Kenvue (NYSE: KVUE) expands Kimberly-Clark merger disclosures
Kenvue Inc. filed a Form 8-K and Form 425 supplementing its joint proxy statement/prospectus for the proposed merger with Kimberly-Clark. The filing describes multiple stockholder lawsuits and demand letters alleging disclosure deficiencies and seeking to delay the merger unless additional information is provided. To reduce litigation risk and avoid delaying the transaction, Kenvue adds detail on its board’s strategic review process, the special committee, and the non-disclosure agreement with Kimberly-Clark.
The supplement also expands disclosure on advisory relationships and fees paid to J.P. Morgan, Centerview and Goldman Sachs, and provides more specifics on comparable-company analyses, discounted cash flow valuations and long-term projections for Kenvue, Kimberly-Clark and the pro forma combined company. The Kenvue board continues to unanimously recommend that stockholders vote in favor of the merger-related proposals at the January 29, 2026 special meeting.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
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Delaware
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001-41697
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88-1032011
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
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(Commission File Number)
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(IRS Employer Identification No.)
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1 Kenvue Way
Summit, New Jersey
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07901
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(Address of principal executive offices)
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(Zip Code)
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☒
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
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☐
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
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Title of each class
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Trading Symbol(s)
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Name of each exchange on which registered
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Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
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KVUE
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New York Stock Exchange
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| Item 8.01 |
Other Events.
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Enterprise
Value
(in US$ billions)
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Implied
Enterprise
Value /
Estimated 2026
EBITDA
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Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
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23
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15.5x
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Colgate-Palmolive Company
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70
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13.5x
|
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Haleon plc
|
52
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13.6x
|
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Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC
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59
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12.6x
|
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The Clorox Company
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16
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12.3x
|
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The Procter & Gamble Company
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390
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15.8x
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Unilever PLC
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205
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14.0x
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Selected Comparison Company Median
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-
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13.6x
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Kenvue
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36
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9.9x
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K-C
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41
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11.2x
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| • |
Analyst Price Targets Analysis. Centerview reviewed stock price targets for shares of Kenvue common stock and K-C common stock in Wall Street research analyst
reports publicly available as of October 31, 2025, which indicated low and high stock price targets for shares of Kenvue common stock ranging from $15.00 to $24.50 per share, with a median price target of $20.00 per share, and
for K-C common stock ranging from $113.00 to $162.00 per share, with a median price target of $132.00 per share. Centerview then calculated (i) the ratio of such low stock price target for shares of Kenvue common stock to such
high stock price target for shares of K-C common stock and (ii) the ratio of such high stock price target for shares of Kenvue common stock to such low stock price target for shares of K-C common stock to derive an implied exchange
ratio range of 0.07099x to 0.18584x (adjusted for the cash consideration of $3.50 per share of Kenvue common stock to be paid to the holders of shares of Kenvue common stock (other than excluded shares) pursuant to the merger
agreement). Centerview then compared this implied exchange ratio range to the exchange ratio of 0.14625x pursuant to the merger agreement.
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(in millions)
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2025E
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2026E
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2027E
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2028E
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2029E
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2030E
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||||||||||||
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Revenue
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$
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16,486
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$
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16,988
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$
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17,427
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$
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17,931
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$
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18,459
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$
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19,013
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||||||
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Adjusted EBITDA(1)
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$
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3,393
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$
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3,705
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$
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4,003
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$
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4,325
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$
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4,452
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$
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4,586
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||||||
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(-) Taxes
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(648)
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(721)
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(788)
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(859)
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(878)
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(898)
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||||||||||||
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(-) Capex
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(1,150)
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(1,236)
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(1,090)
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(1,100)
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(1,132)
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(1,166)
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||||||||||||
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(-) Change in NWC
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(227)
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39
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(94)
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(67)
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(53)
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(28)
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||||||||||||
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(-) Restructuring
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(327)
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(456)
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(98)
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0
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0
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0
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||||||||||||
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Unlevered Free Cash Flow(2)
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$
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1,041
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$
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1,331
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$
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1,933
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$
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2,299
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$
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2,389
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$
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2,494
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||||||
| (1) |
We use “Adjusted EBITDA” to refer to K-C’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, post stock-based compensation, further adjusted for restructuring expenses. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial
measure. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures determined or calculated in accordance with GAAP, and no reconciliation is provided to the most directly comparable
financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP for any of the periods presented.
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| (2) |
We use “Unlevered Free Cash Flow” to refer to Adjusted EBITDA as defined above, minus capital expenditures, minus change in net working capital, minus after-tax restructuring costs, minus taxes. Unlevered
Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures determined or calculated in accordance with GAAP, and no reconciliation is
provided to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP for any of the periods presented.
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(in millions)
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Q42025E
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2026E
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2027E
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2028E
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2029E
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2030E
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||||||||||||||||
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Revenue
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$
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3,800
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$
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15,448 |
$
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15,913 |
$
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16,500 |
$
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17,154 |
$
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17,847
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||||||||||||
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Adjusted EBITDA(1)
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$
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709 |
$
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3,565 |
$
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3,852 |
$
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4,198 |
$
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4,576 |
$
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4,911
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||||||||||||
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(-) Taxes on Operating Profit
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(145)
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(743)
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(808)
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(887)
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(974)
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(1,049)
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||||||||||||
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(-) Capital Expenditures
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(174)
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(571)
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(487)
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(497)
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(517)
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(538)
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(+/-) Decrease (Increase) in Net Working Capital
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289
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50
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35
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25
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20
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(68)
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|||||||||||||||||
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(-) After-Tax Restructuring Costs
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(92)
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(186)
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(77)
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(23)
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(2)
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0
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|||||||||||||
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Unlevered Free Cash Flow(2)
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$
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587 |
$
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2,114 |
$
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2,515 |
$
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2,815 |
$
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3,103 |
$
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3,256
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||||||||||||
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(1)
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We use “Adjusted EBITDA” to refer to Kenvue’s U.S. GAAP Net income adjusted for interest, provision for taxes on operating profit, and depreciation and amortization, further
adjusted for restructuring expenses and operating model optimization initiatives, costs incurred in connection with Kenvue’s establishment as a standalone public company, conversion of stock-based awards, stock-based awards granted
to individuals employed by Kenvue as of October 2, 2023 impairment charges and the impact of the deferred transfer of certain assets and liabilities from Johnson & Johnson in certain jurisdictions. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP
financial measure. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures determined or calculated in accordance with GAAP, and no reconciliation is provided to the most directly
comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP for any of the periods presented.
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(2)
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We use “Unlevered Free Cash Flow” to refer to Adjusted EBITDA as defined above minus taxes on operating profit, minus capital expenditures, plus (or minus) decrease (increase) in
net working capital, minus after-tax restructuring costs. Unlevered Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures determined
or calculated in accordance with GAAP, and no reconciliation is provided to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP for any of the periods presented.
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(in millions)
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2025E
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2026E
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2027E
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2028E
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2029E
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2030E
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||||||||||||
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Revenue
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$
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15,144
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$
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15,329
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$
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15,678
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$
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16,133
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$
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16,694
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$
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17,291
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||||||||||||
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Adjusted EBITDA(1)
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$
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3,331
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$
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3,260
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$
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3,414
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$
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3,547
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$
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3,816
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$
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4,077
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||||||||||||
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(-) Taxes
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(725)
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(667)
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(699)
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(725)
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(784)
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(840)
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||||||||||||
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(-) Capex
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(610)
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(571)
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(487)
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(497)
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(517)
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(537)
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||||||||||||
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(-) Change in NWC
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23
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49
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35
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23
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20
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(66)
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|||||||||||||||||
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(-) After-Tax Restructuring Costs
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(242)
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(186)
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(77)
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(23)
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(2)
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0
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|||||||||||||
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Unlevered Free Cash Flow(2)
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$
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1,777
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$
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1,885
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$
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2,186
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$
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2,326
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$
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2,533
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$
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2,633
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| (1) |
We use “Adjusted EBITDA” to refer to Kenvue’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, post stock-based compensation. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. Non-GAAP financial measures
should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures determined or calculated in accordance with GAAP, and no reconciliation is provided to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented
in accordance with GAAP for any of the periods presented.
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| (2) |
We use “Unlevered Free Cash Flow” to refer to Adjusted EBITDA as defined above, minus capital expenditures, minus change in net working capital, minus after-tax restructuring costs, minus taxes. Unlevered Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP
financial measure. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures determined or calculated in accordance with GAAP and no reconciliation is provided to the most directly
comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP for any of the periods presented.
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(in millions)
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Q42025E
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2026E
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2027E
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2028E
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2029E
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2030E
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||||||||||||||||||
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Revenue
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$
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4,119 |
$
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16,988 |
$
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17,427 |
$
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17,931 |
$
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18,469 |
$
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19,023 | ||||||||||||
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Adjusted EBITDA(1)
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$
|
743 |
$
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3,705 |
$
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4,003 |
$
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4,325 |
$
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4,509 |
$
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4,693 | ||||||||||||
|
(-) Taxes on Operating Profit
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(153)
|
|
(721)
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|
(788)
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|
(859)
|
|
(897)
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|
(936)
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|
||||||||||||
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(-) Capital Expenditures
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(482)
|
|
(1,236)
|
|
(1,090)
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|
(1,100)
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|
(907)
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|
(702)
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||||||||||||
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(+/-) Decrease (Increase) in Net Working Capital
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143
|
39
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(94)
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(67)
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(72)
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|
(74)
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||||||||||||||
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(+) Non-Cash Taxes
|
26
|
310
|
288
|
245
|
245
|
245
|
||||||||||||||||||
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(-) Restructuring Costs
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(69)
|
|
(456)
|
|
(98)
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||||||||
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Unlevered Free Cash Flow(2)
|
$
|
209 |
$
|
1,641 |
$
|
2,221 |
$
|
2,544 |
$
|
2,877 |
$
|
3,227 | ||||||||||||
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(1)
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We use “Adjusted EBITDA” to refer to K-C’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. Non-GAAP financial
measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures determined or calculated in accordance with GAAP, and no reconciliation is provided to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated
and presented in accordance with GAAP for any of the periods presented.
|
|
(2)
|
We use “Unlevered Free Cash Flow” to refer to Adjusted EBITDA as defined above, minus taxes on operating profit, minus capital expenditures, plus (or minus)
decrease (increase)
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KENVUE INC.
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Date: January 16, 2026
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By:
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/s/ Edward J. Reed |
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Name: Edward J. Reed
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Title: Vice President, Corporate Secretary
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FAQ
What is Kenvue (KVUE) updating in this merger-related filing?
Kenvue is supplementing its joint proxy statement/prospectus for the proposed merger with Kimberly-Clark by adding more detail on the merger background, advisor relationships, financial analyses and long-term financial projections used by its and Kimberly-Clark’s boards and advisors.
Why did Kenvue (KVUE) issue additional merger disclosures?
The company and its directors are facing several stockholder lawsuits and demand letters alleging that earlier proxy materials omitted material information. To avoid the risk of delaying or adversely affecting the merger and to minimize litigation expense and distraction, Kenvue is voluntarily providing expanded disclosures.
What litigation related to the Kenvue–Kimberly-Clark merger is described?
The filing outlines stockholder complaints in federal court in Wisconsin, state courts in New Jersey and New York against Kenvue and its directors, and a Delaware action against Kimberly-Clark directors, all challenging the adequacy of merger-related disclosures and seeking, among other relief, to enjoin stockholder votes or the mergers until additional information is provided.
What new information is disclosed about Kenvue and Kimberly-Clark financial projections?
The supplement provides detailed unaudited prospective financial information for 2025–2030, including revenue, adjusted EBITDA, taxes, capital expenditures, working capital changes and unlevered free cash flow for Kenvue and Kimberly-Clark standalone, adjusted projections prepared by each companys management, synergy projections, and combined company projections.
What valuation ranges for Kenvue and Kimberly-Clark are included?
Centerviews comparable-company and discounted cash flow analyses are expanded, including implied 2026 EBITDA multiples and ranges of implied per-share equity values, such as an illustrative discounted cash flow value range for Kenvue common stock of $23.34 to $28.96 and for Kimberly-Clark common stock of $136.93 to $167.83, based on the specified assumptions.
How does the filing describe the merger consideration to Kenvue stockholders?
In Goldman Sachs pro forma combined-company analysis, the filing states it derived a range of illustrative present values of the merger consideration per Kenvue share of $25.82 to $36.36, which includes $3.50 in cash per Kenvue share plus stock consideration based on the exchange ratio.
What is the Kenvue boards current recommendation on the merger?
The Kenvue board continues to unanimously recommend that Kenvue stockholders vote FOR the Kenvue merger proposal, the advisory compensation proposal and the adjournment proposal at the January 29, 2026 special meeting, as described in the joint proxy statement/prospectus.