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PPG Reviews Architectural Coatings Business in US & Canada

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PPG Industries, Inc. (PPG - Free Report) announced its engagement with Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC as a financial advisor. The purpose is to explore strategic alternatives for its architectural coatings business in the United States and Canada.

The architectural coatings business within PPG's performance coatings segment boasts a strong presence in both residential and commercial markets with recognizable brands like GLIDDEN, OLYMPIC, LIQUID NAILS and others. Offering a range of interior and exterior paints, stains, caulks and adhesives for homeowners and professionals, the business established itself across more than 15,000 touchpoints, including company-owned stores, independent dealers and major retail outlets in the United States and Canada.

In 2023, the U.S. and Canada architectural coatings business accounted for approximately 10% of PPG's total net sales. Despite flat sales volumes in 2023, the company's overall sales volumes (on a three-year pro forma basis) saw improvement, excluding this segment. The Performance Coatings segment's operating income witnessed improvement, excluding the U.S. and Canada architectural coatings EBIT and associated growth investments.

 

PPG's Chairman and CEO, Tim Knavish, expressed confidence in the architectural coatings business's trajectory, citing advancements in digital tools, manufacturing, distribution and product innovation. He emphasized the company's commitment to ensuring growth, success, and shareholder value through a strategic review. This review aims to evaluate potential partnerships, ownership structures, or joint ventures that could accelerate growth and enhance market presence.

The strategic actions, which also include the review of the silica products business announced in January, reflect PPG's commitment to disciplined evaluation and alignment with growth strategies. However, the outcome and timeline of the review remain uncertain and PPG does not intend to provide updates unless necessary.

It's worth noting that the strategic review pertains only to the U.S. and Canada architectural coatings business, excluding other regions where PPG holds significant market positions.

PPG Industries’ shares have increased 8.2% in the past year compared with the industry’s growth of 23.3% over the same period.

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Zacks Rank & Key Picks

PPG currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Some better-ranked stocks in the Basic Materials space are Carpenter Technology Corporation (CRS - Free Report) , sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Eldorado Gold Corporation (EGO - Free Report) and Hawkins, Inc. (HWKN - Free Report) , both carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The consensus estimate for CRS’ current fiscal year earnings is pegged at $3.97 per share, indicating a year-over-year surge of 248.3%. CRS beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last four quarters, with the average earnings surprise being 14.3%. The company’s shares have rallied 33.6% in the past year.

Eldorado has a projected earnings growth rate of 1,040% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EGO’s current-year earnings has been revised upward by 10% in the past 60 days. EGO topped the consensus estimate in each of the last four quarters, with the average earnings surprise being 496%. The company’s shares have increased 18.2% in the past year.

The consensus estimate for HWKN’s current fiscal year earnings is pegged at $3.61 per share, indicating a year-over-year rise of 26%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HWKN’s current-year earnings has been revised upward by 4.3% in the past 30 days. HWKN beat the consensus estimate in each of the last four quarters, with the average earnings surprise being 30.6%. The company’s shares have surged 70.2% in the past year.

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