CLEVELAND - The Sherwin-Williams Co. announced its financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2013. Compared to the same periods in 2012, consolidated net sales increased $140.9 million, or 5.5 percent, to $2.71 billion in the quarter and increased $171.7 million, or 3.6 percent, to $4.88 billion in six months due primarily to higher paint sales volume in the company’s Paint Stores Group. Acquisitions increased consolidated net sales approximately 0.7 percent in the quarter and six months. Unfavorable currency translation rate changes decreased consolidated net sales 0.3 percent in the quarter and 0.6 percent in six months.

Net sales in the Paint Stores Group increased 8.0 percent to $1.61 billion in the quarter and increased 6.3 percent to $2.77 billion in six months due primarily to higher architectural paint sales volume across all end-market segments. Net sales from stores open for more than 12 calendar months increased 7.0 percent in the quarter and increased 5.4 percent in six months over last year's comparable periods. Paint Stores Group segment profit increased $66.0 million to $333.0 million in the quarter from $267.0 million last year and increased $83.0 million to $462.7 million in six months from $379.7 million last year due primarily to higher paint sales volume partially offset by increases in selling, general and administrative expenses. Segment profit as a percent to net sales increased in the quarter to 20.7 percent from 17.9 percent last year and increased in six months to 16.7 percent from 14.5 percent in 2012.

Net sales of the Consumer Group decreased 1.0 percent to $393.7 million in the quarter and decreased 2.2 percent to $702.2 million in six months due primarily to lower volume sales to most of the group's retail customers and the previously disclosed elimination of a portion of a paint program with a large retail customer partially offset by acquisitions. Acquisitions increased net sales 3.2 percent and 4.0 percent in the quarter and six months, respectively. Segment profit decreased to $79.0 million in the quarter from $80.8 million last year and decreased to $133.0 million in six months from $136.1 million last year due primarily to lower volume sales.

The Global Finishes Group's net sales stated in U.S. dollars increased 3.0 percent to $513.5 million in the quarter and increased 1.9 percent to $1.00 billion in six months due primarily to selling price increases and acquisitions. Acquisitions increased net sales in U.S. dollars by approximately 1.1 percent in the quarter and six months. Stated in U.S. dollars, segment profit increased in the quarter to $54.5 million from $48.0 million last year and increased in six months to $88.4 million from $76.7 million last year due primarily to selling price increases and improved operating efficiencies.

The Latin America Coatings Group's net sales stated in U.S. dollars increased 6.3 percent to $199.0 million in the quarter due primarily to selling price increases and higher paint sales volume partially offset by unfavorable currency translation rate changes. Six month net sales stated in U.S. dollars increased 1.5 percent to $401.6 million due primarily to selling price increases partially offset by unfavorable currency translation rate changes.