3M Company (MMM) vs Waste Management, Inc. (WM)
MMM leads on 8 of 15 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of 3M Company and Waste Management, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 28, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — MMM vs WM
growth of $100 · last 30yMMM +468.7%WM +664.5%WM compounded faster
MMM WM
MMM vs WM: by the numbers
- •WM is the larger company ($90.57B vs $85.54B market cap).
- •MMM trades at the lower earnings multiple (31.60 vs 32.64 P/E).
- •MMM converts more revenue to profit (11.14% vs 10.99% net margin).
- •WM grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.25% vs -5.36% CAGR).
- •MMM pays the higher dividend yield (1.90% vs 1.68%).
Which is better, MMM or WM?
Metric tally: MMM 8 · WM 7It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueMMM(lower P/E)
GrowthWM(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeMMM(higher dividend yield)
QualityMMM(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | MMM | WM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 31.60● | 32.64 |
| Forward P/E | 17.26● | 24.48 |
| P/S ratio | 3.49● | 3.59 |
| P/B ratio | 26.78 | 9.10● |
| PEG ratio | — | 2.39 |
| EV / EBITDA | 15.40 | 14.85● |
| FCF yield | 2.36% | 3.61%● |
Profitability
| Metric | MMM | WM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 39.51%● | 32.06% |
| Operating margin | 19.60%● | 18.46% |
| Net margin | 11.14% | 10.99% |
| ROE | 85.41%● | 27.88% |
| ROIC | 11.53%● | 8.88% |
Dividends
| Metric | MMM | WM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.90%● | 1.68% |
| Payout ratio | 51.66% | 56.25% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | MMM | WM |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | -5.36% | 10.25%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -8.53% | 13.68%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -21.95% | 7.28%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 3.79% | 11.87%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, MMM or WM?
- It depends on your goal. value: MMM (lower P/E); growth: WM (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: MMM (higher dividend yield); quality: MMM (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, MMM leads 8 to 7.
- Is MMM or WM cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, MMM is cheaper: MMM trades at a 31.60 P/E and WM at 32.64.
- Which has grown faster, MMM or WM?
- Over the past five years, WM grew revenue faster — MMM at a -5.36% CAGR versus WM at 10.25%.
- Does MMM or WM pay a bigger dividend?
- MMM yields 1.90% and WM yields 1.68% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is MMM or WM more profitable?
- MMM runs the higher net margin — MMM at 11.14% versus WM at 10.99%.
- Which has been the better investment, MMM or WM?
- Over the past 10-year, WM delivered the higher annualized total return — MMM at 4.86% versus WM at 15.53%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
3M P/E ratioWaste Management P/E ratio3M dividend yieldWaste Management dividend yield3M ROEWaste Management ROE3M operating marginWaste Management operating margin3M revenue growthWaste Management revenue growth3M free cash flowWaste Management free cash flow
3M & Waste Management appear in these rankings
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 28, 2026.