Sherwin-Williams Company Stock Buy Recommendation Reiterated (SHW)

Editor's Note: TheStreet ratings do not represent the views of TheStreet's staff or its contributors. Ratings are established by computer based on metrics for performance (which includes growth, stock performance, efficiency and valuation) and risk (volatility and solvency). Companies with poor cash flow or high debt levels tend to earn lower ratings in our model.

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW) has been reiterated by TheStreet Ratings as a buy with a ratings score of A+ . The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, expanding profit margins, compelling growth in net income, solid stock price performance and impressive record of earnings per share growth. Although no company is perfect, currently we do not see any significant weaknesses which are likely to detract from the generally positive outlook.

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Highlights from the ratings report include:

• The revenue growth came in higher than the industry average of 5.7%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues slightly increased by 4.8%. Growth in the company's revenue appears to have helped boost the earnings per share.
• 44.20% is the gross profit margin for SHERWIN-WILLIAMS CO which we consider to be strong. It has increased from the same quarter the previous year. Along with this, the net profit margin of 9.00% is above that of the industry average.
• The net income growth from the same quarter one year ago has significantly exceeded that of the S&P 500 and the Chemicals industry. The net income increased by 30.6% when compared to the same quarter one year prior, rising from $179.88 million to $234.95 million.
• Powered by its strong earnings growth of 30.99% and other important driving factors, this stock has surged by 68.37% over the past year, outperforming the rise in the S&P 500 Index during the same period. Looking ahead, the stock's sharp rise over the last year has already helped drive it to a level which is relatively expensive compared to the rest of its industry. We feel, however, that other strengths this company displays justify these higher price levels.
• SHERWIN-WILLIAMS CO has improved earnings per share by 31.0% in the most recent quarter compared to the same quarter a year ago. This company has reported somewhat volatile earnings recently. But, we feel it is poised for EPS growth in the coming year. During the past fiscal year, SHERWIN-WILLIAMS CO reported lower earnings of $4.14 versus $4.21 in the prior year. This year, the market expects an improvement in earnings ($6.44 versus $4.14).

The Sherwin-Williams Company engages in the development, manufacture, distribution, and sale of paints, coatings, and related products to professional, industrial, commercial, and retail customers primarily in North and South America, the Caribbean region, Europe, and Asia. Sherwin-Williams has a market cap of $14.33 billion and is part of the industrial goods sector and materials & construction industry. The company has a P/E ratio of 25.2, above the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are up 56.4% year to date as of the close of trading on Tuesday.

You can view the full Sherwin-Williams Ratings Report or get investment ideas from our investment research center.

--Written by a member of TheStreet Ratings Staff.

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