AVAV vs. MMM: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 29, 2025

Here’s a clear look at AVAV and MMM, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	AVAV	MMM
Company Name	AeroVironment, Inc.	3M Company
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Industrials	Industrials
GICS Industry	Aerospace & Defense	Industrial Conglomerates
Market Capitalization	12.36 billion USD	83.37 billion USD
Exchange	NasdaqGS	NYSE
Listing Date	January 23, 2007	January 2, 1962
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of AVAV and MMM by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

AVAV vs. MMM: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	AVAV	MMM
5-Day Price Return	5.28%	1.39%
13-Week Price Return	38.92%	4.71%
26-Week Price Return	59.87%	7.97%
52-Week Price Return	39.51%	18.72%
Month-to-Date Return	-7.54%	4.90%
Year-to-Date Return	60.81%	21.26%
10-Day Avg. Volume	0.69M	2.92M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.12M	3.34M
3-Month Volatility	69.35%	23.03%
Beta	0.97	1.05

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

AVAV

5.06%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 43.89%
Q3: 22.42%
Median: 12.50%
Q1: 5.21%
Min: -6.24%

AVAV’s Return on Equity of 5.06% is in the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.

MMM

91.40%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 21.93%
Q3: 14.23%
Median: 7.81%
Q1: 5.91%
Min: -3.58%

MMM’s Return on Equity of 91.40% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

AVAV vs. MMM: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

AVAV

5.32%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 14.54%
Q3: 8.08%
Median: 6.17%
Q1: 2.49%
Min: -1.63%

AVAV’s Net Profit Margin of 5.32% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Aerospace & Defense industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

MMM

16.01%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 18.70%
Q3: 12.58%
Median: 9.26%
Q1: 3.87%
Min: -2.26%

A Net Profit Margin of 16.01% places MMM in the upper quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

AVAV vs. MMM: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

AVAV

4.97%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 16.63%
Q3: 10.38%
Median: 8.29%
Q1: 6.21%
Min: 0.95%

AVAV’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.97% is in the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.

MMM

19.46%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 25.69%
Q3: 17.03%
Median: 12.85%
Q1: 8.81%
Min: -0.73%

An Operating Profit Margin of 19.46% places MMM in the upper quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

AVAV vs. MMM: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	AVAV	MMM
Return on Equity (TTM)	5.06%	91.40%
Return on Assets (TTM)	4.17%	9.93%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	5.32%	16.01%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	4.97%	19.46%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	38.83%	41.11%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

AVAV

3.52

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 3.09
Q3: 1.98
Median: 1.23
Q1: 1.03
Min: 0.02

AVAV’s Current Ratio of 3.52 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.

MMM

1.72

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 2.19
Q3: 1.64
Median: 1.38
Q1: 1.13
Min: 0.61

MMM’s Current Ratio of 1.72 is in the upper quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.

AVAV vs. MMM: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

AVAV

0.03

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 1.70
Q3: 1.04
Median: 0.68
Q1: 0.41
Min: 0.00

Falling into the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, AVAV’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.03 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

MMM

3.06

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 2.27
Q3: 1.47
Median: 0.99
Q1: 0.66
Min: 0.21

With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 3.06, MMM operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Industrial Conglomerates industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.

AVAV vs. MMM: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

AVAV

20.72

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 36.57
Q3: 19.90
Median: 7.04
Q1: 2.40
Min: -7.63

AVAV’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 20.72 is in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

MMM

-15.31

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 11.17
Q3: 8.02
Median: 5.88
Q1: 2.73
Min: -2.15

MMM has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -15.31. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.

AVAV vs. MMM: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	AVAV	MMM
Current Ratio (MRQ)	3.52	1.72
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	2.52	1.12
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.03	3.06
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	20.72	-15.31

Growth

Revenue Growth

AVAV vs. MMM: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

AVAV vs. MMM: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

AVAV

0.00%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 2.03%
Q3: 1.22%
Median: 0.43%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

AVAV currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.

MMM

1.88%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 10.17%
Q3: 5.53%
Median: 3.14%
Q1: 1.88%
Min: 0.00%

MMM’s Dividend Yield of 1.88% is in the lower quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

AVAV vs. MMM: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

AVAV

0.00%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 83.87%
Q3: 49.90%
Median: 16.48%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

AVAV has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.

MMM

39.27%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 181.91%
Q3: 95.57%
Median: 50.60%
Q1: 35.01%
Min: 1.76%

MMM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 39.27% is within the typical range for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

AVAV vs. MMM: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	AVAV	MMM
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.00%	1.88%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	0.00%	39.27%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

AVAV

263.65

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 65.97
Q3: 54.11
Median: 34.53
Q1: 23.66
Min: 0.00

At 263.65, AVAV’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.

MMM

20.92

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 36.98
Q3: 22.09
Median: 12.18
Q1: 8.93
Min: 5.63

MMM’s P/E Ratio of 20.92 is within the middle range for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

AVAV vs. MMM: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

AVAV

14.01

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 8.07
Q3: 4.49
Median: 2.42
Q1: 1.39
Min: 0.00

With a P/S Ratio of 14.01, AVAV trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Aerospace & Defense industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

MMM

3.35

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 3.60
Q3: 2.10
Median: 0.68
Q1: 0.42
Min: 0.11

MMM’s P/S Ratio of 3.35 is in the upper echelon for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.

AVAV vs. MMM: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

AVAV

4.82

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 13.67
Q3: 7.92
Median: 4.65
Q1: 2.68
Min: 0.82

AVAV’s P/B Ratio of 4.82 is within the conventional range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

MMM

18.90

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 4.89
Q3: 2.51
Median: 1.06
Q1: 0.60
Min: 0.27

At 18.90, MMM’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

AVAV vs. MMM: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	AVAV	MMM
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	263.65	20.92
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	14.01	3.35
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	4.82	18.90
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	160.44	30.86