Top 10 Publicly Traded U.S. Building Repair Companies (by Market Cap)
Top 10 US Building Repair Companies and Protest Impact
Top 10 US Building Repair Companies and Protest Impact
Top 10 Publicly Traded U.S. Building Repair Companies (by Market Cap)
This report identifies the ten largest U.S.-traded companies involved in building repair, maintenance, and related services, ranked by market capitalization. For each company, we provide their headquarters location, operational areas, largest market, and an analysis of potential benefits of holding the company’s stock during periods of civil unrest or crime-related property damage. The analysis specifically considers the “No Kings” protests on June 14, 2025 and how such protests might increase demand for building repair services (e.g. fixing vandalism, replacing broken windows, cleaning graffiti, rebuilding damaged storefronts). A summary table is included for quick reference.
Summary Table
Company Market Cap (approx.)Headquarters Operational Areas Largest MarketProtest-Related Demand BenefitsHome Depot (HD)$360 BAtlanta, Georgia, USAU.S., Canada, MexicoUnited States (85%+ of sales)Surge in sales of plywood, glass, tools for boarding-up and repairs during unrest.Lowe’s (LOW)$130 BMooresville, North Carolina, USAU.S. (all states), CanadaUnited States (core market)Similar to Home Depot: increased demand for building materials (lumber, paint, hardware) to fix vandalism.Trane Technologies (TT)$95 BSwords, Ireland (Global HQ); Davidson, NC (U.S. HQ)North America, Europe, Asia-PacificUnited States (Americas segment ~78% of revenue)Provides HVAC systems; benefits if riots damage building HVAC or require backup climate systems for damaged sites.Sherwin-Williams (SHW)$89 BCleveland, Ohio, USANorth & South America, Europe, AsiaUnited States (5,000+ stores; largest U.S. paint provider)Higher sales of paint/coatings for covering graffiti and repairing surface damage.Johnson Controls (JCI)$68 BCork, Ireland (legal HQ); Milwaukee, WI (historical)150+ countries (N. America, Europe, APAC)North America (majority of building solutions revenue)Offers fire/security systems and facility services; demand rises if downtown security systems, doors, or alarms need replacement after riots.CRH plc (CRH)$62 BDublin, Ireland (Global); New York, NY (U.S. listing)North America, Europe, Asia-PacificNorth America (~59% of sales, mainly USA)Supplies building materials (cement, glass, etc.) for reconstruction; protests causing structural damage boost demand for materials.Carrier Global (CARR)$60 BPalm Beach Gardens, Florida, USANorth America, Europe, AsiaUnited States (majority of $22B sales)Sells HVAC and security products; could see uptick if buildings need new security systems or climate control after damage.United Rentals (URI)$46 BStamford, Connecticut, USAU.S. (49 states), Canada, Europe (minor)United States (1,500+ locations in North America vs. 38 in Europe)Rents out construction equipment; benefits from equipment needed for cleanup and rebuilding (boom lifts for window repairs, generators, etc.) in protest-hit downtowns.Ferguson plc (FERG)$42 BNewport News, Virginia, USAU.S. (1,500+ branches), CanadaUnited States (~90% of revenue; Canada ~10%)Distributes plumbing, fire protection, and HVAC supplies; heightened demand if riots damage pipes, sprinklers, or require plumbing repairs.Otis Worldwide (OTIS)$38 BFarmington, Connecticut, USA200+ countries (global elevator service network)United States (largest single-country market, though ~20% of sales)Maintains elevators and escalators; if protests cause building fires or power outages, elevators may need repair, and demand for service contracts can rise.
Market capitalizations are approximate and reflect June 2025 values. Headquarters reflect nominal corporate headquarters; some companies are domiciled abroad but have major U.S. offices. All companies trade on U.S. stock exchanges.
1. Home Depot (HD)
Market Cap & Overview: Home Depot is by far the largest in this sector with a market capitalization around $360 billion. It is the world’s biggest home improvement retailer, supplying building materials, tools, and services for construction and repair.
Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Operational Areas: Over 2,300 stores across all 50 U.S. states, all 10 Canadian provinces, and parts of Mexico. Home Depot’s footprint is primarily North America, with the U.S. accounting for the bulk of its stores and revenue.
Largest Market: United States – Home Depot generates roughly 85% or more of its revenue in the U.S., making it the company’s dominant market. Major urban areas are key for its professional contractor sales, while suburban/rural stores serve DIY customers.
Protest-Related Demand Benefits: During episodes of civil unrest or high crime, Home Depot tends to experience surges in demand for repair materials. For example, ahead of the U.S. 2020 elections when businesses feared unrest, plywood supplies ran low as retailers rushed to board up storefronts. A Home Depot store in Manhattan completely sold out of large plywood sheets due to a spike in demand for boarding windows. Contractors had to visit multiple Home Depot locations to find enough plywood for securing dozens of stores in Philadelphia. This illustrates how protests (like the 2025 “No Kings” events) could boost Home Depot’s sales of lumber, window glass, paint, locks, and tools as businesses repair broken windows, replace doors, and repaint graffiti.
Furthermore, Home Depot often sees increased sales of security hardware (padlocks, security cameras, boarding materials) in urban areas experiencing crime or vandalism spikes. Its extensive distribution network allows it to rapidly supply downtown areas in crisis. Investors holding Home Depot might benefit from short-term revenue upticks whenever widespread property damage occurs during protests, riots, or natural disasters, as property owners immediately turn to big-box stores for emergency repair supplies.
2. Lowe’s Companies (LOW)
Market Cap & Overview: Lowe’s is the second-largest home improvement retail chain, with a market cap around $130 billion. It directly competes with Home Depot in providing building repair and remodeling products.
Headquarters: Mooresville, North Carolina, USA.
Operational Areas: Over 1,700 stores across the United States and Canada. Lowe’s has a nationwide U.S. presence (every state), and a significant Canadian division (RONA, etc.). It exited its small Mexico operation in 2019 to focus on North America.
Largest Market: United States – Lowe’s derives the vast majority of its sales from U.S. stores. Like Home Depot, it caters to both DIY customers and professional contractors, with urban and suburban coverage.
Protest-Related Demand Benefits: Lowe’s stands to benefit similarly to Home Depot during protest-related disturbances. When downtown retailers and property owners face broken storefronts or interior damage, they often rush to home centers like Lowe’s for materials to make repairs. For instance, during past civil unrest, many businesses boarded up windows as a precaution, driving a nationwide run on plywood and lumber supplies. Lowe’s stores saw spikes in demand for plywood panels, sheetrock, replacement glass, paint, and other repair essentials.
In the context of the June 14, 2025 “No Kings” protests, any outbreak of vandalism or looting in city centers would likely mean local Lowe’s stores get inundated with orders for cleanup and fix-up supplies. Companies holding Lowe’s stock could benefit from these sudden sales surges. Moreover, Lowe’s provides services like window and door installation; after protests, more customers might utilize Lowe’s installation contractors to swiftly replace shattered glass or doors. In high-crime regions, property managers also turn to Lowe’s for security upgrades (stronger doors, fencing, CCTV systems), which can boost Lowe’s sales of those product categories.
3. Trane Technologies (TT)
Market Cap & Overview: Trane Technologies, with a market cap of roughly $95 billion, is a leading provider of HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) systems and building services. It was formerly the ClimateCo division of Ingersoll-Rand, now an independent company focused on climate control solutions.
Headquarters: Swords, Ireland (global HQ), with a major U.S. corporate office in Davidson, North Carolina.
Operational Areas: Trane operates worldwide, with business segments divided into Americas and International. It has a strong presence across North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Key brands include Trane® (commercial and residential HVAC systems) and Thermo King® (transport refrigeration).
Largest Market: United States – The U.S. is Trane’s single biggest market, making up the majority of its Americas segment. In Q1 2024, for example, Trane’s Americas segment revenue was $3.5 billion versus $1.0 billion internationally. Within that, the United States alone contributed $3.1 billion in revenue (about 70% of the global total that quarter), reflecting Trane’s heavy concentration in the U.S. HVAC market.
Protest-Related Demand Benefits: While Trane’s business is less directly tied to visible property damage than a retailer’s, it can still see benefits in unrest scenarios. HVAC and building controls systems can be affected by vandalism, fires, or power outages often accompanying violent protests. For example, if a downtown building is set on fire or heavily vandalized during a riot, the HVAC equipment (roof-mounted AC units, ventilation systems) might be damaged by smoke, water, or debris. Replacing or repairing these systems can lead to service calls for Trane or sales of new units.
Additionally, in cities with frequent protests or higher crime, building owners might preemptively invest in upgraded ventilation, indoor air quality controls, or remote monitoring (Trane’s control systems) to protect their properties (for instance, systems that automatically shut dampers when sensing smoke from arson). Trane also offers emergency rentals of chillers and AC units – useful if a government or business needs temporary climate control after damage to a permanent system. The “No Kings” protests, expected to draw huge crowds and possibly cause disruptions, could indirectly boost demand for Trane’s services in affected commercial buildings (checking HVAC after a disturbance, ensuring refrigeration trucks like Thermo King units keep perishable inventory safe if stores are looted or without power, etc.). Holding Trane might thus provide some defensive exposure to increased building service needs resulting from protest damage.
4. Sherwin-Williams (SHW)
Market Cap & Overview: Sherwin-Williams, valued around $89 billion, is the largest paint and coatings company in the U.S. and a major supplier of products for building repair and refinishing. It manufactures and sells paints, stains, industrial coatings, and related supplies.
Headquarters: Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Operational Areas: Sherwin-Williams operates over 5,000 stores and facilities worldwide. Its core Paint Stores Group covers North America (U.S., Canada, Latin America), and it also has global divisions like Consumer Brands (selling through retailers) and Performance Coatings (industrial customers). The 2017 acquisition of Valspar expanded Sherwin’s reach in Europe and Asia, though the Americas remain its stronghold.
Largest Market: United States – Sherwin-Williams is the largest provider of architectural paint in the U.S., and the U.S. market accounts for a dominant share of its revenue. In 2023, the company posted record sales of $23 billion, of which more than half ($12.84 billion) came from its Americas paint stores segment (mainly U.S. company-owned stores). This highlights that the U.S. consumer and professional painting market is Sherwin’s largest.
Protest-Related Demand Benefits: After episodes of unrest, one of the first tasks for property owners is covering graffiti and repairing surface damage – which means paint sales often jump. Sherwin-Williams benefits by supplying exterior paints, anti-graffiti coatings, primers, and cleaning chemicals. For instance, in cities hit by protests, miles of plywood put up on windows were later painted with murals or needed repainting when taken down. Sherwin-Williams stores in those downtowns likely saw increased orders from contractors repainting vandalized walls or covering slogans.
Sherwin also sells protective coatings for metal and concrete, used if infrastructure (like fences, statues or public buildings) gets defaced. Following the “No Kings” protests on June 14, 2025, any widespread graffiti or property defacement would directly boost demand for Sherwin-Williams products as cities and businesses clean up. The company’s large store network ensures it can supply paint quickly to affected areas. Additionally, Sherwin’s industrial coatings unit might see more business if public transit facilities, police stations, or other structures need refurbishing due to protest damage. Investors holding Sherwin-Williams thus could benefit from a post-protest uptick in sales as communities invest in repainting and restoring appearances.
5. Johnson Controls International (JCI)
Market Cap & Overview: Johnson Controls, with a market cap around $68 billion, is a global leader in building systems, security, fire protection, and HVAC controls. It provides both products and services that are essential in maintaining safe, functioning buildings.
Headquarters: Cork, Ireland (official domicile). Note: Despite the Irish HQ (a result of a 2016 merger with Tyco), the company’s operational heritage is American (founded in Milwaukee, WI). It retains large offices in Milwaukee and Glendale, WI, and major U.S. operations.
Operational Areas: JCI operates in over 150 countries. It has ~2,000 locations worldwide and ~130,000 employees. Key operational regions are North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Its offerings range from building automation systems and thermostats to security alarms, surveillance, fire sprinklers, and facility management services.
Largest Market: North America (United States) – North America is Johnson Controls’ largest market for its Building Solutions segment. Company officials have noted that almost half of JCI’s revenue comes from North America building efficiency products and services. The U.S. in particular is a huge driver, with major clients in commercial real estate, government buildings, and industrial sites. (JCI’s other businesses like automotive batteries were spun off, so current focus is buildings.)
Protest-Related Demand Benefits: Johnson Controls’ business is uniquely tied to safety and security in buildings – areas of heightened concern during protests. When civil unrest like the “No Kings” demonstrations occur, building owners often review and upgrade their security systems (alarms, access controls, CCTV) to protect against break-ins or vandalism. JCI is a leading installer of these systems (largely through its Tyco security products and services). If downtown areas experience looting or forced entries, demand can rise for stronger alarm systems, electronic locks, and video monitoring – all products JCI offers.
Additionally, JCI’s fire protection systems (sprinklers, fire alarms) come into play: protests that involve arson or accidental fires prompt building managers to service or replace sprinkler heads, smoke detectors, and fire panels, benefitting JCI’s service contracts. The company also performs repairs on HVAC and electrical controls – for instance, if a building’s control room is vandalized or if tear gas/fires trigger HVAC cleanup needs, JCI technicians may be called in to repair and recalibrate systems.
During periods of prolonged unrest in high-crime regions, Johnson Controls could see a strategic uptick as municipalities invest in “hardening” public buildings (installing bullet-resistant glass, improved entry systems) and businesses upgrade to smart building tech for better intrusion detection. Thus, holding JCI shares provides exposure to a company whose services are in greater demand when security and building resilience are top-of-mind due to protest activity and crime.
6. CRH plc (CRH)
Market Cap & Overview: CRH is a global building materials company, with a market cap near $62 billion. While it’s known primarily as a materials supplier (cement, asphalt, glass, etc.), it’s included here because its products are essential for heavy building repairs and reconstruction.
Headquarters: Dublin, Ireland (with a new U.S. base in New York City for its primary stock listing).
Operational Areas: CRH operates in over 25 countries across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. It is the largest building materials company in North America and a major player in European construction. Its businesses include quarries (aggregates), cement plants, concrete and asphalt production, architectural glass manufacturing, and distribution of building products.
Largest Market: North America (United States) – The U.S. is now CRH’s biggest market by far. In 2023, North America represented about 59% of CRH’s total sales. The company has aggressively expanded in the U.S., acquiring Ash Grove Cement and numerous aggregates businesses. This shift led CRH to move its primary stock listing to the NYSE in 2023 and officially declare Newport News, VA/New York, NY as key corporate locations. Europe (its original base) is the second-largest region, but the U.S. generates the most revenue and profit for CRH.
Protest-Related Demand Benefits: CRH’s materials are the literal building blocks for repairing serious structural damage. In the aftermath of destructive protests, if buildings have been burned down or heavily damaged, reconstruction will require cement, concrete, bricks, glass, and steel, much of which could be supplied by CRH’s subsidiaries. For example, if riots in a downtown area result in several gutted storefronts or damaged roads/sidewalks, CRH (through its local concrete and asphalt divisions) might see increased orders for concrete to rebuild foundations and sidewalks, or asphalt to repave streets that were torn up.
CRH also manufactures architectural glass and glazing systems – relevant if many windows are smashed during unrest. Commercial property owners often need high-quality replacement glass, which CRH (through its Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope unit, for instance) can provide. The company’s distribution networks can supply everything from lumber and rebar to roofing materials for repairs.
The “No Kings” protests on June 14, 2025 were planned in many U.S. cities, raising the risk of property destruction. If those protests turned violent in certain areas, CRH stands to benefit from the rebuilding phase: city governments will contract to fix infrastructure, and private businesses will rebuild or fortify their premises, driving demand for CRH’s materials. For investors, CRH offers a way to capitalize indirectly on increased repair and reconstruction activity in the wake of civil disorder, especially given its scale in the U.S. market.
7. Carrier Global (CARR)
Market Cap & Overview: Carrier Global, valued around $60 billion, is a leading provider of HVAC systems, refrigeration, and building security solutions. It was spun off from United Technologies in 2020 and includes renowned brands like Carrier air conditioners, Kidde fire safety, and Lenel security.
Headquarters: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA.
Operational Areas: Carrier has a worldwide footprint, with major operations in North America, Europe, and Asia. It serves both residential and commercial HVAC markets globally, provides commercial refrigeration (for grocers, trucks, etc.), and building automation and fire/security products. In 2023, Carrier’s total revenue was about $22 billion.
Largest Market: United States – Carrier generates the largest share of its revenue in its home U.S. market. According to 2023 data, the U.S. was the single biggest contributor to Carrier’s ~$22B revenue, with Europe and Asia combined around $9B. This suggests roughly $13B from the Americas (mostly U.S.). North America (especially the U.S.) is Carrier’s core for HVAC sales and also a key region for its fire & security segment.
Protest-Related Demand Benefits: Carrier’s range of products means multiple possible touchpoints for post-protest needs:
Building Security Systems: Through its LenelS2 brand, Carrier supplies electronic access control and surveillance systems. After protest-related break-ins or threats, businesses might upgrade door security systems or add cameras. Increased interest in security technology due to civil unrest can boost orders in this segment.
Fire Safety Equipment: Carrier owns Kidde, a major fire safety products maker (alarms, extinguishers). In cities hit by arson or where fires were started during riots, there could be a wave of replacements for fire extinguishers used or smoke detectors damaged, benefitting sales. Also, building owners might install more fire suppression tools if riots are an ongoing risk.
HVAC and Ventilation: If a building suffers smoke damage or other HVAC impacts (e.g., tear gas infiltration during protests, leading to filter contamination), owners may need professional HVAC cleaning or new air filtration units – Carrier provides these systems and services. Moreover, if a building’s air conditioning units outside were vandalized, Carrier could see demand for replacement condensers or parts.
One example scenario: a downtown retail store looted during protests might need not just a new door (from a hardware store) but also checks on its walk-in refrigeration units if power was cut – Carrier’s refrigeration technicians would be called in to service grocery store coolers or pharmacy fridges after chaotic events.
By holding Carrier stock, investors are exposed to a company that can capture a share of post-protest rebuilding in the mechanical systems domain – from improving building security to ensuring climate control and fire safety systems are restored in impacted properties.
8. United Rentals (URI)
Market Cap & Overview: United Rentals has a market cap of about $46 billion. It is the world’s largest construction and equipment rental company, renting out machinery and tools that contractors and facilities need for building, repairs, and industrial work.
Headquarters: Stamford, Connecticut, USA.
Operational Areas: United Rentals has an extensive network of 1,686 rental locations. The vast majority are in North America – 1,504 in the U.S. and Canada – with a smaller presence in Europe and other regions. It operates in 49 U.S. states (every state except possibly Alaska) and all Canadian provinces. Recently, it also expanded to have a few dozen branches in Europe (UK, France), and acquired outlets in Australia/New Zealand, but North America is ~90%+ of its business.
Largest Market: United States – The U.S. is by far URI’s largest market. As noted, it operates in nearly every state, and U.S. customers contribute the lion’s share of its $15+ billion annual revenue. United Rentals holds about a 16% share of the North American equipment rental market, making it the leader in its home market.
Protest-Related Demand Benefits: In the aftermath of widespread property damage, United Rentals’ services become critical for the rebuilding and cleanup process:
Debris Cleanup & Demolition: If protests result in burned or destroyed structures, contractors will rent skid-steer loaders, excavators, dumpsters, and other debris removal equipment to clear the rubble. URI rents all these equipment types. High demand for cleanup gear in a hard-hit city can drive up utilization of United Rentals’ fleet there.
Emergency Power & Lighting: During chaotic protests or in their aftermath, there may be power outages or the need for extra lighting (e.g., floodlights for security). United Rentals has large inventories of portable generators and light towers that cities and businesses rent to secure their sites overnight. For example, if a city erects a perimeter around a damaged area, they might rent URI’s light towers to deter further crime.
Reconstruction & Repairs: To rebuild smashed storefronts or repair buildings, contractors rent boom lifts and scissor lifts (to reach high windows or signage), power tools, air compressors, and more – all available through United Rentals. After the 2020 unrest, cities like Minneapolis saw surges in equipment rentals as hundreds of buildings were repaired or rebuilt.
Barricading and Protection: Prior to expected unrest (like on June 14, 2025, “No Kings” day), authorities might rent water-filled barriers, fencing, or sandbag equipment to fortify key buildings. United Rentals offers trench safety and site barricade rentals that could be utilized to prevent damage during protests.
United Rentals’ broad catalog essentially equips the response teams that handle protest damage. An investor in URI might see gains if, for instance, a wave of civil disturbances in various cities prompts a jump in regional rental volume. The company’s own reports often cite infrastructure or recovery efforts as drivers for equipment rentals. Protests and crime spikes in downtown areas inadvertently create a need for more equipment usage in restoration projects, benefiting URI’s revenues.
9. Ferguson plc (FERG)
Market Cap & Overview: Ferguson, with a market cap of roughly $42 billion, is a leading distributor of plumbing, HVAC, and building supplies. It was originally known as Wolseley (UK-based), but now primarily operates in North America under the Ferguson brand.
Headquarters: Newport News, Virginia, USA (corporate HQ). (The company re-incorporated in the U.S. in 2024, completing its shift from the UK to the USA for headquarters and stock listing.)
Operational Areas: Ferguson runs approximately 1,800 branches across the United States and Canada. Its presence in the U.S. is huge, with 1,500+ branch locations and 10 distribution centers nationwide. In Canada it has around 200 branches. Ferguson does not have operations outside North America after divesting its UK/EU businesses in recent years.
Largest Market: United States – Ferguson generates about 90% of its revenue in the U.S. (with the remaining ~10% in Canada). This reflects its nearly exclusive focus on the North American market. The U.S. construction and repair sector is Ferguson’s primary customer base, from big commercial contractors to local plumbers and maintenance crews.
Protest-Related Demand Benefits: Ferguson’s product lines are central to restoring building functionality after damage:
Plumbing and Water Systems: Riots can lead to broken water pipes (e.g., if a fire hydrant is tampered with or if a building’s plumbing is wrecked by fire). Ferguson, being the top U.S. distributor of plumbing supplies, would see orders for new pipes, fittings, valves, and fixtures to replace damaged ones. For instance, if a sprinkler system in a store went off during a fire started in protests, afterwards a contractor would buy replacement sprinkler heads, pipes, and perhaps backflow preventers from Ferguson.
HVAC Parts: If an air conditioning unit on a rooftop is vandalized or the copper tubing is stolen (which sometimes happens during chaotic events), HVAC contractors rely on distributors like Ferguson for replacement compressors, refrigerant lines, and filters. Also, to improve air quality after smoky protests, buildings might upgrade filters or HVAC units – again boosting Ferguson’s sales in that category.
Building Hardware and Tools: Ferguson also supplies general building materials and tools. Increased repairs in protest-hit areas means local tradespeople will purchase more drywall, lumber, fasteners, and power tools – many of which Ferguson stocks, especially via its Facilities Supply division for facility managers.
Fire Protection Equipment: Notably, Ferguson has a Fire & Fabrication business that sells fire protection systems (sprinkler pipelines, alarms). If a protest-related fire destroys these systems in a building, reconstruction crews source the new sprinkler pipe and alarms through distributors like Ferguson.
During the “No Kings” protests, cities that saw vandalism to infrastructure (like water mains or public fountains damaged) would prompt municipal repair orders that Ferguson could fill via its Waterworks division, which specializes in public utility supplies. An investor in Ferguson benefits from this broad-based repair demand: essentially, anything broken that involves water, air, or mechanical fixtures funnels business to Ferguson. Their dominant market position in U.S. plumbing/HVAC distribution means they often capture a large share of post-disaster rebuild spending in those categories.
10. Otis Worldwide (OTIS)
Market Cap & Overview: Otis has a market capitalization of about $38 billion. It is the world’s leading manufacturer and servicer of elevators and escalators, with a significant business in maintenance contracts for vertical transportation in buildings.
Headquarters: Farmington, Connecticut, USA (formerly part of United Technologies, spun off in 2020).
Operational Areas: Otis operates in over 200 countries and territories, reflecting the global ubiquity of elevators. It has a particularly strong presence in North America, Europe, and Asia (notably China). Otis has installed millions of elevators worldwide and maintains over 2 million elevators/escalators under service contracts globally.
Largest Market: United States – The U.S. is historically Otis’s largest single-country market (though China has grown rapidly for new installations). Otis’s Americas segment (led by U.S. sales) is a major contributor to revenue, particularly through high-margin service agreements in cities like New York, Chicago, etc. The U.S. accounts for roughly 20% or more of Otis’s revenues, making it the biggest market by country (with China close behind for new equipment sales).
Protest-Related Demand Benefits: Elevators and escalators could be indirectly affected by turmoil in downtown areas:
Repairing Elevator Damage: In the event a building is torched or heavily vandalized, the elevators inside might suffer water damage (from sprinklers or fire hoses) or electrical damage from power surges/outages. Otis, as the maintenance provider for many elevators, would be called in to inspect, repair, and if necessary replace components in the elevator systems after such incidents. For example, after a fire in a high-rise caused by arson, Otis technicians might need to replace control panels or recondition elevator shafts.
Increased Maintenance Emphasis: Civil disturbances can prompt building owners to ensure all safety systems are working perfectly. Elevator entrapments during emergencies are a concern, so property managers might accelerate preventive maintenance (ensuring backup power for elevators, checking emergency communication systems in elevators). Otis could thus see a short-term boost in service revenue if clients request extra checks or expedited repairs around times of unrest.
Securing Elevator Entrances: In some cases, protesters might try to disable elevators (for instance, by hitting emergency stops or damaging call buttons). Post-protest, those parts need replacing. Also, some buildings might decide to lock down or add security to elevator lobbies to prevent unauthorized access (especially if intruders got into a building). Otis sometimes partners on entry systems for elevators (controlling floor access), which could see interest.
While elevator companies are not as directly tied to visible damage repair as others on this list, their maintenance revenue is very steady and can spike when abnormal events occur. If the “No Kings” protests lead to even a few instances of building damage that involves elevator repairs (for example, an escalator in a mall damaged by fires), Otis would handle the parts and labor, billing the owners or insurance. For investors, Otis offers stability with a slight uptick potential in such scenarios. More broadly, urban areas with high crime or protest risk rely on Otis to keep vertical transport safe – potentially leading to long-term modernization contracts (upgrading older elevators for better security controls, etc.), which benefit Otis’s backlog.
Impact of “No Kings” Protests on Building Repair Demand
The “No Kings” protests on June 14, 2025 were a coordinated series of demonstrations across numerous U.S. cities, timed with political events. While largely peaceful in intent, authorities and businesses braced for potential outbreaks of vandalism or clashes, given that previous large-scale protests (e.g., those in 2020 and immigration-related protests in Los Angeles in 2025) sometimes escalated to property damage.
Downtown Areas as Hotspots: These protests often concentrate in city centers – near government buildings or major public squares. Downtown areas have high densities of storefronts, offices, and public infrastructure, all of which are vulnerable to damage. Companies like Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Sherwin-Williams immediately benefit as retailers board up windows and later repaint graffiti.
Regions with Higher Crime/Damage Rates: Some cities with historically higher protest activity or crime (e.g., Portland, Seattle, Chicago) may see more demand for repairs. This can mean steady business for Ferguson (plumbing repairs due to vandalism), Johnson Controls (security reinforcements), and ABM/maintenance firms (though ABM is smaller and not in the top 10 by cap, it provides on-site repairs and cleaning). For the companies in this top 10, having operations or distributors in these regions ensures they capture the local surge. For example, Sherwin-Williams noted variability by region in 2023, with some areas seeing choppiness in demand, which could refer to swings from events like civil unrest.
Long-Term Investments in Resilience: The repeated cycle of protests has led many businesses to invest proactively in protective measures. This benefits companies like Johnson Controls and Carrier (for advanced security and fire systems), as well as CRH and Ferguson (supplying materials for installing bollards, security gates, reinforced glass, etc.). The “No Kings” protests, by virtue of their scope (planned in dozens of cities), likely spurred a wave of such precautionary fortifications in early 2025, translating into higher sales for these firms even before any damage occurs.
In summary, periods of unrest like the June 14, 2025 protests act as a catalyst for building repair and reinforcement activities. Investors holding the top building repair-related companies may see these stocks maintain strong performance or even get short-term boosts due to increased sales and service orders. Each of the companies profiled plays a distinct role in the repair ecosystem – from selling plywood and paint for cosmetic fixes to renting out excavators for clearing wreckage – and collectively, their ability to address increased repair needs makes them strategic holdings for hedging against the financial impact of civil disorder.
Sources: Inline citations have been provided throughout the report to substantiate facts about company operations and the impact of protests on demand for their products and services. Key sources include news reports (e.g., CBS News on plywood demand), company press releases/filings (e.g., Sherwin-Williams financial results, CRH investor news), and industry analyses that highlight each company’s market and activities. These demonstrate how protest events directly correlate with increased utilization of the companies’ offerings.
