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U.S. Materials Sector Analysis

UpdatedAug 30, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies436
  • 7D-1.2%
  • 3M4.4%
  • 1Y23.8%
  • YTD16.6%

Over the last 7 days, the Materials industry has dropped 1.2%, driven by declines in Southern Copper and Agnico Eagle Mines of 2.9% and 4.5%, respectively. Over the past 12 months, the industry was up 24%. Earnings are forecast to grow by 17% annually.

Sector Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Sun, 30 Aug 2026US$2.0tUS$882.9bUS$58.2b22.1x34.8x2.3x
Tue, 28 Jul 2026US$1.9tUS$870.1bUS$57.4b21.3x32.6x2.2x
Thu, 25 Jun 2026US$1.9tUS$863.7bUS$53.8b21.1x35.4x2.2x
Sat, 23 May 2026US$1.9tUS$863.0bUS$53.6b20.7x35.5x2.2x
Mon, 20 Apr 2026US$2.0tUS$840.7bUS$42.7b22.5x47.3x2.4x
Wed, 18 Mar 2026US$1.9tUS$845.7bUS$43.5b21.1x43.6x2.2x
Fri, 13 Feb 2026US$2.1tUS$851.4bUS$39.7b25.6x52.4x2.4x
Sun, 11 Jan 2026US$1.9tUS$853.2bUS$46.2b25.3x40.7x2.2x
Tue, 09 Dec 2025US$1.7tUS$852.8bUS$45.8b22.4x36.3x2x
Thu, 06 Nov 2025US$1.6tUS$847.4bUS$47.6b22.3x33.2x1.9x
Sat, 04 Oct 2025US$1.7tUS$835.9bUS$46.9b24.4x36.1x2x
Mon, 01 Sep 2025US$1.7tUS$837.9bUS$47.3b24.1x35.3x2x
Wed, 30 Jul 2025US$1.6tUS$835.2bUS$47.7b22.2x33.8x1.9x
Fri, 27 Jun 2025US$1.5tUS$837.4bUS$48.4b21.9x31.8x1.8x
Sun, 25 May 2025US$1.5tUS$852.9bUS$47.6b20.9x32x1.8x
Tue, 22 Apr 2025US$1.5tUS$864.8bUS$55.2b18.5x26.4x1.7x
Thu, 20 Mar 2025US$1.6tUS$869.3bUS$54.2b21.8x28.7x1.8x
Sat, 15 Feb 2025US$1.6tUS$870.1bUS$49.6b21.2x32.6x1.9x
Mon, 13 Jan 2025US$1.5tUS$872.0bUS$49.3b18.3x30.5x1.7x
Wed, 11 Dec 2024US$1.7tUS$876.2bUS$49.7b20.9x33.3x1.9x
Fri, 08 Nov 2024US$1.7tUS$876.0bUS$48.5b21.7x35.1x1.9x
Sun, 06 Oct 2024US$1.7tUS$868.6bUS$50.1b21.4x33.6x1.9x
Tue, 03 Sep 2024US$1.7tUS$870.5bUS$49.8b21.5x33.2x1.9x
Thu, 01 Aug 2024US$1.6tUS$866.1bUS$49.3b20x33.1x1.9x
Sat, 29 Jun 2024US$1.5tUS$873.5bUS$50.1b20.3x30.8x1.8x
Mon, 27 May 2024US$1.6tUS$871.5bUS$50.3b21.9x32x1.8x
Wed, 24 Apr 2024US$1.5tUS$879.0bUS$52.1b16.9x29.7x1.8x
Fri, 22 Mar 2024US$1.6tUS$880.3bUS$52.1b17.3x30.5x1.8x
Sun, 18 Feb 2024US$1.5tUS$875.1bUS$56.9b19x25.9x1.7x
Tue, 16 Jan 2024US$1.5tUS$905.9bUS$63.3b17.6x23.2x1.6x
Thu, 14 Dec 2023US$1.4tUS$906.0bUS$63.4b17.5x22.4x1.6x
Sat, 11 Nov 2023US$1.3tUS$908.3bUS$63.7b15.1x20.7x1.4x
Mon, 09 Oct 2023US$1.3tUS$894.2bUS$63.5b13.7x20.4x1.4x
Wed, 06 Sep 2023US$1.4tUS$889.7bUS$62.9b14.2x21.6x1.5x
Price to Earnings Ratio

21.6x


Total Market Cap: US$1.4tTotal Earnings: US$62.9bTotal Revenue: US$889.7bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Materials Sector Price to Earnings3Y Average 34.7x202420252026
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 34.7x.
  • The 3-year average PS ratio of 2.1x 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 2.6% 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 Market0.28%
Materials-1.19%
Chemicals-0.098%
Basic Materials-0.20%
Paper and Forestry Products-0.93%
Metals and Mining-1.99%
Packaging-2.98%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Chemicals industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 52.7x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 21.6%, which is higher than its past year's earnings growth of 2.4% per year.
Forecasted Growth
  • Analysts are most optimistic on the Paper and Forestry Products industry, expecting annual earnings growth of 68% over the next 5 years.
  • This is better than its past earnings decline of 65% 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
MLM Martin Marietta MaterialsUS$531.05-0.7%
US$5.6b		-13.8%PE40.6x
NUE NucorUS$250.502.8%
+US$1.6b		68.4%PE19.8x
ECL EcolabUS$286.751.8%
+US$1.4b		3.5%PE38x
CTVA CortevaUS$83.902.6%
+US$1.4b		13.1%PE51.6x
SOLS Solstice Advanced MaterialsUS$63.5313.1%
+US$1.2b		n/aPE48.1x

Latest News

CTVA
US$83.90
Corteva
7D
2.6%
1Y
13.1%
SOLS
US$63.53
Solstice Advanced Materials
7D
13.1%
1Y
n/a
LIN
US$489.51
Linde
7D
0.4%
1Y
2.3%
PKG
US$240.39
Packaging Corporation of America
7D
-4.9%
1Y
10.3%
IP
US$39.31
International Paper
7D
-5.3%
1Y
-20.9%
Narrative Update • Aug 26

IP: Pricing Power And Mill Footprint Actions Will Drive Turnaround Potential

The analyst price target for International Paper moves from about $43.64 to $48.00 as analysts highlight ongoing pricing momentum in containerboard, expectations for further margin expansion, and company specific cost and investment initiatives. Analyst Commentary Recent research on International Paper shows a clear tilt toward more optimistic views, with many firms lifting price targets and a few keeping a more cautious stance on execution and industry conditions.
IFF
US$87.95
International Flavors & Fragrances
7D
4.4%
1Y
30.3%
LYB
US$63.67
LyondellBasell Industries
7D
-5.7%
1Y
13.0%
Narrative Update • Aug 26

LYB: Normalizing Chemical Spreads And Overearning Risk Will Pressure Future Returns

Analysts have lifted the fair value estimate for LyondellBasell Industries to $56 from $48, as recent price target increases and commentary highlight expectations for support from cost reductions, stronger Oxyfuels, and updated margin assumptions, despite some anticipated giveback of Q2 pricing benefits. Analyst Commentary Recent research on LyondellBasell Industries shows a wide range of views as analysts refresh their models after the latest results and commodity moves.
MLM
US$531.05
Martin Marietta Materials
7D
-0.7%
1Y
-13.8%
NEM
US$127.98
Newmont
7D
-2.7%
1Y
72.0%
Narrative Update • Aug 25

NEM: Cash Generation Buybacks And Nevada Assets Will Shape Future Returns

Newmont's analyst price target has been updated to $132.87 from $141.46 as analysts factor in revised gold price assumptions, updated views on projects such as Fourmile and Nevada Gold Mines, and the impact of share buybacks and cost expectations on fair value, discount rates, growth and margin forecasts. Analyst Commentary Recent research updates on Newmont give you a mixed but detailed picture of how the Street is thinking about the stock after recent results, gold price moves, and project updates such as Fourmile and Nevada Gold Mines.
AEM
US$206.25
Agnico Eagle Mines
7D
-4.5%
1Y
43.1%
Narrative Update • Aug 24

AEM: Barnat Disruption And Buybacks Will Shape Fairly Balanced Outlook

The updated analyst price target for Agnico Eagle Mines has moved from $249.60 to $214.98 as analysts incorporate recent Q2 previews, commodity price forecast changes, and revised production and cost assumptions into their models. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Agnico Eagle Mines shows a split between analysts who see the current setup as an attractive entry point and those who are more cautious on near term execution and commodity price risk.
DOW
US$30.51
Dow
7D
-5.7%
1Y
23.9%
Narrative Update • Aug 24

DOW: Macro Reset And Nuclear Power Projects Will Support Future Earnings Resilience

Dow's updated analyst price target now sits near $44.62, down from $48.00, as analysts factor in softer revenue growth expectations, a lower future P/E multiple, and mixed sector commentary on commodity chemicals and polyethylene pricing. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Dow shows a wide range of views, but several bullish analysts still see upside potential despite reduced price targets.
ECL
US$286.75
Ecolab
7D
1.8%
1Y
3.5%
SCCO
US$209.80
Southern Copper
7D
-2.9%
1Y
127.0%
AU
US$113.19
AngloGold Ashanti
7D
-6.6%
1Y
99.8%
Narrative Update • Aug 21

AU: Dividends And Buyback Plan Will Support Balanced Future Returns

Analysts have trimmed their price target for AngloGold Ashanti from $118.00 to about $113.13, reflecting updated assumptions around revenue growth, profit margins and future P/E expectations. What's in the News AngloGold Ashanti declared an interim dividend for the second quarter of 2026 of US$0.72 per share, with key dates for New York Stock Exchange and South African Register holders set around August 21, 2026, and payment on September 4, 2026.
STLD
US$234.67
Steel Dynamics
7D
2.6%
1Y
79.2%
NUE
US$250.50
Nucor
7D
2.8%
1Y
68.4%
Seeking Alpha • Aug 18

Nucor: Tariff Shield, Rising Capacity, And Infrastructure Demand Merit A Strong Buy

Summary Nucor Corporation is positioned for durable growth as U.S. steel demand strengthens and import volumes decline, supporting higher pricing and volumes. New capacity from the West Virginia sheet mill and Utah Towers facility will drive volume growth, with start-up costs expected through eFY27 before normalizing. NUE's strong balance sheet and reduced net leverage (0.77x) provide flexibility for expansion and M&A, while Section 232 tariffs and infrastructure demand underpin the bullish outlook. I reiterate a Strong Buy rating on NUE stock with a $306/share price target, reflecting 8.94x eFY28 EV/EBITDA, justified by robust operating leverage and market tailwinds. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha