Kimberly-Clark: profit down slightly on higher investments

(CercleFinance.com) - Consumer goods group Kimberly-Clark blamed increased brand investments for a 2% drop in its fourth-quarter earnings on Monday.


The Dallas, Texas, maker of Kleenex tissues and Huggies diapers said it earned 546 million dollars, or 1.58 dollar a share, compared with 556 million dollars, or 1.59 dollar a share, a year ago.

Sales increased by 6% to 4.8 billion dollars, with organic growth of 6%.

The company said it expects sales to increase by 4% to 6% this year, with organic growth of 1%-2%, despite challenging conditions and higher raw-materials costs.

The marketing giant said it will raise its dividend by 6.5%, from 1.07 dollar to 1.14 dollar per share, and announced share repurchases of 650-750 million dollars.

Kimberly-Clark shares are up over 4% in early trading on Wall Street.

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