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SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2025
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Consolidation The consolidated financial statements included in this report have been prepared by management of The Sherwin-Williams Company (herein referred to as the Company). These statements include the accounts of the Company and all consolidated subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The Company’s share of earnings or losses from nonconsolidated affiliates is included in the consolidated financial statements using the equity method of accounting when the Company is able to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial decisions of the affiliate. Use of Estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (US GAAP) requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those amounts. Nature of Operations The Company is engaged in the development, manufacture, distribution and sale of paint, coatings and related products to professional, industrial, commercial and retail customers primarily in North and South America, with additional operations in the Caribbean region, Europe, Asia and Australia. Cash Equivalents Management considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Current Expected Credit Losses Accounts receivable are recorded at the time of credit sales, net of an allowance for current expected credit losses. The Company records an allowance for current expected credit losses to reduce Accounts receivable to the net amount expected to be collected. Under the Financial Instruments - Credit Losses topic of the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC), the Company reviews the collectibility of the Accounts receivable balance each reporting period and estimates the allowance for current expected credit losses based on historical bad debt experience, aging of accounts receivable, current creditworthiness of customers, current economic factors, as well as reasonable and supportable forward-looking information. Accounts receivable balances are written-off against the allowance for current expected credit losses if a final determination of uncollectibility is made. All provisions for the allowance for current expected credit losses are included in Selling, general and administrative expenses. See Note 18 for further information. Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market with cost determined principally on the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. Market represents current replacement cost, which is the cost to purchase or reproduce the inventory. If inventories accounted for on the LIFO method are reduced on a year-over-year basis, then liquidation of certain quantities carried at costs prevailing in prior years occurs. Management records an estimate of the lower of cost or market whenever the utility of inventory is impaired by damage, deterioration, obsolescence, changes in price levels, or other causes based on historical experience and current trends through reductions to inventory cost by recording a provision included in Cost of goods sold. If management estimates that the reasonable market value is below cost or determines that future demand was lower than current inventory levels, based on historical experience, current and projected market demand, current and projected volume trends and other relevant current and projected factors associated with the current economic conditions, a reduction in inventory cost to current market price is provided for in the reserve for obsolescence. See Note 4 for further information. Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment, including leasehold improvements, is stated on the basis of cost. Depreciation is charged to expense using the straight-line method over the assets’ estimated useful lives which range from 5 to 60 years for buildings and 3 to 15 years for machinery and equipment. Depreciation and amortization are included in the appropriate Cost of goods sold or Selling, general and administrative expenses caption on the Statements of Consolidated Income. See Note 5 for further information. Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill represents the cost in excess of fair value of net assets acquired in business combinations. Intangible assets include software, customer relationships, intellectual property and trademarks. In accordance with the Goodwill and Other Intangibles Topic of the ASC, goodwill and indefinite-lived trademarks are not amortized, but instead are tested for impairment on an annual basis, as well as whenever an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate impairment has occurred on a more likely than not basis. Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected period of benefit, which ranges primarily from 3 to 29 years. See Note 6 for further information. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets In accordance with the Property, Plant and Equipment Topic of the ASC, management evaluates the recoverability and remaining lives of long-lived assets, including right-of-use assets, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable or the useful life has changed. See Note 5 for further information. Derivative Instruments The Company utilizes derivative instruments to mitigate certain risk exposures as part of its overall financial risk management policy and accounts for these instruments in accordance with the Derivatives and Hedging Topic of the ASC. These include foreign currency forward contracts, cross currency swaps designated as net investment hedges and interest rate lock contracts designated as cash flow hedges. Derivatives are recorded as assets or liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. Changes in fair value of the derivative instruments are recognized immediately in earnings unless the derivative instrument qualifies for and is designated in an effective hedging relationship. See Note 16 for further information. Non-Traded Investments The Company has invested in U.S. affordable housing, historic renovation and other real estate investments (Non-Traded Investments) that have been identified as variable interest entities which qualify for certain tax credits and other tax benefits. Since the Company does not have the power to direct the day-to-day operations of the Non-Traded Investments and the risk of loss is limited to the amount of contributed capital, the Company is not considered the primary beneficiary. Therefore, in accordance with the Consolidation Topic of the ASC, the Non-Traded Investments are not consolidated. Under the Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures Topic of the ASC, the Company uses the proportional amortization method, whereby the initial cost and any subsequent changes in the level of investment of Non-Traded Investments is amortized in proportion to the receipt of related tax credits. The Company reasonably expects amortization based on the receipt of tax credits would produce a measurement substantially similar to amortization based on the receipt of tax credits and other tax benefits. Both the amortization and related tax credits and other tax benefits are recognized in Income tax expense on the Statements of Consolidated Income.
| 2025 |  | 2024 |  | 2023
Amortization of Non-Traded Investments | $ | 104.0 |  |  | $ | 75.0 |  |  | $ | 65.4 |
Tax credits and other tax benefits received | 128.3 |  |  | 104.9 |  |  | 94.8 |
The carrying value of Non-Traded Investments is recorded in Other assets. The liabilities for estimated future capital contributions are recorded in Other accruals and Other long-term liabilities. In addition, the associated impact of related tax credits and other tax benefits are recorded as a reduction of Accrued taxes and a net deferred income tax asset within Deferred income taxes. On the Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows, the tax credits and other tax benefits are presented as a change in Accrued taxes and in Deferred income taxes within Operating activities. Tax credits and other tax benefits reduced Accrued taxes by $128.3 million, $104.9 million and $94.8 million at December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The following table summarizes the balances related to Non-Traded Investments and related tax credits and other tax benefits on the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
| 2025 |  | 2024 |  | 2023
Other assets | $ | 826.1 |  |  | $ | 744.0 |  |  | $ | 675.0 |
Other accruals | 123.4 |  |  | 101.4 |  |  | 80.9 |
Other long-term liabilities | 667.8 |  |  | 600.3 |  |  | 568.2 |
Net deferred income tax asset | 2.6 |  |  | 7.6 |  |  | 19.4 |
Standby Letters of Credit The Company occasionally enters into standby letter of credit agreements to guarantee various operating activities. These agreements provide credit availability to the various beneficiaries if certain contractual events occur. Amounts outstanding under these agreements totaled $129.8 million, $125.5 million and $146.2 million at December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Product Warranties The Company offers assurance-type product warranties for certain products. The specific terms and conditions of such warranties vary depending on the product or customer contract requirements. Management estimated the costs of unsettled product warranty claims based on historical results and experience and included an amount in Other accruals. Management periodically assesses the adequacy of the accrual for product warranty claims and adjusts the accrual as necessary. Changes in the Company’s accrual for product warranty claims during 2025, 2024 and 2023, including customer satisfaction settlements during the year, were as follows:
Balance at January 1 | $ | 46.4 |  |  | $ | 40.4 |  |  | $ | 36.2 |
Charges to expense | 29.3 |  |  | 34.2 |  |  | 37.0 |
Settlements | (18.4) |  |  | (28.2) |  |  | (32.8) |
Balance at December 31 | $ | 57.3 |  |  | $ | 46.4 |  |  | $ | 40.4 |
Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans The Company accounts for its defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans in accordance with the Retirement Benefits Topic of the ASC, which requires the Company to recognize an asset for overfunded defined benefit pension or other postretirement benefit plans and a liability for unfunded or underfunded plans. In addition, actuarial gains and losses and prior service costs of such plans are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI). The amounts recorded in AOCI will continue to be modified as actuarial assumptions and service costs change, and all such amounts will be amortized to earnings over a period of years through the net pension (credit) cost and net periodic benefit (credit) cost. See Note 8 for further information. Defined Contribution Savings Plan The Company accounts for its defined contribution savings plan in accordance with the Defined Contribution Plans Subtopic of the Compensation – Retirement Benefits Topic of the ASC. The Company recognized compensation expense related to the employer contribution portion of the defined contribution savings plan for employee services rendered during the year. See Note 13 for further information. Environmental Matters Capital expenditures for ongoing environmental compliance measures are recorded in Property, plant and equipment, net, and related expenses are included in the normal operating expenses of conducting business. The Company accrued for environmental-related activities for which commitments or clean-up plans have been developed and when such costs could be reasonably estimated based on industry standards and professional judgment. Accrued amounts are primarily recorded on an undiscounted basis and have not been recorded net of insurance proceeds in accordance with the Offsetting Subtopic of the Balance Sheet Topic of the ASC. Environmental-related expenses include direct costs of investigation and remediation and indirect costs such as compensation and benefits for employees directly involved in the investigation and remediation activities and fees paid to outside engineering, consulting and law firms. See Notes 10 and 19 for further information. Stock-Based Compensation The cost of the Company’s stock-based compensation is recorded in accordance with the Stock Compensation Topic of the ASC. See Note 14 for further information. Other Liabilities The Company retains risk for certain liabilities. Estimated amounts are accrued for certain workers’ compensation, employee medical and disability benefits, automobile and general liability claims filed but unsettled and estimated claims incurred but not reported. Estimates are based upon management’s estimated aggregate liability for claims incurred using historical experience, actuarial assumptions followed in the insurance industry and actuarially-developed models for estimating certain liabilities. Certain estimated product and property liability claims filed but unsettled are accrued based on management’s best estimate of ultimate settlement or actuarial calculations of potential liability using industry experience and actuarial assumptions developed for similar types of claims. Foreign Currency Translation All consolidated non-highly inflationary foreign operations use the local currency of the country of operation as the functional currency. Local currency asset and liability accounts are translated at year-end exchange rates while income and expense accounts are translated at average exchange rates. The resulting translation adjustments are included in AOCI. Economies with a three-year cumulative inflation rate of more than 100% are considered highly inflationary. For subsidiaries operating in highly inflationary economies, the parent’s reporting currency is the functional currency. Monetary assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars using rates of exchange at the balance sheet date and non-monetary assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at their historical rates of exchange, with remeasurement adjustments and other transaction gains and losses recognized in Net income. See Note 19 for further information. Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes revenue when performance obligations under the terms of the contract are satisfied. This generally occurs with the transfer of control of our products to the customer. Collectibility of amounts recorded as revenue is probable at the time of recognition. See Note 18 for further information. Customer and Vendor Consideration The Company offers certain customers rebate and sales incentive programs which are classified as reductions in sales. Such programs are in the form of volume rebates, rebates that constituted a percentage of sales or rebates for attaining certain sales goals. The Company receives consideration from certain suppliers of raw materials in the form of volume rebates or rebates that constitute a percentage of purchases. These rebates are recognized on an accrual basis by the Company as a reduction of the purchase price of the raw materials and a subsequent reduction of Cost of goods sold when the related product was sold. Cost of Goods Sold Included in Cost of goods sold are costs for materials, manufacturing, distribution and related support. Distribution costs include expenses related to the distribution of products including inbound freight charges, purchase and receiving costs, warehousing costs, internal transfer costs and other costs incurred to ship products. Also included in Cost of goods sold are research and development costs, quality control, product formulation expenditures and other similar items. Research and development costs were $224.8 million, $217.3 million and $196.6 million during 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Selling costs include advertising expenses, marketing costs, employee and store costs, and sales commissions. The cost of advertising is expensed as incurred. The Company incurred $393.2 million, $386.9 million and $394.0 million in advertising costs during 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. General and administrative expenses include human resources, legal, finance and other support and administrative functions. Government Incentives The Company receives incentives from various government entities in the form of tax rebates or credits, grants and loans. These incentives typically require that the Company maintain specified spending levels and other operational metrics and may be subject to reimbursement if conditions are not met or maintained. Government incentives are recorded in the Company’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with their purpose as a reduction of expense, a reduction of the cost of the capital investment or other income. The benefit of these incentives is recorded when received and all conditions as specified in the agreement are fulfilled. Supply Chain Financing As part of our strategy to manage working capital, we have entered into agreements with various financial institutions that act as intermediaries between the Company and certain suppliers. The Company is not a party to agreements between the suppliers and the financial institutions. These arrangements provide participating suppliers the option to settle outstanding accounts payable incurred by the Company in the normal course of business early at a discount and do not impact our rights and obligations with suppliers, including amounts due and scheduled payment terms. Under the terms of the agreements, the Company confirms the validity of each supplier invoice to the respective financial institution upon receipt. On the invoice due date, the Company settles the outstanding amount with the respective financial institution. Liabilities associated with these arrangements are recorded in Accounts payable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and amounted to $206.1 million, $215.7 million and $213.1 million at December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The following table presents a rollforward of the Company’s outstanding obligations under its supplier finance programs for the years ended December 31:
| 2025 |  | 2024 |  |
Balance at January 1 | $ | 215.7 |  |  | $ | 213.1 |  |  |
Invoices confirmed during the year | 986.3 |  |  | 988.8 |  |  |
Confirmed invoices paid during the year | (995.9) |  |  | (986.2) |  |  |
Balance at December 31 | $ | 206.1 |  |  | $ | 215.7 |  |  |
Earnings Per Share Basic and diluted net income per share are calculated using the treasury stock method in accordance with the Earnings Per Share Topic of the ASC. Basic net income per share amounts are computed based on the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the year. Diluted net income per share amounts are computed based on the weighted-average number of shares outstanding plus all dilutive securities potentially outstanding during the year. See Note 21 for further information. Common stock held in a revocable trust is excluded from outstanding shares for basic or diluted income per share calculations. See Note 12 for further information. Reclassifications Certain amounts in the consolidated financial statements for 2024 and 2023 have been reclassified to conform to the 2025 presentation. Restructuring Initiatives During 2025, the Company implemented certain restructuring initiatives to simplify its operating model and reduce the cost structure within the Administrative function, as well as the Consumer Brands and Performance Coatings Groups. The actions taken better position the Company to continue to add long-term shareholder value. The following table summarizes the activity associated with restructuring initiatives:
|  | Consumer Brands Group |  | Performance Coatings Group |  | Administrative |  | Consolidated Totals
Balance at January 1, 2025 |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |
Provisions: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Severance and related costs |  | 15.1 |  |  | 15.5 |  |  | 54.0 |  |  | 84.6 |
Other qualified costs |  | 24.0 |  |  | 2.4 |  |  | — |  |  | 26.4 |
Total |  | 39.1 |  |  | 17.9 |  |  | 54.0 |  |  | 111.0 |
Payments, currency and other adjustments |  | (29.6) |  |  | (12.4) |  |  | (29.3) |  |  | (71.3) |
Balance at December 31, 2025 |  | $ | 9.5 |  |  | $ | 5.5 |  |  | $ | 24.7 |  |  | $ | 39.7 |
The provisions above were recorded in Cost of goods sold, Selling, general and administrative expenses, and Other general (income) expense - net and the balance at December 31, 2025 is recorded within Accrued taxes and Other accruals. In addition, trademark impairment of $17.8 million related to restructuring actions was also recorded in the Performance Coatings Group. See Note 6 for further information. As of December 31, 2025, the restructuring initiatives are complete and the remaining amounts accrued are expected to be substantially paid out by the end of the second quarter of 2026.

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