Sherwin Williams Co (SHW) SEC Filing 10-K Annual report for the fiscal year ending Saturday, December 31, 2011

EXHIBIT 99

NEWS:

The Sherwin-Williams Company • 101 West Prospect Avenue •

Cleveland, Ohio 44115 • (216) 566-2140

The Sherwin-Williams Company Reports 2011 Year-end Financial Results

CLEVELAND, OHIO, January 26, 2012 — The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE: SHW) announced its financial results for the year and fourth quarter ended December 31, 2011. Compared to the same periods in 2010, consolidated net sales increased $989.3 million, or 12.7%, to $8.77 billion in the year and increased $174.8 million, or 9.2%, to $2.07 billion in the quarter due primarily to selling price increases, acquisitions, and higher paint sales volume in our Global Finishes and Latin America Coatings Groups. Acquisitions increased consolidated net sales 4.5% in the year. Currency translation rate changes increased consolidated net sales 0.7% in the year and decreased consolidated net sales 1.2% in the quarter.

Diluted net income per common share in the year decreased to $4.14 per share from $4.21 per share in 2010, including an increase in income tax expense of $.70 per share relating to the IRS settlement and asset impairment charges of $.03 per share in 2011 versus $.04 per share in 2010. Charges relating to costs to repurchase long-term debt and an increase in income taxes related to the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, net of the favorable impact of the disposition of closed manufacturing sites, reduced diluted net income per common share $.18 per share in the year 2010. For the year, favorable currency translation rate changes of $.05 per share more than offset the dilution from acquisitions of $.04 per share. Diluted net income per common share was $.14 per share in the quarter compared to $.67 per share a year ago, including the IRS settlement and asset impairment charges noted above for the fourth quarter 2011 and 2010, respectively. Acquisitions and currency translation rate changes had an unfavorable impact on fourth quarter diluted net income per common resulting in a reduction of $.03 per share.

Effective with the fourth quarter 2011, the Company has expanded its Reportable Operating Segments from three to four due to the continued revenue growth and geographic expansion of our Global Finishes Group. The Latin America Coatings Group, previously aggregated within the Global Finishes Group, will now stand on its own as an individual Reportable Operating Segment. This change allows for a clearer view of our business results. Historical business segment information has been updated to reflect this change in Reportable Operating Segments.

Net sales in the Paint Stores Group increased 9.1% to $4.78 billion in the year and increased 13.5% to $1.13 billion in the quarter due primarily to selling price increases and improving domestic architectural paint sales volume across most segments. Net sales from stores open for more than twelve calendar months increased 8.3% in the year and 12.7% in the quarter over last year’s comparable periods. Paint Stores Group segment profit increased to $645.7 million in the year from $619.6 million last year and decreased $1.4 million to $133.4 million in the quarter from $134.8 million last year. Segment profit in the year increased due to selling price increases partially offset by raw material cost increases and increases in selling, general, and administrative expenses to maintain customer service. Segment profit in the quarter decreased due primarily to continuing raw material cost increases and increases in selling, general, and administrative expenses, and increased asset impairment charges offset by selling price increases and higher paint sales volume. Segment profit as a percent to net sales decreased in the year to 13.5% from 14.1% in 2010 and decreased in the quarter to 11.8% from 13.5% last year. Trademark impairment charges were $4.7 million in the year and fourth quarter 2011 compared to $0.1 million in the year and fourth quarter 2010.