Business
KIMBERLY-CLARK ANNOUNCES YEAR-END 2021 RESULTS AND 2022 OUTLOOK
DALLAS, Jan. 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE: KMB) today reported year-end 2021 results and provided its 2022 outlook. Executive
About this update from Kimberly-clark Corporation
[{"type":"text","content":"DALLAS, Jan. 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE: KMB) today reported year-end 2021 results and provided its 2022 outlook.\nExecutive Summary\nFourth quarter 2021 net sales of $5.0 billion increased 3 percent compared to the year-ago period, including organic sales growth of 3 percent. Full-year 2021 net sales of $19.4 billion increased 2 percent, with organic sales down 1 percent. Diluted net income per share for the fourth quarter was $1.06 in 2021 and $1.58 in 2020. Full-year diluted net income per share was $5.35 in 2021 and $6.87 in 2020. Fourth quarter adjusted earnings per share were $1.30 in 2021, down 23 percent compared to $1.69 in 2020. Adjusted earnings per share exclude certain items described later in this news release. Full-year adjusted earnings per share were $6.18 in 2021, down 20 percent compared to $7.74 in 2020. The company's previous guidance was for adjusted earnings per share of $6.05 to $6.25. Net sales in 2022 are expected to increase 1 to 2 percent, including organic sales growth of 3 to 4 percent. Diluted net income per share for 2022 is anticipated to be $5.60 to $6.00. The company's Board of Directors has approved a 1.8 percent increase in the quarterly dividend, which is the 50th consecutive annual increase in the dividend. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mike Hsu said, \"Our teams have been executing well in this challenging macro and operating environment, maintaining cost discipline, balancing pricing initiatives, taking care of our customers, and continuing to build our brands and grow share. We were especially pleased with our topline growth in personal care and D&E over the year.\" \nHsu continued, \"Looking ahead, we will continue to invest in innovation, supporting our brands, and accelerating topline growth. While we expect inflation and supply-chain disruption to persist into 2022, we are committed to recovering margins to pre-pandemic levels over time, and we are optimistic about gradual improvement later in the year. \nWe remain confident in the potential of our categories in the near and long-term, and in our ability to create meaningful shareholder value while we work to achieve our purpose of better care for a better world. I am grateful for the incredible dedication of our talented teams in 2021, and we are committed to doing all we can to ensure a safe, h...