Yahoo Finance

Sherwin-Williams is the largest provider of architectural paint in the United States. The company has over 5,000 stores and sells premium paint at higher price points than most competitors. Sherwin-Williams also sells paint-related products in big-box stores and provides coatings for original equipment manufacturers.

When global economic conditions become unpredictable, investors often flock to gold. Currently, the yellow metal is trading around $2,400 per ounce, up 17% for the year and at the highest level in the past 25 years. During the first phase of the pandemic, as uncertainty abounded, the spot price for an ounce of gold jumped 33% in six months and broke through the $2,000 level. Gold spot prices also spiked above $2,000 in early March 2022 due to the war in Ukraine, and are now at even higher levels as tension simmers in the Middle East and East Asia, and the U.S. presidential election approaches. The current price of gold reflects the perceived safety of hard assets amid the global conflicts, as well as expectations for lower U.S. interest rates (which tend to weaken the dollar, which is the currency in which gold is priced). The outlook for Federal Reserve rate cuts also helps gold, as lower rates reduce the risk for a global economic recession and thus a potential decline in gold purchased for jewelry. Looking ahead, our forecast trading range for gold in 2024 is now $2,500-$1,800, and our average forecast for the year is now $2,200. This compares to average gold prices of $1,960 in 2023; $1,873 in 2022; $1,806 in 2021; $1781 in 2020; $1,400 in 2019; $1,265 in 2018; $1,277 in 2017; $1,258 in 2016; and $1,155 in 2015. As long as geopolitics and global economic uncertainty are part of the market conversation, gold is likely to remain at levels well above the historical averages of $1,150 since 2000 and $1,514 since 2010.

PPG Industries is a diversified coatings producer and the No. 2 global producer of paints and coatings. PPG is a No. 1 or No. 2 producer in nearly every major end market, including auto OEM, aerospace, and auto refinishing. PPG's coatings sales are split relatively evenly among North America, Western Europe, and emerging markets. Founded in 1883, PPG is based in Pittsburgh and operates in nearly 70 countries. The company reported revenue of $18.246 billion in 2023, up from $17.652 billion in 2022.

The midday Monday market mood is upbeat. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq are higher more than 1%. It's a huge news week. Yes, we say that a lot. The market is taking in a surprise new Democratic presidential ticket, a mountain of earnings, and fresh inflation data. Given the switch to Kamala Harris from Joe Biden, the markets are recalibrating odds of who might win the top seat in the country. On earnings, about 25% of S&P 500 companies report this week. Inflation data this time is PCE, the Fed's favorite. It's due on Friday.