3M Company Reported Unaudited Consolidated Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year Ended December 31, 2017. For the quarter, the company reported net sales of $7,990 million against $7,329 million a year ago. Operating income was $1,821 million against $1,665 million a year ago. Income before income taxes was $1,672 million against $1,610 million a year ago. Net income attributable to company was $523 million or $0.85 per diluted share against $1,155 million or $1.88 per diluted share a year ago. Net cash provided by operating activities was $1,860 million against $2,209 million a year ago. Free cash flow was $1,401 million against $1,773 million a year ago. Purchase of property, plant and equipment was $459 million against $436 million a year ago.

For the period, the company reported net sales of $31,657 million against $30,109 million a year ago. Operating income was $7,820 million against $7,223 million a year ago. Income before income taxes was $7,548 million against $7,053 million a year ago. Net income attributable to company was $4,858 million or $7.93 per diluted share against $5,050 million or $8.16 per diluted share a year ago. Net cash provided by operating activities was $6,240 million against $6,662 million a year ago. Purchase of property, plant and equipment was $1,373 million against $1,420 million a year ago. Free cash flow was $4,867 million against $5,242 million a year ago. Net debt was $13,949 million against $11,650 million a year ago.

For full-year 2018, the company expects net cash provided by operating activities in range between $6.9 to $7.6 billion, Purchases of property, plant and equipment in range between $1.5 to $1.8 billion, free cash flow in range between $5.1 to $6.1 billion and net income attributable to the company in range between $5.8 to $6.1 billion.