GAM Holding AG Invests $1.04 Million in The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW)

GAM Holding AG bought a new position in shares of The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 3,050 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock, valued at approximately $1,037,000.

Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in Sherwin-Williams by 88.9% during the 3rd quarter. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 68 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 32 shares during the last quarter. First Personal Financial Services bought a new position in shares of Sherwin-Williams in the 3rd quarter worth about $29,000. FSA Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Sherwin-Williams in the 3rd quarter worth about $32,000. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 47.5% in the 3rd quarter. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 87 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 28 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sierra Ocean LLC bought a new position in shares of Sherwin-Williams in the 4th quarter worth about $36,000. 77.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Sherwin-Williams Stock Down 1.6 %

SHW stock traded down $5.48 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $344.54. 2,871,320 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,656,506. The stock has a market cap of $86.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.66, a P/E/G ratio of 3.00 and a beta of 1.22. The company has a quick ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.02. The Sherwin-Williams Company has a fifty-two week low of $282.09 and a fifty-two week high of $400.42. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $351.44 and its 200 day moving average price is $365.20.

Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:SHW - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The specialty chemicals company reported $2.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.07 by $0.02. Sherwin-Williams had a return on equity of 74.50% and a net margin of 11.61%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.81 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts predict that The Sherwin-Williams Company will post 12 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Sherwin-Williams Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 14th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd will be issued a $0.79 dividend. This represents a $3.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.92%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 3rd. This is a boost from Sherwin-Williams's previous quarterly dividend of $0.72. Sherwin-Williams's payout ratio is 27.11%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, SVP Mary L. Garceau sold 15,770 shares of Sherwin-Williams stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $397.92, for a total value of $6,275,198.40. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 29,205 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $11,621,253.60. The trade was a 35.06 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.60% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently weighed in on SHW. Berenberg Bank raised Sherwin-Williams from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $321.00 to $420.00 in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on Sherwin-Williams from $450.00 to $405.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 28th. StockNews.com lowered Sherwin-Williams from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, November 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on Sherwin-Williams from $370.00 to $390.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, Evercore ISI raised their target price on Sherwin-Williams from $400.00 to $420.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, November 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Sherwin-Williams has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $400.00.

Sherwin-Williams Company Profile

The Sherwin-Williams Company engages in the development, manufacture, distribution, and sale of paints, coating, and related products to professional, industrial, commercial, and retail customers. It operates through three segments: Paint Stores Group, Consumer Brands Group, and Performance Coatings Group.