Quarterly earnings results are a good time to check in on a company’s progress, especially compared to its peers in the same sector. Today we are looking at 3M (NYSE: MMM) and the best and worst performers in the general industrial machinery industry.

Automation that increases efficiency and connected equipment that collects analyzable data have been trending, creating new demand for general industrial machinery companies. Those who innovate and create digitized solutions can spur sales and speed up replacement cycles, but all general industrial machinery companies are still at the whim of economic cycles. Consumer spending and interest rates, for example, can greatly impact the industrial production that drives demand for these companies’ offerings.

The 14 general industrial machinery stocks we track reported a mixed Q1. As a group, revenues missed analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.5% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 1.5% below.

Thankfully, share prices of the companies have been resilient as they are up 5.9% on average since the latest earnings results.

3M (NYSE: MMM)

Producers of the first asthma inhaler, 3M Company (NYSE: MMM) is a global conglomerate known for products in industries like healthcare, safety, electronics, and consumer goods.

3M reported revenues of $5.78 billion, down 3.9% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 1.5%. Overall, it was a strong quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

The stock is up 18.6% since reporting and currently trades at $149.40.

Is now the time to buy 3M? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q1: Luxfer (NYSE: LXFR)

With its magnesium alloys used in the construction of the famous Spirit of St. Louis aircraft, Luxfer (NYSE: LXFR) offers specialized materials, components, and gas containment devices to various industries.

Luxfer reported revenues of $97 million, up 8.5% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 11.9%. The business had an incredible quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Luxfer achieved the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 16.4% since reporting. It currently trades at $11.63.

Is now the time to buy Luxfer? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q1: Icahn Enterprises (NASDAQ: IEP)

Founded in 1987, Icahn Enterprises (NASDAQ: IEP) is a diversified holding company primarily engaged in investment and asset management across various sectors.

Icahn Enterprises reported revenues of $1.87 billion, down 24.6% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 29%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Icahn Enterprises delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates and slowest revenue growth in the group. As expected, the stock is down 1.9% since the results and currently trades at $8.56.

Read our full analysis of Icahn Enterprises’s results here.

L.B. Foster (NASDAQ: FSTR)

Founded with a $2,500 loan, L.B. Foster (NASDAQ: FSTR) is a provider of products and services for the transportation and energy infrastructure sectors, including rail products, construction materials, and coating solutions.

L.B. Foster reported revenues of $97.79 million, down 21.3% year on year. This number came in 14.5% below analysts' expectations. Taking a step back, it was a mixed quarter as it also produced full-year EBITDA guidance exceeding analysts’ expectations but a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

L.B. Foster scored the highest full-year guidance raise among its peers. The stock is down 7.2% since reporting and currently trades at $18.95.

Read our full, actionable report on L.B. Foster here, it’s free.

John Bean (NYSE: JBTM)

Tracing back to its invention of the mechanical milk bottle filler in 1884, John Bean (NYSE: JBT) designs, manufactures, and sells equipment used for food processing and aviation.

John Bean reported revenues of $854.1 million, up 118% year on year. This print topped analysts’ expectations by 2.6%. It was a very strong quarter as it also logged a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and EPS guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations.

John Bean achieved the fastest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is up 6.5% since reporting and currently trades at $114.06.

Read our full, actionable report on John Bean here, it’s free.

Market Update

The Fed’s interest rate hikes throughout 2022 and 2023 have successfully cooled post-pandemic inflation, bringing it closer to the 2% target. Inflationary pressures have eased without tipping the economy into a recession, suggesting a soft landing. This stability, paired with recent rate cuts (0.5% in September 2024 and 0.25% in November 2024), fueled a strong year for the stock market in 2024. The markets surged further after Donald Trump’s presidential victory in November, with major indices reaching record highs in the days following the election. Still, questions remain about the direction of economic policy, as potential tariffs and corporate tax changes add uncertainty for 2025.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our 9 Best Market-Beating Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.

Join Paid Stock Investor Research

Help us make StockStory more helpful to investors like yourself. Join our paid user research session and receive a $50 Amazon gift card for your opinions. Sign up here.