Kimberly-Clark reported fourth-quarter net sales of $4.1 billion, down 0.6% year-over-year, driven by 2.1% organic growth offset by the exit of its private-label diaper business. Adjusted operating profit rose 13.1% to $629 million thanks to productivity gains and lower marketing and G&A expenses. Adjusted EPS climbed 24.0% to $1.86, reflecting strong operating profit delivery, a lower effective tax rate and higher income from discontinued operations. Volume-plus-mix expansion of 3.0% was partially offset by a 1.1% price investment to bolster value tiers, illustrating balanced top-line momentum without reliance on price hikes.

In 2025, the company accelerated its Powering Care transformation, delivering full-year net sales of $16.4 billion and adjusted operating profit of $2.7 billion, in line with 2024 despite divestitures and foreign currency headwinds. Adjusted gross margin of 37.3% reflected strong productivity savings offset by planned price-value investments and incremental tariff costs. The board highlighted breakthrough innovations, share gains across personal-care categories and reinvestment of efficiency savings into brands. For 2026, management forecasts continued organic growth, sustained volume-plus-mix momentum and further margin expansion as integration planning for the Kenvue acquisition progresses.

The board approved a regular quarterly dividend of $1.28 per share, up from $1.26, payable April 2, 2026, to shareholders of record on March 6. This marks the 54th consecutive year of dividend increases and the 92nd year of uninterrupted payments, underscoring the company’s commitment to returning cash to shareholders and confidence in its cash-flow generation under the ongoing transformation.