WallStSmart

Graham Holdings Co (GHC)vs3M Company (MMM)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

3M Company generates 397% more annual revenue ($25.18B vs $5.07B). MMM leads profitability with a 11.9% profit margin vs 10.7%. MMM appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.55. GHC earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 68/100 (B-).

GHC

Strong Buy

68

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 7.3Profit: 6.0Value: 4.7Quality: 8.0
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 3.17

MMM

Strong Buy

66

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 5.3Profit: 8.0Value: 4.0Quality: 5.0
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 2.82
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

GHCSignificantly Overvalued (-25.1%)

Margin of Safety

-25.1%

Fair Value

$886.88

Current Price

$1138.57

$251.69 premium

UndervaluedFair: $886.88Overvalued
MMMSignificantly Overvalued (-47.6%)

Margin of Safety

-47.6%

Fair Value

$117.07

Current Price

$164.97

$47.90 premium

UndervaluedFair: $117.07Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

GHC5 strengths · Avg: 9.8/10
P/E RatioValuation
9.1x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
1.0x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

EPS GrowthGrowth
676.0%10/10

Earnings expanding 676.0% YoY

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
3.1710/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Debt/EquityHealth
0.289/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

MMM4 strengths · Avg: 8.8/10
Return on EquityProfitability
101.5%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 102 in profit

Market CapQuality
$83.99B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Operating MarginProfitability
20.3%8/10

Strong operational efficiency at 20.3%

EPS GrowthGrowth
32.8%8/10

Earnings expanding 32.8% YoY

Areas to Watch

GHC2 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
Return on EquityProfitability
6.3%3/10

ROE of 6.3% — below average capital efficiency

PEG RatioValuation
4.042/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

MMM4 concerns · Avg: 3.5/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.554/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
29.2x4/10

Moderate valuation

Revenue GrowthGrowth
2.5%4/10

2.5% revenue growth

Price/BookValuation
28.8x2/10

Trading at 28.8x book value

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : GHC

The strongest argument for GHC centers on P/E Ratio, Price/Book, EPS Growth.

Bull Case : MMM

The strongest argument for MMM centers on Return on Equity, Market Cap, Operating Margin.

Bear Case : GHC

The primary concerns for GHC are Return on Equity, PEG Ratio.

Bear Case : MMM

The primary concerns for MMM are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Revenue Growth. Debt-to-equity of 4.25 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

MMM carries more volatility with a beta of 1.07 — expect wider price swings.

GHC is growing revenue faster at 7.1% — sustainability is the question.

MMM generates stronger free cash flow (763M), providing more financial flexibility.

Monitor CONGLOMERATES industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.

Bottom Line

GHC scores higher overall (68/100 vs 66/100). Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Strong Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

Graham Holdings Co

INDUSTRIALS · CONGLOMERATES · USA

Graham Holdings Company is a diversified global media and education company. The company is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

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3M Company

INDUSTRIALS · CONGLOMERATES · USA

The 3M Company is an American multinational conglomerate corporation operating in the fields of industry, worker safety, US health care, and consumer goods. The company produces over 60,000 products under several brands, including adhesives, abrasives, laminates, passive fire protection, personal protective equipment, window films, paint protection films, dental and orthodontic products, electrical and electronic connecting and insulating materials, medical products, car-care products, electronic circuits, healthcare software and optical films. It is based in Maplewood, a suburb of Saint Paul, Minnesota.

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