Sherwin-Williams Paint Stores Group buoys Q2

Another sign of further improvement in the nation’s housing market were results from leading paints manufacturer and retailer Sherwin-Williams, whose net sales for the quarter ended June 30 were $2.71 billion, up 5.5% from the same quarter last year.

Net sales in the Paint Stores Group increased 8% to $1.61 billion. The company's total net income for the quarter was $257.3 million, up 12.9% from the second quarter of 2013.

"The Paint Stores Group architectural volume growth was strong across all end-market segments," siad Christopher Connor, chairman and CEO. The group opened 22 net new stores in the first six months, and is on track to open 70 to 80 new stores for the fiscal year.

Sherwin-Williams brands include Dutch Boy, Krylon, Minwax and Thompson's Water Seal.