We recently compiled a list of the 12 Most Undervalued Dow Stocks to Buy According to Analysts. 3M Company is one of them. 3M Company (NYSE:MMM), a diversified industrial giant known for its innovations in healthcare, safety, and industrial products, is being recognized by analysts as one of the most undervalued Dow stocks heading into 2025. The firm is executing a “back to basics” strategy aimed at restoring growth and operational discipline while navigating macroeconomic challenges and ongoing litigatio ...

Group 1: Aerospace Systems Performance - Parker-Hannifin Corporation (PH) is experiencing strong momentum in the Aerospace Systems segment, with revenues increasing approximately 13% year over year in fiscal 2025 [1][7] - The segment benefits from robust demand in both commercial and military end markets, particularly in OEM and aftermarket channels [1] - Growth in air transport activities and stable U.S. and international defense spending are expected to further enhance demand for products and aftermarket support services [1] Group 2: Strategic Acquisitions - In June 2025, Parker-Hannifin announced the acquisition of Curtis Instruments, Inc., aimed at enhancing its electrification portfolio and capabilities in electric vehicle motors and hydraulics [2] - The acquisition is anticipated to close by the end of 2025, subject to customary conditions [2] - The previous acquisition of Meggitt plc in September 2022 expanded Parker-Hannifin's presence in the UK and its offerings for aircraft and aero-engine components [2] Group 3: Shareholder Returns - In fiscal 2025, Parker-Hannifin returned $1.7 billion to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks, with dividends amounting to $861 million, a 10.1% increase from the previous year [3][7] - The company repurchased shares worth $851 million during the same period [3] Group 4: Diversified Industrial Segment Challenges - The Diversified Industrial segment faced challenges, with sales decreasing 5.5% year over year in fiscal 2025 due to weakness in the off-highway and transportation end markets [5] - The agricultural sector's softness and lower demand for automotive cars have negatively impacted both North American and international businesses [5] - Additionally, lower oil and gas prices have affected performance in the energy end market [5][8] Group 5: Currency Translation Risks - Parker-Hannifin is exposed to currency translation risks, which may impact performance, particularly with a stronger U.S. dollar potentially depressing overseas business results [8] - In fiscal 2025, foreign currency translation reduced the Diversified Industrial segment's sales by 0.5% [8]

Core Insights - 3M Company (MMM) is facing rising costs and expenses, with operating expenses increasing in Q2 2025, including a 2.1% rise in cost of sales and a 12% increase in SG&A expenses [1][2]. Financial Performance - Despite the cost pressures, 3M's adjusted operating margin improved by 290 basis points to 24.5%, supported by productivity initiatives and a favorable product mix [2][7]. - The company reported adjusted earnings growth of 11.9% year over year, reaching $2.16, with revenues of $6.34 billion, up 1.4% year over year [2][7]. Future Outlook - For the full year 2025, 3M raised its EPS guidance to a range of $7.75–$8.00, indicating strong business momentum despite ongoing restructuring and tariff-related challenges [3]. - The company is advancing its structural reorganization program aimed at streamlining operations and optimizing the supply chain, which is expected to support margin improvement and operational efficiency [3]. Peer Comparison - Among peers, Honeywell International Inc. (HON) faced cost pressures with a total cost of sales of approximately $6.33 billion, up 8.1% year over year, and an operating income margin of 20.4% [4]. - ITT Inc. (ITT) also experienced rising costs, with a 6.2% increase in cost of revenues to $625.6 million, but managed to expand its adjusted operating income margin to 18.4% due to productivity gains [5]. Stock Performance - 3M's shares have increased by 23.9% over the past six months, significantly outperforming the industry growth of 2% [6]. Valuation Metrics - Currently, 3M is trading at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 18.98X, which is above the industry average of 16.41X [9].

Core Viewpoint - Momentum investing focuses on "buying high and selling higher" rather than traditional strategies of "buying low and selling high" [1] Group 1: Momentum Investing Strategy - Momentum investors often face challenges in determining the right entry point, as stocks may lose momentum when their valuations exceed future growth potential [2] - A safer approach involves investing in bargain stocks that exhibit recent price momentum, utilizing tools like the Zacks Momentum Style Score to identify such opportunities [3] Group 2: Company Analysis - Hillenbrand (HI) - Hillenbrand (HI) has shown significant price performance, with an 18.3% increase over the past four weeks and a 32.7% gain over the past 12 weeks, indicating strong investor interest [4][5] - The stock has a beta of 1.46, suggesting it moves 46% more than the market, reflecting its fast-paced momentum [5] - HI has a Momentum Score of A, indicating a favorable time to invest based on its momentum characteristics [6] - The stock has also received a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) due to upward revisions in earnings estimates, which typically attract more investors [7] - HI is currently trading at a Price-to-Sales ratio of 0.63, suggesting it is undervalued as investors pay only 63 cents for each dollar of sales [7] Group 3: Additional Investment Opportunities - Besides HI, there are other stocks that meet the criteria of the 'Fast-Paced Momentum at a Bargain' screen, presenting further investment opportunities [8] - The Zacks Premium Screens offer over 45 different strategies tailored to help investors find winning stock picks [9]

Core Viewpoint - Parker-Hannifin Corporation (PH) is expected to report its fourth-quarter fiscal 2025 results on August 7, with projected revenues of $5.10 billion, reflecting a 1.6% decline year-over-year, while earnings per share (EPS) are estimated to be $7.08, indicating a 4.6% increase from the previous year [1][10]. Group 1: Earnings Performance - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is $5.10 billion, down 1.6% from the prior-year quarter [1]. - The consensus estimate for earnings is $7.08 per share, which has increased by 0.1% in the past 30 days, representing a 4.6% rise from the year-ago quarter [1]. - Parker-Hannifin has a strong earnings surprise history, outperforming the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the last four quarters with an average surprise of 4.5% [2]. Group 2: Segment Performance - The Aerospace Systems segment is expected to perform well due to solid momentum in commercial and military markets, driven by healthy demand in general aviation and increased defense spending [3]. - The acquisition of Meggitt is anticipated to enhance the Aerospace Systems segment's results, with quarterly revenues estimated at $1.64 billion, reflecting a 7.1% growth year-over-year [4]. - The Diversified Industrial segment is likely to face challenges due to weak conditions in the off-highway market, with North America revenues estimated at $2.05 billion (down 7.9% year-over-year) and international revenues at $1.41 billion (down 1.4% year-over-year) [6][7]. Group 3: Strategic Initiatives - The Win Strategy, focusing on innovation and strategic positioning, is expected to support margins in the fiscal fourth quarter [5]. - The company has a positive Earnings ESP of +0.24%, with the Most Accurate Estimate at $7.10 per share, indicating a potential earnings beat [9].

Core Viewpoint - CSW Industrials, Inc. is set to release its earnings results for the fiscal first quarter on July 31, 2025, before market opening, followed by a conference call to discuss the results [1]. Earnings Release Details - The earnings results will be for the fiscal first quarter ended June 30, 2025 [1]. - A conference call will take place on the same day at 10:00 am Eastern Time [1]. Access Information - Participants can access the call at 1-877-407-0784, with international callers using 1-201-689-8560 [2]. - A live webcast will be available at the company's website [2]. Replay Information - A telephone replay will be available shortly after the call until August 14, 2025 [3]. - Participants can access the replay at 1-844-512-2921, with international callers using 1-412-317-6671 and entering access code 13754759 [3]. - An archived replay will also be available on the Investors section of the CSW Industrials website [3]. Company Overview - CSW Industrials is a diversified industrial growth company operating in three segments: Contractor Solutions, Specialized Reliability Solutions, and Engineered Building Solutions [4]. - The company provides niche, value-added products known for performance and reliability [4]. - Primary end markets served include HVAC/R, plumbing, electrical, general industrial, architecturally-specified building products, energy, mining, and rail transportation [4].

Core Insights - Dover Corporation (DOV) is expected to report second-quarter 2025 results on July 24, with revenue estimates at $2.04 billion, reflecting a 6.3% decline year-over-year, while earnings per share (EPS) is projected to rise 1.3% to $2.39 [1][5] - The company has a strong earnings surprise history, beating consensus estimates in the last four quarters with an average surprise of 5.2% [2][3] - The earnings estimate has increased by 0.4% over the past 60 days, indicating positive sentiment [1] Revenue and Earnings Estimates - Q2 revenue is projected at $2.04 billion, down 6.3% from the previous year, while EPS is expected to increase by 1.3% to $2.39 [1][5] - The Engineered Products segment is expected to see revenues of $259 million, a 9.3% decline year-over-year, impacted by a 16.3% negative effect from divestitures [8] - The Clean Energy and Fueling Solutions segment is projected to grow by 9.8% to $508 million, driven by strong demand in North America [10] Segment Performance - The Engineered Products segment is facing weak demand in aerospace and defense, which may offset gains from strong demand in waste-handling and vehicle services [6][8] - The Clean Energy and Fueling Solutions segment is benefiting from strong demand, with organic growth projected at 4.7% [10] - The Imaging and Identification segment is expected to see a 1.9% rise in revenues to $293 million, supported by strong demand for marking and coding equipment [12] Margin and Cost Factors - Dover's margins are likely to benefit from robust volumes and improved price-cost spread, but are also facing headwinds from supply-chain constraints and input inflation [7] - The adjusted EBITDA for the Clean Energy and Fueling Solutions segment is estimated to be $105 million, a 10% increase from the previous year, driven by pricing actions [11] - The Pumps and Process Solutions segment is expected to see revenues increase by 9.2% year-over-year to $521 million, with adjusted EBITDA projected at $173 million, reflecting a 15.5% increase [14] Stock Performance - Dover's shares have increased by 4.8% over the past year, compared to the industry's growth of 7.8% [17]

Dividend Announcement - CSW Industrials, Inc. declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.27 per share [1][2] - The dividend is payable on August 8, 2025, to shareholders of record as of July 25, 2025 [1][2] Company Overview - CSW Industrials is a diversified industrial growth company operating in three segments: Contractor Solutions, Specialized Reliability Solutions, and Engineered Building Solutions [3] - The company provides niche, value-added products characterized by performance and reliability [3] - Primary end markets served include HVAC/R, plumbing, electrical, general industrial, architecturally-specified building products, energy, mining, and rail transportation [3]

Group 1: Company Performance - Parker-Hannifin Corporation (PH) is experiencing strong momentum in its Aerospace Systems segment, with organic revenues increasing approximately 12% year over year in Q3 of fiscal 2025 [1][6] - The company expects the Aerospace Systems segment's organic sales to continue growing by about 12% in fiscal 2025, driven by demand in the air transport and defense markets [1][6] - Parker-Hannifin has doubled its portfolio in aerospace, filtration, and engineered materials over the past eight years and is shifting towards longer-cycle products to achieve stable revenue streams [3] Group 2: Strategic Initiatives - The acquisition of Meggitt plc in September 2022 has expanded Parker-Hannifin's presence in the UK, enhancing its product offerings for aircraft and aero-engine components [2] - The company aims for 4-6% revenue growth by fiscal 2029, supported by its Win strategy, macro-CapEx reinvestment, and acquisitions [3][6] - Parker-Hannifin reported an adjusted segment operating margin of 26.3% in Q3, reflecting a 160 basis points increase from the previous year [3] Group 3: Shareholder Returns - In April 2025, Parker-Hannifin increased its dividend by 10% to $1.80 per share, with total dividends of $630.2 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2025, up 10.3% [4] - The company also repurchased shares worth $750 million during the same period [4] Group 4: Market Challenges - The Diversified Industrial segment is facing challenges due to weakness in the off-highway end market, particularly in construction and agriculture, as well as softness in the transportation end market [8] - Foreign currency translation negatively impacted sales by approximately 1% in Q3, with expectations of a 0.5% adverse effect on the top line in fiscal 2025 [9]

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]