3M's Safety & Industrial Growth Picks Up: A Sign of More Upside?

Core Insights - The strongest driver of 3M Company's business is the persistent strength in its Safety and Industrial segment, with notable growth in electrical, roofing granules, industrial adhesives and tapes, industrial specialties, and personal safety markets [2][3] - 3M expects total adjusted organic sales to grow 2-3% year-over-year for 2025, with adjusted earnings projected in the range of $7.60-$7.90 per share, reflecting an increase from $7.30 per share reported in 2024 [4][8] Segment Performance - The Safety and Industrial segment delivered an organic sales growth of 2.5% year-over-year in Q1, driven by solid demand for cable accessories and bonding solutions amid increased construction of data centers and renewable energy projects [3][8] - The segment's operating income margin improved year-over-year due to sales growth, productivity gains, and lower restructuring costs, despite ongoing growth investments [3] Peer Comparison - Honeywell International Inc. experienced a 14% year-over-year increase in its commercial aviation aftermarket sales, supported by growth in air transport flight hours and supply-chain improvements [5] - Carlisle Companies Incorporated saw a 2% year-over-year revenue increase in its Construction Materials segment, driven by robust demand for reroofing products and higher sales in the non-residential construction market [6] Stock Performance - 3M's shares have gained 14% year-to-date, outperforming the industry growth of 0.7% [7] - The company is currently trading at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 18.57X, above the industry average of 16.72X and higher than its five-year median of 15.98X [9] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 3M's earnings for the second quarter of 2025 and for the full year has declined by 1% and 1.3%, respectively, over the past 60 days [10]