Kimberly-Clark 10-Q 2026-03-31

Filed 2026-04-28. 6 sections, 141K characters. Original on sec.gov · Markdown · JSON

Cover and table of contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2026

OR

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ________ to ________

Commission file number 1-225

K-C Logo Blue (JPG).jpg

KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware39-0394230
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

P.O. Box 619100

Dallas, TX

75261-9100

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip code)

(972) 281-1200

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock-$1.25 par valueKMBThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filerxSmaller reporting company☐
Accelerated filer☐Emerging growth company☐
Non-accelerated filer☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No x

As of April 21, 2026, there were 331,940,357 shares of the Corporation's common stock outstanding.

Table of Contents

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION1
Item 1. Financial Statements1
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2026 and 20251
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2026 and 20252
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 20253
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2026 and 20254
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2026 and 20255
Notes to the Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements6
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations18
Item 4. Controls and Procedures27
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION28
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds28
Item 5. Other Information28
Item 6. Exhibits29
Signatures30

PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended March 31
(In millions, except per share amounts)20262025
Net Sales$4,163$4,054
Cost of products sold2,6292,545
Gross Profit1,5341,509
Marketing, research and general expenses920855
Other (income) and expense, net(139)23
Operating Profit753631
Nonoperating expense(15)(17)
Interest income57
Interest expense(58)(64)
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Equity Interests685557
Provision for income taxes(164)(131)
Income from Continuing Operations Before Equity Interests521426
Share of net income of equity companies5344
Income from Continuing Operations574470
Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Income Taxes101103
Net Income675573
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests(10)(6)
Net Income Attributable to Kimberly-Clark Corporation$665$567
Per Share Basis
Net Income Attributable to Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Basic:
Continuing operations$1.70$1.40
Discontinued operations0.300.31
Basic Earnings per Share$2.00$1.71
Diluted:
Continuing operations$1.70$1.39
Discontinued operations0.300.31
Diluted Earnings per Share$2.00$1.70

See Notes to the Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended March 31
(In millions)20262025
Net Income$675$573
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax
Unrealized currency translation adjustments(33)148
Employee postretirement benefits14(4)
Cash flow hedges48(13)
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax29131
Comprehensive Income704704
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests(7)(6)
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Kimberly-Clark Corporation$697$698

See Notes to the Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(In millions, except par value)March 31, 2026December 31, 2025
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents$542$688
Accounts receivable, net2,0011,892
Inventories1,4791,475
Other current assets547535
Current assets of discontinued operations722720
Total Current Assets5,2915,310
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net6,8336,775
Investments in Equity Companies383330
Goodwill1,8401,839
Other Intangible Assets, Net7677
Other Assets1,0581,062
Non-current Assets of Discontinued Operations1,7031,705
TOTAL ASSETS$17,184$17,098
**LIABILITIES AND STO

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Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Introduction

This Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is intended to provide investors with an understanding of our recent performance, financial condition, cash flows and future prospects. The following MD&A should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and the Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Our analysis compares results for the three months ended March 31, 2026 to the same period in 2025. As discussed in the Notes to the Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, the results and related assets and liabilities of the IFP Business are reported as discontinued operations. As a result, unless specifically stated, all discussions included below reflect continuing operations for all periods presented. Any reference to "N.M." indicates the calculation is not meaningful. Amounts are reported in millions of dollars, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted. The following will be discussed and analyzed:

  • Overview of Business and Recent Developments

  • Results of Operations

  • Liquidity and Capital Resources

Throughout this MD&A, we refer to financial measures that have not been calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. ("GAAP"), and are therefore referred to as non-GAAP financial measures. We believe these measures provide our investors with additional information about our underlying results and trends, as well as insight to some of the financial measures used to evaluate management. For additional information and reconciliations to the most closely comparable financial measures presented in our Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, which are calculated in accordance with GAAP, see "Summary of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below.

Overview of Business and Recent Developments

We are a global company focused on delivering products and solutions that provide better care for a better world, with manufacturing facilities in 30 countries, including our equity affiliates, and products sold in more than 175

countries and territories. Our products are sold under well-known brands such as Kleenex, Scott, Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex and Depend.

Conflict in the Middle East

Ongoing geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East have led to disruptions in global energy supplies and volatility in global energy prices, including the prices for certain raw materials that are principally derived from petroleum, which may contribute to inflationary pressures, disrupt global supply chains and adversely impact consumer spending patterns. Based on preliminary analysis reflecting the current market environment and assuming oil prices remain at $100 per barrel for the remainder of the year, we estimate incremental input costs of approximately $200 (prior to consideration of mitigation actions) during the remainder of 2026. We are continuing to evaluate the evolving macroeconomic environment and our ability to mitigate the impact on our business, consolidated results of operations and financial condition.

Pending Acquisition of Kenvue, Inc.

On November 2, 2025, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") to acquire the outstanding equity interests of Kenvue, Inc. ("Kenvue"), a global consumer health leader, for stock and cash consideration (the "Kenvue Acquisition"). Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, which was unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of each of Kimberly-Clark and Kenvue, each share of Kenvue common stock, par value $0.01 per share, issued and outstanding at the close of the Kenvue Acquisition (subject to certain provisions within the Merger Agreement) will be converted into the right to receive (i) 0.14625 shares of Kimberly-Clark common stock, par value $1.25 per share (the "Stock Consideration"), plus (ii) $3.50 in cash (the "Cash Consideration" and, together with the Stock Consideration, the "Merger Consideration"). In total, we expect approximately 280 million shares of common stock to be issued and approximately $6.7 billion to be paid for the Merger Consideration. The Cash Consideration is expected to be funded through a combination of cash on hand, proceeds from new debt issuance, and proceeds from the IFP Transaction (as defined below). The actual value of the transaction will fluctuate based upon changes in the price of Kimberly-Clark common stock and the number of shares of Kenvue common stock outstanding at the time of closing.

During the three months ended March 31, 2026, we incurred $48 of acquisition-related costs in connection with the Kenvue Acquisition, which are included in Marketing, research and general expenses. See Item 1, Note 4 to the Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

International Family Care and Professional ("IFP") Transaction

On June 5, 2025, we announced that the Company will form a joint venture with Suzano S.A. ("Suzano") and Suzano International Holding B.V., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Suzano ("Buyer"), comprised of substantially all the operations of the Company's former IFP segment (the "IFP Business"). At the time of closing, which is expected to take place in mid-2026 and will only take place following the satisfaction of consultation requirements and customary closing conditions, including obtaining required regulatory approvals, Buyer will acquire a 51% interest in the joint venture for a purchase price of approximately $1.7 billion, subject to certain closing adjustments set forth in the Equity and Asset Purchase Agreement, and we will retain a 49% equity interest (the "IFP Transaction"). As a result, the results of operations and applicable assets and liabilities of the IFP Business are reported as discontinued operations in the Company's financial statements for all periods presented. See Item 1, Notes 1 and 3 to the Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

As a result of the IFP Transaction discussed above, the Company's continuing operations are now organized into two reportable segments defined by geographic region: North America ("NA") and International Personal Care ("IPC"). The results of the IFP Business are excluded from segment results for all periods presented. Segments are described in greater detail in Item 1, Note 9 to the Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

2024 Transformation Initiative

The 2024 Transformation Initiative is designed to sharpen our strategic focus through a new operating model and strategy that leverages three synergistic pillars:

  • Accelerating pioneering innovation to capture significant growth available in our product categories by investing in science-based and proprietary technology to solve unmet and evolving consumer needs, and delivering breakthrough storytelling to drive category participation and brand love;

  • Optimizing our margin structure to deliver superior consumer propositions at every rung of the good, better, best ladder, and implement initiatives and deploy technology and data analytics designed to create a fast, adaptable, integrated supply chain with greater visibility that can deliver continuous improvement; and

  • Wiring our organization for growth to drive agility, speed, and focused execution that extends our competitive advantages further into the future.

The transformation is expected to impact our organization in all major geographies, and workforce reductions are expected to be in the range of 4% to 5%. Certain actions under the 2024 Transformation Initiative are being finalized for implementation, and accounting for such actions will commence when the actions are authorized for execution. The 2024 Transformation Initiative is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. Total pre-tax savings are expected to be $3.0 billion in gross productivity; inclusive of input cost and manufacturing cost savings, and $200 in selling, general and administrative expenses. Total costs are anticipated to be approximately $1.5 billion pre-tax. Cash costs are expected to be approximately 60% of that amount, primarily related to workforce reductions and other program costs. Expected non-cash charges are primarily related to incremental depreciation and asset write-offs, including losses associated with the expected exit of certain markets. For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, total 2024 Transformation Initiative charges were $51 pre-tax ($32 after-tax) and $77 pre-tax ($77 after-tax), respectively. Through March 31, 2026, cumulative pre-tax charges for the 2024 Transformation Initiative were $859 ($666 after-tax), and approximately 90% of the total expected selling, general and administrative expense savings have been realized or approved for action program to date.

Results of Operations

Consolidated Results

Summary of Results

Three Months Ended March 31
20262025% Change
Net Sales$4,163$4,0542.7%
Gross Profit1,5341,5091.7%
Operating Profit75363119.3%
Provision for income taxes(164)(131)25.2%
Income from Continuing Operations57447022.1%
Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Income Taxes101103(1.9)%
Net Income Attributable to Kimberly-Clark Corporation66556717.3%
Diluted Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations1.701.3922.3%
Diluted Earnings per Share from Discontinued Operations0.300.31(3.2)%

Adjusted Results - Continuing Operations

Three Months Ended March 31
20262025% Change
Adjusted Gross Profit**(a)**$1,576$1,5620.9%
Adjusted Operating Profit**(a)**7327063.7%
Adjusted Earnings per Share**(a)**1.601.62(1.2)%
Adjusted Effective Tax Rate**(a)**26.2%20.7%5.5%

(a) Adjusted amounts are non-GAAP financial measures. See "Summary of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below for reconciliations of our GAAP to Non-GAAP measures.

Net Sales

Drivers of the changes in net sales were:

Percent Change in Net SalesVolumeMix/OtherNet PriceDivestitures and Business Exits**(c)**Currency TranslationTotal**(a)**Organic**(b)**
Three Months Ended2.60.4(0.5)(1.8)2.02.72.5

(a) Total may not sum across due to rounding.

(b) Represents the change in net sales excluding the impacts of currency translation and divestitures and business exits. Organic Sales Growth is a non-GAAP financial measure. See "Summary of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below for reconciliations of our GAAP to non-GAAP measures.

(c) Impact of the exit of the Company's private label diaper business in the United States and other exited businesses and markets in conjunction with the 2024 Transformation Initiative.

Net sales of $4.2 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2026 increased 2.7% primarily driven by organic sales growth and favorable currency impacts, partially offset by divestitures and business exits. Organic sales increased 2.5% primarily from volume gains of 2.6%.

Gross and Operating Profits

Gross profit of $1.5 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2026 increased 1.7%, while gross margin of 36.8% decreased 40 basis points. Gross margin in the current and prior year included approximately 110 basis points and 130 basis points, respectively, of charges related to the 2024 Transformation Initiative, primarily for incremental depreciation expense. Excluding these charges, adjusted gross profit was $1.6 billion, an increase of 0.9%, while adjusted gross margin was 37.9%, a decrease of 60 basis points. The decrease was primarily due to supply chain related investments and unfavorable pricing net of cost inflation, partially offset by gross productivity savings from integrated margin management of approximately $115.

Operating profit of $753 for the three months ended March 31, 2026 increased 19.3%, inclusive of charges of $51 and $48 related to the 2024 Transformation Initiative and the Kenvue Acquisition, respectively, offset by a benefit of $120 related to the settlement of insurance claims from a previous acquisition. Results in the prior year included charges of $75 related to the 2024 Transformation Initiative. Excluding these items, adjusted operating profit for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 was $732 and $706, respectively.

Drivers of the changes in adjusted operating profit were:

Percent Change in Adjusted Operating ProfitVolumeNet PriceInput CostsOther Manufacturing Costs**(a)**Currency TranslationOther**(b)**Total**(c)**
Three Months Ended0.4(2.9)(4.6)4.72.53.63.7

(a) Includes net impact of productivity initiatives, product and supply chain investments and other changes in cost of products sold.

(b) Includes impact of changes in product mix, marketing, research and general expenses and other (income) and expense, net.

(c) Adjusted Operating Profit is a non-GAAP financial measure. See "Summary of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below for reconciliations of our GAAP to non-GAAP measures.

Adjusted operating profit for the three months ended March 31, 2026 increased 3.7% driven by lower marketing, research and general expenses and favorable currency impacts, partially offset by impacts from divestitures and business exits of approximately 470 basis points.

Income from Continuing Operations

Income from Continuing Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2026 was $574 compared to $470 in the prior year. The increase was primarily related to the settlement of insurance claims from a previous acquisition, coupled with higher income from equity companies, partially offset by higher income tax expense.

Our share of net income of equity companies for the three months ended March 31, 2026 was $53 compared to $44 in the prior year. The increase was primarily driven by Kimberly-Clark de Mexico, S.A.B. de C.V., due to favorable foreign currency impacts and productivity savings, partially offset by higher inputs costs.

The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2026 was 23.9% compared to 23.5% in the prior year. The adjusted effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2026 was 26.2% compared to 20.7% in the prior year. The increase was driven by the lapping of discrete tax benefits related to the resolution of certain tax matters in the first quarter of 2025 and a change in the US tax law effective July 2025.

Diluted earnings per share of $1.70 for the three months ended March 31, 2026 increased 22.3% reflective of the increase in income from continuing operations discussed above. Adjusted diluted earnings per share of $1.60 decreased 1.2% primarily due to the higher adjusted effective tax rate discussed above.

Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Income Taxes

Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2026 was $101 compared to $103 in the prior year. Current year results included pre-tax separation costs of $32 that were offset by the cessation of depreciation and amortization expense of approximately $30.

Segment Results

Drivers of the changes in segment net sales and operating profit were:

Percent Change in Segment Net SalesVolumeMix/OtherNet PriceDivestitures and Business Exits**(c)**Currency TranslationTotal**(a)**Organic**(b)**
Three Months Ended
NA1.9(0.2)—(2.7)0.3(0.6)1.8
IPC4.11.4(1.5)—5.29.14.0
Percent Change in Segment Operating ProfitVolumeNet PriceInput CostsOther Manufacturing Costs**(d)**Currency TranslationOther**(e)**Total
Three Months Ended
NA(1.5)0.1(2.3)(0.3)0.4(4.5)(8.1)
IPC6.4(10.6)(8.5)15.17.611.921.9

(a) Total may not sum across due to rounding.

(b) Represents the change in net sales excluding the impacts of currency translation and divestitures and business exits. Organic Sales Growth is a non-GAAP financial measure. See "Summary of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below for reconciliations of our GAAP to non-GAAP measures.

(c) Impact of the exit of the Company's private label diaper business in the United States and other exited businesses and markets in conjunction with the 2024 Transformation Initiative.

(d) Includes net impact of productivity initiatives, product and supply chain investments and other changes in cost of products sold.

(e) Includes impact of changes in product mix, marketing, research and general expenses and other (income) and expense, net.

North America

Three Months Ended March 31
20262025% Change
Net Sales$2,651$2,668(0.6)%
Operating Profit623678(8.1)%

Net sales of $2.7 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2026 decreased 0.6%, as the exit of the private label diaper business in the US was partially offset by organic sales growth. Organic sales increased 1.8% primarily from volume gains of 1.9%, driven by Baby & Child Care, Family Care and Professional categories.

Operating profit for the three months ended March 31, 2026 of $623 decreased 8.1%, driven by impacts from divestitures and business exits (approximately 490 basis points), supply chain related investments and incremental advertising spend, partially offset by gross productivity savings.

International Personal Care

Three Months Ended March 31
20262025% Change
Net Sales$1,512$1,3869.1%
Operating Profit24520121.9%

Net sales of $1.5 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2026 increased 9.1% primarily driven by favorable currency impacts of 5.2% and organic sales growth of 4.0%. Organic sales benefited from volume and mix gains of 4.1% and 1.4%, respectively, primarily in China, Indonesia, South Korea and Brazil, partially offset by lower pricing.

Operating profit for the three months ended March 31, 2026 of $245 increased 21.9% driven by gross productivity savings, volume and mix gains, favorable currency impacts and lower marketing, research and general expenses, partially offset by unfavorable pricing net of cost inflation.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As detailed in Item 1, Note 1 to the Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows are presented on a consolidated basis for both continuing operations and discontinued operations. As a result, unless specifically stated, the following discussion reflects Kimberly Clark's consolidated results for all periods presented.

Cash Provided by Operations

Cash provided by operations was $745 during the three months ended March 31, 2026 compared to $327 in the prior year. The increase was driven primarily by an insurance recovery associated with the settlement of claims from a previous acquisition and favorable changes in operating working capital, due in part to lower incentive payments in the current year.

Investing

Cash used for investing was $355 during the three months ended March 31, 2026 compared to $119 in the prior year, primarily reflecting higher planned capital spending. During the three months ended March 31, 2026, our capital spending was $424 compared to $204 in the prior year. We anticipate that full year capital spending will be approximately $1.3 billion, including incremental spending from the 2024 Transformation Initiative.

Financing

Cash used for financing was $527 during the three months ended March 31, 2026 compared to $683 in the prior year. This decrease was primarily due to an increase in U.S. commercial paper borrowings, partially offset by higher debt repayments in the current year. During the three months ended March 31, 2026, we did not repurchase any shares of common stock.

We issue long-term debt in the public market periodically. Proceeds from the offerings are used for general corporate purposes, including repayment of maturing debt or outstanding commercial paper indebtedness.

Our short-term debt, which consists of U.S. commercial paper with original maturities up to 90 days and/or other short-term debt issued by non-U.S. subsidiaries, was $595 as of March 31, 2026 (included in Debt payable within one year on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets). The average month-end balance of short-term debt for the three months ended March 31, 2026 was $711. These short-term borrowings provide supplemental funding to support our operations. The level of short-term debt generally fluctuates depending upon the amount of operating cash flows and the timing of customer receipts and payments for items such as pension contributions, dividends and income taxes.

As a result of the pending Kenvue Acquisition, in November 2025, the Company and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the "Bank") executed a certain bridge loan facility commitment letter, pursuant to which the Bank has committed to provide bridge financing (the "Bridge Facility") in an amount of $7.7 billion to the Company to fund the Cash Consideration, the fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and to repay certain existing indebtedness of Kenvue and/or its subsidiaries. In December 2025, $3.8 billion of the commitments in the Bridge Facility were terminated in connection with entry into the New Revolving Credit Facility and DDTL Credit Facility (as defined below).

In December 2025, we entered into (i) the Five-Year Revolving Credit Agreement by and among Kimberly-Clark, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the "Bank") and the other lenders party thereto (the “New Revolving Credit Facility”) and (ii) the Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement by and among Kimberly-Clark, the Bank, and the other lenders party thereto (the “DDTL Credit Facility”). The New Revolving Credit Facility matures in December 2030 and provides for a revolving credit facility of up to $4.0 billion (which may be increased by up to $1.0 billion upon obtaining additional commitments from the then-existing or new lenders and the satisfaction of certain other conditions). Concurrently with the closing of the New Revolving Credit Facility and the DDTL Credit Facility, we terminated the commitments outstanding under our previous $750 revolving credit facility, originally set to mature in May 2026 and reduced the commitments outstanding under our existing $2.0 billion revolving credit facility, which matures in June 2028, to $1.0 billion. For further information, refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.

As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, total debt from continuing operations was $7.1 billion and $7.2 billion, respectively.

The Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development introduced a framework under Pillar Two which includes a 15% global minimum tax rate. Many jurisdictions in which we do business have started to enact laws implementing Pillar Two. We are monitoring these developments and currently do not believe these rules will have a material impact on our financial results.

We believe that our ability to generate cash from operations and our capacity to issue short-term and long-term debt are adequate to fund working capital, obligations related to our 2024 Transformation Initiative, capital spending, pension contributions, share repurchases, dividends and other needs for the foreseeable future. Further, we do not expect restrictions or taxes on repatriation of cash held outside of the U.S. to have a material effect on our overall business, liquidity, financial condition or results of operations for the foreseeable future.

Information Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Certain matters contained in this report concerning our plans and expectations regarding the pending Kenvue Acquisition (referred to below as the "pending mergers" or the "mergers") and the pending IFP Transaction, the business outlook, including raw material, energy and other input costs, the anticipated charges and savings from the 2024 Transformation Initiative, cash flow and uses of cash, growth initiatives, innovations, marketing and other spending, net sales, anticipated currency rates and exchange risks, including the impact in Argentina and Türkiye, effective tax rate, contingencies and anticipated transactions of Kimberly-Clark, including dividends, share repurchases and pension contributions, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are based upon management's expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting Kimberly-Clark. There can be no assurance that these future events will occur as anticipated or that our results will be as estimated. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update them.

The assumptions used as a basis for the forward-looking statements include many estimates that, among other things, depend on the successful completion of the mergers and the achievement of future cost savings and projected volume increases. In addition, many factors outside our control, including risks and uncertainties around the pending mergers (including the risk that the anticipated benefits and synergies of the mergers may not be realized when expected or at all, the terms and scope of the expected financing in connection with the mergers may prove to be less favorable than currently expected, that the mergers may not be completed in a timely manner or at all and the risk of litigation related to the mergers), the pending IFP Transaction (including risks related to delays or failure to complete the proposed transaction, the incurrence of significant transaction and separation costs, adverse market reactions, regulatory or legal challenges, and operational disruptions), risks that we are not able to realize the anticipated benefits of the 2024 Transformation Initiative (including risks related to disruptions to our business or operations or related to any delays in implementation), war in Ukraine (including the related responses of consumers, customers, and suppliers and sanctions issued by the U.S., the European Union, Russia or other countries), government trade or similar regulatory actions (including current and potential trade and tariff actions affecting the countries where we operate and the resulting negative impacts on our supply chain, commodity costs, and consumer spending), pandemics, epidemics, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, the prices and availability of our raw materials, supply chain disruptions, disruptions in the capital and credit markets, counterparty defaults (including customers, suppliers and financial institutions with which we do business), failure to realize the expected benefits or synergies from our acquisition and disposition activity, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets and our projections of operating results and other factors that may affect our impairment testing, changes in customer preferences, severe weather conditions, regional instabilities and hostilities (including the war in Iran), potential competitive pressures on selling prices for our products, energy costs, general economic and political conditions globally and in the markets in which we do business, as well as our ability to maintain key customer relationships, could affect the realization of these estimates.

The factors described under Item 1A, "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, or in our other SEC filings, among others, could cause our future results to differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf. Other factors not presently known to us or that we presently consider immaterial could also affect our business operations and financial results.

SUMMARY OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

The following provides the reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures provided in this report to the most closely related GAAP measure. These measures include: Organic Sales Growth, Adjusted Gross Profit, Adjusted

Operating Profit, Adjusted Earnings per Share, and Adjusted Effective Tax Rate. All discussions regarding non-GAAP financial measures reflect results from our continuing operations for all periods presented.

  • Organic Sales Growth is defined as the change in Net Sales, as determined in accordance with GAAP, excluding the impacts of currency translation and divestitures and business exits.

  • Adjusted Gross and Operating Profit, Adjusted Earnings per Share, and Adjusted Effective Tax Rate are defined as Gross Profit, Operating Profit, Diluted Earnings per Share, and Effective Tax Rate, respectively, as determined in accordance with GAAP, excluding the impacts of certain items that management believes do not reflect our underlying operations, and which are discussed in further detail below.

The income tax effect of these non-GAAP items on the Company's Adjusted Earnings per Share is calculated based upon the tax laws and statutory income tax rates applicable in the tax jurisdiction(s) of the underlying non-GAAP adjustment. The impact of these non-GAAP items on the Company’s effective tax rate represents the difference in the effective tax rate calculated with and without the non-GAAP adjustment on Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Equity Interests and Provision for income taxes.

We use these non-GAAP financial measures to assist in comparing our performance on a consistent basis for purposes of business decision making by removing the impact of certain items that we do not believe reflect our underlying and ongoing operations. We believe that presenting these non-GAAP financial measures is useful to investors because it (i) provides investors with meaningful supplemental information regarding financial performance by excluding certain items, (ii) permits investors to view performance using the same tools that management uses to budget, make operating and strategic decisions, and evaluate historical performance, and (iii) otherwise provides supplemental information that may be useful to investors in evaluating our results. We believe that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures, when considered together with the corresponding GAAP financial measures and the reconciliation to those measures, provides investors with additional understanding of the factors and trends affecting our business than could be obtained absent these disclosures.

These non-GAAP financial measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the comparable GAAP measures, and they should be read only in conjunction with our Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. There are limitations to these non-GAAP financial measures because they are not prepared in accordance with GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies due to potential differences in methods of calculation and items being excluded. We compensate for these limitations by using these non-GAAP financial measures as a supplement to the GAAP measures and by providing reconciliations of the non-GAAP and comparable GAAP financial measures.

The non-GAAP financial measures exclude the following items for the relevant time periods:

  • 2024 Transformation Initiative - We initiated this transformation to create a more agile and focused operating structure that will accelerate our proprietary pipeline of innovation in right-to-win spaces and improve our growth trajectory, profitability, and returns on investment. See Item 1, Note 2 to the Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for details.

  • Kenvue Acquisition - Acquisition-related costs incurred in connection with the pending Kenvue Acquisition, primarily related to external advisory, legal, accounting, and other related costs. See Item 1, Note 4 to the Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for details.

  • Insurance Recovery – Settlement of insurance claims related to a previous acquisition.

The following table provides a reconciliation of Organic Sales Growth from continuing operations:

Three Months Ended March 31, 2026
Percent change vs. the prior year period
NAIPCTotal
Net Sales Growth(0.6)9.12.7
Currency Translation(0.3)(5.2)(2.0)
Divestitures and Business Exits2.7—1.8
Organic Sales Growth**(a)**1.84.02.5

(a) Table may not foot due to rounding.

The following table provides a reconciliation of Adjusted Gross Profit from continuing operations:

Three Months Ended March 31
20262025
Gross Profit$1,534$1,509
2024 Transformation Initiative4253
Adjusted Gross Profit$1,576$1,562

The following table provides a reconciliation of Adjusted Operating Profit from continuing operations:

Three Months Ended March 31
20262025
Operating Profit$753$631
2024 Transformation Initiative5175
Kenvue Acquisition48—
Insurance Recovery(120)—
Adjusted Operating Profit$732$706

The following table provides a reconciliation of Adjusted Earnings per Share from continuing operations:

Three Months Ended March 31
20262025
Diluted Earnings per Share$1.70$1.39
2024 Transformation Initiative0.090.23
Kenvue Acquisition0.13—
Insurance Recovery(0.32)—
Adjusted Earnings per Share**(a)**$1.60$1.62

(a) The non-GAAP adjustments included above are presented net of tax. The income tax effect of these non-GAAP items is calculated based upon the tax laws and statutory income tax rates applicable in the tax jurisdiction(s) of the underlying non-GAAP adjustment. Refer to the Adjusted Effective Tax Rate reconciliation below for the tax effect of these adjustments on the Company's reported Provision for income taxes.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the continuing operations Adjusted Effective Tax Rate:

Three Months Ended March 31
20262025
Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Equity InterestsProvision for Income TaxesIncome From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Equity InterestsProvision for Income Taxes
As Reported$685$(164)$557$(131)
2024 Transformation Initiative51(19)77—
Kenvue Acquisition48(5)——
Insurance Recovery(120)14——
As Adjusted$664$(174)$634$(131)
Effective Tax Rate
As Reported23.9%23.5%
As Adjusted26.2%20.7%

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

As of March 31, 2026, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2026. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

We repurchase shares of Kimberly-Clark common stock from time to time pursuant to publicly announced share repurchase programs. On January 22, 2021, our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program that allows for the repurchase of 40 million shares in an amount not to exceed $5 billion. As of March 31, 2026, the Company has repurchased approximately 9.2 million shares and approximately 30.8 million shares remain available for repurchase under the program. No shares were repurchased during the three months ended March 31, 2026.

Item 5. Other Information

(c)Our directors and officers may from time to time enter into plans or other arrangements for the purchase or sale of our shares that are intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) or may represent a non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. During the three months ended March 31, 2026, no such plans or other arrangements were adopted or terminated.

Item 6. Exhibits

(a)Exhibits

Exhibit No. (31)a. Certification of Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act, filed herewith.

Exhibit No. (31)b. Certification of Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act, filed herewith.

Exhibit No. (32)a. Certification of Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) of the Exchange Act and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code, furnished herewith.

Exhibit No. (32)b. Certification of Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) of the Exchange Act and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code, furnished herewith.

Exhibit No. (101).INS XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document

Exhibit No. (101).SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

Exhibit No. (101).CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

Exhibit No. (101).DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

Exhibit No. (101).LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

Exhibit No. (101).PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

Exhibit No. (104) The cover page from this Current Report on Form 10-Q formatted as Inline XBRL

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION
(Registrant)
By:/s/ Andrew Scribner
Andrew Scribner
Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)

April 28, 2026