MML Investors Services LLC Purchases 5,247 Shares of The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW)

MML Investors Services LLC boosted its position in The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW - Free Report) by 11.7% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 50,039 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock after purchasing an additional 5,247 shares during the quarter. MML Investors Services LLC's holdings in Sherwin-Williams were worth $17,010,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Midwest Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Sherwin-Williams in the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. Lee Danner & Bass Inc. acquired a new stake in Sherwin-Williams in the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Sierra Ocean LLC bought a new stake in Sherwin-Williams in the 4th quarter valued at about $36,000. WR Wealth Planners LLC grew its position in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 41.7% during the 4th quarter. WR Wealth Planners LLC now owns 119 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares in the last quarter. Finally, AlphaMark Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Sherwin-Williams in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $41,000. 77.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Sherwin-Williams Price Performance

Sherwin-Williams stock opened at $322.77 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $81.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.59, a P/E/G ratio of 2.98 and a beta of 1.26. The stock's 50 day moving average is $344.13 and its 200 day moving average is $358.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.02, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.46. The Sherwin-Williams Company has a one year low of $282.09 and a one year high of $400.42.

Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:SHW - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The specialty chemicals company reported $2.09 EPS for the quarter, beating 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 last year, the company posted $1.81 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that The Sherwin-Williams Company will post 12 EPS for the current year.

Sherwin-Williams Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 6th. Investors of record on Friday, May 16th will be given a dividend of $0.79 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 16th. This represents a $3.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.98%. Sherwin-Williams's payout ratio is 29.95%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Sherwin-Williams news, insider Colin M. Davie sold 2,799 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 transaction, the insider now directly owns 5,365 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,933,009.50. This represents a 34.28 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 0.60% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have commented on the company. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on Sherwin-Williams from $450.00 to $405.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 28th. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price target on Sherwin-Williams from $438.00 to $415.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on shares of Sherwin-Williams from $380.00 to $350.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. Mizuho set a $395.00 target price on shares of Sherwin-Williams in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. Finally, Robert W. Baird set a $370.00 price target on shares of Sherwin-Williams in a report on Friday, January 31st. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $392.50.

Sherwin-Williams 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.

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