Business
Kimberly-Clark Delivers Solid Results in First Year of Transformation
2024 established foundation for Powering Care strategy while delivering an above-algorithm year2025 outlook reflects continued organic growth and operating
About this update from Kimberly-clark Corporation
[{"type":"text","content":"2024 established foundation for Powering Care strategy while delivering an above-algorithm year2025 outlook reflects continued organic growth and operating momentum as transformation progresses\nDALLAS, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE: KMB) today reported fourth quarter and full year 2024 results that illustrated the strength of its innovation-led growth model, driving volume gains, improving product mix, and generating significant efficiencies enabling reinvestment in its brands, new capabilities, and generating attractive returns to its shareholders.\n\n\"2024 was a breakthrough year for Kimberly-Clark with the launch of our transformative, multi-year Powering Care strategy and successfully rewiring our organization into three powerhouse segments with world-class functional support,\" said Kimberly-Clark Chairman and CEO, Mike Hsu. \"Our full-year results exceeded our new long-term growth algorithm - supported by consistent execution across the organization - and we established a strong foundation to accelerate our strategy in 2025 and beyond.\" \n\"We delivered organic top-line growth with an upward inflection in volume-plus-mix. This, coupled with improved productivity, has driven strong adjusted profit growth and fueled investments to advance our competitive advantage.\" Hsu continued. \"We're excited about this new chapter of Kimberly-Clark, and we look forward to building on our momentum and enhancing value for all stakeholders.\"\nQuarter Highlights\nDelivered net sales of $4.9 billion, down 0.8 percent, with organic sales growth of 2.3 percent.Gross margin was 34.0 percent. Adjusted gross margin was 35.4 percent, up 50 basis points versus the prior year with strong productivity gains partly offset by investments and manufacturing cost headwinds.Operating profit for the quarter was $548 million, while adjusted operating profit was $684 million up 2.1 percent versus the prior year with higher adjusted gross margin enabling higher investments.Diluted earnings per share were $1.34; adjusted earnings per share were $1.50, down 0.7 percent versus prior year driven primarily by lower equity income offset by higher adjusted operating profit.Fourth Quarter 2024 Results\nFourth quarter sales of $4.9 billion were down 0.8 percent, with organic sales up 2.3 percent, driven by the highest quarterly vol...