Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:SHW) Stock

Sherwin-Williams

Sherwin-Williams is the largest provider of architectural paint in the United States. The company has over 5,000 stores and sells premium paint at higher price points than most competitors. Sherwin-Williams also sells paint-related products in big-box stores and provides coatings for original equipment manufacturers.

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Sherwin-Williams has agreed to acquire BASF Group&#39;s Brazilian architectural paints business, Suvinil, for $1.15 billion. This deal is expected to boost Sherwin-Williams&#39; presence in Brazil, offering an expanded product range and enhanced distribution. 

Sherwin-Williams Expands In Brazil: Snaps Up BASF&#39;s Suvinil For $1.15B

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Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE: SHW) reported a 0.9% year-on-year sales increase to $5.30 billion in Q4 FY24, slightly missing estimates. The Paint Stores Group saw a 3.4% revenue increase, while the Performance Coatings and Consumer Brands segments declined. 

What&#39;s Going On With Paints And Coatings Maker Sherwin-Williams Stocks?

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Paints and coatings maker Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHW#NYSE">SHW</a>) has reached an agreement to purchase BASF Group&#8216;s (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BASFY#OTC">BASFY</a>) Brazilian architectural paints division, Suvinil, for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/02/n43765355/sherwin-williams-to-acquire-basfs-brazilian-architectural-paints-business-for-1-15-billion-in-all-" rel="noreferrer noopener">$1.15 billion in an all-cash deal</a>.
The acquisition is expected to strengthen and accelerate Sherwin-Williams&#8217; growth prospects in Brazil by offering a broad product selection and extensive distribution through paint retailers and regional home centers.
Suvinil generated about $525 million in sales in 2024. The company offers a broad range of products under its Suvinil and Glasu! brands, serving a diverse customer base that includes professional painters, designers, architects, and contractors.
With approximately 1,000 employees, Suvinil operates two manufacturing plants situated in the Northeast and Southeast regions of Brazil.
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&#8220;The business is highly complementary to Sherwin-Williams in&nbsp;Latin America, as the Suvinil brand is well-known and highly-trusted by purchasing influencers and specifiers across the value chain. We are excited to capitalize on the strengths of both companies to further enhance value for customers,&#8221; said Chair, President and CEO Heidi G. Petz.
The transaction is expected to be finalized in the latter half of 2025, contingent upon regulatory approval.
Sherwin-Williams intends to finance the purchase using a combination of cash reserves, accessible liquidity, and newly issued debt.
The deal is expected to involve an EBITDA multiple in the low teens, accounting for projected synergies and one-time expenses after the transaction.
Following the financing, Sherwin-Williams&#8217; net-debt to EBITDA ratio is expected to stay within the target range of 2.0 to 2.5 times. Once completed, Suvinil will become part of the Sherwin-Williams Consumer Brands Group.
The company held $210.4 million in cash and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/43336367/whats-going-on-with-paints-and-coatings-maker-sherwin-williams-stocks" rel="noreferrer noopener">equivalents as of December 31, 2024</a>.
Price Action: SHW shares closed lower by 1.18% at $356.86 on Friday.
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Image via Shutterstock.

Sherwin-Williams Expands In Brazil: Snaps Up BASF's Suvinil For $1.15B

<ul>
<li>Adds a leading producer of architectural paints in Brazil and the highly-recognized Suvinil brand to Sherwin-Williams portfolio</li>
<li>Expands and accelerates existing profitable growth opportunity in Brazil with comprehensive product offering and extensive distribution through paint stores and regional home centers</li>
<li>Annual sales of approximately $525 million; significant growth and operational synergy opportunities</li>
<li>Sherwin-Williams resulting net-debt to EBITDA ratio following financing to remain in targeted range of 2.0 to 2.5 times</li>
<li>Expected to close in the second half of 2025 subject to customary closing conditions, including Brazilian regulatory approval</li>
</ul>
CLEVELAND, Feb. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHW#NYSE">SHW</a>) today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement with BASF Group (ISIN: DE000BASF111) to acquire BASF's Brazilian architectural paints business ("Suvinil") for $1.15 billion in an all-cash transaction.&nbsp;
The business is a leading provider of architectural paints in Brazil and had sales of approximately $525 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The business develops, manufactures and sells a comprehensive portfolio of innovative products under the well-known Suvinil and Glasu! brand names to professional painters, designers, architects, general contractors and consumers across the country. The company employs approximately 1,000 employees and operates two production facilities strategically located in the Northeast and Southeast regions of Brazil.

Sherwin-Williams Enters Definitive Agreement With BASF To Acquire Its Brazilian Architectural Paints Business For $1.15B In An All-Cash Transaction

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Viking Global Investors' Latest 13F Filing Reveals Increased Stakes In JPMorgan Chase By 7.47M Shares, Bank of America By 24.72M, Charles Schwab By 14.66M, Intuit By 1.72M Shares, DoorDash By 4.95M, Alphabet By 3.66M, Netflix By 502.3K, Starbucks By 5.34M, CSX By 14.67M; Decreased Stakes In US Bancorp By 24.45M Shares, Philip Morris By 5.09M, Amazon By 2.61M, Adobe By 1.23M, Progressive By 2.17M, Sherwin-Williams By 618K, UnitedHealth Group By 438.8K

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Tiger Global Management's Latest 13F Filing Shows Increased Positions In Eli Lilly By 1.31M Shares, Reddit By 2.03M Shares, Coupang By 8.12M Shares, Sherwin-Williams By 1.00M Shares, Spotify By 1.26M Shares; Decreased Holdings In UnitedHealth By 438.8K Shares, Nu Holdings By 8.88M Shares, Uber Technologies By 2.60M Shares, Applied Materials By 895.2K Shares, Novo Nordisk By 1.27M Shares

JP Morgan analyst Jeffrey Zekauskas maintains Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHW#NYSE">SHW</a>) with a Overweight and raises the price target from $370 to $390.

Price Target

Analyst Ratings

JP Morgan Maintains Overweight on Sherwin-Williams, Raises Price Target to $390

Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHW#NYSE">SHW</a>) has been analyzed by 4 analysts in the last three months, revealing a diverse range of perspectives from bullish to bearish.
In the table below, you'll find a summary of their recent ratings, revealing the shifting sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the previous months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysts' evaluations of 12-month price targets offer additional insights, showcasing an average target of $412.0, with a high estimate of $420.00 and a low estimate of $405.00. A 4.35% drop is evident in the current average compared to the previous average price target of $430.75. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1738605692_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Diving into Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Exploration</h2>
The analysis of recent analyst actions sheds light on the perception of Sherwin-Williams by financial experts. The following summary presents key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Arun Viswanathan</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$415.00</td>
<td>$438.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vincent Andrews</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$405.00</td>
<td>$450.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>John Roberts</td>
<td>Mizuho</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$408.00</td>
<td>$435.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Greg Melich</td>
<td>Evercore ISI Group</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$420.00</td>
<td>$400.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Responding to changing market dynamics and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their response to recent developments related to Sherwin-Williams. This offers insight into analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Gaining insights, analysts provide qualitative assessments, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings reflect expectations for the relative performance of Sherwin-Williams compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts provide insights into price targets, offering estimates for the future value of Sherwin-Williams's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
Understanding these analyst evaluations alongside key financial indicators can offer valuable insights into Sherwin-Williams's market standing. Stay informed and make well-considered decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SHW/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Sherwin-Williams analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Delving into Sherwin-Williams's Background</h2>
Sherwin-Williams is the largest provider of architectural paint in the United States. The company has over 5,000 stores and sells premium paint at higher price points than most competitors. Sherwin-Williams also sells paint-related products in big-box stores and provides coatings for original equipment manufacturers.
<h3>Key Indicators: Sherwin-Williams's Financial Health</h3>
Market Capitalization Highlights: Above the industry average, the company's market capitalization signifies a significant scale, indicating strong confidence and market prominence.
Revenue Growth: Sherwin-Williams's revenue growth over a period of 3 months has faced challenges. As of 31 December, 2024, the company experienced a revenue decline of approximately -14.04%. This indicates a decrease in the company's top-line earnings. In comparison to its industry peers, the company trails behind with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Materials sector.
Net Margin: The company's net margin is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive net margin of 9.06%, the company showcases strong profitability and effective cost control.
Return on Equity (ROE): Sherwin-Williams's ROE stands out, surpassing industry averages. With an impressive ROE of 11.7%, the company demonstrates effective use of equity capital and strong financial performance.
Return on Assets (ROA): Sherwin-Williams's ROA excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 2.02%. This signifies efficient management of assets and strong financial health.
Debt Management: The company faces challenges in debt management with a debt-to-equity ratio higher than the industry average. With a ratio of 2.94, caution is advised due to increased financial risk.
<h2>Analyst Ratings: Simplified</h2>
Analysts work in banking and financial systems and typically specialize in reporting for stocks or defined sectors. Analysts may attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish "analyst ratings" for stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter.
Analysts may enhance their evaluations by incorporating forecasts for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue, delivering additional guidance to investors. It is vital to acknowledge that, although experts in stocks and sectors, analysts are human and express their opinions when providing insights.
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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Breaking Down Sherwin-Williams: 4 Analysts Share Their Views

RBC Capital analyst Arun Viswanathan maintains Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHW#NYSE">SHW</a>) with a Outperform and lowers the price target from $438 to $415.

RBC Capital Maintains Outperform on Sherwin-Williams, Lowers Price Target to $415

Sherwin-Williams's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHW#NYSE">SHW</a>) short percent of float has fallen 8.05% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 5.04 million shares sold short, which is 2.17% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 2.99 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Sherwin-Williams Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1738349119_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Sherwin-Williams has declined since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to rise in the near-term but traders should be aware that less shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Sherwin-Williams's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Sherwin-Williams's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 3.62%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

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How Is The Market Feeling About Sherwin-Williams?

Global

Sherwin-Williams Expects To Open 80 To 100 New Stores In The U.S. And Canada In 2025

Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHW#NYSE">SHW</a>) reported fourth-quarter FY24 sales growth of 0.9% year-on-year to $5.30 billion, slightly missing the analyst <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/01/n43331830/the-sherwin-williams-company-reports-2024-year-end-and-fourth-quarter-financial-results">consensus estimate of $5.32 billion</a>.
The increase in sales was driven by higher sales in the Paint Stores Group.
Segment Revenue: Paint Stores Group increased 3.4%, Consumer Brands Group declined 4.3% and Performance Coatings Group dropped 1.6%.
Adjusted EPS of $2.09<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/earnings"> beat the consensus </a>estimate of $2.06.&nbsp;
Gross profit margin remained nearly flat Y/Y to 48.57%. Selling, general and administrative expenses rose 1.4% Y/Y to $1.88 billion.
Adjusted EBITDA decreased 32.6% to $879.1 million.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43330033/molson-coors-partners-with-fever-tree-to-expand-non-alcoholic-portfolio">Molson Coors Takes 8.5% Ownership Stake In Fever-Tree To Stir Up US Mixer Game: Details</a>
The company held $210.4 million in cash and equivalents as of December 31, 2024. Operating cash flow for twelve months totaled $3.15 billion. 
The company returned cash of $2.46 billion to shareholders in the form of dividends and repurchases of 5.2 million shares of its common stock during the year.
"Sherwin-Williams delivered strong fourth quarter results despite continued demand choppiness in the majority of our end markets,&#8221; said Heidi G. Petz, chair, president and CEO.
&#8220;Based on customer sentiment and the macro-economic indicators we see at this time, we expect first quarter 2025 consolidated net sales will be up or down a low-single digit percentage compared to the first quarter of 2024 with the Paint Stores Group at or above the high end of that range," Petz said.
Outlook: Sherwin-Williams sees FY25 adjusted EPS of $11.65 &#8211; $12.05, below the consensus of $12.57.
Price Action: SHW shares are trading lower by 2.61% at $351.00 in premarket at the last check Thursday.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43313600/lockheed-martin-to-face-near-term-challenges-say-analysts">Lockheed Martin Sentiment Hit By Charges And Headwinds, But Analysts Remain Bullish On F-35 Ramp Up</a>
Photo: Shutterstock

What's Going On With Paints And Coatings Maker Sherwin-Williams Stocks?

Guidance

Sherwin-Williams Expects 2025 Adjusted EPS Of $11.65 - $12.05 (Est $12.60), Net Sales To Be Up Low-Single Digit %; Q1 Net Sales To Be Up Or Down Low-Single Digit %

Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHW#NYSE">SHW</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $2.09 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $2.06 by 1.46 percent. This is a 15.47 percent increase over earnings of $1.81 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $5.30 billion which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $5.32 billion by 0.42 percent. This is a 0.86 percent increase over sales of $5.25 billion the same period last year.

Earnings

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Sherwin-Williams Q4 2024 Adj EPS $2.09 Beats $2.06 Estimate, Sales $5.30B Miss $5.32B Estimate

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Earnings Scheduled For January 30, 2025

Morgan Stanley analyst Vincent Andrews maintains Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHW#NYSE">SHW</a>) with a Overweight and lowers the price target from $450 to $405.

Morgan Stanley Maintains Overweight on Sherwin-Williams, Lowers Price Target to $405

In the last three months, 10 analysts have published ratings on Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHW#NYSE">SHW</a>), offering a diverse range of perspectives from bullish to bearish.
The table below offers a condensed view of their recent ratings, showcasing the changing sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">6</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysts have recently evaluated Sherwin-Williams and provided 12-month price targets. The average target is $404.4, accompanied by a high estimate of $450.00 and a low estimate of $360.00. This upward trend is apparent, with the current average reflecting a 3.16% increase from the previous average price target of $392.00.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1736276432_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Investigating Analyst Ratings: An Elaborate Study</h2>
The analysis of recent analyst actions sheds light on the perception of Sherwin-Williams by financial experts. The following summary presents key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>John Roberts</td>
<td>Mizuho</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$408.00</td>
<td>$435.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Greg Melich</td>
<td>Evercore ISI Group</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$420.00</td>
<td>$400.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Arun Viswanathan</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$446.00</td>
<td>$455.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Patrick Cunningham</td>
<td>Citigroup</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$420.00</td>
<td>$430.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jeffrey Zekauskas</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$370.00</td>
<td>$360.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Greg Melich</td>
<td>Evercore ISI Group</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$400.00</td>
<td>$410.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Michael Leithead</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$370.00</td>
<td>$355.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ghansham Panjabi</td>
<td>Baird</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$360.00</td>
<td>$350.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vincent Andrews</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$450.00</td>
<td>$375.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Michael Sison</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$400.00</td>
<td>$350.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts adapt their recommendations to changing market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their response to recent developments related to Sherwin-Williams. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Unveiling insights, analysts deliver qualitative insights into stock performance, from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of Sherwin-Williams compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts set price targets as an estimate of a stock's future value. Comparing the current and prior price targets provides insight into how analysts' expectations have changed over time. This information can be valuable for investors seeking to understand consensus views on the stock's potential future performance.</li>
</ul>
To gain a panoramic view of Sherwin-Williams's market performance, explore these analyst evaluations alongside essential financial indicators. Stay informed and make judicious decisions using our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SHW/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Sherwin-Williams analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>About Sherwin-Williams</h2>
Sherwin-Williams is the largest provider of architectural paint in the United States. The company has over 5,000 stores and sells premium paint at higher price points than most competitors. Sherwin-Williams also sells paint-related products in big-box stores and provides coatings for original equipment manufacturers.
<h3>Financial Insights: Sherwin-Williams</h3>
Market Capitalization: Positioned above industry average, the company's market capitalization underscores its superiority in size, indicative of a strong market presence.
Revenue Growth: Sherwin-Williams's revenue growth over a period of 3 months has been noteworthy. As of 30 September, 2024, the company achieved a revenue growth rate of approximately 0.75%. This indicates a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to its peers, the revenue growth lags behind its industry peers. The company achieved a growth rate lower than the average among peers in Materials sector.
Net Margin: Sherwin-Williams's financial strength is reflected in its exceptional net margin, which exceeds industry averages. With a remarkable net margin of 13.08%, the company showcases strong profitability and effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): Sherwin-Williams's ROE surpasses industry standards, highlighting the company's exceptional financial performance. With an impressive 20.39% ROE, the company effectively utilizes shareholder equity capital.
Return on Assets (ROA): Sherwin-Williams's ROA stands out, surpassing industry averages. With an impressive ROA of 3.38%, the company demonstrates effective utilization of assets and strong financial performance.
Debt Management: With a high debt-to-equity ratio of 2.91, Sherwin-Williams faces challenges in effectively managing its debt levels, indicating potential financial strain.
<h2>Understanding the Relevance of Analyst Ratings</h2>
Experts in banking and financial systems, analysts specialize in reporting for specific stocks or defined sectors. Their comprehensive research involves attending company conference calls and meetings, analyzing financial statements, and engaging with insiders to generate what are known as analyst ratings for stocks. Typically, analysts assess and rate each stock once per quarter.
Some analysts publish their predictions for metrics such as growth estimates, earnings, and revenue to provide additional guidance with their ratings. When using analyst ratings, it is important to keep in mind that stock and sector analysts are also human and are only offering their opinions to investors.
Which Stocks Are Analysts Recommending Now?
Benzinga Edge gives you instant access to all major analyst upgrades, downgrades, and price targets. Sort by accuracy, upside potential, and more. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=be8be9arja3be22bz21&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here to stay ahead of the market</a>.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Deep Dive Into Sherwin-Williams Stock: Analyst Perspectives (10 Ratings)

Mizuho analyst John Roberts maintains Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHW#NYSE">SHW</a>) with a Outperform and lowers the price target from $435 to $408.

Mizuho Maintains Outperform on Sherwin-Williams, Lowers Price Target to $408

Investors have many strategies when looking at stocks and options, including sector rotation, earnings strength and upcoming catalysts. Value investors often look for strong earnings strength <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/dividend-stocks">from dividend stocks.</a>
The Dow Jones Industrial Average includes many dividend-paying stocks, including many blue-chip companies that have consistently raised their dividends.
Here&#8217;s a look at the top-yielding Dow Jones stocks heading into 2025.
What Happened: The<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/dow-jones-industrial-average"> Dow Jones Industrial Average</a> hit a record high of 45,000 in December as one of many stock indexes to post gains after the 2025 presidential election.
As of Dec. 27, 18 of the Dow Jones Industrial Average stocks have gained year-to-date, while 12 components are trading lower compared to the start of 2024.
While investors can bet on the entire Dow Jones Industrial Average through ETFs like the Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>), investors can also pick individual stocks from the 30 components of the index. Through Dec. 27, the ETF is up 13.4% year-to-date.
One popular strategy is to look at the &#8220;Dogs of the Dow,&#8221; which often coincides with the beaten-down stocks of the index that also offer high dividend payouts.
Here are the highest-yielding Dow Jones Industrial Average stocks to start 2025, with the dividend yield and stock performance in 2024 listed below.
<ol>
<li>Verizon Communications (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VZ#NYSE">VZ</a>): 6.79% yield, +5.9% in 2024</li>
<li>Chevron Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVX#NYSE">CVX</a>): 4.53% yield, -3.5% in 2024</li>
<li>Amgen Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMGN#NASDAQ">AMGN</a>): 3.62% yield, -8.8% in 2024</li>
<li>Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>): 3.42% yield, -7.5% in 2024</li>
<li>Merck &amp; Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>): 3.25% yield, -8.5% in 2024</li>
<li>Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KO#NYSE">KO</a>): 3.11% yield, +6.0% in 2025</li>
<li>International Business Machines (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBM#NYSE">IBM</a>): 3% yield, +36.2% in 2024</li>
<li>Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CSCO#NASDAQ">CSCO</a>): 2.68% yield, +18.0% in 2024</li>
<li>McDonald's Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>): 2.41% yield, -1.0% in 2024</li>
<li>Procter &amp; Gamble (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PG#NYSE">PG</a>): 2.37% yield, +15.7% in 2024</li>
</ol>
Seven of the top 10 highest-yielding stocks heading into 2025 also appeared on the top 10 list to start 2024 with Merck, McDonald's and Procter &amp; Gamble the newcomers to the Dogs of the Dow list for the new year.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/broad-u-s-equity-etfs/24/11/41724410/nvidia-joining-dow-jones-industrial-average-where-tech-giant-ranks-in-the-index-why-sh">Nvidia Joining Dow Jones Industrial Average: Where Tech Giant Ranks In The Index, Why Sherwin-Williams Addition Could Be More Important</a>
Component Changes Impact Yields: It's worth noting that dividend investors will have to look elsewhere to chase some of the higher-yielding stocks they have become accustomed to.
Walgreens Boots Alliance (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WBA#NASDAQ">WBA</a>), which yields 10.40% and Dow Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DOW#NYSE">DOW</a>), which yields 6.99% have been replaced and removed from the index.
New 2024 Dow Jones Industrial Average components don't come with high dividend yields. Sherwin-Williams Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHW#NYSE">SHW</a>) has a dividend yield of 0.80%, NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) has a dividend yield of 0.03% and Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) does not pay a dividend.
This means that the yield on ETFs that track the Dow Jones Industrial Average will be lower, with the goal of potentially stronger returns by replacing the underperforming stocks with stocks that have performed better over the past five years.
The latest 30 Dow Jones Industrial Average components see 28 stocks paying out dividends with Amazon and Boeing Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BA#NYSE">BA</a>) the exceptions.
The average dividend yield of the Dow Jones Industrial Average is around 2%.
Did You Know?
<ul>
<li>Congress Is Making Huge Investments.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/gov-trades/?utm_source=BZprocontent123024" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Get Tips On What They Bought And Sold Ahead Of The 2024 Election With Our Easy-to-Use Tool</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Editor&#8217;s Note: This article was updated to correct the rankings to account for Walmart&#8217;s 2024 stock split.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average hit an all-time high of over 45,000 points in December, one of several stock market indexes to hit records after Donald Trump won the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/41857971/trumps-win-sends-wall-street-to-record-highs-small-caps-tesla-outperform-fed-cuts-interest-rates-this-week-in-the-market">2024 presidential election.</a>
Here's a look at the top-performing and worst-performing Dow Jones Industrial Average components in 2024 and how the index's leaders could look much different in 2025.
2024 Performance: In 2024, 18 of the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/dow-jones-industrial-average">Dow Jones component stocks </a>were up, with 12 stocks declining for the full year. This includes the original Dow Jones members at the start of 2024 and does not factor in the index changes made throughout the year.
Here's a look at the top five gainers for the full year, based on Dec. 27 closing prices:
<ol>
<li>Walmart (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>): +70.6%</li>
<li>American Express (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AXP#NYSE">AXP</a>): +60.7%</li>
<li>Goldman Sachs (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GS#NYSE">GS</a>): +49.4%</li>
<li>JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>): +41.8%</li>
<li>International Business Machines (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBM#NYSE">IBM</a>): +36.2%</li>
</ol>
Here are the top five losers for the full year, based on Dec. 27 closing prices:
<ol>
<li>Walgreens Boots Alliance (NASDSSQ:WBA): -63.2%</li>
<li>Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>): -59.6%</li>
<li>Boeing Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BA#NYSE">BA</a>): -30.7%</li>
<li>Nike Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NKE#NYSE">NKE</a>): -29.6%</li>
<li>Dow Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DOW#NYSE">DOW</a>) -27.0%</li>
</ol>
For comparison, 19 of the Dow Jones components stocks <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/01/36455419/5-biggest-winners-5-biggest-losers-from-dow-jones-industrial-average-in-2023">were up in 2023</a>, with 11 down for the full year.
A quick look at the losers list shows two stocks that are no longer part of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, thanks to several changes that took place in 2024 to the 30 core components.
Apple is the only stock to appear on the top gainers list for both 2023 and 2024, ranking fourth in 2023 and fifth in 2024.
Intel was the second-biggest gainer in 2023 before falling in 2024 and turning in the second-worst performance of the 30 stocks. Boeing also flipped from being a top performer, ranking fifth in 2023 to turning in a poor performance in 2024.
Walgreens was the worst-performing Dow Jones stock for the second straight year, but that will be a thing of the past heading into 2025.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/broad-u-s-equity-etfs/24/11/41724410/nvidia-joining-dow-jones-industrial-average-where-tech-giant-ranks-in-the-index-why-sh">Nvidia Joining Dow Jones Industrial Average: Where Tech Giant Ranks In The Index, Why Sherwin-Williams Addition Could Be More Important</a>
 What's Next in 2025: After several years of no changes to the 30 components of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the well-known market index made multiple changes in 2024.
The index replaced underperforming Walgreens with Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) in February. The index also replaced Intel and Dow Inc with NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) and Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHW#NYSE">SHW</a>) respectively.
With the changes, the Dow Jones Industrial Average will now have four of the seven Magnificent 7 stocks heading into 2025 with Amazon, Nvidia, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) and Apple Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) all included in the Dow.
The stocks that left the Dow Jones in 2024 were among the biggest losers in 2024 for the index, with Walgreens ranking worst for yearly performance, Intel ranking second worst and Dow ranking sixth worst at -27.0%.
The underperformance of several Dow Jones components kept the index down compared to other market barometers. The SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>), which tracks the Dow Jones Industrial Average, is up 14.0% year-to-date in 2024.
For comparison, the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>), which tracks the S&amp;P 500 Index, is up 23.8% year-to-date.
The Roundhill Magnificent Seven ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MAGS#NASDAQ">MAGS</a>), which tracks the Magnificent 7 stocks, is up 68.5% year-to-date.
Having Amazon, Nvidia and Sherwin Williams as components to start 2024 would have made the index's returns look significantly different. While the three stocks that left the index were each down over 25% year-to-date in 2024, here are the year-to-date returns of the replacement stocks in 2024:
<ul>
<li>Amazon: +46.6%</li>
<li>Nvidia: +179.8%</li>
<li>Sherwin-Williams: +11.8%</li>
</ul>
The Dow Jones Industrial Average will look significantly different in 2025 than in previous years, and more changes could be ahead for stocks that have underperformed in the index.
Did You Know?
<ul>
<li>Congress Is Making Huge Investments. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/gov-trades/?utm_source=BZprocontent123024">Get Tips On What They Bought And Sold Ahead Of The 2024 Election With Our Easy-to-Use Tool</a></li>
</ul>
Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

ETFs

MAGS

MSFT

Dow Jones 2024 Scoreboard: Top 5 Winners, Losers — And How Amazon, Nvidia Could Reshape 2025 (CORRECTED)

The year 2024 saw the U.S. stock market make new records, with major indices breaching key milestones. While many stocks witnessed a stellar rally this year, analysts still expect some blue-chip equities to rise further as they forecast a better return potential.
Dow&#8217;s Performance In 2024
The Dow Jones Industrial Average index hit a record eight 1,000-point milestones this year. It started the year around the 37,000 level and breached the 45,000 level at the beginning of December. It took only seven trading days for the index to go from 44,000 to 45,000, the second fastest 1,000-point milestone ever.
Following that the index also saw one of its longest 10-day losing streak, the first ever since 1974. These 10 days of underperformance stems from a confluence of factors. 
The Dow doesn&#8217;t include all &#8220;Magnificent 7&#8221; stocks like Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) and Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>). The recent inclusion of Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) in the Dow has also pulled the index down because of the stock&#8217;s underperformance.
Dow&#8217;s constituent UnitedHealth Group Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) has experienced a substantial decline this month following the tragedy with its CEO&#8217;s shooting. Moreover, in essence, the Dow&#8217;s historical advantage of its price-weighted indexing has become a significant disadvantage in today&#8217;s market. This is because, unlike market capitalization-weighted indices, higher-priced stocks have more weight in the calculation of a price-weighted index.
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Dow Jones Stocks With The Best And Worst Return Potential</h4>
Analysts still expect that a group of stocks led by Caterpillar Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CAT#NYSE">CAT</a>), UnitedHealth and Sherwin-Williams Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHW#NYSE">SHW</a>) within the Dow will rise even more, according to estimates compiled by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com">Benzinga</a>. Others on the list are the Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>), Chevron Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVX#NYSE">CVX</a>) and Merck &amp; Co Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>).
To be sure, analysts keep updating their forecasts based on company performance and may change their estimates as the new earnings season begins.
Selection Criteria:
<ul>
<li>The thirty blue-chip stocks in Down Jones.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The highest and lowest return potential is based on the average 12-month target prices from <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro data</a>.</li>
</ul>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Companies</td>
<td>M-Cap</td>
<td>Highest PT ($/Share)</td>
<td>Lowest PT ($/Share)</td>
<td>Consensus PT ($/Share)</td>
<td>Upside/Downside Potential</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Caterpillar Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CAT#NYSE">CAT</a>)</td>
<td>176.73B</td>
<td>515</td>
<td>174</td>
<td>331.35</td>
<td>31.68%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UnitedHealth Group Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>)</td>
<td>460.26B</td>
<td>675</td>
<td>460</td>
<td>608.16</td>
<td>28.95%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sherwin-Williams Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHW#NYSE">SHW</a>)</td>
<td>86.71B</td>
<td>450</td>
<td>249</td>
<td>371.19</td>
<td>24.08%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>)</td>
<td>2,365.04B</td>
<td>290</td>
<td>197</td>
<td>247.05</td>
<td>23.82%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>)</td>
<td>347.83B</td>
<td>215</td>
<td>40</td>
<td>168</td>
<td>22.41%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Chevron Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVX#NYSE">CVX</a>)</td>
<td>256.71B</td>
<td>212</td>
<td>160</td>
<td>179.36</td>
<td>21.42%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Merck &amp; Co Inc (NYSE: MRK</td>
<td>248.03B</td>
<td>155</td>
<td>104</td>
<td>126.24</td>
<td>20.76%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Salesforce Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/crm#NYSE">CRM</a>)</td>
<td>328.87B</td>
<td>450</td>
<td>236</td>
<td>378.52</td>
<td>20.60%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>)</td>
<td>3,246.07B</td>
<td>600</td>
<td>465</td>
<td>508</td>
<td>18.21%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Visa Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/V#NYSE">V</a>)</td>
<td>622.63B</td>
<td>375</td>
<td>252</td>
<td>318.42</td>
<td>17.69%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Source: Benzinga.com (Data as of Dec. 22, 2024)</figcaption></figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42430296/carson-researchs-50-year-study-suggests-that-the-26-months-old-bull-market-is-far-from-over">Is The 26-Month Bull Market Over? Here Is What Carson Research&#8217;s 50-Year Old Study Tells Us</a>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Caterpillar Inc</h3>
<ul>
<li>Caterpillar Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CAT#NYSE">CAT</a>) has the highest return potential of 31.68% among the Dow Jones constituents.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The 28 analysts tracking the company have a consensus price target of $331.35 per share, according to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CAT/analyst-ratings">Benzinga</a>. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Truist Securities&#8217; Jamie Cook raised the price target from $454 to $471 per share on Dec. 19, 2024 as he expects significant investments in infrastructure, likely driven by government initiatives and private sector projects to fuel demand for Caterpillar&#8217;s equipment.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Citigroup analyst Kyle Menges maintained a &#8216;buy&#8217; rating on the company and raised the price target from $435 to $460 apiece on Dec. 9, 2024.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>On Dec. 9, JPMorgan analyst Tami Zakaria also reaffirmed her bullish stance on Caterpillar, maintaining a &#8216;buy&#8217; rating on the stock. Concurrently, she raised the firm&#8217;s price target for Caterpillar from $500 to $515 per share.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">UnitedHealth Group</h3>
<ul>
<li>UnitedHealth Group Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) has the second highest return potential of 28.95% among the Dow Jones constituents.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The 26 analysts tracking the company have a consensus price target of $331.35 per share, according to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/UNH/analyst-ratings">Benzinga</a>.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Oppenheimer raised its price target to $640 from $610 apiece on Dec.6, 2024. The primary reason for the price target increase is that the Oppenheimer analyst is updating their financial model. This update appears to be based solely on the publicly available information disclosed by UnitedHealth in their 8-K filing.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Stephens &amp; Co raised its target price to $675 from $605 per share on Dec. 5, 2024, after conducting a detailed review of the 2025 guidance metrics that UnitedHealth had shared before the fatal shooting of CEO Brian Thompson that led to the cancellation of their investor conference.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Deutsche Bank also increased its target from $595 to $625 apiece as it believes investor positioning into the event is mostly neutral to positive, with almost no one expecting a negative revision versus the third quarter outlook.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Sherwin-Williams Company</h3>
<ul>
<li>Sherwin-Williams Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHW#NYSE">SHW</a>) has a return potential of 24.08% going into 2025.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>A consensus price target of $371.19 per share was maintained by 25 analysts that track the company, as per <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SHW/analyst-ratings">Benzinga</a>. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Greg Melich from Evercore ISI raised the price target of the Ohio-based paints, coatings and related products manufacturer to $420 from $400 per share on Nov. 7, 2024.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>RBC Capital&#8217;s Arun Viswanathan lowered his target on the company from $455 to $446 per share on Oct. 24, 2024. While acknowledging that third-quarter results might not have met investor expectations, Viswanathan emphasized the company&#8217;s potential for market share gains and the positive impact of its upcoming price increase scheduled for January 2025.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Citigroup adjusted its price target from $430 to $420 apiece on Oct. 24 as it anticipates choppy demand in the first half of 2025, which could hinder the rapid pass-through of interest rate cuts.</li>
</ul>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/11/42383725/trump-administrations-deregulation-efforts-to-lift-energy-oil-and-gas-sectors-ai-frenzy-to-aid-faang-stocks-and-nvidia-says-fintech-insider">Trump&#8217;s Deregulation Efforts To Benefit Energy, Oil And Gas Sectors, While AI Frenzy Will Boost FAANG Stocks And Nvidia, Says Fintech Insider</a>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Amazon.com Inc</h3>
<ul>
<li>Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) has a return potential of 23.82% going into 2025.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>A consensus price target of $247.05 per share was maintained by 39 analysts that track the company, as per <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AMZN/analyst-ratings">Benzinga</a>. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Tigress Financial&#8217;s Ivan Feinseth umped is price target from $245 to $290 apiece on Dec.20, 2024 as it believes Amazon is well-positioned for continued success, driven by robust retail trends, effective utilization of generative AI and its fulfillment network, and the strategic integration of AI across its entire business.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The expectations of strong long-term growth driven by operational efficiency and sustained momentum across its business segments led Bernstein to raise its target price from $235 to $265 per share on Dec. 18, 2024.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>According to JPMorgan analyst Douglas Anmuth, Amazon is a best idea for 2025, and confidence in AWS growth in the months to come is a major reason for that. He raised its target price from $250 to $280 apiece on Dec. 18, 2024.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Johnson &amp; Johnson</h3>
<ul>
<li>Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>) has the fifth highest return potential in Dow of 22.41% going into 2025.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The 21 analysts tracking the company have a consensus price target of $168 apiece, according to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/JNJ/analyst-ratings">Benzinga</a>. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Citigroup&#8217;s Joanne Wuensch lowered Johnson &amp; Johnson&#8217;s price target from $185 to $175 per share while maintaining a &#8216;buy&#8217; rating on Dec. 11, 2024.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>BofA Securities reinstated coverage of Johnson &amp; Johnson with a &#8216;neutral&#8217; rating and a $166 price target on Dec. 10, 2024. BofA notes that J&amp;J&#8217;s current valuation premium to peers may limit upside potential. However, the analyst acknowledges a &#8220;fairly interesting&#8221; pipeline and anticipates that resolving the talc litigation in 2025 would be beneficial. This analysis was part of BofA&#8217;s broader coverage initiation of 11 large-cap U.S. pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Wolfe Research analyst Alexandria Hammond commenced coverage of Johnson &amp; Johnson with an &#8216;outperform&#8217; recommendation and established a price target of $190 per share on Nov. 15, 2024</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Chevron Corporation</h3>
<ul>
<li>Chevron Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVX#NYSE">CVX</a>) has a return potential of 21.42% going into 2025.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The 24 analysts tracking the company have a consensus price target of $179.36 apiece, according to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CVX/analyst-ratings">Benzinga</a>.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Piper Sandler analyst Ryan Todd reduced his price target on the company from $184 to $173 per share on Dec. 19, 2024, while maintaining a &#8216;buy&#8217; rating. Piper Sandler suggests the valuation gap between Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XOM#NYSE">XOM</a>) and Chevron implies a probability of over 65% of the Hess Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HES#NYSE">HES</a>) deal failing out. This scenario presents a potential 15%-25% upside, while a successful deal offers a 5%-10% downside ahead of the upcoming arbitration.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Despite this deal uncertainty, Piper expects Chevron to deliver strong portfolio performance in 2025, driven by project starts and controlled capital expenditures. This is projected to result in a significant free cash flow increase of $6-$7 billion.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Wells Fargo analyst Roger Read raised his target price from $171 to $188 apiece on Dec. 9, 2024</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Truist Securities raised its price target on Chevron to $160 from $155 while maintaining a &#8216;hold&#8217; rating, on Dec. 6, 2024. The analyst highlights Chevron&#8217;s significant inventory, including ample royalties, and expects improved capital efficiency to drive a cash flow inflection in the coming year.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Merck &amp; Co Inc</h3>
<ul>
<li>Merck &amp; Co Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) has the seventh highest return potential in Dow of 20.76% going into 2025.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The 27 analysts tracking the company have a consensus price target of $126.24 apiece, according to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MRK/analyst-ratings">Benzinga</a>.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>BMO Capital Markets downgraded Merck to &#8216;market perform&#8217; from &#8216;outperform&#8217; lowering the price target from $136 to $105 apiece, on Dec. 20, 2024. The downgrade reflects concerns about the company&#8217;s Gardasil franchise in China and the potential revenue gap as Keytruda faces increased competition from biosimilars and generic drugs.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Tim Anderson from BofA Securities maintains his bullish stance on Merck with a &#8216;buy&#8217; rating, while adjusting the price target downward to $121 from $127 per share, on Dec. 10, 2024.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Truist analyst Robyn Karnauskas reaffirms a &#8216;buy&#8217; rating for Merck on Nov. 7, 2024, but lowers the price target to $130 from $132 apiece.</li>
</ul>
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42642834/market-breadth-turns-positive-after-a-rare-14-day-negative-streak-history-suggests-gains-ahead">Market Breadth Rebounds As Risk Appetite Makes A Comeback: This Analyst Predicts Gains Ahead After S&amp;P 500&#8217;s Record Negative Streak</a></li>
</ul>
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Sherwin-Williams's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHW#NYSE">SHW</a>) short percent of float has risen 110.69% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 6.41 million shares sold short, which is 2.76% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 1.8 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Sherwin-Williams Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1732819520_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Sherwin-Williams has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Sherwin-Williams's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Sherwin-Williams's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 3.12%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

(SHW) - Analyzing Sherwin-Williams's Short Interest

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