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U.S. Materials Sector Analysis

UpdatedAug 17, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies436
  • 7D-0.6%
  • 3M4.1%
  • 1Y23.0%
  • YTD13.1%

Last week, the Materials industry hasn't moved much but Agnico Eagle Mines is up 3.3% in that time. As for the the longer term, the industry is up 23% over the past 12 months. 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
Mon, 17 Aug 2026US$2.0tUS$881.3bUS$57.6b22.4x34x2.2x
Wed, 15 Jul 2026US$1.9tUS$861.7bUS$53.7b21.2x34.5x2.2x
Fri, 12 Jun 2026US$1.8tUS$863.7bUS$53.8b21.7x34.3x2.1x
Sun, 10 May 2026US$2.0tUS$861.6bUS$54.2b20.9x36.1x2.3x
Tue, 07 Apr 2026US$1.9tUS$845.9bUS$43.6b20.5x44.5x2.3x
Thu, 05 Mar 2026US$2.0tUS$845.6bUS$43.7b22.2x46.5x2.4x
Sat, 31 Jan 2026US$2.0tUS$854.2bUS$43.2b25.1x46.1x2.3x
Mon, 29 Dec 2025US$1.8tUS$853.0bUS$45.8b23.8x38.7x2.1x
Wed, 26 Nov 2025US$1.6tUS$852.7bUS$45.8b22.6x35.5x1.9x
Fri, 24 Oct 2025US$1.7tUS$837.8bUS$47.8b24.2x34.9x2x
Sun, 21 Sep 2025US$1.7tUS$838.3bUS$47.3b23.7x35.7x2x
Tue, 19 Aug 2025US$1.6tUS$838.2bUS$47.4b23x34.4x1.9x
Thu, 17 Jul 2025US$1.6tUS$832.9bUS$48.5b22.4x32.6x1.9x
Sat, 14 Jun 2025US$1.6tUS$852.8bUS$48.6b21.5x32.4x1.8x
Mon, 12 May 2025US$1.5tUS$852.8bUS$47.7b20.6x31.6x1.8x
Wed, 09 Apr 2025US$1.4tUS$863.9bUS$54.0b17.2x25.3x1.6x
Fri, 07 Mar 2025US$1.6tUS$867.5bUS$54.1b21.3x28.9x1.8x
Sun, 02 Feb 2025US$1.6tUS$870.0bUS$48.8b21.6x32.7x1.8x
Tue, 31 Dec 2024US$1.5tUS$876.0bUS$49.8b19.3x30.6x1.7x
Thu, 28 Nov 2024US$1.7tUS$876.1bUS$49.7b21.6x33.9x1.9x
Sat, 26 Oct 2024US$1.7tUS$877.7bUS$50.2b21.4x33.7x1.9x
Mon, 23 Sep 2024US$1.7tUS$870.5bUS$49.8b21.7x33.3x1.9x
Wed, 21 Aug 2024US$1.6tUS$870.9bUS$50.3b20.6x32x1.8x
Fri, 19 Jul 2024US$1.6tUS$866.2bUS$50.2b19.9x32.4x1.9x
Sun, 16 Jun 2024US$1.5tUS$871.2bUS$50.2b20.2x30.7x1.8x
Tue, 14 May 2024US$1.6tUS$871.4bUS$50.4b19.9x32.1x1.9x
Thu, 11 Apr 2024US$1.6tUS$880.0bUS$52.3b17.2x31.2x1.9x
Sat, 09 Mar 2024US$1.5tUS$880.6bUS$52.4b17.8x29.4x1.7x
Mon, 05 Feb 2024US$1.5tUS$900.5bUS$60.6b17.5x24.1x1.6x
Wed, 03 Jan 2024US$1.5tUS$905.1bUS$63.0b18.3x23.7x1.7x
Fri, 01 Dec 2023US$1.4tUS$911.5bUS$63.8b16.5x22x1.5x
Sun, 29 Oct 2023US$1.2tUS$904.2bUS$65.4b13.4x19.1x1.4x
Tue, 26 Sep 2023US$1.3tUS$889.7bUS$62.9b13.8x20.8x1.5x
Thu, 24 Aug 2023US$1.3tUS$887.4bUS$63.3b14.1x21.2x1.5x
Price to Earnings Ratio

21.2x


Total Market Cap: US$1.3tTotal Earnings: US$63.3bTotal Revenue: US$887.4bTotal 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 Market0.63%
Materials-0.63%
Metals and Mining-0.40%
Chemicals-0.50%
Packaging-1.09%
Basic Materials-1.94%
Paper and Forestry Products-5.99%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Chemicals industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 52.2x.
    • 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$186.463.3%
+US$3.0b		39.7%PE16.1x
SW Smurfit WestrockUS$49.253.5%
+US$869.5m		14.7%PE51.9x
MP MP MaterialsUS$58.747.5%
+US$726.7m		-18.7%PS25.1x
CDE Coeur MiningUS$18.813.6%
+US$678.4m		59.4%PE22.7x
ALB AlbemarleUS$136.153.8%
+US$582.9m		63.9%PE279.8x

Latest News

NEU
US$961.92
NewMarket
7D
5.7%
1Y
24.5%
STLD
US$255.77
Steel Dynamics
7D
-4.8%
1Y
103.1%
NEM
US$117.76
Newmont
7D
0.4%
1Y
70.7%
NUE
US$268.91
Nucor
7D
-2.1%
1Y
85.9%
ALB
US$136.15
Albemarle
7D
3.8%
1Y
63.9%
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
SW
US$49.25
Smurfit Westrock
7D
3.5%
1Y
14.7%
Narrative Update • Aug 13

SW: Containerboard Price Increases And Efficiency Actions Will Drive Future Upside

Analysts have adjusted their price target for Smurfit Westrock to $56.43 from $53.46, citing updates to fair value estimates, discount rate assumptions, revenue growth expectations, profit margin outlook, and future P/E inputs. What's in the News for Smurfit Westrock Containerboard producers, including Smurfit Westrock, announced price increases following Packaging Corporation of America's planned US$140 per ton hike.
CDE
US$18.81
Coeur Mining
7D
3.6%
1Y
59.4%
MP
US$58.74
MP Materials
7D
7.5%
1Y
-18.7%
Narrative Update • Aug 13

MP: Government Partnership And Project Swarm Supply Deals Will Drive Future Upside

Analysts have lowered their price target for MP Materials, reducing their fair value estimate from about $80.44 to roughly $75.28 as they incorporate more conservative assumptions on revenue growth, profit margins, future P/E, and a slightly higher discount rate. What’s in the News for MP Materials MP Materials launched Project Swarm, a rare earth magnet program that lets U.S. and allied manufacturers reserve production capacity at its planned US$1.3b 10X magnet facility in Northlake, Texas, developed with the U.S. Department of Defense.
SHW
US$359.10
Sherwin-Williams
7D
-1.0%
1Y
0.07%
ECL
US$276.11
Ecolab
7D
-2.9%
1Y
-1.4%
SCCO
US$184.61
Southern Copper
7D
-6.6%
1Y
100.2%
HL
US$18.37
Hecla Mining
7D
4.7%
1Y
137.0%
Narrative Update • Aug 12

HL: Exploration Success And Solid Margins Will Support Higher Future P/E

Analysts have trimmed their price target for Hecla Mining from $19.00 to $17.00, citing softer revenue growth assumptions, slightly lower profit margin expectations, and a higher future P/E multiple in their updated models. What’s in the News for Hecla Mining Hecla Mining reported strong Q2 2026 exploration and definition drilling results at Keno Hill, Greens Creek and Midas, including new high grade silver and gold discoveries and extensions of existing mineralization.
FCX
US$66.49
Freeport-McMoRan
7D
-5.7%
1Y
59.3%
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$186.46
Agnico Eagle Mines
7D
3.3%
1Y
39.7%
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.
CRH
US$97.15
CRH
7D
-3.4%
1Y
-12.9%
LIN
US$482.74
Linde
7D
-2.0%
1Y
0.9%
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