3M shares rose 5.8% after Q3 results showed 3.3% organic growth, higher margins, and EPS up 12%; management also maintained confidence in full-year organic growth above 3.5%. Improving industrial and safety demand and strength in semiconductors and data centers helped offset weaker consumer electronics.
- Q3 operating margin was 26.2%, up 110 basis points year over year; gross margin improved 230 basis points.
- EPS was $2.50, up 12%, and free cash flow was $1.2 billion. 3M returned $600 million to shareholders through dividends and repurchases.
- General industrial and safety growth is expected to accelerate to high single digits in the second half. Semiconductor and data-center strength is partly offsetting weakness in consumer electronics, particularly LCD displays.
- Consumer sales improved sequentially to about flat in the second half, with retailer inventory adjustments weighing on performance; auto remained around flat, with OE softer than aftermarket.
- 3M launched 87 new products in Q3, up 24%, and year-to-date five-year new-product sales rose 34% to nearly $3 billion.
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