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South African (JSE) Materials Sector Analysis

UpdatedMar 20, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies30
  • 7D-13.4%
  • 3M-6.1%
  • 1Y61.3%
  • YTD-7.7%

Over the last 7 days, the Materials industry has dropped 13%, driven by Gold Fields declining 18%. Meanwhile, Sasol actually outperformed within the industry, gaining 25% in the last week. Over the past 12 months, the industry was up 61%. Earnings are forecast to grow by 20% annually.

Sector Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Fri, 20 Mar 2026R1.9tR1.2tR120.8b9.5x15.9x1.6x
Sun, 15 Feb 2026R2.3tR1.1tR66.0b11.8x34.3x2.1x
Tue, 13 Jan 2026R2.3tR1.1tR62.8b13.3x36x2x
Thu, 11 Dec 2025R1.9tR1.1tR63.9b12.5x30.1x1.7x
Sat, 08 Nov 2025R1.7tR1.1tR68.2b10.8x25.6x1.6x
Mon, 06 Oct 2025R1.9tR1.1tR68.0b10.6x27.8x1.7x
Wed, 03 Sep 2025R1.6tR1.1tR72.2b10.8x21.8x1.4x
Fri, 01 Aug 2025R1.4tR1.1t-R16,967,726,911.427.5x-81.4x1.2x
Sun, 29 Jun 2025R1.3tR1.1t-R11,759,878,319.587.7x-108.9x1.1x
Tue, 27 May 2025R1.3tR1.1t-R11,979,407,654.767.3x-104.4x1.1x
Thu, 24 Apr 2025R1.2tR1.1t-R8,721,591,969.657.2x-137.7x1.1x
Sat, 22 Mar 2025R1.2tR1.1t-R8,358,069,943.408.4x-142.3x1.1x
Mon, 17 Feb 2025R1.1tR1.1t-R49,826,347,205.088.6x-22.1x1x
Wed, 15 Jan 2025R1.0tR1.1t-R51,927,421,894.129.3x-19.3x0.9x
Fri, 13 Dec 2024R985.6bR1.1t-R52,848,574,785.529.8x-18.6x0.9x
Sun, 10 Nov 2024R1.0tR1.1t-R56,575,146,143.699.6x-18.5x0.9x
Tue, 08 Oct 2024R1.0tR1.1t-R59,876,199,950.6510x-17.5x0.9x
Thu, 05 Sep 2024R941.7bR1.1t-R43,050,407,573.7110x-21.9x0.8x
Sat, 03 Aug 2024R1.1tR1.2tR12.5b8.7x86.9x0.9x
Mon, 01 Jul 2024R1.1tR1.2tR16.7b9x63.6x0.9x
Wed, 29 May 2024R1.2tR1.2tR15.5b8.8x74.3x1x
Fri, 26 Apr 2024R1.1tR1.2tR17.0b7.9x64.9x0.9x
Sun, 24 Mar 2024R1.1tR1.2tR16.7b8.2x65.9x0.9x
Tue, 20 Feb 2024R1.0tR1.2tR79.4b9.6x13.2x0.9x
Thu, 18 Jan 2024R1.1tR1.2tR106.5b9.6x10.2x0.9x
Sat, 16 Dec 2023R1.2tR1.2tR106.4b9x11.3x1x
Mon, 13 Nov 2023R1.1tR1.2tR107.7b8.2x9.8x0.8x
Wed, 11 Oct 2023R1.1tR1.3tR109.2b8.7x10.3x0.9x
Fri, 08 Sep 2023R1.2tR1.4tR112.0b8.2x10.6x0.9x
Sun, 06 Aug 2023R1.3tR1.4tR188.1b5.6x7.1x1x
Tue, 04 Jul 2023R1.4tR1.4tR215.7b4.8x6.4x1x
Thu, 01 Jun 2023R1.6tR1.5tR231.2b5x6.8x1.1x
Sat, 29 Apr 2023R1.6tR1.4tR234.3b5.6x6.8x1.1x
Mon, 27 Mar 2023R1.4tR1.4tR221.7b5.3x6.5x1x
Price to Earnings Ratio

6.5x


Total Market Cap: R1.4tTotal Earnings: R221.7bTotal Revenue: R1.4tTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
South African Materials Sector Price to Earnings3Y Average -4.6x202420252026
Current Industry PE
  • Investors are pessimistic on the South African Materials industry, indicating that they anticipate long term growth rates will be lower than they have historically.
  • The industry is trading at a PE ratio of 15.9x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of -4.6x.
  • The 3-year average PS ratio of 1.1x is lower than the industry's current PS ratio of 1.6x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Materials industry have declined 18% per year over the last three years,
  • Revenues have also declined 5.7% 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-4.18%
Materials-13.41%
Chemicals20.51%
Paper and Forestry Products8.66%
Basic Materials2.76%
Packaging-2.16%
Metals and Mining-15.96%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Chemicals industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 7.8x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 52.1%, which is higher than its past year's earnings growth of 12.9% 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 7.7% 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 SasolR214.4224.7%
+R27.4b		181.6%PE57.4x
SAP SappiR18.429.4%
+R955.2m		-55.7%PS0.1x
PPC PPCR6.055.4%
+R475.0m		45.8%PE18x
OMN Omnia HoldingsR90.122.9%
+R397.1m		37.0%PE12.3x
AFE AECIR112.953.4%
+R387.3m		13.1%PE31.6x

Latest News

IMP
R223.29
Impala Platinum Holdings
7D
-17.6%
1Y
78.8%
GFI
R684.30
Gold Fields
7D
-17.5%
1Y
71.2%
NPH
R320.87
Northam Platinum Holdings
7D
-16.0%
1Y
143.1%
SOL
R214.42
Sasol
7D
24.7%
1Y
181.6%

SOL: EPS Collapse Guidance Will Undermine Confidence In Future Earnings Sustainability

Analysts have revised their fair value estimate for Sasol from ZAR122.44 to ZAR149.78, citing updated assumptions on discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin and future P/E as the key drivers of the new price target. What's in the News Sasol issued revenue guidance for the six months ended 31 December 2025, including an EPS range of ZAR0.10 to ZAR0.80 per share, compared with prior period EPS of ZAR7.22.
HAR
R227.70
Harmony Gold Mining
7D
-16.2%
1Y
-4.0%

HAR: Higher Earnings Guidance And Dividend Payout Will Support Future Upside

Analysts have trimmed their price target on Harmony Gold Mining from ZAR515 to ZAR500 as they factor in updated assumptions for revenue growth, profit margins, the discount rate, and the expected future P/E multiple. What's in the News Reported gold production of 724,099 oz (22,522 kg) for the six months ended 31 December 2025, compared with 797,854 oz (24,816 kg) a year earlier, reflecting a 9% decline linked to temporary challenges in the second quarter of fiscal 2026 (company announcement of operating results).
VAL
R1,335.00
Valterra Platinum
7D
-14.8%
1Y
84.2%
ARI
R212.31
African Rainbow Minerals
7D
-3.5%
1Y
43.3%
SSW
R46.24
Sibanye Stillwater
7D
-20.6%
1Y
139.6%

SSW: Recent Bank Upgrades And Higher P E Assumptions May Support Repricing

Narrative Update The analyst price target for Sibanye Stillwater has been raised by ZAR4. Analysts cite updated assumptions for revenue growth, profit margins and a higher future P/E multiple as key factors behind the change.
YRK
R2.07
York Timber Holdings
7D
1.0%
1Y
-1.4%
PPC
R6.05
PPC
7D
5.4%
1Y
45.8%

PPC: Stable Assumptions And Regulatory Overhang Will Shape Future Upside Potential

Analysts have lifted their PPC price target by ZAR2, citing updated assumptions around the discount rate, revenue growth, profit margins and future P/E that are broadly consistent with prior estimates. Analyst Commentary Recent price target revisions for PPC reflect updated inputs on discount rates, revenue assumptions, profit margins and the future P/E that still align with earlier broad expectations.
KIO
R310.30
Kumba Iron Ore
7D
-4.9%
1Y
-9.5%

KIO: Fair Value Will Persist As Dividends Balance Logistics Production Risks

Analysts have trimmed their ZAR340 fair value estimate for Kumba Iron Ore to about ZAR320.70, reflecting updated assumptions for revenue growth, margins, discount rate, and future P/E levels. What's in the News Kumba Iron Ore declared a gross final cash dividend of ZAR15.43 per share for the year ended 31 December 2025.
OMN
R90.12
Omnia Holdings
7D
2.9%
1Y
37.0%
ACL
R1.17
ArcelorMittal South Africa
7D
3.5%
1Y
-12.0%
AFE
R112.95
AECI
7D
3.4%
1Y
13.1%
SAP
R18.42
Sappi
7D
9.4%
1Y
-55.7%
GML
R1.16
Gemfields Group
7D
3.6%
1Y
-22.7%