Summary
3M Company reported strong first-quarter 2003 results, with net sales increasing 11.0% to a record $4.32 billion compared to the prior year. Net income also saw a significant boost, rising to $502 million, or $1.27 per share, from $452 million, or $1.14 per share, in the first quarter of 2002. Excluding special items, earnings per share grew by 15.4% to $1.42, indicating robust underlying operational performance driven by increased sales volumes and positive currency effects. Despite uncertain geopolitical and economic conditions, 3M reaffirmed its full-year 2003 earnings outlook, projecting reported earnings between $5.65 and $5.85 per share, and non-GAAP earnings between $5.80 and $6.00 per share.
Key Highlights
- 1First-quarter 2003 net sales reached a record $4.318 billion, an 11.0% increase year-over-year.
- 2Reported net income for Q1 2003 was $502 million, or $1.27 per share, up from $452 million, or $1.14 per share, in Q1 2002.
- 3Non-GAAP earnings per share (excluding special items) grew 15.4% to $1.42 in Q1 2003, compared to $1.23 in Q1 2002.
- 4Worldwide sales volumes increased 5.4%, with notable growth in Display and Graphics (24.4%) and significant contributions from acquisitions.
- 5International sales showed strong performance, with volumes up 8.7% and currency effects contributing 10.4% to sales growth.
- 63M reaffirmed its full-year 2003 earnings guidance, with reported EPS expected between $5.65-$5.85 and non-GAAP EPS between $5.80-$6.00.
- 7A pretax charge of $93 million was recorded in Q1 2003 related to an adverse legal ruling concerning the LePage's Inc. lawsuit.