Sherwin-Williams raises profit forecast, expects higher prices to drive growth

Sherwin-Williams now expects 2026 adjusted profit per share of $11.80 to $12.20, compared with its prior forecast of $11.50 to $11.90.

It also forecast net sales growth in the mid-to-high single-digit percentage range in 2026, compared with its earlier expectations of low-to-mid single-digit growth.

Analysts expect Sherwin-Williams to report 2026 profit of $11.76 per share, on net sales of $24.71 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG.

One of the world's largest coating companies, Sherwin-Williams walked away from a joint bid to acquire rival AkzoNobel in June as Petz said there were "more attractive uses of our shareholders' cash."

In the second quarter, Sherwin-Williams benefited from the impact of price hikes, which helped boost net sales by 7.5% to $6.79 billion.

The Ohio-based company posted an adjusted profit of $3.70 per share for the second quarter, beating expectations of $3.52.

CEO Heidi Petz said the company would increase prices at its Paint Stores Group segment by 8%, effective September 1, in response to inflation across raw materials, energy, logistics and packaging.

Sherwin-Williams was not worried about raw material availability, Petz said on a call with analysts, but it does expect "inflation in its raw material basket to be up in the high-single-digit range in the second half of the year."

"Our updated outlook assumes there is not a broad-based demand recovery," Petz said, adding that customer feedback indicated there are limited signs of meaningful improvement in most end markets.