ST. PAUL, MN — 3M has announced its sales and profit results for the third quarter of 2007.

The company posted record third-quarter sales of $6.2 billion, an increase of 5.5 percent. Sales rose 9.4 percent, adjusted for recently divested businesses.

Third-quarter net income was a record $960 million, or $1.32 per share, versus $894 million, or $1.18 per share, in the third quarter of 2006. Net income and earnings per share increased 7.4 percent and 11.9 percent, respectively. Included in these results is a net benefit from special items of $20 million, or 3 cents per share, in the third quarter of 2007, and a net gain of $10 million, or 1 cent per share, in last year’s third quarter.

The company’s pharmaceuticals business, which was divested during the fourth quarter of 2006 and the first quarter of 2007, earned 7 cents per share in last year’s third quarter. Excluding special items in both periods and excluding the 2006 earnings from the now-divested pharmaceuticals business, earnings per share increased 17 percent.

“The strength of the 3M portfolio was evident in the third quarter as we again generated record sales,” said George Buckley, 3M chairman, president and CEO. “All of our businesses posted positive worldwide local-currency sales growth, led by a 17 percent increase in health care. Geographic diversity was also an important factor as all regions drove positive growth in local currencies, led by double-digit performances in Europe and Latin America. We leveraged this growth into a 12 percent improvement in earnings per share, and I would like to thank the entire 3M team for their hard work in achieving it.”

Buckley continued. “Our growth plans remain on track and are gaining momentum. We continue to accelerate investment in research and development, sales and marketing, and in simplification of our supply chains, while maintaining superior returns. By leveraging 3M’s many strengths, including market-leading global franchises, world-class technology to solve customer problems and an ever-expanding market presence, and combining them with an enthusiastic and talented workforce, we are well-positioned to take 3M to a higher level.”