ST. PAUL, Minn. – 3M has reported fourth quarter earnings of $1.41 per share, an increase of 4.4 percent versus the fourth quarter of 2011. Operating income was $1.4 billion and operating income margins for the quarter were 19.5 percent. Fourth quarter net income was $1 billion and free cash flow was $1.2 billion.
 
Sales rose 4.2 percent year-on-year to $7.4 billion, an all-time fourth-quarter record for the company.
 
For the full year 2012, 3M posted record sales of $29.9 billion, up 1 percent year-on-year.
 
Full-year 2012 earnings were $6.32 per share, an increase of 6 percent. Operating margins were 21.7 percent and return on invested capital was 20 percent.
 
“Fourth-quarter was a good finish to a successful year for 3M,” said Inge Thulin, 3M chairman, president and CEO. “Our people executed well in the face of challenging macroeconomic conditions, and we have built good momentum to innovate and move forward in 2013.”
 
3M affirmed its 2013 full-year performance expectations. The company anticipates 2013 earnings to be in the range of $6.70 to $6.95 per share.