SHERWIN-WILLIAMS CO. $281 - New York symbol SHW

SHERWIN-WILLIAMS CO. $281 (www.sherwin-williams.com) earned $9.31 a share in 2014, up 24.6% from $7.47 in 2013. Sales rose 9.3%, to $11.1 billion from $10.2 billion. These gains are partly due to Mexican paint maker Comex’s U.S. and Canadian operations (including 314 stores), which Sherwin bought for $165 million in September 2013. Higher home construction also spurred paint sales. In addition, Sherwin raised its dividend by 21.8%. The new annual rate of $2.68 yields 1.0%. However, the stock is expensive at 25.1 times its likely 2015 earnings of $11.18 a share. Hold.

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