3M 2Q Earnings Up

St. Paul, MN, July 26, 2007--3M Co. posted a higher quarterly profit driven by strong results in the safety and security, and health care businesses.

The company also raised its 2007 profit forecast.

Net income in the second-quarter rose about 4% to $917 million, or $1.25 a share, compared with $882 million, or $1.15 a share, in the year earlier quarter.

Excluding one-time items, it earned $1.23 a share, compared with the $1.18 analysts estimates had expected.

Sales in the quarter rose 8% from last year to $6.14 billion, above the $6.06 billion analysts had expected.

3M raised its outlook for 2007 profit to a range of $5.40 to $5.60 a share, up from its prior forecast of $5.20 to $5.45 a share. Analysts were expecting $4.86.

It expects sales in local currencies for the year, excluding the divestiture of its branded drug business, to rise 7 to 10%. It previously forecast growth of 6 to 10%.