Kimberly-Clark Corp
Q4 2025 Earnings
Market Reaction
S&P 500 over the same 30 days: −1.37%.
Did KMB Beat Earnings? Q4 2025 Results
Kimberly-Clark closed Q4 2025 on a solid note, posting adjusted EPS of $1.86 against a consensus estimate of $1.81 — a beat of 2.76% — even as reported revenue of $4.08 billion reflected a 17.2% year-over-year decline tied largely to the divestiture of its U.S. private label diaper business. The real story beneath the headline numbers was operating leverage: adjusted operating profit climbed 13.1% to $629 million in the quarter, powered by productivity savings and a more favorable adjusted tax rate of 23.1% versus 26.8% a year ago, with organic sales growth of 2.1% underscoring steady underlying demand. The pending Kenvue acquisition — which shareholders have already approved — looms as the next chapter, and with investors increasingly rotating into <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2025/12/09/the-5-best-sp-500-dividend-aristocrat-stocks-to-buy-before-2026/">defensive consumer staples names</a>, the deal adds strategic weight to Kimberly-Clark's long-term positioning. For 2026, management guided for organic sales growth near 2%, mid-to-high single-digit adjusted operating profit growth, and double-digit adjusted EPS expansion from continuing operations, all on a constant-currency basis.
- Volume-plus-mix growth of 3.0% in Q4 driven by broad-based share gains
- Strong productivity savings driving adjusted operating profit up 13.1% in Q4
- Lower marketing, research and general expenses
- Lower adjusted effective tax rate of 23.1% versus 26.8% in prior year Q4
- Lower diluted shares outstanding
- Higher income from equity companies
“In 2025, we accelerated the largest transformation in Kimberly-Clark's more than 150-year history, delivering results that underscore the strength of our business and serve as a springboard for enhanced growth and continued outperformance in 2026. We delivered pioneering innovation across the value spectrum, breakthrough creative storytelling that strengthened brand love, and superior execution that fueled our second consecutive year of broad-based, share gain-led volume-plus-mix growth. We've also maintained a relentless focus on cost discipline as we successfully pivot our portfolio to higher growth, higher margin personal care categories.”
Kimberly-Clark CEO, on the earnings call
Forward Guidance & Outlook
For 2026, Kimberly-Clark expects organic sales growth in line to ahead of the weighted average growth in its categories and countries (approximately 2%). Reported net sales are forecast to reflect a negative 50 basis point impact from the exit of U.S. private label diapers with no meaningful currency impact. Adjusted operating profit is expected to grow at a mid-to-high single-digit rate on a constant-currency basis. Adjusted EPS from continuing operations are expected to grow double-digit on a constant-currency basis, supported by approximately 30% increase in equity company income, flat net interest expense, an adjusted effective tax rate of approximately 23%, and essentially unchanged average shares outstanding. Adjusted EPS attributable to Kimberly-Clark are expected to be flat on a constant-currency basis, reflecting lower income from discontinued operations as the IFP transaction is expected to close in mid-2026. Currency translation is expected to favorably impact EPS by approximately 130 basis points.
KMB YoY Financials
KMB Revenue by Segment
Figures from SEC filings and company reports. Not investment advice.