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U.S. Materials Sector Analysis

UpdatedJul 28, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies445
  • 7D2.9%
  • 3M-3.5%
  • 1Y17.1%
  • YTD7.4%

In the last week, the Materials industry is up 2.9%, with Freeport-McMoRan leading the way with a 6.7% gain. This means that the industry has gained 17% over the past year. Earnings are forecast to grow by 15% annually.

Sector Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
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
Fri, 04 Aug 2023US$1.4tUS$899.7bUS$64.9b14.2x21.4x1.5x
Price to Earnings Ratio

21.4x


Total Market Cap: US$1.4tTotal Earnings: US$64.9bTotal Revenue: US$899.7bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Materials Sector Price to Earnings3Y Average 34.3x202420252026
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 34.3x.
  • 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 4.0% 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-0.74%
Materials2.94%
Packaging8.20%
Metals and Mining5.44%
Basic Materials2.78%
Paper and Forestry Products1.83%
Chemicals-0.097%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Chemicals industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 51.4x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 16.5%, which is higher than its past year's earnings decline of 3.0% 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 Metals and Mining 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
FCX Freeport-McMoRanUS$62.726.7%
+US$5.6b		43.2%PE30.7x
AEM Agnico Eagle MinesUS$145.967.1%
+US$4.9b		18.0%PE13.9x
NEM NewmontUS$93.474.8%
+US$4.1b		46.8%PE11.5x
NUE NucorUS$247.867.4%
+US$3.9b		71.5%PE24.3x
SW Smurfit WestrockUS$50.0916.1%
+US$3.6b		3.2%PE69x

Latest News

NUE
US$247.86
Nucor
7D
7.4%
1Y
71.5%
LIN
US$507.02
Linde
7D
-1.0%
1Y
8.5%
AEM
US$145.96
Agnico Eagle Mines
7D
7.1%
1Y
18.0%
CF
US$119.78
CF Industries Holdings
7D
-3.1%
1Y
29.4%
FCX
US$62.72
Freeport-McMoRan
7D
6.7%
1Y
43.2%
DOW
US$28.75
Dow
7D
-5.3%
1Y
11.8%
APD
US$292.58
Air Products and Chemicals
7D
-1.4%
1Y
-1.0%
NEM
US$93.47
Newmont
7D
4.8%
1Y
46.8%
ALB
US$116.18
Albemarle
7D
-1.7%
1Y
55.4%
SCCO
US$179.32
Southern Copper
7D
2.4%
1Y
91.6%
Narrative Update • Jul 23

SCCO: Elevated P E And Copper Euphoria Will Restrain Future Returns

Southern Copper's analyst price targets have shifted higher, with the internal fair value estimate rising from $163.13 to $167.79 as analysts factor in updated copper price forecasts, firmer profit margin assumptions, and a tighter supply outlook for the metal. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Southern Copper shows a mix of optimism on copper fundamentals and caution on the stock's valuation and risk reward, with several price targets clustered around the US$135 to US$172 range.
STLD
US$250.27
Steel Dynamics
7D
8.6%
1Y
92.2%
Narrative Update • Jul 22

STLD: Tight Supply And Record Shipments Will Support Earnings Power

Analysts have lifted the Steel Dynamics fair value estimate by $55 to $310, reflecting updated views on sector pricing, tighter supply conditions, and company margins, even as some Street price targets on the stock have recently been trimmed or reset. Analyst Commentary Recent Street commentary around Steel Dynamics highlights a mixed but generally constructive backdrop, with several firms fine tuning price targets and earnings expectations ahead of upcoming quarters.
WLK
US$72.33
Westlake
7D
-6.0%
1Y
-15.7%
MP
US$43.13
MP Materials
7D
-5.6%
1Y
-32.7%
SW
US$50.09
Smurfit Westrock
7D
16.1%
1Y
3.2%
Seeking Alpha • Jul 20

Why I View Smurfit Westrock As Overvalued Above $40/Share

Summary Smurfit Westrock Plc is a BBB-rated, Ireland-based packaging company offering a well-covered 4.1% yield. SW trades at a seemingly high P/E due to multi-year earnings lows, making current valuation appear expensive. Despite sector-wide caution, I rate SW a 'Hold' with a $39/share price target, citing insufficient risk/reward upside. SW meets quality and dividend criteria but lacks compelling valuation or upside to justify a Buy at present. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
LYB
US$58.62
LyondellBasell Industries
7D
-3.5%
1Y
-6.8%
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
IP
US$42.41
International Paper
7D
17.0%
1Y
-23.6%