3M remains a great pick for a global gains

Article Excerpt

A big part of 3M’s appeal is its huge array of products and wide geographic reach. That cuts its exposure to any one customer or market. The company is also spending more in the development of new products. That will ultimately spur its earnings and let 3M keep rewarding investors with dividend hikes and share repurchases. 3M COMPANY $198 is a buy. The company (New York symbol MMM; Income-Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 579.0 million; Market cap: $114.6 billion; Dividend yield: 3.0%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Above Average; www.3m.com) produces more than 60,000 items, including air purifiers, adhesives, bandages and components for medical devices. Investors tap its main brands, including Post-it notes, Scotch tape, Scotch-Brite cleaning products, Scotchguard protection and Thinsulate insulation. 3M raised its quarterly dividend by 0.7% with the March 2021 payment; the new annual rate for the company’s shareholders is $5.92 and yields 3.0%. 3M has increased that rate each year for the past 63 years. The company’s…