Kimberly-Clark Corporation reported net sales of $4.2 billion for the Q1 2026, a 2.7% increase from $4.1 billion in the same period last year, driven by organic sales growth of 2.5% and favorable currency impacts.
Organic sales growth was driven by volume-plus-mix growth of 3.0%, partially offset by lower pricing of 0.5% to drive trial of new products. Adjusted operating profit was $732 million, up 3.7% versus the prior year driven by strong productivity savings and lower overhead expenses. Adjusted EPS from continuing operations was $1.60, a decline of 1.2% primarily due to a higher adjusted effective tax rate of 26.2% compared to 20.7% a year earlier.
In North America, net sales decreased 0.6% to $2.7 billion, including a 2.7% impact from the exit of the private label diaper business, partially offset by solid underlying organic sales growth of 1.8% driven by broad−based volume growth. Segment operating profit decreased 8.1% to $623 million, reflecting higher advertising investments and a headwind from business exits.
In International Personal Care, net sales increased 9.1% to $1.5billion, driven by organic sales growth of 4.0% and favorable currency impacts. Organic sales benefited from volume−led growth of 4.1percent and enhanced portfolio mix of 1.4%. Segment operating profit increased 21.% to $245 million, reflecting volume- and mix-led gains, strong productivity savings, and favorable currency impacts.
Cash provided by operations (including discontinued operations) was $745million, compared to $327 million a year earlier. The company returned $418 million to shareholders through dividends. Total debt was $7.1 billion as of March 31, 2026, down from $7.2 billion at the end of 2025.
The company reaffirmed its 2026 outlook, expecting Organic Sales Growth to grow in line with category growth of approximately 2.5%. Adjusted Operating Profit is expected to grow at a mid- to high-single digit rate on a constant-currency basis, and Adjusted EPS from Continuing Operations is expected to grow at a double-digit rate on a constant-currency basis. Adjusted EPS Attributable to Kimberly-Clark is expected to be flat on a constant-currency basis, reflecting a reduction in income from discontinued operations in line with the expected close of the IFP transaction in mid-2026.
Kimberly-Clark Corporation is an American multinational personal care corporation that produces mostly paper-based consumer products.
