Kimberly-Clark holds 2026 outlook, cites China disruption impact

Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NASDAQ: KMB) released preliminary financial data for the third quarter ended September 30, 2026, and confirmed its full-year 2026 outlook remains consistent with previous expectations.

The company said 2026 organic sales growth is expected to come in approximately 100 basis points below its weighted average category growth in the markets where it competes. Kimberly-Clark attributed this shortfall primarily to previously disclosed social media disruptions in China, which it estimates have had an unfavorable impact of approximately 100 basis points at the total company level. The company noted its weighted average category growth is approximately 1.7 percent on a trailing 12-month basis.

Kimberly-Clark also maintained the following full-year 2026 targets on a constant-currency basis: adjusted operating profit growth in the mid-single digits, adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations growth in the high single digits, and adjusted earnings per share attributable to Kimberly-Clark reflecting a low single-digit decline.

The outlook excludes the potential impact of any acquisitions, including the company's previously announced pending acquisition of Kenvue Inc., as well as any divestitures or other items not yet identified and quantified.

Final third-quarter and nine-month results are scheduled to be released on November 5, 2026, with a press release and supplemental materials expected at approximately 6:30 a.m. EST. Company management will host a live analyst Q&A session beginning at 8:00 a.m. EST on the same day.

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