Kimberly-Clark Corp Stock Price, News & Analysis

Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) has announced a $2 billion investment plan over the next 5 years in its North America business, marking its largest domestic expansion in 30 years. The investment includes two major projects: a new advanced manufacturing facility in Warren, Ohio, and an expansion of its Beech Island, South Carolina site with an automated distribution center. The initiative is expected to create over 900 new jobs in industrial automation and advanced manufacturing. The Warren facility, spanning over a million square feet, will serve the Northeast and Midwest regions, reaching approximately 117 million consumers. The Beech Island expansion will feature an automated Regional Distribution Center with advanced robotics and AI-powered logistics systems. Construction for both facilities will begin in May 2025, with completion expected within 2-3 years. This investment supports KMB's transformation initiative and aims to enhance manufacturing capacity for brands like Huggies, Kleenex, Depend, Scott, and Cottonelle.

Kimberly-Clark (KMB) reported Q1 2025 results with net sales of $4.8 billion, down 6.0% from the previous year, including a 1.6% organic sales decline. The company's diluted earnings per share were $1.70, while adjusted EPS decreased 4.0% to $1.93.

Key financial metrics include:

• Gross margin at 35.8% (36.9% adjusted)
• Operating profit of $769 million ($844 million adjusted)
• Net interest expense of $57 million
• Effective tax rate of 23.8% (21.4% adjusted)

The company updated its 2025 outlook, now expecting flat to positive adjusted operating profit on a constant-currency basis, compared to previous expectations of high single-digit growth. Adjusted Free Cash Flow is revised to approximately $2 billion, down from the previous forecast of more than $2 billion, reflecting increased cost pressures from an uncertain geopolitical landscape.

Goodnites®, the leading nighttime underwear brand, has announced the launch of a new XXL size that fits children up to 165 lbs. This expansion follows the introduction of XL size in 2021, responding to consumer demand for larger sizes.

The brand, which invented the nighttime underwear category over 30 years ago, offers products with up to 100% leak-free overnight protection. Research shows that among children experiencing bedwetting, one in six children face this challenge, with one in 10 having a disability, primarily Autism and ADHD.

The new XXL size is currently available on Amazon and will be rolling out to retailers nationwide in the coming months. Goodnites® now offers five size options, making it the most size-inclusive brand in the category. The company has also partnered with the Autism Society of America to provide support and resources to families in the Autism community.

Poise®, the leading brand for light bladder leak protection, has launched a new initiative focusing on women's health in rural areas. The company unveiled a documentary highlighting healthcare challenges in rural health deserts, which comprise 80% of U.S. counties where only 6% of OB-GYNs practice.

The initiative addresses a significant healthcare gap, as approximately 2 million women enter perimenopause and 1.3 million become menopausal annually in the U.S. A notable concern is that 25 million U.S. women experience bladder leaks but don't acknowledge the issue.

Poise® is collaborating with scientists to explore innovative testing possibilities using dry urine extracted from pad materials to detect perimenopause and menopause indicators, as well as conditions like UTIs and diabetes. The documentary, directed by Oscar and Emmy-nominated Sara Nesson, is available at Poise.com/dropsofhope.

Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) has scheduled the release of its first quarter 2025 financial results for Tuesday, April 22, 2025. The company will publish its earnings press release and supplemental materials at approximately 7:00 a.m. EDT.

Following the release, management will conduct a live Q&A session with analysts starting at 8:30 a.m. EDT. Both the earnings release and the Q&A session will be accessible through Kimberly-Clark's Investor Relations website, where a replay of the webcast will also be available after the event.

Kimberly-Clark Professional has announced significant improvements to its WypAll® X70 and X80 industrial cleaning cloth lines. The enhanced products feature nearly 10% larger sheets in Jumbo Roll and Pop-Up™ Box formats, offering better performance for commercial customers.

The redesigned WypAll X70 Medium Duty Cleaning Cloths now feature performance engineered construction, delivering up to 20% higher oil and water absorbency. Meanwhile, the WypAll X80 Heavy Duty Cleaning Cloths received a new surface texture for improved durability. Internal studies from 2024 show users prefer both new versions over their predecessors for cleaning performance.

These improvements stem from combining material science expertise with customer insights, according to Susan Gambardella, President of Kimberly-Clark Professional. WypAll maintains its position as the leading branded disposable wipes in the U.S. and Canada, based on 2021 market share data.

Huggies has launched a witty marketing campaign featuring the 'Poop Poncho' to promote their new and improved Little Snugglers diapers with enhanced blowout protection. The -edition Poop Poncho, available through a giveaway from March 31 to April 4, 2025, playfully highlights the need for effective diaper protection.

The campaign is backed by research showing baby poop can travel at up to seven feet per second. The new Little Snugglers diapers (sizes 1-2) feature front and back blowout blockers, along with key improvements including:

• Gentle skin protection with curved and stretchy fit
• The only entirely fragrance-free option among leading brands
• GentleAbsorb Liner for instant wetness absorption
• Color-changing wetness indicator

Kimberly-Clark has been recognized among the 2025 World's Most Ethical Companies® by Ethisphere, marking its seventh consecutive year and tenth time overall on this prestigious list. The company stands as one of only two honorees in the Consumer Products industry, among 136 recognized organizations across 19 countries and 44 industries.

The recognition is based on Ethisphere's Ethics Quotient® assessment, which evaluates companies through 240+ proof points covering:

• Ethics and compliance practices
• Governance
• Culture of ethics
• Environmental and social impact
• Value chain initiatives

Grant McGee, General Counsel at Kimberly-Clark, emphasized that this recognition reflects their global teams' commitment to integrity and company values in fulfilling their purpose of providing Better Care for a Better World.

Kimberly-Clark Professional has unveiled Onvation® with SmartFit™ technology, a new smart restroom management innovation. The system features small, internet-enabled sensors that fit inside paper towel and bath tissue dispensers to provide real-time monitoring data.

The technology helps facility managers optimize janitorial staffing and reduce waste through predictive data-based insights. Key features include:

• Time of Flight Technology for real-time product level measurement
• Two-year battery life
• Compatibility with ICON®, SCOTT PRO® dispensers and select universal dispensers
• Mobile app integration for staff coordination

The launch responds to market demand, with 79% of decision-makers already investing or planning to invest in facility management technology optimization. The system builds upon Kimberly-Clark's existing Onvation platform, which previously featured SCOTT® towel and bath tissue and PURELL® hand soap products.