3M Company

10/20/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/20/2026 10:31

Quarterly Report for Quarter Ending September 30, 2026 (Form 10-Q)

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") is designed to provide a reader of 3M's financial statements with a narrative from the perspective of management. The MD&A should be read in conjunction with 3M's consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. 3M's MD&A is presented in the following sections:
•Overview
•Results of Operations
•Performance by Business Segment
•Financial Condition and Liquidity
•Forward-Looking Statements
Forward-looking statements in Part I, Item 2 may involve risks and uncertainties that could cause results to differ materially from those projected (refer to the section entitled "Forward-Looking Statements" in Part I, Item 2 and described in Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 for discussion of these risks and uncertainties).
Overview
3M is a diversified global manufacturer, technology innovator and marketer of a wide variety of products and services.
As discussed in Note 1, certain changes are reflective in this document for all applicable periods presented. Effective in the first, second, and third quarters of 2026, the Company made changes to the measure of segment operating performance and segment composition used by its CODM, impacting the disclosed measure of segment profit (business segment operating income). Further details are provided in Note 16.
3M manages its operations in three operating business segments: Safety and Industrial; Transportation and Electronics; and Consumer. From a geographic perspective, "EMEA" refers to Europe, the Middle East, and Africa on a combined basis.
Unless otherwise noted, all year-over-year ("YoY") comparisons in this MD&A refer to the third quarter and the first nine months of 2026 compared with the third quarter and first nine months of 2025.
Financial highlights for the third quarter and the first nine months of 2026:
Three months ended
September 30, 2026 		Nine months ended
September 30, 2026
GAAP
Adjusted(a)
GAAP
Adjusted(a)
Net sales (millions) $ 6,584 $ 6,584 $ 19,114 $ 19,087
Total sales change 1.0 % 4.2 % 1.6 % 4.5 %
Organic sales change(b)
0.2 % 3.3 % 0.4 % 3.3 %
(a) The Company refers to various "adjusted" amounts or measures on an "adjusted" basis. These exclude special items. These non-GAAP measures are further described and reconciled to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures in the Certain amounts adjusted for special items - (non-GAAP measures) section below.
(b) Organic sales change (which includes both organic volume and selling price impacts), is defined as the change in net sales, absent the impacts from foreign currency translation and acquisitions, net of divestitures. 3M believes this information is useful to investors and management in understanding ongoing operations and in analysis of ongoing operating trends.
Net sales change was driven by strength in industrial, safety, semiconductor and data center-supported by commercial excellence and innovation-and activity from the July 2026 acquisition of Madison Fire and Safety. This strength was partially offset by weakness in consumer electronics and auto, and the YoY impact of the manufactured PFAS products special item.
Three months ended
September 30, 2026 		Nine months ended
September 30, 2026
GAAP
Adjusted(a)
GAAP
Adjusted(a)
Operating income margin 23.7 % 26.2 % 20.6 % 25.2 %
YoY change in operating income margin 1.5 ppts 1.1 ppts 0.2 ppts 0.5 ppts
GAAP operating margins were affected by the YoY impact of special items. The primary drivers were higher year-to-date losses on business divestitures and transformation costs. These were partially offset by lower net costs for significant litigation and PFAS exit, which reflect increased insurance recoveries (discussed in Note 15).
Outside of special items, both GAAP and adjusted operating margins reflect benefits from growth and productivity, partially offset by tariff impacts, cost dis-synergies (following the exit of PFAS manufacturing and the 2024 spin of Solventum), and growth investments.
Three months ended
September 30, 2026 		Nine months ended
September 30, 2026
GAAP
Adjusted(a)
GAAP
Adjusted(a)
Earning per diluted share (EPS) $ 2.63 $ 2.50 $ 5.63 $ 7.11
YoY change in EPS 70 % 12 % 14 % 12 %
GAAP EPS YoY was affected by the net impact of special items, including those impacting operating income discussed above, as well as by the impact of changes in the value of the Company's investment in Solventum (which was a YoY benefit in the third quarter and YoY headwind in the first nine months of 2026) along with amortization and business acquisition costs impacting noncontrolling interest.
Outside of special items, both GAAP and adjusted EPS reflect the operating margin drivers discussed above, while non-operating was primarily driven by a lower share count and tax timing.
3M completed its exit of PFAS manufacturing by the end of 2025. As discussed in Note 15, the Company continues to address PFAS manufactured prior to exit through treatment, remediation, and disposition of its assets and interests in manufacturing facilities, which may include dismantling, cleaning, and repurposing. Decisions or circumstances associated with the extent and type of remaining activity at particular locations and impacts on assets and potential obligations, among other factors, could result in additional expenses.
Additional information regarding certain items impacting pre-2026 periods that may also be relevant in 2026 can be found in the Overview section of Part II, Item 7 as well as in further sections of 3M's 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Results of Operations
Net Sales: Discussion of business segment results is provided in the Performance by Business Segment section. Information regarding sales by geographic area is included below.
Three months ended September 30, 2026
Americas
Asia Pacific
EMEA
Worldwide
Net sales (millions) $ 3,787 $ 1,715 $ 1,082 $ 6,584
% of worldwide sales 57.5 % 26.0 % 16.5 % 100.0 %
Components of net sales change:
Organic sales(b)
4.4 % (6.2) % (2.8) % 0.2 %
Acquisitions(c)
1.2 0.4 3.5 1.4
Divestitures(c)
(0.3) (0.3) (1.4) (0.5)
Translation 0.4 (0.4) (1.0) (0.1)
Total sales change 5.7 % (6.5) % (1.7) % 1.0 %
Nine months ended September 30, 2026
Americas Asia Pacific
EMEA
Worldwide
Net sales (millions) $ 10,456 $ 5,368 $ 3,290 $ 19,114
% of worldwide sales 54.7 % 28.1 % 17.2 % 100.0 %
Components of net sales change:
Organic sales(b)
0.9 % 0.4 % (1.2) % 0.4 %
Acquisitions(c)
0.4 0.1 1.2 0.5
Divestitures(c)
(0.3) (0.2) (1.1) (0.4)
Translation 0.8 0.3 3.7 1.1
Total sales change 1.8 % 0.6 % 2.6 % 1.6 %
(c) Acquisition and divestiture sales change impacts are measured separately for the first twelve months post-transaction.
Operating Expenses:
Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
(Percent of net sales) 2026 2025 Change 2026 2025
Change
Cost of sales 57.7 % 58.2 % (0.5) % 58.6 % 58.0 % 0.6 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) 14.0 12.5 1.5 14.2 16.1 (1.9)
Research, development and related expenses (R&D) 4.6 4.6 - 4.8 4.6 0.2
Loss on business divestitures - 2.5 (2.5) 1.8 0.9 0.9
Operating income margin
23.7 % 22.2 % 1.5 % 20.6 % 20.4 % 0.2 %
Cost of Sales measured as a percent of sales: Decreases in the third quarter of 2026 were primarily due to procurement savings, manufacturing and logistics productivity initiatives, and pricing actions offsetting oil price headwinds, partially offset by PFAS exit-related costs and material inflation. Increases in the first nine months of 2026 were primarily due to PFAS exit-related costs, tariff impacts, and material inflation, partially offset by procurement savings, manufacturing productivity initiatives, and pricing actions. See also Certain Expenses Impacting Multiple Line Items within Results of Operations subsection further below.
SG&A measured as a percent of sales: Increases in the third quarter were primarily driven by transformation costs, and decreases in the first nine months of 2026 were primarily driven by lower net costs from significant litigation. See also Certain Expenses Impacting Multiple Line Items within Results of Operations subsection further below.
R&D measured as a percent of sales: 3M continues to invest in a range of R&D activities from application development, product and manufacturing support, product development and technology development aimed at disruptive innovations. See also Certain Expenses Impacting Multiple Line Items within Results of Operations subsection further below.
Loss on Business Divestitures measured as a percent of sales: Applicable information on 2026 items is discussed in Note 3.
Other Expense (Income), Net: See Note 6 for a detailed breakout of this line item.
Interest expense (net of interest income): decreased YoY, primarily as a result of reduced imputed interest associated with obligations resulting from the PWS Settlement and the CAE Settlement (discussed in Note 15).
The non-service pension and postretirement net period cost decreased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2026 YoY. See also Certain Expenses Impacting Multiple Line Items within Results of Operations subsection further below.
Solventum ownership - change in value resulted in a YoY tailwind of $375 million in the third quarter of 2026 and YoY headwind of $14 million in the first nine months of 2026, as Solventum's share price increased during the third quarter of 2026 compared to a decrease in 2025 and increased a bit less during the first nine months of 2026 compared to 2025.
Provision for Income Taxes:
Three months ended
September 30, 		Nine months ended
September 30,
(Percent of pre-tax income) 2026 2025 2026 2025
Effective tax rate 15.7 % 26.8 % 18.1 % 23.7 %
Adjusted effective tax rate(a)
21.1 19.9 19.5 20.6
The primary factors that decreased the Company's effective tax rate YoY for the three months ended September 30, 2026 were the tax impacts of 3M's retained ownership interest in Solventum and the tax impacts of net costs of significant litigation.
The primary factors that decreased the Company's effective tax rate YoY for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 were the increased tax benefits from stock-based compensation and the tax impacts of net costs of significant litigation.
Income from Unconsolidated Subsidiaries, Net of Taxes:
Income from unconsolidated subsidiaries, net of taxes, is attributable to the Company's accounting under the equity method for ownership interests in certain entities. In the second quarter of 2025, 3M sold its interest in one of these investments.
Net income (loss) attributable to NCIs and adjustment to redeemable NCI:
This represents the elimination of income or loss attributable to non-3M ownership interests in 3M consolidated entities, as well as adjustments to carry the redeemable noncontrolling interest at the greater of its carrying amount or estimated redemption value. The primary noncontrolling interests relate to 3M India Limited, of which 3M's effective ownership is 75 percent, and 3M's non-wholly owned venture related to the Fire Safety and Rescue division business (also referred to as 3M Sentorum) as described in Note 3.
Certain Expenses Impacting Multiple Line Items within Results of Operations:
Stock compensation impacts cost of sales, SG&A, and R&D. YoY stock compensation expense was relatively consistent.
Pre-tax defined benefit pension and postretirement service cost expense impacts cost of sales, SG&A, and R&D while the non-service cost component of pension and postretirement benefits impacts the other expense (income), net line item. Refer to Note 12 for additional information.
Pre-tax stock compensation expense and defined benefit pension and postretirement expense for the periods presented were the following:
Three months ended
September 30, 		Nine months ended
September 30,
Pre-tax amounts (millions) 2026 2025 2026 2025
Stock compensation expense $ 46 $ 53 $ 167 $ 182
Defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit expense
Service cost $ 38 $ 43 $ 116 $ 127
Non-service cost (benefit) (2) 20 (7) 71
Total defined pension and postretirement expense $ 36 $ 63 $ 109 $ 198
Performance by Business Segment
Disclosures relating to 3M's business segments are provided in Note 16. 3M manages its operations in three business segments. The reportable segments are Safety and Industrial; Transportation and Electronics; and Consumer.
Safety and Industrial Business:
Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
2026 2025 2026 2025
Sales (millions) $ 3,182 $ 2,917 $ 9,203 $ 8,519
Sales change analysis:
Organic sales(b)
7.0 % 6.1 %
Acquisitions 3.1 1.0
Divestitures (1.2) (0.8)
Translation 0.2 1.7
Total sales change 9.1 % 8.0 %
Business segment operating income (millions)
$ 960 $ 792 $ 2,642 $ 2,279
Percent change 21.2 % 15.9 %
Percent of sales 30.1 % 27.1 % 28.7 % 26.8 %
Third quarter 2026 results: Sales in Safety and Industrial were up 9.1 percent in U.S. dollars.
Organic sales increased in electrical markets, fire safety, industrial adhesives and tapes, personal safety, automotive aftermarket, abrasives and industrial specialties, and decreased in roofing granules. Progress on commercial excellence and innovation drove strong growth.
Business segment operating income margins increased YoY, driven by benefits from growth and net productivity. These benefits were partially offset by continued growth investments and cost dis-synergies following the exit of PFAS manufacturing.
First nine months 2026 results: Sales in Safety and Industrial were up 8.0 percent in U.S. dollars.
Organic sales increased in electrical markets, industrial adhesives and tapes, abrasives, personal safety, industrial specialties, and automotive aftermarket driven by progress on commercial excellence and innovation; market weakness in roofing granules and fire safety resulted in decreased sales.
Business segment operating income margins increased YoY primarily driven by benefits from growth and productivity. These benefits were partially offset by tariffs, continued growth investments, and cost dis-synergies following the exit of PFAS manufacturing.
Transportation and Electronics Business:
Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
2026 2025 2026 2025
Sales (millions) $ 1,999 $ 1,992 $ 5,913 $ 5,752
Sales change analysis:
Organic sales(b)
0.5 % 2.1 %
Divestitures(c)
- (0.2)
Translation (0.1) 0.9
Total sales change 0.4 % 2.8 %
Business segment operating income (millions) $ 468 $ 484 $ 1,371 $ 1,354
Percent change (3.4) % 1.2 %
Percent of sales 23.4 % 24.3 % 23.2 % 23.5 %
Third quarter 2026 results: Sales in Transportation and Electronics were up 0.4 percent in U.S. dollars.
Organic growth was driven by strength in semiconductor, aerospace, data center, advanced materials, and commercial branding, partially offset by weakness in consumer electronics and auto.
Business segment operating income margins decreased YoY reflecting continued growth investments and cost dis-synergies following the exit of PFAS manufacturing, partially offset by benefits from growth and productivity.
First nine months 2026 results: Sales in Transportation and Electronics were up 2.8 percent in U.S. dollars.
Organic growth was driven by strength in semiconductor, aerospace, data center, advanced materials, and commercial branding, partially offset by weakness in auto and consumer electronics.
Business segment operating income margins decreased YoY reflecting tariffs, continued growth investments, and cost dis-synergies following the exit of PFAS manufacturing, partially offset by benefits from growth and productivity.
Consumer Business:
Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
2026 2025 2026 2025
Sales (millions) $ 1,307 $ 1,312 $ 3,685 $ 3,706
Sales change analysis:
Organic sales(b)
(0.2) % (1.2) %
Translation (0.2) 0.6
Total sales change (0.4) % (0.6) %
Business segment operating income (millions) $ 300 $ 292 $ 770 $ 780
Percent change 2.9 % (1.3) %
Percent of sales 23.0 % 22.2 % 20.9 % 21.0 %
Third quarter 2026 results: Sales in Consumer were down 0.4 percent in U.S. dollars.
Organic sales decreased in packaging and expression, and in home improvement, and increased in consumer safety and well-being, and home and auto care. Lower U.S. retailer inventory levels more than offset positive POS and share gains.
Business segment operating income margins increased YoY driven by benefits from productivity, partially offset by continued growth investments and cost dis-synergies following the exit of PFAS manufacturing.
First nine months 2026 results: Sales in Consumer were down 0.6 percent in U.S. dollars.
Organic sales decreased in packaging and expression, and in home improvement, and increased in home and auto care, and consumer safety and well-being. Lower U.S. retailer inventory levels more than offset positive POS and share gains.
Business segment operating income margins decreased YoY reflecting tariffs, continued growth investments, and cost dis-synergies following the exit of PFAS manufacturing, partially offset by benefits from productivity.
Corporate: Outside of 3M's reportable segments, 3M has Corporate, which is not a reportable business segment as it does not meet the segment reporting criteria. Because Corporate includes a variety of miscellaneous items, it is subject to fluctuation on a quarterly and annual basis. Corporate is further described in Note 16.
Refer to the Certain amounts adjusted for special items - (non-GAAP measures) section below and Note 16 for details on the components of corporate special items and their impact. Corporate-level income decreased YoY in the third quarter and first nine months of 2026, primarily due to Solventum-related items and corporate costs.
Certain amounts adjusted for special items - (non-GAAP measures)
In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP, 3M also provides certain non-GAAP measures. These measures are not in accordance with, nor are they a substitute for GAAP measures, and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
Certain measures adjust for the impact of special items. Special items for the periods presented include the items described in the section entitled "Description of special items". Because 3M provides certain information with respect to business segments, it is noteworthy that special items impacting operating income (loss) are reflected in Corporate.
This document contains measures for which 3M provides the reported GAAP measure and a non-GAAP measure adjusted for special items. The document also contains additional measures which are not defined under U.S. GAAP. These measures and reasons 3M believes they are useful to investors (and, as applicable, used by 3M) include:
GAAP amounts for which a measure adjusted for special items is also provided: Reasons 3M believes the measure is useful
•Net sales (and sales change)
Considered in evaluating and managing operations; useful in understanding underlying business performance, provides additional transparency to special items
•Operating income (loss) and operating income (loss) margin
•Income before taxes
•Provision for income taxes and effective tax rate
•Net income
•EPS
Special items for the periods presented include:
Net costs for significant litigation and PFAS exit:
•Net costs for significant litigation relate to 3M's respirator mask/asbestos (which include Aearo and non-Aearo items), PFAS-related other environmental, Combat Arms Earplugs, and certain divested business matters (as discussed in Note 15). Net costs include the impacts of changes in accrued liabilities (including interest imputation on applicable settlement obligations), legal costs, and insurance recoveries, along with the associated tax impacts. Associated tax impacts of significant litigation include impacts on Foreign-Derived Deduction Eligible Income ("FDDEI"), Net Controlled Foreign Corporation Tested Income ("NCTI"), foreign tax credits, and tax costs of repatriation. PFAS exit costs include amounts outside of significant litigation related to impacted site disposition and treatment post-first quarter 2026 completion of substantive PFAS product sales. 3M does not consider the elements of the net costs associated with these matters to be normal, operating expenses related to the Company's ongoing operations, revenue generating activities, business strategy, industry, and regulatory environment.
Amortization and business acquisition-related costs
•These include acquired intangible asset amortization (see Note 4 for additional information) and business acquisition-related costs that further include:
◦Transaction, integration, and inventory fair value step-up costs
◦Adjustments to redeemable noncontrolling interest and change in value of venture derivative. See Note 3 for additional information.
Gain/loss on business divestitures:
•In the third quarter of 2025, 3M classified a business as held for sale. In the first half of 2026, 3M reflected an adjustment to carrying it at its selling price less cost to sell. In the second quarter of 2026, 3M recorded a loss on the divestiture of its Dyneon GmbH subsidiary. See Note 3 for additional information.
Manufactured PFAS products:
•These amounts relate to sales and income (loss) regarding manufactured PFAS products that 3M exited by the end of 2025. Income does not contemplate impacts on non-operating items such as net interest income/expense and the non-service cost components portion of defined benefit plan net periodic benefit costs.
Solventum ownership - change in value:
•This amount relates to the change in value of 3M's retained ownership interest in Solventum common stock reflected in other expense (income), net.
Transformation costs:
•These represent net costs associated with 3M's transformation program, intended as a structural redesign of longer-term manufacturing, distribution, and business process services and locations. Accordingly, 3M does not consider the nature or effect of this program to be normal, operating expenses related to the Company's ongoing operations, revenue generating activities, and day-to-day business strategy. Net costs include restructuring and other related items such as site closure, sale, moving and set-up, accelerated depreciation, and program management.
Three months ended September 30, 2025
Total Company
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Net sales Operating income Operating income margin Income before taxes Provision for income taxes Effective tax rate Net income attributable to 3M common shareholders EPS
GAAP amounts $ 6,517 $ 1,447 22.2 % $ 1,147 $ 308 26.8 % $ 834 $ 1.55
Adjustments for special items:
Net costs for significant litigation and PFAS exit - (65) 56 (45) 101 0.19
Amortization and business acquisition-related costs - 26 26 5 21 0.04
Loss on business divestitures - 161 161 2 159 0.30
Manufactured PFAS products (199) 2 2 1 1 -
Solventum ownership - change in value - - 94 23 71 0.13
Transformation costs
- 14 14 3 11 0.02
Total special items (199) 138 353 (11) 364 0.68
Adjusted amounts (non-GAAP measures) $ 6,318 $ 1,585 25.1 % $ 1,500 $ 297 19.9 % $ 1,198 $ 2.23
Three months ended September 30, 2026
Total Company
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Operating income Operating income margin Income before taxes Provision for income taxes Effective tax rate Net income attributable to 3M common shareholders EPS EPS percent change
GAAP amounts $ 1,558 23.7 % $ 1,670 $ 261 15.7 % $ 1,373 $ 2.63 70 %
Adjustments for special items:
Net costs for significant litigation and PFAS exit 46 160 61 99 0.19
Amortization and business acquisition-related costs 64 64 (14) 102 0.20
Solventum ownership - change in value - (281) 32 (313) (0.60)
Transformation costs 58 58 13 45 0.08
Total special items 168 1 92 (67) (0.13)
Adjusted amounts (non-GAAP measures) $ 1,726 26.2 % $ 1,671 $ 353 21.1 % $ 1,306 $ 2.50 12 %
Three months ended September 30, 2026
Sales change Organic sales Acquisitions Divestitures Translation Total sales change
Total Company 0.2 % 1.4 % (0.5) % (0.1) % 1.0 %
Remove manufactured PFAS products special item impact 3.1 - - 0.1 3.2
Adjusted total Company (non-GAAP measures) 3.3 % 1.4 % (0.5) % - % 4.2 %
Nine months ended September 30, 2025
Total Company
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts) 		Net sales Operating income Operating income margin Income before taxes Provision for income taxes Effective tax rate Net income attributable to 3M common shareholders EPS
GAAP amounts $ 18,815 $ 3,833 20.4 % $ 3,455 $ 818 23.7 % $ 2,673 $ 4.93
Adjustments for special items:
Net costs for significant litigation and PFAS exit - 356 751 (1) 752 1.39
Amortization and business acquisition-related costs - 78 78 17 61 0.11
Loss on business divestitures - 164 164 3 161 0.30
Manufactured PFAS products (559) 57 57 14 43 0.08
Solventum ownership - change in value - - (242) 23 (265) (0.49)
Transformation costs - 14 14 3 11 0.02
Total special items (559) 669 822 59 763 1.41
Adjusted amounts (non-GAAP measures) $ 18,256 $ 4,502 24.7 % $ 4,277 $ 877 20.6 % $ 3,436 $ 6.34
Nine months ended September 30, 2026
Total Company
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts) 		Net sales Sales change Operating income Operating income margin Income before taxes Provision for income taxes Effective tax rate Net income attributable to 3M common shareholders EPS EPS percent change
GAAP amounts $ 19,114 1.6 % $ 3,939 20.6 % $ 3,668 $ 665 18.1 % $ 2,959 $ 5.63 14 %
Adjustments for special items:
Net costs for significant litigation and PFAS exit - 59 411 100 311 0.59
Amortization and business acquisition-related costs - 125 125 (3) 152 0.29
Loss on business divestitures - 343 343 21 322 0.61
Manufactured PFAS products (27) 126 126 31 95 0.18
Solventum ownership - change in value - - (228) 43 (271) (0.52)
Transformation costs - 224 224 53 171 0.33
Total special items (27) 877 1,001 245 780 1.48
Adjusted amounts (non-GAAP measures) $ 19,087 4.5 % $ 4,816 25.2 % $ 4,669 $ 910 19.5 % $ 3,739 $ 7.11 12 %
Nine months ended September 30, 2026
Sales change Organic sales Acquisitions Divestitures Translation Total sales change
Total Company 0.4 % 0.5 % (0.4) % 1.1 % 1.6 %
Remove manufactured PFAS products special item impact
2.9 - - - 2.9
Adjusted total Company (non-GAAP measures) 3.3 % 0.5 % (0.4) % 1.1 % 4.5 %
Financial Condition and Liquidity
The strength and stability of 3M's business model and strong free cash flow capability, together with proven capital markets access, provide financial flexibility to deploy capital in accordance with the Company's stated priorities and meet needs associated with contractual commitments and other obligations. Investing in 3M's business to drive organic growth and deliver strong returns on invested capital remains the first priority for capital deployment. This includes research and development, capital expenditures, and commercialization capability. The Company also continues to actively manage its portfolio through acquisitions and divestitures to maximize value for shareholders. 3M expects to continue returning cash to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. To fund cash needs in the United States, the Company relies on ongoing cash flow from U.S. operations, access to capital markets and repatriation of the earnings of its foreign affiliates that are not considered to be permanently reinvested. For those international earnings considered to be reinvested indefinitely, the Company currently has no plans or intentions to repatriate these funds for U.S. operations.
3M maintains a strong liquidity profile. The Company believes its primary short-term liquidity needs can be met through cash on hand and U.S. commercial paper issuances. 3M expects to have continuous access to the commercial paper market. 3M's commercial paper program permits the Company to have a maximum of $5 billion outstanding with a maximum maturity of 397 days from date of issuance. The Company had no commercial paper outstanding at September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025.
Total debt: The strength of 3M's credit profile and significant ongoing cash flows provide 3M proven access to capital markets. Additionally, the Company's debt maturity profile is staggered to help make refinancing needs in any given year reasonable in proportion to the total portfolio. As of the date of this report, 3M had the following credit ratings:
Credit rating agency Long-term rating Outlook
Moody's Investors Service A3 Stable
S&P Global Ratings BBB+ Stable
Fitch Ratings A- Stable
The Company's total debt at September 30, 2026, increased when compared to December 31, 2025, due to the issuance of €1.5 billion of fixed-rate notes in September 2026 and the draw of $1.43 billion under the term loan facility in July 2026 in connection with the Madison acquisition, partially offset by the September 2026 repayment of $650 million of notes upon maturity.
Information with respect to long-term debt issuances and maturities for the periods presented is included in Note 11, as applicable.
In February 2026, the Company renewed its "well-known seasoned issuer" shelf registration statement, which registers an indeterminate amount of debt or equity securities for future issuance and sale. The Company's financial condition and liquidity enable it to address these obligations by refinancing, redemption, or both.
3M has a $4.25 billion five-year revolving credit facility that expires in August 2031. The revolving credit agreement includes a provision under which 3M may request an increase of up to $1.0 billion (at lenders' discretion), bringing the total facility up to $5.25 billion. The credit facility was undrawn at September 30, 2026. Under the facility, the Company is required to maintain its EBITDA to Interest Ratio as of the end of each fiscal quarter at not less than 3.0 to 1. This is calculated (based on amounts defined in the amended agreement) as the ratio of consolidated total EBITDA for the four consecutive quarters then ended to total interest expense on all funded debt for the same period. At September 30, 2026, 3M was in compliance with this requirement. Debt covenants do not restrict the payment of dividends.
3M's non-wholly owned subsidiary associated the with the Fire Safety and Rescue division has a $200 million revolving credit facility which was undrawn as of September 30, 2026.
The Company had $0.6 billion in stand-alone letters of credit, bank guarantees, and other similar instruments issued and outstanding at September 30, 2026. These instruments are utilized in connection with normal business activities.
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities: Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities are invested in bank instruments and other high quality securities. The table below provides the breakout of the balance between the Company's foreign subsidiaries and the United States as of September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025.
(Billions) September 30, 2026 December 31, 2025
Foreign subsidiaries $ 2.8 $ 3.5
United States 2.4 2.4
Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities $ 5.2 $ 5.9
The decrease from December 31, 2025, was primarily driven by $3.2 billion in purchases of treasury stock, $2.0 billion (net of insurance recoveries) in payments related to net costs for significant litigation and PFAS exit, $1.9 billion for the acquisition of Madison, $1.2 billion in dividend payments, and $0.7 billion in debt-related outflows including the repayment of fixed-rate notes that matured in September 2026. These outflows were partially offset by $1.4 billion drawn under a term loan facility and $1.3 billion in proceeds from investment by a noncontrolling interest, both in connection with the Madison venture formation (as discussed in Notes 3 and 11), €1.5 billion in proceeds from the issuance of fixed-rate notes in September 2026 (as discussed in Note 11), $0.7 billion in proceeds from the issuances of treasury shares pursuant to option/benefit plans, and cash generated from operating activities (see "Cash Flows from Operating Activities" section below for further discussion).
Current equity investments: Current equity investments consist of 3M's ownership interest in Solventum. As of September 30, 2026, 3M owned approximately 15% of Solventum's common stock, with a fair value of $2.3 billion. As previously disclosed, 3M expects to sell its ownership in Solventum within five years of its 2024 spin-off. Sales of 3M's retained stake are subject to regulatory and other restrictions.
Balance Sheet: 3M's strong balance sheet and liquidity provide the Company with significant flexibility to fund its numerous opportunities going forward. The Company intends to continue investing in its operations to drive growth, including continual review of acquisition opportunities.
Cash Flows: Discussions of cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities are provided in the sections that follow.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Cash flows from operating activities can fluctuate significantly from period to period, as working capital movements, tax timing differences and other items such as litigation payments can significantly impact cash flows.
In the first nine months of 2026, cash flows provided by operating activities of $2.0 billion increased by $1.3 billion YoY, primarily driven by lower net payments for PFAS-related environmental liabilities and the CAE legal settlement impacted by insurance recoveries.
Working capital, defined as current assets minus current liabilities, decreased from December 31, 2025. This decrease was primarily driven by an increase in current liabilities, including higher other current liabilities related to the PWS legal settlement and an increase in the current portion of long-term debt, partially offset by growth in accounts receivable and inventory balances within current assets.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Investments in PP&E enable growth across many diverse markets, helping to meet product demand and increasing manufacturing efficiency. 3M invested $0.7 billion on PP&E in the first nine months of 2026. The Company expects 2026 capital spending to be approximately $1.0 billion as 3M continues to invest in growth, productivity and sustainability.
In July 2026, the acquisition of Madison Fire & Rescue was completed for $1.9 billion, subject to closing and other adjustments, net of cash acquired as described in Note 3.
Purchases of marketable securities and investments and proceeds from maturities and sale of marketable securities and investments are primarily attributable to certificates of deposit/time deposits, commercial paper, and other securities, which are classified as available-for-sale. Refer to Note 14 for more details about 3M's diversified marketable securities portfolio.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
3M's primary short-term liquidity needs are met through cash on hand and U.S. commercial paper issuances. Refer to Note 11 for more detail regarding debt.
Debt cash flow activity included proceeds from the $1.43 billion term loan in connection with the Madison acquisition and from issuance of €1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of notes in the first nine months of 2026. This was partially offset by $650 million principal amount of debt maturities. Repayments of the fixed-rate notes are reflected in "Repayment of debt (maturities greater than 90 days)".
Financing activities in the first nine months of 2026 included approximately $1.3 billion of proceeds from a noncontrolling interest contribution in connection with the formation of the venture associated with the Fire Safety and Rescue division (also referred to as 3M Sentorum) as discussed in Note 3.
In February 2025, 3M's Board of Directors replaced the Company's 2018 repurchase program with a new repurchase program. This new program authorizes the repurchase of up to $7.5 billion of 3M's outstanding common stock, with no pre-established end date. Repurchases of common stock are made to support the Company's stock-based employee compensation plans and for other corporate purposes. In the first nine months of 2026, the Company purchased $3.2 billion of its own stock, compared to $2.7 billion of stock purchases in the first nine months of 2025. As of September 30, 2026, approximately $1.5 billion remained available under the authorization. For more information, refer to the table titled "Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities" in Part II, Item 2. The Company also had $0.7 billion in proceeds from issuance of treasury stock pursuant to stock option and benefit plans in the first nine months of 2026.
3M has paid dividend continuously since 1916. In February 2026, 3M's Board of Directors declared a first-quarter 2026 dividend of $0.78 per share, an increase of 7 percent. In May 2026, 3M's Board of Directors declared a second-quarter 2026 dividend of $0.78 per share. In August 2026, 3M's Board of Directors declared a third-quarter 2026 dividend of $0.78 per share.
Other cash flows from financing activities may include various other items, such as cash paid associated with certain derivative instruments, distributions to or sales of noncontrolling interests, changes in overdraft balances, and principal payments for finance leases.
Significant Accounting Policies: Information regarding new accounting standards is included in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Material Cash Requirements from Known Contractual and Other Obligations: See the Financial Condition and Liquidity - Material Cash Requirements from Known Contractual and Other Obligations section of Item 7 of 3M's 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this document, as well as other filings we make with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and other written and oral information we release, including statements regarding our performance, estimates, expectations, beliefs, intentions, projections, strategies for the future, costs and effects of legal proceedings, or other events or developments in the future are considered "forward-looking statements" under the federal securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended ("PSLRA"). Forward-looking statements may appear throughout this document and are typically identified by the words "aim," "anticipate," "believe," "can," "continue," "could," "estimate," "evaluate," "expect," "forecast," "future," "goal," "guidance," "impact," "initial," "intend," "likely," "may," "outlook," "plan," "possible," "potential," "predict," "probable," "project," "seek," "should," "strategy," "target," "will," "would," and other words that are similar to, or have the opposite meanings of, those words.
All forward-looking statements are intended to enjoy the protection of the PSLRA's safe harbor for forward-looking statements, as well as the protections provided by other securities laws. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements.
Although the Company believes it has a reasonable basis for the forward-looking statements it makes, those statements are based on certain assumptions and expectations of future events and trends that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Changes in those assumptions, expectations, or other factors could produce materially different results. The most important risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ from the Company's forward-looking statements include: (1) worldwide economic, political, regulatory, international trade, geopolitical, tariffs, and retaliatory countermeasures, capital markets, and other external conditions, (2) foreign currency exchange rates and fluctuations in those rates, (3) liabilities and contingencies related to PFAS, including liabilities related to claims, lawsuits, and government regulatory proceedings concerning various PFAS-related products and chemistries, as well as risks related to the Company's exit of PFAS manufacturing and work to discontinue use of PFAS across its product portfolio, (4) risks related to the PWS Settlement to resolve claims by public water suppliers in the United States regarding PFAS, as well as risks related to ongoing PFAS-related settlements and claims, (5) legal proceedings, including significant developments that could occur in the legal and regulatory proceedings described in the Company's reports on Form 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K, as well as compliance risks related to legal or regulatory requirements, government contract requirements, policies and practices, or other matters that require or encourage the Company or its customers, suppliers, vendors, or channel partners to conduct business in a certain way, (6) competitive conditions and customer preferences, (7) the timing and market acceptance of new product and service offerings, (8) the availability and cost of purchased components, compounds, raw materials and energy due to shortages, increased demand and wages, tariffs, supply chain interruptions, or natural or other disasters, (9) unanticipated problems or delays when implementing new business systems and solutions, including with the phased implementation of a global enterprise resource planning system, or security breaches and other disruptions to the Company's information or operational technology infrastructure, (10) use of artificial intelligence technologies, (11) the impact of acquisitions, strategic alliances, divestitures, and other strategic events resulting from portfolio management actions and other evolving business strategies, (12) operational execution, including the extent to which the Company can realize the benefits of planned productivity improvements, as well as the impact of organizational restructuring activities, (13) financial market risks that may affect the Company's funding obligations under defined benefit pension and postretirement plans, (14) the Company's credit ratings and its cost of funding, (15) tax-related external conditions, including changes in tax rates, laws, or regulations, (16) matters relating to the Company's Aearo Entities, Combat Arms Earplugs Settlement, and related products, and (17) matters relating to the spin-off of Solventum, the Company's former Health Care business, into an independent public company.
Those risks, uncertainties, and other factors are further described in Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. For additional information concerning factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's forward-looking statements, see the Company's reports on Form 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K filed with the SEC from time to time.
3M Company published this content on October 20, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via EDGAR on October 20, 2026 at 16:31 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]