 
    Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB) presents a resilient dividend profile with an impressive track record of 41 years of consecutive dividend payouts. With a decent dividend yield and moderate growth, this stock is a potential income-generator for dividend-focused investors.
Kimberly-Clark Corporation operates within the consumer staples sector. With a current dividend yield of 3.47% and a dividend per share of $4.83, investors can expect consistent returns. The company's dividend history spans 41 years, showcasing its commitment to returning capital to shareholders. Notably, there have been no recent dividend cuts or suspensions.
| Metric | Details | 
|---|---|
| Sector | Consumer Staples | 
| Dividend yield | 3.47% | 
| Current dividend per share | $4.83 | 
| Dividend history | 41 years | 
| Last cut or suspension | None | 
The robust dividend history of Kimberly-Clark is a testament to its financial stability and dedication to returning value to shareholders. Awareness of historical payouts can inform projections of future dividend reliability.
 
| Year | Dividend per Share (USD) | 
|---|---|
| 2025 | 2.52 | 
| 2024 | 4.88 | 
| 2023 | 4.72 | 
| 2022 | 4.64 | 
| 2021 | 4.56 | 
The growth of dividends provides insights into a company's future payout capacity. Over the past three and five years, Kimberly-Clark has exhibited steady dividend growth, although at moderate rates.
| Time | Growth | 
|---|---|
| 3 years | 2.29% | 
| 5 years | 3.44% | 
The average dividend growth is 3.44% over 5 years. This shows moderate but steady dividend growth.
 
Payout ratios highlight the sustainability of a company's dividend. With an EPS-based payout of 65.01% and an FCF-based payout of 61.73%, Kimberly-Clark maintains a conservative dividend policy that supports its ability to sustain or increase dividends.
| Key figure | Ratio | 
|---|---|
| EPS-based | 65.01% | 
| Free cash flow-based | 61.73% | 
With an EPS payout ratio below 70%, Kimberly-Clark is well-positioned to continue paying, or even raise, its dividends, provided cash flows remain stable.
Cash flow metrics and capital efficiency are crucial for evaluating a company's financial health and its ability to afford dividends. Kimberly-Clark's free cash flow and earnings yield indicate robust cash generation, fundamental to dividend payouts.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Cash Flow Yield | 5.69% | 6.75% | 4.05% | 
| Earnings Yield | 5.76% | 4.29% | 4.22% | 
| CAPEX to Operating Cash Flow | 22.29% | 21.63% | 32.05% | 
| Stock-based Compensation to Revenue | 0.65% | 0.83% | 0.74% | 
| Free Cash Flow / Operating Cash Flow | 77.71% | 78.37% | 67.95% | 
The company's ability to maintain strong free cash flow relative to operating cash flow solidifies the reliability of its dividend payments.
Analyzing debt metrics helps assess financial stability and risks associated with leverage. Kimberly-Clark's stability is reflected in its formidable coverage ratios, suggesting efficient debt handling.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 
|---|---|---|---|
| Debt-to-Equity | 9.02 | 8.87 | 15.40 | 
| Debt-to-Assets | 45.78% | 46.78% | 46.87% | 
| Debt-to-Capital | 90.02% | 89.87% | 93.90% | 
| Net Debt to EBITDA | 1.65 | 2.29 | 2.37 | 
| Current Ratio | 0.80 | 0.82 | 0.78 | 
| Quick Ratio | 0.54 | 0.54 | 0.47 | 
| Financial Leverage | 19.70 | 18.96 | 32.85 | 
Despite high debt-to-equity ratios, Kimberly-Clark effectively manages its leverage with a healthy interest coverage ratio, underpinning its liquidity strength.
Profitability metrics are vital for understanding company strength. Kimberly-Clark's stable return on equity and solid EBIT margin demonstrate profitability efficiency that supports sustainable dividends.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 
|---|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity | 3.03% | 1.93% | 3.54% | 
| Return on Assets | 0.15% | 0.10% | 0.11% | 
| Net Margin | 12.69% | 8.63% | 9.59% | 
| EBIT Margin | 15.94% | 11.33% | 12.99% | 
| EBITDA Margin | 19.83% | 15.01% | 16.73% | 
| Gross Margin | 35.80% | 34.42% | 30.83% | 
| R&D to Revenue | 0% | 1.53% | 1.45% | 
The profitability performance of Kimberly-Clark suggests efficient use of capital, underpinning its robust dividend policy. The company's gross margin further enhances its ability to maintain steady operations and shareholder distributions.
 
Evaluate each category to arrive at an overall score out of 40 points.
| Criteria | Score | Score Bar | 
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 4 | |
| Dividend Stability | 5 | |
| Dividend growth | 3 | |
| Payout ratio | 4 | |
| Financial stability | 4 | |
| Dividend continuity | 5 | |
| Cashflow Coverage | 4 | |
| Balance Sheet Quality | 3 | 
Total Score: 32/40
Kimberly-Clark Corporation stands as a reliable option for dividend investors, offering both stability and moderate growth prospects. Its long history of dividend payments, bolstered by sound financial metrics, makes it a prudent choice for income-focused portfolios.