3M Company (MMM)

[DewDiligence]

3M close_to_inking $5.5B earplug settlement, according_to_sources:

https://www.wsj.com/business/3m-nears-settlement-for-about-5-5-billion-to-resolve-earplugs-complaints-94e9f31e

3M and plaintiffs attorneys are nearing a settlement that would resolve hundreds of thousands of claims by veterans that earplugs made by the company and a subsidiary failed to protect them from hearing loss. Under the terms being discussed, 3M would pay about $5.5 billion, people close to the discussions said.

…The earplug litigation has become the largest mass tort in U.S. history, with more than 300,000 claims. Veterans allege that 3M and Aearo Technologies, a company 3M acquired in 2008, produced faulty earplugs that failed to protect their hearing from noise damage when issued to them by the U.S. military. 3M is contesting the cases, and has said the earplugs work correctly when used with proper training.

The settlement amount being considered is substantially less than the $10 billion to $15 billion that some analysts have predicted the case would cost 3M. The possible settlement was earlier reported by Bloomberg News.

This is hugely bullish for 3M if it pans out.