KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS Makes New $33.91 Million Investment in Kimberly-Clark Co. (NYSE:KMB)

KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS acquired a new stake in Kimberly-Clark Co. (NYSE:KMB - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 256,768 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $33,912,000. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS owned approximately 0.08% of Kimberly-Clark as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 5.9% during the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 19,304,396 shares of the company's stock worth $2,768,367,000 after purchasing an additional 1,083,824 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in Kimberly-Clark in the 4th quarter worth approximately $127,436,000. Sarasin & Partners LLP grew its position in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 140.1% in the 4th quarter. Sarasin & Partners LLP now owns 988,294 shares of the company's stock worth $129,506,000 after buying an additional 576,610 shares during the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. increased its stake in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 1,427.4% during the fourth quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 589,771 shares of the company's stock valued at $77,284,000 after buying an additional 551,158 shares during the period. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 5.3% during the fourth quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 10,589,967 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,387,709,000 after acquiring an additional 529,223 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 76.29% of the company's stock.

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Kimberly-Clark Stock Performance

Kimberly-Clark stock traded up $0.94 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $140.55. 1,052,597 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,031,232. Kimberly-Clark Co. has a 12-month low of $123.84 and a 12-month high of $150.45. The business's 50-day moving average is $135.58 and its 200-day moving average is $136.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.05, a current ratio of 0.80 and a quick ratio of 0.54. The stock has a market capitalization of $46.61 billion, a PE ratio of 18.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.46 and a beta of 0.36.

Kimberly-Clark (NYSE:KMB - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 28th. The company reported $1.50 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.50. Kimberly-Clark had a net margin of 12.69% and a return on equity of 201.43%. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Kimberly-Clark Co. will post 7.5 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Kimberly-Clark Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 7th will be given a dividend of $1.26 per share. 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.59%. Kimberly-Clark's payout ratio is presently 66.75%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently weighed in on KMB. Citigroup cut their price target 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. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and issued a $165.00 target price on shares of Kimberly-Clark in a research report on Friday, January 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on shares of Kimberly-Clark from $140.00 to $124.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 16th. UBS Group upped their price objective on shares of Kimberly-Clark from $132.00 to $134.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, January 29th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on 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. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Kimberly-Clark has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $144.50.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, VP Andrew Drexler sold 2,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $140.00, for a total transaction of $350,000.00. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 2,553 shares in the company, valued at $357,420. This trade represents a 49.48 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.64% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Kimberly-Clark 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.