07.23.19
Kimberly Clark’s sales of $4.6 billion in the second quarter of 2019 were even with the year-ago period. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates reduced sales by 5% and business exits in conjunction with the 2018 Global Restructuring Program reduced sales slightly. Organic sales increased 5%. Net selling prices rose 5% and product mix improved 1%, while volumes fell slightly. In North America, organic sales increased 5% in consumer products and 2% in K-C Professional. Outside North America, organic sales rose 9% in developing and emerging markets and 1% in developed markets.
In the Personal Care segment, second quarter sales of $2.3 billion increased 1%. Net selling prices increased approximately 5%, volumes rose 1% and product mix improved 1%. Changes in currency rates reduced sales by 6%.
Sales in North America increased 5%. Net selling prices increased 3%, driven by baby and child care, and volumes rose 3%. Volumes were up high-single digits in adult care, including benefits from category growth, innovations and increased marketing support. Volumes increased low-single digits in baby and child care and fell mid-single digits in feminine care.
Sales in developing and emerging markets decreased 1%. Currency rates were unfavorable by 13%, including significant declines in Latin America. Net selling prices rose 11% and product mix improved 2%, while volumes were even year-on-year. The higher net selling prices were primarily in Latin America and secondarily in China and the Middle East/Eastern Europe/Africa. Volumes increased in Eastern Europe, ASEAN and South Africa, but fell in Latin America and China.
Sales in developed markets outside North America (Australia, South Korea and Western/Central Europe) decreased 6%, including an 8 point negative impact from changes in currency rates. Volumes and product mix each improved 1%.
In the Personal Care segment, second quarter sales of $2.3 billion increased 1%. Net selling prices increased approximately 5%, volumes rose 1% and product mix improved 1%. Changes in currency rates reduced sales by 6%.
Sales in North America increased 5%. Net selling prices increased 3%, driven by baby and child care, and volumes rose 3%. Volumes were up high-single digits in adult care, including benefits from category growth, innovations and increased marketing support. Volumes increased low-single digits in baby and child care and fell mid-single digits in feminine care.
Sales in developing and emerging markets decreased 1%. Currency rates were unfavorable by 13%, including significant declines in Latin America. Net selling prices rose 11% and product mix improved 2%, while volumes were even year-on-year. The higher net selling prices were primarily in Latin America and secondarily in China and the Middle East/Eastern Europe/Africa. Volumes increased in Eastern Europe, ASEAN and South Africa, but fell in Latin America and China.
Sales in developed markets outside North America (Australia, South Korea and Western/Central Europe) decreased 6%, including an 8 point negative impact from changes in currency rates. Volumes and product mix each improved 1%.