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U.S. Materials Sector Analysis

UpdatedAug 19, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies436
  • 7D-2.5%
  • 3M3.3%
  • 1Y22.4%
  • YTD11.7%

In the last week, the Materials industry is down 2.5% with Southern Copper down the most at 3.4%. This takes the industry's 12 month performance to a gain of 22%. Looking forward, 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
Wed, 19 Aug 2026US$2.0tUS$883.0bUS$57.6b21.6x34.1x2.2x
Fri, 17 Jul 2026US$1.9tUS$861.8bUS$53.7b22.1x34.6x2.2x
Sun, 14 Jun 2026US$2.0tUS$863.8bUS$53.8b22.2x36.4x2.3x
Tue, 12 May 2026US$2.0tUS$861.9bUS$54.2b21.1x36.5x2.3x
Thu, 09 Apr 2026US$1.9tUS$846.0bUS$43.6b21.4x44.2x2.3x
Sat, 07 Mar 2026US$2.0tUS$845.6bUS$43.9b21.6x44.8x2.3x
Mon, 02 Feb 2026US$1.9tUS$854.3bUS$43.2b25.1x44.3x2.2x
Wed, 31 Dec 2025US$1.7tUS$853.0bUS$45.8b23.6x38x2x
Fri, 28 Nov 2025US$1.7tUS$852.7bUS$45.8b22.7x36.5x2x
Sun, 26 Oct 2025US$1.7tUS$841.9bUS$49.3b23.3x34.2x2x
Tue, 23 Sep 2025US$1.7tUS$838.3bUS$47.3b24x35.7x2x
Thu, 21 Aug 2025US$1.6tUS$838.2bUS$47.4b23x34.2x1.9x
Sat, 19 Jul 2025US$1.6tUS$833.0bUS$48.7b22.6x32.8x1.9x
Mon, 16 Jun 2025US$1.6tUS$852.8bUS$48.6b21.5x32x1.8x
Wed, 14 May 2025US$1.6tUS$866.1bUS$50.0b20.8x31.3x1.8x
Fri, 11 Apr 2025US$1.4tUS$863.9bUS$54.3b18.4x26.5x1.7x
Sun, 09 Mar 2025US$1.6tUS$868.0bUS$54.1b21.2x28.7x1.8x
Tue, 04 Feb 2025US$1.6tUS$869.9bUS$48.8b21.4x32.7x1.8x
Thu, 02 Jan 2025US$1.5tUS$875.9bUS$49.7b19.5x30.4x1.7x
Sat, 30 Nov 2024US$1.7tUS$876.1bUS$49.7b21.6x34x1.9x
Mon, 28 Oct 2024US$1.7tUS$875.1bUS$50.2b21.5x33.4x1.9x
Wed, 25 Sep 2024US$1.7tUS$870.6bUS$49.8b22.2x33.5x1.9x
Fri, 23 Aug 2024US$1.6tUS$870.2bUS$49.9b21.1x32.5x1.9x
Sun, 21 Jul 2024US$1.6tUS$866.0bUS$50.2b19.9x31.7x1.8x
Tue, 18 Jun 2024US$1.5tUS$871.2bUS$50.2b20.2x30.7x1.8x
Thu, 16 May 2024US$1.6tUS$871.5bUS$50.3b19.9x32.2x1.9x
Sat, 13 Apr 2024US$1.6tUS$879.9bUS$52.3b17x30.7x1.8x
Mon, 11 Mar 2024US$1.5tUS$880.5bUS$52.4b17.8x29.4x1.7x
Wed, 07 Feb 2024US$1.4tUS$875.6bUS$61.2b17.7x23.3x1.6x
Fri, 05 Jan 2024US$1.5tUS$905.2bUS$63.0b17.7x23.3x1.6x
Sun, 03 Dec 2023US$1.4tUS$911.1bUS$63.7b17.1x22.6x1.6x
Tue, 31 Oct 2023US$1.3tUS$915.3bUS$64.5b13.5x20x1.4x
Thu, 28 Sep 2023US$1.3tUS$894.4bUS$63.4b14.6x20.5x1.5x
Sat, 26 Aug 2023US$1.3tUS$887.3bUS$63.3b14.8x21.1x1.5x
Price to Earnings Ratio

21.1x


Total Market Cap: US$1.3tTotal Earnings: US$63.3bTotal Revenue: US$887.3bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Materials Sector Price to Earnings3Y Average 34.5x202420252026
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 34.5x.
  • The industry is trading close to its 3-year average PS ratio of 2.1x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Materials industry have declined 3.1% 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 Market-0.35%
Materials-2.48%
Metals and Mining-2.00%
Chemicals-2.05%
Packaging-3.04%
Paper and Forestry Products-6.32%
Basic Materials-6.53%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Chemicals industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 52.3x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 22.1%, which is higher than its past year's earnings decline of 0.9% 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
AEM Agnico Eagle MinesUS$186.942.9%
+US$2.6b		43.5%PE16.1x
CTVA CortevaUS$77.912.2%
+US$1.1b		7.6%PE47.9x
ALM Almonty IndustriesUS$15.6017.4%
+US$666.4m		284.2%PE58.2x
SQM Sociedad Química y Minera de ChileUS$74.473.1%
+US$642.7m		65.3%PE26.1x
EMAT Evolution Metals & TechnologiesUS$3.1234.5%
+US$497.4m		-72.3%PS551.9x

Latest News

SHW
US$345.27
Sherwin-Williams
7D
-5.3%
1Y
-6.2%
NUE
US$264.19
Nucor
7D
-2.9%
1Y
81.1%
Seeking Alpha • 13h

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
ALM
US$15.60
Almonty Industries
7D
17.4%
1Y
284.2%
EMAT
US$3.12
Evolution Metals & Technologies
7D
34.5%
1Y
-72.3%
LYB
US$65.33
LyondellBasell Industries
7D
2.1%
1Y
21.4%
VMC
US$271.65
Vulcan Materials
7D
-5.6%
1Y
-7.2%
STLD
US$249.81
Steel Dynamics
7D
-5.3%
1Y
94.8%
ALB
US$132.71
Albemarle
7D
2.6%
1Y
64.8%
Seeking Alpha • Aug 14

Lithium At $20/Kg: Why Albemarle Still Has Room To Run

Summary Albemarle is now a focused lithium and bromine pure-play, following the divestiture of its catalyst business and balance sheet improvements. ALB holds world-class lithium assets, securing a low-cost position and structural advantages, with a robust balance sheet and $2.7 billion in liquidity. The current lithium price recovery and disciplined supply underpin a base case EBITDA of ~$2.5 billion, with further upside from Kings Mountain and DLE expansion. Despite an 8% CAGR target return, ALB offers significant operating leverage to lithium prices, making it a speculative buy for patient, risk-tolerant investors. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
SCCO
US$187.80
Southern Copper
7D
-3.4%
1Y
107.1%
FCX
US$66.32
Freeport-McMoRan
7D
-3.7%
1Y
60.0%
Seeking Alpha • Aug 11

Freeport-McMoRan: Growth On The Horizon, With A Positive Q2 As Significant Growth Operations Continue

Summary Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) is well-positioned to benefit from strong copper market tailwinds and robust financials, supporting a Buy rating for long-term value investors. FCX's growth profile is underpinned by upgraded ore leaching, which further bolsters the effects of major expansion projects at Bagdad, Kucing Liar, and El Abra. Financial stability is evidenced by a Q2 asset-to-liability ratio of ~2.17, strong liquidity, and ongoing income generation matching CapEx. While FCX trades at a justified premium (P/E 23.46 vs. sector 17.12), upside is expected from growth execution, not technical re-rating. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
AEM
US$186.94
Agnico Eagle Mines
7D
2.9%
1Y
43.5%
Narrative Update • Aug 10

AEM: Barnat Setback And Softer Gold Outlook Will Pressure Returns

Agnico Eagle Mines' updated analyst price target reflects a modest reset in fair value to $112.50 from $115.10, as analysts factor in softer revenue expectations alongside slightly stronger profit margins and a higher future P/E assumption. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Agnico Eagle Mines shows a mix of caution and support, with several firms recalibrating their targets around commodity assumptions, company specific events and sector positioning.
CF
US$119.72
CF Industries Holdings
7D
1.6%
1Y
42.5%
CRH
US$93.25
CRH
7D
-7.9%
1Y
-17.1%
CTVA
US$77.91
Corteva
7D
2.2%
1Y
7.6%
Narrative Update • Aug 04

CTVA: Upcoming Seed Spinoff And Crop Protection Pipeline Will Reshape Earnings Mix

Analysts lifted their price target for Corteva to $92.40 from $90.05, pointing to updated expectations around the Vylor seed spinoff, the crop protection and fertilizer backdrop, and the revised P/E and profitability assumptions cited in recent research. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Corteva centers on how the Vylor seed spinoff, crop protection trends, and fertilizer market conditions may affect valuation, growth prospects, and execution risk.
LIN
US$478.71
Linde
7D
-2.4%
1Y
-0.3%
Seeking Alpha • Aug 03

Linde: My 'Not Cheap' Thesis Has Been True Since 2023

Summary Linde plc remains a 'Hold' due to excessive valuation, despite its world-class fundamentals and robust profitability. LIN trades at a 27x-30x P/E, requiring unrealistic growth or sector re-rating to justify current levels and deliver meaningful upside. Recent results show strong margins, cash generation, and backlog, but capital allocation—especially buybacks at high multiples—raises concerns. My fair value is $340/share, with a 15% annualized hurdle; current risk/reward is unattractive until a significant valuation correction. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
SQM
US$74.47
Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile
7D
3.1%
1Y
65.3%
Narrative Update • Aug 03

SQM: Future Returns Will Hinge On Lithium Volume Execution

The updated analyst price target for Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile increases by about $9 per share. Analysts attribute the change to revised fair value estimates, a slightly lower discount rate, expectations for stronger profit margins, and a lower future P/E.