GM or 3M Earnings: Wall Street Favors This One

Both General Motors (GM) and 3M report Q2 2026 earnings Tuesday morning, and both stocks carry four straight quarters of EPS beats. However, analyst ratings and prediction markets tell very different stories about which name deserves attention.

Rating Change

According to a report from 24/7 Wall St., no official rating changes occurred ahead of the earnings. However, current ratings show a clear preference for 3M:

• 3M (MMM): Average price target $165, with a strong buy rating.
• General Motors (GM): Average price target $55, with a hold rating.

Analyst Rationale

Analysts believe 3M benefits from a diversified product portfolio and higher profit margins, making it less vulnerable to auto demand swings. In contrast, GM faces headwinds from rising material costs and slowing EV demand.

Context

3M's stock has risen 12% over the past month, while GM's has fallen 3%. Prediction markets show a 68% probability that 3M beats estimates this quarter, versus 45% for GM.

What to Make of It

While both stocks have shown strong earnings performance recently, Wall Street currently leans toward 3M due to its operational strength and diversification. Investors should watch the actual Q2 results before making decisions.