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U.S. Materials Sector Analysis

UpdatedDec 14, 2025
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies452
  • 7D2.5%
  • 3M1.6%
  • 1Y8.9%
  • YTD16.4%

In the last week, the Materials industry is up 2.5%, with Newmont leading the way, up 9.3%. Meanwhile, Air Products and Chemicals actually underperformed within the industry, shrinking 6.8% in the last week. This takes the industry's 12 month performance to a gain of 8.9%. As for the next few years, earnings are expected to grow by 20% per annum.

Sector Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Sun, 14 Dec 2025US$1.7tUS$852.8bUS$45.8b23.8x37.4x2x
Tue, 11 Nov 2025US$1.6tUS$851.2bUS$45.5b22.8x35.4x1.9x
Thu, 09 Oct 2025US$1.7tUS$835.9bUS$47.0b24.6x36x2x
Sat, 06 Sep 2025US$1.7tUS$837.9bUS$47.3b23.8x35.1x2x
Mon, 04 Aug 2025US$1.5tUS$842.4bUS$47.5b21.5x32.5x1.8x
Wed, 02 Jul 2025US$1.6tUS$837.4bUS$48.4b22.1x32.2x1.9x
Fri, 30 May 2025US$1.5tUS$852.8bUS$48.5b20.7x31.5x1.8x
Sun, 27 Apr 2025US$1.5tUS$865.1bUS$55.8b19.8x26.7x1.7x
Tue, 25 Mar 2025US$1.5tUS$869.1bUS$54.0b21.7x28.5x1.8x
Thu, 20 Feb 2025US$1.6tUS$870.2bUS$49.7b21x32.5x1.9x
Sat, 18 Jan 2025US$1.6tUS$873.2bUS$49.2b19.9x32x1.8x
Mon, 16 Dec 2024US$1.6tUS$876.2bUS$49.8b21.3x32.2x1.8x
Wed, 13 Nov 2024US$1.7tUS$878.1bUS$50.2b21.9x33.5x1.9x
Fri, 11 Oct 2024US$1.7tUS$877.3bUS$50.6b21.3x33.4x1.9x
Sun, 08 Sep 2024US$1.6tUS$870.6bUS$49.8b20.9x31.4x1.8x
Tue, 06 Aug 2024US$1.6tUS$870.9bUS$50.0b19.3x31.7x1.8x
Thu, 04 Jul 2024US$1.5tUS$873.4bUS$49.9b19.5x30.9x1.8x
Sat, 01 Jun 2024US$1.6tUS$871.4bUS$50.2b22.1x31.8x1.8x
Mon, 29 Apr 2024US$1.6tUS$878.9bUS$51.9b16.7x30.3x1.8x
Wed, 27 Mar 2024US$1.6tUS$880.4bUS$52.2b17.7x30.5x1.8x
Fri, 23 Feb 2024US$1.5tUS$873.0bUS$53.6b19.1x27.5x1.7x
Sun, 21 Jan 2024US$1.4tUS$905.8bUS$63.4b17.6x22.7x1.6x
Tue, 19 Dec 2023US$1.5tUS$906.1bUS$63.0b17.8x23.4x1.6x
Thu, 16 Nov 2023US$1.4tUS$908.6bUS$63.7b15.8x21.5x1.5x
Sat, 14 Oct 2023US$1.3tUS$893.9bUS$63.4b13.1x20.3x1.4x
Mon, 11 Sep 2023US$1.4tUS$889.7bUS$62.9b13.5x21.5x1.5x
Wed, 09 Aug 2023US$1.4tUS$889.0bUS$63.3b14.5x21.8x1.6x
Fri, 07 Jul 2023US$1.3tUS$935.9bUS$76.9b13x17.5x1.4x
Sun, 04 Jun 2023US$1.3tUS$934.7bUS$77.1b13.1x17.1x1.4x
Tue, 02 May 2023US$1.4tUS$937.3bUS$81.9b12.7x16.5x1.4x
Thu, 30 Mar 2023US$1.3tUS$952.4bUS$86.6b12.3x15.5x1.4x
Sat, 25 Feb 2023US$1.4tUS$950.7bUS$85.9b11.9x16x1.4x
Mon, 23 Jan 2023US$1.4tUS$967.2bUS$95.5b11.6x14.7x1.5x
Wed, 21 Dec 2022US$1.3tUS$967.3bUS$95.6b10.3x13.7x1.4x
Price to Earnings Ratio

13.7x


Total Market Cap: US$1.3tTotal Earnings: US$95.6bTotal Revenue: US$967.3bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Materials Sector Price to Earnings3Y Average 29.2x202320242025
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 37.4x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 29.2x.
  • The industry is trading close to its 3-year average PS ratio of 1.9x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Materials industry have declined 22% per year over the last three years,
  • Revenues have also declined 4.1% 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-0.59%
Materials2.54%
Metals and Mining3.52%
Basic Materials3.31%
Paper and Forestry Products2.95%
Chemicals1.71%
Packaging1.36%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Chemicals industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 37.4x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 23.0%, which is higher than its past year's earnings decline of 8.2% 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 41% per year.
  • In contrast, the Basic Materials 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
NEM NewmontUS$98.149.3%
+US$9.1b		144.0%PE14.9x
LIN LindeUS$416.244.2%
+US$7.8b		-4.4%PE27.4x
CRH CRHUS$126.405.8%
+US$4.6b		29.1%PE24.9x
FCX Freeport-McMoRanUS$47.384.8%
+US$3.1b		13.9%PE32.9x
SCCO Southern CopperUS$142.411.4%
+US$1.6b		47.6%PE30.5x

Latest News

SQM
US$65.83
Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile
7D
7.5%
1Y
74.3%
SCCO
US$142.41
Southern Copper
7D
1.4%
1Y
47.6%
IFF
US$63.26
International Flavors & Fragrances
7D
-5.8%
1Y
-27.6%
NUE
US$165.11
Nucor
7D
3.5%
1Y
31.8%

NUE: Future Steel Demand And Tariff Policy Will Shape Share Performance

The analyst price target for Nucor has been raised by $4.00 to $173.69, as analysts factor in modestly stronger long term revenue growth, slightly higher margins, and a firmer valuation backdrop supported by recent upward target revisions across the Street, despite a still challenging macro environment. Analyst Commentary Bullish analysts have steadily lifted their price targets on Nucor, citing a more constructive long term outlook for steel pricing and demand, as well as the companys demonstrated ability to execute through cycles.
MP
US$56.66
MP Materials
7D
-8.7%
1Y
192.5%

MP: Saudi Refinery Venture Will Drive Future Profitability And Upside Potential

Analysts have nudged their price target on MP Materials slightly higher to approximately 79.29 dollars from about 79.11 dollars, citing modestly stronger long term revenue growth expectations. These expectations more than offset a small downward tweak to projected profit margins and a marginally higher discount rate.
SHW
US$328.69
Sherwin-Williams
7D
-1.3%
1Y
-9.8%

SHW: Pricing Power And Margin Discipline Will Drive Upside Through Macro Volatility

The analyst price target for Sherwin-Williams has been modestly increased to about $386 from roughly $386, as analysts balance cautious views on a challenging macro environment and uneven end markets with support from select target raises and an unchanged long-term earnings multiple outlook. Analyst Commentary Recent research updates on Sherwin-Williams reflect a mixed but generally constructive stance, with modest target changes capturing both improving company specific execution and ongoing macro uncertainty across key end markets.
FCX
US$47.38
Freeport-McMoRan
7D
4.8%
1Y
13.9%

FCX: Higher Copper Prices Will Gradually Balance Grasberg Disruption And Policy Support Risks

Analysts have nudged their blended price target for Freeport McMoRan slightly higher to about $48.50 from roughly $47.90. This reflects a wave of recent upgrades and higher copper and gold price assumptions that more than offset lingering concerns around Grasberg related production cuts and macro headwinds.
AEM
US$168.27
Agnico Eagle Mines
7D
-0.3%
1Y
101.0%

AEM: Geopolitical Uncertainty And Gold Rally Will Drive Future Upside

Analysts have nudged their price target for Agnico Eagle Mines higher, reflecting an improved fair value estimate of about $195 per share. This is driven by more constructive assumptions on revenue growth, margins, and sustained support from higher gold price forecasts and sector tailwinds.
APD
US$243.00
Air Products and Chemicals
7D
-6.8%
1Y
-22.2%

APD: Decarbonization Projects Will Drive Future Earnings Confidence Despite Turnaround Uncertainty

Analysts have reduced their average price target for Air Products and Chemicals by about $2 to roughly $309, reflecting slightly softer assumptions for growth and margins, even as they highlight ongoing earnings potential from the company’s decarbonization initiatives and turnaround efforts. Analyst Commentary Recent research updates reflect a mixed but generally constructive view on Air Products and Chemicals, with valuation expectations coming down modestly while longer term growth drivers, especially in decarbonization, remain a key focus.
CRH
US$126.40
CRH
7D
5.8%
1Y
29.1%
NEM
US$98.14
Newmont
7D
9.3%
1Y
144.0%

NEM: Shares Will Rise On Constructive Gold Cycle And Acquisition Ambitions

Analysts have nudged our Newmont fair value estimate modestly higher to approximately $105, reflecting a series of higher Street price targets, stronger expected revenue growth and margins, and sustained optimism around gold and broader metals pricing, despite a still challenging macro backdrop. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research for Newmont has skewed overwhelmingly positive, with multiple upward price target revisions and several rating upgrades clustered in a short time frame.
TMC
US$6.64
TMC the metals
7D
-12.5%
1Y
730.0%
IP
US$38.54
International Paper
7D
-1.3%
1Y
-30.6%

IP: Earnings Will Strengthen As $1.5B Portfolio Sale And Closures Progress

Analysts nudged our fair value estimate for International Paper higher by about $1 to approximately $48 as they balance emerging evidence of profit and margin improvement from strategic portfolio actions against lingering skepticism over the pace and durability of demand and pricing recovery. Analyst Commentary Bullish analysts view International Paper as moving closer to a strategic inflection point, with portfolio simplification and cost actions beginning to support a more durable improvement in earnings power.
AMCR
US$8.23
Amcor
7D
-0.8%
1Y
-16.9%

AMCR: Future Returns Will Be Driven By Berry Synergies And Free Cash Flow

Analysts have trimmed their price target on Amcor to $10.00 from $11.10, reflecting slightly higher discount rate assumptions and a modestly lower future P/E multiple, while still pointing to improving margins, robust free cash flow and sizable Berry Global synergy potential as support for long term value. Analyst Commentary Street research on Amcor reflects a mix of optimism about long term value creation from the Berry Global acquisition and caution around near term operational and balance sheet risks.
RGLD
US$218.75
Royal Gold
7D
8.5%
1Y
48.9%

RGLD: Recent Acquisitions And Precious Metals Rally Will Support Stronger Returns

Royal Gold’s analyst price target has increased slightly to $248.55. Analysts cite portfolio enhancements, ongoing M&A momentum, and supportive market conditions as key factors behind their updated outlook.
LIN
US$416.24
Linde
7D
4.2%
1Y
-4.4%

LIN: Earnings Momentum And Defensive Appeal Will Drive Share Performance Into 2026

Linde's analyst price target saw a slight decrease, dropping from $507 to $500, as analysts revised their outlook based on expectations for future earnings growth acceleration and the company's continued positioning as a defensive growth stock, even with ongoing sector challenges. Analyst Commentary Recent analyst reports reflect a balanced but nuanced outlook for Linde, with both positive and cautious perspectives shaping market sentiment.