Kimberly-Clark Co. (NYSE:KMB) Sees Significant Decrease in Short Interest

Kimberly-Clark Co. (NYSE:KMB) was the target of a significant drop in short interest in March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 4,080,000 shares, a drop of 21.8% from the February 28th total of 5,220,000 shares. Currently, 1.2% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,220,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.8 days.

Kimberly-Clark Stock Up 0.6 %

Shares of NYSE KMB traded up $0.91 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $143.13. 1,725,401 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,136,181. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.05, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a current ratio of 0.80. Kimberly-Clark has a fifty-two week low of $123.84 and a fifty-two week high of $150.45. The business’s fifty day moving average is $136.76 and its 200 day moving average is $135.92. The firm has a market capitalization of $47.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.96, a P/E/G ratio of 4.46 and a beta of 0.36.

Kimberly-Clark (NYSE:KMB) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 28th. The company reported $1.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $1.50. Kimberly-Clark had a return on equity of 201.43% and a net margin of 12.69%. Equities research analysts predict that Kimberly-Clark will post 7.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Kimberly-Clark Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 7th will be paid a $1.26 dividend. This is an increase from Kimberly-Clark’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.22. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 7th. This represents a $5.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.52%. Kimberly-Clark’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 66.75%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on KMB. Piper Sandler reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $158.00 target price (down from $161.00) on shares of Kimberly-Clark in a report on Wednesday, January 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on Kimberly-Clark from $140.00 to $124.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 16th. Citigroup lowered their target price on Kimberly-Clark from $125.00 to $118.00 and set a “sell” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 15th. TD Cowen lowered Kimberly-Clark from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and set a $145.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Kimberly-Clark from $130.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $144.85.

Insider Activity at Kimberly-Clark

In other news, VP Andrew Drexler sold 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $140.00, for a total value of $350,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 2,553 shares in the company, valued at approximately $357,420. This represents a 49.48 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.64% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd. bought a new stake in Kimberly-Clark during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Marshall Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Kimberly-Clark in the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Minot DeBlois Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Kimberly-Clark in the fourth quarter valued at about $29,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Kimberly-Clark during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Finally, Strategic Financial Concepts LLC purchased a new position in shares of Kimberly-Clark during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $33,000. 76.29% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Kimberly-Clark Company Profile

Kimberly-Clark Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets personal care and consumer tissue products in the United States. It operates through three segments: Personal Care, Consumer Tissue, and K-C Professional. The company’s Personal Care segment offers disposable diapers, training and youth pants, swimpants, baby wipes, feminine and incontinence care products, reusable underwear, and other related products under the Huggies, Pull-Ups, Little Swimmers, GoodNites, DryNites, Sweety, Kotex, U by Kotex, Intimus, Thinx, Poise, Depend, Plenitud, Softex, and other brand names.