Updating Our Conservative Stocks 3M Company, Sysco Corp., and Wells Fargo & Co.

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3M COMPANY $85 (New York symbol MMM) expects its earnings before special items will rise from $4.95 a share to $5.45 a share in 2008, or about 10%. The stock trades at 15.6 times the 2008 estimate. Most of the gain will come from 3M’s international operations, which supply two-thirds of its revenue. The company’s large overseas operations will also help shield it from a slowing economy in the United States, and offset low U.S. dollar. Best Buy. SYSCO CORP. $32 (New York symbol SYY) has increased its quarterly dividend 15.8%, from $0.19 a share to $0.22. The new annual rate of $0.88 yields 2.8%. However, rising food and fuel costs could hurt Sysco’s profit growth. A slowing economy would also cut restaurant visits and sales. Hold. WELLS FARGO & CO. $31 (New York symbol WFC) has moved down from its recent high of $38, mainly due to the problems in mortgage markets. However, Wells Fargo’s conservative lending policies should keep loan…