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KMB

NEUTRAL
$104.02 Live
Kimberly-Clark Corporation · NYSE
Target $128.62 (+23.7%)
$99.22 52W Range $150.45

At a glance

Key valuation, profitability, growth, and risk metrics.

Updated Nov 16, 2025
Market cap
$34.66B
P/E
17.6
ROE
136.9%
Profit margin
10.0%
Debt/Equity
5.0
Dividend yield
4.85%

AI Analysis

AI-powered fundamental assessment

Confidence
72%
Kimberly-Clark (KMB) trades at a significant discount to its 52-week high ($150.45) with a 1Y return of -18.0%, reflecting persistent macro and operational headwinds. While the stock offers a compelling 4.85% dividend yield and is attractively valued on forward P/E (13.63x vs sector avg 23.76x), near-term earnings growth is deeply negative (YoY EPS -50.2%), and profitability has eroded amid inflationary cost pressures. The company’s high leverage (Debt/Equity: 5.00) and weak liquidity (Current Ratio: 0.77) raise structural concerns, though recent quarterly earnings surprises have trended positive. Analysts maintain a 'hold' rating with a $128.62 target, implying ~23.6% upside, but insider selling and stagnant revenue growth temper conviction.

Key Strengths

Attractive forward valuation: Forward P/E of 13.63x significantly below sector average of 23.76x
High and stable dividend yield of 4.85%, well above sector and peer levels
Recent earnings momentum: 3 of last 4 quarters beat estimates, including +22.5% surprise in Q1 2024
Strong historical ROE of 136.88%, indicating efficient capital use despite current headwinds
Resilient end-market exposure in consumer staples, providing downside protection in downturns

Key Risks

Severe earnings contraction: YoY earnings growth of -50.2% signals deep profitability pressure
Aggressive leverage: Debt/Equity ratio of 5.00, well above sector average of 2.71 and peer CL (6.80)
Stagnant revenue growth: YoY revenue up only 0.10%, indicating pricing power exhaustion or volume decline
Deteriorating liquidity: Current Ratio of 0.77 and Quick Ratio of 0.37 suggest near-term cash flow vulnerability
High payout ratio of 84.60% raises sustainability concerns if earnings decline further
AI Fair Value Estimate
Based on comprehensive analysis
$128.62
+23.7% above current price

Performance Snowflake

Multi-dimensional analysis across 5 key categories

Overall
64
Strong
Value
82
Future
48
Past
66
Health
45
Dividend
78
AI Verdict
KMB presents a value-oriented profile with a steep discount to fair value and sector peers, supported by a high dividend and recent earnings beats, but constrained by weak growth, elevated leverage, and deteriorating short-term fundamentals. The stock’s underperformance (-18% 1Y) contrasts with more resilient peers like PM (+25.8%) and MNST (+27.4%), suggesting company-specific execution issues rather than sector-wide drag.
Key drivers: Forward P/E discount to sector, Dividend yield and payout sustainability, Recent earnings surprise trend
Confidence
75%
Value
82/100

KMB is materially cheaper than peers on earnings basis—CL (21.86x), PM (22.17x), MNST (40.52x)—but its margin and growth profile do not fully justify the discount, indicating potential value trap risks.

Positives
  • Forward P/E of 13.63x is 42% below sector average of 23.76x
  • Price/Sales of 1.76x below sector implied average of ~2.2x
Watchpoints
  • Price/Book of 25.91x is extremely high, suggesting balance sheet distortions or intangible overvaluation
  • Lack of EV/EBITDA and cash flow data limits full-cycle valuation rigor
Future
48/100

Despite a sharp 6M price decline (-23.8%), there are early signs of earnings stabilization, but without revenue inflection or margin recovery, sustained price momentum remains unlikely in the near term.

Positives
  • Recent Q/Q EPS growth of +11.7% hints at stabilization after deep YoY decline
  • Analyst target implies 23.6% upside, suggesting confidence in recovery
Watchpoints
  • Revenue growth of just 0.10% YoY indicates minimal top-line momentum
  • Earnings growth of -50.2% YoY reflects severe cost and demand pressures
Past
66/100

KMB has delivered strong profitability historically and recently stabilized earnings performance, but long-term share price underperformance (-12.5% over 5Y) and erratic earnings surprises reflect inconsistent execution amid inflation and competitive pressures.

Positives
  • Consistent earnings beat streak: 3 of last 4 quarters above estimates
  • Historical profitability strength: ROE of 136.88% and ROA of 11.33% reflect long-term capital efficiency
Watchpoints
  • Earnings volatility evident: from +26.8% surprise in Q2 2023 to -13.8% in Q3 2021
  • 5Y price return of -12.5% lags defensive sector expectations
Health
45/100

Despite solid operating margins, KMB’s capital structure is riskier than peers—CL (6.80), TGT (1.32), MNST (0.01)—and its weak liquidity positions it poorly for economic tightening or demand shocks.

Positives
  • Operating margin of 16.70% remains healthy relative to sector average of 15.35%
  • Gross margin of 35.65% indicates brand pricing power and cost control at production level
Watchpoints
  • Debt/Equity of 5.00 is alarmingly high, increasing refinancing and interest rate risk
  • Current and Quick Ratios of 0.77 and 0.37 signal potential liquidity stress
Dividend
78/100

KMB’s dividend is a key investor draw, offering yield well above peers like CL (~2.4%) and PM (~5.5%), but the high payout ratio and weak earnings growth create sustainability risks in a prolonged downturn.

Positives
  • Dividend yield of 4.85% is highly attractive, nearly double the sector average implied yield (~2.4%)
  • Payout ratio of 84.60% is manageable given stable free cash flow profile historically
Watchpoints
  • Payout ratio near 85% leaves little room for error if earnings decline further
  • No data on dividend growth streak or consistency, raising policy transparency concerns

Stock Price & Analyst Targets

Real-time price movements and analyst price targets

Current Price
$104.02
Analyst Target
$128.62
Upside/Downside
+23.7%

Multi-Horizon Performance vs Peers

Price momentum across 5Y → 1W horizons for KMB and closest competitors.

Updated 2025-11-14
KMB
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Primary
5Y
-12.5%
3Y
-9.4%
1Y
-18.0%
6M
-23.8%
1M
-13.3%
1W
+0.2%
KDP
Keurig Dr Pepper Inc.
Peer
5Y
-16.5%
3Y
-18.2%
1Y
-22.7%
6M
-1.4%
1M
+0.8%
1W
+2.1%
HSY
The Hershey Company
Peer
5Y
+29.8%
3Y
-10.8%
1Y
+3.5%
6M
+13.9%
1M
-6.5%
1W
+5.0%
ADM
Archer-Daniels-Midland Company
Peer
5Y
+46.2%
3Y
-13.3%
1Y
+38.5%
6M
+24.1%
1M
+16.8%
1W
+3.6%
FMX
Fomento Económico Mexicano, S.A.B. de C.V.
Peer
5Y
+64.0%
3Y
+33.8%
1Y
+11.3%
6M
+21.0%
1M
+6.5%
1W
-1.9%

Positive values indicate cumulative gains over the specified period. Comparables pulled from the same sector to highlight whether momentum is stock-specific or industry-wide.

Historical Performance Trends

Long-term financial metrics and growth patterns

Revenue & Net Income

Profit & Operating Margins

Return on Equity (ROE)

Quarterly Revenue Growth

Historical data shows last 12 quarters (3 years)

Valuation Metrics

Key valuation ratios and pricing indicators

P/E Ratio
17.6
Forward P/E
13.63
PEG Ratio
N/A
P/B Ratio
25.91
P/S Ratio
1.76
EV/Revenue
2.1
EV/EBITDA
10.58
Market Cap
$34.66B

Profitability

Profit margins and return metrics

Profit Margin 9.98%
Operating Margin 16.7%
Gross Margin 35.65%
ROE 136.88%
ROA 11.33%

Growth

Revenue and earnings growth rates

Revenue Growth +0.1%
Earnings Growth -50.2%
Q/Q Revenue Growth N/A
Q/Q Earnings Growth -50.8%

Financial Health

Balance sheet strength and liquidity metrics

Debt/Equity
5.0
High debt
Current Ratio
0.77
Weak
Quick Ratio
0.37
Poor
Cash/Share
$1.86

Quarterly Earnings History

EPS performance vs analyst estimates

2026-01-27
$N/A
2025-10-30
$1.82
+3.9% surprise
2025-08-01
$1.63
-1.5% surprise
2025-04-22
$1.93
+2.0% surprise

Consumer Defensive Sector Comparison

Comparing KMB against 170 companies in the Consumer Defensive sector (9 bullish, 60 neutral, 101 bearish)
P/E Ratio
17.6
This Stock
vs
37.45
Sector Avg
-53.0% (Discount)
Return on Equity (ROE)
136.88%
This Stock
vs
-13.91%
Sector Avg
-1083.7% (Below Avg)
Profit Margin
9.98%
This Stock
vs
-7.77%
Sector Avg
-228.5% (Weaker)
Debt to Equity
5.0
This Stock
vs
1.89
Sector Avg
+165.2% (Higher)
Revenue Growth
0.1%
This Stock
vs
111.74%
Sector Avg
-99.9% (Slower)
Current Ratio
0.77
This Stock
vs
2.29
Sector Avg
-66.3% (Weaker)

Similar Companies

Peer comparison within the same industry

Recent Insider Trading

Insider buy and sell transactions from the last 6 months

FENSKE TAMERA
Officer
Stock Award
2025-10-31
4,483 shares
FENSKE TAMERA
Officer
Stock Award
2025-10-31
20,176 shares
HICKS ZACKERY ALLEN
Chief Technology Officer
Sell
2025-08-04
15,038 shares · $2,006,117
SLAVTCHEFF CRAIG
Officer
Stock Award
2025-07-31
5,036 shares
CORSI PATRICIA
Officer
Stock Award
2025-07-31
921 shares
HICKS ZACKERY ALLEN
Chief Technology Officer
Stock Award
2025-07-29
5,361 shares
HICKS ZACKERY ALLEN
Chief Technology Officer
Stock Award
2025-07-29
38,098 shares
Insider transactions can signal confidence or concerns about company prospects

Wall Street Analysts

Professional analyst ratings and price targets

Consensus
HOLD
16 analysts
Argus Research
2025-11-13
up
Hold Buy
TD Cowen
2025-11-04
Maintains
Hold Hold
Morgan Stanley
2025-11-04
Maintains
Equal-Weight Equal-Weight
Wells Fargo
2025-11-04
Maintains
Equal-Weight Equal-Weight
Evercore ISI Group
2025-11-04
down
Outperform In-Line
JP Morgan
2025-10-31
Maintains
Neutral Neutral
TD Cowen
2025-10-31
Maintains
Hold Hold
UBS
2025-10-31
Maintains
Neutral Neutral
JP Morgan
2025-10-10
Maintains
Neutral Neutral
Citigroup
2025-10-09
Maintains
Sell Sell

Past News Coverage

Recent headlines mentioning KMB from our newsroom.

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