3M Company's Earnings Overview and Future Outlook

Core Viewpoint - 3M Company reported strong earnings and revenue for the fourth quarter, but its stock is under pressure due to disappointing profit forecasts for 2026 [2][6]. Financial Performance - 3M reported earnings per share (EPS) of $1.83, exceeding the estimated $1.81 [2][6]. - The company generated revenue of $6.1 billion, surpassing the estimated $6.008 billion [2][6]. - For the fourth quarter, GAAP sales increased by 2.1% year-over-year to $6.1 billion, while adjusted sales were $6.0 billion with an organic growth of 2.2% [4]. - The adjusted operating margin improved by 140 basis points to 21.1% [4]. - For the full year, GAAP sales reached $24.9 billion, a 1.5% increase from the previous year, and adjusted EPS was $8.06, reflecting a 10% increase [5]. Stock Performance - Despite the earnings beat, 3M's stock is down 3.8% at $161.43, influenced by a broad-market selloff [3]. - The stock has been trading within a narrow range since reaching a three-year peak of $174.69 on December 3, but it has increased by 14.1% year over year [3]. Management Outlook - 3M's Chairman and CEO, William Brown, expressed confidence in the company's ability to outperform the macro environment in 2026, emphasizing a focus on innovation and commercial execution [5].