K-C posts slight decrease

Kimberly-Clark’s first quarter sales decreased 1% to $5.3 billion. Organic sales rose 4% including a 12% increase in K-C International. Net income was $1.41 per share for the quarter compared to $1.36 the year before.

Chairman and CEO Thomas Falk says, “We delivered a solid first quarter with good organic sales growth and cost savings.  We also launched a number of product innovations and made further progress with targeted growth initiatives.  We continue to allocate capital in shareholder-friendly ways, as our first quarter dividends and share repurchases totaled three-quarters of a billion dollars.  And although we face continued headwinds from currency exchange rates and cost inflation, we’re maintaining our full-year guidance for adjusted earnings per share.  We continue to be optimistic about the opportunities we have to drive profitable growth and generate attractive returns to shareholders.”