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Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB) Presents at Barclays 19th Annual Global Consumer Staples Conference Transcript

Baypointe Partners LLC lowered its position in shares of Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NASDAQ:KMB – Free Report) by 90.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 10,000 shares of the company’s stock after selling 90,000 shares during the period. Kimberly-Clark comprises approximately 2.6% of Baypointe Partners LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 13th largest holding. Baypointe Partners LLC’s holdings in Kimberly-Clark were worth $1,098,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. BlackRock Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Kimberly-Clark in the 2nd quarter valued at about $3,547,915,000. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its stake in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 26,997.7% during the fourth quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 7,368,407 shares of the company’s stock valued at $743,399,000 after purchasing an additional 7,341,215 shares in the last quarter. Thornburg Investment Management Inc. purchased a new position in Kimberly-Clark during the second quarter valued at approximately $632,373,000. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Kimberly-Clark during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $521,184,000. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp bought a new position in Kimberly-Clark in the second quarter worth approximately $239,612,000. 76.29% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research firms have weighed in on KMB. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on Kimberly-Clark from $100.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 8th. Freedom Capital raised Kimberly-Clark from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 4th. Barclays upped their price objective on Kimberly-Clark from $101.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 21st. TD Cowen lifted their target price on Kimberly-Clark from $96.00 to $104.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 5th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of Kimberly-Clark from $115.00 to $116.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $117.93.

Get Our Latest Report on Kimberly-Clark Kimberly-Clark Stock Down 1.2% Shares of KMB stock opened at $107.95 on Friday. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $109.92 and its 200 day moving average price is $103.72. Kimberly-Clark Corporation has a 1-year low of $92.42 and a 1-year high of $131.53. The company has a market cap of $35.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.57 and a beta of 0.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.45, a current ratio of 0.91 and a quick ratio of 0.69.

Kimberly-Clark (NASDAQ:KMB – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The company reported $1.80 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.01 by ($0.21). The business had revenue of $4.19 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.22 billion. Kimberly-Clark had a net margin of 11.79% and a return on equity of 143.92%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up .6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.92 earnings per share. On average, research analysts expect that Kimberly-Clark Corporation will post 7.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Kimberly-Clark Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, September 4th will be given a $1.28 dividend. This represents a $5.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 4th. Kimberly-Clark’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 87.07%.

About Kimberly-Clark (Free Report)

Kimberly-Clark Corporation is a U.S.-based multinational manufacturer of personal care and consumer tissue products. The company develops, produces and markets a range of consumer brands and professional products, including facial and bathroom tissues, disposable diapers and training pants, feminine care, incontinence products and workplace hygiene solutions. Known for consumer-facing names such as Kleenex, Huggies, Kotex, Cottonelle and Scott, as well as professional offerings under Kimberly-Clark Professional and KleenGuard, the company supplies goods to retail, healthcare and institutional customers.

Founded in 1872 in Neenah, Wisconsin, Kimberly-Clark has expanded from its 19th-century paper-making roots into a global household and workplace products company.

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, /PRNewswire/ -- Mike Hsu, Chairman and CEO of Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NASDAQ: KMB), Russ Torres, President and Chief Operating Officer, and Nelson Urdaneta, Chief Financial Officer, will be featured speakers at the Barclays 19th Annual Global Consumer Staples Conference on Wednesday, September 9, at 7:30 a.m. ET.

A link to the broadcast will be provided through the Investors section of Kimberly-Clark's website at www.kimberly-clark.com.

About Kimberly-Clark
Kimberly-Clark (NASDAQ: KMB) and its trusted brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 175 countries and territories. Our portfolio of brands, including Huggies, Kleenex, Scott, Kotex, Cottonelle, Poise, Depend, Pull-Ups, Goodnites, Intimus, Plenitud, Sweety, Softex, Viva and WypAll, hold No. 1 or No. 2 share positions in approximately 70 countries. Our company's purpose is to deliver Better Care for a Better World. We are committed to using sustainable practices designed to support a healthy planet, build strong communities, and enable our business to thrive for decades to come. To keep up with the latest news and learn more about the company's more than 150-year history of innovation, visit the Kimberly-Clark website.

[KMB-F]

Logo: https://mmx.prnewswire.com/media/MS1968320/Kimberly-Clark-Logo-ONP.jpg?id=OA2863501

SOURCE Kimberly-Clark Corporation

Callan Family Office LLC purchased a new position in shares of Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NASDAQ:KMB – Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 10,234 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,123,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of KMB. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 0.8% during the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 40,846,734 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,121,027,000 after acquiring an additional 315,981 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. bought a new stake in Kimberly-Clark in the 2nd quarter valued at $3,547,915,000. State Street Corp boosted its stake in Kimberly-Clark by 1.4% in the 4th quarter. State Street Corp now owns 21,125,118 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,157,746,000 after purchasing an additional 294,228 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in Kimberly-Clark by 2.6% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 11,917,154 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,202,322,000 after purchasing an additional 299,382 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 8,322,198 shares of the company’s stock valued at $836,216,000 after purchasing an additional 65,619 shares during the period. 76.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Kimberly-Clark Price Performance NASDAQ:KMB opened at $111.37 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.45, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a current ratio of 0.91. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $109.06 and its 200 day simple moving average is $103.54. The company has a market cap of $37.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.94, a P/E/G ratio of 5.20 and a beta of 0.26. Kimberly-Clark Corporation has a 52-week low of $92.42 and a 52-week high of $133.94.

Kimberly-Clark (NASDAQ:KMB – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The company reported $1.80 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.01 by ($0.21). Kimberly-Clark had a net margin of 11.79% and a return on equity of 143.92%. The company had revenue of $4.19 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.22 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.92 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up .6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Kimberly-Clark Corporation will post 7.43 EPS for the current fiscal year. Kimberly-Clark Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 4th will be paid a dividend of $1.28 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 4th. This represents a $5.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.6%. Kimberly-Clark’s dividend payout ratio is currently 87.07%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of analysts have recently commented on the company. UBS Group boosted their price target on Kimberly-Clark from $115.00 to $116.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. Barclays lifted their target price on Kimberly-Clark from $101.00 to $115.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 21st. Weiss Ratings upgraded Kimberly-Clark from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 28th. Seaport Research Partners raised shares of Kimberly-Clark to a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. Finally, Piper Sandler reiterated an “overweight” rating on shares of Kimberly-Clark in a report on Wednesday, August 19th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $117.93.

Read Our Latest Research Report on KMB

Kimberly-Clark Profile (Free Report)

Kimberly-Clark Corporation is a U.S.-based multinational manufacturer of personal care and consumer tissue products. The company develops, produces and markets a range of consumer brands and professional products, including facial and bathroom tissues, disposable diapers and training pants, feminine care, incontinence products and workplace hygiene solutions. Known for consumer-facing names such as Kleenex, Huggies, Kotex, Cottonelle and Scott, as well as professional offerings under Kimberly-Clark Professional and KleenGuard, the company supplies goods to retail, healthcare and institutional customers.

Founded in 1872 in Neenah, Wisconsin, Kimberly-Clark has expanded from its 19th-century paper-making roots into a global household and workplace products company.

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Consumers are trading down to store brand items, and that is bad news for Kimberly Clark (KMB -0.39%) stock investors.

*Stock prices used were the afternoon prices of Aug. 24, 2026. The video was published on Aug.26, 2026.

Parkev Tatevosian, CFA has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Parkev Tatevosian is an affiliate of The Motley Fool and may be compensated for promoting its services. If you choose to subscribe through his link, he will earn some extra money that supports his channel. His opinions remain his own and are unaffected by The Motley Fool.

Kimberly Clark (KMB +1.31%) isn't a household name, although the consumer staples giant's products are in most households. It's also not that well-known among investors, even though it has a streak of 54 consecutive years of dividend increases, rivaling PepsiCo (PEP +0.84%). PepsiCo has far greater brand recognition because almost everyone knows its namesake beverage, whereas few would associate Huggies, Kleenex, and Cottonelle with Kimberly Clark.

Here's a closer look at this Dividend King (a company with 50 or more years of consecutive annual dividend increases), which deserves more attention from dividend investors.

Image source: Getty Images.

A boring dividend stock Kimberly Clark raised its dividend from $1.26 per share to $1.28 per share this past January, extending its dividend growth streak to 54 years in a row. The consumer staples company has now paid dividends for 92 straight years. PepsiCo, which extended its streak to 54 years in June with a 4% raise, has now paid a dividend each year since 1965.

PepsiCo has spent a fortune on marketing to build a global beverage brand around its iconic name. That brand image has made it easily recognizable in the investor community. Kimberly Clark also spends a lot of money on marketing. That's why its portfolio of household product brands holds No. 1 or No. 2 market share positions in about 70 countries and serves one in every four people globally each day. However, that hasn't translated into a well-known corporate brand.

As a result, many income investors are unfamiliar with the company. That's causing them to overlook a top dividend stock that offers an even more enticing yield than PepsiCo (4.7% vs. 4.1%).

The company's products benefit from durable, growing demand, with demand for its basic household products even more resilient than that for PepsiCo's beverage and snacking products. Meanwhile, it's taking a major step to enhance its global portfolio by acquiring consumer health products brand Kenvue, which could help drive growth (including the dividend) for years to come.

With a PepsiCo-like dividend growth streak and a higher-yielding payout backed by a more resilient portfolio, income-focused investors should know Kimberly Clark.

Bank of New York Mellon Corp purchased a new position in Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NASDAQ:KMB – Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 2,182,850 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $239,612,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp owned about 0.66% of Kimberly-Clark at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of KMB. Ally Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in Kimberly-Clark during the 4th quarter valued at $1,009,000. Westpac Banking Corp boosted its stake in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 25.0% in the 4th quarter. Westpac Banking Corp now owns 54,135 shares of the company’s stock worth $5,462,000 after buying an additional 10,811 shares during the last quarter. Oddo BHF Asset Management Sas grew its holdings in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 29.6% in the fourth quarter. Oddo BHF Asset Management Sas now owns 61,795 shares of the company’s stock worth $6,234,000 after acquiring an additional 14,115 shares during the period. Fox Run Management L.L.C. bought a new stake in shares of Kimberly-Clark in the fourth quarter worth $1,047,000. Finally, Vaughan David Investments LLC IL increased its position in Kimberly-Clark by 6.4% during the fourth quarter. Vaughan David Investments LLC IL now owns 299,642 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,231,000 after acquiring an additional 17,955 shares during the last quarter. 76.29% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Kimberly-Clark Trading Up 0.6% Shares of KMB opened at $109.31 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $36.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.20 and a beta of 0.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.45, a current ratio of 0.91 and a quick ratio of 0.69. Kimberly-Clark Corporation has a 1 year low of $92.42 and a 1 year high of $134.38. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $108.89 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $103.43.

Kimberly-Clark (NASDAQ:KMB – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The company reported $1.80 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.01 by ($0.21). Kimberly-Clark had a return on equity of 143.92% and a net margin of 11.79%.The company had revenue of $4.19 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.22 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.92 EPS. Kimberly-Clark’s quarterly revenue was up .6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts expect that Kimberly-Clark Corporation will post 7.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Kimberly-Clark Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 2nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 4th will be paid a $1.28 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 4th. This represents a $5.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.7%. Kimberly-Clark’s payout ratio is presently 87.07%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms have weighed in on KMB. Weiss Ratings raised Kimberly-Clark from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 28th. Seaport Research Partners raised shares of Kimberly-Clark to a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 4th. Freedom Capital upgraded shares of Kimberly-Clark from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. Piper Sandler reissued an “overweight” rating on shares of Kimberly-Clark in a report on Wednesday. Finally, UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of Kimberly-Clark from $115.00 to $116.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $117.93.

View Our Latest Stock Report on Kimberly-Clark

Kimberly-Clark Profile (Free Report)

Kimberly-Clark Corporation is a U.S.-based multinational manufacturer of personal care and consumer tissue products. The company develops, produces and markets a range of consumer brands and professional products, including facial and bathroom tissues, disposable diapers and training pants, feminine care, incontinence products and workplace hygiene solutions. Known for consumer-facing names such as Kleenex, Huggies, Kotex, Cottonelle and Scott, as well as professional offerings under Kimberly-Clark Professional and KleenGuard, the company supplies goods to retail, healthcare and institutional customers.

Founded in 1872 in Neenah, Wisconsin, Kimberly-Clark has expanded from its 19th-century paper-making roots into a global household and workplace products company.

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Advisors Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NASDAQ:KMB – Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund bought 247,826 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $27,204,000. Advisors Capital Management LLC owned 0.07% of Kimberly-Clark as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in Kimberly-Clark by 0.8% in the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 40,846,734 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,121,027,000 after purchasing an additional 315,981 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Kimberly-Clark during the 2nd quarter valued at $3,547,915,000. State Street Corp raised its stake in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 1.4% in the 4th quarter. State Street Corp now owns 21,125,118 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,157,746,000 after buying an additional 294,228 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 11,917,154 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,202,322,000 after buying an additional 299,382 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 0.8% in the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 8,322,198 shares of the company’s stock valued at $836,216,000 after buying an additional 65,619 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.29% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets KMB has been the topic of several research reports. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Kimberly-Clark from $101.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 21st. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Kimberly-Clark from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 28th. TD Cowen lifted their price objective on shares of Kimberly-Clark from $96.00 to $104.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 5th. Piper Sandler reiterated an “overweight” rating on shares of Kimberly-Clark in a report on Wednesday. Finally, UBS Group raised their target price on shares of Kimberly-Clark from $115.00 to $116.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $117.93.

View Our Latest Analysis on KMB Kimberly-Clark Stock Down 1.1% KMB stock opened at $108.69 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.45, a current ratio of 0.91 and a quick ratio of 0.69. The firm has a market capitalization of $36.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.48, a P/E/G ratio of 5.23 and a beta of 0.26. Kimberly-Clark Corporation has a 52-week low of $92.42 and a 52-week high of $134.38. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $108.75 and its 200-day simple moving average is $103.39.

Kimberly-Clark (NASDAQ:KMB – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 4th. The company reported $1.80 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.01 by ($0.21). Kimberly-Clark had a return on equity of 143.92% and a net margin of 11.79%.The firm had revenue of $4.19 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.22 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.92 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up .6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Kimberly-Clark Corporation will post 7.43 EPS for the current year.

Kimberly-Clark Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 4th will be given a $1.28 dividend. This represents a $5.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 4th. Kimberly-Clark’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 87.07%.

Kimberly-Clark Profile (Free Report)

Kimberly-Clark Corporation is a U.S.-based multinational manufacturer of personal care and consumer tissue products. The company develops, produces and markets a range of consumer brands and professional products, including facial and bathroom tissues, disposable diapers and training pants, feminine care, incontinence products and workplace hygiene solutions. Known for consumer-facing names such as Kleenex, Huggies, Kotex, Cottonelle and Scott, as well as professional offerings under Kimberly-Clark Professional and KleenGuard, the company supplies goods to retail, healthcare and institutional customers.

Founded in 1872 in Neenah, Wisconsin, Kimberly-Clark has expanded from its 19th-century paper-making roots into a global household and workplace products company.

See Also Five stocks we like better than Kimberly-Clark 3 Energy Stocks Raising Dividends as the Sector Surges 5 Reasons the S&P 500 Could Keep Rallying Through Year-End Walmart’s Post-Earnings Drop Could Be a Buying Opportunity The Trade Desk’s Earnings Miss Raises a Bigger Question About Its AI Future Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KMB? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NASDAQ:KMB – Free Report).

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BlackRock Inc. purchased a new position in Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NASDAQ:KMB – Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 32,321,354 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,547,915,000. BlackRock Inc. owned 9.72% of Kimberly-Clark as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Kimberly-Clark during the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Godfrey Financial Associates Inc. purchased a new stake in Kimberly-Clark in the 4th quarter worth $25,000. CrossGen Wealth LLC bought a new stake in Kimberly-Clark during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Clearstead Trust LLC bought a new stake in shares of Kimberly-Clark during the second quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Finally, Motiv8 Investments LLC bought a new stake in Kimberly-Clark in the 4th quarter valued at $31,000. Institutional investors own 76.29% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets Several analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Barclays upped their price objective on Kimberly-Clark from $101.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 21st. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on Kimberly-Clark from $100.00 to $110.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 8th. TD Cowen upped their price target on shares of Kimberly-Clark from $96.00 to $104.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. Weiss Ratings upgraded Kimberly-Clark from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 28th. Finally, UBS Group raised their target price on shares of Kimberly-Clark from $115.00 to $116.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Kimberly-Clark currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $117.93.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on Kimberly-Clark Kimberly-Clark Stock Down 0.2% KMB stock opened at $107.72 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $35.83 billion, a PE ratio of 18.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.25 and a beta of 0.26. The company has a quick ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.45. Kimberly-Clark Corporation has a 52 week low of $92.42 and a 52 week high of $136.17. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $108.45 and a 200 day moving average of $103.25.

Kimberly-Clark (NASDAQ:KMB – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The company reported $1.80 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.01 by ($0.21). The firm had revenue of $4.19 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.22 billion. Kimberly-Clark had a net margin of 11.79% and a return on equity of 143.92%. Kimberly-Clark’s revenue was up .6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.92 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that Kimberly-Clark Corporation will post 7.43 earnings per share for the current year.

Kimberly-Clark Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 4th will be issued a $1.28 dividend. This represents a $5.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 4th. Kimberly-Clark’s dividend payout ratio is 87.07%.

Kimberly-Clark Profile (Free Report)

Kimberly-Clark Corporation is a U.S.-based multinational manufacturer of personal care and consumer tissue products. The company develops, produces and markets a range of consumer brands and professional products, including facial and bathroom tissues, disposable diapers and training pants, feminine care, incontinence products and workplace hygiene solutions. Known for consumer-facing names such as Kleenex, Huggies, Kotex, Cottonelle and Scott, as well as professional offerings under Kimberly-Clark Professional and KleenGuard, the company supplies goods to retail, healthcare and institutional customers.

Founded in 1872 in Neenah, Wisconsin, Kimberly-Clark has expanded from its 19th-century paper-making roots into a global household and workplace products company.

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Key Takeaways KMB shares gained 11.7% in three months despite a 16.7% decline over the past year.KMB delivered its 10th straight quarter of positive volume-plus-mix performance in the second quarter.Productivity gains lifted margins, but China disruption and slower category growth remain key risks. Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB - Free Report) shares have gained 15.4% in the past three months, sharpening the question of whether improving operating momentum can support further upside. The move comes even as the company faces softer category growth, disruption in China and a broad portfolio transformation.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The investment case rests on resilient volume and mix trends, productivity-led margin support and continued innovation. Those positives must be weighed against consumer pressure, commodity uncertainty and a weaker longer-term stock performance.

Why KMB's 3-Month Rally Stands OutKMB's recent advance contrasts with a much weaker trailing-12-month record. Shares are down 16.7% over the past year, even after the 15.4% gain in the past three months. That gap makes the recent move notable, but it also shows how much ground the stock had lost before the rebound.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The rally has developed while Kimberly-Clark is managing several moving parts. Moderating category growth, the China diaper disruption and major portfolio changes have created execution risk, so the stock's recent strength reflects a more constructive short-term setup rather than a clean operating backdrop.

Kimberly-Clark's Growth Engine Still Has SupportKimberly-Clark delivered its 10th consecutive quarter of positive volume-plus-mix performance in the second quarter of 2026. For the first half, organic sales increased 1.2%, driven by 1.3% volume growth and a 0.4% mix benefit, partly offset by a 0.5% decline in net pricing.

Innovation and stronger value propositions are helping preserve brand demand. North America has produced volume-plus-mix-led growth in eight of the past 10 quarters, while trailing-12-month share gains covered 70% of its North American sales base.

Peers are also leaning on brand investment and productivity in a difficult consumer environment. Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL - Free Report) reported 2.4% organic sales growth and 140 basis points of gross-margin expansion in the second quarter. Church & Dwight Co., Inc. (CHD - Free Report) posted 5.8% organic sales growth and 40 basis points of adjusted gross-margin expansion.

KMB Productivity Helps Defend MarginsGross productivity reached 6.4% in the second quarter, helping Kimberly-Clark absorb higher investment and other operating pressures. Adjusted gross margin expanded 190 basis points year over year to 38.8%, supported by one-time tariff refunds and productivity savings.

That margin progress matters because the company is still spending to drive new-product trial, improve price-value tiers and strengthen supply-chain capabilities. Adjusted operating profit increased 6.2% to $757 million despite headwinds from business exits and the China disruption.

Kimberly-Clark Faces Risks That Could Cap the RallyNorth American weighted category growth slowed to 1.9% from 3.7% in the previous quarter. Management has also pointed to increased pressure on lower-income consumers and greater variability in consumption, making the demand backdrop less predictable.

China remains another near-term risk. The diaper disruption reduced consolidated organic sales growth by about 50 basis points in the second quarter and created a roughly 440-basis-point headwind to International Personal Care operating profit. Commodity costs and the broader macroeconomic environment add further uncertainty.

KMB's Hold Signal Tempers the Momentum CaseThe three-month rally is backed by real operating improvements, especially volume-plus-mix consistency and productivity. Still, the weaker 12-month stock performance and unresolved operating risks argue against treating the recent move as a clear signal that the shares have entered a durable uptrend.

KMB currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). It also has a Value Score of C, a Growth Score of C and a VGM Score of C, while its Momentum Score is F. Because the Zacks Style Scores are designed to complement the Zacks Rank, those readings support a balanced view rather than a strong near-term buying signal. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Accomplished legal executive and global litigator brings proven track record of enterprise risk management and strategic leadership to support Kimberly-Clark's next chapter of growth

, /PRNewswire/ -- Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NASDAQ: KMB) today announced the appointment of Suzana Blades as Senior Vice President and General Counsel, effective September 1, 2026. She will report to Jeff Melucci, Chief Strategy, Business Development and Administrative Officer, and will become a member of Kimberly-Clark's Executive Leadership Team.

Blades has also been named to the leadership team that will take effect upon completion of Kimberly-Clark's pending acquisition of Kenvue Inc. (NYSE: KVUE).

Kimberly-Clark Appoints Suzana Blades as Senior Vice President and General Counsel "Serving as General Counsel at one of the most transformational moments in Kimberly-Clark's history requires a rare combination of global legal expertise and leadership, a deep understanding of our business, sound judgment, and grit," said Mike Hsu, Chairman and CEO of Kimberly-Clark. "Suzana is that kind of leader. Over nearly four years at Kimberly-Clark, she has helped advance our Powering Care strategy while earning the trust and respect of colleagues across the company. I am confident she will play a critical part in our work to build a new kind of health and wellness company focused on raising the standard of care for billions of people around the world."

In her most recent role as Vice President & Deputy General Counsel - Litigation, Government Relations, Legal Operations and Natural Solutions at Kimberly-Clark, Blades has overseen the company's global litigation and investigations docket, advised on public policy and government affairs matters, led the Global Legal Organization, and served as General Counsel for the company's Natural Solutions business.

"Suzana is a well-rounded leader with deep international experience, a relentless drive to win, and a passion for developing people and building high-performing teams," said Melucci. "Combined with her strong commitment to Kimberly-Clark's purpose and values, she is exceptionally well positioned to lead the legal organization through this transformational period."

Prior to joining Kimberly-Clark, Blades spent nearly 12 years at ConocoPhillips, most recently as Managing Counsel - Commercial Litigation and Arbitration, where she managed a global docket of pivotal commercial litigation and arbitration matters, including regulatory matters and disputes with sovereign states. Earlier, she served as a Senior Negotiator at Hess Corporation and was a member of the International Arbitration Group of Arnold & Porter in Washington, D.C.

"Kimberly-Clark's purpose, iconic brands, and exceptional people make it one of the most admired companies in the world," said Blades. "I am honored to take on this role and to continue to partner with Jeff, Mike, and colleagues across the enterprise as we build on our strong foundation, advance our growth ambitions, and lead with care, integrity, and a winning mindset."

Blades is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, New York University School of Law, and the State University of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). She serves as a Board Member of the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution (CPR).

About Kimberly-Clark

Kimberly-Clark (NASDAQ: KMB) and its trusted brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 175 countries and territories. Our portfolio of brands, including Huggies, Kleenex, Scott, Kotex, Cottonelle, Poise, Depend, Pull-Ups, Goodnites, Intimus, Plenitud, Sweety, Softex, Viva and WypAll, hold No. 1 or No. 2 share positions in approximately 70 countries. Our company's purpose is to deliver Better Care for a Better World. We are committed to using sustainable practices designed to support a healthy planet, build strong communities, and enable our business to thrive for decades to come. To keep up with the latest news and learn more about the company's more than 150-year history of innovation, visit the Kimberly-Clark website.

[KMB-F] [KMB-C]

Contacts

Investor Relations:
Christopher Jakubik, CFA
[email protected] 

Media Relations:
Kyrsten Aspegren
[email protected] 

Logo: https://mmx.prnewswire.com/media/MS1968320/Kimberly-Clark-Logo-ONP.jpg?id=OA2863501

SOURCE Kimberly-Clark Corporation

The Consumer Products-Staples industry is navigating a challenging operating environment as persistent cost pressures, elevated living expenses and heightened consumer price sensitivity weigh on demand. Value-conscious shoppers are increasingly seeking affordable alternatives, adjusting pack sizes and responding to promotions, creating a more volatile volume environment across several categories. At the same time, higher raw material, labor and transportation costs, along with elevated SG&A expenses, continue to pressure margins.

Amid these challenges, consumer staples companies are focusing on productivity, cost optimization and supply-chain efficiency while investing in digital capabilities, marketing and product development to support long-term growth. For companies with international operations, currency fluctuations and trade-related uncertainty add further complexity to their business environment. Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL - Free Report) , Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB - Free Report) , Church & Dwight Co., Inc. (CHD - Free Report) and BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. (BJ - Free Report) are leveraging operational efficiencies, consumer-focused offerings and strategic growth initiatives to navigate industry pressures and strengthen their long-term positioning.

About the Industry The Zacks Consumer Products-Staples industry includes companies that manufacture, market and distribute a broad range of everyday household and personal-use items. These offerings span personal care products, cleaning tools, stationery, bed and bath essentials and general household goods such as small appliances, cutlery and food-storage solutions. Some players also participate in categories like batteries, lighting, pet food, treats and related supplies. Their products reach consumers through supermarkets, drug and grocery chains, department stores, mass merchandisers, warehouse clubs and other retail partners, while a growing share is now sold through digital channels. Several companies also supply items to perfume, cosmetics and personal-care manufacturers, as well as to third-party distributors.

Trends Shaping the Future of the Consumer Products-Staples Industry Rising Cost Pressures in a Challenging Operating Environment: The consumer goods industry continues to face pressure from elevated costs across raw materials, labor and transportation. These higher input costs can weigh on profit margins, particularly when companies are unable to fully offset them through pricing actions. Adding to the challenge are elevated SG&A expenses and continued investments in digital capabilities, technology and marketing initiatives to support long-term growth. Companies also remain exposed to supply-chain disruptions, trade-related uncertainty and higher logistics costs, which can further pressure margins. To protect profitability, industry players are increasingly pursuing restructuring, productivity and cost-optimization initiatives aimed at improving efficiency and strengthening operational resilience.

Heightened Consumer Spending Volatility: The Consumer Products-Staples industry is navigating greater spending volatility amid an uncertain macroeconomic backdrop. Changing consumer behavior, particularly among lower-income households, is being influenced by persistent cost-of-living pressures and heightened price sensitivity. These financial constraints are affecting purchasing decisions, with consumers increasingly seeking value, switching pack sizes, looking for promotions or trading down within categories. Given the industry's broad exposure to household consumption, companies remain vulnerable to shifts in consumer behavior that could weigh on volumes and growth, even as demand for essential products remains relatively resilient.

Exposure to Currency Fluctuations: Global consumer staples companies remain sensitive to foreign-exchange volatility, with fluctuations in major currencies affecting reported results. A stronger U.S. dollar can reduce the value of international revenues when translated into U.S. dollars, creating pressure on reported sales and earnings. In such an environment, companies must balance pricing actions in overseas markets against the risk of weaker demand and reduced competitiveness.

Maximizing Revenues Through Strategic Optimization: Companies are pursuing multiple strategic levers to strengthen their revenue base and long-term positioning. Investments in e-commerce and digital capabilities are expanding, supporting convenience-driven demand and deeper consumer engagement. At the same time, product development remains focused on evolving consumer preferences, including health, wellness, convenience and sustainability. Companies are also optimizing portfolios through acquisitions, divestitures and SKU or category rationalization, enabling more focused capital allocation toward faster-growing and higher-return opportunities. Expanding distribution in attractive markets and strengthening supply-chain capabilities are also becoming important avenues for growth. Collectively, these initiatives are helping consumer staples companies remain competitive and drive incremental growth in an increasingly evolving marketplace.

Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Dull Prospects The Zacks Consumer Products-Staples industry is housed within the broader Zacks Consumer Staples sector. The industry currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #214, which places it in the bottom 13% of more than 246 Zacks industries.

The group’s Zacks Industry Rank, which is the average of the Zacks Rank of all member stocks, indicates dim near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than two to one.

The industry’s position in the bottom 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries is a result of a negative earnings outlook for the constituent companies in aggregate. Looking at the aggregate earnings estimate revisions, it appears that analysts are gradually becoming less confident about this group’s earnings growth potential. Since the beginning of June 2026, the consensus estimate for the industry’s current financial-year earnings has decreased 1.1%.

Let’s look at the industry’s performance and current valuation.

Industry vs. Broader Market The Zacks Consumer Products-Staples industry has underperformed the S&P 500 index and the broader Zacks Consumer Staples sector over the past year.

The industry has lost 6.5% over this period against the broader sector’s growth of 1.1%. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 index has advanced 22.8%.

One Year Price Performance

Industry's Current Valuation On the basis of forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E), commonly used for valuing consumer staple stocks, the industry is currently trading at 18.52X compared with the S&P 500’s 20.81X and the sector’s 17.03X.

Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 23.39X, as low as 17.46X and at the median of 21.08X, as the chart below shows.

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (Past Five Years)

4 Consumer Product Stocks to Keep a Close Eye On BJ's Wholesale Club: A leading operator of membership warehouse clubs, BJ’s Wholesale Club carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). The company’s business model is supported by its focus on membership growth, customer retention and a value-oriented shopping proposition. BJ’s Wholesale Club continues to strengthen its omnichannel ecosystem through digital initiatives and convenient services such as same-day delivery, curbside pickup and ExpressPay, enhancing the overall member experience. The company is also focused on expanding its physical footprint into attractive growth markets, supporting long-term scalability. Its combination of recurring membership relationships, value-focused merchandising, convenience offerings and store expansion provides a solid foundation for sustained growth while reinforcing customer engagement and loyalty. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BJ's Wholesale Club’s current fiscal-year earnings per share (EPS) has increased a penny to $4.52 in the past seven days. The projection indicates growth of 2.7% from the year-ago period’s level. BJ’s shares have lost 9.2% in the past year.

Price and Consensus: BJ

Colgate: This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company is a global leader in the oral care market and continues to benefit from effective pricing strategies and ongoing productivity efforts. The company continues to invest in core and premium product innovation, while investing in advertising to enhance brand visibility and household penetration. Colgate is also expanding the digital, data and analytics capabilities, reinforcing its competitive position and supporting long-term profitability in a dynamic consumer landscape.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Colgate’s current fiscal-year EPS has increased a penny to $3.86 in the past seven days. The projection indicates growth of 4.6% from the year-ago period’s level. Shares of the company have gained 6.9% in the past year.

Price and Consensus: CL

Kimberly-Clark: This Zacks Rank #3 company is focused on driving growth through innovation, productivity and operational efficiency under its Powering Care strategy. The company continues to prioritize innovation across its portfolio while working to improve the cost structure and streamline operations. Kimberly-Clark is also focused on strengthening volume and mix, supported by product innovation, brand investment and disciplined execution. Ongoing productivity initiatives and cost-management efforts remain important to improving efficiency and navigating inflationary pressures. Its portfolio of leading consumer brands, broad global presence and focus on innovation and productivity provide a solid foundation for sustainable growth and profitability in the personal care and consumer products market.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for KMB’s current financial-year EPS has decreased 4 cents to $7.43 in the past seven days. This suggests a decline of 1.3% from the year-ago period. Shares of the company have fallen 19.5% in the past year.

Price and Consensus: KMB

Church & Dwight: Church & Dwight is strengthening its competitive position through a resilient portfolio of leading household and personal care products, supported by consistent innovation and expanding distribution. This Zacks Rank #3 company focuses on increasing household penetration through brand building, product launches and broader market reach. Strategic investments in productivity and supply-chain efficiency support operational effectiveness and profitability. With a diversified portfolio, established market positions, disciplined execution and a continued focus on productivity and product development, Church & Dwight is well-positioned to pursue sustainable long-term growth in the consumer products market.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Church & Dwight’s current fiscal-year EPS has increased a penny to $3.78 in the past seven days. The projection indicates growth of 7.1% from the year-ago period’s figure. CHD’s shares have gained 9.7% in the past year.

Price and Consensus: CHD

HomeDividends AnalysisDividend IdeasConsumer Staples Analysis

SummaryKimberly-Clark remains a compelling value and income play, supported by strong brands and resilient consumer demand.KMB trades at a discounted 14.6x forward P/E with a well-covered 4.7% dividend yield and an "A" credit rating.Near-term headwinds include a China diaper controversy and Kenvue integration, but these risks appear priced in.I maintain a "Buy" rating, expecting long-term EPS growth, productivity gains, and double-digit total return potential.Looking for a portfolio of ideas like this one? Members of iREIT®+HOYA Capital get exclusive access to our subscriber-only portfolios. Learn More » Arthit Pornpikanet/iStock via Getty Images

It pays to buy into durable stocks with strong brand recognition, especially in this period of heightened market volatility. In a recurring debate between AI disruption and software stocks, I’m content to park most of my capital in basic economy stocks that aren’t

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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of KMB either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

I am not an investment advisor. This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute as financial advice. Readers are encouraged and expected to perform due diligence and draw their own conclusions prior to making any investment decisions.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Posted by Defense World Staff on Aug 6th, 2026

Empowered Funds LLC trimmed its position in shares of Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NASDAQ:KMB – Free Report) by 58.6% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 26,276 shares of the company’s stock after selling 37,181 shares during the quarter. Empowered Funds LLC’s holdings in Kimberly-Clark were worth $2,535,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of KMB. Greatmark Investment Partners Inc. boosted its stake in Kimberly-Clark by 2.9% in the fourth quarter. Greatmark Investment Partners Inc. now owns 3,533 shares of the company’s stock valued at $356,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund grew its holdings in Kimberly-Clark by 0.3% in the fourth quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 37,999 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,834,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board increased its position in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 0.7% during the fourth quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board now owns 15,093 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,523,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc lifted its holdings in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 18.3% during the 1st quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 665 shares of the company’s stock valued at $64,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Core Wealth Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 2.6% during the 4th quarter. Core Wealth Partners LLC now owns 4,352 shares of the company’s stock valued at $439,000 after purchasing an additional 112 shares during the last quarter. 76.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Kimberly-Clark Price Performance Shares of KMB opened at $112.37 on Thursday. The business’s 50-day moving average is $106.43 and its two-hundred day moving average is $102.73. The company has a market capitalization of $37.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.11, a P/E/G ratio of 5.02 and a beta of 0.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.45, a quick ratio of 0.55 and a current ratio of 0.91. Kimberly-Clark Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $92.42 and a fifty-two week high of $137.46.

Kimberly-Clark (NASDAQ:KMB – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 4th. The company reported $1.80 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.01 by ($0.21). Kimberly-Clark had a net margin of 11.79% and a return on equity of 143.92%. The company had revenue of $4.19 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.22 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.92 EPS. The business’s quarterly revenue was up .6% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that Kimberly-Clark Corporation will post 7.45 earnings per share for the current year.

Kimberly-Clark Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 2nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 4th will be issued a $1.28 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 4th. This represents a $5.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.6%. Kimberly-Clark’s payout ratio is presently 87.07%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth KMB has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on Kimberly-Clark from $100.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 8th. UBS Group increased their price target on Kimberly-Clark from $115.00 to $116.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Bank of America dropped their price target on Kimberly-Clark from $130.00 to $120.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, April 10th. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Kimberly-Clark from $101.00 to $115.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 21st. Finally, Piper Sandler boosted their target price on shares of Kimberly-Clark from $115.00 to $121.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 17th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $117.93.

View Our Latest Research Report on Kimberly-Clark

Key Headlines Impacting Kimberly-Clark Here are the key news stories impacting Kimberly-Clark this week:

Positive Sentiment: Second-quarter adjusted operating profit rose 6.2% year over year, supported by productivity savings, volume-plus-mix gains and gross-margin expansion. Adjusted EPS was $1.80, although results remained below analysts’ expectations. Kimberly-Clark second-quarter results Positive Sentiment: Kimberly-Clark declared a quarterly dividend of $1.28 per share, reinforcing its income appeal with an indicated annualized yield of approximately 4.6%. Kimberly-Clark dividend announcement Positive Sentiment: A plant-based fiber initiative could eventually reduce reliance on traditional wood fibers in paper towels, offering potential long-term manufacturing and sustainability benefits. Kimberly-Clark plant-based fiber initiative Neutral Sentiment: Management said the pending Kenvue acquisition remains on track to close by year-end, but investors will continue to assess the transaction’s execution risks and effect on leverage. Kimberly-Clark 2026 second-quarter presentation Negative Sentiment: Revenue of roughly $4.19 billion increased only 0.6% year over year and missed the $4.22 billion consensus estimate. Reported profit also declined, while adjusted EPS of $1.80 fell short of the $2.01 analyst consensus cited in the company coverage. Kimberly-Clark second-quarter sales report Negative Sentiment: Kimberly-Clark lowered its 2026 sales and profit outlook, saying organic sales growth should trail weighted-average category growth by about 100 basis points. False social-media allegations regarding Huggies diaper quality significantly disrupted China sales and remain the main near-term overhang. Reuters report on Kimberly-Clark guidance Negative Sentiment: TD Cowen analyst Robert Moskow maintained a Hold rating despite raising his price target to $104, citing near-term volatility and operational challenges. TD Cowen Kimberly-Clark rating Kimberly-Clark Profile (Free Report)

Kimberly-Clark Corporation is a U.S.-based multinational manufacturer of personal care and consumer tissue products. The company develops, produces and markets a range of consumer brands and professional products, including facial and bathroom tissues, disposable diapers and training pants, feminine care, incontinence products and workplace hygiene solutions. Known for consumer-facing names such as Kleenex, Huggies, Kotex, Cottonelle and Scott, as well as professional offerings under Kimberly-Clark Professional and KleenGuard, the company supplies goods to retail, healthcare and institutional customers.

Founded in 1872 in Neenah, Wisconsin, Kimberly-Clark has expanded from its 19th-century paper-making roots into a global household and workplace products company.

Featured Articles Five stocks we like better than Kimberly-Clark SpaceX: Love the Company, But the Stock Is a Harder Call Ulta’s Growth Is Real, But So Are the Risks BWX Technologies Is Turning the AI Power Problem Into a Nuclear Growth Story Meta’s Earnings Drop Shows Wall Street Wants More Than Ad Growth Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KMB? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NASDAQ:KMB – Free Report).

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Kimberly-Clark (NASDAQ:KMB) said its second-quarter results reflected continued volume-plus-mix growth and productivity gains, though several one-time disruptions and a softer consumer backdrop prompted the company to lower its full-year outlook.

Chairman and CEO Mike Hsu said the company delivered its 10th consecutive quarter of positive volume-plus-mix performance, maintained global weighted market share and generated what he described as industry-leading gross productivity. However, results were affected by disruptions in its China diaper business, retailer inventory reductions in North America, a Los Angeles distribution center fire and higher costs tied to the Middle East situation.

“The fundamentals of our business remain strong,” Hsu said, adding that the company remains confident in its momentum entering the second half of 2026 and into 2027.

China Diaper Disruption Weighs on Outlook President and COO Russ Torres said Kimberly-Clark is working through a disruption involving its diaper products in China following claims that he said lack scientific support. The company conducted tests through certified third-party laboratories that confirmed its products were safe, according to Torres.

Kimberly-Clark is cooperating with Chinese authorities and investing behind communications intended to reinforce product safety facts with consumers, retailers and government agencies. Torres said the company has not seen sequential deterioration in China sellout trends, though sales have not yet turned positive.

CFO Nelson Urdaneta said the China diaper disruption, which began in the latter half of June, was a principal reason second-quarter organic sales growth came in about 100 basis points below the company’s expectations. For the second half, Kimberly-Clark expects the China issue to represent roughly a 200-basis-point headwind, split relatively evenly between the third and fourth quarters.

The company expects the disruption to reduce second-half operating profit by about $70 million and earnings per share by about $0.16, also spread roughly evenly across the two quarters. Urdaneta said the outlook assumes modest improvement in the trend but no significant inflection.

North America Shipments Lag Consumption In North America, Kimberly-Clark said shipments in its consumer business declined 1.4% in the second quarter, while consumption rose 0.3%. Urdaneta attributed the gap primarily to the Los Angeles distribution center fire and retailer inventory movements, particularly in adult care and one channel.

The Los Angeles fire created about a $22 million sales headwind in the quarter, or approximately 80 basis points for North America. Retailer inventory movements reduced year-over-year shipment growth by roughly 100 basis points, with about half of that impact not anticipated in April. For the first half, inventory movements represented about a 100-basis-point year-over-year headwind, while the distribution center fire accounted for about 40 basis points. Torres said the company expects North America to gain momentum in the second half, supported by innovation launches, brand investment, activation plans and revenue growth management actions. He said the company has gained share in 70% of its North American sales base on a trailing 12-month basis, while its tissue and e-commerce businesses have performed well.

Management acknowledged that category growth has moderated and consumers, particularly lower-income shoppers, are under pressure. Hsu said North American weighted category growth slowed to 1.9% from 3.7% in the prior quarter, though he characterized the company’s categories as resilient due to their essential nature.

Pricing, Productivity and Input Costs Kimberly-Clark said it received a $45 million tariff refund in the second quarter in the U.S., representing about half of tariffs paid in North America, including prior Canadian retaliatory tariffs. The benefit, combined with 6.4% productivity in the quarter, helped drive better-than-expected adjusted operating profit and earnings per share despite higher brand investment.

Urdaneta said the company does not expect additional material tariff refunds during the remainder of the year. It expects about $150 million in gross input-cost headwinds during the second half, primarily connected to oil-linked inputs and external volatility. Those costs are now incorporated into its outlook.

The company expects tariff refunds and mitigation actions already underway to substantially offset the incremental costs, keeping full-year pricing and cost inflation at roughly neutral levels. Torres said Kimberly-Clark is implementing low-single-digit pricing actions primarily in North America during the second half to address inflation, while continuing to emphasize innovation and value propositions rather than relying on promotional activity.

Management said promotional intensity has increased among competitors and some smaller brands, but maintained that promotions do not meaningfully expand consumption in its categories. Kimberly-Clark expects its own promotional activity to normalize over the balance of the year.

Innovation, Fiber Program and Portfolio Changes Hsu highlighted the company’s newly announced alternative natural fiber program, which Kimberly-Clark believes could improve tissue softness and strength, reduce exposure to natural forest fiber cost volatility and advance its natural-forest-fiber-free ambition. The company said it has invested in the technology over more than two decades and is breaking ground on a pilot facility after acquiring thousands of acres of land for cultivation.

Management said investments in the fiber initiative have already been incorporated into reported results and strategic plans. Hsu said the crop is designed for arid conditions and could be more land- and water-efficient than alternatives.

The company also said it has completed the launch of Arbex, its strategic joint venture with Suzano, and is progressing with integration planning for its proposed Kenvue acquisition. Torres said 50 teams involving about 600 people are working on Kenvue integration planning. Management reiterated confidence in the previously disclosed $1.9 billion cost-synergy target but said it was too early to provide a detailed 2027 outlook or synergy cadence.

Hsu said Kimberly-Clark sees growth opportunities in Kenvue’s consumer health categories, where treatment rates can lag the incidence of health issues. The company plans to provide a fuller update on 2027 and beyond as the transaction closing and other external variables become clearer.

About Kimberly-Clark (NASDAQ:KMB) Kimberly-Clark Corporation is a U.S.-based multinational manufacturer of personal care and consumer tissue products. The company develops, produces and markets a range of consumer brands and professional products, including facial and bathroom tissues, disposable diapers and training pants, feminine care, incontinence products and workplace hygiene solutions. Known for consumer-facing names such as Kleenex, Huggies, Kotex, Cottonelle and Scott, as well as professional offerings under Kimberly-Clark Professional and KleenGuard, the company supplies goods to retail, healthcare and institutional customers.

Founded in 1872 in Neenah, Wisconsin, Kimberly-Clark has expanded from its 19th-century paper-making roots into a global household and workplace products company.

Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB) Q2 2026 Earnings Call August 4, 2026 8:00 AM EDT

Company Participants

Christopher Jakubik - Investor Relations Contact
Michael Hsu - Chairman & CEO
Russell Torres - President & COO
Nelson Urdaneta - Senior VP, CFO & Interim Principal Accounting Officer,

Conference Call Participants

Nik Modi - RBC Capital Markets, Research Division
Christopher Carey - Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Research Division
Bonnie Herzog - Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Research Division
Michael Lavery - Piper Sandler & Co., Research Division
Stephen Robert Powers - Deutsche Bank AG, Research Division
Lauren Lieberman - Barclays Bank PLC, Research Division
Robert Moskow - TD Cowen, Research Division
Peter Grom - UBS Investment Bank, Research Division
Javier Escalante Manzo - Evercore ISI Institutional Equities, Research Division

Presentation

Operator

Good morning, and welcome to the Kimberly-Clark Second Quarter 2026 Earnings Call. [Operator Instructions]

I will now hand the floor over to Chris Jakubik, Vice President, Investor Relations. Please go ahead.

Christopher Jakubik
Investor Relations Contact

Good morning, everyone. This is Chris Jakubik, Head of Investor Relations at Kimberly-Clark, and thank you for joining us.

I would like to remind everyone that during our comments today, we will make some forward-looking statements that are based on how we see things today. Actual results may differ due to risks and uncertainties, and these are discussed in our earnings release and our filings with the SEC. We will also discuss some non-GAAP financial measures during these remarks. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a replacement for and should be read together with GAAP results. And you can find the GAAP and the reconciliations within our earnings release and the supplemental materials posted at investor.kimberly-clark.com.

With that, I'll turn it over to Mike for a few opening comments.

Michael Hsu
Chairman & CEO

Thank you, Chris, and thank you all for joining us today. As I mentioned

Key Takeaways Kimberly-Clark's Q2 adjusted EPS rose 10.4%, while sales grew 0.6% but missed estimates.Gross margin expanded 190 basis points as tariff refunds and productivity offset added investments.China disruption and business exits pressured sales, while 2026 profit growth remains mid-single-digit. Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB - Free Report) posted second-quarter 2026 results, with top line increasing year over year. However, net sales missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate.

Taking a Closer Look at KMB’s Q2 ResultsAdjusted earnings attributable to Kimberly-Clark were $2.12 per share, up 10.4% year over year, driven by higher adjusted operating profit and income from discontinued operations. Adjusted earnings from continuing operations increased 10.4% year over year to $1.80. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the metric was pinned at $2.00 per share.

Kimberly-Clark’s sales were $4,189 million, marking 0.6% growth from $4,163 million in the prior-year quarter. However, the figure missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4,232 million. Reported sales benefited from a 1.1% favorable currency impact. However, this was partly offset by a drag from divestitures and business exits, including the exit of the company’s U.S. private-label diaper business.

Organic sales slipped 0.1%, including an approximately 50-basis-point drag from a social media disruption affecting the company’s diaper business in China.

The adjusted gross margin expanded 190 basis points year over year to 38.8%. One-time tariff refunds and strong productivity savings more than offset product-trial investments and supply-chain-related spending.

Adjusted operating profit rose 6.2% to $757 million. The improvement reflected higher adjusted gross profit and favorable currency movements. These gains were partly offset by a roughly 210-basis-point headwind from business exits and the China disruption.

KMB Provides Q2 Insights by SegmentNorth America (“NA”) segment’s net sales declined 1.2% year over year to $2,698 million. Organic sales fell 0.7%, mainly due to an approximately 180-basis-point headwind from retail inventory changes and the Los Angeles Distribution Center fire.

NA’s operating profit increased 10.7% to $725 million. Tariff refunds and productivity gains more than offset business-exit pressures and increased brand investments.

The International Personal Care (“IPC”) segment’s net sales advanced 4% to $1,491 million, supported by a 3.1% currency benefit and 1% organic growth. Volume and mix increased a combined 1.2%, despite a roughly 140-basis-point sales headwind from the China social media disruption.

IPC’s operating profit grew 2.2% to $186 million. Productivity savings and currency benefits outweighed a roughly 440-basis-point profit headwind from the China social media disruption.

Kimberly-Clark’s Financial Health SnapshotThe company ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $956 million, long-term debt of $6,474 million and total stockholders’ equity of $1,874 million.

For the six months ended June 30, 2026, cash provided by operations was $1,653 million. Management incurred capital spending of $776 million in the same time frame. The company returned $843 million to its shareholders via dividends.

What to Expect From KMB in 2026Kimberly-Clark expects 2026 organic sales growth to trail the weighted average growth of the categories and countries it competes in by approximately 100 basis points. Those categories and markets were growing about 2% on a trailing 12-month basis.

The revised sales view primarily reflects realized and potential companywide impacts of about 100 basis points from the China social media disruption. Management expects the issue to continue affecting sales and profits in the near term.

Adjusted operating profit is projected to grow at a mid-single-digit rate on a constant-currency basis.

Adjusted EPS from continuing operations is expected to increase at a high-single-digit rate, including an approximately 30% rise in income from equity companies. Adjusted EPS attributable to Kimberly-Clark is forecasted to decline at a low-single-digit rate on a constant-currency basis.

This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company has gained 10.7% in the past three months compared with the industry’s 3.7% growth.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Stocks to ConsiderDarling Ingredients Inc. (DAR - Free Report) develops, produces and sells sustainable natural ingredients from edible and inedible bio-nutrients in North America, Europe, China, South America and internationally. At present, Darling Ingredients sports a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The consensus estimate for Darling Ingredients’ current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 13.2% and 685.3%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. DAR delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 38.9%, on average.

The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. (CHEF - Free Report) distributes specialty food and center-of-the-plate products in the United States, the Middle East and Canada. At present, CHEF holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Chefs' Warehouse delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 30.4%, on average.

The consensus estimate for Chefs' Warehouse’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 10.8% and 24.7%, respectively, from the year-ago reported figures.

US Foods Holding Corp. (USFD - Free Report) engages in the marketing, sale and distribution of fresh, frozen and dry food and non-food products to foodservice customers in the United States. USFD currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. US Foods Holding delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 1.4%, on average.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for US Foods Holding’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 5.1% and 16.3%, respectively, from the year-ago figures.

A package of Huggies brand diapers, made by Kimberly-Clark, is shown in Boca Raton, Florida October 22, 2013. REUTERS/Joe Skipper/ File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

Aug 4 (Reuters) - Kimberly-Clark (KMB.O), opens new tab cut its annual sales and profit forecasts on Tuesday, citing a significant hit to second-quarter sales in China that stemmed from what it said were false viral claims about the ​quality of some of its diaper brands.

The Kleenex maker said claims circulating on Chinese social media ‌that its Huggies diapers contained formamide, a substance banned in multiple countries, weighed on demand despite independent testing by a government-certified third party confirming their quality and safety.

Keep up with the latest medical breakthroughs and healthcare trends with the Reuters Health Rounds newsletter. Sign up here.

Beijing-based media outlet Economic Times Daily reported in June that Chinese brands Babycare Bibabebe and Kimberly-Clark's ​Huggies tested positive for formamide, according to the Hong Kong Free Press. The toxic substance can irritate ​the skin, eyes and breathing if inhaled.

The allegations emerged just ahead of China's annual "618" ⁠shopping festival, one of the country's biggest e-commerce events. Kimberly-Clark said the disruption would continue to pressure sales ​and earnings in the near term.

On June 22, China's market regulator said it had established a joint investigation team to ​look into "formamide issues in infant diapers", without naming any company or brand. Authorities have not provided an update on the status of the probe.

"We're disappointed but remain confident in the underlying quality of our global innovation and commercial plans," CEO Mike Hsu said in ​a statement.

The unexpected challenges in a key international market overshadowed cost-saving efforts, resetting expectations for investors who had ​been guided for stronger growth.

Kimberly-Clark, on track to complete its roughly $40 billion acquisition of Kenvue (KVUE.N), opens new tab by the year-end, now expects 2026 ‌organic sales ⁠growth to trail the weighted average growth of its categories and markets by about 100 basis points. Those categories grew about 2% over the last 12 months.

It had previously forecast growth in line with or above the then weighted category average of about 2.5%.

The company expects annual adjusted earnings per share to grow at a high-single-digit rate ​on a constant-currency basis, compared ​with its earlier forecast ⁠for double-digit growth.

Kimberly-Clark labeled the disruption a "one-time external impact". It will temper organic growth in International Personal Care segment this year by three to four percentage points and ​hold back operating profit growth by 10 to 12 percentage points, COO Russ Torres ​said, "as we invest ⁠aggressively to defend our franchise".

Last month, Kimberly-Clark finalized the sale of a 51% stake in its international tissue business to Suzano (SUZB3.SA), opens new tab, creating the $3.4 billion Arbex joint venture to compete with rivals Procter & Gamble (PG.N), opens new tab and Essity.

Net sales rose 0.6% to $4.19 billion for ⁠the three ​months ended June 30. Analysts on average expected $4.22 billion, according to ​data compiled by LSEG.

Adjusted operating profit increased 6.2% to $757 million, helped by tariff refunds, productivity savings and favorable currency effects.

Shares of the company were ​flat in premarket trading.

Reporting by Neil J Kanatt in Bengaluru and Alexander Marrow in London; Editing by Joyjeet Das

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

On August 4, 2026, Kimberly-Clark Corp (KMB) released its 8-K filing, showcasing its second-quarter results that reflect a solid execution of its strategic tran

Makes significant strides in strategic transformation while sustaining strong business momentum DALLAS, Aug. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Kimberly-Clark Corporation (Nasdaq: KMB) today reported second quarter 2026 results reflecting sustained, innovation-driven volume-plus-mix gains and industry-leading productivity that more than offset several significant, discrete unfavorable impacts. "Our achievements in the first half of the year show that Kimberly-Clark's durable operating model is enabling us to accelerate our transformation while sustaining the momentum of our brands and businesses," said Kimberly-Clark Chairman and CEO Mike Hsu.

Key Takeaways KMB's innovation-led portfolio likely supported volume, mix and demand across key product categories.KMB's productivity initiatives and supply chain investments likely improved efficiency and funded innovation.KMB likely faced higher energy-related input costs tied to Middle East geopolitical developments. As Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB - Free Report) prepares to unveil its second-quarter fiscal 2026 results on Aug. 04, after market close, investors are eager to see if the company can beat market expectations.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $4.2 billion, implying 1.7% growth from the prior year. Meanwhile, the consensus mark for earnings has remained unchanged at $2.00 per share in the past seven days, indicating 4.2% growth from the year-ago period. KMB has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 19.1%, on average.

Key Factors to Note for KMB's Q2 EarningsKimberly-Clark’s performance is likely to have been supported by continued execution of its innovation-led strategy, with differentiated, science-backed products across its good, better and best portfolio helping address a broad range of consumer needs and price points. In the last earnings call, the company highlighted that innovation was driving organic growth and improving volume and mix trends. Continuation of these trends is likely to have supported performance during the second quarter.

The company’s focus on expanding its presence across key growth categories is also likely to have remained a positive contributor. The continued innovation in Baby Care, Women’s Health and Active Aging might have helped the company strengthen its market share and broaden the company’s product portfolio. These initiatives were designed to reinforce Kimberly-Clark’s value propositions and sustain its underlying business momentum.

Productivity initiatives might have provided an additional tailwind during the quarter. Kimberly-Clark’s strong productivity pipeline, progress on its previously announced $2 billion investment in the North American supply chain and broader Powering Care efficiency initiatives might have supported operational efficiency and helped fund continued investments in innovation and brand building.

That said, the company likely continued to face cost headwinds from geopolitical developments in the Middle East.

What the Zacks Model Says About KMBOur proven model predicts an earnings beat for KMB this time. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat, which is the case here.

KMB has an Earnings ESP of +1.43% and a Zacks Rank #3. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Other Stocks With Favorable CombinationHere are three other companies you may also want to consider, as our model shows that these too have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this season:

The Kraft Heinz Company (KHC - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +3.08% and a Zacks Rank of 2. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter 2026 earnings per share is pegged at 53 cents, implying a 23.2% year-over-year decline. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for quarterly revenues is pegged at $6.2 billion, which indicates a decrease of 3% from the figure reported in the prior-year quarter. KHC has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 10.2%, on average.

US Foods Holding Corp. (USFD - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +1.10% and a Zacks Rank of 2. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings per share is pegged at $1.37, implying a 15.1% year-over-year decline.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for quarterly revenues is pegged at $10.5 billion, which indicates growth of 3.8% from the figure reported in the prior-year quarter. USFD has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 1.4%, on average.

Sysco Corporation (SYY - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +0.56% and a Zacks Rank of 3. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings per share is pegged at $1.51, implying a 2% year-over-year increase.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for quarterly revenues is pegged at $21.9 billion, which indicates an increase of 3.7% from the figure reported in the prior-year quarter. SYY has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 2.1%, on average.

Delta Global Management LP purchased a new position in Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NASDAQ:KMB – Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 10,263 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $990,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 0.8% during the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 40,846,734 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,121,027,000 after acquiring an additional 315,981 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its stake in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 1.4% in the fourth quarter. State Street Corp now owns 21,125,118 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,157,746,000 after acquiring an additional 294,228 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 2.6% in the fourth quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 11,917,154 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,202,322,000 after acquiring an additional 299,382 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 0.8% during the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 8,322,198 shares of the company’s stock valued at $836,216,000 after purchasing an additional 65,619 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its holdings in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 50.4% during the fourth quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 7,839,572 shares of the company’s stock valued at $790,934,000 after purchasing an additional 2,628,206 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 76.29% of the company’s stock.

Kimberly-Clark Stock Performance Shares of Kimberly-Clark stock opened at $109.70 on Monday. Kimberly-Clark Corporation has a 1-year low of $92.42 and a 1-year high of $137.46. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $104.38 and its 200-day simple moving average is $102.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.38, a current ratio of 0.77 and a quick ratio of 0.55. The stock has a market capitalization of $36.41 billion, a PE ratio of 17.22, a P/E/G ratio of 4.92 and a beta of 0.26.

Kimberly-Clark (NASDAQ:KMB – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 28th. The company reported $1.97 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.93 by $0.04. Kimberly-Clark had a return on equity of 152.79% and a net margin of 12.80%.The firm had revenue of $4.16 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.09 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.93 EPS. Kimberly-Clark’s revenue was up 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Kimberly-Clark Corporation will post 7.47 earnings per share for the current year.

Kimberly-Clark Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 2nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 5th were given a $1.28 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, June 5th. This represents a $5.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.7%. Kimberly-Clark’s dividend payout ratio is presently 80.38%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on KMB shares. Piper Sandler raised their target price on shares of Kimberly-Clark from $115.00 to $121.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, June 17th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their target price on shares of Kimberly-Clark from $110.00 to $109.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, March 30th. UBS Group raised their price target on Kimberly-Clark from $106.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 16th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Kimberly-Clark in a report on Wednesday, June 24th. Finally, Barclays upped their price objective on Kimberly-Clark from $101.00 to $115.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 21st. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $117.93.

Get Our Latest Report on KMB

Insider Activity In other news, insider Katy Chen sold 1,596 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $95.34, for a total value of $152,162.64. Following the transaction, the insider owned 8,362 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $797,233.08. This trade represents a 16.03% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Also, VP Andrew Scribner sold 4,095 shares of Kimberly-Clark stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $98.00, for a total value of $401,310.00. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 7,096 shares of company stock worth $689,687 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 0.75% of the company’s stock.

Kimberly-Clark Profile (Free Report)

Kimberly-Clark Corporation is a U.S.-based multinational manufacturer of personal care and consumer tissue products. The company develops, produces and markets a range of consumer brands and professional products, including facial and bathroom tissues, disposable diapers and training pants, feminine care, incontinence products and workplace hygiene solutions. Known for consumer-facing names such as Kleenex, Huggies, Kotex, Cottonelle and Scott, as well as professional offerings under Kimberly-Clark Professional and KleenGuard, the company supplies goods to retail, healthcare and institutional customers.

Founded in 1872 in Neenah, Wisconsin, Kimberly-Clark has expanded from its 19th-century paper-making roots into a global household and workplace products company.

Further Reading Five stocks we like better than Kimberly-Clark RTX and Lockheed Earnings: Can Strong Guidance Reset the Defense Trade? These 4 Earnings Reports Expose the Market’s Growing Economic Divide Broadcom May Be the Biggest Winner From Alphabet’s Earnings Volatility Is Back and These 3 Market Tollbooths Are Best Positioned to Profit

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Key Takeaways Kimberly-Clark is expanding its portfolio with innovation across multiple price points and categories.KMB said that innovation, not promotions, drove volume and mix growth while supporting market share gains.KMB's enhanced Snug & Dry launch improved household penetration and product velocities. Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB - Free Report) continues to strengthen its portfolio through differentiated, science-backed innovation across its good, better, best product ladder, enabling it to address a broad range of consumer needs and price points. In the first quarter of fiscal 2026, these innovation efforts supported solid organic sales growth, with volume plus mix growth improving to 3%, extending two consecutive years of broad-based gains in this metric

The company highlighted that it is building market share across its key focus areas of Baby Care, Women’s Health and Active Aging as it continues to execute its innovation-led strategy. By consistently introducing differentiated products that address evolving consumer needs, Kimberly-Clark is expanding its product portfolio and strengthening its position across these key categories.

Kimberly-Clark emphasized that recent volume and mix improvements have been driven primarily by product innovation rather than promotional activity, highlighting the strength of the company’s innovation-focused growth model. Promotional programs are designed to support product launches by encouraging consumer trial and accelerating adoption, rather than serving as the primary driver of sales. This disciplined approach supports sustainable volume and mix growth while reinforcing the company’s innovation-led strategy.

In the first quarter, promotional efforts were centered on the enhanced Snug & Dry offering, which feature a softer feel enabled by a redesigned absorbent core. According to the company, this innovation has delivered encouraging results, contributing to higher household penetration and improved product velocities.

Overall, Kimberly-Clark’s continued investment in consumer-centric innovation is reinforcing its competitive position across key categories. As the company expands its pipeline of differentiated products, it is well-positioned to build on its market share momentum and support sustainable, profitable organic growth over the long term.

The Zacks Rundown for KMBShares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have gained 7.6% in the past six months compared with the industry’s growth of 1.8%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, KMB trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 14.24, lower than the industry’s average of 18.43.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for KMB’s current fiscal-year earnings implies a year-over-year decline of 0.8% and the same for next fiscal year earnings implies growth of 0.9%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Stocks to ConsiderSome better-ranked stocks have been discussed below:

Church & Dwight Co., Inc. (CHD - Free Report) develops, manufactures and markets household, personal care and specialty products. At present, CHD carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CHD’s current fiscal-year sales implies a decline of 1% and the same for current fiscal-year earnings suggests growth of 6.2% from the year-ago reported figures. CHD reported a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 6.5%.

Krispy Kreme, Inc. (DNUT - Free Report) produces doughnuts in the United States, the U.K., Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Canada, Japan and internationally. At present, DNUT carries a Zacks Rank of 2.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DNUT’s current fiscal-year sales indicates a decline of 14%, and the same for earnings implies growth of 30% from the year-ago reported figures. DNUT delivered a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise of 6.3%, on average.

Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd. (RYKKY - Free Report) engages in the retail of household goods and food items in Japan and internationally. RYKKY currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RYKKY's current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 6.9% and 8.3%, respectively, from the year-ago actuals. 

Are you seeking the safety of everyday essentials or the potential of a corporate turnaround? Church & Dwight (CHD +0.72%) and Kimberly-Clark (KMB +2.26%) represent two very different ways to play the household products market.

Church & Dwight specializes in a lean portfolio of diverse brands ranging from baking soda to laundry detergent. Kimberly-Clark is a global giant focused on health and hygiene categories like diapers and tissues. Both companies are navigating shifting consumer habits, making 2026 a pivotal year for comparing their investment potential.

The case for Church & DwightChurch & Dwight manufactures and markets a variety of household and personal care products under a lean strategy focused on seven "power brands,” including Arm & Hammer and OxiClean. These items are sold through various retail channels, with Walmart (WMT +1.51%) serving as the company's largest customer, accounting for approximately 23% of consolidated net sales. Customer concentration like this adds a layer of risk to the business, especially as the company continues to divest non-core lines to focus on high-growth consumer staples stocks that resonate with modern shoppers.

In FY 2025, revenue reached nearly $6.2 billion, representing modest growth of roughly 1.6% compared to the prior year. Net income for the period was approximately $736.8 million, resulting in a healthy net margin of roughly 11.9%. This steady performance suggests that the company's efforts to exit the vitamins and showerhead businesses have allowed management to stabilize its earnings profile in a competitive market.

As of its December 2025 balance sheet, the company's debt-to-equity ratio stood at roughly 0.6x. This ratio, which compares total debt (short-term plus long-term) to shareholder equity, indicates that the company carries roughly $0.60 in debt for every dollar of equity. The current ratio of approximately 1.1x indicates the company has $1.10 in current assets to cover every $1.00 of short-term liabilities, while free cash flow reached close to $1.1 billion during the fiscal year.

The case for Kimberly-ClarkKimberly-Clark is a global leader in essential health and hygiene products, operating well-known brands such as Huggies and Kleenex in more than 175 countries. Like its smaller rival, the company relies heavily on Walmart, which accounts for approximately 16% of its consolidated net sales. The company is currently reshaping its global footprint by separating its international family care business into the Arbex joint venture, a move designed to streamline operations and focus on core categories.

In FY 2025, revenue reached nearly $17.2 billion, representing a decline of roughly 14.2% from the previous year. This revenue drop reflects the structural changes within its business units, yet net income for the year remained close to $2.0 billion. Despite the lower top-line figure, the company maintained a net margin of roughly 11.7%, showcasing its ability to generate significant cash from its global brand portfolio.

As of the December 2025 balance sheet, the debt-to-equity ratio was approximately 4.9x. This ratio compares total debt (short-term plus long-term) to shareholder equity, suggesting the company relies more heavily on borrowed funds than its counterpart. A current ratio of nearly 0.7x means the company has roughly $0.70 in current assets for every $1.00 in short-term liabilities, though it still generated nearly $1.6 billion in free cash flow during FY 2025.

Risk profile comparisonChurch & Dwight faces intense competitive pressures from legacy consumer goods companies like Procter & Gamble (PG +0.13%) as well as the rising popularity of private-label products. The company relies on sole-source suppliers for certain raw materials, creating a vulnerability to supply chain disruptions and logistical instability. Additionally, any failure to successfully execute on recent divestitures or integrate new acquisitions could result in unforeseen costs or asset impairment charges.

Kimberly-Clark is navigating the complex integration of the Kenvue (KVUE +1.56%) acquisition, which carries risks related to cultural misalignment and a substantially increased debt load. The company must also contend with significant commodity volatility in materials like cellulose fiber and petroleum-based plastics, which can squeeze margins if costs cannot be passed to consumers. Global rivals such as Unilever (UL +1.20%) continue to innovate aggressively, forcing the company to invest heavily in marketing and product development to protect its market share.

Valuation comparisonWhile Kimberly-Clark offers a lower forward P/E based on future earnings estimates, Church & Dwight commands a higher P/S ratio due to its premium brand positioning and stronger balance sheet.

MetricChurch & DwightKimberly-ClarkSector BenchmarkForward P/E25.7x14.7x287.6xP/S ratio3.7x2.1xn/aSector benchmark uses the SPDR XLP sector ETF.
Valuation metrics sourced from Financial Modeling Prep (FMP) and may differ from other data providers.

These two companies serve the consumer products market, with a heavy reliance on Walmart and other major retailers. One is significantly larger than the other, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a better investment.

Kimberly-Clark manufactures a wide range of household and personal care items, including essentials such as diapers, paper towels, toilet paper, and feminine hygiene products. It has become a staple in many investors’ portfolios because of its consistent revenue and reliable dividend.

Church & Dwight isn’t as well known as Kimberly-Clark, but it manufactures a variety of similar products, including laundry, personal care, and health and wellness items. It’s a smaller company, and although it does pay a dividend, it reinvests much of its revenue in expansion. At the same time, it carefully curates its product lines, cutting underperforming products.

Investors seeking reliable set-and-forget sources of dividend income may prefer Kimberly-Clark. But if I had to choose one, I’d invest in the leaner, smaller Church & Dwight. I believe it offers a better balance of long-term growth alongside dividend income.

, /PRNewswire/ -- Kimberly-Clark (NASDAQ: KMB) will issue its second quarter 2026 results on Tuesday, August 4.  A press release and supplemental materials will be issued at approximately 6:30 a.m. EDT.

Kimberly-Clark management will then host a live Q&A session with analysts beginning at 8:00 a.m. EDT.

The earnings release, supplemental materials, and Kimberly-Clark's Q&A session can be accessed at Kimberly-Clark - Investor Relations. A replay of the webcast will be available following the event through the same website.

About Kimberly-Clark

Kimberly-Clark (NASDAQ: KMB) and its trusted brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 175 countries and territories. Our portfolio of brands, including Huggies, Kleenex, Scott, Kotex, Cottonelle, Poise, Depend, Pull-Ups, Goodnites, Intimus, Plenitud, Sweety, Softex, Viva and WypAll, hold No. 1 or No. 2 share positions in approximately 70 countries. Our company's purpose is to deliver Better Care for a Better World. We are committed to using sustainable practices designed to support a healthy planet, build strong communities, and enable our business to thrive for decades to come. To keep up with the latest news and learn more about the company's more than 150-year history of innovation, visit the Kimberly-Clark website.

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SOURCE Kimberly-Clark Corporation