Bars

Linde, BHP Group, and Rio Tinto Group command the materials sector.

By Lyle Daly – Updated Jun 3, 2026 at 11:40 PM EST | Fact-checked by Frank Bass

Key Points

Linde leads in market cap among material companies, focusing on chemicals and clean energy investments.
BHP Group, a major mining company, emphasizes sustainability but reduced renewable projects in 2024.
Sherwin-Williams, top in paint revenue, faced fines for lead paint and hazardous waste issues.

Linde (LIN -0.72%) is the top materials company by market cap, well ahead of BHP Group (BHP -2.76%) and Rio Tinto Group (RIO -2.52%). Mining companies make up more than half of the largest materials companies, but there are also chemical companies and suppliers of construction materials on the list.

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Mining trucks hauling mined materials. — Image source: Getty Images.

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Largest companies by market cap in the materials sector

(Editor's note: Rankings are as of June 3, 2026.)

Ticker Information Table
Name and ticker	Market cap	Current price	Industry
Linde (NASDAQ:LIN)	$236.9 billion	$512.41	Chemicals
BHP Group (NYSE:BHP)	$223.2 billion	$87.87	Metals and Mining
Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO)	$125.6 billion	$100.08	Metals and Mining
Southern Copper (NYSE:SCCO)	$161.0 billion	$192.93	Metals and Mining
L'Air Liquide (OTC:AIQUF)	$121.2 billion	$190.41	Chemicals
Newmont (NYSE:NEM)	$110.8 billion	$103.79	Metals and Mining
Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX)	$98.7 billion	$68.68	Metals and Mining
Agnico Eagle Mines (NYSE:AEM)	$83.3 billion	$166.57	Metals and Mining
Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:SHW)	$79.1 billion	$320.79	Chemicals
Ecolab (NYSE:ECL)	$75.7 billion	$269.12	Chemicals

Data as of Jun 20, 2026. Showing 10 of 10 total entries.

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1. Linde

Market cap: $234.67 billion (as of June 3)
Revenue (TTM): $34.7 billion
Gross profit (TTM): $16.9 billion
Five-year annualized return: 10.58%
Year founded: 1879

TTM = trailing 12 months.

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NASDAQ: LIN

Linde

Today's Change

(-0.67%) $-3.44

Current Price

$512.41

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$237B

Day's Range

$511.17 - $518.82

52wk Range

$387.78 - $525.87

Volume

131.2K

Avg Vol

2.3M

Gross Margin

37.79%

Dividend Yield

1.21%

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Linde is a chemicals company founded by German scientist Carl von Linde. It operates in more than 80 countries, and its two main business segments are gases and engineering. Linde manufactures industrial and medical gases and builds large-scale chemical plants.

This company is investing heavily in clean energy projects. In 2023, Linde announced plans to invest as much as $50 billion in clean energy projects over the next decade. It's also expanding, completing its acquisition of Airtec in September 2025, one of the largest industrial gas companies in the Middle East.

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2. BHP Group

Market cap: $230.79 billion (as of June 3)
Revenue (TTM): $54.0 billion
Gross profit (TTM): $26.1 billion
Five-year annualized return: 6.50%
Year founded: 1885

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NYSE: BHP

BHP Group

Today's Change

(-2.76%) $-2.49

Current Price

$87.87

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$223B

Day's Range

$87.22 - $89.04

52wk Range

$45.74 - $93.83

Volume

3.8M

Avg Vol

2.8M

Gross Margin

40.96%

Dividend Yield

3.03%

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BHP Group is a mining company based in Melbourne, Australia, with a focus on copper, iron ore, nickel, metallurgical coal, and potash. It operates in more than 90 locations worldwide, including the U.S., Canada, and Chile.

BHP has set several sustainability targets for 2030, including a 30% reduction in operational greenhouse gas emissions. However, it reportedly eliminated some renewable energy projects in 2024 due to budget cuts.

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3. Rio Tinto Group

Market cap: $175.41 billion (as of June 3)
Revenue (TTM): $57.6 billion
Gross profit (TTM): $33.1 billion
Five-year annualized return: 4.36%
Year founded: 1873

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NYSE: RIO

Rio Tinto Group

Today's Change

(-2.52%) $-2.59

Current Price

$100.08

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$126B

Day's Range

$100.05 - $101.92

52wk Range

$55.64 - $112.58

Volume

Avg Vol

2.7M

Gross Margin

25.17%

Dividend Yield

4.02%

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When the Spanish government decided to sell the Rio Tinto mines, the investors who made the best offer formed the Rio Tinto Company. Now trading as the Rio Tinto Group, it's the second-largest metals and mining company in the world.

4. Southern Copper

Market cap: $164.02 billion (as of June 3)
Revenue (TTM): $14.5 billion
Gross profit (TTM): $8.1 billion
Five-year annualized return: 24.77%
Year founded: 1952 (Southern Peru Copper Corporation), 2005 (merger with Minera Mexico)

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NYSE: SCCO

Southern Copper

Today's Change

(0.65%) $1.25

Current Price

$192.93

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$161B

Day's Range

$189.39 - $194.12

52wk Range

$85.51 - $221.67

Volume

Avg Vol

1.5M

Gross Margin

55.59%

Dividend Yield

1.89%

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Southern Copper (SCCO +0.65%) is a mining company that produces copper and other metal byproducts. It ranks first for copper production in Mexico and Peru, third in the U.S., and fourth worldwide. It also has the world's largest copper reserves. In 2024, the company resumed development of its Tia Maria mine in Peru, despite significant opposition to the project over environmental concerns.

5. L'Air Liquide

Market cap: $118.33 billion (as of June 3)
Revenue (TTM): $31.2 billion*
Gross profit (TTM): $20.1 billion*
Five-year annualized return: 2.77%
Year founded: 1902

*Converted from euros.

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OTC: AIQUF

L'Air Liquide

Today's Change

(-0.27%) $-0.51

Current Price

$190.41

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$121B

Day's Range

$187.36 - $190.41

52wk Range

$162.23 - $204.44

Volume

Avg Vol

603.9

Gross Margin

35.80%

Dividend Yield

2.05%

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Based in France, L'Air Liquide (AIQUF -0.27%) is the world's second-largest producer of industrial gases for the industrial and healthcare sectors. It has a market presence in 60 countries and serves more than 4 million customers and patients.

In August 2025, L'Air Liquide announced an agreement to acquire DIG Airgas, a South Korean company, for $3.3 billion. South Korea is one of the major industrial gas markets and manufacturing hubs, and the acquisition strengthens L'Air Liquide's position in this market.

6. Newmont

Market cap: $114.73 billion (as of June 3)
Revenue (TTM): $25.0 billion
Gross profit (TTM): $14.5 billion
Five-year annualized return: 8.54%
Year founded: 1921

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NYSE: NEM

Newmont

Today's Change

(-1.78%) $-1.88

Current Price

$103.79

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$111B

Day's Range

$102.63 - $107.60

52wk Range

$55.37 - $134.88

Volume

19.1M

Avg Vol

9.1M

Gross Margin

55.12%

Dividend Yield

0.98%

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Newmont (NEM -1.78%) is the world's leading gold mining company. It also produces copper, silver, zinc, and lead. For its 2025 fiscal year, Newmont reported attributable gold production of 5.89 million ounces. Newmont has made multiple major acquisitions in recent years. It acquired Goldcorp for $10 billion in 2019 and Newcrest Mining for $16.8 billion in 2023.

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7. Freeport-McMoRan

Market cap: $101.55 billion (as of June 3)
Revenue (TTM): $26.4 billion
Gross profit (TTM): $7.4 billion
Five-year annualized return: 10.60%
Year founded: 1912

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NYSE: FCX

Freeport-McMoRan

Today's Change

(-0.55%) $-0.38

Current Price

$68.68

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$99B

Day's Range

$68.02 - $70.62

52wk Range

$35.01 - $72.28

Volume

18M

Avg Vol

15.4M

Gross Margin

25.84%

Dividend Yield

0.44%

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Freeport-McMoRan (FCX -0.45%), also known as FCX, is an international mining company that focuses on copper. It also produces gold and is the world's largest producer of molybdenum. It has mines in North America, South America, and Indonesia.

This company has received criticism for alleged safety issues, human rights abuses, and the amount of waste its mines produce. Its Grasberg Mine in Indonesia, while one of the richest mining operations in the world, has also caused environmental damage and floods in the area.

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8. Agnico Eagle Mines

Market cap: $85.83 billion (as of June 3)
Revenue (TTM): $13.5 billion
Gross profit (TTM): $8.4 billion
Five-year annualized return: 19.96%
Year founded: 1957

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NYSE: AEM

Agnico Eagle Mines

Today's Change

(-3.71%) $-6.42

Current Price

$166.57

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$83B

Day's Range

$165.71 - $176.43

52wk Range

$114.60 - $255.24

Volume

207.6K

Avg Vol

2.7M

Gross Margin

60.15%

Dividend Yield

1.02%

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Agnico Eagle (AEM -3.71%) is a Canadian-based company that mines precious metals. It's Canada's largest mining operation and the world's second-largest gold producer. In addition to its home country, Agnico Eagle also has operations in Australia, Finland, and Mexico.

Gold production for Agnico Eagle reached 3.4 million ounces in 2025. It also mined 2.5 million ounces of silver.

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9. Sherwin-Williams

Market cap: $73.13 billion (as of June 3)
Revenue (TTM): $23.9 billion
Gross profit (TTM): $11.7 billion
Five-year annualized return: 0.74%
Year founded: 1866

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NYSE: SHW

Sherwin-Williams

Today's Change

(2.23%) $6.99

Current Price

$320.79

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$79B

Day's Range

$314.83 - $322.50

52wk Range

$289.86 - $379.65

Volume

4.3M

Avg Vol

Gross Margin

48.67%

Dividend Yield

0.99%

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Sherwin-Williams (SHW +2.23%) is a familiar name for anyone who has gone shopping for paint. In 2025, it was the world's leading paint company by revenue. Its products are sold through more than 5,000 company-operated stores, and it has a market presence in over 120 countries.

Sherwin-Williams has had its share of controversies. It was one of three paint companies that agreed in 2019 to pay $305 million in fines for lead paint hazards in California, and it has also been fined for violating hazardous waste regulations.

10. Ecolab

Market cap: $72.12 billion (as of June 3)
Revenue (TTM): $16.5 billion
Gross profit (TTM): $7.3 billion
Five-year annualized return: 3.58%
Year founded: 1923

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NYSE: ECL

Ecolab

Today's Change

(0.02%) $0.06

Current Price

$269.12

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$76B

Day's Range

$268.87 - $275.44

52wk Range

$243.15 - $309.27

Volume

3.3M

Avg Vol

1.7M

Gross Margin

44.36%

Dividend Yield

1.06%

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Ecolab (ECL +0.02%) is a food safety and water hygiene company serving customers across more than 40 industries and operating in over 170 countries. Its products are used in animal health, food and beverage processing, healthcare, life sciences, textile care, and many other fields.

In August 2025, Ecolab agreed to acquire Ovivo's Electronics Ultra-Pure Water business for $1.8 billion. The move expands Ecolab's offerings in circular water management.

Mining and chemicals lead the materials sector by market cap

The top of the materials sector consists of mining and chemicals companies, which present unique challenges. Many of these companies have faced legal issues, and some are also based outside the U.S. and may be unfamiliar to the typical investor.

Investing in international companies can be challenging, as it requires learning not only about the company but also the business climate in another part of the world. The Trump administration's import tariffs can also heavily affect the materials sector, though they often change.

Still, whether you venture into international stocks or stick to U.S. companies, the materials sector presents plenty of quality investment opportunities. Top materials companies have excellent financials with consistent profits and reasonable debt levels. They perform best in a growing economy, but even during downturns, well-positioned materials companies can continue to make money.

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The Largest Materials Companies by Market Cap in June 2026

Linde, BHP Group, and Rio Tinto Group command the materials sector.

Key Points

Largest companies by market cap in the materials sector

1. Linde

Key Data Points

2. BHP Group

Key Data Points

3. Rio Tinto Group

Key Data Points

4. Southern Copper

Key Data Points

5. L'Air Liquide

Key Data Points

6. Newmont

Key Data Points

7. Freeport-McMoRan

Key Data Points

8. Agnico Eagle Mines

Key Data Points

9. Sherwin-Williams

Key Data Points

10. Ecolab

Key Data Points

Mining and chemicals lead the materials sector by market cap

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1. Linde

Key Data Points

2. BHP Group

Key Data Points

3. Rio Tinto Group

Key Data Points

4. Southern Copper

Key Data Points

5. L'Air Liquide

Key Data Points

7. Freeport-McMoRan

Key Data Points

8. Agnico Eagle Mines

Key Data Points

9. Sherwin-Williams

Key Data Points

10. Ecolab

Key Data Points

Mining and chemicals lead the materials sector by market cap

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6. Newmont

Key Data Points