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U.S. Materials Sector Analysis

UpdatedAug 03, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies445
  • 7D-1.6%
  • 3M-4.4%
  • 1Y18.7%
  • YTD5.7%

Over the last 7 days, the Materials industry has dropped 1.2%, driven by a pullback from Linde of 6.6%. Meanwhile, Sherwin-Williams actually outperformed within the industry, gaining 7.4% in the last week. Over the past 12 months, the industry was up 20%. Looking forward, earnings are forecast to grow by 16% annually.

Sector Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Mon, 03 Aug 2026US$1.8tUS$881.3bUS$57.2b20.8x32.3x2.1x
Wed, 01 Jul 2026US$1.9tUS$864.1bUS$53.8b21.5x35x2.2x
Fri, 29 May 2026US$2.0tUS$863.8bUS$53.8b21.7x36.3x2.3x
Sun, 26 Apr 2026US$2.0tUS$845.1bUS$44.9b22.3x44.2x2.4x
Tue, 24 Mar 2026US$1.8tUS$845.8bUS$43.6b20.1x40.4x2.1x
Thu, 19 Feb 2026US$2.0tUS$849.4bUS$43.1b24.3x46.9x2.4x
Sat, 17 Jan 2026US$1.9tUS$853.2bUS$46.1b24.2x41.7x2.3x
Mon, 15 Dec 2025US$1.7tUS$852.8bUS$45.8b23.8x37.4x2x
Wed, 12 Nov 2025US$1.6tUS$851.3bUS$45.5b22.2x35.8x1.9x
Fri, 10 Oct 2025US$1.7tUS$835.9bUS$47.0b24.5x36.4x2x
Sun, 07 Sep 2025US$1.7tUS$837.9bUS$47.3b23.8x35.1x2x
Tue, 05 Aug 2025US$1.5tUS$842.4bUS$47.5b21.8x32.5x1.8x
Thu, 03 Jul 2025US$1.6tUS$835.7bUS$48.4b23.4x32.9x1.9x
Sat, 31 May 2025US$1.5tUS$852.8bUS$48.5b20.6x31.6x1.8x
Mon, 28 Apr 2025US$1.5tUS$865.1bUS$55.8b19.8x26.7x1.7x
Wed, 26 Mar 2025US$1.6tUS$869.1bUS$54.0b21.4x28.8x1.8x
Fri, 21 Feb 2025US$1.6tUS$868.3bUS$49.7b22.2x32.5x1.9x
Sun, 19 Jan 2025US$1.6tUS$873.2bUS$49.2b19.9x32.2x1.8x
Tue, 17 Dec 2024US$1.6tUS$876.2bUS$49.8b20.9x32.2x1.8x
Thu, 14 Nov 2024US$1.7tUS$877.5bUS$50.1b21.4x33.1x1.9x
Sat, 12 Oct 2024US$1.7tUS$875.5bUS$50.5b21.9x33.5x1.9x
Mon, 09 Sep 2024US$1.6tUS$870.6bUS$49.8b20.9x31.4x1.8x
Wed, 07 Aug 2024US$1.5tUS$870.8bUS$49.9b20x30.9x1.8x
Fri, 05 Jul 2024US$1.5tUS$873.4bUS$49.9b19.5x30.9x1.8x
Sun, 02 Jun 2024US$1.6tUS$871.4bUS$50.2b22.1x32.1x1.8x
Tue, 30 Apr 2024US$1.6tUS$878.9bUS$51.9b16.9x30.3x1.8x
Thu, 28 Mar 2024US$1.6tUS$880.4bUS$52.2b18.2x30.9x1.8x
Sat, 24 Feb 2024US$1.5tUS$872.1bUS$51.6b19.4x29x1.7x
Mon, 22 Jan 2024US$1.4tUS$905.8bUS$63.4b17.6x22.8x1.6x
Wed, 20 Dec 2023US$1.5tUS$906.1bUS$63.0b18.1x23.8x1.7x
Fri, 17 Nov 2023US$1.4tUS$908.2bUS$63.7b16.6x21.7x1.5x
Sun, 15 Oct 2023US$1.3tUS$893.9bUS$63.4b13.1x20.3x1.4x
Tue, 12 Sep 2023US$1.4tUS$889.7bUS$62.9b13.6x21.5x1.5x
Thu, 10 Aug 2023US$1.4tUS$889.0bUS$63.2b15.3x21.7x1.5x
Price to Earnings Ratio

21.7x


Total Market Cap: US$1.4tTotal Earnings: US$63.2bTotal Revenue: US$889.0bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Materials Sector Price to Earnings3Y Average 34.4x202420252026
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 34.4x.
  • 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 3.3% 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 Market0.85%
Materials-1.62%
Paper and Forestry Products1.75%
Metals and Mining0.048%
Chemicals-1.87%
Packaging-2.46%
Basic Materials-7.05%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Packaging industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 30.7x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 24.0%, which is lower than the prior year's growth of 40.8% per year.
Forecasted Growth
  • Analysts are most optimistic on the Paper and Forestry Products industry, expecting annual earnings growth of 62% 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 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
SHW Sherwin-WilliamsUS$340.857.4%
+US$4.4b		-0.7%PE30.6x
SCCO Southern CopperUS$182.711.9%
+US$2.9b		106.8%PE26.9x
ECL EcolabUS$277.633.3%
+US$2.5b		6.4%PE36.9x
NUE NucorUS$257.293.9%
+US$2.2b		85.5%PE20.4x
IFF International Flavors & FragrancesUS$79.224.3%
+US$837.4m		14.0%PE24.5x

Latest News

MLM
US$525.14
Martin Marietta Materials
7D
-6.2%
1Y
-9.1%
Narrative Update • Aug 02

MLM: Lhoist Deal And Cost Pressures Will Shape Infrastructure And Housing Outlook

Analysts have nudged their fair value estimate for Martin Marietta Materials slightly lower to about $525 from roughly $532, reflecting updated assumptions that combine a somewhat higher revenue growth outlook with more conservative margin and valuation inputs. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Martin Marietta Materials shows a mixed backdrop, with several firms refining price targets and ratings as they reassess growth, margins, and valuation.
LIN
US$478.38
Linde
7D
-5.6%
1Y
2.3%
VMC
US$268.57
Vulcan Materials
7D
-4.0%
1Y
-2.3%
Analysis Article • Aug 01

Analysts Are Updating Their Vulcan Materials Company (NYSE:VMC) Estimates After Its Second-Quarter Results

Shareholders might have noticed that Vulcan Materials Company ( NYSE:VMC ) filed its second-quarter result this time...
SHW
US$340.85
Sherwin-Williams
7D
7.4%
1Y
-0.7%
NEU
US$850.16
NewMarket
7D
9.1%
1Y
21.5%
IFF
US$79.22
International Flavors & Fragrances
7D
4.3%
1Y
14.0%
AVY
US$169.73
Avery Dennison
7D
5.5%
1Y
2.4%
CTVA
US$78.71
Corteva
7D
-11.8%
1Y
10.6%
SW
US$45.97
Smurfit Westrock
7D
-5.3%
1Y
3.7%
Narrative Update • Jul 30

SW: Price Hikes And NYSE Listing Will Support Earnings Upside

Analysts have nudged their price target on Smurfit Westrock higher to about $66 from roughly $63, citing updated fair value work that reflects modest adjustments to the discount rate assumptions, revenue growth, profit margin and future P/E expectations. What’s in the News for Smurfit Westrock Containerboard producers, including Smurfit Westrock, announced a US$140 per ton price increase effective September 1, 2026, in response to tight market conditions and higher freight and energy costs.
SCCO
US$182.71
Southern Copper
7D
1.9%
1Y
106.8%
NUE
US$257.29
Nucor
7D
3.9%
1Y
85.5%
Narrative Update • Jul 30

NUE: Tight Steel Supply And Q2 Execution Will Shape Future Returns

Nucor's updated analyst price target of $240.09, up from $234.02, reflects a series of recent target increases from Wall Street firms, following a solid Q2 earnings beat, constructive management guidance, and analyst expectations for supportive steel pricing and healthy demand. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research around Nucor shows a mix of optimism and caution.
CRH
US$95.01
CRH
7D
-4.9%
1Y
-0.2%
ECL
US$277.63
Ecolab
7D
3.3%
1Y
6.4%
Narrative Update • Jul 30

ECL: High Tech And AI Data Center Demand Will Drive Future Upside

Ecolab’s updated analyst price target edges higher to about $324 from about $317. This reflects analyst views that rising organic sales, stronger contributions from high tech and bio processing, and ongoing pricing and digital initiatives support slightly higher expected growth and margin assumptions, despite a modestly higher discount rate and a lower future P/E multiple.
PPG
US$110.52
PPG Industries
7D
-4.7%
1Y
5.8%
AXTA
US$35.81
Axalta Coating Systems
7D
9.3%
1Y
28.7%
EMAT
US$3.66
Evolution Metals & Technologies
7D
-27.8%
1Y
-66.4%