These two dividends still look safe

Article Excerpt

Lawsuits and product recalls have weighed on these two U.S. industrial stocks this past year. Despite the setbacks, we feel their dividends are attractive and safe. 3M COMPANY $93 remains a buy for long-term gains. The diversified manufacturer (New York symbol MMM; Income-Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 552.3 million; Market cap: $51.4 billion; Dividend yield: 6.5%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Above Average; www.3m.com) last raised your quarterly dividend with the March 2023 payment. Investors now receive $1.50 a share, up 0.7% from $1.49. The new annual rate of $6.00 yields a high 6.5%. The company recently agreed to settle lawsuits related to the release of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from its operations in several U.S. cities. Under the settlement, 3M will pay $10.3 billion over the next 13 years. As well, it has agreed to settle claims regarding defects in earplugs it manufactured for the U.S. Army. Between 2023 and 2029, 3M will pay a total of $6.0 billion, consisting of $5.0 billion in cash and…