SHERWIN-WILLIAMS CO. $221 - New York symbol SHW

SHERWIN-WILLIAMS CO. $221 (New York symbol SHW; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 97.8 million; Market cap: $21.6 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.0; Yield: 1.0%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.sherwin-williams.com) reported that its sales rose 12.1% in the quarter ended June 30, 2014, to $3.0 billion from $2.7 billion a year ago. About 40% of that gain came from Mexican paint maker Comex’s U.S. and Canadian assets, which Sherwin bought for $165 million in September 2013.

Earnings rose 13.3%, to $291.4 million from $257.3 million. Per-share earnings gained 19.5%, to $2.94 from $2.46, on fewer shares outstanding.

The company will likely earn $8.64 a share in 2014, up 15.4% from 2013, but the stock trades at a high 25.6 times that forecast.

Sherwin-Williams is a hold.

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