Reviewing 3M (NYSE:MMM) and The Bidvest Group (OTCMKTS:BDVSY)

The Bidvest Group (OTCMKTS:BDVSY) and 3M (NYSE:MMM) are both industrials companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, institutional ownership, earnings, analyst recommendations, risk, profitability and valuation.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings and target prices for The Bidvest Group and 3M, as reported by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
The Bidvest Group	0	0	0	0	0.00
3M	2	5	8	0	2.40

3M has a consensus price target of $177.21, suggesting a potential downside of 1.99%. Given 3M’s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe 3M is more favorable than The Bidvest Group.

Profitability

This table compares The Bidvest Group and 3M’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
The Bidvest Group	N/A	N/A	N/A
3M	11.90%	115.87%	12.52%

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares The Bidvest Group and 3M”s top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
The Bidvest Group	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
3M	$24.95 billion	3.74	$3.25 billion	$5.63	32.12

3M has higher revenue and earnings than The Bidvest Group.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

65.2% of 3M shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.2% of 3M shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

3M beats The Bidvest Group on 9 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About The Bidvest Group

The Bidvest Group Limited, an investment holding company, engages in services, trading, and distribution businesses in South Africa and internationally. The company operates through Adcock Ingram, Bidvest Automotive, Bidvest Commercial Products, Bidvest Financial Services, Bidvest Freight, Bidvest Branded Products, Bidvest Services South Africa, Bidvest Services International, Bidvest Properties, and Bidvest Corporate and Investments segments. It offers online motor retailing and develops systems. The company also manufactures and trades bathroom and plumbing products; distributes electrical cable and allied products; and offers motor vehicle accessories, as well as camping and outdoor equipment. In addition, it provides fleet management, foreign exchange services, insurance products, and other financial services; operates and supports terminals; provides international clearing, freight forwarding, integrated logistics, supply chain, and marine services; facilitates storage, handling, and movement of cargo via ocean freight, air freight, road, and rail. Further, the company supplies stationery, paper or printer cartridges, and packaging and data services; offers consumer-facing trading and distribution businesses offering luggage and travel accessories representing local and global brands; manufacture, market, and distribution of healthcare products to both the private and public market sectors. Additionally, it provides security, laundry, landscaping, food, travel, cargo and aviation, office water and coffee vending services to corporate and small to medium business clients; hygiene, cleaning, and facilities management services; owns, manages, and develops properties; and provides professional property services and consulting on all property-related matters; and provides treasury, secretarial, corporate finance, and governance services. The Bidvest Group Limited was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa.

About 3M

3M Company provides diversified technology services in the United States and internationally. The company’s Safety and Industrial segment offers industrial abrasives and finishing for metalworking applications; autobody repair solutions; closure systems for personal hygiene products, masking, and packaging materials; electrical products and materials for construction and maintenance, power distribution, and electrical original equipment manufacturers; structural adhesives and tapes; respiratory, hearing, eye, and fall protection solutions; and natural and color-coated mineral granules for shingles. Its Transportation and Electronics segment provides ceramic solutions; attachment/bonding products, films, sound, and temperature management for transportation vehicles; premium large format graphic films for advertising and fleet signage; light management films and electronics assembly solutions; packaging and interconnection solutions; semiconductor production materials; data centers solutions; and reflective signage for highway, and vehicle safety. The company’s Consumer segment provides consumer bandages, braces, supports, and consumer respirators; home cleaning products; retail abrasives, paint accessories, car care DIY products, picture hanging, and consumer air quality solutions; and stationery products. It offers its products through e-commerce and traditional wholesalers, retailers, jobbers, distributors, and dealers. 3M Company was founded in 1902 and is headquartered in Saint Paul, Minnesota.