3M beats first-quarter estimates, flags potential tariff hit on 2025 profit

Core Viewpoint - 3M Co. exceeded Wall Street expectations for first-quarter profit due to cost-cutting measures, resulting in a 7% increase in its share price, despite warnings of potential earnings impacts from trade tensions in 2025 [1][5]. Financial Performance - The company reported an adjusted profit of $1.88 per share, surpassing the average analyst estimate of$1.77 [12]. - Total net sales reached $5.78 billion, exceeding expectations of$5.75 billion, with a 2.5% growth in the safety and industrial segment [12]. - The adjusted operating income margin was 23.5%, an increase of 220 basis points compared to previous figures [2]. Trade and Tariff Impacts - 3M anticipates a potential tariff-related impact of 20 to 40 cents per share on its 2025 adjusted profit forecast, which is estimated to be between $7.60 and$7.90 [5]. - The company expects an annualized impact of $850 million from tariffs, with$675 million attributed to U.S. and China tariffs [6]. - China accounted for approximately 10% of 3M's global revenue as of March [5]. Strategic Responses - CEO Bill Brown outlined a restructuring plan focused on reducing spending and reallocating funds from legal liabilities [1]. - The company plans to leverage its logistics network to mitigate tariff costs by shipping products from Europe to China and adjusting U.S. supply accordingly [9].