Kimberly-Clark reported a strong finish to 2025, marking the second consecutive year of progress under its Powering Care transformation strategy.
Despite portfolio exits and currency headwinds, the consumer goods group delivered organic growth, improved profitability, and reinforced its strategic focus on higher-growth personal care categories.
For the fourth quarter, net sales reached $4.1 billion, down 0.6% year over year, as the exit from private label diapers in the U.S. more than offset organic sales growth of 2.1%. Volume-plus-mix growth of 3.0% reflected solid demand across core categories, while pricing investments were used to strengthen value propositions.
Profitability improved meaningfully. Adjusted operating profit rose 13.1% to $629 million, supported by strong productivity gains and disciplined spending on marketing, research, and overheads. Adjusted earnings per share increased 24% to $1.86, driven by higher operating income, lower share count, and improved contributions from equity affiliates.
For the full year, Kimberly-Clark posted net sales of $16.4 billion, down 2.1%, primarily due to divestitures and business exits. Organic sales grew 1.7%, led by volume growth of 2.5%. Adjusted operating profit totaled $2.7 billion, in line with 2024, as efficiency gains offset pricing pressure, cost inflation, and tariff-related impacts.
North America remained under pressure from portfolio exits but continued to deliver volume growth, while International Personal Care stood out with strong organic growth, improved mix, and market share gains, particularly in baby and child care.
Chairman and CEO Mike Hsu said 2025 represented a pivotal year in the company’s more than 150-year history, positioning Kimberly-Clark for enhanced growth and outperformance in 2026. He highlighted innovation, brand investment, and cost discipline as key drivers of the transformation.
Looking ahead, the company expects organic sales growth in 2026 to be in line with or above category growth, estimated at around 2%. Adjusted operating profit is forecast to grow at a mid- to high-single-digit rate on a constant-currency basis, while adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations are expected to increase at a double-digit pace.
Kimberly-Clark also confirmed continued progress toward its planned acquisition of Kenvue, which it views as a strategic step to strengthen its portfolio and support long-term value creation as its transformation advances.
Kimberly-Clark is a global consumer goods company with leading personal care and consumer tissue brands used in more than 175 countries and territories. Its portfolio includes Huggies, Kleenex, Kotex, Cottonelle, Depend and Andrex, among others. The company is guided by its purpose, Better Care for a Better World.
Source: Kimberly-Clark
