rpm international inc is expecting sales to continue growing in its fiscal third quarter but at a slower pace than seen in previous quarters the maker of coatings sealants and building materials said thursday that it expects sales to increase in a low to midsingledigit percentage range in its winter quarter thats a smaller jump than the company has logged in each of its last five quarters rpms top line rose 93 in the most recently completed quarter which ended on nov 30 after growing at a doubledigit rate in the four preceding quarters chief executive frank sullivan said higher interest rates have negatively impacted construction activity and existing home sales some customers are also moderating purchases and normalizing their inventories as their supply chains stabilize as a result certain rpm businesses have experienced reduced customer demand a trend that is expected to continue throughout the third quarter he said rpm is also expecting foreign currency translation and inflation to cause its earnings growth to slow or possibly modestly decline for the first time in five quarters mr sullivan said