3M (MMM) Reports Q4 Earnings: What Key Metrics Have to Say

3M (MMM) reported $5.81 billion in revenue for the quarter ended December 2024, representing a year-over-year decline of 27.5%. EPS of $1.68 for the same period compares to $2.42 a year ago.The reported revenue represents a surprise of +0.29% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.79 billion. With the consensus EPS estimate being $1.66, the EPS surprise was +1.20%.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.Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.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: $2.70 billion compared to the $2.67 billion average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of +1.6% year over year. Net Sales- Corporate and Unallocated: $78 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $76 million. Net Sales- Consumer: $1.23 billion compared to the $1.24 billion average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of +0.2% year over year. Net Sales- Transportation and Electronics: $1.99 billion versus $1.79 billion estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +12.7% change. Operating Income (non-GAAP measures)- Consumer: $234 million versus $217.98 million estimated by two analysts on average. Operating Income (non-GAAP measures)- Transportation and Electronics: $233 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $389.67 million. Operating Income (non-GAAP measures)- Safety and Industrial: $572 million versus $570.25 million estimated by two analysts on average. View all Key Company Metrics for 3M here>>>Shares of 3M have returned +9.3% 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.7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 DaysJust released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +24.1% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. See them now >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report 3M Company (MMM): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks