Kimberly-Clark’s sales of $18.5 billion were even with the year-ago period. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates reduced sales by 3% and business exits in conjunction with the 2018 Global Restructuring Program reduced sales slightly. Organic sales increased 4%. Net selling prices rose 4% and product mix improved 1%, while volumes fell 1%. In North America, organic sales increased 3% in both consumer products and in K-C Professional. Outside North America, organic sales rose 6% in developing and emerging markets and 1% in developed markets.

Sales of $4.6 billion in the fourth quarter of 2019 were even with the year-ago period. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates reduced sales by 2% and business exits in conjunction with the 2018 Global Restructuring Program reduced sales slightly. Organic sales increased 3%. Net selling prices rose more than 2% and product mix improved 1%, while volumes fell 1%. In North America, organic sales increased 3% in both consumer products and in K-C Professional. Outside North America, organic sales rose 3% in developing and emerging markets and 1 percent in developed markets.

In the Personal Care Segment, fourth quarter sales of $2.2 billion increased 1%. Net selling prices increased 2% and product mix improved approximately 2%. Changes in currency rates reduced sales by 2%.

Sales in North America increased 2%. Product mix improved 2% and net selling prices increased 1%, both driven by baby and child care, while volumes were down 1%. Volumes were down mid-single digits in baby and child care compared to a mid-single digit increase in the year-ago period, while volumes increased high-single digits in adult care.

Sales in developing and emerging markets increased 1 % despite a 5 point negative impact from changes in currency rates. Net selling prices rose 3%, product mix improved 1% and volumes increased 1%. The higher net selling prices mostly occurred in Argentina and China. Volumes increased in Eastern Europe, India and South Africa, but fell in Latin America.

Sales in developed markets outside North America (Australia, South Korea and Western/Central Europe) decreased 3%, including a 5 point negative impact from changes in currency rates. Volumes and product mix each improved 1%, while net selling prices fell 1%.