Financial Performance - Kimberly-Clark's Q3 2025 organic sales growth was 2.5% [48] - Adjusted operating profit growth for Q3 2025 was 0.1% [48] - Adjusted EPS growth attributable to Kimberly-Clark in Q3 2025 was (0.5%) [48] - Year-to-date adjusted free cash flow reached $1.263 billion [48] - The company is on track to achieve approximately $2 billion in adjusted free cash flow for the full year 2025 [48] Productivity and Savings - Q3 gross productivity reached 6.5% of adjusted COGS [12, 17] - Year-to-date gross productivity was 5.8% of adjusted COGS [17] - Kimberly-Clark is targeting the high end of 5-6% gross productivity savings in 2025 [19] Segment Performance - North America experienced organic growth of 2.1% year-to-date [22, 24] - International Personal Care saw organic growth of 2.1% in Q3 2025 [28] - International Personal Care volume+mix growth led by +5% volume growth in Focus Markets [30] Market Share - International Personal Care gained weighted share, with gains in Diapers & Pants [12] - Huggies market share increased by +230 bps in South Korea [30, 38] - Huggies market share increased by +90 bps in Brazil [30, 42]

Kimberly-Clark FY Conference Summary Company Overview - **Company**: Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) - **Industry**: Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) - **Conference Date**: September 10, 2025 Key Points Transformation and Portfolio Reshaping - Kimberly-Clark has evolved from an industrial company to a consumer-focused CPG company over the last few decades, with a significant shift occurring since the late 1980s and early 1990s [2][3] - The company has focused on premium, value-added offerings and brand building, enhancing consumer-centric capabilities [1][4] - The CEO highlighted the importance of consumer insights and marketing execution in driving growth [4][5] Financial Performance and Growth - Since the CEO's tenure began, Kimberly-Clark has achieved a compounded organic growth rate of approximately 4% [5] - The company has historically faced challenges with lower gross margins and higher EPS volatility compared to peers, primarily due to pulp cost exposure [5][6] - A joint venture with Suzano, a major eucalyptus pulp producer, aims to reduce volatility and improve visibility into the tissue business [6][8] 2030 Financial Targets - Kimberly-Clark aims for a 40% gross margin and 18% EBITDA by 2030, with expectations to reach these milestones ahead of schedule due to portfolio changes [9][10] - The company has initiated a $3 billion productivity program over five years, tracking ahead of schedule [10][11] Advertising and Brand Building - The company has significantly increased advertising investments, from $500 million to $600 million, focusing on digital channels for better targeting [18][19] - Kimberly-Clark has received recognition for its advertising efforts, winning 11 Lion Awards at Cannes, more than doubling its previous five-year total [19][20] Innovation and Product Development - The company emphasizes product superiority and engineering capabilities as foundational principles [22][23] - An innovative absorbent core technology for diapers has been successfully rolled out in multiple markets, contributing to market share growth [23][24] - R&D investments are healthy, at approximately 1.9% of net sales, with CapEx increasing from 3.6% to 4.3% of net sales [26][27] Market Dynamics and Challenges - The diaper category has seen subdued growth due to increased promotional activity and competition from private labels, with recent growth at around 1% [29] - The company is strategically avoiding participation in aggressive promotional activities to maintain brand integrity [29] Future Outlook - Kimberly-Clark is positioned as a more capable company than a decade ago, with reduced earnings volatility and a strong innovation pipeline [32][33] - The company is focused on becoming world-class in productivity, with a target of achieving around 6% productivity growth this year [33] Conclusion - Kimberly-Clark is optimistic about its future, emphasizing a lean, agile operating model and a commitment to winning in local markets [34]

North America Business Performance - Kimberly-Clark North America achieved approximately 4% Net Sales CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) from FY21 to FY24[12] - The company gained market share in 7 out of 8 consumer categories in Q2[12] - Kimberly-Clark North America delivered around 300 bps (basis points) operating margin improvement from FY22 to FY24, while increasing marketing spending by 33%[12] Strategic Priorities - Kimberly-Clark is focused on accelerating operating momentum and advancing transformation[9] - The company aims to create durable growth by focusing on powerhouse categories and brands[7] - Kimberly-Clark is prioritizing pioneering innovation to accelerate growth[7] - Optimizing the margin structure is a key focus for Kimberly-Clark[7] - Wiring the organization for growth is essential for Kimberly-Clark[7] Risk Factors - Factors described in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, could cause future results to differ from forward-looking statements[4]

Financial Performance - Organic sales growth for Q2 2025 was 3.9% [43], driven by strong volume growth in North America and International Personal Care [16] - Adjusted operating profit growth for Q2 2025 decreased by 2.2% [43] - Adjusted EPS growth attributable to Kimberly-Clark for Q2 2025 decreased by 2.0% [43] - Adjusted free cash flow year-to-date is $829 million [43] - The company is targeting 5-6% gross productivity savings in 2025 [34] Business Strategy and Initiatives - The company announced a $2 billion investment in North America to support growth and unlock efficiencies [10, 16] - A joint venture with Suzano was announced to create a preeminent international tissue and professional products company [12, 16, 38] - The company streamlined product platforms from 30 to 11 to drive simplicity and improve quality [36, 37] Segment Performance - North America experienced organic growth of 4.5% in Q2 2025 [45], driven by 5% volume growth [47] - International Personal Care saw organic growth of 6.0% in Q2 2025 [48], with focus markets growing volume by 8% [50] 2025 Outlook - The company anticipates low-to-mid single-digit organic sales growth ahead of market growth in constant currency [51] - Adjusted free cash flow for 2025 is expected to be approximately $2 billion, including $1.0-$1.2 billion in capital expenditures [51]

Summary of Avanos Medical (AVNS) Conference Call - May 13, 2025 Company Overview - **Company**: Avanos Medical (AVNS) - **Industry**: Consumer Goods, specifically in health and hygiene products Key Points and Arguments Company Evolution and Strategy - The company has evolved from being perceived as a "pulp proxy" to focusing on volume mix-led growth, aided by a reorganization in the previous year [3][9] - The CEO highlighted the importance of innovation and the need to elevate and expand product categories, particularly in emerging markets [11][13] - Organic growth improved from 1-2% to approximately 4% over the past five years, indicating a successful shift in strategy [14] Financial Performance and Challenges - The company faced significant cost inflation of approximately $3.5 to $3.7 billion between 2021 and 2022, impacting gross margins which fell to 29.8%, 500 basis points lower than pre-pandemic levels [31][33] - Despite challenges, the company achieved a gross margin of 36.5% in 2024, up 200 basis points year-on-year, and aims for at least 40% by the end of the decade [77] Market Dynamics - The overall category growth has decelerated to about 1.5-2%, below the historical range of 2-3%, leading to a reduction in full-year guidance primarily due to tariff impacts [51][53] - Demand for essential products remains resilient, with consumers exhibiting value-seeking behavior in developed markets [55][62] Innovation and Product Development - The company has focused on launching premium products while also ensuring competitive offerings in the value tier, with a significant shift from 60% value tier to 85% premium in North American diapers [73][74] - Recent product launches include Huggies Skin Essentials and Snug and Dry, which leverage advanced technology for better performance [101][106] Supply Chain and Cost Management - A new global supply chain organization was established to drive efficiency and standardization across product platforms [41][46] - The company is adopting a proactive risk management approach, including programmatic hedging and strategic supplier relationships to manage costs effectively [35][36] Tariff Impacts and Guidance - The company anticipates a gross impact of $300 million from tariffs, with two-thirds of this impact stemming from China [84][96] - The management is exploring ways to mitigate these costs through network reflowing and other strategies [86][90] Marketing and Advertising Strategy - The company has doubled its advertising spend since 2018, focusing on storytelling to enhance brand perception rather than relying on promotions [126][128] - The CEO expressed a preference for advertising over promotions, viewing the latter as potentially dilutive to brand value [128][129] Additional Important Insights - The company is committed to maintaining investments in innovation and brand support despite the challenging market environment [77][100] - There is a strong bifurcation in consumer behavior, with higher-income households continuing to spend on premium products while budget-constrained consumers seek value [62][65] This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the Avanos Medical conference call, highlighting the company's strategic direction, financial performance, market challenges, and innovation efforts.

Core Points - Kimberly-Clark Corporation will establish an $800 million advanced manufacturing facility in Trumbull County, Ohio, creating 491 new high-quality jobs [1][4][11] - This facility will be Kimberly-Clark's first investment in Ohio and is part of a strategic expansion to enhance its operations in the American market [3][4] - The project received a 10-year Job Creation Tax Credit from the Ohio Tax Credit Authority, which was approved earlier this week [2] Company Overview - Kimberly-Clark is a leading manufacturer of personal care and hygiene products, with a portfolio that includes brands such as Huggies, Kleenex, and Scott, and operates in over 175 countries [6] - The new facility will span over one million square feet and is expected to serve approximately 117 million consumers in the Midwest and Northeast [4][6] Economic Impact - The investment is anticipated to have a long-term economic impact on the region, not only by creating direct jobs but also by attracting ancillary businesses and boosting local housing and economy [11][12] - The project is seen as a catalyst for regional revitalization and reflects Ohio's pro-business climate and commitment to workforce development [7][11] Collaboration and Support - The successful establishment of the facility is attributed to close collaboration among local, regional, and state partners, including JobsOhio and the Ohio Department of Development [8][10] - The site received $17.2 million from the All Ohio Future Fund to assist in site readiness and infrastructure development [5]