3M Company (MMM) vs United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS)

UPS leads on 10 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of 3M Company and United Parcel Service, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — MMM vs UPS

growth of $100 · last 27y
MMM +299.7%UPS +58.7%MMM compounded faster
100200300400500Start $10020042009201420192024$400$159
MMM UPS

MMM vs UPS: by the numbers

  • UPS is the larger company ($91.89B vs $82.57B market cap).
  • UPS trades at the lower earnings multiple (17.49 vs 30.50 P/E).
  • MMM converts more revenue to profit (11.14% vs 5.94% net margin).
  • UPS grew revenue faster over the past five years (-0.23% vs -5.36% CAGR).
  • UPS pays the higher dividend yield (6.07% vs 1.91%).

Which is better, MMM or UPS?

Metric tally: MMM 6 · UPS 10

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueUPS(lower P/E)
GrowthUPS(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeUPS(higher dividend yield)
QualityMMM(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricMMMUPS
P/E ratio30.5017.49
Forward P/E16.7013.63
P/S ratio3.371.04
P/B ratio25.855.83
PEG ratio0.52
EV / EBITDA18.559.85
FCF yield2.44%4.91%

Profitability

MetricMMMUPS
Gross margin39.51%17.79%
Operating margin19.60%8.46%
Net margin11.14%5.94%
ROE85.41%33.30%
ROIC11.53%10.40%

Dividends

MetricMMMUPS
Dividend yield1.91%6.07%
Payout ratio50.00%100.00%

Growth (annualized)

MetricMMMUPS
Revenue CAGR (5Y)-5.36%-0.23%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-8.53%33.45%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-21.95%-8.72%
Total return CAGR (5Y)2.23%-7.79%

Frequently asked

Which is better, MMM or UPS?
It depends on your goal. value: UPS (lower P/E); growth: UPS (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: UPS (higher dividend yield); quality: MMM (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, UPS leads 10 to 6.
Is MMM or UPS cheaper?
On trailing earnings, UPS is cheaper: MMM trades at a 30.50 P/E and UPS at 17.49.
Which has grown faster, MMM or UPS?
Over the past five years, UPS grew revenue faster — MMM at a -5.36% CAGR versus UPS at -0.23%.
Does MMM or UPS pay a bigger dividend?
MMM yields 1.91% and UPS yields 6.07% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is MMM or UPS more profitable?
MMM runs the higher net margin — MMM at 11.14% versus UPS at 5.94%.
Which has been the better investment, MMM or UPS?
Over the past 10-year, MMM delivered the higher annualized total return — MMM at 4.53% versus UPS at 4.22%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 14, 2026.