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U.S. Materials Sector Analysis

UpdatedMar 14, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies449
  • 7D-2.7%
  • 3M9.8%
  • 1Y24.8%
  • YTD7.2%

Over the last 7 days, the Materials industry has dropped 2.7%, driven by Southern Copper declining 7.6%. Over the past 12 months, the industry was up 29%. Looking forward, earnings are forecast to grow by 18% annually.

Sector Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Sat, 14 Mar 2026US$1.9tUS$845.8bUS$43.7b20.8x44x2.3x
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
Price to Earnings Ratio

14.8x


Total Market Cap: US$1.3tTotal Earnings: US$88.3bTotal Revenue: US$952.5bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Materials Sector Price to Earnings3Y Average 31.6x202420252026
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 44.5x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 31.6x.
  • 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 21% per year over the last three years,
  • Revenues have also declined 3.9% 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-1.64%
Materials-2.69%
Chemicals1.32%
Paper and Forestry Products-3.57%
Packaging-4.35%
Basic Materials-4.69%
Metals and Mining-5.87%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Paper and Forestry Products industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 9.0x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 36.1%, which is higher than its past year's earnings decline of 60.8% per year.
  • Investors are most pessimistic about the Basic Materials industry, which is trading close to its 3-year average of 23.7x.
Forecasted Growth
  • Analysts are most optimistic on the Paper and Forestry Products industry, expecting annual earnings growth of 36% over the next 5 years.
  • This is better than its past earnings decline of 61% 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$493.921.9%
+US$4.3b		8.4%PE33.2x
APD Air Products and ChemicalsUS$287.985.8%
+US$3.5b		-1.3%PS5.3x
DOW DowUS$36.6210.0%
+US$2.4b		-0.9%PS0.7x
CF CF Industries HoldingsUS$129.5711.9%
+US$2.1b		69.1%PE13.7x
LYB LyondellBasell IndustriesUS$72.307.7%
+US$1.7b		-2.5%PS0.8x

Latest News

LIN
US$493.92
Linde
7D
1.9%
1Y
8.4%
AU
US$94.89
AngloGold Ashanti
7D
-10.9%
1Y
194.4%
CF
US$129.57
CF Industries Holdings
7D
11.9%
1Y
69.1%

Low Carbon Ammonia And CCS Projects Will Support A Stronger Long Term Outlook

Catalysts About CF Industries Holdings CF Industries Holdings produces nitrogen based fertilizers and low carbon ammonia for agricultural and industrial customers worldwide. What are the underlying business or industry changes driving this perspective?
WLK
US$112.04
Westlake
7D
8.6%
1Y
4.4%

Three Pillar Plan And Housing Tailwinds Will Transform Earnings Quality

Catalysts About Westlake Westlake is a global producer of performance and essential materials and housing and infrastructure products that serve construction, industrial and municipal end markets. What are the underlying business or industry changes driving this perspective?
APD
US$287.98
Air Products and Chemicals
7D
5.8%
1Y
-1.3%
CTVA
US$79.21
Corteva
7D
2.9%
1Y
32.4%

CTVA: Mixed Crop Protection Outlook And New SpinCo Plan Will Shape Risk Balance

The analyst price target for Corteva edges higher to $83.33 from $82.76, as analysts factor in slightly firmer long term revenue growth and profit margins, while balancing more cautious views on crop protection trends and a modestly lower discount rate. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Corteva reflects a split view, with several firms lifting price targets while others turn more cautious on execution in crop protection.
ECL
US$274.18
Ecolab
7D
-3.0%
1Y
9.3%

ECL: Upward Sector Catalysts And Buybacks Will Support Elevated Execution Risk

The updated analyst price target for Ecolab reflects a modest recalibration in our model. The fair value estimate of $321.86 is supported by slightly higher revenue growth assumptions, a lower discount rate, and broadly consistent profit margin and future P/E inputs that align with a recent wave of upward price target revisions from multiple research firms.
AEM
US$207.54
Agnico Eagle Mines
7D
-6.1%
1Y
100.3%
SCCO
US$170.83
Southern Copper
7D
-7.6%
1Y
84.4%
SHW
US$319.78
Sherwin-Williams
7D
-3.1%
1Y
-6.4%

SHW: Mixed Rating Resets And Active Capital Returns Will Shape Future Pricing Power

The updated analyst price target for Sherwin-Williams reflects a modest fair value adjustment of about $1. Analysts are factoring in slightly lower discount rate and revenue growth assumptions, a small trim to expected profit margins, and a marginally higher future P/E multiple following recent earnings and mixed, but active, target revisions across the Street.
LYB
US$72.30
LyondellBasell Industries
7D
7.7%
1Y
-2.5%
SQM
US$74.45
Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile
7D
5.8%
1Y
72.9%
DOW
US$36.62
Dow
7D
10.0%
1Y
-0.9%
NEM
US$109.58
Newmont
7D
-5.8%
1Y
137.0%

NEM: Higher Gold Assumptions And CEO Shift Will Still Face Execution Risk

The analyst price target for Newmont in our model has been raised by about $8 to $89.87, as analysts collectively lift their targets into the $150 range, citing a stronger gold outlook, refreshed leadership priorities, and updated metal price assumptions for 2026. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Newmont has centered on a cluster of higher price targets, with several firms adjusting their models around updated 2026 metal price assumptions, refreshed company guidance, and leadership changes.
FCX
US$56.38
Freeport-McMoRan
7D
-5.0%
1Y
45.1%

FCX: Copper Price Tailwinds And Grasberg Clarity Will Guide Balanced Future Returns

Our updated analyst price target for Freeport-McMoRan moves from $64.02 to $66.47. This reflects a series of higher Street targets tied to stronger long-term copper price assumptions, improved clarity around the Grasberg asset, and refreshed models that point to a modestly higher future P/E of 24.48x, despite slightly lower forecast revenue growth and profit margins.
CRH
US$99.82
CRH
7D
-6.2%
1Y
2.9%

CRH: Index Additions And Buybacks Will Support Long Term Return Potential

Analysts have raised their price target on CRH to about $141.72 from roughly $140.46, citing updated assumptions around fair value, discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin and future P/E expectations. What's in the News CRH completed a share repurchase tranche between October 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025, buying 2,108,172 shares, or 0.31% of shares, for US$250.83m, bringing total repurchases under the March 2, 2023 program to 77,073,466 shares, or 10.76%, for US$5,284.35m (company announcement).