The Sherwin-Williams Company Reports 2025 First Quarter Financial Results
Rhea-AI Summary
Sherwin-Williams reported its Q1 2025 financial results with mixed performance. Net sales decreased 1.1% to $5.31 billion, while diluted earnings per share increased 1.5% to $2.00. The company's adjusted diluted EPS grew 3.7% to $2.25, and Adjusted EBITDA rose 4.6% to $937.0 million.
The Paint Stores Group showed strength with 2.3% sales growth, driven by high-single digit increases in protective and marine segments. Same-store sales grew 1.2%. The Consumer Brands Group saw a 6.0% decline in sales due to soft DIY demand, while the Performance Coatings Group experienced a 4.8% decrease primarily due to currency translation impacts.
CEO Heidi G. Petz reaffirmed the company's 2025 guidance, projecting full-year diluted EPS of $10.70-$11.10 and adjusted diluted EPS of $11.65-$12.05. The company returned $552.1 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases in Q1 2025, demonstrating continued commitment to shareholder value despite challenging market conditions.
Positive
- Net income per share increased 1.5% to $2.00 in Q1 2025
- Adjusted EBITDA grew 4.6% to $937.0 million (17.7% of Net sales)
- Paint Stores Group saw 9.7% segment profit increase to $541.2 million
- High-single digit growth in protective and marine segment
- Dividend increased by 10.5% in Q1
- 18 new stores opened in Q1
- Gross margin expansion achieved despite challenging environment
- Strong cost control measures maintained profitability
Negative
- Consolidated net sales decreased 1.1% to $5.31 billion
- Consumer Brands Group sales declined 6.0%
- Performance Coatings Group sales fell 4.8%
- Weak commercial construction completions affecting results
- Persistent softness in North American DIY demand
- Unfavorable currency translation impact, especially in Latin America
- Net operating cash usage of $61.1 million in Q1
- Expects demand softness to persist in several end markets through H2
Insights
SHW delivered mixed Q1 results with declining revenue but improved profitability; maintained guidance amid persistent market softness.
Sherwin-Williams' Q1 performance reveals a company effectively navigating a challenging demand environment through margin management despite top-line pressure. The
Segment performance shows notable divergence. Paint Stores Group emerged as the standout performer with
The company's margin discipline is evident across segments despite volume pressures. Particularly notable is the continued store expansion (18 new locations) during a period of market softness, signaling confidence in long-term positioning. Capital return remains robust with
Management's reaffirmation of full-year guidance (
SUMMARY
- Consolidated Net sales decreased
1.1% to in the quarter$5.31 billion - Net sales from stores in the Paint Stores Group open more than twelve calendar months increased
1.2% in the quarter
- Net sales from stores in the Paint Stores Group open more than twelve calendar months increased
- Diluted net income per share increased
1.5% to per share in the quarter compared to$2.00 per share in the first quarter of 2024$1.97 - Adjusted diluted net income per share increased
3.7% to per share in the quarter compared to$2.25 per share in the first quarter of 2024$2.17
- Adjusted diluted net income per share increased
- Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (Adjusted EBITDA) in the quarter increased
4.6% to , or$937.0 million 17.7% of Net sales - Reaffirming full year 2025 diluted net income per share guidance in the range of
to$10.70 per share, including acquisition-related amortization expense of$11.10 per share and severance and other restructuring expenses of$0.80 per share$0.15 - Reaffirming full year 2025 adjusted diluted net income per share guidance in the range of
to$11.65 per share$12.05
- Reaffirming full year 2025 adjusted diluted net income per share guidance in the range of
CEO REMARKS
"In a demand environment that remained choppy as we anticipated, Sherwin-Williams continued to execute our strategy and delivered solid first quarter results driven by gross margin expansion and good cost control," said Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer, Heidi G. Petz. "Consolidated sales were within our guidance range, led by Paint Stores Group, and we delivered mid-single digit percentage growth in both adjusted diluted net income per share and adjusted EBITDA. We continued to execute our consistent capital allocation strategy and invested
"Paint Stores Group sales were driven by a high-single digit percentage increase in protective and marine. Residential repaint sales grew at a mid-single digit rate as our prior investments continued to deliver a strong return. New residential sales increased with continued above-market growth amidst a soft new housing market. As expected, commercial and property maintenance results were under pressure given weak commercial construction completions and delayed capex spending. Segment margin expanded while we continued to invest in growth, opening 18 new stores in the quarter. Consumer Brands Group sales declined given persistent softness in North American DIY demand and foreign exchange headwinds, though adjusted segment margin expanded due to good cost control. In Performance Coatings Group, Packaging sales grew by a high-single digit percentage. Sales decreased across our other industrial businesses, as new account wins were unable to fully offset softness in core accounts."
FIRST QUARTER CONSOLIDATED RESULTS
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||
2025 | 2024 | $ Change | % Change | ||||
Net sales | $ 5,305.7 | $ 5,367.3 | $ (61.6) | (1.1) % | |||
Income before income taxes | $ 653.0 | $ 640.0 | $ 13.0 | 2.0 % | |||
As a percent of Net sales | 12.3 % | 11.9 % | |||||
Net income per share - diluted | $ 2.00 | $ 1.97 | $ 0.03 | 1.5 % | |||
Adjusted net income per share - diluted | $ 2.25 | $ 2.17 | $ 0.08 | 3.7 % | |||
Consolidated Net sales decreased primarily due to an approximate
Income before income taxes increased primarily due to the realization of higher selling prices in the Paint Stores Group and effective cost control, partially offset by lower sales volumes in all segments.
Diluted net income per share included a charge of
FIRST QUARTER SEGMENT RESULTS
Paint Stores Group (PSG)
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||
2025 | 2024 | $ Change | % Change | ||||
Net sales | $ 2,939.8 | $ 2,873.0 | $ 66.8 | 2.3 % | |||
Same-store sales change (1) | 1.2 % | (0.1) % | |||||
Segment profit | $ 541.2 | $ 493.2 | $ 48.0 | 9.7 % | |||
Reported segment margin | 18.4 % | 17.2 % | |||||
(1) Same-store sales represents Net sales from stores open more than twelve calendar months. |
Net sales in PSG increased primarily due to selling price increases, which impacted Net sales by a mid-single digit percentage, partially offset by a low-single digit decrease in sales volume. Net sales increased in certain professional customer end markets, led by a high-single digit percentage increase in protective and marine and a mid-single digit percentage increase in residential repaint. PSG Segment profit increased primarily due to growth in Net sales, partially offset by higher employee-related costs.
Consumer Brands Group (CBG)
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||
2025 | 2024 | $ Change | % Change | ||||
Net sales | $ 762.2 | $ 811.0 | $ (48.8) | (6.0) % | |||
Segment profit | $ 131.9 | $ 153.4 | $ (21.5) | (14.0) % | |||
Reported segment margin | 17.3 % | 18.9 % | |||||
Adjusted segment profit (1) | $ 162.7 | $ 169.9 | $ (7.2) | (4.2) % | |||
Adjusted segment margin | 21.3 % | 20.9 % | |||||
(1) | Adjusted segment profit equals Segment profit excluding the impact of Valspar acquisition-related amortization and severance and other restructuring expenses. In CBG, Valspar acquisition-related amortization expense was |
Net sales in CBG decreased primarily as a result of soft DIY demand in
Performance Coatings Group (PCG)
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||
2025 | 2024 | $ Change | % Change | ||||
Net sales | $ 1,602.0 | $ 1,681.9 | $ (79.9) | (4.8) % | |||
Segment profit | $ 212.7 | $ 237.7 | $ (25.0) | (10.5) % | |||
Reported segment margin | 13.3 % | 14.1 % | |||||
Adjusted segment profit (1) | $ 264.7 | $ 286.9 | $ (22.2) | (7.7) % | |||
Adjusted segment margin | 16.5 % | 17.1 % | |||||
(1) | Adjusted segment profit equals Segment profit excluding the impact of Valspar acquisition-related amortization and severance and other restructuring expenses. In PCG, Valspar acquisition-related amortization expense was |
Net sales in PCG decreased primarily due to an approximate
LIQUIDITY AND CASH FLOW
The Company used
2025 GUIDANCE
Second Quarter | Full Year | ||||
2025 | 2025 | ||||
Net sales | Up or down low-single digit % | Up low-single digit % | |||
Effective tax rate | Low twenty percent | ||||
Diluted net income per share | - | ||||
Adjusted diluted net income per share (1) | - | ||||
(1) | Excludes |
"We continue to expect demand softness to persist in several end markets well into the second half of the year," said Ms. Petz. "Regarding current tariffs, it's important to remember that the largest portion of our revenue is in
"We expect second quarter 2025 consolidated net sales to be up or down a low-single digit percentage compared to the second quarter of 2024. Our guidance for the full year 2025 remains unchanged, with consolidated net sales expected to be up a low-single digit percentage compared to full year 2024 and diluted net income per share in the range of
CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION
The Company will host a conference call to discuss its financial results for the first quarter, and its outlook for the second quarter and full year 2025, at 10:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. Heidi G. Petz, Sherwin-Williams' Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer, along with other senior executives, will participate on the call.
The conference call will be webcast simultaneously in listen only mode. To listen to the webcast on the Sherwin-Williams website, click on https://investors.sherwin-williams.com/financials/quarterly-results/, then click on the webcast icon following the reference to the Q1 webcast. An archived replay of the webcast will be available at https://investors.sherwin-williams.com/financials/quarterly-results/ beginning approximately two hours after the call ends.
ABOUT THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY
Founded in 1866, The Sherwin-Williams Company is a global leader in the manufacture, development, distribution and sale of paint, coatings and related products to professional, industrial, commercial and retail customers. The Company manufactures products under well-known brands such as Sherwin-Williams®, Valspar®, HGTV HOME® by Sherwin-Williams, Dutch Boy®, Krylon®, Minwax®,
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Certain statements contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are based upon management's current expectations, predictions, estimates, assumptions and beliefs concerning future events and conditions and may discuss, among other things, anticipated future performance (including sales and earnings), expected growth, future business plans and the costs and potential liability for environmental-related matters and lead pigment and lead-based paint litigation. Any statement that is not historical in nature is a forward-looking statement and may be identified by the use of words and phrases such as "anticipate," "aspire," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "goal," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "project," "seek," "should," "strive," "target," "will," or "would," or the negative thereof or comparable terminology.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements and from our historical results, performance and experience. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include such things as: general business and economic conditions in
Readers are cautioned that it is not possible to predict or identify all of the risks, uncertainties and other factors that may affect future results and that the above list should not be considered a complete list. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.
INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACTS:
Jim Jaye
Senior Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
Direct: 216.515.8682
investor.relations@sherwin.com
Eric Swanson
Vice President, Investor Relations
Direct: 216.566.2766
investor.relations@sherwin.com
MEDIA CONTACT:
Julie Young
Vice President, Global Corporate Communications
Direct: 216.515.8849
corporatemedia@sherwin.com
The Sherwin-Williams Company and Subsidiaries | |||
Statements of Consolidated Income (Unaudited) | |||
(in millions, except per share data) | |||
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||
2025 | 2024 | ||
Net sales | $ 5,305.7 | $ 5,367.3 | |
Cost of goods sold | 2,746.6 | 2,836.3 | |
Gross profit | 2,559.1 | 2,531.0 | |
As a percent of Net sales | 48.2 % | 47.2 % | |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 1,793.8 | 1,799.8 | |
As a percent of Net sales | 33.8 % | 33.5 % | |
Other general expense - net | 8.9 | 2.0 | |
Interest expense | 103.8 | 103.0 | |
Interest income | (3.3) | (6.1) | |
Other expense (income) - net | 2.9 | (7.7) | |
Income before income taxes | 653.0 | 640.0 | |
Income taxes | 149.1 | 134.8 | |
Net income | $ 503.9 | $ 505.2 | |
Net income per common share: | |||
Basic | $ 2.02 | $ 2.00 | |
Diluted | $ 2.00 | $ 1.97 | |
Weighted average shares outstanding: | |||
Basic | 249.4 | 252.5 | |
Diluted | 252.5 | 255.8 | |
The Sherwin-Williams Company and Subsidiaries | |||||||
Business Segments (Unaudited) | |||||||
(millions of dollars) | |||||||
2025 | 2024 | ||||||
Net | Segment | Net | Segment | ||||
Sales | Profit (Loss) | Sales | Profit (Loss) | ||||
Three Months Ended March 31: | |||||||
Paint Stores Group | $ 2,939.8 | $ 541.2 | $ 2,873.0 | $ 493.2 | |||
Consumer Brands Group | 762.2 | 131.9 | 811.0 | 153.4 | |||
Performance Coatings Group | 1,602.0 | 212.7 | 1,681.9 | 237.7 | |||
Administrative | 1.7 | (232.8) | 1.4 | (244.3) | |||
Consolidated totals | $ 5,305.7 | $ 653.0 | $ 5,367.3 | $ 640.0 | |||
The Sherwin-Williams Company and Subsidiaries | |||
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) | |||
(millions of dollars) | |||
March 31, | |||
2025 | 2024 | ||
Assets | |||
Current assets: | |||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 199.8 | $ 179.9 | |
Accounts receivable, net | 2,813.1 | 2,809.1 | |
Inventories | 2,515.2 | 2,378.0 | |
Other current assets | 511.6 | 475.4 | |
Total current assets | 6,039.7 | 5,842.4 | |
Property, plant and equipment, net | 3,663.4 | 3,008.8 | |
Goodwill | 7,708.4 | 7,621.4 | |
Intangible assets | 3,493.4 | 3,777.5 | |
Operating lease right-of-use assets | 1,972.9 | 1,878.9 | |
Other assets | 1,758.3 | 1,299.1 | |
Total assets | $ 24,636.1 | $ 23,428.1 | |
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity | |||
Current liabilities: | |||
Short-term borrowings | $ 1,798.5 | $ 1,256.3 | |
Accounts payable | 2,512.9 | 2,453.9 | |
Compensation and taxes withheld | 566.7 | 560.2 | |
Accrued taxes | 225.9 | 240.0 | |
Current portion of long-term debt | 1,150.8 | 1,349.1 | |
Current portion of operating lease liabilities | 470.1 | 454.0 | |
Other accruals | 1,151.8 | 1,170.0 | |
Total current liabilities | 7,876.7 | 7,483.5 | |
Long-term debt | 7,827.1 | 8,129.5 | |
Postretirement benefits other than pensions | 120.7 | 133.2 | |
Deferred income taxes | 586.0 | 666.3 | |
Long-term operating lease liabilities | 1,573.4 | 1,495.1 | |
Other long-term liabilities | 2,522.1 | 2,016.8 | |
Shareholders' equity | 4,130.1 | 3,503.7 | |
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ 24,636.1 | $ 23,428.1 | |
Regulation G Reconciliations
Management of the Company utilizes certain financial measures that are not in accordance with
Management believes that investors' understanding of the Company's operating performance is enhanced by the disclosure of diluted net income per share excluding Valspar acquisition-related amortization and certain other adjustments. Valspar acquisition-related amortization expense is excluded from diluted net income per share due to its significance as a result of the purchase price assigned to finite-lived intangible assets at the date of acquisition and the related impact on underlying business performance and trends. While these intangible assets contribute to the Company's revenue generation, the related revenue is not excluded. This adjusted earnings per share measurement is not in accordance with US GAAP. It should not be considered a substitute for earnings per share computed in accordance with US GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. The following tables reconcile diluted net income per share computed in accordance with US GAAP to adjusted diluted net income per share.
Year Ending | |||||||
Three Months Ended | December 31, 2025 | ||||||
March 31, 2025 | (after-tax guidance) | ||||||
Pre-Tax | Tax Effect (1) | After-Tax | Low | High | |||
Diluted net income per share | $ 2.00 | $ 10.70 | $ 11.10 | ||||
Acquisition-related amortization expense (2) | $ .25 | $ .06 | .19 | .80 | .80 | ||
Severance and other restructuring expenses | .08 | .02 | .06 | .15 | .15 | ||
Adjusted diluted net income per share | $ 2.25 | $ 11.65 | $ 12.05 | ||||
Three Months Ended | Year Ended | ||||||
March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2024 | ||||||
Pre-Tax | Tax Effect (1) | After-Tax | Pre-Tax | Tax Effect (1) | After-Tax | ||
Diluted net income per share | $ 1.97 | $ 10.55 | |||||
Acquisition-related amortization expense (2) | $ .26 | $ .06 | .20 | $ 1.02 | $ .24 | .78 | |
Adjusted diluted net income per share | $ 2.17 | $ 11.33 | |||||
(1) | The tax effect is calculated based on the statutory rate and the nature of the item, unless otherwise noted. |
(2) | Acquisition-related amortization expense, which is included within Selling, general and administrative expenses, consists of the amortization of intangible assets related to the Valspar acquisition. These intangible assets are primarily customer relationships and intellectual property and are being amortized over their remaining useful lives. |
Management believes that investors' understanding of the Company's operating performance is enhanced by the disclosure of EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as Net income before income taxes and Interest expense, depreciation and amortization, as well as Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure that excludes certain adjustments that management further believes enhances investors' understanding of the Company's operating performance. The reader is cautioned that the Company's EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be compared to other entities unknowingly. Further, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered alternatives to Net income or Net operating cash as an indicator of operating performance or as a measure of liquidity. The following table reconciles Net income computed in accordance with US GAAP to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, as applicable.
(millions of dollars) | |
Three Months | |
Ended | |
March 31, 2025 | |
Net income | $ 503.9 |
Interest expense | 103.8 |
Income taxes | 149.1 |
Depreciation | 79.9 |
Amortization | 81.0 |
EBITDA | $ 917.7 |
Severance and other restructuring expenses | 19.3 |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ 937.0 |
Three Months | |
Ended | |
March 31, 2024 | |
Net income | $ 505.2 |
Interest expense | 103.0 |
Income taxes | 134.8 |
Depreciation | 71.1 |
Amortization | 82.1 |
EBITDA | $ 896.2 |
The Sherwin-Williams Company and Subsidiaries | |||
Selected Information (Unaudited) | |||
(millions of dollars, except store count data) | |||
Three Months Ended | |||
March 31, | |||
2025 | 2024 | ||
Depreciation | $ 79.9 | $ 71.1 | |
Capital expenditures | 189.3 | 283.8 | |
Cash dividends | 200.4 | 182.5 | |
Amortization of intangibles | 81.0 | 82.1 | |
Significant components of Other general expense - net: | |||
Provisions for environmental related matters - net | $ 3.1 | $ 3.6 | |
Gain on sale or disposition of assets | (2.1) | (3.4) | |
Other | 7.9 | 1.8 | |
Significant components of Other expense (income) - net: | |||
Net investment gains | $ (3.2) | $ (5.1) | |
Net expense from banking activities | 3.9 | 3.3 | |
Foreign currency transaction related losses - net | 10.0 | 7.6 | |
Other (1) | (7.8) | (13.5) | |
Store Count Data: | |||
Paint Stores Group - net new stores | 18 | 7 | |
Paint Stores Group - total stores | 4,791 | 4,701 | |
Consumer Brands Group - net new stores | 6 | 2 | |
Consumer Brands Group - total stores | 340 | 320 | |
Performance Coatings Group - net new branches | — | 1 | |
Performance Coatings Group - total branches | 324 | 323 | |
(1) Consists of items of revenue, gains, expenses and losses unrelated to the primary business purpose of the Company. | |||
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SOURCE The Sherwin-Williams Company