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U.S. Materials Sector Analysis

UpdatedJul 22, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies443
  • 7D-1.0%
  • 3M-6.9%
  • 1Y13.5%
  • YTD5.8%

Over the last 7 days, the Materials industry has dropped 1.7%, driven by Linde declining 3.4%. In the past year, the industry has gained 14%. As for the next few years, earnings are expected to grow by 16% per annum.

Sector Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Wed, 22 Jul 2026US$1.8tUS$864.6bUS$54.3b21.4x33.6x2.1x
Fri, 19 Jun 2026US$2.0tUS$863.7bUS$53.8b22.1x36.4x2.3x
Sun, 17 May 2026US$1.9tUS$863.0bUS$53.6b22.3x35.7x2.2x
Tue, 14 Apr 2026US$2.0tUS$840.7bUS$43.1b22.2x46.8x2.4x
Thu, 12 Mar 2026US$2.0tUS$845.9bUS$43.7b22.1x44.7x2.3x
Sat, 07 Feb 2026US$1.9tUS$857.8bUS$40.9b25.4x47.5x2.3x
Mon, 05 Jan 2026US$1.8tUS$852.9bUS$45.8b23.8x38.3x2.1x
Wed, 03 Dec 2025US$1.7tUS$852.7bUS$45.8b22.6x36.5x2x
Fri, 31 Oct 2025US$1.7tUS$845.1bUS$50.1b22.9x33.1x2x
Sun, 28 Sep 2025US$1.7tUS$838.3bUS$47.3b23.5x35.3x2x
Tue, 26 Aug 2025US$1.7tUS$838.0bUS$47.3b23.5x35.1x2x
Thu, 24 Jul 2025US$1.6tUS$830.3bUS$47.5b23.4x34.2x2x
Sat, 21 Jun 2025US$1.5tUS$837.5bUS$48.5b21.4x31.6x1.8x
Mon, 19 May 2025US$1.6tUS$866.1bUS$49.9b21.3x31.4x1.8x
Wed, 16 Apr 2025US$1.5tUS$863.9bUS$54.3b18.9x26.9x1.7x
Fri, 14 Mar 2025US$1.5tUS$867.8bUS$54.2b21.3x28x1.7x
Sun, 09 Feb 2025US$1.6tUS$870.0bUS$48.5b20.9x33x1.8x
Tue, 07 Jan 2025US$1.5tUS$875.9bUS$49.4b19.1x30.4x1.7x
Thu, 05 Dec 2024US$1.7tUS$876.1bUS$49.7b21.3x33.9x1.9x
Sat, 02 Nov 2024US$1.7tUS$879.8bUS$50.2b20.2x33x1.9x
Mon, 30 Sep 2024US$1.7tUS$870.8bUS$49.7b21.7x34.5x2x
Wed, 28 Aug 2024US$1.6tUS$870.2bUS$49.9b21.2x33x1.9x
Fri, 26 Jul 2024US$1.6tUS$866.7bUS$50.9b20.3x31.1x1.8x
Sun, 23 Jun 2024US$1.6tUS$870.9bUS$50.1b20.2x30.9x1.8x
Tue, 21 May 2024US$1.6tUS$871.5bUS$50.3b21.8x32.4x1.9x
Thu, 18 Apr 2024US$1.6tUS$879.9bUS$52.3b16.7x29.8x1.8x
Sat, 16 Mar 2024US$1.6tUS$880.5bUS$52.5b17.1x29.7x1.8x
Mon, 12 Feb 2024US$1.4tUS$875.6bUS$60.5b18.4x23.8x1.6x
Wed, 10 Jan 2024US$164.3tUS$905.8bUS$63.3b18x2594.7x181.4x
Fri, 08 Dec 2023US$1.4tUS$906.1bUS$63.4b16.8x22x1.5x
Sun, 05 Nov 2023US$1.3tUS$911.0bUS$61.7b13.8x21.8x1.5x
Tue, 03 Oct 2023US$1.3tUS$894.1bUS$63.5b13.5x20.6x1.5x
Thu, 31 Aug 2023US$1.4tUS$887.4bUS$63.3b14.6x21.7x1.5x
Sat, 29 Jul 2023US$1.4tUS$916.1bUS$70.7b14.1x20.2x1.6x
Price to Earnings Ratio

20.2x


Total Market Cap: US$1.4tTotal Earnings: US$70.7bTotal Revenue: US$916.1bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Materials Sector Price to Earnings3Y Average 34.2x202420252026
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 34.2x.
  • 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 9.1% per year over the last three years,
  • Revenues have also declined 2.3% 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-0.68%
Materials-1.03%
Paper and Forestry Products1.94%
Packaging1.70%
Metals and Mining-0.66%
Chemicals-1.29%
Basic Materials-3.89%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Chemicals industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 51.1x.
    • 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 56% 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$188.013.1%
+US$4.7b		96.8%PE31.6x
CTVA CortevaUS$86.942.4%
+US$1.4b		17.9%PE46.4x
FCX Freeport-McMoRanUS$62.561.0%
+US$876.9m		36.6%PE33x
LYB LyondellBasell IndustriesUS$61.194.5%
+US$852.2m		-6.5%PS0.7x
DD DuPont de NemoursUS$138.793.4%
+US$623.8m		-40.3%PE142x

Latest News

CCK
US$117.99
Crown Holdings
7D
7.8%
1Y
12.3%
BALL
US$62.55
Ball
7D
3.5%
1Y
4.8%
Seeking Alpha • Jul 20

Ball Q2 Preview: Not An Appealing Investment Yet

Summary Ball Corporation remains a hold as I await clear signs of profitability improvement or operational momentum post-earnings. Q2 expectations are for $0.99 adjusted EPS, $0.88 GAAP EPS, and $3.68B revenue, with double-digit y/y growth but slowing momentum. I am closely monitoring margin pressures, segment performance, and whether management updates guidance on EPS growth, free cash flow, and capital returns. There is no urgency to buy BALL before earnings; I prefer to assess sustained margin recovery and normalized top-line growth post-Benepack acquisition. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
LYB
US$61.19
LyondellBasell Industries
7D
4.5%
1Y
-6.5%
Seeking Alpha • Jul 19

LyondellBasell: The Iran Conflict Has Interrupted The Evolution Process (Rating Upgrade)

Summary LyondellBasell is upgraded to Hold as market conditions shift from oversupply to mid-cycle due to Middle East disruptions. Recent supply shocks have doubled Q1 earnings and are expected to drive robust Q2 results, but profitability remains below historical mid-cycle levels. At current prices, LYB trades near fair mid-cycle valuation with only a 17% upside to modeled fair value, limiting further appreciation potential. Market recovery is fragile; a quick resolution to Middle East conflicts could rapidly restore oversupply, capping upside for LYB shareholders. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
MLM
US$547.33
Martin Marietta Materials
7D
-4.6%
1Y
-4.1%
DD
US$138.79
DuPont de Nemours
7D
3.4%
1Y
-40.3%
NEM
US$92.49
Newmont
7D
-2.4%
1Y
49.9%
VMC
US$276.75
Vulcan Materials
7D
-5.2%
1Y
3.3%
LIN
US$505.03
Linde
7D
-3.4%
1Y
7.0%
AEM
US$141.62
Agnico Eagle Mines
7D
-1.9%
1Y
10.1%
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.
CF
US$122.96
CF Industries Holdings
7D
3.2%
1Y
34.1%
ECL
US$264.20
Ecolab
7D
-2.1%
1Y
-2.3%
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$99.74
CRH
7D
-4.0%
1Y
4.4%
SCCO
US$188.01
Southern Copper
7D
3.1%
1Y
96.8%
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$62.56
Freeport-McMoRan
7D
1.0%
1Y
36.6%
CTVA
US$86.94
Corteva
7D
2.4%
1Y
17.9%
SHW
US$318.46
Sherwin-Williams
7D
-3.1%
1Y
-6.4%