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U.S. Materials Sector Analysis

UpdatedFeb 14, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies465
  • 7D3.0%
  • 3M25.9%
  • 1Y28.7%
  • YTD16.6%

In the last week, the Materials industry is up 3.0%, with Linde up 7.3%. Meanwhile, Cleveland-Cliffs actually underperformed within the industry, shrinking 30% in the last week. This means that the industry has gained 29% over the past year. Earnings are forecast to grow by 20% annually.

Sector Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Sat, 14 Feb 2026US$2.0tUS$852.8bUS$40.7b24.7x49.8x2.4x
Mon, 12 Jan 2026US$1.9tUS$853.2bUS$46.2b25.3x40.7x2.2x
Wed, 10 Dec 2025US$1.7tUS$852.8bUS$45.8b22.7x36.1x1.9x
Fri, 07 Nov 2025US$1.6tUS$851.5bUS$47.4b21.7x33.7x1.9x
Sun, 05 Oct 2025US$1.7tUS$835.9bUS$46.9b24.4x36.2x2x
Tue, 02 Sep 2025US$1.7tUS$837.9bUS$47.3b24.1x35.3x2x
Thu, 31 Jul 2025US$1.6tUS$834.3bUS$47.8b21.3x33.7x1.9x
Sat, 28 Jun 2025US$1.6tUS$837.4bUS$48.4b22.1x32.3x1.9x
Mon, 26 May 2025US$1.5tUS$852.9bUS$47.6b20.9x32x1.8x
Wed, 23 Apr 2025US$1.4tUS$864.8bUS$55.2b18.9x26x1.7x
Fri, 21 Mar 2025US$1.6tUS$869.1bUS$54.0b21.5x29x1.8x
Sun, 16 Feb 2025US$1.6tUS$870.1bUS$49.6b21.2x32.5x1.9x
Tue, 14 Jan 2025US$1.5tUS$872.0bUS$49.3b18.9x30.5x1.7x
Thu, 12 Dec 2024US$1.6tUS$876.2bUS$49.7b21.7x32.9x1.9x
Sat, 09 Nov 2024US$1.7tUS$878.7bUS$50.2b21.6x34x1.9x
Mon, 07 Oct 2024US$1.7tUS$868.6bUS$50.1b21.4x33.6x1.9x
Wed, 04 Sep 2024US$1.7tUS$870.5bUS$49.8b21x33.2x1.9x
Fri, 02 Aug 2024US$1.6tUS$865.2bUS$48.8b20.5x33.4x1.9x
Sun, 30 Jun 2024US$1.5tUS$873.5bUS$50.1b20.3x30.8x1.8x
Tue, 28 May 2024US$1.6tUS$871.5bUS$50.3b21.9x32x1.8x
Thu, 25 Apr 2024US$1.5tUS$879.6bUS$51.9b16.7x29.8x1.8x
Sat, 23 Mar 2024US$1.6tUS$880.5bUS$52.2b17.4x30.4x1.8x
Mon, 19 Feb 2024US$1.5tUS$875.1bUS$56.9b19x25.9x1.7x
Wed, 17 Jan 2024US$1.5tUS$905.7bUS$63.3b17.5x23.2x1.6x
Fri, 15 Dec 2023US$1.4tUS$906.1bUS$63.4b17.6x22.8x1.6x
Sun, 12 Nov 2023US$1.3tUS$908.3bUS$63.7b15.1x20.8x1.5x
Tue, 10 Oct 2023US$1.3tUS$894.1bUS$63.5b13.7x20.4x1.4x
Thu, 07 Sep 2023US$1.4tUS$889.7bUS$62.9b14x21.5x1.5x
Sat, 05 Aug 2023US$1.4tUS$893.9bUS$64.5b14.6x21.5x1.5x
Mon, 03 Jul 2023US$1.4tUS$936.0bUS$76.9b13.9x18x1.5x
Wed, 31 May 2023US$1.3tUS$934.6bUS$77.1b12.4x16.5x1.4x
Fri, 28 Apr 2023US$1.3tUS$943.6bUS$84.4b12.4x15.9x1.4x
Sun, 26 Mar 2023US$1.3tUS$952.2bUS$86.6b11.9x15.1x1.4x
Tue, 21 Feb 2023US$1.4tUS$952.9bUS$89.2b11.9x15.6x1.5x
Price to Earnings Ratio

15.6x


Total Market Cap: US$1.4tTotal Earnings: US$89.2bTotal Revenue: US$952.9bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Materials Sector Price to Earnings3Y Average 30.8x202420252026
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 49.8x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 30.8x.
  • The 3-year average PS ratio of 1.9x is lower than the industry's current PS ratio of 2.4x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Materials industry have declined 23% per year over the last three years,
  • Revenues have also declined 3.6% 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 Market-1.39%
Materials2.95%
Packaging4.08%
Chemicals3.87%
Metals and Mining2.60%
Basic Materials-0.30%
Paper and Forestry Products-2.44%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Chemicals industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 40.6x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 22.6%, which is higher than its past year's earnings decline of 3.8% per year.
Forecasted Growth
  • Analysts are most optimistic on the Paper and Forestry Products industry, expecting annual earnings growth of 31% over the next 5 years.
  • This is better than its past earnings decline of 52% 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
LIN LindeUS$481.007.3%
+US$15.3b		5.3%PE32.6x
NEM NewmontUS$125.809.1%
+US$11.4b		170.3%PE19.1x
AEM Agnico Eagle MinesUS$216.5910.2%
+US$9.6b		126.0%PE24.3x
SW Smurfit WestrockUS$51.5616.8%
+US$3.9b		-3.9%PE38.4x
FCX Freeport-McMoRanUS$62.843.6%
+US$3.1b		59.2%PE40.9x

Latest News

AEM
US$216.59
Agnico Eagle Mines
7D
10.2%
1Y
126.0%
CLF
US$10.38
Cleveland-Cliffs
7D
-29.5%
1Y
-9.6%
FCX
US$62.84
Freeport-McMoRan
7D
3.6%
1Y
59.2%
MLM
US$678.86
Martin Marietta Materials
7D
-1.6%
1Y
28.7%
ECL
US$299.17
Ecolab
7D
3.0%
1Y
13.0%
NEU
US$592.80
NewMarket
7D
-18.1%
1Y
9.3%
NUE
US$183.23
Nucor
7D
-5.0%
1Y
33.0%

NUE: Tariff Policy And Capacity Additions Will Shape Future Earnings Power

Nucor's analyst price target has been adjusted modestly higher to reflect updated assumptions around fair value near $186, a shift in expected revenue growth and future P/E, and recent Street research that highlights full valuation, higher steel price expectations, and a mixed but supportive demand backdrop in North America and Europe. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research around Nucor shows a mix of optimism on pricing and execution, alongside caution that the current share price already reflects much of that story.
APD
US$279.74
Air Products and Chemicals
7D
-1.2%
1Y
-11.5%

Air Products and Chemicals (NYSE:APD) Is Increasing Its Dividend To $1.81

Feb 11
Air Products and Chemicals (NYSE:APD) Is Increasing Its Dividend To $1.81
SW
US$51.56
Smurfit Westrock
7D
16.8%
1Y
-3.9%
CRH
US$125.97
CRH
7D
-0.9%
1Y
16.3%

CRH: Index Additions Will Support Balanced Long Term Return Potential

Analysts have adjusted their price target for CRH slightly higher to US$140.46 from about US$140.00, reflecting updated assumptions around the discount rate, revenue growth, profit margins and future P/E expectations. What's in the News CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) added to the S&P 500 (Index Constituent Adds) CRH plc added to the S&P 500 Value index (Index Constituent Adds) CRH plc added to the S&P Composite 1500 and S&P 500 Materials sector and industry group indices (Index Constituent Adds) CRH plc added to the S&P 500 Ex Financials, Real Estate, Utilities and Transportation Index (Index Constituent Adds) CRH plc added to the S&P Global 1200 and the S&P 500 Equal Weighted index, and dropped from the Russell Small Cap Comp Value Index (Index Constituent Adds and Drops) Valuation Changes Fair Value: Updated fair value estimate moved slightly to US$140.46 from about US$140.00.
LIN
US$481.00
Linde
7D
7.3%
1Y
5.3%
CENX
US$46.04
Century Aluminum
7D
-12.1%
1Y
119.9%
NEM
US$125.80
Newmont
7D
9.1%
1Y
170.3%

NEM: Moderating Gold Prices And Execution Risks Will Likely Pressure Stretched Shares

Analysts have lifted their consolidated price target for Newmont by roughly US$35, reflecting refreshed views on guidance, commodity price assumptions and production expectations highlighted in recent research updates. Analyst Commentary Recent research has centered on refreshed price targets and updated views on Newmont's guidance, commodity assumptions and production outlook.
STLD
US$191.68
Steel Dynamics
7D
-5.3%
1Y
41.1%

STLD: Tariff Support And 2026 Outlook Will Balance Capacity And Acquisition Risks

Narrative Update The analyst price target for Steel Dynamics shifts slightly higher to about US$193 from about US$191, as analysts factor in refreshed 2026 outlooks that point to resilient steel pricing, incremental capacity driven market share gains for domestic mills, and mixed but generally supportive expectations for sector profitability despite a challenging macro backdrop. Analyst Commentary Recent research paints a mixed but generally constructive picture for Steel Dynamics, with several firms lifting price targets while one high profile downgrade highlights growing valuation and execution questions into 2026.
AU
US$109.82
AngloGold Ashanti
7D
5.6%
1Y
241.2%

AU: Rising Output And Dividend Will Support A Stronger Outlook

Analysts have made a small upward revision to their price target for AngloGold Ashanti to $132 from $131, reflecting slightly higher assumptions for revenue growth, profit margins, and the P/E they are prepared to use in their models. What's in the News AngloGold Ashanti plc declared an interim dividend of US$0.91 per share for the three months ended 30 September 2025, with the ex dividend and record date on the NYSE set for Friday, 28 November 2025, and payment scheduled for Friday, 12 December 2025 (company announcement).
EMAT
US$9.90
Evolution Metals & Technologies
7D
61.5%
1Y
n/a

Evolution Metals & Technologies Is Just The Beginning; Caution Is Advised

Jan 24