Kimberly-Clark Corp - KMB STOCK NEWS

Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) reported its Q4 and full-year 2024 results, highlighting the success of its Powering Care strategy. Q4 sales were $4.9 billion, down 0.8%, with organic sales up 2.3%. Q4 diluted EPS was $1.34, while adjusted EPS was $1.50.

Full-year 2024 results showed net sales of $20.1 billion, down 1.8% from 2023, with organic sales growth of 3.2%. The company achieved significant gross margin expansion, with adjusted gross margin reaching 36.5%, up 200 basis points. Full-year adjusted earnings per share increased 11.1% to $7.30.

For 2025, KMB expects organic sales growth to outpace market growth (currently ~2%). The outlook includes anticipated negative impacts from currency translation (~300 basis points) and business exits (~240 basis points). The company projects adjusted operating profit to grow at a high single-digit rate on a constant-currency basis.

Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) has announced it will release its fourth quarter and full year 2024 financial results on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. The company will issue a press release and supplemental materials at approximately 6:30 a.m. EST, followed by a live Q&A session with analysts starting at 8:00 a.m. EST. Investors and interested parties can access the earnings release, supplemental materials, and participate in the Q&A session through Kimberly-Clark's Investor Relations website. A replay of the webcast will be made available on the same platform after the event.

Kimberly-Clark is expanding its Global Digital Technology Center (GDTC) in Bengaluru, India. Established in 2018 with a $2.5M investment, the center has grown 8x in five years. The GDTC focuses on Data Analytics, AI/ML, Cloud Transformation, and Digital Operations, delivering significant results including:

- 25% improvement in employee productivity through Gen AI platforms in 2024
- 10% improvement in sales execution across Europe, Middle East, and Africa
- $20M+ global savings through Maestro AI supply chain platform
- $50M+ savings via Warehouse Automation Platform
- Development of Procuree 3.0, an AI-powered procurement chatbot serving 42 countries

The center plans further expansion over the next three years, focusing on advancing AI/ML capabilities and innovative digital solutions.

Poise®, Kimberly-Clark's leading brand for light bladder leak protection, launches a new marketing campaign featuring actress Katherine Heigl to destigmatize bladder leaks, which affect at least 50% of women. The campaign highlights how perimenopause, menopause, and childbirth can impact pelvic health and cause bladder leaks.

The campaign includes two advertisements: one featuring Heigl at brunch discussing 'giggle dribble' moments, and another showing her addressing bladder leaks openly in public. The initiative aims to educate women about these common issues and promote Poise's range of protection products, including liners and pads. The campaign will be distributed across TV, social, digital media, and retailer platforms.

Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) announced that Chief Financial Officer Nelson Urdaneta will present at the Morgan Stanley Global Consumer & Retail Conference. The presentation is scheduled for Tuesday, December 3, at 1:30 pm ET. Interested parties can access the webcast through the Investors section of Kimberly-Clark's website.

Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) has declared a quarterly dividend of $1.22 per share, payable on January 3, 2025, to stockholders of record as of December 6, 2024. This marks the company's 90th consecutive year of dividend payments and 52nd consecutive year of dividend increases. The company also announced its annual shareholder meeting will be held on May 1, 2025. Kimberly-Clark maintains leading market positions with its portfolio of consumer brands, holding No. 1 or No. 2 share positions in approximately 70 countries.

Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) announced the election of Joseph Romanelli to its board of directors, expanding the board from 12 to 13 members. Romanelli currently serves as president of Human Health International for Merck & Co. (MSD), where he oversees 75-plus markets outside the U.S. and leads a team of 14,000 colleagues. Prior to his current role at MSD, which began in 2022, he was CEO of JiXing Pharmaceuticals and held various strategic and operational positions at MSD and Schering-Plough over 25 years.

Lauren Brazel of Tinley Park High School near Chicago has been named the 2024 Grand Prize winner of the Heroes of the Classroom program, presented by Kleenex®. The program, celebrating Kleenex's 100-year anniversary, recognizes K-12 teachers for their dedication and resilience. Ms. Brazel, a special education teacher with 19 years of experience, was selected from 10 finalists across multiple states.

As the winner, Ms. Brazel receives $5,000, while her school gets an additional $5,000 and a year's supply of Kleenex tissues. She was nominated by principal Dr. Theresa Nolan for her commitment to ensuring every student feels seen and heard, and for building lasting relationships with students and families.

U by Kotex® has launched MaxiMalism Jeans, a -edition denim line featuring transparent back pockets designed to display period products rather than hide them. This initiative aims to combat period stigma, addressing research showing that 83% of girls feel they should hide their period products. The jeans will be released in small batches, with additional releases scheduled for October 24 and 27, 2024. The campaign is supported by statistics showing that 76% of students associate periods negatively, while 85% believe periods should be recognized as a health indicator rather than something shameful.