, 07 Jan 2024US$1.5tUS$906.1bUS$63.4b18.1x23.3x1.6x
Tue, 05 Dec 2023US$1.4tUS$911.1bUS$63.7b17.3x22.6x1.6x
Thu, 02 Nov 2023US$1.3tUS$914.7bUS$63.3b13.6x20.4x1.4x
Sat, 30 Sep 2023US$1.3tUS$894.2bUS$63.5b14.3x20.7x1.5x
Mon, 28 Aug 2023US$1.3tUS$887.3bUS$63.3b14.8x21.1x1.5x
Wed, 26 Jul 2023US$1.4tUS$926.4bUS$72.2b14.5x20x1.6x
Fri, 23 Jun 2023US$1.4tUS$936.8bUS$76.8b12.9x17.6x1.4x
Sun, 21 May 2023US$1.3tUS$934.7bUS$77.1b12.8x17.1x1.4x
Tue, 18 Apr 2023US$1.4tUS$952.5bUS$88.1b12.4x15.7x1.5x
Thu, 16 Mar 2023US$1.3tUS$952.4bUS$88.4b11.4x14.5x1.3x
Sat, 11 Feb 2023US$1.4tUS$954.1bUS$90.5b11.7x15.4x1.5x
Mon, 09 Jan 2023US$1.4tUS$967.4bUS$95.5b11.8x14.2x1.4x
Price to Earnings Ratio

14.2x


Total Market Cap: US$1.4tTotal Earnings: US$95.5bTotal Revenue: US$967.4bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Materials Sector Price to Earnings3Y Average 29.6x202420252026
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 38.0x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 29.6x.
  • The industry is trading close to its 3-year average PS ratio of 1.9x.
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 4.1% 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-1.43%
Materials-2.00%
Packaging0.23%
Chemicals-0.43%
Paper and Forestry Products-1.91%
Basic Materials-2.64%
Metals and Mining-3.97%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Chemicals industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 38.2x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 22.7%, which is higher than its past year's earnings decline of 8.4% per year.
Forecasted Growth
  • Analysts are most optimistic on the Paper and Forestry Products industry, expecting annual earnings growth of 32% 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
LIN LindeUS$426.390.4%
+US$695.8m		1.8%PE28.1x
ICL ICL GroupUS$5.716.7%
+US$464.6m		15.6%PE20x
SW Smurfit WestrockUS$38.671.4%
+US$281.2m		-28.2%PE26.9x
APD Air Products and ChemicalsUS$247.020.5%
+US$262.7m		-14.8%PS4.6x
DOW DowUS$23.381.4%
+US$227.4m		-41.7%PS0.4x

Latest News

SW
US$38.67
Smurfit Westrock
7D
1.4%
1Y
-28.2%

Is Smurfit Westrock Plc (NYSE:SW) Potentially Undervalued?

Dec 28
Is Smurfit Westrock Plc (NYSE:SW) Potentially Undervalued?
FCX
US$50.79
Freeport-McMoRan
7D
-2.2%
1Y
33.4%

Freeport-McMoRan Inc.'s (NYSE:FCX) P/E Is Still On The Mark Following 26% Share Price Bounce

Dec 27
Freeport-McMoRan Inc.'s (NYSE:FCX) P/E Is Still On The Mark Following 26% Share Price Bounce
MLM
US$622.66
Martin Marietta Materials
7D
-3.2%
1Y
20.6%

MLM Limited Upside Expected As Construction Demand And Pricing Power Face Headwinds

Analysts have lifted their price target on Martin Marietta Materials by about $40, to the mid $600s per share, citing higher EBITDA expectations from broad volume recovery, weather normalization in key regions, and sustained infrastructure strength, even as they temper long term growth and valuation assumptions. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research reflects a mixed but generally constructive stance on Martin Marietta, with upward revisions to price targets balanced by more tempered views on the pace and durability of growth.
VMC
US$285.22
Vulcan Materials
7D
-2.9%
1Y
10.9%

VMC: Highway Spending Upswing Will Drive Volumes And Margin Expansion Into Late Decade

Analysts have nudged their price target on Vulcan Materials modestly higher, citing improved expectations for volumes and margins supported by accelerating U.S. infrastructure spending and firmer pricing. This results in a low single digit percentage increase that lifts the target into the low to mid 300 dollar range.
APD
US$247.02
Air Products and Chemicals
7D
0.5%
1Y
-14.8%
AEM
US$169.53
Agnico Eagle Mines
7D
-6.5%
1Y
116.8%

AEM: Gold Rally And Geopolitical Uncertainty Will Shape Balanced Future Outlook

Agnico Eagle Mines' analyst price target has inched higher from approximately $195 to about $197 per share as analysts factor in stronger revenue growth assumptions, slightly improved margins, and a supportive outlook for precious metal prices amid ongoing macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research has turned more constructive on Agnico Eagle Mines, with multiple firms lifting price targets to reflect stronger precious metals pricing, improving capital allocation, and a more supportive macro backdrop for gold and silver.
CRH
US$124.80
CRH
7D
-2.1%
1Y
34.9%
DOW
US$23.38
Dow
7D
1.4%
1Y
-41.7%
BALL
US$52.97
Ball
7D
1.3%
1Y
-3.9%

BALL: Cost Discipline And ESG Progress Will Support Upside Despite Reset Expectations

Analysts trimmed their price target on Ball to $55 from $61, reflecting slightly lower long term valuation multiples, while assumptions for growth, margins, and discount rate remain relatively unchanged. Analyst Commentary Analysts see a balanced risk reward profile for Ball at the revised target, with modest upside tied to execution on long term growth initiatives and disciplined capital allocation, but limited multiple expansion in the near term.
NEM
US$99.85
Newmont
7D
-4.7%
1Y
168.3%

NEM: Future Barrick Dealmaking Will Likely Erode Already Stretched Share Pricing

The analyst price target for Newmont has been raised significantly, from approximately $58 to about $78 per share, as analysts factor in higher expected gold prices, improved profitability, and valuation upside relative to peers. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Newmont reflects a broadly constructive stance, with multiple firms lifting price targets and upgrading the stock on expectations of stronger gold prices, improving free cash flow, and valuation upside relative to peers.
ICL
US$5.71
ICL Group
7D
6.7%
1Y
15.6%
LYB
US$43.30
LyondellBasell Industries
7D
1.0%
1Y
-41.7%

LYB: Future Returns Will Be Driven By Improving Catalyst Segment Demand

Analysts have trimmed their price target on LyondellBasell Industries by about $2 to reflect a softer fair value outlook, citing weaker seasonal demand, slippage in commodity markets, and inconsistent industrial end markets that weigh on revenue growth and profit margin expectations, despite a modestly higher forward P E multiple. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research reflects a cautious stance on LyondellBasell Industries, with multiple firms trimming price targets as they recalibrate expectations for near term earnings and cash generation.
AMCR
US$8.34
Amcor
7D
1.0%
1Y
-11.4%
SCCO
US$143.47
Southern Copper
7D
-3.1%
1Y
63.1%

SCCO Copper Supply Tightness Is Expected To Drive MultiYear Upside

Analysts have raised their price target for Southern Copper significantly, with fair value estimates climbing from approximately $125 to $172. This reflects higher copper price forecasts, tightening supply into 2026, and modestly stronger long term growth and profitability assumptions.
AU
US$85.28
AngloGold Ashanti
7D
-5.1%
1Y
269.5%

AU: Rising Gold Output Will Likely Fail To Justify Current Share Price

Analysts have significantly raised their price target for AngloGold Ashanti from approximately $38 to about $67 per share, citing expectations for stronger revenue growth, improved profit margins, a slightly higher required return, and a modestly lower future earnings multiple. What's in the News AngloGold Ashanti increased its interim dividend to 91 US cents per share for the three months ended 30 September 2025, indicating confidence in cash generation and balance sheet strength (Key Developments).
LIN
US$426.39
Linde
7D
0.4%
1Y
1.8%

LIN: Defensive Profile And Buybacks Will Support Shares Into 2026

Linde's analyst price target has been trimmed modestly, falling from about $505.61 to $502.88 as analysts weigh the stock's defensive growth profile, slightly lower fair value multiple assumptions, and a challenging near term macro backdrop against expectations for earnings growth acceleration in 2026. Analyst Commentary Recent research updates present a mixed but generally constructive view on Linde, with analysts balancing its defensive growth profile against persistent macro and volume headwinds across key end markets.