10.23.17
Kimberly-Clark’s sales of $4.6 billion in the third quarter of 2017 were up 1% compared to the year-ago period. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates benefited sales by nearly 1%. Organic sales rose slightly, as volumes increased more than 1% while net selling prices fell 1%.
In the personal care segment, third quarter sales of $2.3 billion were down 1%. Net selling prices and volumes each fell about 1%, while product mix improved slightly. Third quarter operating profit of $476 million increased 4%. The comparison benefited from cost savings and reduced marketing, research and general spending, partially offset by lower net selling prices and input cost inflation.
Sales in North America decreased 3%. Net selling prices declined 2%, including higher promotion spending in adult care and feminine care. Overall volumes were down 1%. Total volumes in infant and child care were off mid-single digits due to lower Huggies diaper volumes. Baby wipes volumes were down mid-single digits compared to double-digit growth in the year-ago period, and feminine care volumes also declined mid-single digits. Adult care volumes rose high-single digits, with benefits from category growth, promotion activity and innovations launched over the last 12 months.
Sales in developing and emerging markets increased 3%. Volumes increased 3% and product mix improved 1%, while net selling prices were down 1%. The volume increase included gains in Eastern Europe and Latin America.
Sales in developed markets outside North America (Australia, South Korea and Western/Central Europe) decreased 6%, despite a 2 point benefit from favorable currency rates. Volumes fell 7% and net selling prices were down 2%, while product mix improved 1%. The changes mostly occurred in South Korea.
In the personal care segment, third quarter sales of $2.3 billion were down 1%. Net selling prices and volumes each fell about 1%, while product mix improved slightly. Third quarter operating profit of $476 million increased 4%. The comparison benefited from cost savings and reduced marketing, research and general spending, partially offset by lower net selling prices and input cost inflation.
Sales in North America decreased 3%. Net selling prices declined 2%, including higher promotion spending in adult care and feminine care. Overall volumes were down 1%. Total volumes in infant and child care were off mid-single digits due to lower Huggies diaper volumes. Baby wipes volumes were down mid-single digits compared to double-digit growth in the year-ago period, and feminine care volumes also declined mid-single digits. Adult care volumes rose high-single digits, with benefits from category growth, promotion activity and innovations launched over the last 12 months.
Sales in developing and emerging markets increased 3%. Volumes increased 3% and product mix improved 1%, while net selling prices were down 1%. The volume increase included gains in Eastern Europe and Latin America.
Sales in developed markets outside North America (Australia, South Korea and Western/Central Europe) decreased 6%, despite a 2 point benefit from favorable currency rates. Volumes fell 7% and net selling prices were down 2%, while product mix improved 1%. The changes mostly occurred in South Korea.
