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April 26 (Reuters) - Diversified manufacturer 3M Co MMM.N
reported a higher-than-expected 6.6 percent rise in quarterly
profit, helped by lower costs.
The company, which makes Post-it notes, Scotch tape and an
array of adhesives and abrasives, also reported its smallest
decline in revenue in five quarters.
Total operating expenses fell nearly 4 percent to $5.62
billion in the first quarter ended March 31, helped by
restructuring initiatives including job cuts.
Net income attributable to 3M rose to $1.28 billion, or
$2.05 per share, in the first quarter ended March 31, from $1.20
billion, or $1.85 per share, a year earlier.
The latest reported quarter included a gain of 10 cents per
share as it changed the way it accounted for employee
share-based payments.
Revenue fell to $7.41 billion from $7.58 billion.
Analysts on an average had expected the company to earn
$1.92 per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.
3M maintained its 2016 financial forecast of a 1-3 percent
sales growth, excluding the impact of currency changes, and
earnings of $8.10-$8.45 per share.
3M shares were up 1 percent at $170 in premarket trading on
Tuesday. Up to Monday's close, the company's shares had risen
11.8 percent this year.