KBC Group NV Has $21.26 Million Stock Holdings in Kimberly-Clark Co. (NYSE:KMB)

KBC Group NV reduced its stake in Kimberly-Clark Co. (NYSE:KMB - Free Report) by 85.7% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 162,209 shares of the company's stock after selling 969,823 shares during the period. KBC Group NV's holdings in Kimberly-Clark were worth $21,256,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of KMB. William B. Walkup & Associates Inc. acquired a new position in Kimberly-Clark in the 2nd quarter valued at about $26,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Kimberly-Clark during the third quarter worth approximately $29,000. DiNuzzo Private Wealth Inc. grew its position in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 808.0% in the third quarter. DiNuzzo Private Wealth Inc. now owns 227 shares of the company's stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 202 shares during the last quarter. Kennebec Savings Bank bought a new position in shares of Kimberly-Clark during the third quarter worth approximately $36,000. Finally, ORG Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Kimberly-Clark during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $39,000. 76.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Kimberly-Clark Price Performance

Shares of KMB stock traded down $0.92 on Friday, hitting $129.93. 5,058,304 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,873,440. The company has a 50 day moving average of $131.20 and a 200 day moving average of $137.23. The stock has a market cap of $43.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.90 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.05, a current ratio of 0.80 and a quick ratio of 0.55. Kimberly-Clark Co. has a 12 month low of $117.67 and a 12 month high of $149.30.

Kimberly-Clark (NYSE:KMB - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, January 28th. The company reported $1.50 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts' consensus estimates of $1.50. Kimberly-Clark had a net margin of 12.69% and a return on equity of 201.43%. On average, equities research analysts predict that Kimberly-Clark Co. will post 7.52 EPS for the current year.

Kimberly-Clark Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 7th will be issued a dividend of $1.26 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 7th. This is an increase from Kimberly-Clark's previous quarterly dividend of $1.22. This represents a $5.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.88%. Kimberly-Clark's dividend payout ratio is 64.64%.

Insider Activity

In related news, VP Andrew Drexler sold 3,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $139.01, for a total value of $417,030.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 5,053 shares in the company, valued at $702,417.53. This trade represents a 37.25 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.62% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have commented on KMB. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased 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. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Kimberly-Clark from $144.00 to $132.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 17th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price objective on shares of Kimberly-Clark from $146.00 to $147.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 8th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of Kimberly-Clark from $140.00 to $130.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. Finally, Citigroup lowered their target price on shares of Kimberly-Clark from $125.00 to $118.00 and set a "sell" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 15th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $143.64.

About Kimberly-Clark

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.