Kimberly-Clark Announces First Quarter 2026 Results, Reaffirms 2026 Outlook
Delivers solid volume-plus-mix performance fueled by consumer-inspired innovation and strong in-market execution
"Our first quarter results highlight the strength and resilience of the growth engine we've built through Powering Care," said
Hsu continued, "With our core business gaining momentum and one of the strongest innovation and commercial activation lineups in our history set to launch in the second quarter, we're preparing
Qu arter Highlights
- Unless otherwise noted, reported results in this release are based on continuing operations and exclude the International Family Care and Professional ("IFP") business, which is reported as discontinued operations.
- Delivered net sales of
$4.2 billion , up 2.7 percent, with organic sales growth of 2.5 percent. - Gross margin was 36.8 percent; adjusted gross margin was 37.9 percent, down 60 basis points versus the prior year.
- Operating profit for the quarter was
$753 million , while adjusted operating profit was$732 million , up 3.7 percent versus the prior year driven by strong productivity savings, lower marketing, research and general expenses reflecting overhead savings, and favorable currency translation. - Diluted earnings per share ("EPS") from continuing operations were
$1.70 ; adjusted EPS from continuing operations were$1.60 , down 1.2 percent versus the prior year. - Diluted EPS attributable to
Kimberly-Clark were$2.00 ; adjusted EPS attributable toKimberly-Clark were$1.97 , up 2.1 percent versus the prior year.
First Quarter 2026 Results
Net sales of
Gross margin was 36.8 percent compared to 37.2 percent in the prior year, inclusive of
First quarter operating profit was
Net interest expense was
The first quarter effective tax rate was 23.9 percent, compared to 23.5 percent in the prior year. On an adjusted basis, the effective rate was 26.2 percent compared to 20.7 percent in the prior year, primarily reflecting discrete unfavorable factors in the current year compared to discrete tax benefits in the first quarter of 2025 related to the resolution of certain tax matters as well as a change in the US tax law effective
Net income of equity companies was
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes was
Diluted EPS from continuing operations were
Diluted EPS attributable to
Business Segment Results
(Unaudited)
|
Q1 change vs year ago (%) |
|
Volume |
|
Mix/Other |
|
|
|
Divestitures |
|
Currency |
|
Total (a) |
|
Organic (b) |
|
Consolidated |
|
2.6 |
|
0.4 |
|
(0.5) |
|
(1.8) |
|
2.0 |
|
2.7 |
|
2.5 |
|
NA |
|
1.9 |
|
(0.2) |
|
— |
|
(2.7) |
|
0.3 |
|
(0.6) |
|
1.8 |
|
IPC |
|
4.1 |
|
1.4 |
|
(1.5) |
|
— |
|
5.2 |
|
9.1 |
|
4.0 |
|
|
|
|
(a) |
Total may not sum across due to rounding. |
|
(b) |
Represents the change in net sales excluding the impacts of currency translation and divestitures and business exits. |
|
(c) |
Impact of the exit of the Company's private label diaper business in |
Net sales of
Operating profit of
International Personal Care ("IPC")
Net sales of
Operating profit of
Cash Flow and Balance Sheet
Cash provided by operations (inclusive of discontinued operations) was
2026 Outlook
Consistent with the Company's long term growth algorithm, it continues to expect 2026 Organic Sales Growth to grow in line to ahead of the weighted average growth in the categories and countries it competes, which for the latest twelve months grew at approximately two-and-a-half percent. Reported
This outlook reflects assumptions subject to change given the macro environment.
Supplemental Materials and Live Webcast
Supplemental materials will be available at approximately
About
Copies of
Forward Looking Statements
Certain matters contained in this press release concerning our plans and expectations regarding the pending mergers with Kenvue and the pending International Family Care and Professional ("IFP") joint venture transaction with Suzano ("IFP Transaction"), the business outlook, including raw material, energy and other input costs, the anticipated charges and savings from the 2024 Transformation Initiative, cash flow and uses of cash, growth initiatives, innovations, marketing and other spending, net sales, anticipated currency rates and exchange risks, including the impact in
The assumptions used as a basis for the forward-looking statements include many estimates that, among other things, depend on the successful completion of the mergers with Kenvue and the achievement of future cost savings and projected volume increases. In addition, many factors outside our control, including risks and uncertainties around the pending mergers with Kenvue (including the risk that the anticipated benefits and synergies of the mergers may not be realized when expected or at all, the terms and scope of the expected financing in connection with the mergers may prove to be less favorable than currently expected, that the mergers may not be completed in a timely manner or at all and the risk of litigation related to the mergers), the pending IFP Transaction (including risks related to delays or failure to complete the proposed transaction, the incurrence of significant transaction and separation costs, adverse market reactions, regulatory or legal challenges, and operational disruptions), risks that we are not able to realize the anticipated benefits of the 2024 Transformation Initiative (including risks related to disruptions to our business or operations or related to any delays in implementation), war in
The factors described under Item 1A, "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
|
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Millions, except per share amounts) (Unaudited) |
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
||
|
|
|
2026 |
|
2025 |
|
Change |
|
|
|
$ 4,163 |
|
$ 4,054 |
|
2.7 % |
|
Cost of products sold |
|
2,629 |
|
2,545 |
|
3.3 % |
|
Gross Profit |
|
1,534 |
|
1,509 |
|
1.7 % |
|
Marketing, research and general expenses |
|
920 |
|
855 |
|
7.6 % |
|
Other (income) and expense, net |
|
(139) |
|
23 |
|
N.M. |
|
Operating Profit |
|
753 |
|
631 |
|
19.3 % |
|
Nonoperating expense |
|
(15) |
|
(17) |
|
(11.8 %) |
|
Interest income |
|
5 |
|
7 |
|
(28.6 %) |
|
Interest expense |
|
(58) |
|
(64) |
|
(9.4 %) |
|
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Equity Interests |
|
685 |
|
557 |
|
23.0 % |
|
Provision for income taxes |
|
(164) |
|
(131) |
|
25.2 % |
|
Income from Continuing Operations Before Equity Interests |
|
521 |
|
426 |
|
22.3 % |
|
Share of net income of equity companies |
|
53 |
|
44 |
|
20.5 % |
|
Income from Continuing Operations |
|
574 |
|
470 |
|
22.1 % |
|
Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Income Taxes |
|
101 |
|
103 |
|
(1.9 %) |
|
Net Income |
|
675 |
|
573 |
|
17.8 % |
|
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests |
|
(10) |
|
(6) |
|
66.7 % |
|
Net Income Attributable to |
|
$ 665 |
|
$ 567 |
|
17.3 % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per Share Basis |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income Attributable to |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing operations |
|
$ 1.70 |
|
$ 1.40 |
|
21.4 % |
|
Discontinued operations |
|
0.30 |
|
0.31 |
|
(3.2 %) |
|
Basic Earnings per Share |
|
$ 2.00 |
|
$ 1.71 |
|
17.0 % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing operations |
|
$ 1.70 |
|
$ 1.39 |
|
22.3 % |
|
Discontinued operations |
|
0.30 |
|
0.31 |
|
(3.2 %) |
|
Diluted Earnings per Share |
|
$ 2.00 |
|
$ 1.70 |
|
17.6 % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Dividends Declared |
|
$ 1.28 |
|
$ 1.26 |
|
1.6 % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Shares Outstanding |
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
2026 |
|
2025 |
|
|
|
Outstanding shares as of |
|
331.9 |
|
331.9 |
|
|
|
Average diluted shares for three months ended |
|
333.2 |
|
333.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
N.M. - Not Meaningful |
|
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Millions) (Unaudited) |
||||
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
Current Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ 542 |
|
$ 688 |
|
Accounts receivable, net |
|
2,001 |
|
1,892 |
|
Inventories |
|
1,479 |
|
1,475 |
|
Other current assets |
|
547 |
|
535 |
|
Current assets of discontinued operations |
|
722 |
|
720 |
|
Total Current Assets |
|
5,291 |
|
5,310 |
|
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net |
|
6,833 |
|
6,775 |
|
Investments in Equity Companies |
|
383 |
|
330 |
|
|
|
1,840 |
|
1,839 |
|
Other Intangible Assets, Net |
|
76 |
|
77 |
|
Other Assets |
|
1,058 |
|
1,062 |
|
Non-current Assets of Discontinued Operations |
|
1,703 |
|
1,705 |
|
TOTAL ASSETS |
|
$ 17,184 |
|
$ 17,098 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
Current Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
Debt payable within one year |
|
$ 609 |
|
$ 694 |
|
Trade accounts payable |
|
3,245 |
|
3,388 |
|
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
|
1,903 |
|
1,888 |
|
Dividends payable |
|
422 |
|
415 |
|
Current liabilities of discontinued operations |
|
724 |
|
740 |
|
Total Current Liabilities |
|
6,903 |
|
7,125 |
|
Long-Term Debt |
|
6,475 |
|
6,474 |
|
Non-current Employee Benefits |
|
598 |
|
605 |
|
Deferred Income Taxes |
|
500 |
|
445 |
|
Other Liabilities |
|
623 |
|
646 |
|
Non-current Liabilities of Discontinued Operations |
|
149 |
|
151 |
|
|
|
22 |
|
22 |
|
Stockholders' Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,796 |
|
1,502 |
|
Noncontrolling Interests |
|
118 |
|
128 |
|
Total Stockholders' Equity |
|
1,914 |
|
1,630 |
|
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY |
|
$ 17,184 |
|
$ 17,098 |
|
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Millions) (Unaudited) |
||||
|
|
||||
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
||
|
|
|
2026 |
|
2025 |
|
Operating Activities |
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ 675 |
|
$ 573 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
193 |
|
218 |
|
Stock-based compensation |
|
23 |
|
32 |
|
Deferred income taxes |
|
36 |
|
7 |
|
Net (gains) losses on asset and business dispositions |
|
(19) |
|
10 |
|
Equity companies' earnings (in excess of) less than dividends paid |
|
(53) |
|
(39) |
|
Operating working capital |
|
(116) |
|
(476) |
|
Postretirement benefits |
|
(3) |
|
3 |
|
Other |
|
9 |
|
(1) |
|
Cash Provided by Operations |
|
745 |
|
327 |
|
Investing Activities |
|
|
|
|
|
Capital spending |
|
(424) |
|
(204) |
|
Proceeds from asset and business dispositions |
|
27 |
|
— |
|
Investments in time deposits |
|
(50) |
|
(99) |
|
Maturities of time deposits |
|
83 |
|
186 |
|
Other |
|
9 |
|
(2) |
|
Cash Used for Investing |
|
(355) |
|
(119) |
|
Financing Activities |
|
|
|
|
|
Cash dividends paid |
|
(418) |
|
(405) |
|
Change in short-term debt |
|
313 |
|
45 |
|
Debt repayments |
|
(400) |
|
(250) |
|
Proceeds from exercise of stock options |
|
— |
|
30 |
|
Repurchases of common stock |
|
— |
|
(61) |
|
Cash dividends paid to noncontrolling interests |
|
(15) |
|
(18) |
|
Other |
|
(7) |
|
(24) |
|
Cash Used for Financing |
|
(527) |
|
(683) |
|
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents |
|
(5) |
|
17 |
|
Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents |
|
(142) |
|
(458) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations - beginning of period |
|
688 |
|
1,010 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations - beginning of period(a) |
|
13 |
|
11 |
|
Cash and Cash Equivalents - Beginning of Period |
|
701 |
|
1,021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations - end of period |
|
542 |
|
551 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations - end of period(a) |
|
17 |
|
12 |
|
Cash and Cash Equivalents - End of Period |
|
$ 559 |
|
$ 563 |
|
|
|
(a) Included in Current assets of discontinued operations. |
|
BUSINESS SEGMENT RESULTS (Millions) (Unaudited) |
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
||
|
|
|
2026 |
|
2025 |
|
Change |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NA |
|
$ 2,651 |
|
$ 2,668 |
|
(0.6 %) |
|
IPC |
|
1,512 |
|
1,386 |
|
9.1 % |
|
Total |
|
$ 4,163 |
|
$ 4,054 |
|
2.7 % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Profit |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NA |
|
$ 623 |
|
$ 678 |
|
(8.1 %) |
|
IPC |
|
245 |
|
201 |
|
21.9 % |
|
Segment Operating Profit (a) |
|
868 |
|
879 |
|
(1.3 %) |
|
Corporate & Other(b) |
|
(115) |
|
(248) |
|
(53.6 %) |
|
Total Operating Profit |
|
$ 753 |
|
$ 631 |
|
19.3 % |
|
|
|
|
(a) |
Segment Operating Profit is a non-GAAP financial measure as it excludes certain |
|
(b) |
Corporate & Other includes income and expense not associated with the ongoing |
SUMMARY OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
The following provides the reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures provided in this press release to the most closely related GAAP measure. These measures include: Organic Sales Growth, Adjusted Gross Profit, Adjusted Operating Profit, Adjusted Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations, Adjusted Earnings per Share Attributable to
- Organic Sales Growth is defined as the change in
Net Sales , as determined in accordance withU.S. GAAP, excluding the impacts of currency translation and divestitures and business exits. - Adjusted Gross and Operating Profit, Adjusted Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations, Adjusted Earnings per Share Attributable to
Kimberly-Clark , Adjusted Effective Tax Rate, and Adjusted Income from Discontinued Operations are defined as Gross Profit, Operating Profit, Diluted Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations, Diluted Earnings per Share Attributable toKimberly-Clark , Effective Tax Rate, and Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Income Taxes, respectively, as determined in accordance withU.S. GAAP, excluding the impacts of certain items that management believes do not reflect our underlying operations, and which are discussed in further detail below.
The income tax effect of these non-GAAP items on the Company's Adjusted Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations, Adjusted Earnings per Share Attributable to
We use these non-GAAP financial measures to assist in comparing our performance on a consistent basis for purposes of business decision making by removing the impact of certain items that we do not believe reflect our underlying and ongoing operations. We believe that presenting these non-GAAP financial measures is useful to investors because it (i) provides investors with meaningful supplemental information regarding financial performance by excluding certain items, (ii) permits investors to view performance using the same tools that management uses to budget, make operating and strategic decisions, and evaluate historical performance, and (iii) otherwise provides supplemental information that may be useful to investors in evaluating our results. We believe that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures, when considered together with the corresponding
These non-GAAP financial measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the comparable GAAP measures, and they should be read only in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. There are limitations to these non-GAAP financial measures because they are not prepared in accordance with GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies due to potential differences in methods of calculation and items being excluded. We compensate for these limitations by using these non-GAAP financial measures as a supplement to the GAAP measures and by providing reconciliations of the non-GAAP and comparable GAAP financial measures. Certain non-GAAP financial measures referenced in this press release are presented on a forward-looking basis.
The non-GAAP financial measures exclude the following items for the relevant time periods:
- 2024 Transformation Initiative - We initiated this transformation to create a more agile and focused operating structure that will accelerate our proprietary pipeline of innovation in right-to-win spaces and improve our growth trajectory, profitability, and returns on investment.
- Kenvue Acquisition - Acquisition-related costs incurred in connection with the pending Kenvue Acquisition, primarily related to external advisory, legal, accounting, and other related costs.
- Insurance Recovery – Settlement of insurance claims related to a previous acquisition.
- IFP Separation Costs - Costs incurred in connection with the IFP Transaction related to external advisory, legal, accounting, contractor and other incremental costs, and are reported in discontinued operations.
The following table provides a reconciliation of Organic Sales Growth from continuing operations:
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
||||
|
|
|
Percent change vs. the prior year period |
||||
|
|
|
NA |
|
IPC |
|
Total |
|
Net Sales Growth |
|
(0.6) |
|
9.1 |
|
2.7 |
|
Currency Translation |
|
(0.3) |
|
(5.2) |
|
(2.0) |
|
Divestitures and Business Exits |
|
2.7 |
|
— |
|
1.8 |
|
Organic Sales Growth (a) |
|
1.8 |
|
4.0 |
|
2.5 |
|
|
|
(a) Table may not foot due to rounding. |
The following table provides a reconciliation of Adjusted Gross Profit from continuing operations:
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
||
|
|
|
2026 |
|
2025 |
|
Gross Profit |
|
$ 1,534 |
|
$ 1,509 |
|
2024 Transformation Initiative |
|
42 |
|
53 |
|
Adjusted Gross Profit |
|
$ 1,576 |
|
$ 1,562 |
The following table provides a reconciliation of Adjusted Operating Profit from continuing operations:
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
||
|
|
|
2026 |
|
2025 |
|
Operating Profit |
|
$ 753 |
|
$ 631 |
|
2024 Transformation Initiative |
|
51 |
|
75 |
|
Kenvue Acquisition |
|
48 |
|
— |
|
Insurance Recovery |
|
(120) |
|
— |
|
Adjusted Operating Profit |
|
$ 732 |
|
$ 706 |
The following table provides a reconciliation of Adjusted Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations:
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
||
|
|
|
2026 |
|
2025 |
|
Diluted Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations |
|
$ 1.70 |
|
$ 1.39 |
|
2024 Transformation Initiative |
|
0.09 |
|
0.23 |
|
Kenvue Acquisition |
|
0.13 |
|
— |
|
Insurance Recovery |
|
(0.32) |
|
— |
|
Adjusted Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations (a) |
|
$ 1.60 |
|
$ 1.62 |
|
|
|
|
(a) |
The non-GAAP adjustments included above are presented net of tax. The income tax effect of |
The following table provides a reconciliation of Adjusted Earnings per Share Attributable to
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
||
|
|
|
2026 |
|
2025 |
|
Diluted Earnings per Share Attributable to |
|
$ 2.00 |
|
$ 1.70 |
|
2024 Transformation Initiative |
|
0.09 |
|
0.23 |
|
Kenvue Acquisition |
|
0.13 |
|
— |
|
Insurance Recovery |
|
(0.32) |
|
— |
|
IFP Separation Costs |
|
0.07 |
|
— |
|
Adjusted Earnings per Share Attributable to |
|
$ 1.97 |
|
$ 1.93 |
The following table provides a reconciliation of the continuing operations Adjusted Effective Tax Rate:
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
||||||
|
|
|
2026 |
|
2025 |
||||
|
|
|
Income from |
|
Provision for |
|
Income from |
|
Provision for |
|
As Reported |
|
$ 685 |
|
$ (164) |
|
$ 557 |
|
$ (131) |
|
2024 Transformation Initiative |
|
51 |
|
(19) |
|
77 |
|
— |
|
Kenvue Acquisition |
|
48 |
|
(5) |
|
— |
|
— |
|
Insurance Recovery |
|
(120) |
|
14 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
As Adjusted |
|
$ 664 |
|
$ (174) |
|
$ 634 |
|
$ (131) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effective Tax Rate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As Reported |
|
|
|
23.9 % |
|
|
|
23.5 % |
|
As Adjusted |
|
|
|
26.2 % |
|
|
|
20.7 % |
The following table provides a reconciliation of Adjusted Income from Discontinued Operations:
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
||
|
|
|
2026 |
|
2025 |
|
Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Income Taxes |
|
$ 101 |
|
$ 103 |
|
IFP Separation Costs |
|
32 |
|
— |
|
Tax Effect(a) |
|
(8) |
|
— |
|
Adjusted Income from Discontinued Operations |
|
$ 125 |
|
$ 103 |
|
|
|
|
(a) |
The income tax effect of this non-GAAP item is calculated based upon the tax laws and statutory |
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