3M’s Investment Rating Remains Underweight After Failed Mediation Talks Over Military Hearing Damage Claims
January 30, 2023

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It’s products range from everyday items such as adhesives, sealants and personal care products, to advanced materials and coatings used in aerospace and automotive applications. 3M ($NYSE:MMM) is also a major supplier of products used by the U.S. military. On Friday, Bank of America analysts kept 3M’s investment rating at Underweight after a federal judge announced that mediation talks between 3M and plaintiffs claiming their earplugs caused hearing damage for U.S military personnel had been discontinued. The plaintiffs allege that the U.S. military failed to protect soldiers from hearing damage caused by the 3M earplugs they were given. The plaintiffs are seeking compensation for medical bills and lost wages resulting from hearing loss. The judge expressed disappointment that the two sides could not reach an agreement in the mediation talks, and ordered the parties to proceed to trial.
The impact of the lawsuit on 3M’s finances remains uncertain, as the company has not yet released an estimate of its potential liability. Analysts are monitoring the situation closely, as a successful outcome for the plaintiffs could substantially affect 3M’s bottom line. 3M’s stock has taken a hit since the news of the lawsuit broke, but analysts remain optimistic about its long-term prospects. With its broad product offering and strong presence in the military market, 3M is well-positioned to take advantage of growth opportunities around the world.
Market Price
The news on 3M COMPANY has been mostly negative lately. The company recently failed in mediation talks over military hearing damage claims, resulting in their investment rating remaining underweight. On Friday, 3M COMPANY stock opened at $118.6 and closed at $120.6, up by 1.9% from prior closing price of 118.4. This price increase was a small victory for 3M COMPANY, as the failed mediation talks have caused their stock to decrease in value over the past few weeks. Despite this, the company remains underweight in the investment ratings, as investors remain uncertain of the future of the company. 3M COMPANY is still trying to find a resolution to the military hearing damage claims, but so far they have been unsuccessful.
The company has been facing a lot of criticism and scrutiny over their handling of the case, and this has caused their stock to suffer. It remains to be seen if 3M COMPANY will be able to resolve the issue and regain some of their lost value. Until then, their investment rating is likely to remain underweight. The company will need to work hard to find a resolution to the military hearing damage claims, or else their stock may suffer further losses in the coming weeks. Live Quote…
About the Company
Income Snapshot
Below shows the total revenue, net income and net margin for 3m Company. More…
| Total Revenues | Net Income | Net Margin |
| 34.23k | 5.78k | 10.4% |
Cash Flow Snapshot
Below shows the cash from operations, investing and financing for 3m Company. More…
| Operations | Investing | Financing |
| 5.59k | -1.05k | -5.35k |
Balance Sheet Snapshot
Below shows the total assets, liabilities and book value per share for 3m Company. More…
| Total Assets | Total Liabilities | Book Value Per Share |
| 46.45k | 31.68k | 25.47 |
Key Ratios Snapshot
Some of the financial key ratios for 3m Company are shown below. More…
| 3Y Rev Growth | 3Y Operating Profit Growth | Operating Margin |
| 2.1% | -12.6% | 11.9% |
| FCF Margin | ROE | ROA |
| 11.2% | 18.1% | 5.5% |
VI Analysis
This has been reflected in their VI Star Chart, which classifies them as a ‘cow’, meaning they have a track record of paying out consistent and sustainable dividends. Investors who are interested in such a company would be those who seek a steady return from their investments, such as income investors or retirees. The company’s fundamentals also suggest a high health score of 9/10, as their cashflows and debt are in good shape, allowing them to safely ride out any crisis without the risk of bankruptcy. This is indicative of their long term potential and suggests that 3M Company is well positioned to weather any bumps in the road ahead. Overall, 3M Company is a strong investment option for those looking for a reliable source of income from their investments. Their dividend track record, profitability and health score all suggest that they are able to provide a steady return for investors. They also have the potential to withstand any future market volatility, making them an attractive choice for many investors. More…

VI Peers
3M’s position as a market leader is under threat from a number of competitors. These include Honeywell International Inc, Illinois Tool Works Inc, and Eaton Corp PLC. All of these companies are competing for market share in the manufacturing sector. 3M will need to continue to innovate and produce high-quality products in order to stay ahead of its competitors.
– Honeywell International Inc ($NASDAQ:HON)
Honeywell International Inc. is an American multinational conglomerate company that produces commercial and consumer products, engineering services and aerospace systems. It operates in four segments: Aerospace, Building Technologies, Performance Materials & Technologies, and Safety & Productivity Solutions. The company was founded in 1906 and is headquartered in Morristown, New Jersey.
Honeywell’s market cap is $121.18 billion as of 2022 and its return on equity is 24.52%. The company’s strong financial performance is due in part to its diversified product portfolio and global reach. Honeywell’s products are used in a variety of industries, including aerospace, building technologies, performance materials, and safety and productivity solutions. The company has a presence in nearly 100 countries and serves customers in a wide range of markets.
– Illinois Tool Works Inc ($NYSE:ITW)
Illinois Tool Works Inc. is a diversified industrial company that specializes in a range of product businesses. The company operates in a number of markets, including automotive, food and beverage, construction, and energy. Illinois Tool Works has a market capitalization of $59.87 billion as of 2022 and a return on equity of 63.86%. The company’s products are used in a variety of applications, and it has a strong presence in a number of industries. Illinois Tool Works is a well-diversified company with a strong financial position.
– Eaton Corp PLC ($NYSE:ETN)
Eaton Corp PLC is a power management company with a market cap of 56.02B as of 2022. The company has a Return on Equity of 12.16%. Eaton Corp PLC provides power management solutions that help customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical power. The company operates in four segments: Electrical Products, Industrial Automation, Hydraulics, and Aerospace.
Summary
3M remains a less attractive investment option as the company recently failed to reach a mediation agreement in military hearing damage claims. Analysts have downgraded the company’s rating from “overweight” to “underweight”. This implies that the stock has a lower return potential than other stocks in the same industry. Investors looking to invest in 3M should remain cautious and closely observe the company’s performance before making any decisions.
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