Oct 24, 2012. /Lesprom Network/. Kimberly-Clark Corporation reported 3Q 2012 results, increased its guidance for 2012 adjusted earnings per share and initiated strategic changes in its Western and Central European businesses, as the company said in the press release received by Lesprom Network. Sales of $5.2 billion in the 3Q 2012 were down 3% compared to the year-ago period. Organic sales rose 3%, with increased sales volumes of 2% and higher net selling prices of 1%. Changes in foreign currency rates decreased sales by 5% and lost sales from exiting non-strategic products in conjunction with pulp and tissue restructuring actions reduced sales volumes by 1%. Operating profit was $783 million in the 3Q 2012, up 18% from $662 million in 2011. Adjusted operating profit was $814 million in the 3Q 2012, an 8% increase compared to $757 million in the year-ago period. Adjusted results exclude costs for pulp and tissue restructuring actions of $31 million in 2012 and $95 million in 2011. The company's third quarter effective tax rate was 31.1% in 2012 and 29.1% in 2011. The adjusted effective tax rate, which excludes the effects of the previously mentioned pulp and tissue restructuring, was 31.8% in the 3Q 2012, consistent with the company's full-year expectation for an adjusted rate between 30% and 32%. The adjusted effective tax rate in the 3Q 2011 was 29.3%. Kimberly-Clark's share of net income of equity companies in the 3Q 2012 was $43 million compared to $35 million in 2011. At Kimberly-Clark de Mexico, S.A.B. de C.V., results benefited from solid organic sales growth and increased operating profit margins. For the first nine months of 2012, sales of $15.8 billion increased 1%. Organic sales rose approximately 5%, as net selling prices and sales volumes each increased more than 2% and product mix improved slightly. Changes in foreign currency rates decreased sales by 3% and lost sales in conjunction with pulp and tissue restructuring actions reduced sales volumes by 1%. Year-to-date operating profit of $2,237 million increased 22% compared to $1,831 million in 2011. Adjusted operating profit in 2012 of $2,322 million increased 9% compared to $2,130 million in 2011. Adjusted operating profit comparisons benefited from organic sales growth, FORCE cost savings of $215 million and input cost deflation of $75 million. These benefits were partially offset by increased marketing, research and general expenses, including $105 million in higher strategic marketing spending. Administrative and research spending also increased, in part to build further capabilities and support future growth. In addition, foreign currency translation effects reduced operating profit by $50 million as a result of the weakening of several currencies relative to the U.S. dollar. Through nine months, diluted net income per share was $3.73 in 2012 and $2.98 in 2011. Adjusted earnings per share were $3.88 in 2012 and $3.53 in 2011. The increase in adjusted earnings per share was primarily due to higher adjusted operating profit. Chairman and CEO Thomas J. Falk said, "We continued to execute well in the 3Q. We increased organic sales 3%, led by outstanding performance in K-C International. We achieved significantly higher adjusted gross and operating profit margins, including benefits from $100 million of cost savings from our ongoing FORCE program and restructuring actions. We also launched several product innovations and supported our brands with a $25 million increase in strategic marketing. Finally, adjusted earnings per share increased by 6% and cash flow improved nicely. Looking forward, we're raising our full-year 2012 adjusted earnings per share estimate for the second consecutive quarter. That reflects continued momentum with targeted growth initiatives and cost savings programs, and a slightly better commodity cost outlook." Falk added, "The strategic changes we will be making in Europe should allow us to better focus on our best market positions and growth opportunities, improve our underlying profitability and enable more sustainable returns going forward in this part of the world. These moves are further evidence of the portfolio management approach we use to run our company and the financial discipline embedded in our Global Business Plan." Kimberly-Clark is an American corporation that produces mostly paper-based consumer products.