PR Newswire·Apr 28, 2026, 6:30 AM ET

Kimberly-Clark Announces First Quarter 2026 Results, Reaffirms 2026 Outlook

KMB

Kimberly-Clark reported first quarter 2026 net sales of $4.2 billion, an increase of 2.7 percent year-over-year.
Organic sales growth was 2.5 percent, driven by a 3.0 percent volume-plus-mix increase partially offset by a 0.5 percent price reduction.
Gross margin stood at 36.8 percent, while adjusted gross margin was 37.9 percent, down 60 basis points from the prior year.
Operating profit for the quarter was $753 million, with adjusted operating profit at $732 million, representing a 3.7 percent increase.
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $1.70, while adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations was $1.60.
Diluted EPS attributable to Kimberly-Clark was $2.00, with adjusted diluted EPS attributable to Kimberly-Clark at $1.97, up 2.1 percent.
Net sales in North America decreased 0.6 percent due to the exit of the private label diaper business, while International Personal Care sales rose 9.1 percent.
Cash provided by operations was $745 million, and the company returned $418 million to shareholders through dividends.
Total debt was $7.1 billion as of March 31, 2026, down from $7.2 billion at the end of 2025.
The company expects 2026 adjusted operating profit to grow at a mid-to-high single-digit rate on a constant-currency basis.
Adjusted EPS attributable to Kimberly-Clark for 2026 is forecast to be flat on a constant-currency basis, impacted by the expected close of the IFP transaction.
Management highlighted progress on the pending acquisition of Kenvue & the pending IFP joint venture transaction as key strategic priorities.