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Company

SHERWIN WILLIAMS CO

Ticker
SHW
Sector
Industry
Report date
July 28, 2026
Valye AI Score

93

Very high visibility
Recent developments
Recent developments summary

Recent developments highlight Sherwin-Williams' Q2 2026 earnings with broad-based sales growth and profit increases, an uplift in annual earnings outlook, and expectations for improved Q3 net sales amid mixed market conditions.

Recent developments:
  • Sherwin-Williams reported Q2 2026 earnings with broad-based sales growth and profit increases. [N3]
  • The company lifted its annual earnings outlook and expects Q3 net sales to improve, with stock rising over 7%. [N5]
  • Q2 2026 earnings and revenues exceeded estimates, reflecting operational strength. [N8]
  • Sherwin-Williams held a Q2 2026 earnings conference call on July 28, 2026. [N7]
  • The Q2 earnings season showed mixed market conditions, with Sherwin-Williams performing positively amid chipmaker weakness. [N4][N6]
Overview

Sherwin-Williams is a global manufacturer and distributor of paints, coatings, and related products. It operates through three main business segments: Paint Stores Group, which includes company-operated stores primarily in the US, Canada, and the Caribbean; Consumer Brands Group, which includes branded consumer products and retail stores mainly in Latin America; and Performance Coatings Group, which serves industrial and commercial customers worldwide. The company also has an Administrative segment that includes leasing revenue and corporate functions. Sherwin-Williams pursues growth through pricing strategies, acquisitions such as Suvinil in 2025, and expansion of its store network. Capital expenditures focus on new store openings, manufacturing capacity, and infrastructure including a new global headquarters and R&D center. The company finances operations with a mix of debt and equity, maintaining a net debt to EBITDA ratio around 2.4. Liquidity metrics show a current ratio below 1.0 as of mid-2026, indicating working capital challenges.

Executive summary

Financial figures (if any) are summarized from the latest available SEC filings and are provided for informational purposes only — not financial advice. Sherwin-Williams operates primarily through three segments: Paint Stores Group, Consumer Brands Group, and Performance Coatings Group. The company reported a 2.1% increase in consolidated net sales for 2025, driven by price increases and acquisitions, notably the October 2025 Suvinil acquisition. Gross profit and margins improved slightly, while SG&A expenses rose due to growth investments and acquisition costs. The company maintains significant debt levels with a net debt to EBITDA ratio of 2.4 as of December 31, 2025. Recent Q2 2026 earnings showed broad-based sales growth and profit increases, with the company raising its annual earnings outlook and anticipating improved Q3 net sales. Liquidity ratios as of June 30, 2026, indicate a current ratio below 1.0 and a low cash ratio, reflecting working capital deficits. [S1][S2][N3][N5][N8]

Scenarios for SHW

Bull case model:

Sherwin-Williams' broad-based sales growth across segments, successful integration of acquisitions like Suvinil, and ongoing investments in store expansion and manufacturing capacity demonstrate operational execution. The company's ability to maintain gross margins amid raw material cost fluctuations and to invest in long-term growth initiatives supports business resilience. The recent uplift in annual earnings outlook and Q3 sales expectations reflect management's confidence in underlying demand. The company's strong brand recognition and extensive retail footprint provide a platform for continued market penetration and customer loyalty.

Bear case model:

The company faces risks from macroeconomic factors such as inflation, interest rates, tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and foreign currency fluctuations, which can impact costs and sales volumes. Working capital deficits and a current ratio below 1.0 indicate liquidity pressures that require careful management. High debt levels with net debt to EBITDA of 2.4 increase financial leverage and interest expense. Integration risks from acquisitions and restructuring activities, including trademark impairments, may affect profitability. Competitive pressures and changes in product mix could also impact margins and segment performance.

Moat:

Sherwin-Williams benefits from a strong brand portfolio and extensive distribution network, including a large number of company-operated stores in North America and Latin America. Its scale and integrated operations across manufacturing, distribution, and retail provide competitive advantages in pricing, product availability, and customer service. The company's investments in research and development, as well as its global footprint, support product innovation and market reach. The acquisition of established brands like Suvinil further strengthens its market position in key regions. These factors contribute to a durable competitive moat in the paints and coatings industry.

Risks overview
Risks summary
Macroeconomic factors combined with liquidity pressures and high financial leverage represent the primary risks to Sherwin-Williams' operational and financial stability.
Risks details:

• Macroeconomic and Market Risks: Inflation, interest rate changes, tariffs, supply chain disruptions, raw material availability, and foreign currency fluctuations can adversely affect costs, pricing, and sales volumes. [S1]
• Liquidity and Financial Leverage: Current ratio of 0.73 and cash ratio of 0.03 as of June 30, 2026, indicate working capital deficits. Total debt of $10.871 billion and net debt to EBITDA of 2.4 increase financial risk and interest expense. [S1][S2]
• Acquisition and Integration Risks: Costs and challenges related to the October 2025 Suvinil acquisition and restructuring activities, including impairment of trademarks, may impact earnings and operational focus. [S1]
• Competitive and Operational Risks: Changes in product mix, pricing pressures, and competition in the paints and coatings industry could affect gross margins and segment profitability. [S1]

FINAL FORECAST FOR SHW

Final take one line
Sherwin-Williams exhibits very high visibility with detailed disclosures and recent positive operational developments amid macroeconomic and financial leverage risks.
Final take 12 to 24 month view

Business trends: Growth driven by pricing, acquisitions, and store expansion; improving gross margins amid raw material cost moderation.
Execution milestones: Integration of Suvinil acquisition; capital investments in new headquarters, R&D center, and manufacturing capacity; Q2 2026 earnings showing broad-based sales growth.
Key risks: Macroeconomic pressures including inflation and currency fluctuations; liquidity constraints with working capital deficits; elevated financial leverage; acquisition integration and competitive market challenges.

Valye AI Visibility Research Score

Very high visibility

Visibility score reflects the breadth and consistency of available disclosure across SEC filings, recent public reporting, and baseline business context (research-only; not investment advice).

93
LLM visibility overview
LLM Visibility known facts
  • Sherwin-Williams operates through three main segments: Paint Stores Group, Consumer Brands Group, and Performance Coatings Group, plus an Administrative function. [S1]
  • In 2025, consolidated net sales increased 2.1% to $23.574 billion, driven primarily by higher sales in the Paint Stores and Consumer Brands Groups. [S1]
  • The Paint Stores Group increased net sales by 3.2% in 2025, mainly due to selling price increases, partially offset by a decrease in sales volume. The group opened 83 new stores and closed 3, totaling 4,853 stores in the US, Canada, and Caribbean. [S1]
  • The Consumer Brands Group's net sales increased 1.9% in 2025, including a 5.3% contribution from the October 2025 acquisition of Suvinil, partially offset by unfavorable foreign currency translation. The group had a net decrease of 27 stores, totaling 307 stores in Latin America. [S1]
  • The Performance Coatings Group's net sales were essentially flat in 2025 compared to 2024, with acquisitions and currency translation offsetting unfavorable product mix and selling prices. The group had a net decrease of 7 branches, totaling 317 branches. [S1]
  • Gross profit increased 2.9% in 2025 to $11.516 billion, with gross margin improving to 48.8% from 48.5% in 2024, driven by favorable selling prices and moderating raw material costs in the Paint Stores Group and the Suvinil acquisition. [S1]
  • Selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) increased 3.7% in 2025, reflecting investments in growth initiatives, new store openings, acquisition-related costs, and higher employee-related expenses. SG&A as a percent of sales increased 50 basis points. [S1]
  • Income before income taxes decreased 3.3% in 2025 to $3.338 billion, with segment income before taxes increasing in Paint Stores Group but declining in Consumer Brands and Performance Coatings. [S1]
  • The effective income tax rate increased to 23.1% in 2025 from 22.3% in 2024, mainly due to less favorable tax benefits related to employee share-based payments. [S1]
  • Net income for Q2 2026 was $843.6 million as of June 30, 2026, according to the latest 10-Q filing. [S2]
  • As of June 30, 2026, Sherwin-Williams had cash and cash equivalents of $293.5 million, current assets of $6.999 billion, and current liabilities of $9.627 billion, resulting in a current ratio of 0.73 and a cash ratio of 0.03. [S2]
  • The company has significant debt, with total debt outstanding of $10.871 billion as of December 31, 2025, and net debt of $10.664 billion, approximately 2.4 times EBITDA for 2025. [S1]
  • Capital expenditures in 2025 were $745.9 million, including investments in new global headquarters, R&D center, manufacturing capacity expansion, and store openings. [S1]
  • Sherwin-Williams completed the acquisition of Suvinil in October 2025, contributing to sales growth in the Consumer Brands Group. [S1]
  • Recent news highlights include Sherwin-Williams reporting Q2 2026 earnings with broad-based sales growth and rising profits, lifting its annual earnings outlook and expecting Q3 net sales improvement. [N3][N5][N8]
  • The company held a Q2 2026 earnings conference call on July 28, 2026. [N7]
  • Market commentary around the Q2 2026 earnings season noted Sherwin-Williams' positive performance amid mixed market conditions. [N4][N6]
Sources
Sources - Context summary

Generated 2026-07-28

Sources - Earning calls
  • N7
Sources - Other context
Sources - SEC Filings
  • S1 | 2026-02-19 | 10-K
  • S2 | 2026-07-28 | 10-Q
Sources - News headlines
  • N1 | 2026-07-28 | www.nasdaq.com | Stocks Mixed as Weakness in Chipmakers Deepens | https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/stocks-mixed-weakness-chipmakers-deepens
  • N2 | 2026-07-28 | www.nasdaq.com | Stocks Mixed on Earnings Results and Weakness in Chipmakers | https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/stocks-mixed-earnings-results-and-weakness-chipmakers
  • N3 | 2026-07-28 | www.nasdaq.com | SHW Q2 Earnings Beat Estimates on Broad-Based Sales Growth | https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/shw-q2-earnings-beat-estimates-broad-based-sales-growth
  • N4 | 2026-07-28 | www.nasdaq.com | Q2 Earnings Season Gathers Steam | https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/q2-earnings-season-gathers-steam
  • N5 | 2026-07-28 | www.nasdaq.com | Sherwin-Williams Lifts Annual Earnings Outlook, Expects Q3 Net Sales To Improve; Stock Up Over 7% | https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/sherwin-williams-lifts-annual-earnings-outlook-expects-q3-net-sales-improve-stock-over-7
  • N6 | 2026-07-28 | www.nasdaq.com | Sherwin-Williams (SHW) Q2 Earnings: How Key Metrics Compare to Wall Street Estimates | https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/sherwin-williams-shw-q2-earnings-how-key-metrics-compare-wall-street-estimates
  • N7 | 2026-07-28 | www.nasdaq.com | Sherwin-Williams Q2 26 Earnings Conference Call At 10:00 AM ET | https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/sherwin-williams-q2-26-earnings-conference-call-10-00-am-et
  • N8 | 2026-07-28 | www.nasdaq.com | Sherwin-Williams (SHW) Q2 Earnings and Revenues Beat Estimates | https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/sherwin-williams-shw-q2-earnings-and-revenues-beat-estimates
Important legal disclaimer

This material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, financial, legal or tax advice, or an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security. The Valye AI Score is a model-based estimate derived from public information and is subject to change without notice. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the information herein. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investors should conduct their own research and consult a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.

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