The chairman and chief executive of paint maker Sherwin-Williams Co. exercised options for 339,943 shares of common stock, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.

Dutch chemical group Akzo Nobel reported a less-than-expected 2 percent drop in first-quarter core profit on Wednesday, but warned U.S. market conditions in decorative paints remained soft, hitting its shares 3 percent.

Stocks rallied Monday after JPMorgan Chase raised its offer for Bear Stearns and a report on home sales came in better than expected.

Stocks rallied into the new week after JPMorgan Chase raised its offer for Bear Stearns and a report on home sales came in better than expected.

Sherwin-Williams cut its earnings forecasts for the first quarter and full year Monday, citing lower U.S. sales, rising raw material costs and the weak U.S. economy.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a mixed open for Wall Street after the Easter break, with investors still nervous about the state of the economy.