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Drop in Profit Sends 3M Stock Lower

Weaker demand for its N95 masks impacted 3M's profits

Digital Content Manager
Apr 26, 2022 at 9:47 AM
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Dow member 3M Co (NYSE:MMM) is traveling lower this morning, last seen down 2.1% at $145.41. It looks as if investors are brushing of the company's first-quarter earnings of $2.65 per share on $8.83 billion in revenue, which topped analysts' estimates. The industrial giant did say its profits for the quarter fell due to a drop in demand for its N95 masks, as Covid-19 cases begin to taper off. A raw material shortage and increased costs also impacted 3M's auto builds production. 

The brokerage bunch has yet to chime in, and overall sentiment has been lukewarm at best. Of the 13 in coverage, nine say "hold," while four say "sell" or worse. Meanwhile, the 12-month consensus price target of $162.41 is a 10.3% premium to last night's close. 

This negative analyst sentiment isn't too surprising, considering the stock's recent consolidation below the $153 area, with additional pressure forming at the 60-day moving average. While the equity has distanced itself slightly from its Feb. 24 annual low of $139.74, it's still down over 26.5% year-over-year. 

Options traders, on the other hand, took a more bullish position ahead of 3M's earnings report. At the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), the stock sports a 10-day call/put volume ratio of 2.58, which sits in the 92nd percentile of its annual range. In other words, options traders have been picking up long calls at a quicker-than-usual clip. 

 

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