Kimberly-Clark Organic Sales Fell 1.3% In Third Quarter, But 2026 Outlook Is Unchanged
Preliminary, unaudited results show adjusted operating profit of $677 million versus $683 million a year earlier, with Kenvue deal costs hitting reported profit.
Kimberly-Clark's organic sales fell 1.3% in the third quarter, against growth of 2.5% a year earlier, according to preliminary, unaudited figures in an 8-K filed Thursday. The company left its 2026 outlook unchanged.
What the 8-K says
Net sales were an estimated $4,134 million, versus $4,150 million a year earlier. Organic sales growth strips out currency translation and divestitures; net sales growth was a decline of 0.4%, with currency at minus 0.3 points and divestitures and business exits at minus 0.7 points.
Adjusted operating profit was $677 million, against $683 million. Standard operating profit fell to $516 million from $621 million, and the reconciliation includes $106 million of costs tied to the pending Kenvue acquisition.
Adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations rose to $1.70 from $1.45. Adjusted earnings per share attributable to Kimberly-Clark fell to $1.70 from $1.82.
Cash and cash equivalents were $1,874 million, versus $617 million a year earlier.
What it changes
The company reaffirmed its 2026 outlook in a press release. It expects organic sales growth about 100 basis points below weighted category growth, which it said mainly reflects realized and potential effects from previously disclosed China social media disruptions. It put trailing 12-month category growth at about 1.7%.
It also expects adjusted operating profit to grow mid-single digits on a constant-currency basis. Adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations are guided to grow high single digits, while adjusted earnings per share attributable to Kimberly-Clark are guided to decline a low single digit. The outlook excludes any potential acquisitions, including Kenvue.
Standard earnings per share attributable to the company were $5.37, versus $1.34, helped by a $4.33 per-share gain tied to the International Family Care and Professional joint venture transaction with Suzano S.A. Standard earnings per share from continuing operations were $1.19 versus $1.01. The shares closed at $99.41 on Wednesday, before the filing came out Thursday.
What to watch
Kimberly-Clark will issue final third-quarter results on Thursday, November 5, at about 6:30 a.m. EST, with an analyst Q&A at 8:00 a.m. EST. The 8-K says the figures could change as the quarter-end close finishes, and the auditor, Deloitte & Touche, has not reviewed them.
The final numbers on November 5 will show whether the preliminary estimates hold.
Sources
- 8-K Filing — KIMBERLY CLARK CORP (KMB) — SEC EDGAR
- Exhibit tm2627599d1_ex99-1.htm — KIMBERLY CLARK CORP 8-K exhibit — SEC EDGAR
