Kimberly-Clark (KMB) Profit Down 19 Percent In 4Q

January 24, 2012, 9:47 PM

Kimberly-Clark Corp. (NYSE:KMB) announced on Tuesday that its profit dropped 19 percent as costs for raw materials continued to rise during the fourth quarter.

During the fourth quarter, Kimberly-Clark reported earnings of $401 million, or $1.01 per share, compared to earnings of $492 million, or $1.20 per share, a year prior. Excluding one time items, adjusted earnings were $1.28 per share. Analysts were looking for $1.30 per share. Revenue increased 2 percent to $5.18 billion. The results missed analyst predictions of $5.21 billion in revenue.

For its 2012 forecast, the company expects earnings to land between $5 and $5.15 per share. Analysts are looking for $5.23 per share.

“Looking ahead to 2012, we expect economic conditions to remain difficult in the near term, particularly in developed markets” Thomas Falk, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said in a statement

Kimberly-Clark shares were down $1.34 to $72.18 during trading.

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Tags: fourth quarter, kimberly clark kmb, NYSE