3M (NYSE: MMM) reported earnings on Jan. 26. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), 3M met expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue grew, and GAAP earnings per share improved.

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
3M logged revenue of $7.09 billion. The 11 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ wanted to see revenue of $7.09 billion. Sales were 5.7% higher than the prior-year quarter's $6.71 billion.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions.

EPS details
EPS came in at $1.35. The 17 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $1.31 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.35 for Q4 were 6.3% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.27 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Figures may be non-GAAP to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 46.1%, 60 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 19.2%, 20 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 13.5%, 30 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $7.46 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.48.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $30.59 billion. The average EPS estimate is $6.32.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 4,341 members out of 4,479 rating the stock outperform, and 139 members rating it underperform. Among 1,371 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 1,354 give 3M a green thumbs-up, and 17 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on 3M is outperform, with an average price target of $90.89.

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