Kimberly-Clark’s third quarter sales of $5 billion were 4% lower than the prior-year period, including negative impacts of approximately 3%  from foreign currency translation and approximately 1% from the divestiture of the K-C Professional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) business completed in July 2024. Organic sales increased 1%, driven by a 1% increase in price while volume and mix were in line with a year ago. Price-led gains reflected necessary pricing actions to address higher local costs in hyperinflationary economies, mainly in Argentina. Volume and mix were positive in Developed Markets (representing Australia, South Korea and Western/Central Europe), offset by a decline in North America while volumes in Developing and Emerging (D&E) markets were in line with year ago.

In North America, organic sales decreased 1% versus the prior year, driven by a 3% decline in K-C Professional and 1% in Consumer Tissue while Personal Care was in line with year ago.

In D&E markets, organic sales rose 8% reflecting pricing gains primarily in hyperinflationary economies.  Organic sales for Developed Markets were 2% lower, driven by lower pricing that primarily reflected comparisons with temporary, energy surcharge-related price increases in Western Europe in the prior-year period partially offset by low single digit volume led gains.

Personal Care sales of $2.6 billion decreased 2% in the quarter, while organic sales increased 3% from a combination of pricing actions in hyperinflationary economies as well as mix gains while volume was in line with year ago across all markets. Product innovation and solid commercial execution resulted in Baby and Child Care gaining global weighted market share on a year-to-date basis.

K-C Professional sales of $767 million decreased 10% due to divestitures and business exits as well as unfavorable currency impacts. Organic sales decreased 1% driven by 1% unfavorable price impact due to lapping of energy surcharges in Western Europe.