The company noted customers are citing concerns over tariffs and persistent inflation as possible drivers of these demand conditions, which most heavily impacted the Performance Products and Solutions (PP&S) and Distribution segments.  If so, lower operating income from PP&S and Distribution could offset continued growth in Color, Additives & Inks and Engineered Materials in the fourth quarter.

This quarter, our Specialty Engineered Materials, Performance Products & Solutions (PP&S) and Distribution segments led the way, as all three achieved year-over-year increases in operating income." Underlying organic sales growth, plus contributions from the company's recently acquired businesses, offset lower year-over-year selling prices in Distribution, PP&S, and Designed Structures and Solutions (DSS), due to lower hydro-carbon based raw material costs.

Softening demand conditions in the fourth quarter most heavily impacted the Performance Products and Solutions (PP&S) and Specialty Engineered Materials (SEM) segments. Specifically, end markets negatively impacting PP&S were building & construction and appliance.

Patterson said, "We've had a strong start to the year, driven by gains in Distribution and PP&S. 

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which impacted Color, Additives and Inks (Color) and Specialty Engineered Materials (SEM), and a decline in construction related sales, which primarily impacted Performance Products and Solutions (PPS) in

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Taxes paid on gain on sale of PP&S divestiture