Early Bird Prime for September 27, 2026

Shares of industrial giant 3M $MMM ( ▲ 1.21% ) have posted a modest 4.78% gain in 2026. It’s nice, but it’s still lagging behind the broader market. Some investors see leverage issues, mixed end-market exposure, and limited near-term valuation upside.

But a few days ago, an analyst from Bernstein swooped in to upgrade 3M from Underperform to Market Perform, raising the price target to $171 from $145. The analyst praised the company’s R&D transformation.

In a September conference, 3M’s Chairman and Chief Executive, William Brown, took to the stage like a rock star at a comeback tour. He declared that the company is exceeding key turnaround targets, thanks to stronger execution, new products, and portfolio changes.

3M’s core industrial and electronics-facing businesses are growing, and the company’s margins and earnings are getting a nice boost from execution initiatives. Investors are also enjoying dividends and substantial buybacks.

However, not all is sunshine and rainbows in the land of 3M. The stock has been struggling in recent weeks, as investors fret over ongoing PFAS-related risks.

Should you buy shares of 3M right now in 2026, or should you avoid the stock? Here’s the answer…