On Wednesday, RBC Capital maintained its optimistic stance on Kimberly Clark (NYSE:KMB), reiterating an Outperform rating with a price target of $165.00. The firm’s analysis highlighted the effective execution of the company’s new strategy, particularly in the second quarter of 2024, where Kimberly Clark delivered robust earnings per share (EPS) despite facing challenges from pulp inflation.
The company encountered a top-line miss due to the previous year’s energy surcharge-related pricing in Western Europe, which was not repeated. However, total company volumes met expectations, even considering a significant headwind from larger-than-anticipated retailer inventory destocking in the United States.
The analyst pointed out that this was the second consecutive quarter where Kimberly Clark saw positive volume growth, suggesting that the underlying consumption might be stronger than what the reported figures indicate.
In light of the recent performance and increased EPS guidance provided by Kimberly Clark, RBC Capital has also raised its earnings estimate for the full year 2024. The firm’s decision to maintain the $165 price target and Outperform rating is based on the belief that the company’s shares are a good buy, especially after the previous day’s market weakness.
The RBC Capital analysis commended Kimberly Clark for its ability to navigate through inflationary pressures while still managing to deliver on earnings. This resilience is seen as a testament to the strength of the company’s strategy and execution. Kimberly Clark’s consistent performance is expected to continue, supported by the positive assessment and maintained price target by RBC Capital.
In other recent news, Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE:) reported a positive outlook in its Second Quarter 2024 Earnings Call. The company noted improvements in market share and financial performance, with particular gains in North America and strong brand performance in key international markets. Despite the divestiture of the personal protective equipment segment and expected cost inflation, Kimberly-Clark remains focused on innovation, pricing discipline, and strategic investments.
The company beat margin and EPS expectations for the second quarter, and is planning to increase investments in the latter half of the year. Furthermore, the company’s adjusted effective tax rate is projected to be 23-24% for the full year.
Kimberly-Clark also highlighted its investment profile set for sustainable growth in the coming years, with a strategy to offset cost inflation through pricing and innovation investment. The company expects positive volume growth in all businesses, including North American tissue. However, the divestiture of personal protective equipment is expected to impact profits by approximately 180 basis points in the latter half of the year.
These are some of the recent developments in the company.
InvestingPro Insights
In the wake of RBC Capital’s reaffirmation of Kimberly Clark’s Outperform rating, InvestingPro data complements the firm’s optimistic outlook. With a market capitalization of $45.76 billion and a Price/Earnings (P/E) ratio of 24.96, which adjusts to a lower 19.32 on a last twelve months basis as of Q1 2024, Kimberly Clark stands out in the market. Despite a modest revenue growth of 0.54% over the last twelve months, the company’s robust gross profit margin of 35.4% showcases its ability to maintain profitability in a challenging economic environment.
InvestingPro Tips highlight Kimberly Clark’s commitment to shareholder value, having raised its dividend for 51 consecutive years, and with 5 analysts having revised their earnings upwards for the upcoming period, signaling confidence in the company’s financial prospects. Additionally, Kimberly Clark’s moderate level of debt and its ability to remain profitable over the last twelve months provide further evidence of its financial health.
For readers looking to delve deeper into Kimberly Clark’s financials and future outlook, InvestingPro offers additional tips and insights. Take advantage of a special offer using the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get up to 10% off a yearly Pro and a yearly or biyearly Pro+ subscription. With several more InvestingPro Tips available, investors can gain a comprehensive understanding of the company’s potential.
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