3M

3M, based in Minnesota, is a diversified industrial group whose research labs turn material science into tens of thousands of products, from Post-it notes and Scotch tape to abrasives, filters and healthcare supplies. Long admired for its inventiveness, the company has spent recent years working through costly litigation over earplugs and forever chemicals, which weighed on its shares and management credibility. 3M has paid a dividend for more than a century and raised it for decades, though a 2023 reset tied to the spin-off of its healthcare arm interrupted that streak. What remains is a long, dependable payout history and a moderate yield, tempered by legal overhangs and slow growth. The profile suits investors who value steady income over rapid dividend increases.