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

Updated on August 25, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	BWXT	MMM
Company Name	BWX Technologies, Inc.	3M Company
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Industrials	Industrials
GICS Industry	Aerospace & Defense	Industrial Conglomerates
Market Capitalization	14.95 billion USD	82.42 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	August 2, 2010	January 2, 1962
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of BWXT 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	BWXT	MMM
5-Day Price Return	-6.38%	-1.21%
13-Week Price Return	48.70%	0.40%
26-Week Price Return	49.89%	4.05%
52-Week Price Return	64.46%	21.77%
Month-to-Date Return	7.65%	3.71%
Year-to-Date Return	46.84%	19.88%
10-Day Avg. Volume	1.24M	3.22M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.19M	3.45M
3-Month Volatility	46.86%	23.14%
Beta	0.75	1.04

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

BWXT

26.61%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

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

In the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, BWXT’s Return on Equity of 26.61% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

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.

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

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

BWXT

10.28%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

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

A Net Profit Margin of 10.28% places BWXT in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

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.

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

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

BWXT

13.54%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

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

An Operating Profit Margin of 13.54% places BWXT in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

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.

BWXT 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	BWXT	MMM
Return on Equity (TTM)	26.61%	91.40%
Return on Assets (TTM)	9.37%	9.93%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	10.28%	16.01%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	13.54%	19.46%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	24.26%	41.11%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

BWXT

1.69

Aerospace & Defense Industry

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

BWXT’s Current Ratio of 1.69 aligns with the median group of the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

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.

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

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

BWXT

1.29

Aerospace & Defense Industry

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

BWXT’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Aerospace & Defense industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.29. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

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.

BWXT 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)

BWXT

93.87

Aerospace & Defense Industry

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

With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 93.87, BWXT demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.

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.

BWXT 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	BWXT	MMM
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.69	1.72
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.60	1.12
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	1.29	3.06
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	93.87	-15.31

Growth

Revenue Growth

BWXT 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

BWXT 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)

BWXT

0.60%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

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

BWXT’s Dividend Yield of 0.60% is consistent with its peers in the Aerospace & Defense industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

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.

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

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

BWXT

30.84%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

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

BWXT’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 30.84% is within the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

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.

BWXT 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	BWXT	MMM
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.60%	1.88%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	30.84%	39.27%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

BWXT

51.00

Aerospace & Defense Industry

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

BWXT’s P/E Ratio of 51.00 is within the middle range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

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.

BWXT 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)

BWXT

5.24

Aerospace & Defense Industry

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

BWXT’s P/S Ratio of 5.24 is in the upper echelon for the Aerospace & Defense 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.

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.

BWXT 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)

BWXT

11.11

Aerospace & Defense Industry

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

BWXT’s P/B Ratio of 11.11 is in the upper tier for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.

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.

BWXT 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	BWXT	MMM
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	51.00	20.92
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	5.24	3.35
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	11.11	18.90
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	40.80	30.86