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U.S. Materials Sector Analysis

UpdatedJul 15, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies445
  • 7D-0.8%
  • 3M-5.8%
  • 1Y18.8%
  • YTD6.9%

Over the last 7 days, the Materials industry has remained flat, although notably Southern Copper gained 7.4%. The past year has been better, since the industry has gained 19% in that time. 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
Wed, 15 Jul 2026US$1.9tUS$861.7bUS$53.7b21.2x34.5x2.2x
Fri, 12 Jun 2026US$1.8tUS$863.7bUS$53.8b21.7x34.3x2.1x
Sun, 10 May 2026US$2.0tUS$861.6bUS$54.2b20.9x36.1x2.3x
Tue, 07 Apr 2026US$1.9tUS$845.9bUS$43.6b20.5x44.5x2.3x
Thu, 05 Mar 2026US$2.0tUS$845.6bUS$43.7b22.2x46.5x2.4x
Sat, 31 Jan 2026US$2.0tUS$854.2bUS$43.2b25.1x46.1x2.3x
Mon, 29 Dec 2025US$1.8tUS$853.0bUS$45.8b23.8x38.7x2.1x
Wed, 26 Nov 2025US$1.6tUS$852.7bUS$45.8b22.6x35.5x1.9x
Fri, 24 Oct 2025US$1.7tUS$837.8bUS$47.8b24.2x34.9x2x
Sun, 21 Sep 2025US$1.7tUS$838.3bUS$47.3b23.7x35.7x2x
Tue, 19 Aug 2025US$1.6tUS$838.2bUS$47.4b23x34.4x1.9x
Thu, 17 Jul 2025US$1.6tUS$832.9bUS$48.5b22.4x32.6x1.9x
Sat, 14 Jun 2025US$1.6tUS$852.8bUS$48.6b21.5x32.4x1.8x
Mon, 12 May 2025US$1.5tUS$852.8bUS$47.7b20.6x31.6x1.8x
Wed, 09 Apr 2025US$1.4tUS$863.9bUS$54.0b17.2x25.3x1.6x
Fri, 07 Mar 2025US$1.6tUS$867.5bUS$54.1b21.3x28.9x1.8x
Sun, 02 Feb 2025US$1.6tUS$870.0bUS$48.8b21.6x32.7x1.8x
Tue, 31 Dec 2024US$1.5tUS$876.0bUS$49.8b19.3x30.6x1.7x
Thu, 28 Nov 2024US$1.7tUS$876.1bUS$49.7b21.6x33.9x1.9x
Sat, 26 Oct 2024US$1.7tUS$877.7bUS$50.2b21.4x33.7x1.9x
Mon, 23 Sep 2024US$1.7tUS$870.5bUS$49.8b21.7x33.3x1.9x
Wed, 21 Aug 2024US$1.6tUS$870.9bUS$50.3b20.6x32x1.8x
Fri, 19 Jul 2024US$1.6tUS$866.2bUS$50.2b19.9x32.4x1.9x
Sun, 16 Jun 2024US$1.5tUS$871.2bUS$50.2b20.2x30.7x1.8x
Tue, 14 May 2024US$1.6tUS$871.4bUS$50.4b19.9x32.1x1.9x
Thu, 11 Apr 2024US$1.6tUS$880.0bUS$52.3b17.2x31.2x1.9x
Sat, 09 Mar 2024US$1.5tUS$880.6bUS$52.4b17.8x29.4x1.7x
Mon, 05 Feb 2024US$1.5tUS$900.5bUS$60.6b17.5x24.1x1.6x
Wed, 03 Jan 2024US$1.5tUS$905.1bUS$63.0b18.3x23.7x1.7x
Fri, 01 Dec 2023US$1.4tUS$911.5bUS$63.8b16.5x22x1.5x
Sun, 29 Oct 2023US$1.2tUS$904.2bUS$65.4b13.4x19.1x1.4x
Tue, 26 Sep 2023US$1.3tUS$889.7bUS$62.9b13.8x20.8x1.5x
Thu, 24 Aug 2023US$1.3tUS$887.4bUS$63.3b14.1x21.2x1.5x
Sat, 22 Jul 2023US$1.4tUS$933.8bUS$74.9b13.8x18.9x1.5x
Price to Earnings Ratio

18.9x


Total Market Cap: US$1.4tTotal Earnings: US$74.9bTotal Revenue: US$933.8bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Materials Sector Price to Earnings3Y Average 34.1x202420252026
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 34.1x.
  • 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 10% per year over the last three years,
  • Revenues have also declined 2.6% 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 Market0.22%
Materials-0.81%
Metals and Mining1.94%
Paper and Forestry Products-2.08%
Chemicals-2.26%
Basic Materials-2.53%
Packaging-3.42%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Chemicals industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 50.8x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 16.5%, which is higher than its past year's earnings decline of 1.4% per year.
Forecasted Growth
  • Analysts are most optimistic on the Paper and Forestry Products industry, expecting annual earnings growth of 55% over the next 5 years.
  • This is better than its past earnings decline of 64% per year.
  • In contrast, the Basic Materials industry is expected to see its earnings grow by 12% 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$182.387.4%
+US$10.5b		94.0%PE30.6x
FCX Freeport-McMoRanUS$61.954.4%
+US$3.8b		40.4%PE32.7x
NUE NucorUS$234.163.0%
+US$1.5b		69.2%PE23x
LYB LyondellBasell IndustriesUS$58.557.2%
+US$1.3b		-6.2%PS0.6x
DOW DowUS$30.315.8%
+US$1.2b		8.3%PS0.6x

Latest News

LIN
US$522.54
Linde
7D
-2.9%
1Y
13.5%
BVN
US$31.03
Compañía de Minas BuenaventuraA
7D
7.3%
1Y
89.2%
AEM
US$144.41
Agnico Eagle Mines
7D
-3.9%
1Y
21.3%
Narrative Update • Jul 13

AEM: Barnat Production Disruption Will Ultimately Cap Upside Despite Rich Pipeline

The updated analyst price target for Agnico Eagle Mines reflects a lower fair value estimate of $118.47. Analysts cite reduced commodity price forecasts, production adjustments at Canadian Malartic, and expectations for mixed near term sector conditions.
DOW
US$30.31
Dow
7D
5.8%
1Y
8.3%
Narrative Update • Jul 13

DOW: Cost Savings And Tightening Supply Will Support Future Earnings Resilience

Analysts have trimmed their average fair value estimate for Dow to about $48 from $51, citing a wave of lower price targets across the Street as they factor in softer commodity chemicals pricing, easing oil related benefits, and more conservative long term P/E assumptions. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Dow shows a clear reset in price targets, but there are still several areas where bullish analysts see room for the stock to work, particularly around execution, cost control, and potential improvement in supply and pricing conditions.
CF
US$119.19
CF Industries Holdings
7D
3.7%
1Y
24.3%
IFF
US$74.67
International Flavors & Fragrances
7D
-8.7%
1Y
1.4%
ECL
US$269.75
Ecolab
7D
-4.7%
1Y
1.9%
Seeking Alpha • Jul 09

Ecolab: Data Center Growth Insufficient To Support 33x P/E Ratio

Summary Ecolab remains a hold as the current valuation of 33x forward earnings fully prices in near-term growth prospects. ECL's high-tech/data center vertical offers long-term potential, but current contributions are modest and could require substantial M&A capital deployment. Recent acquisitions like CoolIT Systems, at 8.6x forward revenues, are initially dilutive and highlight Ecolab's aggressive strategy to scale high-tech exposure. Organic growth in various Ecolab markets remains slow, making sustained EPS growth reliant on successful, accretive M&A execution. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
CRH
US$103.91
CRH
7D
-2.2%
1Y
10.3%
SCCO
US$182.38
Southern Copper
7D
7.4%
1Y
94.0%
Narrative Update • Jul 09

SCCO: Valuation Premium Will Face Pressure From Expected Production Declines

Southern Copper's updated fair value estimate has been raised to $131.50 from $125.74 as analysts factor in recent price target hikes, a modestly lower assumed revenue decline, improved profit margin assumptions, and a slightly lower future P/E multiple for the stock. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Southern Copper shows a clear split between constructive long term views on copper and more cautious opinions on where the stock is currently trading.
FCX
US$61.95
Freeport-McMoRan
7D
4.4%
1Y
40.4%
MOS
US$22.94
Mosaic
7D
8.6%
1Y
-36.1%
Narrative Update • Jul 07

MOS: Sulfur And Phosphate Margin Reset Will Shape Balanced Return Potential

The updated analyst price target framework for Mosaic reflects a modest fair value adjustment from about $19.36 to roughly $19.98, as analysts factor in slightly less severe revenue pressure, firmer profit margin expectations, and a lower future P/E multiple informed by recent research that balances reduced Street targets with arguments for eventual margin recovery in phosphate fertilizers. Analyst Commentary Recent research around Mosaic highlights a split view, with some firms pointing to potential value in the stock while several bearish analysts stress ongoing risks tied to phosphate margins, sulfur costs, and broader fertilizer demand.
PPG
US$114.66
PPG Industries
7D
-4.6%
1Y
0.3%
LYB
US$58.55
LyondellBasell Industries
7D
7.2%
1Y
-6.2%
APD
US$299.40
Air Products and Chemicals
7D
-1.9%
1Y
4.4%
NUE
US$234.16
Nucor
7D
3.0%
1Y
69.2%
Narrative Update • Jul 02

NUE: Steel Price Tailwinds Will Test Stretched P E And Earnings Assumptions

Nucor's analyst fair value estimate has been lifted from $175.51 to $189.01 as analysts factor in firm pricing for hot rolled coil, tighter domestic steel supply, and updated models that reflect revised steel price assumptions and margin expectations. Analyst Commentary Recent research around Nucor points to a generally constructive stance on the steel sector, but with a clear split between more optimistic views on pricing and supply tightness and a smaller group of cautious voices highlighting execution and earnings risks.
SHW
US$328.50
Sherwin-Williams
7D
-4.0%
1Y
-3.1%