Updating your Conservative stocks: Sherwin-Williams, Canon & Mondelez International

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SHERWIN-WILLIAMS CO. $215 (www.sherwin-williams.com) remains a hold. The company is a leading maker of paints and varnishes. Due to rising interest rates, which will slow sales of existing homes, and rising labour costs, the company expects its earnings will decline from $8.73 a share in 2022 to between $7.95 and $8.65 a share in 2023. The stock trades at a somewhat high 25.9 times the midpoint of that range. The company also raised its quarterly dividend by 0.8%; the new annual rate of $2.42 yields 1.1%. Sherwin-Williams is a hold. CANON INC. ADRs $22 (www.canon.com) is a hold. The company’s sales in 2022 fell 0.8%, to $30.31 billion from $30.55 billion in 2021. That drop is largely due to unfavourable currency rates, which offset higher selling prices for its printers, cameras and medical gear. Earnings also declined 0.6%, to $1.78 per ADR from $1.79. Canon is a hold. MONDELEZ INTERNATIONAL INC. $70 (www.mondelezinternational.com) is a buy. The company mainly makes snack foods such as cookies, chocolate bars and gum. It’s now selling its…