How did Kimberly-Clark perform in the fourth quarter of 2025?

Net sales were $4.1 billion, down 0.6 percent, as organic growth of 2.1 percent was offset by a 2.5 percent decline from the exit of the private label diaper business in the US. Adjusted operating profit increased 13.1 percent to $629 million, and adjusted EPS rose 24.0 percent to $1.86. Reported diluted EPS was $1.50, compared with $1.34 in the prior year.

Why did full-year 2025 reported operating profit decline?

Operating profit was $2.4 billion compared with $2.7 billion, including net charges of $380 million for certain items management does not believe reflect underlying operations, mainly 2024 Transformation Initiative charges. Excluding these items, adjusted operating profit was $2.7 billion, in line with the prior year, as lower marketing, research and general expenses were offset by gross profit headwinds.

What is the company's 2026 outlook?

The company expects organic sales growth in line to ahead of category and country growth, which was approximately two percent in the latest year. Adjusted operating profit is expected to grow at a mid-to-high single-digit rate, and adjusted EPS from continuing operations is expected to grow at a double-digit rate, both on a constant-currency basis. Adjusted EPS attributable to Kimberly-Clark is expected to be flat on a constant-currency basis, and currency translation is expected to favorably affect EPS by approximately 130 basis points.

How does the pending Kenvue acquisition relate to the IFP transaction?

The filing states that proceeds from the IFP transaction, expected to close in mid-2026, will be held to fund, in part, the Kenvue acquisition. The company says it is making strong progress on integration planning. The filing also cautions that the Kenvue mergers may not be completed on time or at all and that expected benefits may not be realized.

What were the company's cash flow and capital allocation results in 2025?

Cash provided by operations was $2.8 billion, down from $3.2 billion, and capital spending was $1.1 billion, up from $721 million. The company returned $1.8 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases, including repurchases of 1.1 million shares at a cost of $141 million. Total debt was $7.2 billion at December 31, 2025, compared with $7.4 billion a year earlier.

KMB 8-K: Earnings & Results

01—Abstract

Summary

Summary of the 8-K filed January 27, 2026. Cited figures are marked; the original filing is the authoritative source.

Kimberly-Clark Corporation reported fourth-quarter 2025 net sales of $4.1 billion^a, down 0.6 percent, as organic sales growth of 2.1 percent was offset by a 2.5 percent decline from the exit of its private label diaper business in the US.

Operating profit rose to $507 million^b from $420 million, and adjusted operating profit increased 13.1 percent to $629 million on productivity gains and lower marketing, research and general expenses. Diluted EPS attributable to Kimberly-Clark was $1.50, compared with $1.34, and adjusted EPS was $1.86, up 24.0 percent. For full year 2025, net sales were $16.4 billion, down 2.1 percent, with organic sales growth of 1.7 percent.

Adjusted operating profit was $2.7 billion^c, in line with the prior year, as efficiency gains were offset by gross profit headwinds from unfavorable pricing net of cost inflation and incremental tariff-related costs. Diluted EPS was $6.07, compared with $7.55, while adjusted EPS rose 3.2 percent to $7.53. Cash provided by operations was $2.8 billion, compared with $3.2 billion, and capital spending was $1.1 billion, compared with $721 million.

For 2026, the company expects organic sales growth in line to ahead of the weighted average growth of the categories and countries it competes in, which grew approximately two percent in the latest year. It expects adjusted operating profit to grow at a mid-to-high single-digit rate on a constant-currency basis and adjusted EPS from continuing operations to grow at a double-digit rate on the same basis.

Adjusted EPS attributable to Kimberly-Clark is 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. The pending Kenvue acquisition remains subject to completion risks described in the filing.

02—Key points

Key Highlights

Q4 2025 net sales were $4.1 billion, down 0.6 percent, with organic sales growth of 2.1 percent driven by volume-plus-mix growth of 3.0 percent.
Q4 2025 adjusted operating profit rose 13.1 percent to $629 million, and adjusted EPS increased 24.0 percent to $1.86.
Full-year 2025 net sales were $16.4 billion, down 2.1 percent, while organic sales grew 1.7 percent, driven by a 2.5 percent increase in volume.
Full-year 2025 reported diluted EPS was $6.07 versus $7.55, while adjusted EPS rose 3.2 percent to $7.53 on lower weighted average shares and higher income from discontinued operations.
Cash provided by operations fell to $2.8 billion from $3.2 billion, and capital spending increased to $1.1 billion from $721 million.
The company returned $1.8 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases and reduced total debt to $7.2 billion from $7.4 billion.
The 2026 outlook calls for adjusted EPS from continuing operations to grow at a double-digit rate on a constant-currency basis, supported by an approximately 30 percent increase in income from equity companies.

03—Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Kimberly-Clark perform in the fourth quarter of 2025?
Net sales were $4.1 billion, down 0.6 percent, as organic growth of 2.1 percent was offset by a 2.5 percent decline from the exit of the private label diaper business in the US. Adjusted operating profit increased 13.1 percent to $629 million, and adjusted EPS rose 24.0 percent to $1.86. Reported diluted EPS was $1.50, compared with $1.34 in the prior year.
Why did full-year 2025 reported operating profit decline?
Operating profit was $2.4 billion compared with $2.7 billion, including net charges of $380 million for certain items management does not believe reflect underlying operations, mainly 2024 Transformation Initiative charges. Excluding these items, adjusted operating profit was $2.7 billion, in line with the prior year, as lower marketing, research and general expenses were offset by gross profit headwinds.
What is the company's 2026 outlook?
The company expects organic sales growth in line to ahead of category and country growth, which was approximately two percent in the latest year. Adjusted operating profit is expected to grow at a mid-to-high single-digit rate, and adjusted EPS from continuing operations is expected to grow at a double-digit rate, both on a constant-currency basis. Adjusted EPS attributable to Kimberly-Clark is expected to be flat on a constant-currency basis, and currency translation is expected to favorably affect EPS by approximately 130 basis points.
How does the pending Kenvue acquisition relate to the IFP transaction?
The filing states that proceeds from the IFP transaction, expected to close in mid-2026, will be held to fund, in part, the Kenvue acquisition. The company says it is making strong progress on integration planning. The filing also cautions that the Kenvue mergers may not be completed on time or at all and that expected benefits may not be realized.
What were the company's cash flow and capital allocation results in 2025?
Cash provided by operations was $2.8 billion, down from $3.2 billion, and capital spending was $1.1 billion, up from $721 million. The company returned $1.8 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases, including repurchases of 1.1 million shares at a cost of $141 million. Total debt was $7.2 billion at December 31, 2025, compared with $7.4 billion a year earlier.

04—Continue

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