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

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

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 Trading Down 1.8%

Shares of KMB opened at $108.43 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $36.06 billion, a PE ratio of 10.94, a P/E/G ratio of 5.85 and a beta of 0.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.45, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a current ratio of 0.91. Kimberly-Clark has a fifty-two week low of $92.42 and a fifty-two week high of $116.82. The company’s fifty day moving average is $102.59 and its 200 day moving average is $103.23.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on KMB shares. UBS Group upped their price target on Kimberly-Clark from $106.00 to $113.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 28th. Seaport Research Partners upgraded shares of Kimberly-Clark to a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 4th. Bank of America dropped their price objective on Kimberly-Clark from $122.00 to $120.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, September 25th. Rothschild & Co Redburn dropped their target price on Kimberly-Clark from $138.00 to $129.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 9th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group began coverage on Kimberly-Clark in a report on Friday, October 23rd. They set a “hold” rating and a $105.00 price objective for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating, ten have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Kimberly-Clark presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $112.60.

Trending Headlines about Kimberly-Clark

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

• Positive Sentiment: KMB reported third-quarter EPS of $1.70, beating the $1.65 consensus, and reaffirmed its 2026 outlook. The earnings beat was helped by lower interest costs, while the company highlighted $1.9 billion in expected Kenvue-related synergies. Zacks Q3 earnings coverage
• Positive Sentiment: Piper Sandler raised its price target to $137 and maintained an overweight rating, while Wells Fargo lifted its target to $110 but kept an equal-weight rating. Analyst rating information
• Neutral Sentiment: Kenvue integration is a key focus for management. The expected synergies could support growth, but investors will be watching execution and the financial impact of the acquisition. Earnings call coverage
• Negative Sentiment: Revenue was $4.13 billion, in line with estimates but down 1.2% year over year. China diaper-related sales damage and pricing pressure continue to weigh on performance, and inflation remains a challenge. Reuters report on China demand

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