Q1 sales soar at Sherwin-Williams

CLEVELAND — Sherwin-Williams reported that Q1 profits rose to $250.1 million, or $2.62 per share, from $239.2 million ($2.53 per share) a year ago. Sales surged by 44% to $3.97 billion, largely on the strength of the paint maker’s acquisition of Valspar. Wall Street analysts on average had expected sales of $3.95 billion. The company lowered its outlook for the year by one dollar per share, to $14.95.