3M Company announced on Tuesday that its board of directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.78 per share for the first quarter of 2026, maintaining its long-standing shareholder return policy.

The dividend will be paid on March 12, 2026, to shareholders of record as of February 13, 2026, according to the company’s statement. The payout is unchanged from the previous quarter, signaling stability in capital returns despite ongoing market volatility and operational restructuring across the industrial sector.

A Rare Dividend Track Record

3M highlighted that it has paid dividends to shareholders without interruption for more than 100 years, placing it among a small group of U.S. corporations with a century-long dividend history. The consistency reinforces the company’s positioning as a mature, income-oriented stock, even as it navigates strategic changes.

Earnings Beat, Stock Reaction Mixed

The dividend announcement follows 3M’s fourth-quarter 2025 earnings report, in which the company exceeded expectations. Adjusted earnings per share came in at $1.83, above analyst forecasts of $1.80, while revenue reached $6.1 billion, surpassing projections of $6.01 billion.

Despite the earnings beat, 3M shares declined after the results, reflecting investor caution tied to broader market conditions and uncertainty around forward guidance rather than the company’s near-term financial performance.

Analysts Split on Outlook

Wall Street views on 3M remain mixed. Mizuho maintained a Neutral rating with a $160 price target, citing divided investor sentiment following the earnings release. RBC Capital raised its target to $136 from $131, pointing to margin resilience but keeping an Underperform rating. UBS reiterated a Buy rating with a $190 target, arguing that the recent share price weakness stemmed from valuation multiple compression rather than deteriorating fundamentals.

For now, the steady dividend underscores 3M’s commitment to shareholder returns, even as investors weigh the company’s long-term growth prospects against structural and macroeconomic headwinds.