Kimberly-Clark began 2026 with sustained growth driven by its international personal care segment, consumer-focused innovation, and consistent productivity gains. In the first quarter, the company reported net revenue of US$ 4.2 billion, up 2.7% year over year, with organic growth of 2.5%.
The increase was mainly driven by performance outside North America. The International Personal Care (IPC) division recorded revenue growth of 9.1%, totaling US$ 1.5 billion, with organic expansion of 4.0%, supported by volume growth (+4.1%) and improvement in product mix. The segment’s operating profit rose 21.9%, reflecting gains in scale, productivity, and favorable currency effects, even with pricing investments.
In North America, revenue declined 0.6%, impacted by the exit from the private label diaper business in the United States. Even so, organic growth remained positive at 1.8%, supported by innovations and commercial activations throughout the quarter.
On a consolidated basis, organic growth was driven by gains in volume and mix (+3.0%), partially offset by price reductions (-0.5%), a strategy adopted to encourage trial of new products and strengthen the portfolio’s value proposition.
Adjusted gross margin was 37.9%, down 0.6 percentage points year over year, impacted by planned investments in pricing and supply chain, as well as cost inflation. Nevertheless, adjusted operating profit increased 3.7% to US$ 732 million, supported by productivity gains and lower operating expenses.
Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations were US$ 1.60, a slight decline of 1.2% year over year, mainly reflecting a higher effective tax rate during the period.
Operating cash flow reached US$ 745 million, more than double the amount recorded in the same period of 2025. The company also distributed US$ 418 million in dividends and ended the quarter with total debt of US$ 7.1 billion, slightly lower than at the end of 2025.
The company maintained its full-year outlook and continues to expect organic growth in line with or above the average of the markets in which it operates, estimated at around 2.5%. Adjusted operating profit is expected to grow at a mid to high single-digit rate, with double-digit growth in earnings per share from continuing operations.
On the strategic front, Kimberly-Clark continues to advance its transformation initiative and is preparing a new wave of innovation starting in the second quarter of 2026. The company also reinforced the role of the Kenvue acquisition as one of the main drivers of long-term value creation.
