Jul 25, 2005. /Lesprom Network/. Kimberly-Clark Corporation reported that sales in the second quarter of 2005 were $4.0 billion, an increase of 8.1% over the prior year. The improvement was driven by solid volume growth of more than 5% along with currency benefits of about 3%. Diluted net income of $0.88 per share for the quarter equaled income from continuing operations of $0.88 per share in 2004. However, excluding incremental tax expense equivalent to $0.07 per share for repatriating earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries, earnings before unusual items in the second quarter of 2005 rose 0.8% to $0.95 per share. In the second quarter of 2004, reported net income of $0.9 per share included 2 cents per share from discontinued operations, representing the results of the company's former fine paper and technical paper businesses that were part of the Neenah Paper spin-off to shareholders on November 30, 2004. The company also announced a multi-year program to further improve its competitive position by accelerating investments in targeted growth opportunities, streamlining its worldwide manufacturing operations and enhancing the efficiency and cost effectiveness of its administrative operations. The planned initiatives will result in cumulative after tax charges of approximately $625-$775 million over a three and one-half year period beginning in the third quarter of 2005. Annual pretax savings are expected to increase to $300-$350 million by 2009. The savings will fund the stepped-up business building activities, helping ensure that the company meets or exceeds its Global Business Plan objectives for long-term sales, margin, earnings per share and return on invested capital (ROIC) growth. Said Thomas J. Falk, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, "Our top- and bottom-line growth in 2005, coming on the heels of good results in 2004, affirms that the Global Business Plan we launched two years ago is succeeding. I'm proud of what our teams have accomplished. The actions we are announcing today underscore our commitment to the key elements of the Global Business Plan -- to instill financial discipline throughout the company, invest in businesses and opportunities with high-growth potential and support those businesses that already command strong positions in their markets. Going forward, we intend to meet or exceed our objectives while delivering improved returns to our shareholders."