Here Is My Top Blue Chip Stock to Buy Now

Core Viewpoint - 3M is showing underlying progress in its operations, which enhances the stock's upside potential, especially if the trade conflict is resolved [1] Group 1: Earnings Performance - 3M's first-quarter organic sales growth was 1.5%, below the initial guidance of approximately 2.1%, but adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.88 exceeded the guidance of about$1.71 [3] - Management indicated that the company is trending towards the lower end of its full-year organic sales growth guidance of 2% to 3% but sees potential upside in margin and earnings [4][6] Group 2: Operational Improvements - The company launched 169 new product introductions (NPIs) in 2024, a 32% increase from 2023, with 62 NPIs launched in the first quarter alone, and plans to launch 215 NPIs through 2025 and 1,000 over the next three years [9] - On-time in-full (OTIF) delivery improved to 89% from 85.5% in the same quarter of 2024, with a target of 90% by year-end [11] - Operating equipment efficiency (OEE) rose to 58% from 54% in the previous quarter, indicating ongoing potential for value addition for shareholders [12] Group 3: Market Challenges and Outlook - 3M faces headwinds in the auto industry and consumer electronics sectors, with lowered auto build estimates for 2025 posing challenges [13] - Despite these challenges, there is potential for sales upside if the economic outlook improves due to de-escalation of trade conflicts [15]