Kimberly-Clark has a net income of $ $411 million in 4th tri of 2018

Kimberly-Clark, American multinational consumer sector, recorded a net profit of $ $411 million in the fourth quarter of 2018, representing a decline of 33.4% over the same period last year. On the same basis of comparison, the company's revenues shrank by 0.7%, from $ $4.603 billion to $ $4.569 billion. According to the President of Kimberly, Mike Hsu, the macroeconomic environment in the period was challenging, resulting in a drop in the company's margins and reflecting a significant reduction of commodity inflation and strong foreign exchange volatility. In addition, the company said that higher production costs — driven by pulp and other materials — also contributed to the smaller fourth-quarter results. By segment, sales of personal products fell 2 percent, the paper and handkerchiefs of K-C Professional — Enterprise Products Division — were stable. In North America, sales of organic K-C Professional rose 6% and of consumer products increased 3%. Outside this region, growth was 4% for both segments. For 2019, Kimberly-Clark expects to register a fall of 1% to 2% in sales and a reduction of 2% to 3% in operating profit. The earnings per share this year should be $ $6.50 to $ $6.70.