Here's Why 3M Shares Slumped Today (and Why It Could Be a Good Buying Opportunity)

From what the evidence shows, What caught my attention is 3M (MMM -3

Additionally, ET today ing the company's second-quarter earnings report

Despite the disappointing price reaction, the results were solid, and there was plenty in the results to make investors feel that management is taking the company in the right direction

The bad and good news for 3M Starting with the bad news: 3M's end aren't imving as much as management had hoped at the start of the year

That's bably the reason for the decline, compounded by management citing softness in key end for 3M, consumer electronics, a challenged auto aftermarket, and a barely imving auto original equipment market

That said, there's little management can do its end, but it can imve its operational performance (noteworthy indeed)

Nevertheless, And the good news is, it's doing it very well (which is quite significant)

Furthermore, On-time-in-full (OTIF) deries at the highest level in nearly six years -- a key measure management is targeting

Conversely, "Better asset utilization enabling the sunset of old equipment" Management raised full-year operating fit expansion guidance to 150 basis points to 200 basis points, from its original guidance of 130 basis points to 190 basis points

Image source: Getty Images (this bears monitoring)

In short, the company's self-help initiatives are effective, but the stock is being penalized due to end-market challenges

As such, the dip presents a buying opportunity, vided there's some stabilization in the consumer electronics and auto sectors, but that might require lower interest rates first, amid market uncertainty

Lee Samaha has no position in any of the stocks mentioned

The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends 3M

Moreover, Additionally, The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy, amid market uncertainty.