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Research Alert: CFRA Maintains Hold Opinion On Shares Of Kimberly-clark Corp

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CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:

We lower our 12-month price target by $6 to $104, 14x our 2026 EPS estimate (from 16x), a discount to its 19x five-year average forward multiple, reflecting integration risks stemming from the acquisition of Kenvue Inc. (KVUE 17 ***). We lower our 2026 EPS estimate to $7.45 from $7.56 and keep 2027's at $6.31. Following Q1 results, we maintain our Hold rating, reflecting a balanced assessment of operational momentum, with adjusted EPS of $1.97 beating the $1.95 consensus estimate, against a conservative full-year outlook. Management maintained organic sales growth guidance despite the Q1 beat, disappointing investors that expected an upward revision. Operating margin contracted 60 bps as higher operational and raw material costs offset productivity gains. Additionally, the KVUE acquisition introduces integration risks, having received shareholder approval but still pending regulatory approval. At current levels, we see balanced risk/reward and would become more constructive if management raised guidance.

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