Kimberly-Clark
KMB
#693
Rank
$36.16 B
Marketcap
$108.97
Share price
1.27%
Change (1 day)
-15.86%
Change (1 year)

Kimberly-Clark - 10-Q quarterly report FY


Text size:
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, 1996

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)

(214) 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 5, 1996, 281,830,980 SHARES OF THE CORPORATION'S COMMON STOCK
WERE OUTSTANDING.


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION


ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

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) 1996 1995 1996 1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NET SALES ............................ $3,347.7 $3,393.7 $6,549.8 $6,565.6
Cost of products sold ............. 2,093.4 2,220.5 4,127.4 4,340.7
-------- ------- ------- -------

GROSS PROFIT ......................... 1,254.3 1,173.2 2,422.4 2,224.9
Advertising, promotion and selling
expenses ....................... 565.2 531.8 1,065.3 1,027.2
Research expense .................. 51.4 50.1 97.0 99.5
General expense ................... 149.5 155.6 278.6 293.6
-------- ------- ------- -------

OPERATING PROFIT ..................... 488.2 435.7 981.5 804.6
Interest Income ................... 7.2 6.6 14.7 18.2
Interest expense .................. (50.5) (64.6) (102.1) (125.8)
Other income (expense), net ....... 73.1 36.0 72.4 39.7
-------- ------- ------- -------


INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES ........... 518.0 413.7 966.5 736.7
Provision for income taxes ........ 181.4 144.7 338.3 261.4
-------- ------- ------- -------


INCOME BEFORE EQUITY INTERESTS ....... 336.6 269.0 628.2 475.3
20
Share of net income of equity
companies ...................... 37.9 48.6 72.8 50.9
Minority owners' share of subsidiaries'
net income ..................... (9.8) (10.2) (21.5) (19.2)
-------- ------- ------- -------


NET INCOME ........................... $ 364.7 $ 307.4 $ 679.5 $ 507.0
======== ======== ======== ========



PER SHARE BASIS:

Net Income ............................ $ 1.30 $ 1.10 $ 2.41 $ 1.81
======== ======= ======= ========


Cash Dividends Declared................ $ .46 $ .45 $ .92 $ .90
======== ======= ======= ========




</TABLE>


Unaudited

See Notes to Financial Statements.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

June 30, December 31,
(Millions of dollars) 1996 1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents .................... $ 95.9 $ 221.6
Accounts receivable .......................... 1,650.3 1,678.0
Inventories .................................. 1,364.5 1,426.1
Other current assets ......................... 415.6 488.1
--------- ---------


TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS ....................... 3,526.3 3,813.8
--------- ---------

PROPERTY ........................................ 11,178.1 10,919.9
Less accumulated depreciation ................ 5,114.6 4,866.6
--------- ---------


NET PROPERTY ............................... 6,063.5 6,053.3
--------- ---------


INVESTMENTS IN EQUITY COMPANIES ................. 516.4 413.4
ASSETS HELD FOR SALE ............................ 196.4 330.2
GOODWILL, DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS ..... 814.5 828.5
--------- ---------


$11,117.1 $11,439.2
========= =========

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES
Debt payable within one year ................. $ 568.7 $ 817.8
Accounts payable ............................. 853.8 1,103.6
Accrued expenses ............................. 1,406.2 1,555.3
Other current liabilities .................... 485.6 392.9
--------- ---------


TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES .................. 3,314.3 3,869.6
LONG-TERM DEBT .................................. 1,884.4 1,984.7
NONCURRENT EMPLOYEE BENEFIT AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS 898.3 974.9
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES ........................... 781.5 723.1
MINORITY OWNERS' INTERESTS IN SUBSIDIARIES ...... 218.3 236.5
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY ............................ 4,020.3 3,650.4
--------- ---------


$11,117.1 $11,439.2
========= =========



</TABLE>

Unaudited

See Notes to Financial Statements.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES


Six Months
Ended June 30
--------------------
(Millions of dollars) 1996 1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Net Income .............................................. $ 679.5 $ 507.0
Depreciation ............................................ 279.1 287.7
Changes in operating working capital .................... (201.3) (590.2)
Net gains on asset dispositions ......................... (62.9) (52.3)
Pension funding less than (in excess) of expense ........ 4.0 (57.3)
Other .................................................... (.8) 28.4
-------- -------


CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATIONS ........................ 697.6 123.3
-------- -------


INVESTING
Capital spending ........................................ (335.6) (372.0)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired ......... (68.0) (64.4)
Disposals of property and businesses .................... 265.5 172.4
Other ................................................... .1 (1.4)
-------- -------


CASH USED FOR INVESTING ............................ (138.0) (265.4)
-------- -------


FINANCING
Cash dividends paid ..................................... (202.3) (173.0)
Changes in debt payable within one year ................. (308.5) 182.4
Increases in long-term debt ............................. 19.9 55.7
Decreases in long-term debt ............................. (114.8) (724.8)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options ................. 157.9 69.6
Acquisitions of common stock for the treasury ........... (243.9) (128.6)
Other ................................................... 6.4 (35.2)
-------- -------


CASH USED FOR FINANCING ............................ (685.3) (753.9)
-------- -------


DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS ...................... $(125.7) $(896.0)
======== ========



</TABLE>

Unaudited

See Notes to Financial Statements.



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

1. On December 12, 1995, Kimberly-Clark Corporation (the `Corporation'')
merged with Scott Paper Company (`Scott'') in a transaction that was
accounted for as a pooling of interests for financial reporting
purposes. As a result, prior period financial information has been
restated to give effect to this merger except for cash dividends
declared per share, which represents the historical dividends declared
by the Corporation. Certain promotional costs incurred by former
Scott units in 1995 and the first quarter of 1996 have been
reclassified from advertising, promotion and selling expenses to a
reduction in net sales to conform to the current presentation of such
data for the second quarter and the six months ended June 30, 1996.

2. The unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Corporation
have been prepared on the same basis as those in the 1995 Annual
Report to Stockholders and include adjustments necessary to present
fairly the condensed consolidated balance sheet and consolidated
income and condensed cash flow statements for the periods indicated.

3. Share of net income of equity companies and net income for the second
quarter and six months ended June 30, 1996 include a loss of $.6
million, with no per share impact, and a gain of $1.4 million, or $.01
per share, respectively, for the translation of U.S. dollar
denominated liabilities into pesos resulting from the fluctuation of
the Mexican peso. During the second quarter and six months ended June
30, 1995, the translation of the Mexican peso resulted in a gain of
$8.4 million, or $.03 per share, and a loss of $18.4 million, or $.07
per share, respectively.

4. The average number of common shares outstanding used in the
calculation of net income per share for the six months ended June 30,
1996 and 1995, was 282.0 million and 279.2 million, respectively.
There were 281.7 million shares outstanding at June 30, 1996.

5. The following schedule details inventories by major class as of June
30, 1996 and December 31, 1995:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
June 30, December 31,
(Millions of dolllars 1996 1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
At lower of cost on the First-In,
First-Out (FIFO) method or market:
Raw materials .......................... $ 311.1 $ 373.7
Work in process ........................ 266.1 281.0
Finished goods ......................... 813.6 785.2
Supplies and other ..................... 195.8 251.1
-------- --------

1,586.6 1,691.0

Excess of FIFO cost over Last-In,
First-Out (LIFO) cost ................... (222.1) (264.9)
-------- --------


Total .................................. $1,364.5 $1,426.1
======== ========




</TABLE>

Unaudited



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.

BUSINESS SEGMENTS


In conjunction with the previously discussed Scott merger and the
application of pooling of interests accounting, management redefined its
consolidated operations into the following three business segments to
appropriately reflect the businesses in which the Corporation now operates.

. Personal Care Products include infant, child, feminine and
incontinence care products; wet wipes; health care products; and
related products.

. Tissue-Based Products include 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.

Business segment data for all periods presented have been restated to this
revised presentation.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:

SECOND QUARTER OF 1996 COMPARED WITH SECOND QUARTER OF 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

By Business Segment
($ Millions)


% Change % of 1996
NET SALES 1996 vs. 1995 Consolidated
- ------------------------------------------------------------------

<S> <C> <C> <C>
Personal Care Products..... $1,198.1 + 4.9% 35.8%
Tissue-Based Products...... 1,923.0 + 3.3 57.4
Newsprint, Paper and Other. 247.2 - 41.9 7.4

Adjustments................ (20.6) (.6)
-------- ------

Consolidated............... $3,347.7 - 1.4% 100.0%
======== ======


</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
% Change % of 1996 % Return on Sales
-----------------
OPERATING PROFIT 1996 vs. 1995 Consolidated 1996 1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Personal Care Products .... $183.1 + 21.6% 37.5% 15.3% 13.2%
Tissue-Based Products ..... 253.2 + 1.4 51.9 13.2 13.4
Newsprint, Paper and Other 63.5 - 6.8 13.0 25.7 16.0

Adjustments................ (11.6) (2.4)
------ ------

Consolidated............... $488.2 + 12.0% 100.0% 14.6% 12.8%
====== ======

</TABLE>


Commentary:

The decline in net sales of 1.4 percent was attributable to the 1995 net
sales of businesses which were subsequently divested, principally
Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc. and Midwest Express Airlines, Inc.
Excluding the sales of these businesses, which were included in the
Newsprint, Paper and Other business segment and which totaled $198.5
million in the second quarter of 1995, consolidated net sales and sales
volumes increased 4.8 percent and 5.5 percent, respectively.

. On a worldwide basis, sales volumes of personal care products
increased approximately 8 percent.

. In North America, sales volumes increased for training and youth
pants, diapers, away-from-home products, professional health care
products, wet wipes, incontinence care products, feminine care
products and technical papers, but declined approximately 6 percent
for consumer tissue products in North America.

. In Europe, sales volumes were higher for disposable diapers as a
result of market share gains in the United Kingdom, France and
Belgium. Sales volumes also were higher for household and away-from-
home products.

. Sales volumes for consumer products improved in Latin America,
particularily in Argentina.

. Although relative to 1995 second quarter levels, selling prices were
higher in North America for facial tissue and household towels, they
were lower than 1996 first quarter levels.

. Selling prices improved in Europe for consumer and away-from-home
tissue products, and in the Asia/Pacific region for various consumer
products.

. Changes in currency exchange rates had no significant effect on
consolidated net sales in the second quarter of 1996.



Gross profit improved 6.9 percent in absolute terms and as a percentage of
sales due, in large part, to lower fiber costs and improved operating
efficiencies.

. Pulp costs were lower worldwide.

. Cost reductions and manufacturing efficiencies were achieved in North
America primarily in the personal care business and in newsprint.

. Start-up costs declined in the personal care business.

The increase in operating profit of 12.0 percent was greater than the
increase in gross profit primarily because of merger-related cost savings
and lower general expenses, partially offset by higher marketing expenses.

. Excluding the 1995 operating profit of the previously mentioned
divested businesses, the increase in 1996 operating profit was 20.2
percent.

. Marketing expenses increased 6.3 percent because of higher advertising
and promotion expenses to support the Corporation's U.S. tissue
products and its European diaper expansion, partially offset by
savings from the merger-related integration of sales and marketing
teams in the U.S. and Europe.

. The key contributors to the increase in operating profit were the
personal care business in North America and the tissue business in
Europe.

. Changes in currency exchange rates had no significant effect on
consolidated operating profit in the second quarter of 1996.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

By Geography
($ Millions)

% Change % of 1996
NET SALES 1996 vs. 1995 Consolidated
- -------------------------------------------------------------------

<S> <C> <C> <C>
North America.............. $2,240.5 - 5.8% 66.9%
Outside North America...... 1,195.2 +10.2 35.7
Adjustments................ (88.0) (2.6)
-------- ------

Consolidated............... $3,347.7 - 1.4% 100.0%
======== ======



</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

% Change % of 1996 % Return on Sales
------------------
OPERATING PROFIT 1996 vs. 1995 Consolidated 1996 1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
North America.............. $389.0 + 2.4% 79.7% 17.4% 16.0%
Outside North America...... 110.8 + 25.2 22.7 9.3 8.2
Adjustments................ (11.6) (2.4)
------- -----

Consolidated .............. $488.2 + 12.0% 100.0% 14.6% 12.8%
====== ======



</TABLE>

Commentary:

. Operating profit for Europe increased significantly due to the higher
sales volumes, lower fiber costs and savings from the merger-related
integration of sales and marketing teams.

. Operating results for the disposable diaper business in Europe
remained essentially flat as increased sales volumes and the benefits
of cost savings programs were offset by higher costs to introduce an
improved diaper and by lower selling prices in France and the United
Kingdom.

Additional Income Statement Commentary:

. The decline in interest expense was primarily the result of lower
average debt levels. In addition, a lower average interest rate on
borrowed funds reduced interest expense.

. Other income includes a net pretax gain of approximately $70 million,
or $.16 per share after taxes, related to the divestiture of the
former Scott baby wipes and facial tissue businesses in the U.S., to
meet regulatory requirements related to the merger, and the sale of
the Corporation's remaining 20 percent interest in Midwest Express
Holdings, Inc., the parent company of Midwest Express Airlines, Inc.

. In 1995, asset sales and other nonoperating gains in other income
totaled approximately $35 million, or $.08 per share after taxes.

. The effective income tax rate was 35.0 percent in both years and is
expected to remain at approximately 35.0 percent for the balance of
1996.

. The year-to-year comparison of the Corporation's share of net income
of equity companies was negatively affected by the change in the value
of the Mexican peso in 1995. During the second quarter of 1995, the
peso gained approximately 8.5 percent of its value versus the U.S.
dollar, whereas it declined approximately .7 percent in the second
quarter of 1996. The Corporation's Mexican affiliate, Kimberly-Clark
de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., has financed part of its operations with
U.S. dollar-denominated liabilities, and the remeasurement of these
liabilities by the affiliate resulted in an after-tax gain in 1995, of
which Kimberly-Clark's share was $8.4 million, compared with an after-
tax loss in 1996, of which Kimberly-Clark's share was $.6 million.
These factors resulted in a negative year-to-year comparison of $.03
per share.

. The Corporation's share of equity company net income declined 22.0
percent in 1996 compared to a year ago. Excluding the previously
mentioned peso effect, the Corporation's share of equity company net
income declined 4.2 percent, or $1.7 million. The decline occurred in
the Corporation's equity affiliate in Mexico due to lower sales
volumes and operating profit which were attributable to depressed
economic conditions.

. Excluding the previously discussed effects of the peso, asset sales
and other nonoperating gains, net income for the second quarter of
1996 increased 16.0 percent to $321.8 million, or $1.14 per share,
from $275.8 million, or $.99 per share, in the second quarter of 1995.
On a per share basis, the increase was 15.2 percent.



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:
FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1996 COMPARED WITH FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1995

By Business Segment
($ Millions)

% Change % of 1996
NET SALES 1996 vs. 1995 Consolidated
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Personal Care Products..... $2,341.0 + 8.8% 35.8%
Tissue-Based Products...... 3,739.7 + 2.4 57.1
Newsprint, Paper and Other. 505.2 - 38.2 7.7

Adjustments................ (36.1) (.6)
-------- -------

Consolidated............... $6,549.8 - .2% 100.0%
======== =======

</TABLE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
% Change % of 1996 % Return on Sales
----------------
OPERATING PROFIT 1996 vs. 1995 Consolidated 1996 1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Personal Care Products .... $ 364.6 + 33.7% 37.2% 15.6% 12.7%
Tissue-Based Products ..... 522.6 + 15.6 53.2 14.0 12.4
Newsprint, Paper and Other 117.5 - 7.6 12.0 23.3 15.6

Adjustments................ (23.2) (2.4)
--------- ------

Consolidated............... $ 981.5 + 22.0% 100.0% 15.0% 12.3%
======== =====

</TABLE>

Commentary:

Despite improved selling prices, which were up 3.6 percent in the first six
months of 1996, net sales declined .2 percent due to the 1995 sales of the
previously discussed divested businesses. Excluding sales of these
businesses, which totaled $400.7 million for the first six months of 1995,
consolidated net sales and sales volumes increased 6.2 percent and 2.4
percent, respectively.

. Selling prices increased in many North American businesses, most
importantly for consumer and away-from-home tissue products, newsprint
and diapers.

. Selling prices improved in Europe for consumer and away-from-home
tissue products, and in the Asia/Pacific region for various consumer
products.

. On a worldwide basis, sales volumes of personal care products
increased approximately 10 percent.

. In North America, sales volumes increased for diapers, training and
youth pants, professional health care products, wet wipes,
incontinence care products and technical papers.

. Sales volumes for consumer tissue products in North America declined
approximately 11 percent. As previously discussed, they declined
approximately 6 percent in the second quarter of 1996, compared with a
decline of approximately 15 percent in the first quarter. Although
market shares declined in the first quarter compared to 1995 levels,
sales trends improved during the second quarter, and market shares, in
units, for household towels and bathroom tissue products reflect these
trends. The Corporation's share of the North American household towel
market was approximately 18 percent in June compared with
approximately 15 percent in March, and its share of the bathroom
tissue market was approximately 31 percent in June compared with
approximately 26 percent in March.

. In Europe, sales volumes were higher for disposable diapers as a
result of market share gains in the United Kingdom, France and
Belgium. Sales volumes also were higher for household products.

. Sales volumes for consumer products improved in Latin America,
particularily in Argentina.

. Changes in currency exchange rates had no significant effect on
consolidated net sales in the first six months of 1996.

Gross profit increased 8.9 percent in absolute terms and as a percentage of
sales due primarily to the higher selling prices.

. Cost reductions, manufacturing efficiencies and lower start-up costs
were achieved in North America primarily in the personal care segment.

The increase in operating profit of 22.0 percent was greater than the
increase in gross profit primarily because of merger-related cost savings
and lower research and general expenses, partially offset by higher
marketing expenses.

. Excluding the 1995 operating profit of the previously mentioned
divested businesses, the increase in 1996 operating profit was nearly
30 percent.

. Marketing expenses increased 3.7 percent because of higher advertising
and promotion expenses to support the Corporation's U.S. tissue
products and its European diaper expansion, partially offset by
savings from the merger-related integration of sales and marketing
teams in the U.S. and Europe.

. The key contributors to the increase in operating profit were the
personal care business in North America and the tissue business in
Europe.

. Changes in currency exchange rates had no significant effect on
consolidated operating profit in the first six months of 1996.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

By Geography
($ Millions)

% Change % of 1996
NET SALES 1996 vs. 1995 Consolidated
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
North America.............. $4,452.1 - 4.5% 68.0%
Outside North America...... 2,258.9 +10.7 34.5
Adjustments................ (161.2) (2.5)
-------- ------

Consolidated............... $6,549.8 - .2% 100.0%
======== =====


</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


% Change % of 1996 % Return on Sales
-----------------
OPERATING PROFIT 1996 vs. 1995 Consolidated 1996 1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
North America.............. $826.1 +18.8% 84.2% 18.6% 14.9%
Outside North America...... 178.6 +14.2 18.2 7.9 7.7
Adjustments................ (23.2) (2.4)
------ -------

Consolidated $981.5 +22.0% 100.0% 15.0% 12.3%
====== =====


</TABLE>

Commentary:

. Operating profit for Europe increased significantly primarily due to
the higher sales volumes.

. Despite benefiting from the higher sales volumes, operating results
for the disposable diaper business in Europe declined due to higher
costs to introduce an improved diaper and lower selling prices in
France and the United Kingdom.

Additional Income Statement Commentary:

. The decline in interest expense was primarily the result of lower
average debt levels.

. Other income includes a net pretax gain of approximately $70 million,
or $.16 per share after taxes, from the previously mentioned
regulatory divestitures and the sale of the Corporation's remaining 20
percent interest in Midwest Express Holdings, Inc.

. As previously mentioned, asset sales and other nonoperating gains in
other income totaled approximately $35 million in 1995, or $.08 per
share after taxes.

. The effective income tax rate declined from 35.5 percent in 1995 to
35.0 percent in 1996.

. The year-to-year comparison of the Corporation's share of net income
of equity companies was positively affected by the change in the value
of the Mexican peso in 1995. During the the first six months of 1995,
the peso lost approximately 18.5 percent of its value versus the U.S.
dollar, whereas it gained approximately 1.6 percent in the first six
months of 1996. The Corporation's Mexican affiliate, Kimberly-Clark
de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., has financed part of its operations with
U.S. dollar-denominated liabilities, and the remeasurement of these
liabilities by the affiliate resulted in an after-tax loss in 1995, of
which Kimberly-Clark's share was $18.4 million, compared with an
after-tax gain in 1996, of which Kimberly-Clark's share was $1.4
million. These factors resulted in a positive year-to-year comparison
of $.08 per share.

. The Corporation's share of equity company net income improved 43.0
percent in 1996 compared to a year ago. Excluding the previously
mentioned peso effects, the Corporation's share of equity company net
income improved 3.0 percent, or $2.1 million.

. Excluding the previously discussed effects of the peso, asset sales
and other nonoperating gains, net income for the first six months of
1996 increased 26.1 percent to $634.6 million, or $2.24 per share,
from $502.2 million, or $1.80 per share, in the the first six months
of 1995. On a per share basis, the increase was 24.4 percent.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

. Cash provided from operations increased $574.3 million in the first six
months of 1996 compared to 1995. The cash flow improvement resulted, in
large part, from the increase in net income, the timing of income tax
payments, and lower accounts receivable and inventories. The decline in
accounts receivable is consistent with the lower sales for the period,
and the reduction in inventories is attributable, in part, to increased
emphasis on minimizing inventory levels. Partially offsetting these
sources of cash from operations was a decline in dividends received from
equity companies, lower accounts payable and a decrease in accrued
liabilities, attributable, in part, to the 1995 restructuring and other
unusual accruals as explained more fully below.

. In the fourth quarter of 1995, the Corporation recorded a one-time
pretax charge of $1,440.0 million for the estimated costs of the
merger with Scott, for restructuring the combined operations, and for
other unusual charges ( the `1995 one-time charge''). The 1995 one-
time charge included:

. The write-down of certain mills and facilities in the U.S. and
Europe that will be disposed of to eliminate excess capacity,
improve manufacturing efficiencies in the combined company and to
comply with consent decrees of the U.S. Department of Justice and
the European Commission.

. Employee severance and other employee-related costs.

. The costs of terminating leases, contracts and other long-term
agreements.

. Impaired asset charges for certain mills or operations the future
cash flows of which are estimated to be insufficient to recover
their carrying amounts.

. Fees for investment bankers, outside legal counsel and independent
auditors and other costs of the merger.

. Other asset write-downs.

. During the first six months of 1996, more than $200 million of
employee severance and other employee-related costs; fees for
investment bankers, lawyers and accountants; and lease and contract
termination costs were charged to these accruals.

. On June 28, 1996, the Corporation completed the sale of the baby and
child wipes business previously conducted by Scott, consisting of
three baby and child wipe brands - Baby Fresh, Wash a-Bye Baby and Kid
Fresh - and Scott's Dover, Delaware, production facility, to The
Procter & Gamble Company. Proceeds from the sale were in excess of
$200 million. In addition, on July 31, 1996, the Corporation
completed the sale of Scott's Fort Edward, New York mill and the
Scotties facial tissue business to Irving Tissue, Inc., a privately
held Canadian company. The Corporation is continuing its efforts to
sell a second U.S. tissue mill.

. In Europe, the Corporation has decided to divest the baby wipes
converting plant in Neunkirchen, Germany, and to consolidate its
feminine care production at its Forchheim mill in Germany, selling or
closing its feminine care products mill in Veenendaal, Netherlands.
In addition, the Corporation has restructured its tissue mill in
Larkfield, England, and, over the next 18 months, it expects to
downsize other facilities in Flensburg and Koblenz, Germany, and
Gennep, Netherlands. Negotiations also are underway to sell the
Prudhoe, England tissue mill and to license the Kleenex bathroom
tissue and towel brands, along with the former Scott facial tissue
brands in the U.K., as required by the European Commission.

. The previously mentioned sale of the Corporation's remaining 20 percent
interest in Midwest Express Holdings resulted in proceeds of
approximately $43 million.

. During the first six months of 1996, the Corporation purchased 3.1
million shares of its common stock for the treasury at a total cost of
$220.4 million in connection with its 6.5 million share reacquisition
program announced in April 1996 and the remaining authority of a 1994
program. An additional 4.7 million shares remain to be acquired under
the program announced in 1996.

. Total debt was reduced approximately $350 million during the first six
months of 1996.

. On April 18, 1996, the Corporation announced that it would sell its 50.1
percent interest in Scott Paper Limited, a publicly traded Canadian
company (``SPL''). The Corporation acquired its interest in SPL when it
merged with Scott. Discussions are continuing with SPL concerning the
terms of sale of the Corporation's interest. The sale is expected to
result in a gain which will be recorded when realized.

. In the second quarter of 1996, the Corporation:

. Increased its ownership of Kimberly-Clark Argentina S.A. to 100
percent from 51 percent;

. Formed a joint venture company in Israel by purchasing 49.9 percent of
Hogla Ltd., the country's leading consumer products company;

. Purchased 51 percent of the tissue company Papelera Guaicaipuro,
marking its first entry into the Venezuelan tissue market; and

. In early July, the Corporation entered the Brazilian personal care
market with the purchase of 51 percent of Kenko do Brasil.


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

The Corporation believes that it has taken many positive steps during the
second quarter to ensure the future growth of Kimberly-Clark, while
managing its businesses in the short term to mitigate the adverse impact of
lower selling prices for its U.S. consumer and international tissue
products. The Corporation has launched new or improved products such as
Kleenex Cottonelle bathroom tissue, Kleenex Cold Care facial tissue and
Huggies Pull-Ups training pants in the U.S. and, more recently, announced
product improvements for Huggies diapers in Europe and the U.S. It has
recently made strategic acquisitions in the growth markets of Argentina,
Brazil, Israel and Venezuela. In addition, the Corporation believes that
it has continued to make excellent progress with the integration of the
Kimberly-Clark and Scott operations and is well on its way to realizing
savings of at least $250 million this year, increasing to $500 million in
1998.

In combination, these factors have resulted in stronger cash flow than
earlier estimates. The Corporation is encouraged by the financial strength
and flexibility this provides. It now expects to generate additional cash
of $200-$300 million over the balance of the year which will be used to
continue purchasing shares of its common stock on the open market and to
reduce debt.

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, discussions with respect to expected selling prices for tissue-
based products; expected savings attributable to the Scott merger; expected
cash flow and the estimated effective income tax rate in 1996; status of
the restructuring and other unusual accruals at June 30, 1996; and
expectations with respect to mills and facilities targeted for
restructuring or disposal in 1996 and 1997. These forward-looking
statements are made based on management's current 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.


PART II - OTHER INFORMATION




ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Litigation
- ----------

On June 18, 1996, the Corporation was served with an amended complaint in
the action originally filed on September 20, 1994 by the Attorney General of
the State of West Virginia in the Circuit Court of Kanawha County seeking to
recover from certain tobacco companies and other defendants, including the
Corporation, monies which West Virginia allegedly has spent and will spend on
medical care for its citizens with alleged tobacco-related illnesses. Among
other things, the amended complaint alleges that the Corporation aided,
abetted and participated in the manufacture of cigarettes by supplying
reconstituted tobacco sheets to the tobacco company defendants and
advertising that the use of such sheets would allow the tobacco companies to
manipulate the level of nicotine in their cigarettes. The Attorney General
amended the original complaint to add Public Employees Insurance Agency as a
plaintiff in an effort to reinstate eight common law counts which had been
dismissed against the Corporation and the other defendants on June 6, 1995 on
the basis that the Attorney General lacked the authority to bring the suit in
his own name. The Corporation has filed a motion to dismiss the amended
complaint on several grounds. The Corporation believes the Attorney General's
claims are without merit.

Environmental Matters
- ---------------------

The Corporation has received a Notice of Violation from the Michigan
Department of Environmental Quality alleging excess particulate emissions
from the Munising mill's coal-fired power boiler. The Corporation has
ordered and will install additional air pollution control equipment to
improve the environmental performance of the power boiler. Settlement
discussions with the State to fully resolve this matter are ongoing.



Item 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

(a) Exhibits



(3) Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Kimberly-Clark Corporation,
December 12, 1995.

(4) Copies of instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt
will be furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon
request.

(10) Kimberly-Clark Corporation Outside Directors' Stock Compensation Plan,
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Registration Statement
on Form S-8 of the Corporation filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on April 18, 1996 (Registration No. 33-02607).

(11) The following statement is filed as an exhibit to Part I of this Form
10-Q:

The net income per common share computations included in the
Consolidated Income Statement in Part 1, Item I, of this Form 10-Q are
based on average number of shares of common stock outstanding. The
only "common stock equivalents" or other potentially dilutive securit-
ies or agreements (as defined in Accounting Principles Board Opinion
No. 15) which were contained in the Corporation's capital structure
during the periods presented were options outstanding under the
Corporation's Equity Participation Plans.

Alternative computations of "primary" and "fully diluted" net income
per share amounts for 1996 and 1995 assume the exercise of outstanding
stock options using the "treasury stock method." There is no
significant difference between net income per share presented in Item
1 and net income per share calculated on a "primary" and "fully
diluted" basis for the second quarter and first six months of 1996 and
1995.


(12) The following computation is filed as an exhibit to Part I of this
Form 10-Q:



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS)




Six Months Ended June 30
------------------------
1996 1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S> <C> <C>
Consolidated Companies

Income before income taxes .................. $ 966.5 $736.7
Interest expense ............................. 102.1 125.8
Interest factor in rent expense............... 13.6 17.8
Amortization of capitalized interest.......... 4.2 4.4

Equity Affiliates

Share of 50%-owned:
Income before income taxes ................. 20.1 22.4
Interest expense............................ 4.7 4.0
Interest factor in rent expense............. .4 .3
Amortization of capitalized interest........ .4 .3
Distributed income of less than 50%-owned .... 12.2 6.8
-------- ------

Earnings ....................................... $1,124.2 $918.5
======== ======


Consolidated Companies

Interest expense ............................. $ 102.1 $125.8
Capitalized interest ......................... 8.0 6.6
Interest factor in rent expense .............. 13.6 17.8

Equity Affiliates

Share of 50%-owned:
Interest expense and capitalized interest... 4.7 4.3
Interest factor in rent expense ............ .4 .3
-------- ------


Fixed charges .................................. $ 128.8 $154.8
======== ======



Ratio of earnings to fixed charges ....... 8.73 5.93
======== ======




</TABLE>


(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 9, 1996