NEW YORK (Thomson Financial) - 3M Co. Wednesday said it expects 2008 earnings per share to grow 10% to $5.44 to $5.47 a share, and sees double-digit sales growth.
The mean estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Financial is for 2008 profit of $5.43 a share.
3M also expects operating margin of 22.5% to 23.5% in 2008.
The company also said it sees 'moderately softer but stable worldwide economic growth.'
In 2007, the company sees earnings of $4.94 to $4.97 a share. Analysts expect earnings of $4.97 a share for the year.
3M shares,part of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, closed at $84.65 on Tuesday. Christie Rizk cr/pc COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Financial News Limited 2007. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Thomson Financial News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Financial News.