General Industrial Machinery Stocks Q4 In Review: 3M (NYSE:MMM) Vs Peers

Let’s dig into the relative performance of 3M (NYSE:MMM) and its peers as we unravel the now-completed Q4 general industrial machinery earnings season.

Automation that increases efficiency and connected equipment that collects analyzable data have been trending, creating new demand for general industrial machinery companies. Those who innovate and create digitized solutions can spur sales and speed up replacement cycles, but all general industrial machinery companies are still at the whim of economic cycles. Consumer spending and interest rates, for example, can greatly impact the industrial production that drives demand for these companies’ offerings.

The 14 general industrial machinery stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 3.3% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was in line.

Amidst this news, share prices of the companies have had a rough stretch. On average, they are down 5.1% since the latest earnings results.

3M (NYSE:MMM)

Producers of the first asthma inhaler, 3M Company (NYSE:MMM) is a global conglomerate known for products in industries like healthcare, safety, electronics, and consumer goods.

3M reported revenues of $6.02 billion, up 3.7% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 1.5%. Despite the top-line beat, it was still a mixed quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts’ revenue estimates but a slight miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

Unsurprisingly, the stock is down 9.9% since reporting and currently trades at $151.11.

Is now the time to buy 3M? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q4: Columbus McKinnon (NASDAQ:CMCO)

With 19 different brands across the globe, Columbus McKinnon (NASDAQ:CMCO) offers material handling equipment for the construction, manufacturing, and transportation industries.

Columbus McKinnon reported revenues of $258.7 million, up 10.5% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 5.3%. The business had an exceptional quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 27.2% since reporting. It currently trades at $16.68.

Is now the time to buy Columbus McKinnon? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q4: Albany (NYSE:AIN)

Founded in 1895, Albany (NYSE:AIN) is a global textiles and materials processing company, specializing in machine clothing for paper mills and engineered composite structures for aerospace and other industries.

Albany reported revenues of $321.2 million, up 12% year on year, exceeding analysts’ expectations by 16%. Still, it was a softer quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 3% since the results and currently trades at $56.23.

Read our full analysis of Albany’s results here.

GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE)

One of the original 12 companies on the Dow Jones Industrial Average, General Electric (NYSE:GE) is a multinational conglomerate providing technologies for various sectors including aviation, power, renewable energy, and healthcare.

GE Aerospace reported revenues of $11.87 billion, up 20.1% year on year. This result topped analysts’ expectations by 6.3%. Overall, it was an exceptional quarter as it also produced a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

The stock is flat since reporting and currently trades at $321.32.

Read our full, actionable report on GE Aerospace here, it’s free.

Kadant (NYSE:KAI)

Headquartered in Massachusetts, Kadant (NYSE:KAI) is a global supplier of high-value, critical components and engineered systems used in process industries worldwide.

Kadant reported revenues of $286.2 million, up 10.9% year on year. This print surpassed analysts’ expectations by 4.3%. It was a very strong quarter as it also recorded a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

Kadant had the weakest full-year guidance update among its peers. The stock is up 4.3% since reporting and currently trades at $334.19.

Read our full, actionable report on Kadant here, it’s free.

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