3M Delivers Record Third-Quarter Earnings of $1.65 per Share; Company Posts Sales of $7.5 Billion and 22.4 Percent Operating Income Margins

3M (NYSE: MMM) today reported record third-quarter earnings of $1.65 per share, an increase of 8.6 percent versus the third quarter of 2011. Operating income was $1.7 billion and operating income margins for the quarter were 22.4 percent.

“The 3M team delivered another strong operating performance in the third quarter,” said Inge G. Thulin, 3M chairman, president and chief executive officer. “In the face of the current slow-growth economy, our businesses continued to grow organically and generated record profitability. All six of our businesses posted 21 percent-plus operating margins in the quarter, so we continue to execute well in 2012.”

Sales were $7.5 billion, down 0.4 percent year-over-year. Organic local-currency sales grew 2.2 percent and acquisitions added 0.5 percent to sales. Currency impacts reduced sales by 3.1 percent year-on-year.

On a business segment basis, organic local-currency sales increased 4.3 percent in Health Care, 3.3 percent in Industrial and Transportation, 1.4 percent in Consumer and Office, 1.3 percent in Display and Graphics, 0.7 percent in Safety, Security and Protection Services and 0.1 percent in Electro and Communications. On a geographic basis, organic local-currency sales grew 10.5 percent in Latin America/Canada, 2.3 percent in the United States, 0.8 percent in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) and were down 0.1 percent in Asia Pacific.

Third-quarter net income was $1.2 billion and earnings were $1.65 per share. Total-company operating income margins were 22.4 percent for the quarter, and free cash flow was $987 million.

Thulin continued, “Regardless of economic conditions, we will remain focused on things within our control. 3M’s unique combination of technology strength, manufacturing excellence and global capability will enable us to deliver sustainable increases in sales, earnings and cash flow.”

3M also updated its 2012 performance expectations. Reflecting current economic realities, the company now expects full-year earnings to be in the range of $6.27 to $6.35 per share, including $0.03 per share of anticipated acquisition-related costs. 3M previously expected a range of $6.35 to $6.50 per share, which did not include acquisition-related costs. The company anticipates full-year organic local-currency sales growth of 2 to 2.5 percent and that currency translation will reduce sales by approximately 2.5 percent for the year. 3M expects that full-year operating income margins will be in the range of 21.5 to 22 percent.

Third-Quarter Business Segment Discussion

Industrial and Transportation

  • Sales of $2.6 billion, down 0.5 percent in U.S. dollars. Organic local-currency sales increased 3.3 percent and foreign currency translation reduced sales by 3.8 percent.
  • On an organic local-currency basis:
    • Sales growth was strongest in automotive OEM, aerospace and automotive aftermarket; renewable energy declined year-on-year.
    • Sales rose in all regions, with strongest growth in the U.S. and Latin America/Canada.
  • Operating income rose 9.4 percent to $575 million; operating income margin of 22.4 percent.

Health Care

  • Sales of $1.3 billion, up 1.4 percent in U.S. dollars. Organic local-currency sales increased 4.3 percent, acquisitions added 0.4 percent and foreign currency translation reduced sales by 3.3 percent.
  • On an organic local-currency basis:
    • Sales growth was led by food safety, health information systems and skin/wound care.
    • Positive sales growth in all major geographies, led by Latin America/Canada and Asia Pacific.
  • Operating income increased 9.0 percent to $400 million; operating income margin of 31.7 percent.

Consumer and Office

  • Sales of $1.1 billion, up 1.6 percent in U.S. dollars. Organic local-currency sales increased 1.4 percent, acquisitions added 2.5 percent and foreign currency translation reduced sales by 2.3 percent.
  • On an organic local-currency basis:
    • Growth was strongest in the DIY and consumer health care businesses; sales declined in stationery and office supplies.
    • Sales rose in Latin America/Canada and Asia Pacific, were flat in the U.S. and declined in EMEA.
  • Operating income was flat year-on-year at $244 million; operating income margin of 21.9 percent.

Display and Graphics

  • Sales of $936 million, flat year-over-year in U.S. dollars. Organic local-currency sales increased 1.3 percent, acquisitions added 0.8 percent and foreign currency translation reduced sales by 2.1 percent.
  • On an organic local-currency basis:
    • Double-digit sales increases in architectural markets; sales also increased in commercial graphics and traffic safety systems.
    • Sales of optical films increased sequentially at a double-digit rate, but declined slightly year-over-year.
    • Sales grew in Latin America/Canada and the U.S., and declined slightly in EMEA and Asia Pacific.
  • Operating income increased 11.2 percent to $199 million; operating margin of 21.2 percent.

Safety, Security and Protection Services

  • Sales of $926 million, down 2.9 percent in U.S. dollars. Organic local-currency sales increased 0.7 percent, divestitures reduced sales by 0.1 percent and foreign currency translation reduced sales by 3.5 percent.
  • On an organic local-currency basis:
    • Sales growth was strongest in infrastructure protection and personal safety; sales declined year-on-year in roofing granules and security systems.
    • Sales increased in Latin America/Canada and EMEA and declined in the U.S. and Asia Pacific.
  • Operating income declined 2.8 percent to $196 million; operating margin of 21.1 percent.

Electro and Communications

  • Sales of $820 million, down 2.1 percent in U.S. dollars. Organic local-currency sales increased 0.1 percent and foreign currency translation reduced sales by 2.2 percent.
  • On an organic local-currency basis:
    • Sales increased in electrical markets and declined year-on-year in both the telecom and consumer electronics-related businesses.
    • Sales rose in Latin America/Canada, the U.S. and EMEA, and were down year-on-year in Asia Pacific.
  • Operating income of $186 million, up 2.5 percent; operating margin of 22.7 percent.

3M will conduct an investor teleconference at 9:00 a.m. EDT (8:00 a.m. CDT) today. Investors can access this conference via the following:

  • Live webcast at http://investor.3M.com.
  • Live telephone:
    Call 800-762-2596 within the U.S. or +1 212-231-2916 outside the U.S. Please join the call at least 10 minutes before the start time.
  • Webcast replay:
    Go to 3M’s Investor Relations website at http://investor.3M.com and click on “Quarterly Earnings.”
  • Telephone replay:
    Call 800-633-8284 (for both U.S. and outside the U.S.; access code is 21538622).
    The telephone replay will be available until 10:00 a.m. CDT on October 28, 2012.

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking information about 3M’s financial results and estimates and business prospects that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “will,” “target,” “forecast” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance or business plans or prospects. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: (1) worldwide economic and capital markets conditions and other factors beyond the Company’s control, including natural and other disasters affecting the operations of the Company or its customers and suppliers; (2) the Company’s credit ratings and its cost of capital; (3) competitive conditions and customer preferences; (4) foreign currency exchange rates and fluctuations in those rates; (5) the timing and market acceptance of new product offerings; (6) the availability and cost of purchased components, compounds, raw materials and energy (including oil and natural gas and their derivatives) due to shortages, increased demand or supply interruptions (including those caused by natural and other disasters and other events); (7) the impact of acquisitions, strategic alliances, divestitures, and other unusual events resulting from portfolio management actions and other evolving business strategies, and possible organizational restructuring; (8) generating fewer productivity improvements than estimated; (9) security breaches and other disruptions to the Company’s information technology infrastructure; and (10) legal proceedings, including significant developments that could occur in the legal and regulatory proceedings described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and its subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q (the "Reports"). Changes in such assumptions or factors could produce significantly different results. A further description of these factors is located in the Reports under “Cautionary Note Concerning Factors That May Affect Future Results” and “Risk Factors” in Part I, Items 1 and 1A (Annual Report) and in Part I, Item 2 and Part II, Item 1A (Quarterly Report). The information contained in this news release is as of the date indicated. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this news release as a result of new information or future events or developments.

3M Company and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
(Millions, except per-share amounts)
(Unaudited)
                 
    Three-months ended   Nine-months ended
    September 30,   September 30,
    2012   2011   2012   2011
                 
Net sales   $ 7,497     $ 7,531     $ 22,517     $ 22,522  
                 
Operating expenses                

Cost of sales

    3,935       4,027       11,694       11,869  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    1,487       1,534       4,567       4,648  

Research, development and related expenses

    397       389       1,216       1,191  
                 

Total operating expenses

    5,819       5,950       17,477       17,708  
                 
Operating income     1,678       1,581       5,040       4,814  
                 
Interest expense and income                

Interest expense

    44       48       127       141  

Interest income

    (10 )     (10 )     (29 )     (29 )
                 

Total interest expense – net

    34       38       98       112  
                 
Income before income taxes     1,644       1,543       4,942       4,702  
                 
Provision for income taxes     464       440       1,435       1,319  
                 
Net income including noncontrolling interest   $ 1,180     $ 1,103     $ 3,507     $ 3,383  
                 
Less: Net income attributable to                

noncontrolling interest

    19       15       54       54  
                 
Net income attributable to 3M   $ 1,161     $ 1,088     $ 3,453     $ 3,329  
                 
Weighted average 3M common shares                

outstanding – basic

    693.0       707.7       694.7       710.9  
Earnings per share attributable to                

3M common shareholders – basic

  $ 1.68     $ 1.54     $ 4.97     $ 4.68  
                 
Weighted average 3M common shares                

outstanding – diluted

    703.1       715.5       703.9       722.8  
Earnings per share attributable to                

3M common shareholders – diluted

  $ 1.65     $ 1.52     $ 4.91     $ 4.61  
                 
Cash dividends paid per 3M common share   $ 0.59     $ 0.55     $ 1.77     $ 1.65  
                 
 
3M Company and Subsidiaries
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(Dollars in millions)
(Unaudited)
             
    Sep. 30,   Dec. 31,   Sep. 30,
    2012   2011   2011
ASSETS            
Current assets            
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 3,029   $ 2,219   $ 3,376
Marketable securities – current     1,989     1,461     1,486
Accounts receivable – net     4,409     3,867     4,259
Inventories     3,842     3,416     3,604
Other current assets     1,225     1,277     944
Total current assets     14,494     12,240     13,669
Marketable securities – non-current     1,400     896     443
Investments     142     155     162
Property, plant and equipment – net     7,939     7,666     7,509
Goodwill and intangible assets – net     9,063     8,963     9,092
Prepaid pension benefits     47     40     87
Other assets (a)     1,394     1,656     1,153
Total assets   $ 34,479   $ 31,616   $ 32,115
             
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY            
Current liabilities            
Short-term borrowings and            
current portion of long-term debt   $ 1,506   $ 682   $ 1,204
Accounts payable     1,805     1,643     1,689
Accrued payroll     684     676     654
Accrued income taxes     301     355     421
Other current liabilities     2,299     2,085     2,197
Total current liabilities     6,595     5,441     6,165
Long-term debt     4,852     4,484     4,955
Pension and postretirement benefits (a)     3,114     3,972     1,704
Other liabilities     1,777     1,857     1,879
Total liabilities   $ 16,338   $ 15,754   $ 14,703
             
Total equity (a)   $ 18,141   $ 15,862   $ 17,412
Shares outstanding            
September 30, 2012: 691,931,278 shares            
December 31, 2011: 694,970,041 shares            
September 30, 2011: 700,844,681 shares            
Total liabilities and equity   $ 34,479   $ 31,616   $ 32,115
                   
 
(a)   The changes in 3M's defined-benefit pension and postretirement plans' funded status as of December 31, 2011 (primarily due to a decrease in discount rates) significantly impacted several balance sheet lines. These changes increased long-term liabilities by approximately $2.4 billion and decreased stockholders' equity by approximately $1.6 billion, with the other major impact primarily related to increased deferred taxes within other assets. Other pension and postretirement changes during the year, such as contributions and amortization, also impacted these balance sheet captions.
     
 
3M Company and Subsidiaries
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in millions)
(Unaudited)
     
    Nine-months ended
    September 30,
    2012   2011
NET CASH PROVIDED BY        
OPERATING ACTIVITIES   $ 3,562     $ 3,546  
         
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Purchases of property, plant        
and equipment     (977 )     (862 )
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired     (248 )     (531 )
Purchases and proceeds from sale or maturities of        
marketable securities and investments – net     (938 )     (197 )
Other investing activities     29       6  
         
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES     (2,134 )     (1,584 )
         
Cash flows from financing activities:        
Change in debt     1,197       621  
Purchases of treasury stock     (1,490 )     (2,207 )
Proceeds from issuances of treasury stock        
pursuant to stock option and benefit plans     772       865  
Dividends paid to shareholders     (1,228 )     (1,171 )
Other financing activities     35       (6 )
         
NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES     (714 )     (1,898 )
         
Effect of exchange rate changes        
on cash and cash equivalents     96       (65 )
         
Net increase (decrease) in cash        
and cash equivalents     810       (1 )
Cash and cash equivalents at        
beginning of year     2,219       3,377  
         
Cash and cash equivalents at        
end of period   $ 3,029     $ 3,376  
                 
 
3M Company and Subsidiaries
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW AND
OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(Dollars in millions)
(Unaudited)
                 
    Three-months ended   Nine-months ended
    September 30,   September 30,
    2012   2011   2012   2011
                 
NON-GAAP MEASURES                
                 
Free Cash Flow:                
Net cash provided by operating activities   $ 1,345     $ 1,362     $ 3,562     $ 3,546  
Purchases of property, plant and equipment     (358 )     (336 )     (977 )     (862 )
                 
Free Cash Flow (b)   $ 987     $ 1,026     $ 2,585     $ 2,684  
                                 
 
(b)   Free cash flow is not defined under U.S. GAAP. Therefore, it should not be considered a substitute for income or cash flow data prepared in accordance with GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. The company defines free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities less purchases of property, plant and equipment. It should not be inferred that the entire free cash flow amount is available for discretionary expenditures. The company believes free cash flow is a useful measure of performance and uses this measure as an indication of the strength of the company and its ability to generate cash.
     
 
    September 30,
    2012   2011
OTHER NON-GAAP MEASURES:        

Net Working Capital Turns (c)                      

  4.7   4.9
         
 
(c)   The company uses various working capital measures that place emphasis and focus on certain working capital assets and liabilities. 3M’s net working capital index is defined as quarterly net sales multiplied by four, divided by ending net accounts receivable plus inventory less accounts payable. This measure is not recognized under U.S. GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
     
 
3M Company and Subsidiaries
SALES CHANGE ANALYSIS
(Unaudited)
                               
    Three-months ended September 30, 2012
               

Europe,

           
               

Middle

  Latin      
Sales Change Analysis   United   Asia-  

East and

  America/   World-
By Geographic Area   States   Pacific  

Africa

  Canada   Wide
                               
Volume – organic   0.6   %   1.5   %   (1.1 ) %   6.2   %   1.1   %
Price   1.7       (1.6 )     1.9       4.3       1.1    
Organic local-currency sales   2.3       (0.1 )     0.8       10.5       2.2    
Acquisitions   0.5             1.6             0.5    
Translation         (1.3 )     (8.4 )     (7.4 )     (3.1 )  
Total sales change   2.8   %   (1.4 ) %   (6.0 ) %   3.1   %   (0.4 ) %
                               
    Three-months ended September 30, 2012
    Organic                        
Worldwide   local-                     Total
Sales Change Analysis   currency   Acqui-   Divest-   Trans-   sales
By Business Segment   sales   sitions   itures   lation   change
                               
Industrial and Transportation   3.3   %     %     %   (3.8 ) %   (0.5 ) %
Health Care   4.3   %   0.4   %     %   (3.3 ) %   1.4   %
Consumer and Office   1.4   %   2.5   %     %   (2.3 ) %   1.6   %
Safety, Security and                              
Protection Services   0.7   %     %   (0.1 ) %   (3.5 ) %   (2.9 ) %
Display and Graphics   1.3   %   0.8   %     %   (2.1 ) %     %
Electro and Communications   0.1   %     %     %   (2.2 ) %   (2.1 ) %
                               
    Nine-months ended September 30, 2012
               

Europe,

           
               

Middle

  Latin      
Sales Change Analysis   United   Asia-  

East and

  America/   World-
By Geographic Area   States   Pacific  

Africa

  Canada   Wide
                               
Volume – organic   1.5   %   (0.5 ) %   (2.9 ) %   6.9   %   0.4   %
Price   2.4       (1.0 )     2.4       4.3       1.6    
Organic local-currency sales   3.9       (1.5 )     (0.5 )     11.2       2.0    
Acquisitions   0.4       0.3       2.3       0.1       0.8    
Translation         (0.6 )     (7.6 )     (7.4 )     (2.8 )  
Total sales change   4.3   %   (1.8 ) %   (5.8 ) %   3.9   %     %
                               
    Nine-months ended September 30, 2012  
    Organic                        
Worldwide   local-               Total      
Sales Change Analysis   currency   Acqui-   Trans-   sales      
By Business Segment   sales   sitions   lation   change      
                               
Industrial and Transportation   4.7   %   1.1   %   (3.4 ) %   2.4   %      
Health Care   4.3   %   0.3   %   (3.1 ) %   1.5   %      
Consumer and Office   2.2   %   2.7   %   (2.2 ) %   2.7   %      
Safety, Security and                              
Protection Services   3.4   %     %   (3.3 ) %   0.1   %      
Display and Graphics   (5.7 ) %   0.3   %   (1.7 ) %   (7.1 ) %      
Electro and Communications   (1.6 ) %     %   (1.8 ) %   (3.4 ) %      
                               
 
3M Company and Subsidiaries
BUSINESS SEGMENTS
(Dollars in millions)
(Unaudited)
                 
BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION   Three-months ended   Nine-months ended
NET SALES   September 30,   September 30,
(Millions)   2012   2011   2012   2011
                 
Industrial and Transportation   $ 2,566     $ 2,580     $ 7,853     $ 7,671  
Health Care     1,263       1,246       3,826       3,770  
Consumer and Office     1,114       1,096       3,219       3,134  
Safety, Security and Protection Services     926       954       2,898       2,894  
Display and Graphics     936       935       2,650       2,851  
Electro and Communications     820       838       2,452       2,538  
Corporate and Unallocated     1       1       4       9  
Elimination of Dual Credit     (129 )     (119 )     (385 )     (345 )
                 
Total Company   $ 7,497     $ 7,531     $ 22,517     $ 22,522  
                 
                 
BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION   Three-months ended   Nine-months ended
OPERATING INCOME   September 30,   September 30,
(Millions)   2012   2011   2012   2011
                 
Industrial and Transportation   $ 575     $ 525     $ 1,789     $ 1,585  
Health Care     400       367       1,216       1,100  
Consumer and Office     244       244       700       661  
Safety, Security and Protection Services     196       202       685       643  
Display and Graphics     199       179       541       631  
Electro and Communications     186       181       549       559  
Corporate and Unallocated     (93 )     (91 )     (355 )     (289 )
Elimination of Dual Credit     (29 )     (26 )     (85 )     (76 )
                 
Total Company   $ 1,678     $ 1,581     $ 5,040     $ 4,814  
                                 
 

About 3M
3M captures the spark of new ideas and transforms them into thousands of ingenious products. Our culture of creative collaboration inspires a never-ending stream of powerful technologies that make life better. 3M is the innovation company that never stops inventing. With $30 billion in sales, 3M employs 84,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 65 countries.

 

3MInvestor Contacts:Matt Ginter, 651-733-8206orBruce Jermeland, 651-733-1807orMedia Contact:Jacqueline Berry, 651-733-3611

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