3M posted better-than-expected first-quarter results
3M Co (MMM) is enjoying a post-earnings pop, after the Dow member announced better-than-expected first-quarter results as well as about 6,000 job cuts globally. The company said it will hone in on markets such as electric vehicles (EV), home improvement, climate technology, and semiconductors. At last check, MMM was up 2% at $107.13.
MMM is slowly recovering from last month's pullback to support at its $100 level, where it hit a Mar. 24 10-year low of $100.19. It appears the $107 level could be emerging as pressure, however, while the stock's 60-day moving average lingers just above as well. Year-to-date, the equity is down 10.8%.
Analysts have yet to chime in on the earnings event, with all 14 in coverage still carrying a "hold" or worse rating. The 12-month consensus price target of $117.39 is a 9.9% premium to current levels.
So far today, 10,000 calls and 6,026 puts have crossed the tape in the options pits, which is three times the intraday average. The weekly 4/28 108-strike call is the most active, with new positions being sold to open there. Meanwhile, the top three open interest positions are May puts.