Kimberly-Clark's Reiterated Guidance Could Support Shares Despite Weak Sales, UBS Says

12:40 PM EDT, 10/16/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Kimberly-Clark's (KMB) decision to reiterate its 2026 guidance despite weaker-than-expected organic sales and greater gross-margin pressure could support its shares in the near term, UBS Securities said, describing its initial view of the update as slightly positive. The company preliminarily reported Q3 adjusted earnings of $1.70 per share, above UBS's $1.54 estimate and the $1.62 Visible Alpha consensus. UBS attributed the upside largely to lower selling, general and administrative expenses and favorable below-the-line items, including a lower-than-expected tax rate of 19.5% versus the bank's 22.5% forecast. Organic sales fell 1.3%, more than the 0.7% decline UBS expected and the 0.8% drop projected by consensus. The company reiterated its 2026 guidance for organic sales, adjusted operating profit and adjusted earnings per share. UBS estimates the outlook implies Q4 organic sales growth of 1.5% to 2%. UBS estimates the outlook implies Q4 organic sales growth of 1.5% to 2%, compared with its own flat-growth forecast and the 1.1% consensus estimate. The investment firm said in a Thursday note that the preliminary announcement was likely needed to accommodate potential debt issuance related to the company's planned Kenvue (KVUE) acquisition. UBS maintained its neutral rating on Kimberly-Clark and lowered its price target to $106 from $116 Price: 104.91, Change: +0.84, Percent Change: +0.81