Kimberly-Clark raised its quarterly dividend from $1.26 to $1.28 per share in January 2026, bringing the annual payout to $5.12 per share and a yield of about 4.6% with the stock near $110. The company has increased its dividend for 54 consecutive years and paid dividends for 92 years, supported by essential brands like Huggies, Kleenex, and Scott that hold No. 1 or No. 2 positions in roughly 70 countries. Cash from operations including discontinued operations reached $1.7 billion in the first half of 2026, up from $1.1 billion a year earlier, while capital spending rose to $776 million from $401 million and dividends paid totaled $843 million. Management expects about $2 billion in adjusted free cash flow for 2026, roughly in line with 2025, despite plans to spend about $1.3 billion on capital investments. The pending Kenvue acquisition, expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, is projected to add about $1.9 billion in cost synergies and another $500 million in profit from revenue synergies within three to four years of closing, though integration risks remain.
Kimberly-Clark CorporationDividend increase and 54-year streak highlight financial strength, attracting income investors.
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