In a recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission, investment management company Conning Inc. has announced that it reduced its holdings in Kimberly-Clark Co. by 10.0% during the second quarter of this year. As a result, Conning Inc. now owns approximately 257,343 shares of the company’s stock after selling 28,726 shares within the period. This represents around 0.08% of Kimberly-Clark’s total worth, which is estimated to be $35,461,000 according to Conning Inc.’s latest SEC filing.
Kimberly-Clark is a well-established global company known for its consumer products in various sectors including personal care and hygiene. This strategic move by Conning Inc. holds significance as it signals an adjustment in their investment portfolio.
Moreover, recently Kimberly-Clark declared a quarterly dividend to its shareholders, which is scheduled to be paid out on Tuesday, October 3rd in accordance with its announcement. Shareholders who were recorded as holding shares on Friday, September 8th will receive a dividend payment of $1.18 per share. Considering this figure on an annual basis indicates a total dividend payout of $4.72 per share and a yield of approximately 3.97%. It is important to note that the ex-dividend date for this dividend is set on Thursday, September 7th.
Kimberly-Clark’s payout ratio stands at 97.32%, highlighting the proportion of earnings being distributed to shareholders as dividends.
This development demonstrates the ongoing efforts by both Conning Inc. and Kimberly-Clark Co. to make necessary adjustments and provide returns to their respective stakeholders in line with their financial goals.
As investors continue to monitor these developments closely, it remains crucial for them to stay updated on any further announcements made by these companies that may impact their investments and potential gains or losses within this ever-changing market landscape.
*Note: The information provided in this article is based on the reference date of October 3, 2023.
[bs_slider_forecast ticker=”KMB”]
Kimberly-Clark Co.: Institutional Investors Show Confidence Despite Mixed Analyst Opinions
Kimberly-Clark Co. (NYSE:KMB), a global leader in essential personal care products, has recently seen activity from institutional investors and hedge funds altering their positions in the company. Fairfield Bush & CO., for instance, acquired a new position in Kimberly-Clark during the first quarter with an approximate value of $96,000. Meanwhile, Sei Investments Co. boosted its holdings by 22.2% during the same period and now owns 190,867 shares valued at $23,483,000.
Baird Financial Group Inc. also increased its holdings by 2.8% in the first quarter, acquiring an additional 7,878 shares worth $36,066,000. Merit Financial Group LLC followed suit with a 23.9% increase in shares during the same period, adding an additional 791 shares valued at $505,000 to their portfolio. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC saw a substantial increase of 28.7% in shares during the first quarter and now holds 20,180 shares worth $2,485,000.
These recent investment activities indicate a level of confidence and interest from various market players towards Kimberly-Clark as an investment opportunity.
Research analyst reports have also shed light on Kimberly-Clark’s performance. Citigroup recently decreased their price objective for the company from $130.00 to $126.00 while Bank of America lowered theirs from $145.00 to $138.00.
HSBC initiated coverage on Kimberly-Clark and assigned the stock a “hold” rating along with a price target of $133.00.
TheStreet downgraded Kimberly-Clark from a “b” rating to a “c+” rating due to certain factors outlined in its research note issued on Tuesday July 25th.
Barclays bucked the trend and increased their price objective for Kimberley Clark from $137.00 to $141.00, maintaining an “equal weight” rating for the stock.
Overall, Bloomberg reports that Kimberly-Clark has a consensus rating of “Hold” among research analysts, with an average price target of $135.15.
Despite positive investor activity and mixed analyst opinions, KMB shares traded down $1.84 on Monday and reached a price of $119.01. It is worth noting that 1,719,407 shares were traded during this period – above the company’s average volume of 1,676,465 shares.
Kimberly-Clark Co.’s financial health and market performance should also be taken into consideration by potential investors. The company’s quick ratio stands at 0.55 and its current ratio at 0.87. Additionally, Kimberly-Clark has a debt-to-equity ratio of 12.21. With a market capitalization of $40.25 billion and a PE ratio of 24.73, the company appears to present itself as an intriguing investment option.
Kimberly-Clark has experienced fluctuations in its share price over the past year, ranging from a low of $108.74 to a high of $147.87. As of now, the stock has shown a fifty-day simple moving average of $127.34 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $133.81.
When it comes to financial results, Kimberly-Clark last reported quarterly earnings on July 25th with earnings per share (EPS) totaling $1.65 for the quarter – surpassing analysts’ estimates by $0.17 per share ($1.48 EPS). The company’s return on equity was an impressive 303%, showcasing its ability to generate substantial returns for shareholders.
With a net margin of 8.07% and revenue amounting to $5.13 billion for the quarter – matching analyst estimates – Kimberly-Clark demonstrates proficiency in generating consistent revenue growth. These results indicate a 1.4% year-over-year increase in quarterly revenue.
Analysts foresee Kimberly-Clark Co. posting 6.42 EPS for the current fiscal year, solidifying its reputation as a financially stable and proficient company.
In conclusion, despite recent fluctuations in share price and mixed analyst opinions, Kimberly-Clark remains an enticing proposition for institutional investors and hedge funds. Its market performance, financial health, and impressive quarterly results highlight the potential benefits of investing in this personal care products leader. As with all investments, careful consideration should be given to individual risk tolerance and financial goals before proceeding.
