3M earnings slip but beat estimates

MINNEAPOLIS — 3M Co. posted Q3 earnings of $1.4 billion, or $2.43 per share, down from $1.6 billion ($2.72 per share) the same quarter last year. Strong sales in the health care segment, which grew by 25 percent, partially offset the decline. Revenues increased to $8.35 billion, compared to $8 billion a year ago. Analysts had forecast earnings of $2.26 per share on revenues of $8.32 billion.