3M: A Dividend Cut Is Needed - And Could Be Imminent

Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images 3M has long been considered a darling stock among dividend investors due to its solid starting yield and its history of increasing dividend payments for over 50 consecutive years. But due to ongoing lawsuits, high levels of debt, slowing free cash flow growth, and a high payout ratio, the once attractive 3M dividend appears to be in jeopardy. If you've been paying attention to 3M, it's no secret that this stock has been in a free fall over the past fe ...