What is the main purpose of this Form 8-K filing?

The primary purpose of this filing is to provide Sherwin-Williams' financial data from its recent Form 10-Q in XBRL format for testing purposes, not to report new financial results or events.

Should I use the financial information in this 8-K for investment decisions?

No, investors are explicitly advised by the company and SEC rules (Regulation S-T) not to rely on the XBRL data in this report. You should refer to the official financial statements filed in the company's Form 10-Q on October 22, 2008, for investment decisions.

What specific financial statements are included in the XBRL exhibit?

The XBRL exhibit (Exhibit 100) includes the Statements of Consolidated Income for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2008, December 31, 2007, and September 30, 2007, and Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, along with related notes.

Does this filing mean Sherwin-Williams is providing updated or unaudited financial results?

The financial information presented in XBRL format is considered unaudited for the purpose of this filing and is derived from the official, audited financial statements filed in the Form 10-Q. This 8-K is a test submission of that data in a new format.

SHW 8-K SEC Disclosure

Summary

This Form 8-K filing by The Sherwin-Williams Company (SHW) on November 3, 2008, primarily serves to provide financial information in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) format. The XBRL data, attached as Exhibit 100, includes the company's Statements of Consolidated Income, Consolidated Balance Sheets, and Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows for periods ending September 30, 2008, and comparative periods. This is a supplementary filing, intended to test XBRL technology and formatting.

Key Highlights

1Sherwin-Williams is filing financial data in XBRL format as an exhibit to this Form 8-K.
2The XBRL exhibit includes income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements for periods ending September 30, 2008.
3This filing is explicitly stated to be for testing XBRL format and technology.
4Investors are cautioned not to rely on the XBRL data in this report for investment decisions.
5The official financial statements remain those filed in the company's Form 10-Q on October 22, 2008.
6This filing is not considered 'filed' for the purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, nor does it subject the company to liabilities under that section.
7The purpose is informational and technological, not to present new or updated financial results beyond what's in the official 10-Q.

SHERWIN WILLIAMS CO 8-K Report, Corporate Update (Nov 3, 2008)

Summary

Key Highlights

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