Key Takeaways 3M shares surged Tuesday after the company topped fourth-quarter earnings and revenue estimates on what it called "broad based growth" and strong holiday sales.Sales rose at its Transportation & Electronics and Safety & Industrial units.

3M ( MMM 0.39%) was once a dependable dividend stock for conservative investors. The diversified conglomerate sold a broad range of industrial, worker safety, and consumer goods, and it was a Dividend King that consistently raised its dividend annually for more than 50 years. It's also been in the S&P 500 since the index's inception in 1957.

M stock is soaring Tuesday after the industrial conglomerate beat expectations for its fourth quarter and provided a positive outlook. Here's what to know.