08:34 AM EST, 01/21/2025 (MT Newswires) -- 3M ( MMM ) reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter results on Tuesday while the industrial conglomerate forecasts earnings to be higher in 2025 than the previous year.

Adjusted earnings came in at $1.68 a share for the December quarter, down from $1.70 the year before, but above the FactSet-polled consensus of $1.66. Sales nudged up to $6.01 billion from $6 billion. On an adjusted basis, sales grew 2.2% to $5.81 billion, topping the Street's view for $5.78 billion.

3M's ( MMM ) stock increased 3.7% in the most recent premarket activity Tuesday.

Revenue in the safety and industrial segment increased to $2.7 billion from $2.66 billion in the prior-year quarter, while transportation and electronics declined 4.5% to $1.99 billion. Consumer sales remained nearly flat at $1.23 billion.

The company recorded sales growth in the Americas and Asia Pacific regions, but saw a 4.3% decrease in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Operating expenses narrowed to $4.93 billion from $5.1 billion year-on-year.

"Our fourth quarter capped a year of strong results as we returned to positive organic revenue growth in the full year," Chief Executive William Brown said in a statement. "We are carrying this momentum forward and are confident in our ability to deliver our 2025 guidance."

For the ongoing year, 3M ( MMM ) anticipates adjusted EPS to be in a range of $7.60 to $7.90 on an adjusted sales gain of 0.5% to 1.5%. The Street is looking for non-GAAP EPS of $7.78 and sales of $24.03 billion. In 2024, adjusted EPS jumped 21% to $7.30, while adjusted sales inclined 1.3%.