3M Company (MMM) vs Waste Management, Inc. (WM)
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 August 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
MMM
3M Company
$183.79IndustrialsDelayed quote: Aug 12, 2026, 3:59 PM EDT
WM
Waste Management, Inc.
$226.32IndustrialsDelayed quote: Aug 12, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — MMM vs WM
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yMMM +68.8% (+5.4%/yr)WM +318.0% (+15.4%/yr)WM compounded faster over this window
MMM WM
MMM vs WM: by the numbers
- •MMM is the larger company ($94.78B vs $90.46B market cap).
- •WM trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (32.13 vs 32.64 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •MMM converts more revenue to profit (11.90% vs 11.12% net margin).
- •WM grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.22% vs -6.23% CAGR).
- •MMM pays the higher dividend yield (1.64% vs 1.56%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | MMM | WM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 32.64 | 32.13 |
| Forward P/E | 20.64 | 27.95 |
| P/S ratio | 3.85 | 3.56 |
| P/B ratio | 32.85 | 9.22 |
| EV / EBITDA | 19.32 | 14.71 |
| FCF yield | 4.11% | 3.90% |
Profitability
| Metric | MMM | WM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 39.40% | 35.04% |
| Operating margin | 19.01% | 18.54% |
| Net margin | 11.90% | 11.12% |
| ROE | 101.52% | 28.74% |
| ROIC | 11.53% | 8.88% |
Dividends
| Metric | MMM | WM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.64% | 1.56% |
| Payout ratio | 50.00% | 52.68% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | MMM | WM |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | -6.23% | 9.22% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -8.53% | 13.68% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -10.85% | 7.05% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 5.47% | 10.46% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, MMM or WM?
- WM has the lower trailing P/E: MMM trades at 32.64 and WM at 32.13. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, MMM or WM?
- Over the past five years, WM grew revenue faster — MMM at a -6.23% CAGR versus WM at 9.22%.
- Does MMM or WM pay a bigger dividend?
- MMM yields 1.64% and WM yields 1.56% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is MMM or WM more profitable?
- MMM runs the higher net margin — MMM at 11.90% versus WM at 11.12%.
- How have MMM and WM total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, MMM delivered 5.39% and WM delivered 15.06% annualized total return. 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 August 13, 2026.