What does the company do?
3M Company (3M) is a diversified technology company with global presence in industrial and transportation; health care; safety, security and protection services; consumer and office; display and graphics, and electro and communications. The Company is a primary manufacturer of products for many of the markets it serves. 3M operates in six operating business segments: industrial and transportation; health care; safety, security and protection services; consumer and office; display and graphics, and electro and communications. The Company’s products are sold through numerous distribution channels, including directly to users and through numerous wholesalers, retailers, jobbers, distributors and dealers in a variety of trades in many countries worldwide. In February 2009, the Company announced the formation of its Renewable Energy Division within 3M's Industrial and Transportation Business.
How much does the company sell and earn?
Investors need to know how much stuff or services a company sells, and how much of that total it keeps as income (or profit) to grow its business or return to shareholders. The more of each, the better. In general, look for companies that sell and earn more than peers.
- 3M one-year sales: 22.51 Bil.
Difference from the average for the Conglomerates group: -74.35% - 3M one-year income: 2.79 Bil.
Difference from the average for the Conglomerates group: -54.68%| Sales & Income (past 12 months) | Company | Industry |
|---|
| Sales | 22.51 Bil | 87.75 Bil | | Income | 2.79 Bil | 6.17 Bil |
How fast is the company growing?
- 3M one-year sales growth: -14.00%.
Difference from the average for the Conglomerates group: 3.50 pct. pts. - 3M one-year income growth: -22.80%.
Difference from the average for the Conglomerates group: 11.50 pct. pts.| Sales & Income Growth (past 12 months) | Company | Industry |
|---|
| Sales Growth | -14.00% | -17.50% | | Income Growth | -22.80% | -34.30% |
How profitable is the company?
Investors prefer companies that increase profit margins -- the percentage of sales that they keep -- every year. This is accomplished either by lowering expenses or raising prices. Look for companies that consistently find ways to squeeze more profits out of sales than their peers.
- 3M one-year net profit margin: 12.6%
Difference from the company's 5-year average net profit margin: -2.9 pct. pts.
Difference from the average for the Conglomerates group: 5.3 pct. pts.
| Net profit margins (%) |
|---|
| Company | 12.6% | | Company 5-Yr Avg. | 15.5% | | Industry | 7.3% |
How is the company's financial health?
The debt/equity ratio shows how much a firm has borrowed as a percentage of its stock equity. The lower, the better.
- 3M debt/equity ratio: 0.50.
Difference from the average for the Conglomerates group: -80.16%.
| | Company | Industry |
|---|
| Debt/equity ratio | 0.50 | 2.52 |
|
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