Kimberly-Clark Progresses Toward Its Gross Margin Goal of 40%

Core Insights - Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB) is making significant progress towards its long-term profitability targets, increasing the likelihood of achieving a 40% gross margin sooner than expected [1][11] Financial Performance - KMB's gross margin is anticipated to improve in Q4 2025, driven by productivity initiatives, investment timing, and supply-chain efficiencies [2] - The company has reduced gross tariff costs from $170 million to approximately $100 million, with $50 million already mitigated, contributing to improved profit structure [3] - KMB has experienced seven consecutive quarters of volume-plus-mix growth, reflecting premiumization and innovation-driven growth across categories [4] Strategic Initiatives - The company is focusing on structural measures to reduce volatility in fiber and other inputs, which are essential for long-term margin stability [3] - KMB's premium product mix has significantly increased over time, enhancing pricing power and reinforcing category leadership [4] Market Position - Despite a 22.4% decline in KMB's stock over the past six months, the company is positioned to reach its gross margin milestone ahead of schedule [10][5] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a year-over-year decline of 12.6% in KMB's 2025 earnings, with a projected growth of 11.3% for 2026 [12] Valuation Metrics - KMB's forward 12-month price-to-sales ratio is 2.02, which is lower than the industry average of 2.08, indicating a relatively lower valuation [14]