Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC Raises Position in The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW)

Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW - Free Report) by 24.1% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 119,159 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock after buying an additional 23,160 shares during the period. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC's holdings in Sherwin-Williams were worth $40,506,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Sherwin-Williams in the 4th quarter valued at about $1,359,747,000. Capital Research Global Investors grew its holdings in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 47.1% in the fourth quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 2,998,647 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $1,019,329,000 after acquiring an additional 960,724 shares in the last quarter. Barclays PLC increased its position in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 54.2% during the fourth quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 2,073,533 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $704,855,000 after acquiring an additional 728,798 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new stake in Sherwin-Williams during the fourth quarter worth $230,829,000. Finally, Proficio Capital Partners LLC boosted its position in Sherwin-Williams by 41,520.8% in the fourth quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC now owns 479,472 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $162,987,000 after purchasing an additional 478,320 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 77.67% of the company's stock.

Sherwin-Williams Stock Performance

Shares of SHW opened at $334.17 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.02, a quick ratio of 0.46 and a current ratio of 0.79. The stock has a market capitalization of $84.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.98 and a beta of 1.26. The Sherwin-Williams Company has a 52-week low of $282.09 and a 52-week high of $400.42. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $342.57 and its 200 day simple moving average is $357.72.

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

Sherwin-Williams Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 16th will be issued a $0.79 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 16th. This represents a $3.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.95%. Sherwin-Williams's payout ratio is currently 29.95%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on SHW shares. Berenberg Bank upgraded Sherwin-Williams from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $321.00 to $420.00 in a research note on Friday, January 24th. Mizuho set a $395.00 price objective on shares of Sherwin-Williams in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of Sherwin-Williams from $380.00 to $350.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. Jefferies Financial Group restated a "hold" rating and set a $380.00 price target (down previously from $423.00) on shares of Sherwin-Williams in a research note on Monday, March 10th. Finally, Barclays dropped their price objective on Sherwin-Williams from $385.00 to $355.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 1st. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $392.00.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider Colin M. Davie sold 2,799 shares of Sherwin-Williams stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $360.30, for a total transaction of $1,008,479.70. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 5,365 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,933,009.50. This trade represents a 34.28 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 0.60% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

About Sherwin-Williams

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.

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