Kenvue adds merger disclosures amid deal lawsuits
Kenvue Inc. reports multiple stockholder lawsuits and demand letters challenging disclosures around its pending merger with Kimberly-Clark and seeking to halt the stockholder votes or the Mergers until additional information is provided.
Kenvue Inc. reports multiple stockholder lawsuits and demand letters challenging disclosures around its pending merger with Kimberly-Clark and seeking to halt the stockholder votes or the Mergers until additional information is provided. To reduce the risk of delay and extra cost, Kenvue is voluntarily supplementing the joint proxy statement/prospectus with added detail on the board’s strategic review process, confidentiality and standstill terms with Kimberly-Clark, and legal counsel arrangements for product liability diligence.
The filing expands disclosure of J.P. Morgan’s relationships and fees, including approximately $24.0 million in aggregate fees from Kenvue affiliates and $11.0 million from Kimberly-Clark over two years, plus an expected $23.4 million in financing fees. It also adds specific valuation analyses and financial projections for Kenvue, Kimberly-Clark and the combined company, including enterprise value/EBITDA multiples, discounted cash flow ranges and forecasted revenues, EBITDA and unlevered free cash flows through 2030. The Kenvue board continues to unanimously recommend that stockholders vote “FOR” all Kenvue merger-related proposals.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
Insights
Kenvue adds detailed merger and valuation disclosures amid routine deal litigation.
Kenvue describes several stockholder lawsuits and demand letters claiming disclosure issues in the joint proxy statement/prospectus for its planned merger with Kimberly-Clark. The complaints seek to delay the Kenvue and Kimberly-Clark stockholder votes or the Mergers until additional information is provided, plus attorneys’ fees. This pattern is common in large U.S. cash-stock mergers and is presented here as pending litigation, not resolved findings.
To reduce timing risk, Kenvue voluntarily supplements the proxy with more detail on the strategic review committee, the non-disclosure and standstill terms between the companies, and the use of outside counsel on product liability matters. It also expands banker conflict and valuation disclosures, including fee amounts paid or expected to J.P. Morgan, and lays out specific enterprise value/EBITDA multiples, discounted cash flow assumptions, and long-term projections for Kenvue, Kimberly-Clark and the combined company.
For investors, the new information offers clearer visibility into how financial advisors valued Kenvue and Kimberly-Clark, and into the long-range revenue, EBITDA and free cash flow forecasts underpinning board recommendations. The board’s continued unanimous “FOR” recommendation and the absence of any disclosed change to merger terms indicate that, based on this document alone, the core strategic rationale and structure of the transaction remain unchanged.
8-K Event Classification
FAQ
AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
What does Kenvue (KVUE) disclose about new litigation related to the Kimberly-Clark merger?
How is Kenvue responding to the stockholder lawsuits and demands around the KVUE–Kimberly-Clark merger?
What additional information about financial advisor fees does Kenvue provide in this KVUE filing?
What valuation ranges for Kenvue and Kimberly-Clark are added in the proxy supplement?
What long-term financial projections for Kenvue are summarized in this KVUE document?
Does the Kenvue (KVUE) board still support the Kimberly-Clark merger after these supplements?
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
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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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(Address of principal executive offices)
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(Zip Code)
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
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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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| 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
|
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
|
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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(-) 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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(-) 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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$
|
2,299
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$
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2,389
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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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$
|
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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$
|
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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$
|
3,260
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$
|
3,414
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$
|
3,547
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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
|
(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
|
23
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49
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35
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23
|
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)
|
|
0
|
|||||||||||||
|
Unlevered Free Cash Flow(2)
|
$
|
1,777
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$
|
1,885
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$
|
2,186
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$
|
2,326
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$
|
2,533
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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)
|
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
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
Revenue
|
$
|
4,119 |
$
|
16,988 |
$
|
17,427 |
$
|
17,931 |
$
|
18,469 |
$
|
19,023 | ||||||||||||
|
Adjusted EBITDA(1)
|
$
|
743 |
$
|
3,705 |
$
|
4,003 |
$
|
4,325 |
$
|
4,509 |
$
|
4,693 | ||||||||||||
|
(-) Taxes on Operating Profit
|
(153)
|
|
(721)
|
|
(788)
|
|
(859)
|
|
(897)
|
|
(936)
|
|
||||||||||||
|
(-) Capital Expenditures
|
(482)
|
|
(1,236)
|
|
(1,090)
|
|
(1,100)
|
|
(907)
|
|
(702)
|
|
||||||||||||
|
(+/-) Decrease (Increase) in Net Working Capital
|
143
|
39
|
(94)
|
|
(67)
|
|
(72)
|
|
(74)
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
(+) Non-Cash Taxes
|
26
|
310
|
288
|
245
|
245
|
245
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
(-) Restructuring Costs
|
(69)
|
|
(456)
|
|
(98)
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||||||||
|
Unlevered Free Cash Flow(2)
|
$
|
209 |
$
|
1,641 |
$
|
2,221 |
$
|
2,544 |
$
|
2,877 |
$
|
3,227 | ||||||||||||
|
(1)
|
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) change in net working capital, plus non-cash taxes, minus restructuring costs, minus taxes on operating profit. 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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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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