Upside case
Bull case
$127+30.4%
KMB would need investors to value it at roughly 17x earnings — about 4x more generous than today's 13x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
Analysis OverviewHoldUpdated May 1, 2026
Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB) Stock Analysis
Wall Street verdict, consensus price target, and analyst rating breakdown — everything needed to frame the risk/reward at today's price.
Analyst consensus
Hold
Covering
31
analysts
10 bullish · 3 bearish · 31 covering KMB
Strong Buy
0
Buy
10
Hold
18
Sell
3
Strong Sell
0
Consensus Target
$110
+13.2% vs today
Scenario Range
$61 – $127
Model bear to bull value window
Coverage
31
Published analyst ratings
Valuation Context
12.9x
Forward P/E · Market cap $32.3B
KMB price targets
Three scenarios for where KMB stock could go
Current
~$97
Confidence
59 / 100
Updated
May 1, 2026
Where we are now
Current · $97
Bear
$61
Base
$94
Bull
$127
Market caseClosest to today
Base case
$94-3.7%
This is close to how the market is already pricing KMB — at roughly 12x forward earnings. No dramatic re-rating needed, just steady execution on the core business.
Stress case
Bear case
$61-37.2%
If investor confidence fades or macro conditions deteriorate, a 5x multiple contraction could push KMB down roughly 37% from where it trades now.
Not financial advice. Model confidence reflects internal scenario assumptions, not a guarantee of returns. Past performance does not predict future results.
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
KMB · NASDAQConsumer DefensiveHousehold & Personal ProductsDecember year-end
Kimberly-Clark is a global manufacturer of personal care and consumer tissue products sold under well-known brands like Huggies, Kleenex, and Scott. It generates revenue primarily through three segments: Personal Care (~50% of sales), Consumer Tissue (~35%), and K-C Professional (~15%), selling to retailers, distributors, and commercial customers. The company's competitive advantage lies in its powerful portfolio of essential household brands with strong consumer loyalty and extensive global distribution networks.
Market Cap
$32.3B
Revenue TTM
$16.5B
Net Income TTM
$2.1B
Net Margin
12.8%
KMB Revenue and Earnings Performance
Quarterly beat-or-miss track record against analyst estimates, plus forward revenue and EPS outlook for the next two fiscal years.
EPS Beat Rate
83%Exceptional
12 quarters tracked
Revenue Beat Rate
33%Exceptional
vs consensus estimates
Avg EPS Surprise
+7.5%
above Street consensus
Beat / Miss Record
BeatMissLeft = EPS · Right = Revenue
Q3 2025
Q4 2025
Q1 2026
Q2 2026
Last 4 Quarters
EPS beats: 4 of 4Q3 2025
EPS
$1.92/$1.67
Revenue
$4.2B/$4.8B
Q4 2025
EPS
$1.82/$1.75
Revenue
$4.1B/$4.1B
Q1 2026
EPS
$1.86/$1.81
Revenue
$4.1B/$4.1B
Q2 2026
EPS
$1.97/$1.93
Revenue
$4.2B/$4.1B
| Quarter | EPS (Actual / Est) | EPS Surprise | Revenue (Actual / Est) | Rev Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 2025 | $1.92/$1.67 | +15.0% | $4.2B/$4.8B | -14.1% |
| Q4 2025 | $1.82/$1.75 | +4.0% | $4.1B/$4.1B | +0.9% |
| Q1 2026 | $1.86/$1.81 | +2.8% | $4.1B/$4.1B | -0.3% |
| Q2 2026 | $1.97/$1.93 | +2.1% | $4.2B/$4.1B | +1.9% |
FY1–FY2 Estimates
Revenue Outlook
FY1
$15.6B
-5.6% YoY
FY2
$14.4B
-8.1% YoY
EPS Outlook
FY1
$6.28
-1.3% YoY
FY2
$5.85
-6.9% YoY
Trailing FCF (TTM)$2.6B
FCF Margin: 15.6%
Next Earnings
—
Expected EPS
—
Expected Revenue
—
KMB beat EPS estimates in 4 of 4 tracked quarters. A perfect track record raises the bar for the upcoming report.
KMB Revenue Breakdown by Segment
Product and geographic revenue mix from the latest annual disclosure, with year-over-year growth by segment.
Latest disclosure
FY 2025
Total disclosed revenue $16.3B
Product Mix
Latest annual revenue by segment or product family
Diapers
41.5%
YoY unavailable
Tap, hover, or focus a slice to inspect segment detail.
Geographic Mix
Latest annual revenue by reported region
UNITED STATES
100.0%
YoY unavailable
Tap, hover, or focus a slice to inspect segment detail.
Diapers is the largest disclosed segment at 41.5% of FY 2025 revenue, with no year-over-year comparison yet.
UNITED STATES is the largest reported region at 100.0%, with no year-over-year comparison yet.
KMB Valuation Snapshot
Current multiples compared to the S&P 500, the company's sector, and its own five-year average.
Relative Value Signal
Fairly Valued
Fair value est. $98 — implies +0.1% from today's price.
Upside to Fair Value
0.1%
potential upside
Deep DiscountFair ValueVery Expensive
vs S&P 500 Trailing P/E
KMB
16.0x
vs
S&P 500
25.1x
36% discount
vs Consumer Defensive Trailing P/E
KMB
16.0x
vs
Consumer Defensive
19.1x
16% discount
vs KMB 5Y Avg P/E
Today
16.0x
vs
5Y Average
21.5x
26% discount
Forward PE
12.9x
S&P 500
19.1x
-32%
Consumer Defensive
15.0x
-14%
5Y Avg
—
—
Trailing PE
16.0x
S&P 500
25.1x
-36%
Consumer Defensive
19.1x
-16%
5Y Avg
21.5x
-26%
PEG Ratio
—
S&P 500
1.72x
—
Consumer Defensive
1.87x
—
5Y Avg
—
—
EV/EBITDA
12.5x
S&P 500
15.2x
-18%
Consumer Defensive
11.5x
+9%
5Y Avg
14.8x
-16%
Price/FCF
19.7x
S&P 500
21.1x
-7%
Consumer Defensive
14.9x
+32%
5Y Avg
21.1x
-7%
Price/Sales
1.9x
S&P 500
3.1x
-40%
Consumer Defensive
0.8x
+127%
5Y Avg
2.2x
-14%
Dividend Yield
5.13%
S&P 500
1.87%
+174%
Consumer Defensive
2.79%
+84%
5Y Avg
3.80%
+35%
| Metric | KMB | S&P 500 | Consumer Defensive | 5Y Avg KMB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward PE | 12.9x | 19.1x-32% | 15.0x-14% | — |
| Trailing PE | 16.0x | 25.1x-36% | 19.1x-16% | 21.5x-26% |
| PEG Ratio | — | 1.72x | 1.87x | — |
| EV/EBITDA | 12.5x | 15.2x-18% | 11.5x | 14.8x-16% |
| Price/FCF | 19.7x | 21.1x | 14.9x+32% | 21.1x |
| Price/Sales | 1.9x | 3.1x-40% | 0.8x+127% | 2.2x-14% |
| Dividend Yield | 5.13% | 1.87% | 2.79% | 3.80% |
KMB trades above S&P 500 benchmarks on 0 of 5 measured multiples — appears modestly priced relative to the S&P 500 on most measures.
Forward P/E and PEG reflect analyst consensus estimates. Historical averages use trailing ratios where forward data is unavailable.S&P 500 and sector benchmarks both use trailing median P/E — similar readings indicate the broader index and sector are priced alike.
Open valuation toolKMB Financial Health
Verdict
Exceptional
KMB generates $2.6B in free cash flow at a 15.6% margin — 23.3% ROIC signals a durable competitive advantage · returns 5.6% of market cap to shareholders annually.
Cash Engine
Revenue, margins, and cash generation
Revenue (TTM)
Trailing-twelve-month sales base
$16.5B
Revenue Growth
TTM vs prior year
-8.8%
Gross Margin
Gross profit as a share of revenue
35.9%
Operating Margin
Operating income divided by revenue
13.3%
Net Margin
Net income divided by revenue
12.8%
EPS (TTM)
Diluted earnings per share, trailing twelve months
$6.36
Free Cash Flow (TTM)
Cash generation after capex
$2.6B
FCF Margin
FCF as share of revenue — the primary cash quality signal
15.6%
Capital Quality
ROIC, leverage, and debt serviceability
ROIC
Return on invested capital — primary competitive quality signal
23.3%
ROA
Return on assets, trailing twelve months
12.5%
Cash & Equivalents
Liquid assets on the balance sheet
$688M
Net Debt
Total debt minus cash
$6.5B
Debt Serviceability
Net debt as a multiple of annual free cash flow
2.5× FCF
~2.5 years to full repayment at current FCF run-rate
ROE *
Return on equity, trailing twelve months
131.7%
* Elevated by buyback-compressed equity — compare ROIC (23.3%) for an undistorted picture of capital efficiency.
Shareholder Returns
How capital is returned to owners
Total shareholder yield
5.6%
Dividend
5.1%
Buyback
0.4%
Share Repurchases
Trailing buyback outflow — dollar magnitude of capital returned
$141M
Dividend / Share
Annualized trailing dividend per share
$4.98
Payout Ratio
Share of earnings distributed as dividends
82.1%
Shares Outstanding
Declining as buybacks retire shares
332M
All figures from the trailing twelve months. ROIC uses invested capital (equity + net debt). ROE marked * where buyback-compressed equity base may inflate the figure.
Open full ratios pageKMB Stock Risk Factors
Key factors that could pressure the stock price, compress the multiple, or weigh on future results.
AI analysis · updated April 11, 2026
High Risk
Raw Material Costs & Availability
Significant increases in pulp, petroleum-based materials, energy, and transportation costs can erode margins. Supplier constraints and consolidation may limit supply sources, potentially disrupting production and sales.
High Risk
Foreign Market Risks
International operations expose KMB to currency fluctuations, political, social, and economic instability. Changes in exchange rates or regulatory restrictions can increase costs and reduce revenue.
Medium
Debt & Financing
KMB’s net debt to EBITDA ratio indicates moderate debt usage, but significant liabilities remain. Interest coverage is strong, yet refinancing risk or rising rates could pressure cash flow.
Medium
Competitive Pressures
Intense competition may force price reductions, impacting gross margins. Market share erosion against private-label and lower-cost competitors could reduce earnings.
Medium
Reputational Damage
Negative publicity or product recalls could erode consumer trust in flagship brands like Huggies and Kleenex. Brand damage may lead to declining sales and higher marketing spend.
Lower
Climate Change Risk
Climate-related events could disrupt supply chains or increase regulatory costs. The company’s ERM program addresses these risks, but impacts remain uncertain.
These are risk mechanisms, not predictions. The key question is which would force a cut to earnings estimates or a lower multiple than the market currently prices in.
Why KMB Stock Could Outperform
Structural drivers behind the upside case and why the stock could outperform over the next 12 months.
AI analysis · updated April 11, 2026
Undervalued with 40‑50% Upside
At current prices, KMB trades below its intrinsic value, offering a 40‑50% upside over the next one to two years as valuation normalizes. This rare entry point is supported by long‑term trend and business quality.
Defensive Consumer Staples Resilience
Kimberly‑Clark operates in the consumer staples sector, less sensitive to economic downturns. Products such as Huggies, Kleenex, and Depend maintain consistent demand across cycles.
Kenvue Acquisition Drives Growth
The acquisition of Kenvue creates a “monster” with over $32 billion in annual revenue. Expected cost synergies and margin improvement are viewed as permanent, despite initial market concerns over debt and dilution.
Operational Efficiency & Productivity Gains
Focused productivity and supply‑chain initiatives have delivered record gains, generating significant cost savings and margin expansion. Management plans to reinvest these efficiencies to expand the global footprint.
International Market Share Expansion
KMB is gaining outsized market share in high‑margin international markets, notably China for diapers and Indonesia for femcare products. The company is also recognized as a growth leader in the U.S. CPG market.
Strong Free Cash Flow & Dividend Growth
The firm generates roughly $1.6 billion in free cash flow annually and has increased its dividend for over 50 consecutive years, underscoring financial robustness.
A real bull case compounds — each driver matters most when it strengthens margins, supports capital returns, and keeps the company above the market's minimum growth bar simultaneously.
KMB Stock Price Performance
52-week range context and price returns across multiple time horizons. Dividend contribution is shown separately in the Capital Return section.
Current Price
$97.20
52W Range Position
9%
52-Week Range
Current price plotted between the 52-week low and high.
52-Week Low
$92.42
+5.2% from the low
52-Week High
$144.31
-32.6% from the high
1 Month
+0.21%
3 Month
-6.77%
YTD
-4.1%
1 Year
-25.7%
3Y CAGR
-12.5%
5Y CAGR
-6.4%
10Y CAGR
-2.7%
Range context matters because valuation compression and earnings misses rarely hit from the same starting point. A stock already far below its high can still fall, but it is no longer carrying the same embedded optimism as one pressing a fresh peak.
KMB vs Peers
Valuation, growth, and margin comparison against the closest publicly traded peers for this company.
Peer Set
Accurate peer set
Forward PE
12.9x
vs 14.7x median
-12% below peer median
Revenue Growth
-5.6%
vs +0.9% median
-728% below peer median
Net Margin
12.8%
vs 11.2% median
+15% above peer median
| Company | Mkt Cap | Fwd PE | Rev Grw | Margin | Rating | Upside |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KMB KMB Kimberly-Clark Corporation | $32.3B | 12.9x | -5.6% | 12.8% | Hold | +13.2% |
PG PG The Procter & Gamble Company | $338.6B | 21.0x | +0.9% | 14.7% | Buy | +11.7% |
CHD CHD Church & Dwight Co., Inc. | $22.2B | 24.9x | +1.5% | 11.8% | Buy | +6.5% |
ENR ENR Energizer Holdings, Inc. | $1.2B | 5.4x | +1.2% | 6.5% | Hold | +30.0% |
COT COTY Coty Inc. | $2.3B | 9.4x | -0.1% | -9.3% | Hold | +56.6% |
CLX CLX The Clorox Company | $10.4B | 14.7x | -0.4% | 11.2% | Hold | +22.5% |
This peer comparison reflects companies with similar business models, product lines, or market positioning, supplemented by industry grouping when direct matches are limited.
KMB Dividend and Capital Return
KMB returns 5.6% total yield, led by a 5.13% dividend, raised 27 consecutive years.
Dividend WatchFCF Adequate
Total Shareholder Yield
5.6%
Dividend + buyback return per year
Buyback Yield
0.4%
Dividend Yield
5.13%
Payout Ratio
82.1%
How KMB Splits Its Return
Div 5.13%
Dividend 5.13%Buybacks 0.4%
Dividend Profile
Yield, cadence, and growth quality
Dividend / Share
Trailing annualized cash dividend
$4.98
Growth Streak
Consecutive years of dividend increases
27Y
3Y Div CAGR
2.8%
5Y Div CAGR
3.3%
Ex-Dividend Date
—
Payment Cadence
Quarterly
4 payments over the last 12 months
Buyback Engine
How much per-share support comes from repurchases
Repurchases (TTM)
Cash used for buybacks in the latest trailing period
$141M
Estimated Shares Retired
1M
Approx. Share Reduction
0.4%
Shares Outstanding
Current diluted share count from the screening snapshot
332M
| Year | Div / Share | YoY Grw | BB Yield | Total Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $1.28 | — | — | — |
| 2025 | $5.04 | +3.3% | 0.4% | 5.4% |
| 2024 | $4.88 | +3.4% | 2.3% | 6.0% |
| 2023 | $4.72 | +1.7% | 0.5% | 4.4% |
| 2022 | $4.64 | +1.8% | 0.2% | 3.6% |
FAQ
7 questionsKMB Investor Questions
Common questions answered from live analyst data and company financials.
01Is Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB) stock a buy or sell in 2026?
Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB) is rated Hold by Wall Street analysts as of 2026. Of 31 analysts covering the stock, 10 rate it Buy or Strong Buy, 18 rate it Hold, and 3 rate it Sell or Strong Sell. The consensus 12-month price target is $110, implying +13.2% from the current price of $97. The bear case scenario is $61 and the bull case is $127.
02What is the KMB stock price target for 2026?
The Wall Street consensus price target for KMB is $110 based on 31 analyst estimates. The high-end target is $125 (+28.6% from today), and the low-end target is $99 (+1.9%). The base case model target is $94.
03Is Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB) stock overvalued in 2026?
KMB trades at 12.9x times forward earnings. The stock currently trades at a discount to the broader market. Based on current multiples versus the peer group, the relative model signals fairly valued. Whether the stock is over or undervalued ultimately depends on whether consensus earnings estimates are achievable.
04What are the main risks for Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB) stock in 2026?
The primary risks for KMB in 2026 are: (1) Raw Material Costs & Availability — Significant increases in pulp, petroleum-based materials, energy, and transportation costs can erode margins. (2) Foreign Market Risks — International operations expose KMB to currency fluctuations, political, social, and economic instability. (3) Debt & Financing — KMB’s net debt to EBITDA ratio indicates moderate debt usage, but significant liabilities remain. Each factor has the potential to pressure earnings or compress the stock's valuation multiple.
05What is Kimberly-Clark Corporation's revenue and earnings forecast?
Analyst consensus estimates KMB will report consensus revenue of $15.6B (-5.6% year-over-year) and EPS of $6.28 (-1.3% year-over-year) for the upcoming fiscal year. The following year, analysts project $14.4B in revenue.
06When does Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB) report its next earnings?
A confirmed upcoming earnings date for KMB is not yet available. Check the Earnings section above for the most recent quarterly report dates and forward estimates.
07How much free cash flow does Kimberly-Clark Corporation generate?
Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB) generated $2.6B in free cash flow over the trailing twelve months — a free cash flow margin of 15.6%. KMB returns capital to shareholders through dividends (5.1% yield) and share repurchases ($141M TTM).