Huggies Maker Kimberly-Clark Sticks To 2026 Profit Outlook

Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NASDAQ:KMB) stock jumped Thursday after the consumer products maker reported preliminary third-quarter results and reaffirmed its full-year 2026 outlook.The maker of Huggies diapers and Kleenex tissues reported higher adjusted earnings from continuing operations despite weaker sales.Kimberly-Clark Reports Higher Adjusted Earnings Despite Sales DeclineThe company estimated third-quarter net sales of $4.134 billion, down 0.4% from $4.150 billion a year earlier.Organic sales fell 1.3%, reversing the 2.5% growth recorded in the prior-year quarter.Adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations rose to $1.70 from $1.45, an increase of about 17%.However, adjusted earnings per share attributable to Kimberly-Clark declined to $1.70 from $1.82.Operating profit fell to $516 million from $621 million. Adjusted operating profit edged down to $677 million from $683 million.Meanwhile, diluted earnings per share attributable to Kimberly-Clark surged to $5.37 from $1.34. The increase largely reflected a one-time gain associated with the company’s International Family Care and Professional business transaction.Cash and cash equivalents increased to $1.874 billion from $617 million a year earlier.The preliminary results remain subject to final accounting adjustments.Kimberly-Clark Maintains 2026 Earnings OutlookOn Thursday, Kimberly-Clark reaffirmed its full-year outlook despite continued pressure on organic sales.The company expects organic sales growth to trail its weighted average category growth by approximately 100 basis points.Management attributed the gap primarily to disruptions linked to social media activity in China. The company estimates these disruptions could reduce overall growth by approximately one percentage point.the company said its weighted average category growth currently stands at approximately 1.7% on a trailing 12-month basis.However, the company continues to expect adjusted operating profit to grow at a mid-single-digit rate on a constant-currency basis.It also forecasts high-single-digit growth in adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations.Meanwhile, adjusted earnings per share attributable to Kimberly-Clark are expected to decline at a low-single-digit rate.The outlook excludes the potential impact of acquisitions, including the company’s pending acquisition of Kenvue Inc. (NYSE:KVUE).Final Earnings Report Due November 5Kimberly-Clark will release its final third-quarter results on Nov. 5, followed by a management discussion with analysts.The company cautioned that its preliminary estimates could change as it completes its quarterly financial review.KMB Price Action: Kimberly-Clark shares were up 4.69% at $104.07 at the time of publication on Thursday, according to Benzinga Pro data.Photo via Shutterstock Read Also: Kimberly-Clark May Sell Assets to Save Its $40 Billion Kenvue Deal: Report