RPM International Inc. (NYSE:RPM) is included among the 13 Best January Dividend Stocks to Invest in. UBS Keeps Neutral on RPM while Mizuho Maintains Outperform Amid Sector Weakness On December 18, UBS lowered its price target on RPM International Inc. (NYSE:RPM) to $119 from $127 and kept a Neutral rating on the shares. Mizuho also trimmed its target, cutting it to $128 from $138, while maintaining an Outperform rating as part of its 2026 outlook for the chemicals, agriculture, and packaging sector. In ...

Commanding a market capitalization of $80.7 billion, The Sherwin-Williams Company (SHW) is a global leader in the development, manufacture, distribution, and sale of paints, coatings, and related products for professional, commercial, industrial, and retail customers. Founded in 1866 and headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, it operates through three core segments: Paint Stores Group, Consumer Brands Group, and Performance Coatings Group. Sherwin-Williams is set to report its fourth-quarter results soon, wit ...

PPG Industries, Inc. (PPG), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, manufactures and distributes paints, coatings, and specialty materials. Valued at $22.7 billion by market cap, the company makes protective and decorative coatings, flat glass, fabricated glass products, continuous-strand fiber glass products, and industrial and specialty chemicals. Companies worth $10 billion or more are generally described as “large-cap stocks,” and PPG perfectly fits that description, with its market cap exceeding t ...

Core Insights - Dow Inc. is a leading U.S.-based materials-science and chemical company with a market capitalization of $17 billion, providing solutions across various industries including packaging, construction, automotive, and consumer goods [1][2] Company Overview - Dow is classified as a "large-cap stock" due to its market cap exceeding $10 billion, highlighting its size and influence in the materials sector [2] - The company focuses on materials innovation, performance, and sustainability, offering foundational solutions for thousands of end-products globally [2] Stock Performance - Dow's stock is currently trading approximately 46.1% below its 52-week high of $44.04, with a 45.8% decline over the past 52 weeks and a 40.8% drop year to date [3][4] - In contrast, the S&P 500 Index has increased by 13.2% over the past year and 16.5% in 2025, indicating significant underperformance by Dow's stock [4] Recent Earnings and Market Reaction - On October 23, Dow's stock surged nearly 13% following the release of third-quarter earnings, despite missing revenue expectations with sales of $9.97 billion [5] - The stock rally was attributed to a narrower-than-expected adjusted loss of $0.19 per share and effective cost-cutting measures, with the company securing over half of its targeted $6.5 billion in near-term cash support [5] - Increased production volumes from new polyethylene and alkoxylation facilities along the U.S. Gulf Coast contributed to margin improvement [5]

Group 1 - PPG Industries, Inc. is recognized as a high-quality dividend stock suitable for long-term investors [1] - JPMorgan analyst raised the price target for PPG to $117 from $112, indicating it as a potential winner in the industrials sector for 2026, driven by growth in aerospace and automotive coatings [2] - PPG's aerospace segment reported strong double-digit organic sales growth, achieving record quarterly sales and earnings, with customer order backlogs reaching $310 million [3] Group 2 - Organic sales increased by 2% year-over-year, supported by growth in aerospace coatings, protective and marine coatings, and traffic solutions, although this was partially offset by lower volumes in automotive refinish coatings [4] - PPG is a global leader in paints, coatings, and specialty materials, serving a diverse range of industries [4]

Core Viewpoint - Nordson Corporation has shown mixed performance in the market, with a notable decline in stock prices over the past year despite recent positive quarterly results and growth in specific segments [2][4]. Company Overview - Nordson Corporation, based in Westlake, Ohio, specializes in manufacturing and marketing products for dispensing, applying, and controlling adhesives, coatings, polymers, and other fluids globally. The company has a market capitalization of $13.1 billion and operates through three segments: Industrial Precision Solutions, Medical and Fluid Solutions, and Advanced Technology Solutions [1]. Stock Performance - Over the past 52 weeks, Nordson's stock has declined by 10.8%, while it has gained 11.4% year-to-date (YTD). In comparison, the S&P 500 Index has returned 12% over the past year and 14% in 2025 [2]. - The stock has also underperformed relative to the Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund, which saw a 5.2% increase over the past year and 13.8% YTD [3]. Recent Financial Results - Following the release of Q3 results on August 20, Nordson's stock rose by 3%. The company reported solid organic growth, particularly in its advanced technology solutions segment, which achieved a 15% organic sales growth year-over-year. Overall sales reached $741.5 million, reflecting a 12.1% increase year-over-year, surpassing expectations by 2.8% [4]. - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter grew by 13.3% year-over-year to $2.73, exceeding consensus estimates by 3.8% [4]. Future Earnings Expectations - For the full fiscal year 2025, analysts project an adjusted EPS of $10.14, representing a 4.2% year-over-year increase. The company has a mixed earnings surprise history, having missed bottom-line estimates once in the past four quarters while surpassing projections three times [5]. Analyst Ratings - Among the 11 analysts covering Nordson stock, the consensus rating is a "Moderate Buy," consisting of five "Strong Buys" and six "Holds" [5]. - Oppenheimer analyst Christopher Glynn has maintained an "Outperform" rating and raised the price target from $260 to $275. The mean price target of $257.56 indicates a 10.5% premium to current price levels, while the highest target of $285 suggests a potential upside of 22.3% [7].

Core Viewpoint - Akzo Nobel N.V. and Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. have announced a definitive agreement for an all-stock merger of equals, creating a global coatings leader with an enterprise value of approximately $25 billion [1][5]. Company Overview - The merger combines two industry leaders with complementary portfolios, enhancing customer service across key markets and increasing value for shareholders and stakeholders [2][5]. - The combined company will have a strong financial profile, industry-leading innovation capabilities, and a balanced global presence in over 160 countries [2][5]. Financial Highlights - The combined entity is projected to generate approximately $17 billion in revenues and $1.5 billion in pro forma Adjusted Free Cash Flow for 2024 [3][10]. - Expected run-rate synergies of approximately $600 million, with 90% anticipated to be realized within the first three years post-transaction [3][10]. Leadership and Governance - The new company will have a one-tier Board led by Rakesh Sachdev from Axalta, with Greg Poux-Guillaume from AkzoNobel serving as CEO [7][8]. - The Board will consist of 11 directors, including four from each company and three independent members [7]. Strategic Benefits - The merger will create a diversified portfolio of leading brands across various segments, including Powder, Aerospace, Refinish, Mobility, Marine & Protective, Industrial Coatings, and Decorative Paints [10]. - The combined company will enhance its geographic scale and commercial reach, with 173 manufacturing sites and 91 R&D facilities worldwide [10]. Innovation and R&D - The merger will enable the delivery of advanced and differentiated products by combining technological capabilities across end markets, with an annual R&D spend of approximately $400 million [10]. - The combined company will have around 4,200 research fellows, scientists, and engineers, and approximately 3,200 granted and pending patent applications [10]. Transaction Details - Axalta shareholders will receive 0.6539 shares of AkzoNobel stock for each share of Axalta common stock owned [11]. - AkzoNobel will pay a special cash dividend of €2.5 billion minus any regular dividends paid in 2026 prior to completion [12]. Timeline and Approvals - The transaction is expected to close in late 2026 to early 2027, pending shareholder and regulatory approvals [13].

Market Performance - The U.S. stock market indices showed mixed results, with the S&P 500 increasing by approximately 0.1%, the Nasdaq Composite decreasing by 0.3%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising by 0.7% [1] Investment Strategy - In uncertain market conditions, it is suggested that investors consider low-leverage stocks as safer investment options. Recommended companies include CSW Industrials, Jones Lang LaSalle, Hecla Mining, Safran SA, and Siemens Energy, all of which exhibit low leverage [2][10] Understanding Leverage - Leverage in finance refers to borrowing capital for operations and expansion, typically through debt financing. While debt can facilitate growth, excessive reliance on it can lead to significant risks [4][5] Debt-to-Equity Ratio - The debt-to-equity ratio is a key metric for assessing a company's financial risk, with a lower ratio indicating better solvency. Investors are encouraged to focus on stocks with low debt-to-equity ratios to mitigate risks during economic downturns [7][9] Company Highlights - **CSW Industrials**: Recently completed a $650 million acquisition to enhance its HVAC and refrigeration market presence. The Zacks Consensus Estimate predicts a 23.5% sales increase for fiscal 2026 [15][16] - **Jones Lang LaSalle**: Reported a 29% year-over-year increase in adjusted earnings per share and a 10% revenue growth in local currency for Q3 2025. The Zacks Consensus Estimate suggests a 10.3% sales improvement for 2025 [17][18] - **Hecla Mining**: Achieved a 65.4% revenue increase and a 204.4% gross profit surge in Q3 2025. The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a 33.3% sales growth for 2025 [19][20] - **Safran**: Announced a partnership renewal with Polytechnique Montréal to support sustainable aviation technologies, with a projected 39.9% sales improvement for 2025 [21][22] - **Siemens Energy**: Focuses on renewable energy, particularly wind power, and is set to supply gas turbines to Xcel Energy, with a 21.2% sales growth forecast for fiscal 2026 [23][24]

Core Insights - PPG Industries, Inc. is a leading global supplier of paints, coatings, and specialty materials, operating in over 70 countries and serving diverse markets [1][2] - The company reported a modest 1% year-over-year increase in net sales for Q3 fiscal 2025, reaching $4.08 billion, surpassing analyst estimates [5] - PPG's adjusted EPS grew by 5% annually to $2.13, exceeding expectations, with a projected adjusted EPS guidance range of $7.60 to $7.70 for the full year 2025 [6] Financial Performance - PPG's stock has declined by 23.9% over the past 52 weeks and 12.4% over the past six months, underperforming the S&P 500 Index, which gained 14.1% and 21% in the same periods [3][4] - The architectural coatings segment showed improvement, with net sales rising by 1% year-over-year to $1.01 billion [5] - For fiscal year 2025, analysts expect PPG's EPS to decline by 2.7% year-over-year to $7.66, but anticipate a 6.1% increase to $8.13 in fiscal 2026 [7] Market Comparison - PPG's stock is classified as a basic materials stock, and it has underperformed compared to the Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLB), which dropped 6.9% over the past 52 weeks but rose 3.5% over the past six months [4] - The company has a mixed history of surpassing consensus estimates, achieving this in two of the last four quarters [8]

Core Insights - Sherwin-Williams Company (SHW) has a market capitalization of $85.5 billion and operates over 5,000 company-operated stores for its branded products [1] - SHW shares have underperformed the broader market, declining 11.4% over the past year compared to a 14.1% increase in the S&P 500 Index [2] - The company's Q3 results showed an adjusted EPS of $3.59, surpassing expectations, with revenue of $6.4 billion also exceeding forecasts [4] Financial Performance - For the current fiscal year, analysts expect SHW's EPS to grow marginally to $11.35 on a diluted basis [5] - The company's earnings surprise history is mixed, beating consensus estimates in three of the last four quarters [5] - SHW expects full-year adjusted EPS in the range of $11.25 to $11.45 [4] Analyst Ratings - Among 27 analysts covering SHW, the consensus rating is a "Moderate Buy," with 13 "Strong Buy" ratings, two "Moderate Buys," and 12 "Holds" [5] - Citigroup analyst Patrick Cunningham maintained a "Hold" rating on SHW with a price target of $392, indicating a potential upside of 13.6% [6] Market Context - SHW's underperformance is linked to the escalating Middle East conflict, rising crude oil prices, and investor concerns over supply disruptions [4] - Compared to the Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLB), which has declined about 6.9% YTD, SHW's performance has been notably weaker [3]