Is Seaboard a Better Buy Than 3M?
3M fell -7.0% during the past Day. You may be tempted to buy more, or may want to reduce your exposure. But there is an entirely different perspective you might be missing. Is there a better alternative? Turns out, its peer Seaboard gives you more. Seaboard (SEB) stock offers superior revenue growth across key periods, better profitability, and relatively lower valuation vs 3M (MMM) stock, suggesting you may be better off investing in SEB
- SEB’s quarterly revenue growth was 14.5%, vs. MMM’s 3.5%.
- In addition, its Last 12 Months revenue growth came in at 10.3%, ahead of MMM’s 1.1%.
- SEB’s 3-year average margin is stronger: 1.4% vs. MMM’s 1.1%.
These differences become even clearer when you look at the financials side by side. The table highlights how MMM’s fundamentals stack up against those of SEB on growth, margins, momentum, and valuation multiples.
Valuation & Performance Overview
| MMM | SEB | Preferred | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valuation | |||
| P/EBIT Ratio | 16.4 | 15.8 | SEB |
| Revenue Growth | |||
| Last Quarter | 3.5% | 14.5% | SEB |
| Last 12 Months | 1.1% | 10.3% | SEB |
| Last 3 Year Average | -10.3% | -3.4% | SEB |
| Operating Margins | |||
| Last 12 Months | 20.5% | 2.9% | MMM |
| Last 3 Year Average | 1.1% | 1.4% | SEB |
| Momentum | |||
| Last 3 Year Return | 72.8% | 19.7% | MMM |
Note: For “Last 3 Year Return” metric, preferred stock is one with higher returns unless the returns are too high (>300%) which creates risk of sell off.
See more revenue details: MMM Revenue Comparison | SEB Revenue Comparison
See more margin details: MMM Operating Income Comparison | SEB Operating Income Comparison
See detailed fundamentals on Buy or Sell SEB Stock and Buy or Sell MMM Stock. Below we compare market return and related metrics across years.
Historical Market Performance
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Total [1] | Avg | Best | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||||
| MMM Return | 5% | -30% | -3% | 46% | 26% | 5% | 38% | ||
| SEB Return | 30% | -4% | -5% | -32% | 83% | 6% | 57% | ||
| S&P 500 Return | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 16% | 1% | 85% | <=== | |
| Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||||
| MMM Win Rate | 58% | 42% | 42% | 67% | 58% | 100% | 61% | ||
| SEB Win Rate | 75% | 50% | 58% | 42% | 58% | 100% | 64% | ||
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 67% | 100% | 71% | <=== | |
| Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||||
| MMM Max Drawdown | -5% | -38% | -25% | -15% | -2% | 0% | -14% | ||
| SEB Max Drawdown | 0% | -14% | -8% | -33% | -0% | -2% | -9% | ||
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | 0% | -7% | <=== | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2021
[2] 2026 data is for the year up to 1/20/2026 (YTD)
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
No matter how good the numbers, stock investment is never a smooth ride. There is a risk you must factor in. Read SEB Dip Buyer Analyses to see how the stock has fallen and recovered in the past.
Still not sure about MMM or SEB? Consider portfolio approach.
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