Broad product, customer, and geographic diversity; Strong profitability and cash flow; Leverage that currently is low for the rating; Ample sources of internal and external liquidity; and Differentiated technology platforms that generate strong brands and scale. Aggressive commitment to accelerate revenue growth and increase shareholder value. The ratings on St. Paul, Minn.-based 3M Co. reflect its leading market positions, good product diversity, and strong financial profile; its focus on increasing shareholder return; and its commitment to accelerating growth from the current portfolio. With more than 60,000 products for the industrial, consumer, and life-sciences markets, and a global presence, 3M is able to generate stable earnings and cash flow over business cycles. The company excels at developing new products and leveraging
