MMM - 3M Company

NYSE - NYSE Delayed Price. Currency in USD
172.03
-1.35 (-0.78%)
At close: 4:02PM EDT
Stock chart is not supported by your current browser
Previous Close173.38
Open173.25
Bid171.56 x 900
Ask172.50 x 800
Day's Range171.27 - 173.39
52 Week Range159.32 - 219.75
Volume2,731,437
Avg. Volume3,227,345
Market Cap99.163B
Beta (3Y Monthly)1.22
PE Ratio (TTM)18.18
EPS (TTM)9.46
Earnings DateJul 25, 2019
Forward Dividend & Yield5.76 (3.31%)
Ex-Dividend Date2019-05-23
1y Target Est183.25
Trade prices are not sourced from all markets
  • What the U.S.-China trade war means for American consumers
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    What the U.S.-China trade war means for American consumers

    The U.S. trade war with China may be hitting the wallets of consumers, but it's also giving back in the form of cheaper gas prices. Steven Skancke, Chief Economic Advisor at Keel Point, along with Greg McBride, Chief Financial Analyst at Bankrate, join Seana Smith on 'The Ticker' to discuss how tariff costs have impacted American households.

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  • 3M and Discovery Education Announce National Finalists and State Merit Winners in 2019 3M Young Scientist Challenge
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  • Options Traders Expect Huge Moves in 3M (MMM) Stock
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  • 3M (MMM) Gains As Market Dips: What You Should Know
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  • How Chinese Culture Could Affect the Future of 3M Stock
    InvestorPlace2 days ago

    How Chinese Culture Could Affect the Future of 3M Stock

    3M (NYSE:MMM) stock price has begun to recover from one of the more significant drops in company history. An earnings miss related to the trade war and speculation about the security of the dividend of 3M stock have hammered the shares.Source: Shutterstock Both factors have added significant risk to a company most regard as stable. Although 3M stock price should recover, unusual risk factors make MMM stock suitable for only income-oriented, risk-tolerant investors. * 7 Top S&P 500 Stocks of 2019 (So Far) Threats to 3M's Dividend Hit 3M stockIn late April, 3M stock price went into free-fall following a massive earnings miss. The stock plunged by about 13% following the announcement. Warnings about the stability of the company's dividend caused MMM stock further pain.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading TipsLast month, analyst Stephen Tusa of JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM) kept his "underweight" rating on 3M stock and took his price target on MMM stock down to $143 per share. He also warned that the company could cut its dividend. Tusa's note led to a further decline in 3M stock price over the next month. The drop would take MMM stock from a high of almost $220 per share to a low just above $159 per share.Any time analysts talk about the end of a 60-year streak of dividend increases, it is a serious matter. Such an action could bring years of devastation and stagnation to 3M stock.For now, traders have shrugged off the underweight rating. Just three weeks after hitting its 52-week low, the 3M stock price has risen to nearly $174 per share. 3M Is a ConglomerateIf only scotch tape and post-it notes held this company together, I would be wary of the move higher by 3M stock. However, much like another well-known conglomerate named Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), 3M's products extend across several divisions and industries. Health Care, 3M's only division to report revenue growth last quarter, will likely receive a boost from the company's recent $6.7 billion acquisition of Acelity.Still, this diversification does not make 3M stock bulletproof. All one has to do is study the decline of General Electric (NYSE:GE) to know that older industrial conglomerates can face devastation and even fail. I see Tusa's call on the dividend as extreme. However, if the U.S.-China trade war persists long enough, the dividend could be cut. Do Not Forget the Trade War, Culture RiskIt is the trade war that I see as the most significant risk to 3M stock. The Asia-Pacific region, which includes both China and Japan, accounted for 31.3% of 3M's overall revenue in 2018. The trade war has lasted longer than almost anyone thought it would.Investors also need to consider cultural factors that statistics cannot quantify. China's President, Xi Jinping, basically runs China as a dictatorship. While an end to the trade war would benefit both the Chinese people and 3M stock, dictators often act contrary to their people's interest.Another factor involves Chinese culture itself. The Chinese consider saving face quite important. This makes China unlikely to sign a trade deal that will make it appear to be the loser. As a result, not only must U.S. negotiators sign an agreement that works for America, but they must also create an arrangement that at least appears to benefit the Chinese.This creates a conundrum for the owners of 3M stock, as such a deal could happen tomorrow, two years from now, or perhaps never. Still, I see reasons to buy MMM stock for those who can handle risk. The current price-earnings ratio of 3M stock is 18.5, which is below the historical average of 23.2. Moreover, most analysts believe the company's earnings will resume growing next year, although their profit estimates likely factor in an end to the trade war.Further, thanks to the decline of 3M stock price, 3M's dividend yield now stands at about 3.3%. 3M pays out 58.6% of its income in dividends. If that percentage moves closer to 100%, the payout would be endangered. However, 3M has some cushion before it has to resort to ending its streak of payout hikes. Final Thoughts on 3M Stock3M stock carries culture-based risk which investors rarely consider. Consequently, MMM stock best suits investors who can tolerate risk and need income. JPMorgan's Tusa may have exaggerated the threat to 3M's dividend. Nonetheless, the trade war appears unlikely to end soon, and China accounts for a large percentage of 3M's revenues.But complicating an end to the trade war is China itself. Due to 3M's dependence on China, the future of 3M depends heavily on a dictator who's intent on saving face. This factor could make 3M stock riskier than it's ever been.MMM stock pays a generous, growing dividend. It also trades at a low multiple. However, with the future of the stock hanging on geopolitics and Chinese culture, only those willing to deal with those risk factors should buy the shares.As of this writing, Will Healy did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned stocks. You can follow Will on Twitter at @HealyWriting. More From InvestorPlace * 2 Toxic Pot Stocks You Should Avoid * 7 Telecom Stocks to Set on Speed Dial * 6 Stocks to Sell in the Back Half of 2019 * 7 Top S&P 500 Stocks of 2019 (So Far) Compare Brokers The post How Chinese Culture Could Affect the Future of 3M Stock appeared first on InvestorPlace.

  • Has DOW Stock Reached an Attractive Entry Point?
    InvestorPlace7 days ago

    Has DOW Stock Reached an Attractive Entry Point?

    The new Dow Inc (NYSE:DOW) stock and company is the result of a two-stage spinoff of Corteva (NYSE:CTVA) and DOW stock by DowDupont (NYSE:DD) that started on Apr. 1. The split came about because of agitation from an activist shareholder, Third Point's Dan Loeb. No doubt, the main objective was to benefit the owners of DowDupont stock and DOW stock.Source: Roy Luck via Flickr (modified)And of course, the CEO of DOW, Jim Fitterling, boasted about the restructuring. In a press release, he said:"The changes we have made to Dow's portfolio, cost structure and mindset are significant. The new Dow is a more focused and streamlined company with a clear playbook to deliver long-term earnings growth and value creation for all stakeholders.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading TipsBut unfortunately, Wall Street hasn't been so kind to Dow Inc stock. Since early April, DOW stock has gone from $58 to $49. * 7 Value Stocks to Buy for the Second Half The Issues With Dow Inc StockSpinoffs can be disruptive. There is often a large turnover in the shareholder base, which can put pressure on the shares.Yet that overhang will dissipate in the longer term. So could DOW stock now be an interesting value play? Is it time to consider buying Dow Inc stock?Well, I'd still be cautious. DOW is still a complex organization. As seen with other companies like GE (NYSE:GE) and 3M (NYSE:MMM), complexity has become a big drawback on Wall Street. Investors nowadays want agile companies that can focus on growth opportunities and be nimble enough to stave off rivals.InvestorPlace.com columnist Josh Enomoto aptly described the complexity of DOW and how that could be a hindrance:"Dow Inc stock doesn't provide a clean, linear path. Instead, the underlying company is stretched wide, featuring businesses in consumer products, packaging, industrial materials, large-scale infrastructures and technology. From a topical perspective, the separation into three entities streamlined operations for the individual cogs. Somewhat left out in the equation was that the individual cogs also have non-intuitive structures."However, complexity may not be the biggest risk facing DOW stock. Rather, the slowing of the global economy looks to be the main problem.For now, there is little clarity on a resolution to the dispute between the U.S. and China. In the meantime, there is also the potential for trade disputes between the U.S. and Europe.The World Bank has reported that global growth will come in at 2.6% versus its January forecast of 2.9%. That would be the weakest global growth in three years.As for DOW, the company is definitely sensitive to the swings of the economy. When the economy slows, it's easy to put off a decision to purchase new raw materials and commodities. The Bottom Line on DOW StockDOW has positive attributes. Keep in mind that the company continues to streamline its operations and cut costs. DOW plans to eliminate $700 million of costs this year. It is also being more disciplined when it comes to capital investments.As for the valuation of Dow Inc, stock it is fairly cheap. Consider that its forward price-earnings multiple is nine and its dividend yield is a hefty 5.7%.Yet such factors likely mean that DOW stock has some downside protection. However, because of the macro weakness across the world, it could be tough for Dow Inc stock to advance meaningfully.Tom Taulli is the author of the upcoming book, Artificial Intelligence Basics: A Non-Technical Introduction. Follow him on Twitter at @ttaulli. As of this writing, he did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. More From InvestorPlace * 4 Top American Penny Pot Stocks (Buy Before June 21) * 7 Value Stocks to Buy for the Second Half * 7 Hot Stocks to Buy for a Seemingly Sleepy Summer * 6 Chip Stocks Staring At Big Headwinds in 2019 Compare Brokers The post Has DOW Stock Reached an Attractive Entry Point? appeared first on InvestorPlace.

  • Stock Market News For Jun 19, 2019
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  • Business Wire7 days ago

    Global Manufacturer 3M Joins Ellen MacArthur Foundation's CE100 Circular Economy Network

    As part of its commitment to apply science to improve every life, 3M (MMM) announced today that the company has joined the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Circular Economy 100 (CE100). Sustainability is at the heart of 3M innovation. Joining the CE100 is part of 3M’s strategic focus on science for circular, with the ambition to design solutions that do more with less material, advancing a global circular economy.

  • Dow Jones Today: Why the Best Stocks in the DJIA Are Rallying
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    All it took was a little love on the trade front to send stocks surging on Tuesday. The Nasdaq Composite and the S&P 500 rallied 1.39% and 0.97%, respectively, with the latter closing in on another record in advance of the Federal Reserve meeting. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, meanwhile, added a respectable 1.35%.Source: Shutterstock Finally, a tweet from President Trump involving trade talks proved efficacious for stocks. In a tweet out earlier today, Trump said he and Chinese President X had a "very good" conversation via telephone and that the two are "extended meeting next week at the G-20 in Japan." Trump added that representatives from both sides will hold talks prior to the two leaders getting together.The stage is set for stocks to continue climbing, particularly if the Federal Reserve cooperates. The U.S. central bank commenced its two-day meeting today. While it appears unlikely that the Fed will announce an interest rate cut tomorrow, what will captivate investors' is language that could imply a rate cut is imminent, perhaps as soon as July.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading TipsThose are the types of headlines that riskier assets love. In late trading, more than two-thirds of the Dow's 30 components were in the green, but a few were sporting particularly robust gains. Let's look at a few here. Boeing (BA)Boeing (NYSE:BA), a frequent guest in this space and the Dow's largest component, surged 5.50% today, an encouraging sign because it is good to see the big kahuna rally in a price-weighted index like the Dow. Yesterday, it was noted that Boeing was making some bullish predictions at the Paris Airshow. * 7 Hot Stocks to Buy for a Seemingly Sleepy Summer That theme continued today when the company said that British airline group IAG inked a deal to buy 200 of Boeing's 737 max jets. Yes, that's the same 737 max passenger jet that has recently caused Boeing investors so much consternation. IAG owns British Airways, Aer Lingus and Spain's Iberia, among other European carriers. The deal could be worth up to $24 billion. 3M (MMM)Industrial conglomerate 3M Co. (NYSE:MMM) is the epitome of a cyclical stock that has been battered by the trade war. Shares of 3M are saddled with a second-quarter loss of 20% and the stock has been careening lower since late April.3M, which has a dividend yield of 3.45%, got some relief today, climbing 2.98%. As is the case with Boeing, 3M's rise is particularly good news for the price-weighted Dow because Minnesota-based 3M is the eighth-largest component in the price-weighted index."We believe the market has overreacted to two key variables: 1) 3M's latest guidance cut; and 2) 3M's potential PFAS litigation exposure," said Morningstar in a recent note."Since Mike Roman has been at the helm for nearly a year, 3M has been forced to cut guidance on five different occasions. That said, 3M consists of short-cycle businesses that are notoriously hard to predict. Most of the slowdown has come from three distinct end markets which make up over 30% of its revenue base, which include automotive, electronics, and China. And the company simply missed reacting to slowing demand." Intel (INTC)As has been widely documented, semiconductor stocks have been primary victims of the trade controversy. What was once one of the year's best-performing groups rapidly turned south in May, but the anti-semiconductor trade probably got too crowded too quickly, giving way to a snap-back rally.That rally may have started today and Intel Corp. (NASDAQ:INTC) got in on the act. At one point Tuesday, eight of the 10 best-performing stocks in the S&P 500 on a percentage basis were chip stocks.After gaining 2.74%, Intel was the Dow's best-performing technology stock today. Nike (NKE)Athletic apparel and footwear giant NIKE Inc. (NYSEARCA:NKE) gained 2.82% today, probably due in large part to the encouraging news on the trade front. The company is heavily dependent on foreign labor and was previously warned the White House that tariffs on its exports to China would be "catastrophic" for its business. With those factors in mind, it probably was not surprising to see NIKE rank as the best-performing consumer discretionary stock in the Dow today.As of this writing, Todd Shriber did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. More From InvestorPlace * 4 Top American Penny Pot Stocks (Buy Before June 21) * 5 Red-Hot IPO Stocks to Buy for the Long Run * 5 Stocks to Buy for $20 or Less * 4 Dow Jones Stocks Ready to Rise Compare Brokers The post Dow Jones Today: Why the Best Stocks in the DJIA Are Rallying appeared first on InvestorPlace.

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  • 3M (MMM) Gains But Lags Market: What You Should Know
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  • The 5 Worst Dow Jones Stocks So Far in 2019
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    The 5 Worst Dow Jones Stocks So Far in 2019

    The Dow Jones Industrial Average has gained nearly 12% so far in 2019. It doesn't seem like a whole heck of a lot, but considering the topsy-turvey markets of 2019, it's a pretty strong lift. That gain was driven by the majority of the Dow 30 as most of the stocks in the DJIA index contributed to its postive year-to-date gain.Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) is the biggest winner of the bunch, gaining more than 30%. But owing to the odd price-weighted nature of the index, it's likely Visa (NYSE:V), with a 28% gain and a higher share price, that has been the biggest driver behind the Dow's gains.Not every component of the Dow Jones today has had a strong year, though. Five of the index's 30 stocks have declined so far this year. But not all of them make the list of the five worst Dow Jones stocks in 2019, which we'll recount in greater detail going forward.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips * 7 Top-Rated Biotech Stocks to Invest In Today For reasons that go beyond pure performance, these five components have had the roughest year so far, which means they have the most to prove in the second half of 2019. Walgreens (WBA)Source: Mike Mozart via FlickrWalgreens (NASDAQ:WBA) is the easiest pick on the list. That's somewhat ironic considering that Walgreens is one of the index's newest members, replacing General Electric (NYSE:GE) just last year. WBA stock far and away has had the worst performance in 2019: its 22.6% decline is almost exactly twice as steep as that of the index's second-biggest decliner. WBA touched a five-year low late last month before a modest rally in recent weeks.As I wrote in April, disappointing store-level execution clearly has been a factor. But what might be more worrisome for WBA is that the entire retail pharmacy industry seems to under threat. Shares of rival CVS Health (NYSE:CVS), too, have touched a multi-year low.Smaller Rite Aid (NYSE:RAD) continues to plunge, with a hefty debt load adding to the pressure. Front-end sales aren't growing, and in pharmacy higher generic prices are compressing already-thin margins.WBA stock is cheap, now at less than 9x forward earnings. But right now, Walgreens looks a lot like most other retailers - and that will have to change for Walgreens stock to reverse its performance in not only 2019, but the last few years. Dow Inc. (DOW)Source: Roy Luck via Flickr (modified)It's a little unfair to put Dow Inc. (NYSE:DOW) on this list. DOW shares actually have gained 6% since they were spun off from what is now (again) DuPont (NYSE:DD) on April 1st.But DOW is part of the DowDuPont spinoff, a hugely complicated financial engineering project that was supposed to create real value for shareholders. It hasn't happened. DWDP shareholders received one share of Corteva (NYSE:CTVA) and one share of DOW for every three DowDuPont shares they owned. At current prices, that totals about $50 in value. DWDP shares closed 2018 near $54 - after declining 25% last year.This was a case where many value investors saw significant upside. Yet trade war concerns and post-spin trading have led DWDP to destroy value, at least so far. DOW and its former siblings still have time, and room, to rally. But a lot of smart investors likely see the YTD performance as among the most disappointing in their portfolios. Intel (INTC)Source: Shutterstock Performance-wise, Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) hasn't been a bad stock in 2019. It's underperformed the market, but a 0.5% decline actually turns very slightly positive when accounting for dividend payments.Still, 2019 hasn't been a good year for Intel. It's suffering chip shortages. It's still behind in 10nm -- and about four years late. Rival Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:AMD) is gobbling up market share in CPUs. Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) settled with Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM) in large part because Intel couldn't move quick enough to get the iPhone to 5G.Intel still is a behemoth in the chip space, and the company still has time to right its ship. With INTC stock at barely 10x earnings, there's upside if and when that happens. But the company's performance so far this year inspires little confidence, which has been much weaker than a flattish stock price would imply. 3M (MMM)Source: Shutterstock The 11.4% decline in 3M (NYSE:MMM) shares so far this year is the second-worst performance in the Dow. But no component has posted a worse quarterly report than 3M did with its Q1 release in late April. 3M stock plunged 13%, its worst one-day decline in over 30 years. The drop was big enough to on its own pull the index down over 100 points.MMM stock still hasn't recovered: it would drop nearly another 20% in the following weeks before bottoming of late. And there's a case for the stock after the big decline, as James Brumley argued earlier this month. A 3.4% dividend yield helps the argument, and 3M's diversified business should allow it to ride out any further near-term or market volatility.Still, Q1 was an obvious concern: stocks like 3M don't fall 25% in a matter of weeks for no reason. And it was the automotive and Chinese markets that led to the poor quarter. Neither seems likely to rebound sharply all that soon. At the very least, it's going to take a lot more than one good quarter for 3M to make back what it lost after Q1. Pfizer (PFE)Source: Shutterstock It's a bit unfair to put Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) on this list. Pfizer certainly hasn't had a terrible year. PFE stock is down 2.6%, the third-worst performance in the index. But drugmakers generally underperform in bull markets, and many drug stocks have done worse in 2019. A 3.4% dividend yield offsets most of those losses anyhow.That said, Pfizer hasn't had a great year, either. Rival (and fellow Dow component) Merck (NYSE:MRK) has gained 8%-plus. And it's hard not to get the sense that PFE, which traded mostly sideways for over three years in the middle of the decade, is back to being stagnant. There doesn't seem to much of a catalyst on the horizon to change the Pfizer story, while external pressures on the industry continue to mount.It's true that, even this year, PFE shareholders could have done worse. But given that 25 Dow Jones stocks are up YTD, it's obvious they could have done better.As of this writing, Vince Martin has no positions in any securities mentioned. More From InvestorPlace * 4 Top American Penny Pot Stocks (Buy Before June 21) * The 7 Best Tech Stocks to Buy for the Second Half of 2019 * 7 Top-Rated Biotech Stocks to Invest In Today * 4 Semiconductor Stocks to Sell Compare Brokers The post The 5 Worst Dow Jones Stocks So Far in 2019 appeared first on InvestorPlace.

  • TheStreet.com10 days ago

    Buy 3M for Its Dividend and Becoming 'Too Cheap to Ignore'

    3M is a multi-national technology conglomerate that manufactures industrial, safety and consumer products including the ever-popular post-it notes. The daily chart for 3M shows a huge price gap lower on April 25, after it reported an earnings miss and disappointing guidance. The weekly chart for 3M is negative but oversold with the stock below its five-week modified moving average of $175.95 and below its 200-week simple moving average or "reversion to the mean" at $190.50.

  • 3 "Internet of Things" Stocks to Buy Right Now
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  • Business Wire13 days ago

    3M and LG-Innotek Complete Patent License Agreement for 3M’s Metal Mesh Technology

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  • As Solid as It Is, Looming Fears Will Hold Back Caterpillar Stock
    InvestorPlace14 days ago

    As Solid as It Is, Looming Fears Will Hold Back Caterpillar Stock

    Between 2016 and 2018, Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) earnings more than tripled. Unsurprisingly, the stock price soared. Caterpillar stock started 2016 near $60; it started 2018 roughly one hundred points higher.Source: Anthony via FlickrThere were several factors at play in earnings growth. Easy comparisons helped, certainly. Revenue fell 18% year-over-year in 2016. That was the fourth straight year in which sales declined, a first for the company. Not even during the Great Depression did Caterpillar's top line stay negative for so long. Those four years of declines also led to a great deal of pent-up demand, which has benefited results over the last nine quarters.In addition, Caterpillar aggressively cut costs: its headcount shrunk by 20% between the end of 2013 and the end of 2017. Corporate tax reform boosted EPS. Almost everything has gone right of late - but that hardly seems reflected in Caterpillar shares.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips * 7 Dark Horse Stocks Winning the Race in 2019 Indeed, over the last eighteen months, Caterpillar stock now has declined over 20%. Yet earnings still are expected to grow, if at a slower rate. Caterpillar is guiding for adjusted EPS this year (excluding a one-time tax benefit) of $11.75-$12.75, 5-14% above 2018 levels. Investors don't seem to care: the CAT stock price touched a 2019 low just week, and now sits at a little over 10x the midpoint of that guidance range.The issue is that investors aren't looking at 2019, or 2016. They're looking at 2020 and beyond. To some investors, that might present an opportunity. To others, it explains why the CAT stock price continues to fall and may have further to go. The Cyclical CATAlong with John Deere (NYSE:DE), Caterpillar is one of the most widely-held cyclical stocks. That's been particularly true this decade. Back in 2012, the company generated nearly $66 billion in revenue. That year, the so-called commodity supercycle driven in part by Chinese growth peaked, and Caterpillar sold billions of dollars of equipment to miners worldwide. Commodity prices collapsed, demand dried up, and the overhang of barely used equipment pressured sales for years.Indeed, Caterpillar's Resource Industries segment saw revenue drop by over 70 percent between 2012 and 2016. Operating profit went from over $4 billion to a loss of $1 billion. That business now has recovered - but a $1.6 billion profit in 2018 obviously sits well below early-decade peaks.That volatility explains, at least in part, why Caterpillar stock looks so cheap at the moment. Investors always know Caterpillar is a cyclical play, but the roller-coaster ride of this decade remains fresh in their memories. In theory, a cyclical stock should see its earnings multiple expand at the bottom as was the case in 2016 when savvy investors started buying CAT stock ahead of its rebound.Of course, that also means multiples should contract at the top, and it's the fear that we indeed are at, or near, the top that explains why the CAT stock price sits at barely 10x 2019 earnings per share. The Cycle Weighs on Caterpillar StockTo be sure, there are some company-specific factors as well. Caterpillar cited a $70 million direct impact from tariffs just in the first quarter, and trade war fears no doubt have weighed on CAT. Like other American firms including Deere, 3M (NYSE:MMM), and even Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), the company also cited market share struggles in the Chinese market.But China only accounts for roughly 10% of Caterpillar revenue. Potential market share issues in one region don't offset the fact that Caterpillar earnings have soared - or that the company seems to be performing exceedingly well everywhere else.CAT's cheap multiple is a function primarily of cyclical worries. To be sure, it's not alone. Banks like Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) and JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM) look cheap. Homebuilders Lennar (NYSE:LEN) and D.R. Horton (NYSE:DHI), too, trade at single-digit multiples, even after solid YTD rallies.Investors in these stocks, and in Caterpillar, are looking to ahead to looming trouble. That might be a trade war. It might just be the natural end of a U.S. economic expansion heading into its eleventh year. Caterpillar is a more global play. Over half of its sales come from outside North America, but the logic is the same. A slowdown is coming and investors don't want to own the stocks most likely to be affected. The Bet on CAT StockAnd so investors aren't really focused on 2019 results and they're not going to be. An extra dime or two in 2019 EPS doesn't matter much, if at all, if those earnings start declining in 2020 anyhow. UBS (NYSE:UBS) made that case last week, cutting its CAT stock price target to $115 while projecting a decrease in earnings next year.That's the problem for Caterpillar stock right now: there's not much Caterpillar can really do. It's cut costs so significantly of late that there's probably less room to react if sales do start turning negative. What growth it does muster in 2019 could well be overshadowed, or ignored, amid fears of what comes next. Moreso than other cyclicals, CAT is going to be held hostage to the broader sentiment toward the global economy.Of course, that's precisely what makes CAT so interesting, particularly near YTD lows. There is a nice case here for the stock. As Dana Blankenhorn pointed out last month, CAT is an attractive pick for income investors. The dividend already yields 3.3%, and Caterpillar management has promised further hikes going forward.Those hikes are presumably dependent on some degree of cooperation from the broader economy, but at least for now the dividend is well-covered.But even a 4% dividend isn't quite enough to turn bullish. An investor has to trust the global economy to go long CAT, even at these levels. And if an investor does see global macro worries as overdone, there are few better plays than Caterpillar stock.Another leg up in the global economy and particularly in demand for commodities like minerals, oil and natural gas would allow earnings to keep growing. CAT's earnings multiple likely would expand as well thanks to increased investor confidence. It's not unreasonable in that scenario to see Caterpillar stock clearing $200, something like 14-15x adjusted EPS of $14-$15. For what it's worth, the high Wall Street target price is exactly $200.It's not quite that simple but it's close. CAT is a bet on the global economy being better than feared. It's not a bet I'm quite willing to take but I can see why other investors might.As of this writing, Vince Martin has no positions in any securities mentioned. More From InvestorPlace * 4 Top American Penny Pot Stocks (Buy Before June 21) * 7 Dark Horse Stocks Winning the Race in 2019 * 6 Chinese Stocks to Sell That Are Suffering From a Digital Ad Slowdown * 4 Technology Stocks Blasting Higher Compare Brokers The post As Solid as It Is, Looming Fears Will Hold Back Caterpillar Stock appeared first on InvestorPlace.

  • MarketWatch15 days ago

    3M discloses charge of $160 million for deconsolidation of Venezuelan subsidiary

    3M Co. disclosed Tuesday that it will record a charge of $160 million, or 27 cents a share, in the second quarter for the deconsolidation of its Venezuelan subsidiary. The industrial, health-care and consumer products company has notified employees that it has suspended local operations for the foreseeable future. "In light of continuing challenging circumstances in Venezuela, including its unstable environment and heightened unrest that have led to a sustained lack of demand, and our expectation that these circumstances will continue for the foreseeable future, 3M has concluded that it no longer meets the criteria of control to continue consolidating its Venezuelan operations, and therefore deconsolidated its Venezuelan subsidiary as of May 31, 2019," the company stated in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. "There is no economic impact to 3M from the deconsolidation of the subsidiary. The operations were immaterial to 3M's overall operations." The stock, which rose 0.6% in afternoon trade, has tumbled 11% year to date while the Dow Jones Industrial Average has gained 12%.

  • With or Without DuPont, DOW Stock Is Almost Too Complicated
    InvestorPlace15 days ago

    With or Without DuPont, DOW Stock Is Almost Too Complicated

    It wasn't a big surprise at all when chemical manufacturer Dow Inc (NYSE:DOW) split off from the organization formerly known as DowDuPont. Announced last year, the massive conglomerate would form three separate entities: DOW, DuPont (NYSE:DD) and Corteva (NYSE:CTVA). Moreover, the general consensus was that DOW stock, along with the other two names, would perform better individually.Source: Roy Luck via Flickr (modified)The principle idea behind this strategy is simple for anyone to appreciate. As a combined entity, DowDuPont was incredibly confusing and convoluted, similar to General Electric (NYSE:GE). And as you can tell from GE's technical chart, very few people today value large, aimless companies. The emphasis now is on agility, something that Dow Inc stock lacked when tethered to unrelated businesses like Corteva's agriculture.So far, though, that "untethering" thesis is on shaky ground. Sure, DOW stock is up nearly 8% in June. However, shares have crumbled since mid-April. Despite the strong start to the month, DOW is still about 14% shy of returning to its closing high.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips * 7 Stocks to Buy As They Hit 52-Week Lows However, optimists might note that Dow Inc stock suffered from the same pressures as everyone else; namely, geopolitical tensions with China. Of course, the situation currently looks terrible, with both sides not willing to concede an inch.That said, the smart money would eventually go toward a resolution between the No. 1 and No. 2 economies. After all, prolonged tensions do neither side any good.Additionally, the Trump administration's hard-nosed act could be just that, an act. It wouldn't be the first time that the President said one thing and did another. And if we did get that resolution, DOW stock would presumably jump higher.Still, I wouldn't get too excited about Dow Inc stock yet. DOW Stock Is a Complicated InvestmentA cute peculiarity of the DowDuPont breakup is that DOW stock replaced the former in the Dow Jones index. Thus, we have DOW in the Dow.Its inclusion also made sense because the venerable index maintains exposure to the materials sector. Fair enough. But increasingly, it's becoming clear that the markets don't favor big, complicated organizations with broad and disparate reach.We just need to look at the Dow Jones' recent history to confirm this sentiment. Dow Inc stock being listed into the index was the first shakeup since General Electric was kicked out. And what is General Electric but the mother of all complicated organizations?Sure, GE has slimmed down with its own divestments and spinoffs, but it's still confusing relative to modern organizations. I believe that's still the key risk associated with DOW stock.Because let's not overlook what's right in front of our face. Despite the much-covered DowDuPont breakup, Dow Inc stock doesn't provide a clean, linear path. Instead, the underlying company is stretched wide, featuring businesses in consumer products, packaging, industrial materials, large-scale infrastructures and technology.From a topical perspective, the separation into three entities streamlined operations for the individual cogs. Somewhat left out in the equation was that the individual cogs also have non-intuitive structures.Rather than a DOW in the Dow being a positive, it seems like an omen. That's because the Dow Jones has repeatedly kicked out or obstructed these yesteryear organizations. The ones that are still holding on are likely on their last leg.For instance, I thought a jack-of-all-trades company like 3M (NYSE:MMM) offered a contrarian play for its broad industry coverage. I was dead wrong. And I'm concerned the same fate awaits DOW stock: the markets just don't like these types of investments anymore. Don't Hold Your Breath on China or Even MexicoIn order to really see positive sentiment drive Dow Inc stock, speculators must hope for a big news item. A resolution to the U.S.-China trade war, along with normalizing relations with Mexico would do the trick.However, I wouldn't hold my breath on either event. First, I don't think the Chinese are really interested in a trade resolution. From day one, China sought to leapfrog the U.S. as the undisputed technological leader. That's why the Chinese committed brazen acts of corporate espionage. It's the quickest and dirtiest way to accomplish their goals. * 7 Dark Horse Stocks Winning the Race in 2019 Look at it this way: what would a trade deal imply for the Chinese? At the very least, it would mean that they must play by the rules. Ultimately, they'll never go for that because it necessarily means that China plays second fiddle to the U.S.As far as Mexico goes, a truce currently exists: Mexico agreed to impose tighter migrant controls in exchange for a tariff-free relationship with the U.S. But it's a very unsettling one, with Trump able to pull the plug if he doesn't like what he sees. My bet is that he doesn't. That also means we may not have a decisive catalyst for Dow stock for quite some time.As of this writing, Josh Enomoto did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. More From InvestorPlace * 4 Top American Penny Pot Stocks (Buy Before June 21) * 7 Stocks to Buy As They Hit 52-Week Lows * 4 Antitrust Tech Stocks to Keep an Eye On * 5 Gold and Silver Stocks Touching Intraday Highs Compare Brokers The post With or Without DuPont, DOW Stock Is Almost Too Complicated appeared first on InvestorPlace.

  • Is 3M Company (MMM) A Good Stock To Buy?
    Insider Monkey15 days ago

    Is 3M Company (MMM) A Good Stock To Buy?

    "Since 2006, value stocks (IVE vs IVW) have underperformed 11 of the 13 calendar years and when they beat growth, it wasn't by much. Cumulatively, through this week, it has been a 122% differential (up 52% for value vs up 174% for growth). This appears to be the longest and most severe drought for value […]

  • Stock Market News For Jun 11, 2019
    Zacks15 days ago

    Stock Market News For Jun 11, 2019

    Markets closed in the green on Monday after President Trump announced that he was suspending plans to impose tariffs on Mexico.