Why 3M Is Getting Absolutely Crushed

3M share tumbled after it released disappointing first-quarter financial results and guidance before the markets opened on Thursday.

Published April 25, 2019, 9:51am ET · 2 min read

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A large, white cube-shaped sign displaying the bold red '3M' logo on two visible faces. Below the main cube, a red band encircles the base with the word 'Center' visible in white text. The sign is set outdoors against a clear blue sky with fluffy white clouds, surrounded by vibrant green trees and bushes, suggesting a corporate campus or facility on a sunny day.
The prominent 3M sign reflects the company's strong brand, as it announces a significant beat in its Q1 2026 earnings estimates. © Wolterk / iStock

3M Co. (NYSE: MMM | MMM Price Prediction) released its first-quarter financial results before the markets opened on Thursday. The company said that it had $2.23 in earnings per share (EPS) and $7.86 billion in revenue, but that compared with consensus estimates that called for $2.49 in EPS and $8.02 billion in revenue. And it the same period of last year, 3M said it had EPS of $2.50 on $8.28 billion in revenue.

During the latest quarter, total sales were down 5.0% year over year. Organic local-currency sales were down 1.1%, while divestitures, net of acquisitions, decreased sales by 0.5%. Foreign currency translation decreased sales by 3.4% year on year.

Total sales grew 0.3% in Health Care, with declines of 1.9% in Consumer, 4.2% in Safety and Graphics, 6.6% in Industrial and 11.8% in Electronics and Energy. Organic local-currency sales increased 0.9% in Consumer and 0.7% in Health Care, with decreases of 0.1% in Safety and Graphics, 2.8% in Industrial and 3.0% in Electronics and Energy.

Looking ahead to the 2019 full year, the company updated its earnings expectations to $9.25 to $9.75 per share, down from earnings of $10.45 to $10.90 per share. Consensus estimates are calling for $10.52 in EPS and $33.07 billion in revenue for the full year.

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Mike Roman, 3M CEO, commented:

The first quarter was a disappointing start to the year for 3M. We continued to face slowing conditions in key end markets which impacted both organic growth and margins, and our operational execution also fell short of the expectations we have for ourselves. As a result, we have stepped up additional actions – including restructuring – to drive productivity, reduce costs, and increase cash flow as we manage through challenges in some of our end markets.

Shares of 3M were last seen down about 11% at $195.62, in a 52-week range of $176.87 to $219.75. The consensus price target is $204.44.

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Chris Lange

Chris Lange is a financial and geopolitical writer with more than a decade of experience covering a myriad of topics. He has published thousands of articles for 24/7 Wall St., with past coverage focused heavily on stocks, IPOs, healthcare, defense, global affairs, and technology.

His work has been quoted, or referenced by a number of outlets including Business Insider, USA Today, Yahoo Finance, MSN, The Motley Fool, and many other publications. A graduate of Southwestern University, he studied business with a focus on investments and has previous experience in banking and startups.

When not reading or writing the news, he is following his passion for Lacrosse, playing chess, or building solar projects with his dad.

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