3M Adds Improved Privacy Filters To Visual Privacy Portfolio

3M Company (NYSE:MMM) recently announced that it has rolled out a High Clarity Privacy Filter that will provide users a vivid viewing experience on their screen without compromising any sensitive information displayed on it.

3M believes that these Privacy Filters, which can be used for monitors, laptops and tablets, are a significant improvement over its standard Black Privacy Filters and can provide up to 30% better clarity. The filters are also compatible with high end devices including Apple’s MacBook Pro computer or iMac. It can provide clear images for spreadsheets, graphic designs, CAD models or presentations.

3M believes that increasing demand for high-resolution display products, HD imagery and cutting-edge graphics cards will prove conducive to the demand of the privacy filters. The company has an impressive portfolio of visual privacy solutions, powered by its micro-louver technology offering a glossy finish on both sides. Currently, 3M offers High Clarity Filters for 14 monitors and laptops.

The 3M brand is one of the most recognized and trusted names around the world. Household products like Nexcare, Post-it, Scotch, Scotch-Brite, and Scotchgard are market leaders in their individual categories. The company remains focused on inventing new products, with its scientists and innovators enjoying a competitive advantage worldwide.

Over the past six months, 3M has returned 9.6%, in stark contrast to the industry’s decline of 4.3%. 3M's global footprint, diversified product portfolio and the ability to penetrate in different markets have been its forte.

Portfolio management, investment in innovation and business transformation are the three key levers on which the company intends to focus moving forward. 3M also intends to continue investing in capital expenditures and research and development to support organic growth. During the five-year period from 2016–2020, 3M expects 8–11% growth in earnings per share driven by an organic sales growth of 2–5%.

Stocks to Consider

3M holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the broader space include Barnes Group Inc. (NYSE:B) , Altra Industrial Motion Corp. (NASDAQ:AIMC) and Graco Inc. (NYSE:GGG) , each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Barnes Group has a solid earnings surprise history for the trailing four quarters, having beaten estimates each time for an average of 11.6%.

Altra Industrial Motion also has a robust earnings surprise history, with an average beat of 17.0% over the trailing four quarters, beating estimates throughout.

Graco generated an impressive average positive surprise of 7.3% over the trailing four quarters, surpassing estimates thrice.

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