The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW) Stock Holdings Lifted by QRG Capital Management Inc.

QRG Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW - Free Report) by 138.8% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 41,967 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock after purchasing an additional 24,394 shares during the quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc.'s holdings in Sherwin-Williams were worth $14,266,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 88.9% during the third 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. Midwest Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Sherwin-Williams during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. First Personal Financial Services bought a new position in Sherwin-Williams during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $29,000. FSA Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Sherwin-Williams during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $32,000. Finally, Sierra Ocean LLC acquired a new position in shares of Sherwin-Williams in the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. 77.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Sherwin-Williams Price Performance

Shares of SHW stock traded down $4.99 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $356.49. 2,606,544 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,580,428. The company's 50 day moving average price is $351.26 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $365.86. The company has a market cap of $89.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.79, a PEG ratio of 2.98 and a beta of 1.22. The Sherwin-Williams Company has a 12 month low of $282.09 and a 12 month high of $400.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.02, a quick ratio of 0.46 and a current ratio of 0.79.

Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:SHW - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The specialty chemicals company reported $2.09 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 previous year, the business earned $1.81 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that The Sherwin-Williams Company will post 12 earnings per share for the current year.

Sherwin-Williams Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 14th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd will be issued a dividend of $0.79 per share. This is a positive change from Sherwin-Williams's previous quarterly dividend of $0.72. This represents a $3.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.89%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 3rd. Sherwin-Williams's payout ratio is presently 29.95%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on Sherwin-Williams from $450.00 to $405.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, January 28th. Robert W. Baird set a $370.00 target price on shares of Sherwin-Williams in a report on Friday, January 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Sherwin-Williams from $370.00 to $390.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Evercore ISI increased their price objective on shares of Sherwin-Williams from $400.00 to $420.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, November 7th. Finally, Mizuho cut their target price on shares of Sherwin-Williams from $435.00 to $408.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $403.31.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Sherwin-Williams news, insider Colin M. Davie sold 2,799 shares of Sherwin-Williams stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $360.30, for a total value of $1,008,479.70. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 5,365 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,933,009.50. The trade was a 34.28 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.60% of the stock is 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.