3M Co. (MMM-N)

It's a turnaround story, so he initiated a position. He is selective in industrials, because they trade at a 24x forward PE, higher than the S&P.

It trades at only 17x PE in 3M, and it runs a diversified business.

Wait. Don't enter this now. Wants to see more clarity. Shares are climbing after a long malaise and they have a new CEO. But hey have legacy problems with a chemical and a huge lawsuit, and the noise suppression technology lawsuit. These types of companies do turn around, but he'd rather pay more for more certainty.

Large industrial with a medical component, and she likes that. Good job getting back on track. Dividend cut earlier this year.

She focuses more on Canadian companies, so take a look at CCL.B. 

Long-term underperformer and base-building, recently broke out. Resistance levels started to fall, one by one. Then big pop on earnings. One of the top-ranked stocks on RSI in the US universe, acting extremely well. Quite well supported, even through the correction of last week.

Last Friday, the CEO walked about areas that could see cost cuts and many segments that could grow faster. MMM is part of the rally broadening out of tech.

Just reported: beat earnings and revenues and free cash flow. Also, they guided a little higher. The CEO is focused on growing organic growth, free cash flow and operating margins, which is what happened and will do. She would still buy it.

He thinks the CEO can continue to turn things around and expand operating margins.

The new CEO is doing what he must and has a good track record from L3Harris.

All their lawsuits have put this in the penalty box as the business struggles and the dividend was cut in half.

Was upgraded today. Most calls remain sell. This is a turnaround story, but shares are cheap at 14x. They cut the dividend, now 2.8% but it remains higher than the industry average of 1.8%. They spun-off their healthcare business, so the company is simplifying. The current CEO as a good, massive track record from L3Harris and UTX. Will buy on any weakness.

It completed spinning off healthcare company Solventum today. MMM shares have been challenged by many lawsuits, including over its hearing aids, and some of its businesses have slowed. An exception is Solventum, positing positive organic growth over the past decade. Revenues were $8.2 billion in 2023, but guidance said that 2024 will be a rebuilding year. That said, it's now selling at 11x this year's earnings, cheap. Keep in mind that most spun-offs start off shaky, with those getting initial shares not wanting them. So, buy Solventum gradually over the next 6 months. As for 3M, they paid dearly to settle their lawsuits, so the worst is behind them. Also, they're cutting costs like crazy. Also, Wall Street likes the change in CEOs.

Are in good shape after the spin-off, BUT wait till they settle all of their lawsuits. Same goes with JNJ.

3M's 2024 outlook reflects another year of macroeconomic uncertainty, with lower top-line growth than consensus anticipated. The company's consumer outlook is cautionary, as it expects constrained spending again this year, which may be conservative. 3M's 4Q adjusted EPS of $2.42 was better than expected, supported by a lower tax rate, slightly higher sales growth and benefits from restructuring actions. Organic sales fell 1.4% with a surprise gain in Transportation and Electronics (up 2.7%), but not enough to offset declines in other segments. Adjusted operating margin expanded 180 bps to 20.9%, driven by a 380-bp jump in Transportation and Electronics. A planned first half Health Care spinoff is on track, with cash likely to be used for debt reduction and legal payments. Considering the balance sheet and free cash flow, we would not have serious concerns on the dividend, and consensus still calls for some EPS growth this year ($9.21 to $9.66). But, considering guidance, investors might just sit on the sidelines for a while, despite the low valuation (9X). With other stocks growing faster and doing better fundamentally, we would not see it as overly attractive yet. Negative momentum can continue at times. Its 52-week low is $85-ish. We would be more interested at $90.
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They report Tuesday. They've put the lawsuits behind them. Now, they need to develop some new products that turn into blockbusters, like they used to.