Kimberly-Clark reports higher adjusted earnings and cuts 2026 outlook

Kimberly-Clark’s second-quarter net sales rose 0.6% to $4.19 billion, while adjusted EPS from continuing operations increased 10.4% to $1.80; reported EPS attributable to Kimberly-Clark fell to $1.04 from $1.53 due to acquisition, transformation and discontinued-operations charges. The company said false social-media allegations about diaper quality hurt China sales and expects further near-term effects, leading it to forecast 2026 organic sales growth about 100 basis points below its roughly 2% category growth rate and adjusted EPS attributable to Kimberly-Clark to decline by a low-single-digit percentage on a constant-currency basis; the pending Kenvue acquisition remains targeted to close by year-end.