3M Reports 12% EPS Growth in Q2

Core Insights - 3M reported a strong second-quarter performance for fiscal 2025, with adjusted EPS of $2.16, a 12% increase year over year, despite macroeconomic challenges and tariff impacts [1] - The company raised its full-year EPS guidance to $7.75-$8.00, indicating expected earnings growth of 6%-10% [9] Financial Performance - The quarter saw 1.5% organic sales growth and a 290 basis points margin expansion year over year, with adjusted operating margins reaching 24.5% [1][4] - Adjusted free cash flow for the quarter was $1.3 billion, with productivity gains of approximately $500 million for the year, split between supply chain and general and administrative expenses [1][5] Innovation and Product Development - In the first half of 2025, 3M launched 126 new products, with five-year new product sales increasing by 9% and projected to exceed 15% growth for the full year [2][3] - The company has expanded its R&D headcount by 150 since the start of 2025, enhancing its product offerings across various segments [2] Commercial Strategy - 3M's commercial excellence initiatives have been extended to multiple sectors, with over 400 sales managers trained, resulting in 48 identified cross-selling pairs and a pipeline value exceeding $60 million [6][7] - The company is experiencing growth in China, with mid-single-digit increases driven by market share gains in adhesives and electronics [6] Market Resilience - The adoption of data-driven commercial practices and geographic diversification is reducing reliance on any single market, enhancing resilience to regional or end-market volatility [8]