Kimberly-Clark Corp Stock Price, News & Analysis

Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE: KMB) has promoted Russ Torres to President and Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately. Torres, who previously served as President, North America, will now oversee day-to-day operations of business segments, Global Supply Chain, R&D, Global Growth, and Digital Technology Solutions organizations, reporting to Chairman and CEO Mike Hsu.

Torres has led KMB's North America business since October 2024 and brings over 25 years of CPG industry experience, including roles at Newell Brands, Bain & Company, and Mondelez International. Under his leadership, KMB's North America business achieved mid-single digit compound annual growth. Kurt Laufer will serve as Interim President, North America while the company searches for a permanent successor.

Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) has declared a quarterly dividend of $1.26 per share, payable on July 2, 2025, to stockholders of record as of June 6, 2025. This marks the company's 91st consecutive year of dividend payments and 53rd consecutive year of dividend increases.

The company maintains leading market positions with its portfolio of trusted brands, including Huggies, Kleenex, and Scott, holding No. 1 or No. 2 share positions in approximately 70 countries. Kimberly-Clark has been recognized as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for seven consecutive years and was named one of Fortune's Most Innovative Companies in America in 2024.

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