After AkzoNobel (AKZOY) announced the sale of its Specialty Chemicals business to Carlyle Group (CG) and GIC, Citi analyst P.J. Juvekar said the divestiture frees up the company to think more strategically about M&A. Akzo could go after Axalta (AXTA) again, but unless Akzo is prepared to pay a significant premium a deal is unlikely, said Juvekar. He thinks a price in the mid to high $30 range would be needed to get Axalta to the negotiating table. Akzo has thus far resisted a sale to PPG (PPG), but Juvekar thinks PPG would be interested if a deal were to be a friendly one.

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Sees FY24 organic sales growth up low single digits.

PPG "announced that its board of directors has authorized the repurchase of $2.5 billion of outstanding common stock. The authorization is effective immediately, does not expire, and gives management discretion in determining the conditions under which shares may be purchased. This program is in addition to the company's existing share repurchase authorization, which was approved in December 2017 and had approximately $860 million remaining as of March 31, 2024. Repurchases will be made in accordance with applicable securities laws in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. Repurchases may commence or cease without prior notice depending on economic and equity market conditions, magnitude of other cash uses, including pace and timing of acquisitions, and other factors."

Barclays lowered the firm's price target on AkzoNobel to EUR 94 from EUR 96 and keeps an Overweight rating on the shares.

Pre-earnings options volume in PPG Industries is 1.5x normal with calls leading puts 4:3. Implied volatility suggests the market is anticipating a move near 3.4%, or $4.60, after results are released. Median move over the past eight quarters is 2.6%.