Kimberly-Clark reports 0.6% increase in second quarter net sales
Kimberly-Clark Corp. reported second quarter 2026 results it said reflect sustained, innovation-driven volume-plus-mix gains and industry-leading productivity that more than offset several significant, discrete unfavorable impacts.
"Our achievements in the first half of the year show that Kimberly-Clark's durable operating model is enabling us to accelerate our transformation while sustaining the momentum of our brands and businesses," said Kimberly-Clark Chairman and CEO Mike Hsu. "Our team is executing with agility and addressing discrete headwinds that will moderate our growth and earnings potential in 2026. We continue to invest in our innovation-led growth agenda and superior brand propositions that win with consumers across the value spectrum. Combined with industry-leading gross productivity savings, we're ensuring that our base business is well positioned to drive sustainable growth in 2027 and beyond."
Hsu continued, "We also made significant strides to advance the next phase of Kimberly-Clark's Powering Care strategy. We successfully launched our strategic joint venture with Suzano: Arbex. We entered the next phase of development of our next-generation, sustainable materials innovation platform by announcing the construction of an alternative natural fibers pilot plant in the Southwest of the United States. Our pending acquisition of Kenvue remains on track to close by the end of this year. In sum, our vision for a new kind of health and wellness company, reimagined care for billions of people around the world, and lasting value for shareholders is becoming clearer by the day."
Second Quarter 2026 Results
Net sales of $4.2 billion increased 0.6%, as favorable currency impacts of 1.1% were partially offset by the exit of the company's private label diaper business in the US. Organic sales growth was broadly in line with the prior year, including an approximately 50 basis point negative impact from the China social media disruption.
Gross margin was 38.3% compared to 35% in the prior year, inclusive of $22 million, or approximately 50 basis points, and $82 million, or approximately 200 basis points, respectively, of charges related to the 2024 Transformation Initiative. Excluding these charges, adjusted gross margin was 38.8%, an increase of 190 basis points versus the prior year as one-time tariff refunds and strong productivity savings were partially offset by planned investments to drive new product trial and improve price:value tiers across the portfolio, as well as supply chain related investments.
Second quarter operating profit was $633 million compared to $592 million in the prior year. Current quarter results included $54 million of charges related to the 2024 Transformation Initiative, $109 million related to the Kenvue acquisition and a $39 million benefit related to Brazil business tax credits. Prior year results included $121 million of charges related to the 2024 Transformation Initiative. Excluding these items, adjusted operating profit was $757 million compared to $713 million, an increase of 6.2%, driven by the increase in adjusted gross profit discussed above and favorable currency impacts. These gains were partially offset by an approximate 210 basis point headwind from a combination of business exits and the China social media disruption.
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