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3M (MMM) Q3 Earnings: Taking a Look at Key Metrics Versus Estimates

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3M (MMM - Free Report) reported $6.32 billion in revenue for the quarter ended September 2025, representing a year-over-year increase of 0.4%. EPS of $2.19 for the same period compares to $1.98 a year ago.

The reported revenue represents a surprise of +1.06% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.25 billion. With the consensus EPS estimate being $2.10, the EPS surprise was +4.29%.

While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.

As these metrics influence top- and bottom-line performance, comparing them to the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated helps investors project a stock's price performance more accurately.

Here is how 3M performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:
  • Net Sales- Safety and Industrial: $2.92 billion versus the two-analyst average estimate of $2.9 billion. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +5.4%.
  • Net Sales- Corporate and Unallocated: $97 million versus $86 million estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +19.8% change.
  • Net Sales- Consumer: $1.31 billion versus the two-analyst average estimate of $1.31 billion. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +1%.
  • Operating Income (non-GAAP measures)- Consumer: $291 million versus $269.96 million estimated by two analysts on average.
  • Operating Income (non-GAAP measures)- Transportation and Electronics: $484 million compared to the $461.65 million average estimate based on two analysts.
  • Operating Income (non-GAAP measures)- Safety and Industrial: $767 million versus $729.6 million estimated by two analysts on average.

View all Key Company Metrics for 3M here>>>

Shares of 3M have returned +0.6% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.2% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

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