With a market capitalization of about $82.8 billion, Minnesota-based 3M Company (MMM) stands as a global powerhouse in diversified technology. The company operates an extensive network of manufacturing facilities worldwide, serving a diverse customer base across the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Latin America/Canada, and the Asia Pacific. Its operations are organized into four business segments, with its Safety & Industrial unit catering primarily to electrical, safety, and industrial markets worldwide.

Companies valued at $10 billion or more are generally classified as "large-cap" stocks, and 3M comfortably falls into this category with its substantial market capitalization. The company is committed to reshaping industries worldwide by applying science and delivering innovative, customer-focused solutions. Backed by a multi-disciplinary team, diverse technology platforms, a strong global footprint, and operational excellence, 3M continues to solve complex challenges while driving meaningful impact for its customers.

The stock recently touched a 52-week high of $164.15 on July 18 and has since eased just 5.3% from that peak. Over the past three months, shares have advanced 4%, showcasing steady momentum, though they trailed the Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI), which climbed 6.5% during the same period.

From a longer-term perspective, 3M has put up an impressive performance, with shares gaining 18.2% over the past 52 weeks and rising 20.5% year-to-date (YTD). The stock has outpaced the Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund, which advanced 17.8% over the past year and 15.5% so far in 2025.

Adding further confirmation to its bullish trend, the stock has consistently held above both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages since December of last year, signaling sustained strength. While there have been minor fluctuations along the way, the ability to stay above these key technical levels underscores solid upward momentum.

Despite the company’s impressive long-term price action, after reporting fiscal 2025 second-quarter results on July 18, the stock slipped more than 3%, reflecting investor caution despite solid fundamentals. The company posted an adjusted EPS of $2.16, up 11.9% year-over-year, while adjusted sales rose 2.3% to $6.2 billion. The pullback largely stems from softer-than-expected performance in the end markets. 

Management rimmed the full-year organic growth forecast to 2%, down from the lower end of the 2%-3% range set earlier in April, citing lingering weakness in consumer electronics, a challenged auto aftermarket, and only modest recovery in the auto original equipment segment, factors that likely tempered market enthusiasm.

Nevertheless, in the competitive industrial arena, 3M has clearly outpaced rival Honeywell International Inc. (HON). Over the past year, Honeywell shares have risen just 7.1% and are down 2.8% in 2025, while 3M has delivered far stronger gains.

Moreover, considering MMM’s strong long-term price action, Wall Street appears to take an optimistic stance on this stock. Of the 17 analysts covering the stock, the consensus rating stands at “Moderate Buy,” with an average price target of $162.47, implying about 4.5% upside from current levels.