Atlanta, Sept. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Further, a leading data, cloud, and AI company focused on helping companies turn raw data into the right decisions, announced it is the AI company that developed Behr Paint Company’s new paint color selection generative AI experience, ChatHUE™. The tool is designed to remove key barriers in the paint color selection process to improve customer confidence, reduce lead time and drive conversions. Behr Paint’s prospective buyers have historically faced challenges na ...

From full-room transformations to subtle accents, Hidden Gem adapts to your vision—adding a rich sense of self to every corner of your space. Whether it's a front door or a family room, a healthcare facility or a hospitality suite, a bedroom or a bookshelf, this versatile shade leaves a lasting impression in both residential and commercial settings. Hidden Gem is a part of the BEHR® 2026 Colour Trends Palette—a collection of trend-forward colours that reflect a significant shift toward embracing warmth, com ...

Core Insights - Behr Paint Company has announced "Hidden Gem" (N430-6A) as the 2026 Color of the Year, described as a smoky jade that balances grounding and energizing qualities [1][2] - The color reflects a growing consumer desire for unconventional colors that evoke a sense of wonder in everyday spaces, with 82% of Americans believing that paint colors can impact confidence [2][9] Company Overview - Behr Paint Company is one of the largest manufacturers of architectural paints and stains in the U.S. and Canada, offering a wide range of products for both professionals and DIY users [10] - The company is a subsidiary of Masco Corporation, listed on NYSE under the ticker MAS [10] Product Offering - "Hidden Gem" is part of the BEHR® 2026 Color Trends Palette, which includes a variety of colors that emphasize warmth, comfort, and playfulness, featuring earth tones, jewel tones, and pastels [4] - BEHR® products, including the 2026 Color of the Year, are available in several lines such as BEHR DYNASTY®, BEHR MARQUEE®, BEHR ULTRA®, and BEHR PREMIUM PLUS®, sold at The Home Depot [6] Marketing and Consumer Engagement - To promote the 2026 Color of the Year, Behr Paint is running a sweepstakes offering a chance to win $50,000 for customers who purchase any BEHR® product [5] - Research indicates that more than half of Americans find a room painted with Hidden Gem captivating (58%), and two-thirds believe it would create a unique and peaceful environment [9]

Financial Performance - Sherwin-Williams shares fell on Tuesday [1] - The company missed profit forecasts [1] - The company cut its outlook [1] Market Dynamics - Soft demand impacted Sherwin-Williams' performance [1] - Higher costs impacted Sherwin-Williams' performance [1]

Core Insights - The Sherwin-Williams Company has reduced its adjusted earnings per share guidance for 2025 due to weaker-than-expected architectural sales volumes and ongoing supply chain inefficiencies, indicating a "softer for longer" demand environment [6][13][25] - The company has doubled its restructuring target to $105 million, with expected annualized savings of approximately $80 million from these initiatives, which are anticipated to impact results in the second half of 2025 and into 2026 [6][8][19] - Despite challenges, the Paint Stores Group has outperformed industry volume trends in new residential and commercial segments, suggesting market share gains [6][8][21] Financial Performance - The Paint Stores Group reported low single-digit percentage sales growth, with price mix up mid-single digits and volume down low single digits; 20 net new stores were opened in Q2 2025 [8][21] - Consumer Brands Group experienced sales declines across volume, price mix, and foreign exchange, all down by low single-digit percentages, reflecting ongoing softness in the North American DIY market [6][8][21] - Performance Coatings Group met sales expectations, with volume, acquisitions, and foreign exchange each up low single digits, but faced margin reductions due to increased costs and lack of prior-year asset sale gains [8][24] Cost Management and Capital Expenditures - SG&A expenses increased by 3.8% on an adjusted basis, primarily driven by the Paint Stores Group due to new stores and targeted marketing spend [6][8][43] - Capital expenditure guidance for 2025 was reduced by $170 million (approximately 20%) to $730 million, with a focus on cash preservation amid soft demand [6][8][28] - The company expects raw material costs to remain flat for 2025, with modest deflation in certain materials anticipated in the second half of the year [8][27] Market Outlook - The company anticipates continued turbulence in demand across various segments for the remainder of 2025, leading to a downward revision of full-year sales expectations [6][25][26] - Management believes they are at a major inflection point in the North American architectural coatings industry, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a disciplined strategy to achieve long-term growth [6][19][30] - The company is committed to investing in growth initiatives within the Paint Stores Group while controlling general and administrative spending [6][28][30]

Market Overview - Pre-market futures are showing slight increases with the Dow and S&P 500 up by +9 points and Nasdaq up by +4 points [1] - Bond yields are decreasing, with the 10-year yield at +4.36%, the 2-year at +3.84%, and the 30-year down to +4.94% [1] Company Earnings Reports - General Motors (GM) reported Q2 earnings of $2.53 per share, exceeding expectations by +5.86%, with revenues of $47.98 billion, surpassing estimates by +1.89%. However, North American EBIT fell below expectations, leading to a -1.8% drop in shares [2] - Lockheed Martin (LMT) had a strong Q2 with earnings of $7.29 per share, a +12.33% surprise, but revenues of $18.2 billion were below consensus, resulting in a -7% pre-market decline. Northrop Grumman (NOC) reported earnings of $7.11 per share, exceeding estimates by +5.96%, and revenues surpassed expectations by +2.94%, leading to a +3% increase in shares [3] - D.R. Horton (DHI) reported Q3 earnings of $3.36 per share, exceeding consensus by +15.86%, with revenues of $9.23 billion, surpassing expectations by +5.13%. Shares rose by +6% [4] - Coca-Cola (KO) reported Q2 earnings of 87 cents per share, beating expectations of 83 cents, but revenues of $12.54 billion fell short by -0.44%. Shares are down modestly but up +12% year to date [5] - Sherwin-Williams (SHW) missed earnings expectations by -10.11% with $3.38 per share, although revenues of $6.31 billion slightly exceeded estimates by +0.49%. Shares fell by -4% [6] Upcoming Earnings Reports - Key earnings reports expected after market close include Texas Instruments (TXN), Capital One (COF), and Intuitive Surgical (ISRG). TXN anticipates double-digit growth in both earnings and revenues, COF expects over +20% gains, and ISRG projects +8% earnings growth and +16.8% revenue growth [7]

Market Overview - Pre-market futures are showing slight increases with the Dow and S&P 500 up by +9 points and Nasdaq up by +4 points [1] - Bond yields are decreasing, with the 10-year yield at +4.36%, the 2-year at +3.84%, and the 30-year down to +4.94% [1] Q2 Earnings Reports - General Motors (GM) reported earnings of $2.53 per share, exceeding expectations by +5.86%, with revenues of $47.98 billion, surpassing estimates by +1.89%. However, North American EBIT fell below expectations, leading to a -1.8% drop in shares [2] - Lockheed Martin (LMT) had a strong earnings surprise of +12.33% with earnings of $7.29 per share, but revenues of $18.2 billion were below consensus, resulting in a -7% pre-market decline. Northrop Grumman (NOC) reported earnings of $7.11 per share, exceeding estimates by +5.96% and outperforming on revenue by +2.94%, leading to a +3% increase in shares [3] - D.R. Horton (DHI) reported earnings of $3.36 per share, beating consensus by +15.86%, with revenues of $9.23 billion, exceeding expectations by +5.13%. Shares rose by +6% [4] - Coca-Cola (KO) reported earnings of 87 cents per share, beating expectations of 83 cents, but revenues of $12.54 billion fell short by -0.44%, leading to a modest decline in shares [5] - Sherwin-Williams (SHW) missed earnings expectations by -10.11% with earnings of $3.38 per share, although revenues of $6.31 billion slightly exceeded estimates by +0.49%, resulting in a -4% drop in shares [6] Upcoming Earnings Expectations - Key earnings reports expected after market close include Texas Instruments (TXN), Capital One (COF), and Intuitive Surgical (ISRG). TXN anticipates double-digit growth in both earnings and revenues, COF expects over +20% growth, and ISRG forecasts +8% earnings growth and +16.8% revenue growth [7]

Group 1 - Sherwin-Williams Co reported a second-quarter profit miss of $3.38 per share, while revenue was slightly above estimates at $6.3 billion, leading to a 2.2% decline in stock price to $333.87 [1] - The company lowered its full-year outlook due to softer demand, which may indicate potential challenges ahead [1] - Mizuho has cut its price target for Sherwin-Williams to $385 from $400, with 17 out of 26 analysts maintaining a "buy" or better rating, suggesting a 14% premium to the current stock price [2] Group 2 - If the current losses persist, Sherwin-Williams could end its four-day winning streak, having previously reached its lowest level since April, with support at the $330 level [3] - Over the past nine months, the shares have decreased by more than 7.3% [3] - A shift in sentiment in the options market is noted, with a 50-day call/put volume ratio of 2.21, indicating a higher level of put activity compared to the past year [4] Group 3 - There has been a significant increase in put options trading, with 2,118 puts traded, which is 11 times the intraday average, compared to only 68 calls, indicating a bearish sentiment [5] - The most popular contract being traded is the August 320 put, with new positions being opened [5]

Core Insights - Behr Paint Company has partnered with Google Cloud to develop an AI-powered tool named ChatHUE™ to assist consumers in selecting paint colors, addressing a significant challenge in home improvement projects [1][2][3] Company Overview - Behr Paint Company, founded in 1947, is a major manufacturer of paints and related products in North America, known for its commitment to quality and innovation [5] - Google Cloud provides a comprehensive suite of AI and cloud services, supporting organizations in their digital transformation efforts [6] Consumer Insights - Over 40% of consumers find color selection to be the most challenging aspect of their painting projects, with a similar percentage indicating that indecision prevents them from starting projects [2] - The partnership aims to simplify the color selection process, transforming it from a daunting task into an engaging experience for consumers [3][4] Technological Innovation - The ChatHUE™ tool leverages Behr's proprietary color data and Google Cloud's AI capabilities, including Gemini and Vertex AI, to offer personalized color recommendations [1][3] - Behr conducted extensive testing and real-world pilots to ensure the effectiveness of the AI tool before its launch [3] Strategic Goals - Behr aims to enhance creativity and provide smart solutions for homeowners through innovative technology, reinforcing its position as a leader in the paint industry [4]

Core Insights - PPG Industries, Inc. showcased innovations in paints, coatings, and specialty products at the Coatings Innovation Center, emphasizing sustainable solutions to enhance customer productivity and drive organic growth [1][7] Product Innovations - The company highlighted award-winning technologies such as the Precision Application automotive OEM overspray-free coating system and the Low-temperature, expanded-bake electrocoat [2] - Other showcased products included PPG CORASEAL, PPG CORASHIELD 4-Wet Advantage, PPG STEELGUARD 951, and PPG NUTRISHIELD MAX metal packaging coatings [2] Sustainability Efforts - PPG featured advanced architectural and marine coatings that align with its sustainability goals, using an internal methodology to validate product attributes contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals [3] Financial Performance - PPG's stock has decreased by 13.9% over the past year, contrasting with a 0.1% decline in the industry [5] - The company reaffirmed its full-year 2025 adjusted earnings per share guidance of $7.75 to $8.05, supported by share gains, self-help efforts, and current global economic conditions [6] Market Position - PPG currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), while competitors like Akzo Nobel N.V. (Rank 1), Newmont Corporation (Rank 2), and Balchem Corporation (Rank 2) are performing better in the Basic Materials sector [7]