FORM 10-Q
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
(Mark One)
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended JUNE 30, 1998
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from.............to____..
Commission file number 1-225
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 39-0394230
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
P.O. BOX 619100
DALLAS, TEXAS
75261-9100
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(972) 281-1200
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
NO CHANGE
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since
last report)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all
reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such
shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports),
and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90
days.
Yes X . No .
----
AS OF AUGUST 6, 1998, 547,404,100 SHARES OF THE CORPORATION'S COMMON
STOCK WERE OUTSTANDING.
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Three Months Six Months
Ended June 30 Ended June 30
(Millions of dollars except per share --------------- ---------------
amounts) 1998 1997 1998 1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET SALES ............................. $3,041.3 $3,124.3 $6,089.9 $6,361.9
Cost of products sold .............. 1,847.5 1,932.1 3,731.6 3,928.7
-------- -------- -------- --------
GROSS PROFIT .......................... 1,193.8 1,192.2 2,358.3 2,433.2
Advertising, promotion and selling
expenses ........................ 491.5 485.5 986.4 983.8
Research expense ................... 54.8 50.3 107.7 99.0
General expense .................... 178.8 162.0 337.0 311.7
Restructuring and other unusual charges 33.3 - 47.5 -
-------- -------- -------- --------
OPERATING PROFIT ...................... 435.4 494.4 879.7 1,038.7
Interest income .................... 5.5 10.0 14.1 18.6
Interest expense ................... (48.9) (40.0) (97.1) (83.3)
Other income (expense), net ........ 7.7 .9 7.4 9.6
-------- -------- -------- --------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES ............ 399.7 465.3 804.1 983.6
Provision for income taxes ......... 127.0 153.6 256.6 324.6
-------- -------- -------- --------
INCOME BEFORE EQUITY INTERESTS ........ 272.7 311.7 547.5 659.0
Share of net income of equity companies 33.6 51.2 62.9 83.7
Minority owners' share of subsidiaries'
net income ...................... (6.2) (12.1) (12.7) (27.7)
-------- -------- -------- --------
INCOME BEFORE EXTRAORDINARY GAINS ..... 300.1 350.8 597.7 715.0
Extraordinary gains, net of income taxes - 12.7 - 17.5
-------- -------- -------- --------
NET INCOME............................. $ 300.1 $ 363.5 $ 597.7 $ 732.5
======== ======== ======== ========
PER SHARE BASIS:
BASIC:
Income before extraordinary gains... $ .54 $ .63 $ 1.07 $ 1.28
Extraordinary gains, net of income taxes - .02 - .03
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net income.......................... $ .54 $ .65 $ 1.07 $ 1.31
======== ======== ======== ========
DILUTED:
Income before extraordinary gains .. $ .54 $ .63 $ 1.07 $ 1.27
Extraordinary gains, net of income taxes - .02 - .03
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net income.......................... $ .54 $ .65 $ 1.07 $ 1.30
======== ======== ======== ========
CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED................ $ .25 $ .24 $ .50 $ .48
======== ======== ======== ========
Unaudited
See Notes to Financial Statements.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
JUNE 30, December 31,
(Millions of dollars) 1998 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents ......................... $ 78.9 $ 90.8
Accounts receivable ............................... 1,500.7 1,606.3
Inventories ....................................... 1,270.2 1,319.5
Other current assets .............................. 423.2 472.4
-------- --------
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS ........................... 3,273.0 3,489.0
PROPERTY ............................................. 10,146.9 9,756.2
Less accumulated depreciation ..................... 4,452.9 4,155.6
-------- --------
NET PROPERTY ................................... 5,694.0 5,600.6
INVESTMENTS IN EQUITY COMPANIES ...................... 815.4 567.7
ASSETS HELD FOR SALE ................................. 271.3 280.0
GOODWILL, DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS .......... 1,388.2 1,328.7
--------- ---------
$11,441.9 $11,266.0
========= =========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Debt payable within one year ...................... $ 487.4 $ 663.1
Accounts payable .................................. 891.4 1,049.4
Accrued expenses .................................. 1,415.6 1,445.6
Other current liabilities ......................... 576.0 548.2
--------- ---------
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES ...................... 3,370.4 3,706.3
LONG-TERM DEBT ....................................... 2,089.2 1,803.9
NONCURRENT EMPLOYEE BENEFIT AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS .... 881.9 887.1
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES ................................ 634.5 580.8
MINORITY OWNERS' INTERESTS IN SUBSIDIARIES ........... 189.5 162.6
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY ................................. 4,276.4 4,125.3
--------- ---------
$11,441.9 $11,266.0
========= =========
Unaudited
See Notes to Financial Statements.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Six Months
Ended June 30
---------------------
(Millions of dollars) 1998 1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATIONS
Net Income ........................................... $ 597.7 $ 732.5
1998 Charge........................................... 53.8 -
Depreciation.......................................... 248.3 242.0
Deferred income tax provision......................... 64.6 218.1
Changes in operating working capital.................. (37.9) (471.3)
Extraordinary gains, net of income taxes.............. - (17.5)
Pension funding in excess of expense.................. (19.0) (5.0)
Other................................................. (5.8) (47.3)
------ -------
CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATIONS........................ 901.7 651.5
------ -------
INVESTING
Capital spending...................................... (330.6) (442.0)
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired...... (269.8) (54.9)
Disposals of property and businesses.................. 32.9 742.6
Other................................................. (13.6) (36.2)
------ -------
CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) INVESTING.............. (581.1) 209.5
------ -------
FINANCING
Cash dividends paid................................... (270.7) (263.9)
Net increase (decrease) in short-term debt............ 147.1 (229.9)
Increases in long-term debt........................... 227.5 70.1
Decreases in long-term debt........................... (288.3) (183.8)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options............... 24.6 32.4
Acquisitions of common stock for the treasury......... (160.9) (287.4)
Other................................................. (11.8) 8.3
------ -------
CASH USED FOR FINANCING............................ (332.5) (854.2)
------ -------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS......... $ (11.9) $ 6.8
======= =======
Unaudited
See Notes to Financial Statements.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
1. The unaudited consolidated financial statements of Kimberly-Clark
Corporation (the "Corporation") have been prepared on the same
basis as those in the 1997 Annual Report to Stockholders and
include all adjustments necessary to present fairly the condensed
consolidated balance sheets, consolidated results of operations
and condensed consolidated cash flow statements for the periods
indicated.
2. In the fourth quarter of 1997, the Corporation announced a plan
to restructure its worldwide operations ("Announced Plan"), the
total pretax cost of which was estimated at $810.0 million. In
conjunction with the Announced Plan, the Corporation recorded a
1997 pretax charge of $701.2 million ("1997 Charge"). The
remaining $108.8 million pretax costs of the Announced Plan have
been or will be recorded when such costs result in accruable
expenses.
In the first six months of 1998, the Corporation recorded costs
("1998 Charge") related to the Announced Plan. During the second
quarter of 1998, the 1998 Charge reduced cost of products sold,
operating profit, net income and net income per share by $6.3
million, $39.6 million, $26.1 million and $.05, respectively.
For the six months ended June 30, 1998, the 1998 Charge reduced
cost of products sold, operating profit, net income and net
income per share by $6.3 million, $53.8 million, $35.5 million
and $.07, respectively.
3. Share of net income of equity companies for the quarter and six
months ended June 30, 1997 includes a net nonoperating gain of
$16.3 million, or $.03 per share, primarily related to the sale
of a portion of the tissue business of Kimberly-Clark de Mexico,
S.A. de C.V. ("KCM"). The sale was required by the Mexican
regulatory authorities following the 1996 merger of KCM and Scott
Paper Company's former Mexican affiliate.
4. In June 1997, the Corporation sold Scott Paper Limited ("SPL"), a
50.1 percent-owned Canadian tissue subsidiary. The sale resulted
in a gain of $12.7 million, or $.02 per share, which was
reported as an extraordinary item in the second quarter.
In March 1997, the Corporation sold its Coosa Pines, Alabama
newsprint and pulp manufacturing mill, together with related
woodlands. Also in March 1997, the Corporation recorded
impairment losses on the planned sales of a pulp manufacturing
mill in Miranda, Spain; a recycled fiber facility in Oconto
Falls, Wisconsin; a tissue converting facility in Yucca, Arizona;
and on an integrated pulp making facility in Everett, Washington.
These 1997 transactions were aggregated and reported as
extraordinary gains totaling $17.5 million, or $.03 per share,
for the six months ended June 30, 1997.
5. There are no adjustments required to be made to Income Before
Extraordinary Gains for purposes of computing basic and diluted
earnings per share ("EPS"). A reconciliation of the average
number of common shares outstanding used in the basic and diluted
EPS computations is as follows:
Average Common Shares Outstanding
------------------------------------
Three Months Six Months
Ended June 30 Ended June 30
---------------- -----------------
(Millions) 1998 1997 1998 1997
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic............................. 556.2 559.4 556.4 560.1
Dilutive effect of stock options 2.5 3.3 2.7 3.4
Dilutive effect of shares issued for
participation share awards. .4 .2 .4 .2
----- ----- ----- -----
Diluted........................... 559.1 562.9 559.5 563.7
===== ===== ===== =====
Options outstanding during the second quarter and six months
ended June 30, 1998 to purchase 9.3 million and 6.4 million
shares of common stock, respectively, at a weighted average price
of $52.73 and $53.93 per share, respectively, were not included
in the computation of diluted EPS because the exercise prices of
the options were greater than the average market price of the
common shares. The options, which expire in 2004, 2007 and 2008,
were still outstanding at June 30, 1998. The number of common
shares outstanding at June 30, 1998 and 1997 was 554.2 million
and 559.3 million, respectively.
6. On May 5, 1998, the Corporation announced it will shut down its
pulp mill in Mobile, Alabama in September 1999 and will sell the
associated woodlands operations. The Corporation also announced
it will retain its pulp mill in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, which
had previously been identified for potential divestment.
Therefore, Assets Held for Sale in the accompanying condensed
consolidated balance sheet includes the above mentioned woodlands
and the pulp manufacturing facilities in Terrace Bay, Ontario and
Miranda, Spain, which previously had been identified
as intended divestments.
7. The following schedule details inventories by major class as of
June 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997:
JUNE 30, December 31,
(Millions of dollars) 1998 1997
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
At lower of cost on the First-In,
First-Out (FIFO) method or market:
Raw materials............................. $ 352.3 $ 372.4
Work in process........................... 200.6 228.5
Finished goods............................ 741.0 749.9
Supplies and other........................ 190.6 174.5
-------- --------
1,484.5 1,525.3
Excess of FIFO cost over Last-In,
First-Out (LIFO) cost...................... (214.3) (205.8)
-------- --------
Total..................................... $1,270.2 $1,319.5
======== ========
8. The following schedule provides the detail of comprehensive
income:
Six Months Ended June 30
--------------------------
(Millions of dollars) 1998 1997
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income................................... $ 597.7 $ 732.5
Unrealized currency translation adjustments.. (44.1) (87.7)
------- -------
Comprehensive income ........................ $ 553.6 $ 644.8
======= =======
9. The following schedule presents information concerning
consolidated operations by business segment:
Three Months Six Months
Ended June 30 Ended June 30
------------------ -------------------
(Millions of dollars) 1998(a) 1997 1998(b) 1997
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET SALES:
Personal Care Products ........ $1,406.7 $1,325.1 $2,738.1 $2,587.8
Tissue-Based Products ......... 1,468.9 1,633.0 3,034.4 3,398.0
Newsprint, Paper and Other .... 175.9 176.8 341.0 401.3
Intersegment sales ............ (10.2) (10.6) (23.6) (25.2)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Consolidated .................. $3,041.3 $3,124.3 $6,089.9 $6,361.9
======== ======== ======== ========
OPERATING PROFIT:
Personal Care Products ........ $ 231.1 $ 249.3 $ 444.0 $ 500.1
Tissue-Based Products ......... 178.7 206.8 383.7 460.6
Newsprint, Paper and Other .... 41.5 43.9 78.6 84.7
Unallocated items - net ....... (15.9) (5.6) (26.6) (6.7)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Consolidated .................. $ 435.4 $ 494.4 $ 879.7 $1,038.7
======== ======== ======== ========
(a)Operating profit for Personal Care Products and Tissue-Based
Products includes $7.7 million and $31.9 million,
respectively, of the 1998 Charge described in Note 2.
(b)Operating profit for Personal Care Products and Tissue-Based
Products includes $12.6 million and $41.2 million,
respectively, of the 1998 Charge described in Note 2.
Description of Product Segments:
Personal Care Products includes infant, child, feminine and
incontinence care products; wet wipes; health care products; and
related products.
Tissue-Based Products includes tissue and wipers for household
and away-from-home use; pulp; and related products.
Newsprint, Paper and Other includes newsprint, printing papers,
premium business and correspondence papers, specialty papers,
technical papers, and related products; and other products and
services.
10. On May 28, 1998, the Corporation announced that it had purchased
a 50 percent equity interest in Klabin Tissue, S.A., the leading
tissue manufacturer in Brazil.
11. At June 30, 1998, $300 million of short-term commercial paper was
classified as long-term debt. On July 20, 1998, the Corporation
issued $300 million of 6-1/4% Debentures due July 15, 2018, and
used the proceeds to retire commercial paper.
12. On July 24, 1998, the Corporation announced it had reached an
agreement to sell its subsidiary, K-C Aviation Inc., to
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation for $250 million in cash. The
transaction is expected to close in the third quarter.
Unaudited
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
Management believes that the following commentary and tables
appropriately discuss and analyze the comparative results of operations
and the financial condition of the Corporation for the periods covered.
For a description of the Corporation's business segments and a summary
of the business segment data that include the 1998 Charge, see Note 9
to the Financial Statements. For purposes of this Management's
Discussion and Analysis, the 1998 Charge is shown separately in the
following business segment and geographic presentations to facilitate a
discussion of ongoing operations.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:
SECOND QUARTER OF 1998 COMPARED WITH SECOND QUARTER OF 1997
By Business Segment
(Millions of Dollars)
% Change % OF 1998
NET SALES 1998 vs. 1997 CONSOLIDATED
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Personal Care Products....... $1,406.7 + 6.2% 46.2%
Tissue-Based Products........ 1,468.9 -10.0 48.3
Newsprint, Paper and Other... 175.9 - .5 5.8
Intersegment sales........... (10.2) (.3)
-------- -----
Consolidated................. $3,041.3 - 2.7% 100.0%
======== =====
% Return on Sales
% Change % OF 1998 -----------------
OPERATING PROFIT 1998 vs. 1997 CONSOLIDATED 1998 1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Personal Care Products....... $238.8 - 4.2% 54.9% 17.0% 18.8%
Tissue-Based Products........ 210.6 + 1.8 48.4 14.3 12.7
Newsprint, Paper and Other... 41.5 - 5.5 9.5 23.6 24.8
1998 Charge.................. (39.6) (9.1)
Unallocated items-net........ (15.9) (3.7)
------ -----
Consolidated................. $435.4 -11.9% 100.0% 14.3% 15.8%
====== =====
Commentary:
Consolidated net sales for the quarter were 2.7 percent lower than in
1997; however, excluding the revenues of Scott Paper Limited in Canada
("SPL"), which was divested in June 1997, second quarter net sales
declined less than 1 percent. Excluding the net sales of SPL,
worldwide sales volumes were approximately 2 percent higher and
selling prices also increased about 2 percent. Changes in currency
exchange rates are estimated to have reduced consolidated net sales
approximately $107 million, or 3.5 percent, offsetting the volume and
selling price increases.
o Worldwide sales of personal care products in the second quarter
were approximately 6 percent higher than in 1997, as an increase
in sales volumes of about 9 percent was partially offset by
negative foreign currency effects. Sales volume growth was
achieved in professional health care, due in part to the
acquisition of Tecnol Medical Products, Inc. ("Tecnol") in
December 1997; in training and youth pants and baby wipes in
North America; and throughout Latin America. Diaper sales
volumes in North America, however, were below last year's record
levels.
o Worldwide sales of tissue-based products, excluding the
divestiture of SPL, were about 6 percent lower than in the second
quarter of 1997. Sales volumes were approximately 4 percent
lower and changes in foreign currency exchange rates had a
negative impact of about 4 percent, while selling prices averaged
approximately 2 percent higher for the quarter. The decrease in
sales volumes was primarily attributable to consumer tissue
products in North America and Europe.
Operating profit for the second quarter decreased 11.9 percent in
absolute terms and from 15.8 percent to 14.3 percent as a percentage
of sales. Excluding the 1998 Charge, operating profit decreased 3.9
percent in absolute terms and from 15.8 percent to 15.6 percent as a
percentage of sales. Furthermore, excluding the earnings of SPL, the
decline in operating profit was approximately 1 percent.
o The decrease in operating profit for personal care products was
primarily due to higher marketing and manufacturing costs related
to the introduction of new and improved products which was
partially offset by the contribution from higher sales volumes.
o The increase in operating profit for tissue-based products was
mainly due to increased selling prices, primarily in the North
American consumer tissue business, and restructuring savings,
partially offset by the decline in sales volumes. Excluding the
earnings of SPL, operating profit increased approximately 8
percent.
o About half of the increase in general expense is due to business
expansion, primarily Tecnol.
o The overall changes in foreign currency exchange rates, primarily
in Asia, are estimated to have reduced consolidated operating
profit approximately $12 million.
By Geography
(Millions of Dollars)
% Change % OF 1998
NET SALES 1998 vs. 1997 CONSOLIDATED
- --------------------------------------------------------------
North America................ $2,084.4 - 1.1% 68.5%
Outside North America........ 1,025.3 - 6.2 33.7
Intergeographic sales........ (68.4) (2.2)
-------- -----
Consolidated................. $3,041.3 - 2.7% 100.0%
======== =====
% Return on Sales
% Change % OF 1998 ------------------
OPERATING PROFIT 1998 vs. 1997 CONSOLIDATED 1998 1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
North America................ $430.5 + 5.1% 98.9% 20.7% 19.4%
Outside North America........ 60.4 -33.1 13.9 5.9 8.3
1998 Charge.................. (39.6) (9.1)
Unallocated items-net........ (15.9) (3.7)
------ -----
Consolidated................. $435.4 -11.9% 100.0% 14.3% 15.8%
====== =====
Commentary:
o Excluding the revenues of SPL, net sales for North America
increased 1.9 percent. The decline in net sales outside North
America is due to the unfavorable currency effects in Asia and
lower sales volumes for consumer tissue products in Europe,
partially offset by higher sales volumes in Latin America.
o Excluding the earnings of SPL, operating profit in North America
increased 8.3 percent primarily due to the increased earnings of
the tissue-based businesses.
o The decline in operating profit outside North America is due to
lower earnings from consumer tissue products and higher marketing
costs for infant and feminine care products in Europe and
unfavorable currency effects in Asia.
o Of the $39.6 million 1998 Charge, $15.9 million was incurred in
North America and $23.7 million was incurred outside North
America.
Additional Income Statement Commentary:
o The increase in interest expense is primarily due to higher
average debt levels.
o The effective income tax rate declined from 33 percent in 1997 to
32 percent in 1998, and is expected to remain at approximately 32
percent for the remainder of the year. The lower effective tax
rate is primarily due to tax planning opportunities.
o The Corporation's 1997 share of net income of equity companies
included a net nonoperating gain of $16.3 million, or $.03 per
share, related to the required sale of a portion of the tissue
business of Kimberly-Clark de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. ("KCM").
Excluding this nonoperating gain, the Corporation's 1998 share of
net income of equity companies decreased 3.7 percent compared
with 1997. Increased net income of KCM was more than offset by
lower earnings of certain other equity companies.
o The decline in minority owners' share of subsidiaries' net income
is primarily attributable to the divestiture of SPL.
o Excluding the effects of the 1998 Charge, the 1997 nonoperating
gain at KCM and the 1997 extraordinary gain (as described in Note
4 to the Financial Statements), earnings from operations were
$.59 per share in the second quarter of 1998 compared with $.60
per share in 1997.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:
FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1998 COMPARED WITH FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1997
By Business Segment
(Millions of Dollars)
% Change % OF 1998
NET SALES 1998 vs. 1997 CONSOLIDATED
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Personal Care Products....... $2,738.1 + 5.8% 45.0%
Tissue-Based Products........ 3,034.4 -10.7 49.8
Newsprint, Paper and Other... 341.0 -15.0 5.6
Intersegment sales........... (23.6) (.4)
-------- -----
Consolidated................. $6,089.9 - 4.3% 100.0%
======== =====
% Return on Sales
% Change % OF 1998 -----------------
OPERATING PROFIT 1998 vs. 1997 CONSOLIDATED 1998 1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Personal Care Products....... $456.6 - 8.7% 51.9% 16.7% 19.3%
Tissue-Based Products........ 424.9 - 7.8 48.3 14.0 13.6
Newsprint, Paper and Other... 78.6 - 7.2 8.9 23.0 21.1
1998 Charge.................. (53.8) (6.1)
Unallocated items-net........ (26.6) (3.0)
------ -----
Consolidated................. $879.7 -15.3% 100.0% 14.4% 16.3%
====== =====
Commentary:
Consolidated net sales for the first six months were 4.3 percent lower
than last year. Excluding the revenues of the Coosa Pines, Alabama
pulp and newsprint facility, which was sold in March 1997, and SPL,
net sales were essentially even with 1997 and sales volumes increased
approximately 3 percent.
o Worldwide sales of personal care products increased approximately
6 percent primarily because of higher sales volumes, offset in
part by the effect of unfavorable currency exchange rates,
primarily in Asia. Important contributors to the increase in
sales volumes were professional health care products, due in part
to the acquisition of Tecnol; training and youth pants, and wet
wipes in North America; and disposable diapers in Europe and
Latin America. However, in comparison to the record sales
volumes achieved in 1997, diaper sales volumes in North America
declined due to increased competitive activity in 1998.
o Worldwide sales of tissue-based products, excluding SPL, declined
approximately 5 percent principally due to unfavorable foreign
currency exchange rates in Asia and Europe and the lower consumer
tissue volumes in North America and Europe.
Operating profit for the first six months decreased 15.3 percent in
absolute terms and from 16.3 percent to 14.4 percent in 1998, as a
percentage of sales. Excluding the 1998 Charge, operating profit
decreased 10.1 percent from 1997. Furthermore, excluding the earnings
of divested businesses, the decline in operating profit was
approximately 7 percent.
o The decrease in worldwide operating profit for personal care
products was primarily due to increased marketing costs related
to the introduction of new and improved products in North America
and Europe, and lower sales volumes and increased manufacturing
costs for diapers in North America which combined to more than
offset the overall increase in sales volumes.
o Excluding SPL, the decline in worldwide operating profit for
tissue-based products was approximately 1 percent. The lower
earnings in Europe and the negative effect of currency exchange
rates more than offset the improved earnings in the North
American businesses.
o About 40 percent of the increase in general expense is due to
business expansion, primarily Tecnol.
By Geography
(Millions of Dollars)
% Change % OF 1998
NET SALES 1998 vs. 1997 CONSOLIDATED
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
North America................ $4,184.7 - 4.0% 68.7%
Outside North America........ 2,044.1 - 5.9 33.6
Intergeographic sales........ (138.9) (2.3)
-------- -----
Consolidated................. $6,089.9 - 4.3% 100.0%
======== =====
% Return on Sales
% Change % OF 1998 -----------------
OPERATING PROFIT 1998 vs. 1997 CONSOLIDATED 1998 1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
North America................ $847.0 - 2.1% 96.2% 20.2% 19.8%
Outside North America........ 113.1 -37.3 12.9 5.5 8.3
1998 Charge.................. (53.8) (6.1)
Unallocated items-net........ (26.6) (3.0)
------ -----
Consolidated................. $879.7 -15.3% 100.0% 14.4% 16.3%
====== =====
Commentary:
o Excluding divested businesses, 1998 net sales for North America
increased approximately 2 percent compared with the prior year.
o The decline in net sales outside North America is due to
unfavorable currency exchange rates, primarily in Asia and Europe
and the decreased consumer tissue volumes in Europe, which more
than offset the increased sales volumes in Latin America.
o Excluding divested businesses, operating profit for North America
increased 1.7 percent due to the improved earnings for tissue-
based businesses.
o Outside North America, operating profit declined primarily due to
increased marketing expenses for diapers and feminine care
products in Europe, the lower earnings for tissue products in
Europe, and unfavorable currency effects in Asia.
o Of the $53.8 million 1998 Charge, $24.4 million was incurred in
North America and $29.4 million was incurred outside North
America.
Additional Income Statement Commentary:
o The increase in interest expense is attributable to higher
average debt levels.
o The Corporation's share of net income of equity companies,
excluding nonoperating items from both years, decreased 1.0
percent. In 1998, a charge of $3.8 million, or $.01 per share,
related to the change in the value of the Mexican peso was
recorded against first quarter earnings. As previously
discussed, in 1997 a net nonoperating gain of $16.3 million, or
$.03 per share, was recorded related to the required sale of a
portion of the KCM tissue business.
o Excluding the effects of the 1998 Charge, the charge for the
devaluation of the peso, the 1997 nonoperating gain at KCM and
the 1997 extraordinary gains (as described in Note 4 to the
Financial Statements), earnings from operations were $1.15 per
share for the first six months of 1998 compared with $1.25 per
share in 1997.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
o Cash provided by operations in the first six months of 1998
increased by $250.2 million compared with the first six months of
1997, primarily due to a reduced investment in working capital
which more than offset the lower contribution from net income.
o At June 30, 1998, approximately $500 million of accruals related
to the 1997 and 1998 Charges remain to be utilized. These
accruals are estimated to be adequate for the planned actions
announced in 1997.
o During the second quarter of 1998, the Corporation repurchased 3
million shares of its common stock for approximately $150
million. No share repurchases were made during the first quarter
of 1998.
o At June 30, 1998, $300 million of short-term commercial paper was
classified as long-term debt. On July 20, 1998, the Corporation
issued $300 million of 6-1/4% Debentures due July 15, 2018, and
used the proceeds to retire commercial paper.
o The Corporation increased its level of debt since June 30, 1997
by $669 million primarily to finance business acquisitions and
repurchase shares of its common stock. These actions, coupled
with the lower level of net income, have resulted in an increase
in the Corporation's debt to capital ratio to 36.6% at June 30,
1998 compared with 28.3% at June 30, 1997. This ratio is
consistent with the Corporation's objective of maintaining a
total debt to capital ratio in the range of 30 to 40 percent.
o Management believes cash flow from operations plus the ability to
issue both short-term and long-term debt will be sufficient to
fund capital expenditures, pay dividends, meet debt maturity
requirements, fund business acquisitions and allow the
Corporation to continue its previously announced share repurchase
program.
o On May 5, 1998, the Corporation announced that it will shut down
its pulp mill in Mobile, Alabama in September 1999 and will sell
the associated woodlands operations. This action is expected to
result in a net gain. As a result of the shutdown, the
Corporation will no longer be required to invest approximately
$260 million at such facility to comply with newly issued
environmental regulations for pulp mills. It is expected that
the closure of the pulp mill will reduce the percentage of virgin
fiber the Corporation produces for use in its products from
nearly 70 percent to about 45 percent. The Corporation continues
its efforts to sell its pulp mills in Terrace Bay, Ontario and
Miranda, Spain, and plans to continue to operate pulp mills in
Everett, Washington and Pictou County, Nova Scotia. The
Corporation also announced that it will continue to operate its
Mobile tissue mill and plans to invest approximately $100 million
in the facility over the next several years to install systems
that process recycled fiber and that allow the use of baled pulp.
o On May 28, 1998, the Corporation announced that it had purchased
a 50 percent equity interest in Klabin Tissue, S.A., the leading
tissue manufacturer in Brazil.
o On July 24, 1998, the Corporation announced it had reached an
agreement to sell its subsidiary, K-C Aviation Inc., to
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation for $250 million in cash. The
transaction is expected to result in a gain and close in the
third quarter.
o In July 1998, the Corporation purchased an additional 10 percent
ownership interest in its Korean affiliate, Yuhan-Kimberly,
Limited ("Y-K"), increasing the Corporation's interest in Y-K to
70 percent.
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
The Corporation has been named as a potentially responsible party at a
number of waste disposal sites, none of which, individually or in the
aggregate, in management's opinion, is likely to have a material
adverse effect on its business or results of operations.
OUTLOOK
Management has developed and begun to implement a comprehensive plan
to improve the profitability of the Corporation's operations in Europe
and already has in place a new management team and streamlined
organizational structure. The elements of the plan include
consolidating operations to eliminate excess capacity and reducing
manufacturing, distribution and administrative costs. In addition,
the Corporation will bring advanced technologies to market more
rapidly to drive growth in its tissue and personal care businesses.
Because of these actions, management expects that earnings in Europe
in the second half of 1998 will exceed those reported in the first
half. In the third quarter, however, the normal seasonal slowdown is
expected to offset a significant portion of the benefits planned to be
realized. For the year as a whole, management expects earnings in
Europe to be comparable to last year.
In addition to the actions taken in Europe to improve profitability,
management is taking steps to improve overall business results through
its previously announced restructuring plan and aggressive
productivity and cost reduction programs. As a result, management
expects earnings from operations in the second half of 1998 will be
greater than the same period in 1997.
In September 1997, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of
20 million shares of the Corporation's common stock. As of June 30,
1998, the Corporation has repurchased 7.5 million shares, including 3
million during the second quarter of 1998. As a result, as of
June 30, 1998, the Corporation had authority to repurchase up to 12.5
million shares. The Corporation currently intends to repurchase a
significant portion of these shares during the third quarter. The
actual number of shares repurchased and the timing of the transactions
will depend on prevailing market conditions and other factors. In
addition, the Corporation's policy on share repurchases has recently
been changed by extending the period of time during which it can buy
shares of its common stock. Under the new policy, shares can be
repurchased through the last day of a quarter instead of the prior
practice of halting repurchases three weeks earlier. As a result, the
Corporation now will have a buying "window" of approximately ten weeks
each quarter and greater flexibility to carry out its existing and
future share repurchase programs.
INFORMATION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain information contained in this report is forward looking and is
based on various assumptions. Such information includes, without
limitation, the business outlook, anticipated financial position and
operating results, strategies, contingencies and contemplated
transactions of the Corporation and the Corporation's estimated
effective tax rate for 1998. These forward-looking statements are
based upon management's expectations and beliefs concerning future
events impacting the Corporation. There can be no assurance that such
events will occur or that their effects on the Corporation will be as
currently expected. For a description of certain factors that could
cause the Corporation's future results to differ materially from those
expressed in any such forward-looking statements, see the section of
Part I, Item 1 of the Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1997 entitled "Factors That May Affect Future
Results."
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
(a) Exhibits
(3)a Restated Certificate of Incorporation, dated June 12, 1997,
incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. (3)a of the
Corporation's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period
ended June 30, 1997.
(3)b By-Laws, as amended November 22, 1996, incorporated by
reference to Exhibit No. 4.2 of the Corporation's
Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on December 6, 1996 (File No. 33-
17367).
(4) Copies of instruments defining the rights of holders of
long-term debt will be furnished to the Securities and
Exchange Commission upon request.
(12) The following computation is filed as an exhibit to Part I
of this Form 10-Q:
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(MILLIONS OF DOLLARS)
Six Months Ended June 30
-------------------------
1998 1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consolidated Companies
----------------------
Income before income taxes ................... $ 804.1 $ 983.6
Interest expense ............................. 97.1 83.3
Interest factor in rent expense .............. 22.7 24.8
Amortization of capitalized interest ......... 4.5 4.3
Equity Affiliates
-----------------
Share of 50%-owned:
Income before income taxes .................. 23.0 27.8
Interest expense ............................ 3.6 3.7
Interest factor in rent expense ............. .3 .3
Amortization of capitalized interest ........ .2 .4
Distributed income of less than 50%-owned .... 18.3 15.7
------- --------
Earnings ........................................ $ 973.8 $1,143.9
======= ========
Consolidated Companies
----------------------
Interest expense ............................. $ 97.1 $ 83.3
Capitalized interest ......................... 3.8 9.7
Interest factor in rent expense .............. 22.7 24.8
Equity Affiliates
-----------------
Share of 50%-owned:
Interest expense and capitalized interest.... 3.6 3.7
Interest factor in rent expense.............. .3 .3
------- -------
Fixed charges.................................... $ 127.5 $ 121.8
======= =======
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges......... 7.64 9.39
======= =======
(27) The Financial Data Schedule required by Item 601(b)(27) of
Regulation S-K has been included with the electronic filing
of this Form 10-Q.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
None.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION
(Registrant)
By: /s/ John W. Donehower
--------------------------
John W. Donehower
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial officer)
By: /s/ Randy J. Vest
--------------------------
Randy J. Vest
Vice President and Controller
(principal accounting officer)
August 10, 1998
5
1000
6-MOS
DEC-31-1998
JUN-30-1998
78900
0
1500700
0
1270200
3273000
10146900
4452900
11441900
3370400
2089200
0
0
0
0
11441900
6089900
6089900
3731600
5210200
0
0
97100
804100
256600
597700
0
0
0
597700
1.07
1.07
Items not disclosed since they are not required for interim reporting under
regulation S-X, Article 10.
