KIMBERLY CLARK CORP (KMB)

Kimberly-Clark Corporation, founded in 1872 and incorporated in Delaware in 1928, is a global consumer products company that manufactures and markets a wide range of products made from natural or synthetic fibers and materials, using technologies in fibers, nonwovens and absorbency. Its brands are sold in more than 175 countries and territories, and it holds No. 1 or No. 2 share positions in approximately 70 countries. The company describes its purpose as delivering Better Care for a Better World.

Its portfolio spans five global daily-need categories: Baby & Child Care, Adult Care, Feminine Care, Family Care, and Professional. Brands include Huggies, Kleenex, Scott, Kotex, Cottonelle, Poise, Depend, Andrex, Pull-Ups, GoodNites, Intimus, Plenitud, Sweety, Softex, Viva and WypAll. Continuing operations are organized into two geographic reportable segments, North America and International Personal Care. The former International Family Care and Professional segment is reported as discontinued operations because of a planned joint venture with Suzano S.A., in which Suzano would acquire a 51% interest for about $1.7 billion and Kimberly-Clark would keep 49%, with closing expected in mid-2026. The company also has a pending agreement, signed November 2, 2025, to acquire Kenvue, Inc., a global consumer health company, for stock and cash, including about 280 million new shares and roughly $6.7 billion in cash. Under its 2024 Transformation Initiative and Powering Care strategy, it is focusing on innovation, margin structure and organizational agility. Recent portfolio moves include the 2024 sale of its personal protective equipment business, the 2023 acquisition of the remaining shares of Thinx, and the 2023 sale of its Neve tissue brand in Brazil.

Household products are sold directly to supermarkets, mass merchandisers, drugstores, warehouse clubs, variety and department stores and other retailers, as well as through distributors and e-commerce. Professional products are sold through distributors, directly to manufacturing, lodging, office building, food service and high-volume public facilities, and through e-commerce. Walmart Inc. is the largest customer, at about 16% of net sales from continuing operations in 2025 and 2024 and 15% in 2023, primarily in North America.

Kraft pulp or recycled fiber is the main raw material for tissue products, and fluff pulp goes into diapers, training and youth pants, feminine pads and incontinence products. Polypropylene and other synthetics and chemicals are used for nonwoven fabrics, and superabsorbent materials are key components of diapers and incontinence products. Raw materials are purchased from third parties and the supply is considered adequate. The company has several major competitors in most markets, some larger and more diversified, and competition centers on brand strength, innovation, quality, price, marketing and distribution. It relies on patents and trademarks and is subject to product safety, environmental and data privacy regulation. At December 31, 2025, it had about 36,000 employees, roughly 35% in North America and the rest across about 55 other countries, with about half working in manufacturing and distribution. Its stockholder services address is in Dallas, Texas.