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).

Compare

Total return — MMM vs WM

growth of $100 · last 30y
MMM +468.7%WM +664.5%WM compounded faster
0200400600800Start $100200120062011201620212026$569$765
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 7

It 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

MetricMMMWM
P/E ratio31.6032.64
Forward P/E17.2624.48
P/S ratio3.493.59
P/B ratio26.789.10
PEG ratio2.39
EV / EBITDA15.4014.85
FCF yield2.36%3.61%

Profitability

MetricMMMWM
Gross margin39.51%32.06%
Operating margin19.60%18.46%
Net margin11.14%10.99%
ROE85.41%27.88%
ROIC11.53%8.88%

Dividends

MetricMMMWM
Dividend yield1.90%1.68%
Payout ratio51.66%56.25%

Growth (annualized)

MetricMMMWM
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.

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.