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South African (JSE) Materials Sector Analysis

UpdatedFeb 20, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies29
  • 7D-3.9%
  • 3M27.7%
  • 1Y103.8%
  • YTD7.6%

Over the last 7 days, the Materials industry has dropped 3.3%, driven by Gold Fields declining 5.0%. In contrast, Sasol has gained 13%. In the past year, the industry has gained 111%. Looking forward, earnings are forecast to grow by 32% annually.

Sector Valuation and Performance

Has the South African Materials Sector valuation changed over the past few years?

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Fri, 20 Feb 2026R2.2tR1.1tR66.4b13.6x33.6x2.1x
Sun, 18 Jan 2026R2.3tR1.1tR62.9b13.5x36.1x2x
Tue, 16 Dec 2025R2.0tR1.1tR63.5b12.3x31.3x1.8x
Thu, 13 Nov 2025R1.9tR1.1tR63.2b12.6x29.4x1.7x
Sat, 11 Oct 2025R1.9tR1.1tR68.5b10.7x27.1x1.7x
Mon, 08 Sep 2025R1.6tR1.1tR69.1b10.8x23.2x1.4x
Wed, 06 Aug 2025R1.5tR1.1t-R17,183,557,161.557.8x-86.6x1.3x
Fri, 04 Jul 2025R1.3tR1.1t-R12,327,415,502.697.7x-107.9x1.2x
Sun, 01 Jun 2025R1.2tR1.1t-R11,890,199,385.297.5x-102.7x1.1x
Tue, 29 Apr 2025R1.2tR1.1t-R8,750,720,615.237.2x-133.6x1x
Thu, 27 Mar 2025R1.2tR1.1t-R8,129,764,558.657.7x-144x1x
Sat, 22 Feb 2025R1.1tR1.1t-R49,456,288,019.598.8x-21.6x0.9x
Mon, 20 Jan 2025R1.0tR1.1t-R52,074,367,712.519.7x-19.6x0.9x
Wed, 18 Dec 2024R936.9bR1.1t-R52,552,959,903.539.6x-17.8x0.8x
Fri, 15 Nov 2024R969.4bR1.1t-R56,015,778,534.729.5x-17.3x0.8x
Sun, 13 Oct 2024R1.0tR1.1t-R59,877,304,927.329.8x-17.3x0.9x
Tue, 10 Sep 2024R914.8bR1.1t-R45,122,583,302.8510.4x-20.3x0.8x
Thu, 08 Aug 2024R1.1tR1.2tR12.5b9.4x85x0.9x
Sat, 06 Jul 2024R1.1tR1.2tR16.7b9.2x67.7x1x
Mon, 03 Jun 2024R1.1tR1.2tR15.9b8.7x69.7x0.9x
Wed, 01 May 2024R1.1tR1.2tR16.8b8.4x65.5x0.9x
Fri, 29 Mar 2024R1.1tR1.2tR15.9b8.7x69.6x0.9x
Sun, 25 Feb 2024R1.0tR1.2tR90.5b9.4x11.4x0.8x
Tue, 23 Jan 2024R1.1tR1.3tR106.7b9.5x10.3x0.9x
Thu, 21 Dec 2023R1.2tR1.2tR105.7b9.5x11.7x1x
Sat, 18 Nov 2023R1.1tR1.2tR107.3b8.4x10.5x0.9x
Mon, 16 Oct 2023R1.2tR1.3tR109.2b8.8x10.8x0.9x
Wed, 13 Sep 2023R1.2tR1.3tR111.7b8.8x10.8x0.9x
Fri, 11 Aug 2023R1.3tR1.4tR185.8b5.3x7.2x1x
Sun, 09 Jul 2023R1.3tR1.4tR215.9b4.5x6.2x0.9x
Tue, 06 Jun 2023R1.6tR1.4tR224.6b5.2x7.1x1.1x
Thu, 04 May 2023R1.6tR1.4tR234.2b5.5x7x1.1x
Sat, 01 Apr 2023R1.5tR1.4tR221.0b5.6x6.6x1x
Mon, 27 Feb 2023R1.4tR1.4tR222.2b5.7x6.4x1x
Price to Earnings Ratio

6.4x


Total Market Cap: R1.4tTotal Earnings: R222.2bTotal Revenue: R1.4tTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
South African Materials Sector Price to Earnings3Y Average -5x202420252026
Current Industry PE
  • Investors are optimistic on the South African Materials industry, and appear confident in long term growth rates.
  • The industry is trading at a PE ratio of 34.0x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of -5.0x.
  • The 3-year average PS ratio of 1.1x is lower than the industry's current PS ratio of 2.1x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Materials industry have declined 33% per year over the last three years,
  • Revenues have also declined 8.9% 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 South African Materials sector?

ZA Market-0.21%
Materials-3.87%
Chemicals10.46%
Packaging1.30%
Paper and Forestry Products0.15%
Basic Materials-1.80%
Metals and Mining-4.62%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Metals and Mining industry, which is trading close to its 3-year average PE ratio of 38.9x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 32.0%, which is higher than its past year's earnings decline of 34.4% per year.
Forecasted Growth
  • Analysts are most optimistic on the Paper and Forestry Products industry, expecting annual earnings growth of 93% over the next 5 years.
  • However this is lower than its past earnings growth rate of 426% per year.
  • In contrast, the Packaging industry is expected to see its earnings grow by 7.9% 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
SOL SasolR142.4212.8%
+R10.4b		70.1%PE13.6x
AFE AECIR101.104.2%
+R432.6m		14.5%PE26x
OMN Omnia HoldingsR87.581.8%
+R247.0m		31.8%PE11.9x
ACL ArcelorMittal South AfricaR1.4511.5%
+R214.6m		81.3%PS0.06x
THA TharisaR28.891.3%
+R112.6m		107.8%PE6.7x

Latest News

KIO
R350.00
Kumba Iron Ore
7D
-8.7%
1Y
-9.3%
THA
R28.89
Tharisa
7D
1.3%
1Y
107.8%
SOL
R142.42
Sasol
7D
12.8%
1Y
70.1%

SOL: Severe EPS Guidance Will Weigh On Long-Term Bio-Circular Surfactant Story

Analysts have reduced their price target for Sasol from ZAR107 to ZAR82, citing revised assumptions that include a lower revenue growth outlook, a higher projected profit margin, a reduced discount rate and a lower future P/E multiple. What's in the News Sasol issued revenue guidance for the six months ending 31 December 2025, with expected EPS in a range of ZAR0.10 to ZAR0.80 per share.
HAR
R326.00
Harmony Gold Mining
7D
-4.2%
1Y
50.9%

HAR: Eva Copper Project And Alliance Agreement Will Support Future Upside

Analysts have kept their Harmony Gold Mining fair value estimate steady at ZAR515.00, with updated assumptions reflecting a slightly lower discount rate, marginally adjusted revenue, a modestly higher profit margin, and a slightly lower future P/E multiple. What's in the News Thiess entered an alliance agreement with Harmony for multiple work packages at the greenfield Eva Copper Mine Project in Cloncurry, North West Queensland, including bulk earthworks, workshop construction and mining services over five years, with the mining scope valued at about A$700m (Key Developments).
IMP
R278.22
Impala Platinum Holdings
7D
-3.9%
1Y
181.3%

IMP: Broker Upgrades Will Likely Prove Vulnerable To Execution Risks

Analysts have raised their ZAR price target on Impala Platinum Holdings to ZAR246.17, based on research that incorporates slightly firmer revenue growth and profit margin assumptions, a modestly lower future P/E, and a small adjustment to the discount rate. Analyst Commentary Even with a higher ZAR price target, not every analyst is enthusiastic.
ARI
R219.62
African Rainbow Minerals
7D
-4.1%
1Y
33.5%
AFE
R101.10
AECI
7D
4.2%
1Y
14.5%
SSW
R61.94
Sibanye Stillwater
7D
-10.0%
1Y
262.4%

SSW: Recent Bank Upgrades And Keliber Progress Will Support Repricing

Analysts have raised their ZAR price target on Sibanye Stillwater by ZAR4, citing updated assumptions for discount rates, profit margins and future P/E, supported by recent upgrades and more constructive views from several research houses. Analyst Commentary Bullish analysts are leaning into a more constructive view on Sibanye Stillwater, with recent research pointing to updated assumptions for discount rates, profit margins and future P/E as key drivers behind higher valuation ranges.
PPC
R6.29
PPC
7D
1.0%
1Y
49.8%

PPC: Tariff Relief And Stable Assumptions Will Shape Balanced Outlook

Analysts have trimmed their price expectations for PPC, reflecting a slightly lower assumed discount rate and a modestly reduced future P/E multiple as they reassess the risk profile around similar fair value assumptions. What's in the News President Donald Trump is expected to sign an order reducing tariffs on beef, tomatoes, coffee and bananas, targeting lower grocery costs for consumers (Bloomberg).
VAL
R1,467.21
Valterra Platinum
7D
-1.5%
1Y
137.4%

VAL: Higher Earnings Guidance Will Support Stronger Future Profitability

Analysts have raised their price target for Valterra Platinum from $1,050 to $2,160, citing updated assumptions regarding fair value, discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin, and future P/E expectations. What's in the News Reported fourth quarter 2025 total mining and concentrating PGM production of 880,200 ounces compared with 875,700 ounces in the prior year quarter, with total refined production of 1,296,700 ounces compared with 1,210,700 ounces (company announcement of operating results).
NPH
R370.07
Northam Platinum Holdings
7D
-3.1%
1Y
236.4%

NPH: Higher Margin Outlook Will Support Repriced Bullish Thesis

Analysts have raised their fair value estimate for Northam Platinum Holdings from R230.00 to R490.00, citing updated assumptions on revenue growth, profit margin, and future P/E following recent bullish research updates. Analyst Commentary Recent bullish research updates have pushed Northam Platinum Holdings further onto the radar of investors who focus on valuation reset stories.
ACL
R1.45
ArcelorMittal South Africa
7D
11.5%
1Y
81.3%
GFI
R842.15
Gold Fields
7D
-5.0%
1Y
133.7%

GFI: Higher Gold Price Framework And Capital Returns Will Support Re Rating

Analysts have nudged their price targets on Gold Fields higher, with recent changes such as Citi moving to $57 from $50 and Scotiabank adding $14. These adjustments reflect updated views on gold price assumptions, reinvestment plans and capital returns.
MPT
R21.32
Mpact
7D
2.0%
1Y
-25.1%
NPK
R498.00
Nampak
7D
1.8%
1Y
10.7%
OMN
R87.58
Omnia Holdings
7D
1.8%
1Y
31.8%