Kimberly-Clark (NASDAQ:KMB) Issues Earnings Results, Beats Expectations By $0.05 EPS

Kimberly-Clark (NASDAQ:KMB) announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The company reported $1.70 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.65 by $0.05, FiscalAI reports. Kimberly-Clark had a net margin of 11.79% and a return on equity of 143.92%. The firm had revenue of $4.13 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.13 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.82 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was down 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year.

Here are the key takeaways from Kimberly-Clark’s conference call:

• Kimberly-Clark completed its Kenvue acquisition, bringing together consumer and healthcare brands. Management outlined a phased integration focused first on uninterrupted operations, with about $1.9 billion in targeted cost synergies from overhead, supply-chain and marketing efficiencies.
• Management expects the combined company’s 2027 adjusted EPS to be mid-single-digit dilutive versus standalone Kimberly-Clark, partly reflecting acquired-asset amortization; it expects to return to its growth algorithm in 2028 on a two-year compounded basis.
• Kimberly-Clark maintained its 2026 outlook, citing underlying business momentum, planned fourth-quarter commercial activity, cost-mitigation actions and an easier North America comparison. Executives said Q3 performance was solid despite one-off headwinds, and highlighted strength in tissue and professional products.
• The Huggies business in China remains under pressure after false allegations, although management said authorities confirmed product safety and demand has stabilized. Executives expect the business to remain subdued in Q4 and said rebuilding consumer trust and share will take time.
• Management cited roughly $250 million in gross inflationary impacts for 2026, including elevated North American freight costs, and acknowledged softer recent North America performance amid inventory changes, club-channel distribution shifts and a postponed product launch.

Kimberly-Clark Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:KMB traded up $1.67 during trading on Thursday, hitting $110.46. 8,601,485 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,982,522. The company has a market cap of $36.74 billion, a PE ratio of 18.79, a P/E/G ratio of 6.03 and a beta of 0.25. The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.45. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $102.62 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $103.19. Kimberly-Clark has a 12-month low of $92.42 and a 12-month high of $116.82.

Kimberly-Clark News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Kimberly-Clark this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Third-quarter EPS was $1.70, ahead of the $1.65 consensus estimate. Kimberly-Clark also stood by its full-year 2026 outlook, offering reassurance despite uneven results. Kimberly-Clark Q3 Profit Surges; Reaffirms FY26 Outlook
• Neutral Sentiment: Revenue of $4.13 billion was in line with estimates, but fell 1.2% year over year. Lower interest costs helped the earnings comparison, while operating profit reportedly missed forecasts, tempering the headline EPS beat. Kimberly-Clark Q3 Earnings Beat on Lower Interest Costs, Sales Miss
• Negative Sentiment: China diaper sales remain a headwind: the company said earlier allegations were unfounded, but the resulting disruption continues to weigh on sales. Pricing pressure is also challenging performance. Kimberly-Clark’s China diaper woes linger as it stands by annual outlook
• Negative Sentiment: The Kenvue acquisition adds integration and debt considerations, which investors may monitor alongside the company’s ability to sustain earnings and manage its balance sheet. Kimberly-Clark Q3 2026: Six Straight Beats, Now Carrying Kenvue’s Debt

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have recently commented on KMB shares. DA Davidson raised their price target on Kimberly-Clark from $106.00 to $116.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. Zacks Research lowered Kimberly-Clark from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 20th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on Kimberly-Clark from $105.00 to $100.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 5th. Barclays reduced their target price on Kimberly-Clark from $115.00 to $105.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, September 14th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Kimberly-Clark in a research note on Monday, October 26th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating, ten have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $110.67.

Kimberly-Clark Company Profile

Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NASDAQ:KMB) is a global consumer products company that develops and markets personal care, tissue and professional hygiene products. Its portfolio includes products for babies and children, feminine care, adult care, family care and workplace hygiene.

The company’s well-known brands include Huggies diapers and wipes, Kleenex facial tissue, Cottonelle bathroom tissue, Scott toilet paper and paper towels, Kotex feminine care products, and Depend, Poise and GoodNites products.