Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH Invests $51.29 Million in 3M (NYSE:MMM)

Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH bought a new stake in 3M (NYSE:MMM - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund bought 397,313 shares of the conglomerate's stock, valued at approximately $51,289,000. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH owned approximately 0.07% of 3M as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Financial Life Planners acquired a new position in 3M during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Proficio Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in 3M during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. REAP Financial Group LLC lifted its position in 3M by 88.7% during the 4th quarter. REAP Financial Group LLC now owns 200 shares of the conglomerate's stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 94 shares in the last quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. acquired a new position in 3M during the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Finally, Pinney & Scofield Inc. acquired a new position in 3M during the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. 65.25% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity at 3M

In related news, EVP Zoe L. Dickson sold 7,915 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $149.02, for a total transaction of $1,179,493.30. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 6,127 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $913,045.54. This represents a 56.37% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP John Patrick Banovetz sold 7,759 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.37, for a total value of $1,151,202.83. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 31,372 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $4,654,663.64. The trade was a 19.83% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.34% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

3M Trading Up 0.7%

Shares of NYSE:MMM traded up $1.02 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $149.68. The stock had a trading volume of 2,621,422 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,961,563. The firm has a market cap of $80.55 billion, a PE ratio of 19.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.30 and a beta of 1.02. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $141.44 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $140.56. The company has a current ratio of 1.41, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.86. 3M has a twelve month low of $96.89 and a twelve month high of $156.35.

3M (NYSE:MMM - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 22nd. The conglomerate reported $1.88 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.77 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $5.80 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.78 billion. 3M had a net margin of 15.71% and a return on equity of 100.77%. On average, research analysts predict that 3M will post 7.8 EPS for the current fiscal year.

3M Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 12th. Investors of record on Friday, May 23rd will be given a $0.73 dividend. This represents a $2.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.95%. 3M's dividend payout ratio is 36.87%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Weiss Ratings reiterated a "hold (c+)" rating on shares of 3M in a research report on Saturday, May 24th. Barclays upped their price target on shares of 3M from $160.00 to $164.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Bank of America upped their target price on shares of 3M from $175.00 to $179.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, March 6th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on shares of 3M from $98.00 to $100.00 and gave the company an "underperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of 3M from $140.00 to $167.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, May 16th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $152.08.

3M Company Profile

3M Company provides diversified technology services in the United States and internationally. The company's Safety and Industrial segment offers industrial abrasives and finishing for metalworking applications; autobody repair solutions; closure systems for personal hygiene products, masking, and packaging materials; electrical products and materials for construction and maintenance, power distribution, and electrical original equipment manufacturers; structural adhesives and tapes; respiratory, hearing, eye, and fall protection solutions; and natural and color-coated mineral granules for shingles.