Review the three primary financial statements (pages 40, 41 & 42) in the accompanying packet. Provide an overall assessment of Sherwin-Williams financial performance and position. That is, briefly explain whether Sherwin-Williams is doing well financially or is in financial distress. In your discussion, identify three characteristics of financial success or financial distress that support your conclusion

Statements of Consolidated Income and Comprehensive Income (thousands of dollars except per common share data Year Ended December 31 2015 2016 2014 Net sales Cost of goods sold Gross profit $11,855,602 $11,339,304 $11,129,533 5,933,337 5,922,265 5,780,078 5,965,049 5,559,226 5,164,484 Percent to net sales 50.0% 49.0% 46.4% Selling, general and administrative expenses. 4,159,435 3,913,518 3,822,966 Percent to net sales 35.1 % 34.5% 34.3% Other general expense - net Impairment of goodwill and trademarks Interest expense Interest and net investment income Other (income) expense - net Income before income taxes Income taxes . . Net income Net income per common share) 30,268 37,482 10,688 154,088 (4,960) . .. . . . . . 61.791 (1,399) 6,082 1,548,966 495,117 64,205 (2,995) 15,400) 1,258,226 392,339 1,595,233 462,530 12.33 11.43 $11.99 11.15 $ Basic 9.00 Diluted 8.77 Presented under the treasury stock method. See Note 15 Year Ended December 31 2015 2016 2014 Net income Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: $1,132,703 $1,053,849 865,887 Foreign currency translation adjustments (18,648) (128,245) 103,441) Pension and other postretirement benefit adjustments: Amounts recognized in Other comprehensive loss) Amounts reclassified from Other comprehensive loss (28,385) 7,635 (20,750) (56,536) 8,980 (47,556) 5,847 13,821 .. Unrealized net gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities 1,046 89 1,135 Amounts recognized in Other comprehensive loss 366 Amounts reclassified from Other comprehensive losse.. 478 83 Unrealized net gains on cash flow hedges: Amounts recognized in Other comprehensive losse 85,007 (150,914) $ 714,973 46,744 Net of taxes of $17,200, $03,399) and $24,954, in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Net of taxes of $(4,691), $(1,647) and $(2,712), in 2016, 2015 and 2004, respectively. Net of taxes of $(643), $736 and $(228), in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Net of taxes of $(55), $(296) and $178 in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Net of taxes of $62,226) in 2016 2) See notes to consoidated financial statements 40