The following video is part of our "Motley Fool Conversations" series, in which industrials editor/analyst Brendan Byrnes discusses topics across the investing world.
In today's edition, Brendan outlines three reasons to buy 3M. While the company has slightly outperformed the Dow year to date, Brendan thinks the company has room to run and looks like a long-term outperformer. If so, that would certainly be good for the Dow as a whole, considering 3M is the fifth-most-influential stock on the price-weighted Dow. 3M's remarkable history of raising its dividends for 54 straight years coupled with a low payout ratio signals that the dividend increases should continue for the foreseeable future. The company has momentum coming off of a solid quarter, and continues to pursue international growth, where it usually improves on its already industry-leading operating margins.
3M is one of the longest-running dividend aristocrats, but its yield wasn't quite big enough to make it onto our list of favorite dividends. Our analysts have compiled our current favorite high-yielders in one free report: "Secure Your Future With 9 Rock-Solid Dividend Stocks." You can access your copy today at no cost! Just click here to discover the winners we've picked.
