Kimberly-Clark (KMB) Stock Analysis
This is a peer-relative look at Kimberly-Clark (KMB): its performance, risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividend, and valuation are each measured against its Household & Personal Products peers, so every number reads in context rather than in isolation.
Company Profile
| Profile Item | KMB |
|---|---|
| Name | Kimberly-Clark Corporation |
| Country/Region | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Staples |
| GICS Industry Group | Household & Personal Products |
| GICS Industry | Household Products |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Household Products |
| Market Capitalization | 34.91 billion USD |
| Currency | USD |
| Exchange | Nasdaq |
| Listing Date | March 17, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: KMB | Industry group median |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | -13.74% | -0.50% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | -2.02% | -2.02% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | -1.79% | 0.52% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: KMB | Industry group median |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 27.40% | 32.34% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.25 | 0.62 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -34.06% | -46.11% |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: KMB | Industry group median |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | -0.65 | -0.20 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | -0.82 | -0.30 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Kimberly-Clark (KMB) posts ROE of 104.91%, above the industry benchmark range. Equity is being turned into profit at an exceptional rate, but very high ROE should still be checked against leverage, buybacks, and the size of the equity base.
KMB
Household & Personal Products industry group
104.91%
Group distribution
- KMB
- 104.91%
- Max
- 42.18%
- Q3
- 31.08%
- Median
- 15.58%
- Q1
- 4.60%
- Min
- -28.58%
Largest peers
- CL
- 267.37%
- KMB
- 104.91%
- UL
- 31.87%
- PG
- 30.29%
- KVUE
- 15.58%
- HLN
- 10.09%
- EL
- 4.75%
Net Margin (TTM)
Kimberly-Clark (KMB) keeps 11.79% of revenue as net profit, putting net margin in the upper peer quartile. After operating costs, interest, and taxes, more of each sales dollar reaches shareholders than it does at most industry peers.
KMB
Household & Personal Products industry group
11.79%
Group distribution
- Max
- 18.44%
- KMB
- 11.79%
- Q3
- 11.35%
- Median
- 7.28%
- Q1
- 2.73%
- Min
- -4.15%
Largest peers
- PG
- 18.44%
- UL
- 18.32%
- HLN
- 14.55%
- KMB
- 11.79%
- KVUE
- 10.76%
- CL
- 9.68%
- EL
- 1.21%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Kimberly-Clark (KMB) turns 19.00% of revenue into operating profit, roughly in line with the peer group’s normal operating margin range. Its core cost structure looks typical for the industry.
KMB
Household & Personal Products industry group
19.00%
Group distribution
- Max
- 23.94%
- KMB
- 19.00%
- Q3
- 19.00%
- Median
- 14.26%
- Q1
- 9.75%
- Min
- -2.44%
Largest peers
- HLN
- 23.94%
- PG
- 22.09%
- CL
- 20.97%
- UL
- 20.35%
- KVUE
- 19.42%
- KMB
- 19.00%
- EL
- 7.00%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: KMB | Industry group median |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 104.91% | 15.58% |
| ROA (TTM) | 10.20% | 6.98% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 11.79% | 7.28% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 19.00% | 14.26% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 37.61% | 45.56% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Kimberly-Clark (KMB) grew revenue -2.13%, roughly around the peer group's normal range. Top-line momentum looks broadly typical for the industry.
EPS Growth
Kimberly-Clark (KMB) grew earnings per share -19.60%, in the lower peer quartile. Per-share profits are advancing more slowly than at most peers, so margins, costs, or share count deserve a closer look.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: KMB | Industry group median |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | -2.13% | -0.32% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | -6.58% | 0.66% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | -19.60% | 2.34% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | 1.94% | 7.28% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Kimberly-Clark (KMB) has current ratio of 0.91, in the tighter-liquidity quartile for its industry. The short-term cushion is thinner than most peers carry, even if the absolute comfort level still depends on the business model.
KMB
Household & Personal Products industry group
0.91
Group distribution
- Max
- 4.06
- Q3
- 3.07
- Median
- 1.80
- Q1
- 1.01
- KMB
- 0.91
- Min
- 0.66
Largest peers
- EL
- 1.22
- CL
- 1.03
- KVUE
- 1.01
- KMB
- 0.91
- UL
- 0.74
- HLN
- 0.69
- PG
- 0.68
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Kimberly-Clark (KMB) has debt-to-equity ratio of 3.49, in the higher-leverage quartile for its industry. The heavier reliance on borrowing can make earnings, rates, or refinancing conditions matter more.
KMB
Household & Personal Products industry group
3.49
Group distribution
- KMB
- 3.49
- Max
- 3.49
- Q3
- 1.90
- Median
- 0.81
- Q1
- 0.47
- Min
- 0.06
Largest peers
- CL
- 13.88
- KMB
- 3.49
- EL
- 2.43
- UL
- 1.75
- KVUE
- 0.82
- PG
- 0.64
- HLN
- 0.50
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: KMB | Industry group median |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.91 | 1.80 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 3.49 | 0.81 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 1.60 | 2.22 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Kimberly-Clark (KMB) has dividend yield of 4.76%, in the upper peer-yield quartile while still inside the industry range. The dividend offers more cash income per dollar of share price than most peers, though payout coverage still matters.
KMB
Household & Personal Products industry group
4.76%
Group distribution
- Max
- 5.81%
- KMB
- 4.76%
- Q3
- 2.90%
- Median
- 1.39%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Largest peers
- KMB
- 4.76%
- KVUE
- 4.38%
- UL
- 2.94%
- PG
- 2.90%
- CL
- 2.32%
- EL
- 1.39%
- HLN
- 0.74%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Kimberly-Clark (KMB) has payout ratio of 100.40%, meaning dividends exceeded current-period earnings. The gap would need to be covered by cash, retained earnings, financing, or other sources, so earnings alone do not support the payout.
KMB
Household & Personal Products industry group
100.40%
Group distribution
- Max
- 103.12%
- KMB
- 100.40%
- Q3
- 82.28%
- Median
- 56.44%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Largest peers
- EL
- 280.00%
- KMB
- 100.40%
- KVUE
- 97.65%
- CL
- 82.28%
- UL
- 76.51%
- PG
- 64.33%
- HLN
- 39.53%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: KMB | Industry group median |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 4.76% | 1.39% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 100.40% | 56.44% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Kimberly-Clark (KMB) trades at P/E ratio of 20.74, near the industry’s usual earnings multiple. The stock is not showing a clear peer discount or premium on trailing earnings.
KMB
Household & Personal Products industry group
20.74
Group distribution
- Max
- 34.95
- Q3
- 27.48
- Median
- 21.76
- KMB
- 20.74
- Q1
- 17.41
- Min
- 7.32
Largest peers
- EL
- 207.72
- CL
- 34.95
- PG
- 22.12
- KVUE
- 22.05
- UL
- 21.76
- KMB
- 20.74
- HLN
- 19.59
P/S Ratio (TTM)
Kimberly-Clark (KMB) trades at 2.10 on P/S ratio, roughly in the peer group’s normal range. The market is not making a strong cheap-or-rich statement about its revenue base.
KMB
Household & Personal Products industry group
2.10
Group distribution
- Max
- 4.73
- Q3
- 3.36
- KMB
- 2.10
- Median
- 2.10
- Q1
- 0.73
- Min
- 0.25
Largest peers
- PG
- 3.91
- HLN
- 3.79
- CL
- 3.36
- UL
- 2.73
- EL
- 2.50
- KVUE
- 2.34
- KMB
- 2.10
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
Kimberly-Clark (KMB) trades at 19.95 on P/B ratio, in the higher book-value quartile. The market is paying a premium to book, so stronger ROE, cleaner assets, or a better growth profile need to justify it.
KMB
Household & Personal Products industry group
19.95
Group distribution
- KMB
- 19.95
- Max
- 19.95
- Q3
- 9.87
- Median
- 4.29
- Q1
- 1.49
- Min
- -2.73
Largest peers
- CL
- 299.90
- KMB
- 19.95
- EL
- 9.87
- UL
- 7.33
- PG
- 6.38
- KVUE
- 3.41
- HLN
- 1.93
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: KMB | Industry group median |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 20.74 | 21.76 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 2.10 | 2.10 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 19.95 | 4.29 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 2.70% | 4.89% |