3M Company (NYSE: MMM) approaches its upcoming fourth-quarter earnings announcement scheduled prior to the market open on Tuesday, January 20. Financial markets and analysts are closely monitoring the industrial conglomerate's performance as it reports its latest quarterly results and updated guidance.
Current consensus among financial analysts projects 3M’s earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter at $1.80, which would mark an improvement from the $1.68 EPS reported in the fourth quarter of the previous year. Revenue expectations also reflect anticipated growth; the consensus forecast estimates quarterly revenue at approximately $6.02 billion, up from $5.81 billion in the year-earlier period, according to data compiled by Benzinga Pro.
Backing optimism in earnings trajectory, 3M’s earlier results for the third quarter, announced on October 21, surpassed analyst expectations. Following that earnings beat, the company subsequently raised its adjusted earnings guidance for the full fiscal year 2025, signaling management's confidence in ongoing operational momentum.
Despite these positive earnings announcements, the company's stock price faced downward pressure, closing at $167.80 on the most recent trading day with a 1.9% decrease. This reaction may illustrate how investors are weighing various factors ahead of the forthcoming Q4 disclosure.
An overview of recent shifts in estimates and ratings from some of Wall Street's most precise analysts reveals a spectrum of foresight regarding 3M’s prospects.
Revisions by Prominent Analysts:
- Stephen Tusa of JP Morgan reduced his rating on 3M shares from Outperform to Neutral as of January 16, 2026, while establishing a price target of $182. Tusa's analyst accuracy rate is recorded at 67%, pointing to a cautious reevaluation in his outlook.
- On December 8, 2025, Deutsche Bank’s Nicole Deblase moved her rating from Buy to Hold and decreased the price target from $199 to $178. Deblase holds an analyst accuracy rate of 79%, reinforcing that the adjustment reflects a well-considered view on the stock.
- Conversely, Julian Mitchell from Barclays maintained an Overweight rating on December 4, 2025, and increased the price target from $180 to $190. Mitchell’s accuracy rate stands at 75%, indicating a relatively favorable stance on 3M’s valuation potential.
- Following the October 22, 2025, earnings report, Amit Mehrotra of UBS upheld a Buy rating and raised the price target from $184 to $190, backed by an accuracy rate of 74%. This suggests confidence in the company’s near-term earnings growth.
- On the same day, Morgan Stanley’s Chris Snyder upgraded his recommendation from Underweight to Equal-Weight and lifted the price target from $130 to $160. Snyder's accuracy rate is noted at 76%, reflecting a moderate improvement in the company’s outlook according to his analysis.
The varied opinions and price target adjustments underscore nuanced perspectives on 3M’s operational outlook and market valuation as investors await the company's fourth-quarter performance details.
Beyond analyst estimates, the broader investment community can access up-to-date ratings and changes on 3M through platforms offering detailed analyst scorecards, enabling investors to track sentiment and shifts across prominent financial institutions.
For investors considering exposure to 3M stock, understanding these forecasting trends by analysts known for their accuracy offers critical insights into the potential trajectory of the company’s share price reflecting earnings outcomes and strategic positioning.