Kimberly-Clark (K-C) has reported net sales up 2.7% to $4.2bn in the first quarter of 2026, a result of resilient consumer demand for its brands and the introduction of new products.
Gross margin was 36.8% compared to 37.2% in the first quarter of 2025, while operating profit was $753m compared to $631m year-on-year.
K-C Chairman and Chief Executive Mike Hsu said: “Our first quarter results highlight the strength and resilience of the growth engine we’ve built through Powering Care.
“We continued to deliver solid volume-plus-mix performance while building share momentum despite continued geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty.
“We accomplished this by driving consumer-inspired innovation, growing brand love, and executing exceptionally well as a team.”
He said the business had also generated cost savings that reinforce its financial foundation and enabled it to invest in the future.
Hsu added: “With our core business gaining momentum and one of the strongest innovation and commercial activation lineups in our history set to launch in the second quarter, we’re preparing to unlock the unique, generational value creation opportunity ahead with the acquisition of Kenvue.
“We’re excited to accelerate into our next chapter and build a company unlike any other in our industry today.”
