Why 3M Is Tuesday’s Biggest Dow Loser

By Chris Lange Updated Jan 11, 4:00PM EST · Published Oct 23, 9:55AM EDT

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Why 3M Is Tuesday’s Biggest Dow Loser — © josefkubes / Shutterstock.com

3M Co. (NYSE: MMM) released its third-quarter earnings report before the markets opened on Tuesday. This company is the number one culprit for the Dow falling in Tuesday’s session. As of Monday’s close, the stock already was down about 25% from its highs.

The company posted $2.58 in earnings per share (EPS) and $8.15 billion in revenue. These compare to consensus estimates from Thomson Reuters of $2.70 in EPS and $8.39 billion in revenue. In the same period of last year, 3M said it had $2.33 in EPS and $8.17 billion in revenue.

Third-quarter sales were almost flat year over year (down 0.2%) with organic local-currency sales up 1.3% while acquisitions, net of divestitures, increased sales by 0.2%. Foreign currency translation decreased sales by 1.7%.

In terms of its segments, the company reported as follows:

Industrial net sales were flat year over year at $3.02 billion. Organic local-currency sales increased 2.2%, foreign currency translation decreased sales by 2.1%.

Safety and Graphics net sales increased 7.0% to $1.66 billion. Organic local-currency sales increased 2.2 percent, foreign currency translation decreased sales by 2.2%.

Health Care net sales fell 2.8% to $1.45 billion. Organic local-currency sales decreased 1.1% and foreign currency translation decreased sales by 1.7%.

Electronics and Energy net sales fell 4.8% to $1.44 billion. Organic local-currency sales increased 2.3%, foreign currency translation decreased sales by 1.0%.

Consumer net sales fell 3.4% to $1.24 billion. Organic local-currency sales decreased 2.0% and foreign currency translation decreased sales by 1.4%.

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The company also updated its full-year guidance. 3M now expects to see EPS in the range of $9.90 to $10.00, down from the previous range of $10.20 to $10.45. 3M also updated its full-year organic local-currency sales growth guidance to approximately 3%, from 3% to 4%.

Consensus estimates are calling for $10.28 in EPS and $33.16 billion in revenue for the year.

Mike Roman, 3M CEO, commented:

In the third quarter, 3M delivered a double-digit increase in cash flow and earnings-per-share, along with strong margins despite slower growth. We also continued to deploy capital to invest in our future and return cash to our shareholders.

Shares of 3M were last seen down 6% at $189.35, with a consensus analyst price target of $213.56 and a 52-week trading range of $190.57 to $259.77.

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About the Author Chris Lange →

Chris Lange is a writer for 24/7 Wall St., based in Houston. He has covered financial markets over the past decade with an emphasis on healthcare, tech, and IPOs. During this time, he has published thousands of articles with insightful analysis across these complex fields. Currently, Lange's focus is on military and geopolitical topics.

Lange's work has been quoted or mentioned in Forbes, The New York Times, Business Insider, USA Today, MSN, Yahoo, The Verge, Vice, The Intelligencer, Quartz, Nasdaq, The Motley Fool, Fox Business, International Business Times, The Street, Seeking Alpha, Barron’s, Benzinga, and many other major publications.

A graduate of Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, Lange majored in business with a particular focus on investments. He has previous experience in the banking industry and startups.