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Why Is Kimberly-Clark (KMB) Down 2.1% Since Last Earnings Report?
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A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Kimberly-Clark (KMB - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 2.1% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Kimberly-Clark due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts.
Kimberly-Clark's Q1 Earnings Top Estimates, Sales up
Kimberly-Clark Corporation reported first-quarter 2020 results, with the bottom line improving year over year. Earnings also surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate, marking its fifth consecutive beat. Moreover, the top line increased year over year and beat the consensus mark. The quarterly performance reflected sales growth across all segments, savings from restructuring plans and increased business investments.
However, given the current situation related to the coronavirus outbreak and its unpredictable impact on economic activities as well as consumer and end-market demand worldwide, Kimberly-Clark is withdrawing its full-year 2020 guidance that was issued on Jan 23. Further, management is temporarily suspending its share buyback plans effective Apr 24.
Apart from these, management expects that certain restructuring activity and the related charges as a part of its 2018 Global Restructuring Program will extend into 2021 due to the pandemic. Earlier, the company had anticipated these activities to be completed by the end of 2020.
Quarter in Detail
Adjusted earnings came in at $2.13 per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.01 and increased 28% from the year-ago quarter’s figure.
Kimberly-Clark’s sales came in at $5,009 million, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4,894 million. The top line increased 8% year over year. Unfavorable currency movements put pressure on sales by 2%. Also, business exits pertaining to the 2018 Global Restructuring Program had a slight impact on sales.
Organic sales rose 11% year over year, owing to more than 8% rise in volumes due to consumer stockpiling amid coronavirus outbreak. Also, both net selling prices and product mix inched up 1% each.
In North America, organic sales in consumer products and K-C Professional increased 11% and 6%, respectively. Internationally, organic sales increased 9% across developing and emerging markets, while it grew 15% in developed markets.
Adjusted operating profit came in at $997 million, up from $807 million in the year-ago quarter. Results gained from higher organic sales and cost savings of $100 million and $25 million from the FORCE (Focused On Reducing Costs Everywhere) program and the 2018 Global Restructuring Program, respectively. Further, lower input costs stemming from a decline in pulp costs benefited results. However, unfavorable currency translations, increased advertising expenses and a rise in selling, general and administrative costs negatively impacted adjusted operating profit.
Segment Details
Personal Care Products: Sales of $2,422 million rose 6% year over year, owing to improved net selling prices (up 1%), product mix (up 2%) and volumes (up roughly 7%). This was offset by unfavorable currency rates, which hurt sales by 3%. Further, sales increased 10% in North America as well as 3% in developing and emerging markets. The metric also grew 5% across developed markets outside North America.
Consumer Tissue: Segment sales of $1,723 million rose 13% year over year. Results gained from improved net selling prices (up 1%) and volumes (up 14%). Adverse currency movements hurt sales by 2%. Sales grew 12% in North America and 10% in developing and emerging markets. The metric increased 17% in developed markets outside North America.
K-C Professional (KCP): Segment sales increased 4% to $848 million owing to improved net selling prices (up 2%), product mix (up 1%) and volumes (up 4%). This was offset by 1% adverse impact from several business exits as part of the 2018 Global Restructuring Plan. Also, currency woes hurt sales by 2%. Sales rose 5% in North America and 2% in developing and emerging markets. The metric increased 5% in developed markets outside North America.
Other Financial Updates
The company ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $979 million, long-term debt of $7,210 million and stockholders’ equity of $46 million.
Further, Kimberly-Clark generated cash from operating activities of $704 million during the quarter under review. Management incurred capital expenditures of $352 million.
During the quarter, Kimberly-Clark bought back 1.6 million shares for $224 million.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimates.
VGM Scores
Currently, Kimberly-Clark has a great Growth Score of A, a grade with the same score on the momentum front. However, the stock was allocated a grade of C on the value side, putting it in the middle 20% for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of A. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Outlook
Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions has been net zero. Notably, Kimberly-Clark has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). We expect an above average return from the stock in the next few months.
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Why Is Kimberly-Clark (KMB) Down 2.1% Since Last Earnings Report?
A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Kimberly-Clark (KMB - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 2.1% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Kimberly-Clark due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts.
Kimberly-Clark's Q1 Earnings Top Estimates, Sales up
Kimberly-Clark Corporation reported first-quarter 2020 results, with the bottom line improving year over year. Earnings also surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate, marking its fifth consecutive beat. Moreover, the top line increased year over year and beat the consensus mark. The quarterly performance reflected sales growth across all segments, savings from restructuring plans and increased business investments.
However, given the current situation related to the coronavirus outbreak and its unpredictable impact on economic activities as well as consumer and end-market demand worldwide, Kimberly-Clark is withdrawing its full-year 2020 guidance that was issued on Jan 23. Further, management is temporarily suspending its share buyback plans effective Apr 24.
Apart from these, management expects that certain restructuring activity and the related charges as a part of its 2018 Global Restructuring Program will extend into 2021 due to the pandemic. Earlier, the company had anticipated these activities to be completed by the end of 2020.
Quarter in Detail
Adjusted earnings came in at $2.13 per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.01 and increased 28% from the year-ago quarter’s figure.
Kimberly-Clark’s sales came in at $5,009 million, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4,894 million. The top line increased 8% year over year. Unfavorable currency movements put pressure on sales by 2%. Also, business exits pertaining to the 2018 Global Restructuring Program had a slight impact on sales.
Organic sales rose 11% year over year, owing to more than 8% rise in volumes due to consumer stockpiling amid coronavirus outbreak. Also, both net selling prices and product mix inched up 1% each.
In North America, organic sales in consumer products and K-C Professional increased 11% and 6%, respectively. Internationally, organic sales increased 9% across developing and emerging markets, while it grew 15% in developed markets.
Adjusted operating profit came in at $997 million, up from $807 million in the year-ago quarter. Results gained from higher organic sales and cost savings of $100 million and $25 million from the FORCE (Focused On Reducing Costs Everywhere) program and the 2018 Global Restructuring Program, respectively. Further, lower input costs stemming from a decline in pulp costs benefited results. However, unfavorable currency translations, increased advertising expenses and a rise in selling, general and administrative costs negatively impacted adjusted operating profit.
Segment Details
Personal Care Products: Sales of $2,422 million rose 6% year over year, owing to improved net selling prices (up 1%), product mix (up 2%) and volumes (up roughly 7%). This was offset by unfavorable currency rates, which hurt sales by 3%. Further, sales increased 10% in North America as well as 3% in developing and emerging markets. The metric also grew 5% across developed markets outside North America.
Consumer Tissue: Segment sales of $1,723 million rose 13% year over year. Results gained from improved net selling prices (up 1%) and volumes (up 14%). Adverse currency movements hurt sales by 2%. Sales grew 12% in North America and 10% in developing and emerging markets. The metric increased 17% in developed markets outside North America.
K-C Professional (KCP): Segment sales increased 4% to $848 million owing to improved net selling prices (up 2%), product mix (up 1%) and volumes (up 4%). This was offset by 1% adverse impact from several business exits as part of the 2018 Global Restructuring Plan. Also, currency woes hurt sales by 2%. Sales rose 5% in North America and 2% in developing and emerging markets. The metric increased 5% in developed markets outside North America.
Other Financial Updates
The company ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $979 million, long-term debt of $7,210 million and stockholders’ equity of $46 million.
Further, Kimberly-Clark generated cash from operating activities of $704 million during the quarter under review. Management incurred capital expenditures of $352 million.
During the quarter, Kimberly-Clark bought back 1.6 million shares for $224 million.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimates.
VGM Scores
Currently, Kimberly-Clark has a great Growth Score of A, a grade with the same score on the momentum front. However, the stock was allocated a grade of C on the value side, putting it in the middle 20% for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of A. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Outlook
Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions has been net zero. Notably, Kimberly-Clark has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). We expect an above average return from the stock in the next few months.