Post-it notes maker 3M says 2Q profit up 6 per cent on revenue growth across businesses

ST. PAUL, Minn. – 3M’s second-quarter profit jumped 6 per cent as sales surged across all its businesses.

The maker of Post-it notes, industrial coatings and ceramics posted net income of $1.27 billion, or $1.91 per share, in the quarter ending June 30, compared with $1.2 billion, or $1.71 per share, in the same quarter a year ago.

The profit matched Wall Street expectations and the company’s revenue, which rose 4.9 per cent to $8.13 billion, edged out most analyst projections, according to a poll by FactSet.

“Organic sales growth was again positive across all businesses and geographic regions which helped drive double-digit growth in earnings per share,” said Chairman and CEO Inge Thulin. “Strong productivity fueled increased growth investments, and operating margins increased year-on-year to nearly 23 per cent.”

At its industrial unit, which makes auto and aircraft parts, revenue rose 4.9 per cent to $2.8 billion. It rose 4.1 per cent to $1.5 billion at its safety and graphics business, 6.2 per cent to $1.4 billion at its electronics and energy unit, 5.9 per cent to $1.4 billion at its health care business and increased 3.7 per cent to $1.1 billion at its business that makes Scotch tape, Post-its and other consumer products.

The St. Paul company stuck by its full-year projection for per-share earnings of between $7.30 and $7.55, and an increasing in revenue of between rise 3 per cent and 6 per cent.

Wall Street is expecting earnings of $7.47 per share and a 4 per cent hike in revenue.

Before the opening bell, shares of 3M Co. rose $1.42 to $146.10. That would be within 15 cents of its all-time high if it carries over to regular trading.