ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Kimberly-Clark Corporation was incorporated in Delaware in 1928. We are a global company focused on leading the world in essentials for a better life through product innovation and building our personal care, consumer tissue and K-C Professional brands. We are principally engaged in the manufacturing and marketing of a wide range of products mostly made from natural or synthetic fibers using advanced technologies in fibers, nonwovens and absorbency. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the terms "Corporation," "Kimberly-Clark," "K-C," "we," "our" and "us" refer to Kimberly-Clark Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.
For financial information by business segment and geographic area, including revenue, profit and total assets of each reportable segment, and information about our principal products and markets, see Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") and Item 8, Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements.
Dollar amounts are reported in millions, except per share dollar amounts, unless otherwise noted.
Recent Developments
On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”). The Tax Act made broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code which impacted 2017, including, but not limited to, reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate and requiring a one-time transition tax on certain undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries. See additional information in MD&A and Item 8, Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements.
On January 23, 2018, we announced a new global restructuring program. The 2018 Global Restructuring Program will reduce our structural cost base by streamlining and simplifying our manufacturing supply chain and overhead organization. The restructuring is expected to be completed by the end of 2020, with total costs anticipated to be $1.7 billion to $1.9 billion pre-tax ($1.35 billion to $1.5 billion after tax). Cash costs are expected to be $900 to $1.0 billion. In addition, we expect to incur $600 to $700 of incremental capital spending to implement the restructuring. Workforce reductions are expected to be in the range of 5,000 to 5,500. The restructuring is expected to impact all of our business segments and our organizations in all major geographies. The restructuring is expected to generate annual pre-tax cost savings of $500 to $550 by the end of 2021. See additional information in MD&A and Item 8, Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements.
Description of Kimberly-Clark
We are organized into operating segments based on product groupings. These operating segments have been aggregated into three reportable global business segments as follows:
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Personal Care brands offer our consumers a trusted partner in caring for themselves and their families by delivering confidence, protection and discretion through a wide variety of innovative solutions and products such as disposable diapers, training and youth pants, swimpants, baby wipes, feminine and incontinence care products, and other related products. Products in this segment are sold under the Huggies, Pull-Ups, Little Swimmers, GoodNites, DryNites, Kotex, U by Kotex, Intimus, Depend, Plenitud, Poise and other brand names.
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Consumer Tissue offers a wide variety of innovative solutions and trusted brands that touch and improve people's lives every day. Products in this segment include facial and bathroom tissue, paper towels, napkins and related products, and are sold under the Kleenex, Scott, Cottonelle, Viva, Andrex, Scottex, Neve and other brand names.
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K-C Professional ("KCP") partners with businesses to create Exceptional Workplaces, helping to make them healthier, safer and more productive through a range of solutions and supporting products such as wipers, tissue, towels, apparel, soaps and sanitizers. Our brands, including Kleenex, Scott, WypAll, Kimtech and Jackson Safety, are well-known for quality and trusted to help people around the world work better.
These reportable segments were determined in accordance with how our chief operating decision maker and our executive managers develop and execute our global strategies to drive growth and profitability of our personal care, consumer tissue and KCP operations. These strategies include global plans for branding and product positioning, technology, research and development programs, cost reductions including supply chain management and capacity, and capital investments for each of these businesses.
Products for household use are sold directly to supermarkets, mass merchandisers, drugstores, warehouse clubs, variety and department stores and other retail outlets, as well as through other distributors and e-commerce. Products for away-from-home
use are sold through distributors and directly to manufacturing, lodging, office building, food service, and high volume public facilities.
Net sales to Walmart Inc. as a percent of our consolidated net sales were approximately 14 percent in 2017, 2016 and 2015.
Patents and Trademarks
We own various patents and trademarks registered domestically and in many foreign countries. We consider the patents and trademarks that we own and the trademarks under which we sell certain of our products to be material to our business. Consequently, we seek patent and trademark protection by all available means, including registration.
Raw Materials
Cellulose fiber, in the form of kraft pulp or fiber recycled from recovered waste paper, is the primary raw material for our tissue products, and in the form of fluff pulp is a component of disposable diapers, training and youth pants, feminine pads and incontinence care products.
Polypropylene and other synthetics and chemicals are the primary raw materials for manufacturing nonwoven fabrics, which are used in disposable diapers, training and youth pants, wet wipes, feminine pads, incontinence care products, and away-from-home wipers and apparel. Superabsorbent materials are important components of disposable diapers, training and youth pants and incontinence care products.
Raw materials are purchased from third parties, and we consider the supply to be adequate to meet the needs of our businesses. See Item 1A, "Risk Factors."
Competition
We have several major competitors in most of our markets, some of which are larger and more diversified than us. The principal methods and elements of competition include brand recognition and loyalty, product innovation, quality and performance, price, and marketing and distribution capabilities. For additional discussion of the competitive environment in which we conduct our business, see Item 1A, "Risk Factors."
Research and Development
Research and development expenditures are directed toward new or improved personal care, tissue, wiping, safety and nonwoven materials. Consolidated research and development expense was $311 in 2017, $328 in 2016 and $324 in 2015.
Foreign Market Risks
We operate and market our products globally, and our business strategy includes targeted growth in Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa, with a particular emphasis in China, Eastern Europe and Latin America. See Item 1A, "Risk Factors" for a discussion of foreign market risks that may affect our financial results.
Environmental Matters
Total capital expenditures for voluntary environmental controls or controls necessary to comply with legal requirements relating to the protection of the environment at our facilities are expected to be $30 and $12 in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Total operating expenses for environmental compliance, including pollution control equipment operation and maintenance costs, governmental fees, and research and engineering costs are expected to be $112 and $118 in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
Total environmental capital expenditures and operating expenses are not expected to have a material effect on our total capital and operating expenditures, consolidated earnings or competitive position. Current environmental spending estimates could be modified as a result of changes in our plans, changes in legal requirements, including any requirements related to global climate change, or other factors.
Employees
In our consolidated operations, we had approximately 42,000 employees as of December 31, 2017.
Available Information
We make financial information, news releases and other information available on our corporate website at www.kimberly-clark.com. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are available free of charge on this website as soon as reasonably practicable after we file these reports and amendments with, or furnish them to, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The information contained on or connected to our website is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K and should not be considered part of this or any other report filed with the SEC. Stockholders may also contact Stockholder Services, P.O. Box 612606, Dallas, Texas 75261-2606 or call 972-281-5317 to obtain a hard copy of these reports without charge.
ITEM 1A.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Our business faces many risks and uncertainties that we cannot control. Any of the risks discussed below, as well as factors described in other places in this Form 10-K, or in our other filings with the SEC, could adversely affect our business, consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In addition, these items could cause our future results to differ from those in any of our forward-looking statements. These risks are not the only ones we face. Other risks that we do not presently know about or that we presently believe are not material could also adversely affect us.
Intense competition for sales of our products, changes in consumer purchasing patterns and the inability to innovate or market our products effectively could have an adverse effect on our financial results.
We operate in highly competitive domestic and international markets against well-known, branded products and low-cost or private label products. Inherent risks in our competitive strategy include uncertainties concerning trade and consumer acceptance, the effects of consolidation within retailer and distribution channels, a growing e-commerce marketplace, customers' and competitors' actions. Our competitors for these markets include global, regional and local manufacturers, including private label manufacturers. Some of these competitors may have better access to financial resources and greater market penetration, which enable them to offer a wider variety of products and services at more competitive prices. Alternatively, some of these competitors may have significantly lower product development and manufacturing costs, particularly with respect to private label products, allowing them to offer products at a lower price. The actions of these competitors could adversely affect our financial results. It may be necessary for us to lower prices on our products and increase spending on advertising and promotions, which could adversely affect our financial results.
We may be unable to anticipate or adequately respond to changes in consumer demand for our products. Demand for our products may change based on many factors, including shifting consumer purchasing patterns to lower cost options such as private-label products and mid to lower-tier value products, low birth rates in certain countries due to slow economic growth or other factors, negative consumer response to pricing actions, consumer shifts in distribution from traditional retailers to e-tailers, or other changes in consumer trends or habits. If we experience lower sales due to changes in consumer demand for our products, our earnings could decrease.
Our ability to develop new products is affected by whether we can successfully anticipate consumer needs and preferences, develop and fund technological innovations, and receive and maintain necessary patent and trademark protection. In addition, we incur substantial development and marketing costs in introducing new and improved products and technologies. The introduction of a new consumer product (whether improved or newly developed) usually requires substantial expenditures for advertising and marketing to gain recognition in the marketplace. If a product gains consumer acceptance, it normally requires continued advertising and promotional support to maintain its relative market position. Some of our competitors may spend more aggressively on advertising and promotional activities, introduce competing products more quickly and respond more effectively to changing business and economic conditions. We may not be successful in developing new or improved products and technologies necessary to compete successfully in the industry, and we may not be successful in advertising, marketing, timely launching and selling our products. Also, if we fail to perfect or successfully assert our intellectual property rights, we may be less competitive, which could adversely affect our business, financial results and financial condition.
Increasing dependence on key retailers in developed markets and the emergence of new sales channels may adversely affect our business.
Our products are sold in a highly competitive global marketplace, which continues to experience increased concentration and the growing presence of large-format retailers, discounters and e-tailers. With the consolidation of retail trade, both traditional retailers and e-tailers, especially in developed markets such as the U.S., Europe and Australia, we are increasingly dependent on key
customers, and some of these customers, including large-format retailers and large e-tailers, may have significant bargaining power. They may use this leverage to demand higher trade discounts or allowances which could lead to reduced profitability. We may also be negatively affected by changes in the policies of our retail trade customers, such as inventory de-stocking, limitations on access to shelf space, delisting of our products, additional requirements related to safety, environmental, social and other sustainability issues, and other conditions. If we lose a significant customer or if sales of our products to a significant customer materially decrease, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.
There is no guarantee that our ongoing efforts to reduce costs will be successful.
We continue to implement plans to improve our competitive position by achieving cost reductions in our operations, including implementing restructuring programs in functions or areas of our business where we believe such opportunities exist. On January 23, 2018, we announced a new global restructuring program. The 2018 Global Restructuring Program will reduce our structural cost base by streamlining and simplifying our manufacturing supply chain and overhead organization. In addition, we expect ongoing cost savings from our continuous improvement activities. We anticipate these cost savings will result from reducing material costs and manufacturing waste and realizing productivity gains, distribution efficiencies and overhead reductions in each of our business segments and in our corporate functions. Any negative impact these plans have on our relationships with employees, suppliers or customers or any failure to generate the anticipated efficiencies and savings could adversely affect our financial results.
Significant increases in prices for raw materials, energy, transportation or other necessary supplies or services, without corresponding increases in our selling prices, could adversely affect our financial results.
Increases in the cost and availability of raw materials, including pulp and petroleum-based materials, the cost of energy, transportation and other necessary services, supplier constraints, an inability to maintain favorable supplier arrangements and relations or an inability to avoid disruptions in production output could have an adverse effect on our financial results.
Cellulose fiber, in the form of kraft pulp or recycled fiber from recovered waste paper, is used extensively in our tissue products and is subject to significant price fluctuations. Cellulose fiber, in the form of fluff pulp, is a key component in our personal care products. In past years, pulp prices have experienced significant volatility. Increases in pulp prices or limits in the availability of recycled fiber could adversely affect our earnings if selling prices for our finished products are not adjusted or if these adjustments significantly trail the increases in pulp prices. We have not used derivative instruments to manage these risks.
A number of our products, such as diapers, training and youth pants, feminine pads, incontinence care products and disposable wipes, contain certain materials that are principally derived from petroleum. These materials are subject to price fluctuations based on changes in petroleum prices, availability and other factors, with these prices experiencing significant volatility in recent years. We purchase these materials from a number of suppliers. Significant increases in prices for these materials could adversely affect our earnings if selling prices for our finished products are not adjusted, if these adjustments significantly trail the increases in prices for these materials, or if we do not utilize lower priced substitutes for these materials.
Our manufacturing operations utilize electricity, natural gas and petroleum-based fuels. To ensure we use all forms of energy efficiently and cost-effectively, we maintain energy efficiency improvement programs at our manufacturing sites. Our contracts with energy suppliers vary as to price, payment terms, quantities and duration. Our energy costs are also affected by various market factors including the availability of supplies of particular forms of energy, energy prices and local and national regulatory decisions (including actions taken to address climate change and related market responses). There can be no assurance that we will be fully protected against substantial changes in the price or availability of energy sources.
Our international operations are subject to foreign market risks, including changes in foreign currency exchange rates, currency restrictions and political, social and economic instability, which may adversely affect our financial results.
Our strategy includes operations growth outside the U.S., especially in developing markets such as China, Eastern Europe and Latin America. About half of our net sales come from markets outside the U.S. We and our equity companies have manufacturing facilities in 38 countries, and sell products in more than 175 countries. Our results may be substantially affected by a number of foreign market risks:
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Exposure to the movement of various currencies against each other and the U.S. dollar. A portion of the exposures, arising from transactions and commitments denominated in non-local currencies, is systematically managed through foreign currency forward and swap contracts. We do not generally hedge our translation exposure with respect to foreign operations.
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Increases in currency exchange restrictions. These restrictions could limit our ability to repatriate earnings from outside the U.S. or obtain currency exchange for U.S. dollar inputs to continue operating in certain countries.
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Adverse political conditions. Risks related to political instability, expropriation, new or revised legal or regulatory constraints, difficulties in enforcing contractual and intellectual property rights, and potentially adverse tax consequences, including consequences from Brexit, could adversely affect our financial results.
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Increases in dollar-based input costs for operations outside the U.S. due to weaker foreign exchange rates versus the U.S. dollar. There can be no assurance that we will be protected against substantial foreign currency fluctuations.
The inability to effectively manage foreign market risk could adversely affect our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
If our information technology systems suffer interruptions, failures or breaches, our business operations could be disrupted and we could face financial and reputational damage.
Our information technology systems, some of which are dependent on services provided by third parties, serve an important role in the efficient and effective operation and administration of our business. These systems could be damaged or cease to function properly due to any number of causes, such as catastrophic events, power outages, security breaches, computer viruses or cyber-based attacks. While we have contingency plans in place to prevent or mitigate the impact of these events, if they were to occur and our disaster recovery plans do not effectively address the issues on a timely basis, we could suffer interruptions in our ability to manage our operations, which may adversely affect our business and financial results.
Increased cyber-security threats and computer crime also pose a potential risk to the security of our information technology systems, including those of third party service providers with whom we have contracted, as well as the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the data stored on those systems. Any breach in our information technology security systems could result in the disclosure or misuse of confidential or proprietary information, including sensitive customer, supplier, employee or investor information maintained in the ordinary course of our business. Any such event could cause damage to our reputation, loss of valuable information or loss of revenue and could result in large expenditures to investigate or remediate, to recover data, to repair or replace networks or information systems, or to protect against similar future events.
Disruption in our supply chain or the failure of third-party providers to satisfactorily perform could adversely impact our operations.
Our ability to manufacture, distribute and sell products is critical to our operations. These activities are subject to inherent risks such as natural disasters, power outages, fires or explosions, labor strikes, terrorism, pandemics, import restrictions, regional economic, business, environmental or political events, governmental regulatory requirements or nongovernmental voluntary actions in response to global climate change or other concerns regarding the sustainability of our business, which could impair our ability to manufacture or sell our products. This interruption, if not mitigated in advance or otherwise effectively managed, could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations, as well as require additional resources to address.
In addition, third parties manufacture some of our products and provide certain administrative services. Disruptions or delays at these third-party manufacturers or service providers due to the reasons above or the failure of these manufacturers or service providers to otherwise satisfactorily perform, could adversely impact our operations, sales, payments to our suppliers, employees, and others, and our ability to report financial and management information on a timely and accurate basis.
Government regulations and enforcement, and potential litigation, could have an adverse effect on our financial results.
As a global company, we are subject to many laws and governmental regulations across all of the countries in which we do business, including laws and regulations involving marketing, antitrust, anti-bribery or anti-corruption, product liability, environmental, intellectual property or other matters, as well as potential litigation or administrative actions.
If we are unable to comply with all laws and regulations, it could negatively impact our reputation and our business results. We cannot provide assurance that our internal control policies and procedures, and ethics and compliance program will always protect us from acts committed by our employees or agents. Adverse regulatory action, including a recall, regulatory or other governmental investigation, or product liability or other litigation may also adversely affect our financial condition and business operations. Although we believe that none of these proceedings or requirements will have a material adverse effect on us, the outcome of these proceedings may not be as expected.
In addition, new or revised laws or regulations may alter the environment in which we do business, including the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union, which could adversely impact our financial results. For example, new legislation or regulations may result in increased costs to us, directly for our compliance, or indirectly to the extent suppliers increase prices of goods and services because of increased compliance costs, excise taxes or reduced availability of raw materials.
Damage to the reputation of Kimberly-Clark or to one or more of our brands could adversely affect our business.
Developing and maintaining our reputation, as well as the reputation of our brands, is a critical factor in our relationship with consumers, customers, suppliers and others. Our inability to address adverse publicity or other issues, including concerns about product safety, quality, efficacy or similar matters, or breaches of consumer, customer, supplier, employee or other confidential information, real or perceived, could negatively impact sentiment towards us and our products and brands, and our business and financial results could suffer. Consumers increasing use and reliance on social media for information could increase the risk of adverse publicity, potentially with negative perception of our products or brands. Our business and results could also be negatively impacted by the effects of a significant product recall, product-related litigation, allegations of product tampering or contamination, or the distribution and sale of counterfeit products.
New or revised tax regulations could have an adverse effect in our financial results.
We are subject to income tax requirements in various jurisdictions in the U.S. and internationally. Many of these jurisdictions have made changes to their tax policies, including tax reform in the U.S. that was enacted in December 2017. Overall, the impact of U.S. tax reform should reduce our effective tax rate; however, additional guidance or interpretations of the Tax Act could negatively impact our financial results. Other jurisdictions are contemplating changes or have unpredictable enforcement activity. Increases in applicable tax rates, implementation of new taxes, changes in applicable tax laws and interpretations of these tax laws and actions by tax authorities in jurisdictions in which we operate could reduce our after tax income and have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
The 2014 spin-off of our health care business could result in substantial tax liability to us and our stockholders.
On October 31, 2014, we completed the spin-off of our health care business, creating a stand-alone, publicly traded health care company, Halyard Health, Inc. ("Halyard"). Historically, the IRS provided companies seeking to perform a spin-off transaction with an advance ruling that the proposed spin-off transaction would qualify for tax-free treatment. However, the IRS no longer provides such advance rulings. Prior to completing the spin-off of our health care business, we obtained an opinion of counsel that neither we nor our U.S. stockholders will recognize taxable income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the spin-off. The opinion of counsel is based on certain statements and representations made by us, which, if incomplete or inaccurate in any material respect, could invalidate the opinion of counsel. In addition, this opinion is not binding on the IRS. Accordingly, the IRS or the courts may reach conclusions with respect to the spin-off that are different from the conclusions reached in the opinion of counsel.
If the spin-off and certain related transactions were determined to be taxable, we would be subject to a substantial tax liability. In addition, if the spin-off were deemed taxable, each U.S. holder of our common stock who received shares of Halyard would generally be treated as receiving a taxable distribution of property in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares received.
ITEM 1B.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
At December 31, 2017, we own or lease:
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our principal executive office located in the Dallas, Texas metropolitan area;
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four operating segment and geographic headquarters at two U.S. and two international locations; and
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four global business service centers at one U.S. and three international locations.
The locations of our and our equity affiliates' principal production facilities by major geographic areas of the world are as follows:
Many of these facilities produce multiple products. Consumer tissue and KCP products are produced in 55 facilities and personal care products are produced in 51 facilities. The list of properties above has not been reduced for any manufacturing facilities contemplated for closure or sale in the 2018 Global Restructuring Program. We believe that our and our equity affiliates' facilities are suitable for their purpose, adequate to support their businesses and well maintained.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
See Item 8, Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements, which is incorporated in this Item 3 by reference, for information on legal proceedings.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The names and ages of our executive officers as of February 8, 2018, together with certain biographical information, are as follows:
Achal Agarwal, 58, was elected President, K-C Asia-Pacific in 2012. He is responsible for our consumer business in our Asia-Pacific region. From 2008 to 2012, his title was President, K-C North Asia. Mr. Agarwal joined Kimberly-Clark from PepsiCo, Inc. where he served from March 2008 to June 2008 as Business Unit General Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa Beverages and Snacks and as Chief Operating Officer, Greater China Beverages from 2005 to February 2008.
Larry P. Allgaier, 59, was elected Group President, K-C North America in April 2017. Mr. Allgaier joined Kimberly-Clark from Mars Incorporated, a manufacturer of confectionery, pet food, and other food products, where he served from 2016 to 2017 as President, Global Veterinary Health, and from 2012 to 2015 as President, North America Petcare. Prior to joining Mars, Mr. Allgaier served from 2009 to 2012 as Chief Executive Officer of New Chapter, Inc., a vitamin, mineral and supplement company, and from 2003 to 2009 as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Over the Counter Medicines Unit at Novartis AG. He began his career at The Procter & Gamble Company.
J. Scott Boston, 55, was elected Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer in January 2017. He is responsible for the design and implementation of all human capital strategies for Kimberly-Clark, including global compensation and benefits, talent management, diversity and inclusion, organizational effectiveness and corporate health services. From 2011 to April 2016, his title was Vice President HR-K-C International and from April 2016 to December 2017, his title was Vice President of Global Talent Management, HR Strategy & Operations. Prior to joining Kimberly-Clark, Mr. Boston served as Senior Vice President, Human Resources, for McKesson Corporation.
Gustavo Calvo Paz, 56, was elected President, K-C Europe, Middle East & Africa in 2014. He is responsible for our consumer business in our Europe, Middle East & Africa region. From 2010 to 2014, he served as President, K-C Middle East, Eastern Europe & Africa. Mr. Calvo Paz joined Kimberly-Clark in 1996 and has held a number of positions with increasing responsibility within our international business operations.
Sergio Cruz, 51, was elected President, K-C Latin America in January 2017. He is responsible for our consumer business in our Latin America region. From 2014 to January 2017, Mr. Cruz served as Vice President, K-C Latin America - Brazil and from 2011 to 2013, he served as Managing Director, K-C Eastern Europe. Mr. Cruz joined Kimberly-Clark in 2005 and has held a number of positions with increasing responsibility within our international business operations.
Thomas J. Falk, 59, was elected Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer in 2003 and President and Chief Executive Officer in 2002. Prior to that, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer since 1999. Mr. Falk previously had been elected Group President - Global Tissue, Pulp and Paper in 1998, where he was responsible for our global tissue businesses. Earlier in
his career, Mr. Falk had responsibility for our North American Infant Care, Child Care and Wet Wipes businesses. Mr. Falk joined Kimberly-Clark in 1983 and has held other senior management positions. He has been a director of Kimberly-Clark since 1999. He also serves on the board of directors of Lockheed Martin Corporation, Catalyst Inc., the Global Consumer Goods Forum, and the University of Wisconsin Foundation, and serves as a governor of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Maria Henry, 51, was elected Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in 2015. Prior to joining Kimberly-Clark, Ms. Henry served as Chief Financial Officer of Hillshire Brands Company, a branded food products company, from 2012 to 2014, and Chief Financial Officer of Sara Lee Corporation’s North American Retail and Food Service business from 2011 to 2012. Prior to joining Sara Lee (the predecessor to Hillshire Brands) in 2011, Ms. Henry was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Culligan International, where she was responsible for finance, strategy, business development and information technology. Before Culligan, Ms. Henry served as Chief Financial Officer of Vastera, Inc. She began her career at General Electric. She also serves on the board of directors of General Mills, Inc.
Michael D. Hsu, 53, was elected President and Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board in January 2017. He is responsible for the day-to-day operations of our business units, along with our global innovation, marketing and supply chain functions. He served as Group President - K-C North America from 2013 to 2016, where he was responsible for our consumer business in North America, as well as leading the development of new business strategies for global nonwovens. From 2012 to 2013, his title was Group President - North America Consumer Products. Prior to joining Kimberly-Clark, Mr. Hsu served as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Kraft Foods, Inc., a North American grocery manufacturing and processing conglomerate, from January 2012 to July 2012, as President of Sales, Customer Marketing and Logistics from 2010 to 2012 and as President of its grocery business unit from 2008 to 2010. Prior to that, Mr. Hsu served as President and Chief Operating Officer, Foodservice at H. J. Heinz Company. Mr. Hsu also serves on the board of trustees of United Way U.S.A.
Sandra MacQuillan, 51, was elected Senior Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer in 2015. She is responsible for procurement, manufacturing, logistics, quality, safety and sustainability. Ms. MacQuillan joined Kimberly-Clark from Mars Incorporated where she served from 2009 to 2015 as Global Vice President, Supply Chain, responsible for manufacturing, engineering and logistics for Mars’ Global Petcare business.
Jeffrey P. Melucci, 47, was elected Senior Vice President - General Counsel in September 2017. From January 2017 to September 2017, he served as Vice President, Senior Deputy General Counsel and General Counsel of Kimberly-Clark’s Global Operations. From March 2013 to January 2017, he served as Vice President and Deputy General Counsel. He also served as Corporate Secretary from April 2014 to September 2017 and General Counsel of Kimberly-Clark International from March 2013 to December 2016. Mr. Melucci joined Kimberly-Clark from General Electric, where he served in multiple roles of increasing responsibility, most recently as General Counsel - Aviation Systems and Aviation Business Development.
Anthony J. Palmer, 58, was elected President - Global Brands and Innovation in 2012. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer from 2006 to 2012. He leads the global development of our consumer categories through marketing, innovation, category and customer development and shopper marketing. In addition, he leads our global marketing, innovation and corporate research and development functions. Prior to joining Kimberly-Clark in 2006, he served in a number of senior marketing and general management roles at Kellogg Company from 2002 to 2006, including as Managing Director of Kellogg's United Kingdom business. He also serves on the board of directors of The Hershey Company.
Kimberly K. Underhill, 53, was elected President of K-C Professional in 2014. From 2011 to 2014, she served as President, Consumer Europe. She is responsible for our global professional business, which includes commercial tissue and wipers, skin care, safety and do-it-yourself products. She joined Kimberly-Clark in 1988 and has held a number of positions with increasing responsibility within research and engineering, operations and marketing. She also serves on the board of directors of Foot Locker, Inc.
PART II
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5.
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
The dividend and market price data included in Item 7, MD&A "Unaudited Quarterly Data," are incorporated in this Item 5 by reference.
Quarterly dividends have been paid continually since 1935. Dividends have been paid on or about the second business day of January, April, July and October.
Kimberly-Clark common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The ticker symbol is KMB.
As of February 1, 2018, we had 20,540 holders of record of our common stock.
For information relating to securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans, see Part III, Item 12 of this Form 10-K.
We repurchase shares of Kimberly-Clark common stock from time to time pursuant to publicly announced share repurchase programs. During 2017, we repurchased 7.2 million shares of our common stock at a cost of $900 through a broker in the open market.
The following table contains information for shares repurchased during the fourth quarter of 2017. None of the shares in this table were repurchased directly from any of our officers or directors.
(a)
Share repurchases were made pursuant to a share repurchase program authorized by our Board of Directors on November 13, 2014. This program allows for the repurchase of 40 million shares in an amount not to exceed $5 billion.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
(a)
Results include other expense of $24 and an income tax benefit of $85 for 2017 U.S. tax reform and related matters. See Item 8, Notes 4 and 11 to the consolidated financial statements for details.
(b)
Results include other income of $11 related to an updated assessment of the deconsolidation of our Venezuelan operations. Additionally, results were negatively impacted by pre-tax charges of $35, $27 after tax, related to the 2014 Organization Restructuring. See Item 8, Notes 1 and 2 to the consolidated financial statements for details.
(c)
Results include pre-tax charges related to pension settlements of $1,358, $835 after tax, a $45 nondeductible charge related to the remeasurement of the Venezuelan balance sheet and a pre-tax charge of $108, $102 after tax, related to the deconsolidation of our Venezuelan operations. Additionally, results were negatively impacted by pre-tax charges of $63, $42 after tax, related to the 2014 Organization Restructuring, and nondeductible charges of $23 related to the restructuring of operations in Turkey. Also included is an income tax charge of $49 related to prior years as a result of an updated assessment of uncertain tax positions in certain of our international operations. See Item 8, Notes 1, 2, 6 and 11 to the consolidated financial statements for details.
(d)
Results include pre-tax charges of $133, $95 after tax, related to the 2014 Organization Restructuring, pre-tax charges of $33, $30 after tax, related to European strategic changes, a nondeductible charge of $462 related to the remeasurement of the Venezuelan balance sheet and a nondeductible charge of $35, $17 attributable to Kimberly-Clark Corporation, related to a regulatory dispute in the Middle East. Additionally, results were negatively impacted by pre-tax charges of $157, $138 after tax, for transaction and related costs associated with the spin-off of the health care business (classified in discontinued operations).
(e)
Results include pre-tax charges of $81, $66 after tax, related to European strategic changes. Additionally, results were negatively impacted by a $36 pre-tax charge, $26 after tax, related to the devaluation of the Venezuelan bolivar.
ITEM 7.
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Introduction
This MD&A is intended to provide investors with an understanding of our recent performance, financial condition and prospects. This discussion and analysis compares 2017 results to 2016, and 2016 results to 2015. The reference to "N.M." indicates that the calculation is not meaningful. In addition, we provide commentary regarding organic sales growth, which describes the impact of changes in volume, product mix and net selling prices on net sales. Changes in foreign currency rates and acquisitions and divestitures also impact the year-over-year change in net sales. Dollar amounts are reported in millions, except per share dollar amounts, unless otherwise noted.
The following will be discussed and analyzed:
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Overview of Business
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Overview of 2017 Results
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Results of Operations and Related Information
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Unaudited Quarterly Data
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
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Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates
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Legal Matters
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New Accounting Standards
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Business Outlook
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Information Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Throughout this MD&A, we refer to financial measures that have not been calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., or GAAP, and are therefore referred to as non-GAAP financial measures. These measures include adjusted gross and operating profit, adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per share, adjusted other (income) and expense, net, and adjusted effective tax rate. We believe these measures provide our investors with additional information about our underlying results and trends, as well as insight to some of the financial measures used to evaluate management.
Non-GAAP financial measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the comparable GAAP measures, and they should be read only in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. There are limitations to these non-GAAP financial measures because they are not prepared in accordance with GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies due to potential differences in methods of calculation and items being excluded. We compensate for these limitations by using these non-GAAP financial measures as a supplement to the GAAP measures and by providing reconciliations of the non-GAAP and comparable GAAP financial measures.
The non-GAAP financial measures exclude the following items for the relevant time periods as indicated in the reconciliations included later in this MD&A:
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U.S. Tax Reform Related Matters - In the fourth quarter of 2017, we recognized a net benefit as a result of U.S. tax reform and related activities.
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2014 Organization Restructuring - In 2014, we initiated this restructuring in order to improve organization efficiency and offset the impact of stranded overhead costs resulting from the 2014 spin-off of our health care business. As a result, we recognized restructuring charges in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Restructuring actions were completed by December 31, 2016. See Item 8, Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements for details.
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Adjustments Related to Venezuelan Operations - Results in 2016 and 2015 include adjustments for the deconsolidation of our Venezuelan operations, and in 2015 include charges for remeasuring the local currency balance sheet in Venezuela. See Item 8, Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements for details.
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Pension Settlement Charges - In 2015, we recorded settlement-related charges from certain actions taken for our U.S. pension plan. See Item 8, Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements for details.
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Uncertain Tax Positions Adjustment - In 2015, we updated our assessment of uncertain tax positions for certain international operations, and recorded a charge related to prior years in provision for income taxes. See Item 8, Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements for details.
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Turkey Restructuring - In 2015, we recorded charges related to the restructuring of our operations in Turkey.
Overview of Business
We are a global company focused on leading the world in essentials for a better life, with manufacturing facilities in 36 countries and products sold in more than 175 countries. Our products are sold under well-known brands such as Kleenex, Scott, Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex and Depend. We have three reportable business segments: Personal Care, Consumer Tissue and KCP. These business segments are described in greater detail in Item 8, Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements.
In operating our business, we seek to:
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manage our portfolio to balance growth, profit margin and cash flow,
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invest in our brands, innovation and growth initiatives,
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deliver sustainable cost reductions, and
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provide disciplined capital management to improve return on invested capital and return cash to shareholders.
We describe our business outside North America in two groups - Developing and Emerging Markets and Developed Markets. Developing and Emerging Markets comprise Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Latin America and Asia-Pacific, excluding Australia and South Korea. Developed Markets consist of Western and Central Europe, Australia and South Korea.
Highlights for 2017 include the following:
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Net sales of $18.3 billion increased slightly compared to 2016. Favorable changes in foreign currency exchange rates benefited sales by less than 1 percent.
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In North America, organic sales were down 2 percent in consumer products and similar year-on-year in K-C Professional.
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Outside North America, organic sales increased 3 percent in developing and emerging markets but fell 3 percent in developed markets.
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We achieved $450 of cost savings from our ongoing FORCE (Focused On Reducing Costs Everywhere) program.
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Diluted earnings per share were $6.40 in 2017 compared to $5.99 in 2016, including a net benefit from the 2017 U.S. tax reform and related matters.
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We continued to focus on generating cash flow and allocating capital to shareholders. We raised our dividend in 2017 by 5.4 percent, the 45th consecutive annual increase in our dividend. Altogether, share repurchases and dividends in 2017 amounted to $2.3 billion.
We are subject to risks and uncertainties, which can affect our business operations and financial results. See Item 1A, "Risk Factors" in this Form 10-K for additional information.
Overview of 2017 Results
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Net sales of $18.3 billion increased slightly compared to prior year, as changes in foreign currency exchange rates benefited sales by less than 1 percent.
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Operating profit and Net Income Attributable to Kimberly-Clark Corporation were $3,299 and $2,278 in 2017 and $3,317 and $2,166 in 2016, respectively.
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Diluted earnings per share were $6.40 in 2017 compared to $5.99 in 2016. Results in 2017 included a net benefit of $0.17 as a result of U.S. tax reform and related activities.
Results of Operations and Related Information
This section presents a discussion and analysis of net sales, operating profit and other information relevant to an understanding of 2017 results of operations.
Consolidated
(a)
Corporate & Other and Other (income) and expense, net includes income and expenses not associated with the business segments, including adjustments as indicated in the Non-GAAP Reconciliations.
GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliations of Selected Financial Results
(a) "As Adjusted Non-GAAP" does not equal "As Reported" plus adjustments as a result of rounding.
Analysis of Consolidated Results
(a)
Total may not equal the sum of volume, net price, mix/other and currency due to rounding.
(b)
Combined impact of changes in volume, net price and mix/other.
(c)
Includes the impact of changes in marketing, research and general expenses, foreign currency transaction effects and other manufacturing costs.
2017 vs. 2016
Net sales of $18.3 billion were up slightly compared to the year-ago period. Favorable foreign currency rates benefited sales by less than 1 percent. Organic sales were similar year-on-year, as sales volumes increased about 1 percent. Changes in product mix increased sales slightly, while changes in net selling prices decreased sales by more than 1 percent. Operating profit was $3,299 in 2017 and $3,317 in 2016. Adjusted operating profit was $3,323 in 2017 and $3,341 in 2016. Results were impacted by lower net selling prices and $355 of higher input costs. The comparison benefited from volume growth, $450 of FORCE cost savings and lower marketing, research and general spending.
The effective tax rate of 25.9 percent in 2017 decreased compared to 30.6 percent in 2016. The rate in 2017 included a net benefit as a result of U.S. tax reform and related activity. This amount included a net expense of $278 for the transition tax and a net benefit of $202 for the remeasurement of deferred taxes associated with the corporate rate reduction and our reassessment of permanently reinvested earnings. In addition, it included a net benefit of $152 for certain tax planning actions that were taken in the fourth quarter of 2017 in anticipation of the enactment of the Tax Act. See additional details in Item 8, Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements. The adjusted effective rate was 28.6 percent in 2017 and 30.7 percent in 2016.
Our share of net income of equity companies was $104 in 2017 and $132 in 2016. Kimberly-Clark de Mexico, S.A.B. de C.V. ("KCM") results in 2017 were impacted by higher input costs, partially offset by benefits from sales growth and cost savings.
Diluted earnings per share was $6.40 in 2017 and $5.99 in 2016 and adjusted earnings per share were $6.23 in 2017 and $6.03 in 2016. The change was driven by a lower share count and higher earnings.
2016 vs. 2015
Net sales of $18.2 billion decreased 2 percent compared to 2015, as changes in foreign currency exchange rates reduced sales by about 4 percent. Organic sales increased approximately 2 percent due to higher volumes. Operating profit was $3,317 in 2016 versus $1,613 in 2015. Results in 2015 included $1,358 of pension settlement charges and $153 of charges related to our Venezuelan operations. Adjusted operating profit of $3,341 in 2016 increased 4 percent compared to $3,210 in 2015. Results in 2016 included benefits from organic sales growth, $435 of FORCE cost savings and $70 of savings from the 2014 Organization Restructuring. In addition, input costs were $65 lower. Translation effects due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates lowered operating profit by $90 and transaction effects also negatively impacted results.
Adjusted other (income) and expense, net of $22 in 2016 decreased compared to $62 in 2015 due to higher currency transaction losses in 2015. The decrease in our effective tax rate of 30.6 percent in 2016 compared to 31.3 percent in 2015 is primarily due to certain planning initiatives. Our share of net income of equity companies was $132 in 2016 and $149 in 2015. KCM results in 2016 compared to 2015 were negatively impacted by a weaker Mexican peso and higher input costs, partially offset by benefits from organic sales growth and cost savings.
Diluted earnings per share were $5.99 in 2016 and $2.77 in 2015. The increase in adjusted earnings per share of $6.03 in 2016 compared to $5.76 in 2015 was due to higher earnings and lower share counts.
Business Segments
Personal Care
(a)
Total may not equal the sum of volume, net price, mix/other and currency due to rounding.
(b)
Combined impact of changes in volume, net price and mix/other.
(c)
Includes the impact of changes in marketing, research and general expenses, foreign currency transaction effects and other manufacturing costs.
2017 vs. 2016
Net sales of $9.1 billion was up slightly compared to 2016. Favorable currency rates and higher sales volumes increased sales by 1 percent each, while changes in net selling prices decreased sales by 2 percent. Operating profit of $1,907 increased 3 percent. The comparison benefited from volume growth, cost savings and reduced marketing, research and general spending, mostly offset by lower net selling prices and input cost inflation.
Net sales in North America decreased 2 percent. Changes in net selling prices reduced sales by more than 1 percent, including higher promotion spending in most categories, and volumes decreased slightly. Adult care volumes increased mid-single digits, including benefits from market growth and innovations on our Poise and Depend brands. On the other hand, volumes in the infant and child care mega-category were down low single digits. Although volumes increased in Pull-Ups training pants, Huggies diaper volumes were down, impacted by competitive activity and a lower U.S. birth rate.
Net sales in developing and emerging markets increased 6 percent as sales volumes increased 5 percent and favorable currency rates increased sales by 1 percent. Sales benefited by 1 percent from changes in product mix and an additional slight benefit from our acquisition of our joint venture in India, offset by lower net selling prices of about 2 percent. The volume increase was driven by gains in Latin America, primarily Argentina and Brazil, China, Eastern Europe and Middle East/Africa.
Net sales in developed markets outside North America decreased about 6 percent. Sales volumes decreased 6 percent and changes in net selling prices decreased sales by 3 percent, partially offset by favorable currency rates of more than 1 percent and improved product mix of 1 percent. The volume declines were mostly in South Korea, which was impacted by a lower birth rate.
2016 vs. 2015
Net sales of $9.0 billion in 2016 decreased 2 percent compared to 2015. Unfavorable currency rates decreased sales by 5 percent while sales volumes increased 4 percent. Changes in net selling prices decreased sales by 1 percent. Operating profit of $1,857 decreased 1 percent. The comparison was impacted by unfavorable currency effects and higher marketing, research and general expenses on a local currency basis, mostly offset by organic sales growth and cost savings.
Net sales in North America increased 2 percent. Sales volumes increased 4 percent, while lower net selling prices reduced sales by 2 percent. Child care volumes increased high-single digits and adult care volumes rose in the mid-single digits, as both businesses benefited from category growth and innovations launched in the last 12 months. Volumes on Huggies baby wipes rose mid-single digits. Huggies diapers volumes were down low-single digits, although market shares were up slightly.
Net sales in developing and emerging markets decreased 6 percent, including an 11 percent negative impact from unfavorable currency rate changes. This was partially offset by sales volume increases of 4 percent and changes in net selling prices that increased sales by 1 percent. Volume growth included gains in China, Eastern Europe, Africa and Central America, while volumes declined in Argentina and Brazil. Net selling prices increased in Argentina and Brazil, but decreased in China.
Net sales in developed markets outside North America decreased 2 percent. Currency rates were unfavorable by 3 percent. Sales volumes increased 2 percent and product mix was favorable 1 percent, while changes in net selling prices decreased sales by 2 percent.
Consumer Tissue
(a)
Total may not equal the sum of volume, net price, mix/other and currency due to rounding.
(b)
Combined impact of changes in volume, net price and mix/other.
(c)
Includes the impact of changes in marketing, research and general expenses, foreign currency transaction effects and other manufacturing costs.
2017 vs. 2016
Net sales of $5.9 billion decreased slightly compared to prior year. Changes in net selling prices decreased sales by 1 percent, mostly offset by favorable currency rates. Operating profit of $1,034 decreased 7 percent. The comparison was impacted by lower sales and input cost inflation, partially offset by cost savings and reduced marketing, research and general spending.
Net sales in North America decreased about 3 percent compared to prior year. Sales volumes decreased by 2 percent and changes in net selling prices decreased sales slightly. Sales volumes were down in bathroom tissue and facial tissue, and up in paper towels.
Net sales in developing and emerging markets increased 5 percent as sales volumes increased 5 percent, primarily in Latin America. Favorable currency rates increased sales by about 4 percent, while changes in net selling prices and product mix decreased sales by 3 percent and 1 percent, respectively.
Net sales in developed markets outside North America decreased about 1 percent. Changes in net selling prices decreased sales by 1 percent and sales volumes were slightly lower, partially offset by improved product mix.
2016 vs. 2015
Net sales of $6.0 billion in 2016 decreased 3 percent compared to 2015 as unfavorable currency rates and changes in product mix reduced sales by 2 percent and 1 percent, respectively. Operating profit of $1,117 increased 4 percent compared to prior year. The comparison benefited from cost savings and lower input costs, partially offset by unfavorable foreign currency effects.
Net sales in North America were essentially even with the prior year. Sales volumes increased by 1 percent, with increases in all product categories, while product mix was unfavorable by 1 percent.
Net sales in developing and emerging markets decreased 7 percent as unfavorable currency rates reduced sales by about 7 percent. Sales volumes decreased about 4 percent, primarily in Latin America, while changes in net selling prices increased sales by 3 percent.
Net sales in developed markets outside North America decreased 4 percent as unfavorable currency effects reduced sales by 4 percent. Sales volumes increased 1 percent, mostly in Australia, while changes in net selling prices decreased sales by 1 percent.
K-C Professional
(a)
Total may not equal the sum of volume, net price, mix/other and currency due to rounding.
(b)
Combined impact of changes in volume, net price and mix/other.
(c)
Includes the impact of changes in marketing, research and general expenses, foreign currency transaction effects and other manufacturing costs.
2017 vs. 2016
Net sales of $3.2 billion in 2017 increased 2 percent compared to 2016, including the benefit of favorable currency rates of 1 percent. The combined impact from sales volume growth and changes in net selling prices increased sales by 1 percent. Operating profit of $633 increased 5 percent. The comparison benefited from cost savings and lower marketing, research and general spending, partially offset by input cost inflation.
Net sales in North America increased about 1 percent. Sales volumes increased more than 1 percent, including growth in safety and other product categories. Changes in net selling prices decreased sales by about 1 percent.
Net sales in developing and emerging markets increased 5 percent as favorable currency rates increased sales by 3 percent. Sales volumes increased 1 percent, and the combined impact of changes in product mix and net selling prices increased sales by 1 percent.
Net sales in developed markets outside North America increased 3 percent as sales volumes and higher net selling prices each increased sales by 1 percent. Favorable currency rates benefited sales slightly.
2016 vs. 2015
Net sales of $3,150 in 2016 decreased 2 percent compared to 2015 as unfavorable currency rate changes decreased sales by about 2 percent, partially offset by changes in net selling prices that increased sales by about 1 percent. Operating profit of $603 increased 2 percent. The comparison benefited from higher selling prices and cost savings, partially offset by unfavorable currency effects and higher marketing, research and general expenses on a local currency basis.
Net sales in North America increased 2 percent. Sales volumes increased 1 percent, mostly due to growth in washroom products, and the combined impact of changes in net selling prices and product mix increased sales by 1 percent.
Net sales in developing and emerging markets decreased 3 percent as unfavorable changes in currency rates reduced sales by 8 percent. Changes in net selling prices increased sales by 5 percent and product mix improved sales by 1 percent, while sales volumes decreased by 1 percent.
Net sales in developed markets outside North America were down 5 percent, including a 3 percent negative impact from unfavorable currency rates. Changes in net selling prices reduced sales by 2 percent and sales volumes decreased 1 percent, while product mix increased sales by 1 percent.
2018 Global Restructuring Program
On January 23, 2018, we announced a new global restructuring program. The 2018 Global Restructuring Program will reduce our structural cost base by streamlining and simplifying the company’s manufacturing supply chain and overhead organization. The program will make our overhead organization structure and manufacturing supply chain less complex and more efficient. We expect to close or sell approximately 10 manufacturing facilities and expand production capacity at several others. We expect to exit or divest some lower-margin businesses that generate approximately 1 percent of our net sales. The sales are concentrated in our consumer tissue business segment. The restructuring is expected to impact all of our business segments and our organizations in all major geographies. Workforce reductions are expected to be in the range of 5,000 to 5,500. Certain capital appropriations under the 2018 Global Restructuring Program are being finalized. Accounting for actions related to each appropriation will commence when the appropriation is authorized for execution.
The restructuring is expected to be completed by the end of 2020, with total costs anticipated to be $1.7 billion to $1.9 billion pre-tax ($1.35 billion to $1.5 billion after tax). Cash costs are expected to be $900 to $1.0 billion, primarily related to workforce reductions. Non-cash charges are primarily related to incremental depreciation and asset write-offs. Annual pre-tax savings from the restructuring are expected to be $500 to $550 by 2021. In addition, to implement this program, we expect to incur incremental capital spending of approximately $600 to $700 by the end of 2020. Restructuring charges in 2018 are expected to be $1.2 billion to $1.35 billion pre-tax ($950 to $1.05 billion after tax). We expect to generate savings of $50 to $70 in 2018.
Unaudited Quarterly Data
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Provided by Operations
Cash provided by operations was $2.9 billion in 2017 compared to $3.2 billion in 2016. The decrease was driven by higher tax payments. Cash provided by operations was $2.3 billion in 2015. The increase in 2016 compared to 2015 was driven by improved working capital and lower pension contributions.
Obligations
The following table presents our total contractual obligations for which cash flows are fixed or determinable.
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The unconditional purchase obligations are for the purchase of raw materials, primarily superabsorbent materials, pulp and utilities. Although we are primarily liable for payments on the above operating leases and unconditional purchase obligations, based on historic operating performance and forecasted future cash flows, we believe exposure to losses, if any, under these arrangements is not material.
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The open purchase orders displayed in the table represent amounts for goods and services we have negotiated for delivery.
The table does not include amounts where payments are discretionary or the timing is uncertain. The following payments are not included in the table:
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We will fund our defined benefit pension plans to meet or exceed statutory requirements and currently expect to contribute up to $100 to these plans in 2018.
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Other postretirement benefit payments are estimated using actuarial assumptions, including expected future service, to project the future obligations. Based upon those projections, we anticipate making annual payments for these obligations ranging from $58 in 2018 to more than $60 by 2027.
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Accrued income tax liabilities for uncertain tax positions, deferred taxes and noncontrolling interests.
Investing
Our capital spending was $0.8 billion in 2017 and 2016. We expect capital spending to be approximately $1.1 billion in 2018, including incremental spending from the 2018 Global Restructuring Program.
Financing
We issue long-term debt in the public market periodically. Proceeds from the offerings are used for general corporate purposes, including repayment of maturing debt or outstanding commercial paper indebtedness. See Item 8, Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements for details.
Our short-term debt, which consists of U.S. commercial paper with original maturities up to 90 days and/or other similar short-term debt issued by non-U.S. subsidiaries, was $547 as of December 31, 2017 (included in debt payable within one year on the consolidated balance sheet). The average month-end balance of short-term debt for the fourth quarter of 2017 was $419 and for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 was $417. These short-term borrowings provide supplemental funding for supporting our operations. The level of short-term debt generally fluctuates depending upon the amount of operating cash flows and the timing of customer receipts and payments for items such as pension contributions, dividends and income taxes.
At December 31, 2017, total debt was $7.4 billion compared to $7.6 billion at December 31, 2016.
We maintain a $2.0 billion revolving credit facility which expires in 2021. This facility, currently unused, supports our commercial paper program, and would provide liquidity in the event our access to the commercial paper markets is unavailable for any reason.
We paid $1.4 billion in dividends in 2017. The Board of Directors approved a dividend increase of 3.1 percent for 2018. We repurchase shares of Kimberly-Clark common stock from time to time pursuant to publicly announced share repurchase programs.
During 2017, we repurchased 7.2 million shares of our common stock at a cost of $900 through a broker in the open market. We are targeting full-year 2018 share repurchases between $700 and $900, subject to market conditions.
Management believes that our ability to generate cash from operations and our capacity to issue short-term and long-term debt are adequate to fund working capital, capital spending, payment of dividends, pension plan contributions and other needs for the foreseeable future. Further, we do not expect restrictions or taxes on repatriation of cash held outside of the U.S. to have a material effect on our overall business, liquidity, financial condition or results of operations for the foreseeable future.
Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of net sales and expenses during the reporting period. The critical accounting policies we used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements are those that are important both to the presentation of our financial condition and results of operations and require significant judgments by management with regard to estimates used. The critical judgments by management relate to accruals for sales incentives and trade promotion allowances, pension and other postretirement benefits, deferred income taxes and potential income tax assessments. These critical accounting policies have been reviewed with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
Sales Incentives and Trade Promotion Allowances
Trade promotion programs include introductory marketing funds such as slotting fees, cooperative marketing programs, temporary price reductions, end-of-aisle or in-store product displays and other activities conducted by our customers to promote our products. Rebate and promotion accruals are based on estimates of the quantity of customer sales. Promotion accruals also consider estimates of the number of consumer coupons that will be redeemed and timing and costs of activities within the promotional programs. Generally, the estimates for consumer coupon costs are based on historical patterns of coupon redemption, influenced by judgments about current market conditions such as competitive activity in specific product categories. Our related accounting policies are discussed in Item 8, Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements. The accounting policies for these programs did not materially change with the adoption, on January 1, 2018, of the Accounting Standard Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.
Employee Postretirement Benefits
We have defined benefit pension plans in the U.S. and the United Kingdom (the "Principal Plans") and/or defined contribution retirement plans covering substantially all regular employees. Certain other subsidiaries have defined benefit pension plans or, in certain countries, termination pay plans covering substantially all regular employees. Our related accounting policies and account balances are discussed in Item 8, Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements.
Changes in certain assumptions could affect pension expense and the benefit obligations, particularly the estimated long-term rate of return on plan assets and the discount rates used to calculate the obligations:
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Long-term rate of return on plan assets. The expected long-term rate of return is evaluated on an annual basis. In setting these assumptions, we consider a number of factors including projected future returns by asset class relative to the target asset allocation. Actual asset allocations are regularly reviewed and they are periodically rebalanced to the targeted allocations when considered appropriate.
As of December 31, 2017, the Principal Plans had cumulative unrecognized investment and actuarial losses of approximately $1.5 billion. These unrecognized net losses may increase future pension expense if not offset by (i) actual investment returns that exceed the assumed investment returns, (ii) other factors, including reduced pension liabilities arising from higher discount rates used to calculate pension obligations, or (iii) other actuarial gains, including whether such accumulated actuarial losses at each measurement date exceed the "corridor" as required. If the expected long-term rates of return on assets for the Principal Plans were lowered by 0.25 percent, the impact on annual pension expense would not be material in 2018.
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Discount rate. The discount (or settlement) rate used to determine the present value of our future U.S. pension obligation at December 31, 2017 was based on a portfolio of high quality corporate debt securities with cash flows that largely match the expected benefit payments of the plan. For the United Kingdom plan, the discount rate was determined based on yield curves constructed from a portfolio of high quality corporate debt securities. Each year's expected future benefit payments were discounted to their present value at the appropriate yield curve rate to determine the pension obligations.
If the discount rate assumptions for these same plans were reduced by 0.25 percent, the increase in annual pension expense would not be material in 2018, and the December 31, 2017 pension liability would increase by about $145.
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Other assumptions. There are a number of other assumptions involved in the calculation of pension expense and benefit obligations, primarily related to participant demographics and benefit elections.
Pension expense for defined benefit pension plans is estimated to approximate $35 in 2018. Pension expense beyond 2018 will depend on future investment performance, our contributions to the pension trusts, changes in discount rates and various other factors related to the covered participants in the plans. The estimate of pension expense for 2018 does not include any potential effects related to the 2018 Global Restructuring Program (see Item 8, Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements).
Substantially all U.S. retirees and employees have access to our unfunded health care and life insurance benefit plans. Changes in significant assumptions could affect the consolidated expense and benefit obligations, particularly the discount rates used to calculate the obligations and the health care cost trend rate:
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Discount rate. The determination of the discount rates used to calculate the benefit obligations of the plans is discussed in the pension benefit section above, and the methodology for each country is the same as the methodology used to determine the discount rate for that country's pension obligation. If the discount rate assumptions for these plans were reduced by 0.25 percent, the impact to 2018 other postretirement benefit expense and the increase in the December 31, 2017 benefit liability would not be material.
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Health care cost trend rate. The health care cost trend rate is based on a combination of inputs including our recent claims history and insights from external advisers regarding recent developments in the health care marketplace, as well as projections of future trends in the marketplace.
Our related accounting policies, account balances and the effects of a one percentage point change in the health care cost trend rate are discussed in Item 8, Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements.
Deferred Income Taxes and Potential Assessments
As a global organization, we are subject to income tax requirements in various jurisdictions in the U.S. and internationally. Changes in certain assumptions related to income taxes could significantly affect consolidated results, particularly with regard to valuation allowances on deferred tax assets, undistributed earnings of subsidiaries outside the U.S. and uncertain tax positions. Our income tax related accounting policies, account balances and matters affecting income taxes are discussed in Item 8, Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements.
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Deferred tax assets and related valuation allowances. We have recorded deferred tax assets related to, among other matters, income tax loss carryforwards, income tax credit carryforwards and capital loss carryforwards and have established valuation allowances against these deferred tax assets. These carryforwards are primarily in non-U.S. taxing jurisdictions and in certain states in the U.S. Foreign tax credits earned in the U.S. in current and prior years, which cannot be used currently, also give rise to net deferred tax assets. In determining the valuation allowances to establish against these deferred tax assets, many factors are considered, including the specific taxing jurisdiction, the carryforward period, income tax strategies and forecasted earnings for the entities in each jurisdiction. A valuation allowance is recognized if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.
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Undistributed earnings. Deferred taxes have been recorded for foreign and U.S. state income taxes on $1.0 billion of earnings of foreign consolidated subsidiaries expected to be repatriated. We do not intend to distribute $4.5 billion of earnings of foreign consolidated subsidiaries taxed as part of the transition tax and have not recorded any deferred taxes related to such amounts for foreign and U.S. state income taxes. We consider any excess of the amount for financial reporting over the tax basis of our investment in our foreign subsidiaries to be indefinitely reinvested. At this time, the determination of deferred tax liabilities on this amount is not practicable.
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Uncertain tax positions. We record our global tax provision based on the respective tax rules and regulations for the jurisdictions in which we operate. Where we believe that a tax position is supportable for income tax purposes, the item is included in our income tax returns. Where treatment of a position is uncertain, a liability is recorded based upon the expected most likely outcome taking into consideration the technical merits of the position based on specific tax regulations
and facts of each matter. These liabilities may be affected by changing interpretations of laws, rulings by tax authorities or the expiration of the statute of limitations.
Legal Matters
We are party to certain legal proceedings relating to our former health care business, Halyard, which we spun-off on October 31, 2014. This includes Bahamas Surgery Center v. Kimberly-Clark Corporation, et al., a California consumer class action relating to the sale of surgical gowns. On April 7, 2017, the jury awarded the plaintiff class $3.9 in compensatory damages and $350 in punitive damages against us. We have filed motions challenging the jury’s verdict as we believe it is contrary to the evidence presented at trial and that the punitive damage award is baseless, excessive and not consistent with California and federal laws. Under the terms of the distribution agreement we entered into with Halyard in connection with the spin-off, Halyard is obligated to indemnify us for legal proceedings, claims and other liabilities primarily related to our former health care business. Halyard and Kimberly-Clark have each filed suits against the other seeking declaratory judgment regarding the scope of these indemnification obligations. We are also party to additional legal proceedings relating to Halyard, including civil actions, qui tam matters, a shareholder derivative suit, a securities class action and certain subpoena and document requests from the federal government. Although the results of litigation and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we continue to believe that the final outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse effect, individually or in the aggregate, on our business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
New Accounting Standards
See Item 8, Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements for a description of new accounting standards and their anticipated effects on our consolidated financial statements.
Business Outlook
In 2018, we plan to continue to execute our Global Business Plan strategies, which include a focus on targeted growth initiatives, innovation and brand building, cost savings programs and shareholder-friendly capital allocation. In 2018, we expect earnings per share to be $3.90 to $4.50. Adjusted earnings per share are expected to be $6.90 to $7.20, which excludes 2018 Global Restructuring Program charges equivalent to $2.70 to $3.00. Our adjusted earnings per share guidance is based on the assumptions described below:
•
We expect net sales to increase 1 to 2 percent. We anticipate changes in foreign currency exchange rates to have a neutral to 1 percent positive impact on net sales, and the acquisition of our joint venture in India should benefit sales slightly.
•
We expect organic sales to increase approximately 1 percent, driven by higher sales volumes. Changes in net selling prices and product mix are expected to be similar, or up slightly, year-on-year.
•
We expect adjusted operating profit growth of 2 to 5 percent.
•
We plan to achieve cost savings of approximately $400 from our FORCE program, and $50 to $70 from the 2018 Global Restructuring Program.
•
We expect inflation in key cost inputs of $300 to $400. We anticipate the majority of the inflation to occur in international markets.
•
We expect interest expense to be down approximately 20 percent.
•
We expect an adjusted effective tax rate of 23 to 26 percent.
•
We expect net income from equity companies similar, or up slightly, year-on-year.
Information Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Certain matters contained in this report concerning the business outlook, including the anticipated cost savings from our FORCE program, costs and savings from the 2018 Global Restructuring Program, cash flow and uses of cash, growth initiatives, innovations, marketing and other spending, net sales, anticipated currency rates and exchange risks, raw material, energy and other input costs, effective tax rate, contingencies and anticipated transactions of Kimberly-Clark, including dividends, share repurchases and pension contributions, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are based upon management's expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting Kimberly-Clark. There can be no assurance that these future events will occur as anticipated or that our results will be as estimated. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update them.
The assumptions used as a basis for the forward-looking statements include many estimates that, among other things, depend on the achievement of future cost savings and projected volume increases. In addition, many factors outside our control, including fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, the prices and availability of our raw materials, potential competitive pressures on selling prices for our products, energy costs and retail trade customer actions, as well as general economic and political conditions globally and in the markets in which we do business, could affect the realization of these estimates.
The factors described under Item 1A, "Risk Factors" in this Form 10-K, or in our other SEC filings, among others, could cause our future results to differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf. Other factors not presently known to us or that we presently consider immaterial could also affect our business operations and financial results.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
As a multinational enterprise, we are exposed to risks such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices. A variety of practices are employed to manage these risks, including operating and financing activities and, where deemed appropriate, the use of derivative instruments. Derivative instruments are used only for risk management purposes and not for speculation. Foreign currency derivative instruments are primarily entered into with major financial institutions. Our credit exposure under these arrangements is limited to agreements with a positive fair value at the reporting date. Credit risk with respect to the counterparties is actively monitored but is not considered significant since these transactions are executed with a diversified group of financial institutions.
Presented below is a description of our risks (foreign currency risk and interest rate risk) together with a sensitivity analysis, performed annually, of each of these risks based on selected changes in market rates and prices. These analyses reflect management's view of changes which are reasonably possible to occur over a one-year period. Also included is a description of our commodity price risk.
Foreign Currency Risk
A portion of our foreign currency risk is managed by the systematic use of foreign currency forward and swap contracts. The use of these instruments allows the management of transactional exposures to exchange rate fluctuations because the gains or losses incurred on the derivative instruments will offset, in whole or in part, losses or gains on the underlying foreign currency exposure.
Foreign currency contracts and transactional exposures are sensitive to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. An annual test is performed to quantify the effects that possible changes in foreign currency exchange rates would have on annual operating profit based on our foreign currency contracts and transactional exposures at the current year-end. The balance sheet effect is calculated by multiplying each affiliate's net monetary asset or liability position by a 10 percent change in the foreign currency exchange rate versus the U.S. dollar.
As of December 31, 2017, a 10 percent unfavorable change in the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar against the prevailing market rates of foreign currencies involving balance sheet transactional exposures would not be material to our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. This hypothetical loss on transactional exposures is based on the difference between the December 31, 2017 rates and the assumed rates.
The translation of the balance sheets of non-U.S. operations from local currencies into U.S. dollars is also sensitive to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Consequently, an annual test is performed to determine if changes in currency exchange rates would have a significant effect on the translation of the balance sheets of non-U.S. operations into U.S. dollars. These translation gains or losses are recorded as unrealized translation adjustments ("UTA") within stockholders' equity. The hypothetical change in UTA is calculated by multiplying the net assets of these non-U.S. operations by a 10 percent change in the currency exchange rates. As of December 31, 2017, a 10 percent unfavorable change in the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar against the prevailing market rates of our foreign currency translation exposures would have reduced stockholders' equity by approximately $750. In the view of management, the above potential UTA adjustments resulting from these assumed changes in foreign currency exchange rates are not material to our consolidated financial position because they would not affect our cash flow.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk is managed through the maintenance of a portfolio of variable- and fixed-rate debt composed of short- and long-term instruments. The objective is to maintain a cost-effective mix that management deems appropriate. At December 31, 2017, the long-term debt portfolio was comprised of primarily fixed-rate debt.
In order to determine the impact of changes in interest rates on our financial position or future results of operations, we calculated the increase or decrease in the market value of fixed-rate debt using a 10 percent change in current market interest rates and the rates governing these instruments. At December 31, 2017, a 10 percent decrease in interest rates would have increased the fair value of fixed-rate debt by about $285, which would not have a significant impact on our financial statements as we do not record debt at fair value.
Commodity Price Risk
We are subject to commodity price risk, the most significant of which relates to the price of pulp. Selling prices of tissue products are influenced, in part, by the market price for pulp. As previously discussed under Item 1A, "Risk Factors," increases in pulp prices could adversely affect earnings if selling prices are not adjusted or if such adjustments significantly trail the increases in pulp prices. Derivative instruments have not been used to manage these risks.
Our energy, manufacturing and transportation costs are affected by various market factors including the availability of supplies of particular forms of energy, energy prices and local and national regulatory decisions. As previously discussed under Item 1A, "Risk Factors," there can be no assurance we will be fully protected against substantial changes in the price or availability of energy sources. In addition, we are subject to price risk for utilities and manufacturing inputs, used in our manufacturing operations. Derivative instruments are used in accordance with our risk management policy to hedge a limited portion of the price risk.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
See notes to the consolidated financial statements.
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
See notes to the consolidated financial statements.
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
See notes to the consolidated financial statements.
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
See notes to the consolidated financial statements.
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
See notes to the consolidated financial statements.
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1. Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements present the accounts of Kimberly-Clark Corporation and all subsidiaries in which it has a controlling financial interest as if they were a single economic entity in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). All intercompany transactions and accounts are eliminated in consolidation. The terms "Corporation," "Kimberly-Clark," "we," "our," and "us" refer to Kimberly-Clark Corporation and all subsidiaries in which it has a controlling financial interest. Dollar amounts are reported in millions, except per share dollar amounts, unless otherwise noted.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of net sales and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from these estimates, and changes in these estimates are recorded when known. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things, sales incentives and trade promotion allowances, employee postretirement benefits, and deferred income taxes and potential assessments.
Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents are short-term investments with an original maturity date of three months or less.
Inventories and Distribution Costs
Most U.S. inventories are valued at the lower of cost, using the Last-In, First-Out ("LIFO") method, or market. The balance of the U.S. inventories and inventories of consolidated operations outside the U.S. are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value using either the First-In, First-Out ("FIFO") or weighted-average cost methods. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. Distribution costs are classified as cost of products sold.
Property and Depreciation
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated on the straight-line method. Buildings are depreciated over their estimated useful lives, primarily 40 years. Machinery and equipment are depreciated over their estimated useful lives, primarily ranging from 16 to 20 years. Purchases of computer software, including external costs and certain internal costs (including payroll and payroll-related costs of employees) directly associated with developing significant computer software applications for internal use, are capitalized. Computer software costs are amortized on the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the software, which generally does not exceed 5 years.
Estimated useful lives are periodically reviewed and, when warranted, changes are made to them. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss would be indicated when estimated undiscounted future cash flows from the use and eventual disposition of an asset group, which are identifiable and largely independent of the cash flows of other asset groups, are less than the carrying amount of the asset group. Measurement of an impairment loss would be based on the excess of the carrying amount of the asset group over its fair value. Fair value is measured using discounted cash flows or independent appraisals, as appropriate. When property is sold or retired, the cost of the property and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the consolidated balance sheet and any gain or loss on the transaction is included in income.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents costs in excess of fair values assigned to the underlying net assets of acquired businesses. Goodwill is not amortized, but rather is assessed for impairment annually and whenever events and circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. Impairment testing compares the reporting unit carrying amount of goodwill with its fair value. If the reporting unit carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge would be recorded. In our evaluation of goodwill impairment, we have the option to first assess qualitative factors such as macroeconomic, industry and competitive conditions, legal and regulatory environments, historical and projected financial performance, significant changes in the reporting unit and
the magnitude of excess fair value over carrying amount from the previous quantitative impairment testing. If the qualitative assessment determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then a quantitative impairment test using discounted cash flows to estimate fair value must be performed. On the other hand, if the qualitative assessment determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is more than its carrying value, then further quantitative testing is not required. For 2017, we completed the required annual assessment of goodwill for impairment for all of our reporting units using a qualitative assessment as of the first day of the third quarter, and determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value is more than the carrying amount for each of our reporting units.
Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives and are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss would be indicated when estimated undiscounted future cash flows from the use of the asset are less than its carrying amount. An impairment loss would be measured as the difference between the fair value (based on discounted future cash flows) and the carrying amount of the asset. Estimated useful lives range from 2 to 20 years for trademarks and 5 to 15 years for patents, developed technologies and other intangible assets.
Investments in Equity Companies
Investments in companies which we do not control but over which we have the ability to exercise significant influence and that, in general, are at least 20 percent-owned by us, are stated at cost plus equity in undistributed net income. These investments are evaluated for impairment when warranted. An impairment loss would be recorded whenever a decline in value of an equity investment below its carrying amount is determined to be other than temporary. In judging "other than temporary," we would consider the length of time and extent to which the fair value of the equity company investment has been less than the carrying amount, the near-term and longer-term operating and financial prospects of the equity company, and our longer-term intent of retaining the investment in the equity company.
Revenue Recognition
Sales revenue is recognized at the time of product shipment or delivery, depending on when title passes, to unaffiliated customers, and when all of the following have occurred: a firm sales agreement is in place, pricing is fixed or determinable, and collection is reasonably assured. Sales are reported net of returns, consumer and trade promotions, rebates and freight allowed. Taxes imposed by governmental authorities on our revenue-producing activities with customers, such as sales taxes and value-added taxes, are excluded from net sales.
Sales Incentives and Trade Promotion Allowances
The cost of promotion activities provided to customers is classified as a reduction in sales revenue. In addition, the estimated redemption value of consumer coupons is recorded at the time the coupons are issued and classified as a reduction in sales revenue. Rebate and promotion accruals are based on estimates of the quantity of customer sales. Promotion accruals also consider estimates of the number of consumer coupons that will be redeemed and timing and costs of activities within the promotional programs.
Advertising Expense
Advertising costs are expensed in the year the related advertisement or campaign is first presented by the media. For interim reporting purposes, advertising expenses are charged to operations as a percentage of sales based on estimated sales and related advertising expense for the full year.
Research Expense
Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred.
Foreign Currency Translation
The income statements of foreign operations, other than those in highly inflationary economies, are translated into U.S. dollars at rates of exchange in effect each month. The balance sheets of these operations are translated at period-end exchange rates, and the differences from historical exchange rates are reflected in stockholders' equity as unrealized translation adjustments.
Accounting for Venezuelan Operations
Effective December 31, 2015, we deconsolidated the assets and liabilities of our business in Venezuela from our consolidated balance sheet. The change resulted in the recognition of an after tax charge of $102 in 2015 and other income of $11 related to
an updated assessment in 2016. In addition, we recorded a non-deductible charge of $45 in 2015 related to a balance sheet remeasurement. In 2016, we wrote off our investment in K-C Venezuela and shut down operations in that country.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Our policies allow the use of derivatives for risk management purposes and prohibit their use for speculation. Our policies also prohibit the use of any leveraged derivative instrument. Consistent with our policies, foreign currency derivative instruments, interest rate swaps and locks, and the majority of commodity hedging contracts are entered into with major financial institutions. At inception we formally designate certain derivatives as cash flow, fair value or net investment hedges and establish how the effectiveness of these hedges will be assessed and measured. This process links the derivatives to the transactions or financial balances they are hedging. Changes in the fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments are recorded in earnings as they occur. All derivative instruments are recorded as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet at fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are either recorded in the income statement or other comprehensive income, as appropriate. The gain or loss on derivatives designated as fair value hedges and the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are included in income in the period that changes in fair value occur. The effective portion of the gain or loss on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges is included in other comprehensive income in the period that changes in fair value occur, and is reclassified to income in the same period that the hedged item affects income. The gain or loss on derivatives designated as hedges of investments in foreign subsidiaries is recognized in other comprehensive income to offset the change in value of the net investments being hedged. Any ineffective portion of cash flow hedges and net investment hedges is immediately recognized in income. Certain foreign-currency derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments have been entered into to manage certain non-functional currency denominated monetary assets and liabilities. The gain or loss on these derivatives is included in income in the period that changes in their fair values occur. See Note 10 for disclosures about derivative instruments and hedging activities.
Accounting Standards - Adopted as of January 1, 2017
In 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718). The new guidance simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. We adopted this standard as of January 1, 2017. The adoption did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Prior periods were not recast.
In 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force), providing guidance on eight specific cash flow statement classification matters. We early adopted this standard as of January 1, 2017. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our cash flow statement. Prior periods were not recast.
Accounting Standards Issued - Not Adopted as of December 31, 2017
In 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which provides a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and will supersede most current revenue recognition guidance. In 2016, the FASB issued four amendments to the ASU. The standard is effective for public companies for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. We adopted this ASU effective January 1, 2018. The guidance is required to be adopted on either a full or modified retrospective basis. As this standard did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows on either a full or modified retrospective basis, we will not recast prior periods.
In 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory, which removes the prohibition in ASC 740 against the immediate recognition of the current and deferred income tax effects of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. The ASU is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those annual periods. The ASU is to be applied on a modified retrospective basis, recognizing the effects in retained earnings as of the beginning of the year of adoption. We adopted this standard as of January 1, 2018. The impact of this standard on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows was not material.
In 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715), Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. The standard requires that an employer report the service cost component in the same line items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. The other components of net periodic benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside of operating profit. The standard is effective for public companies for annual periods
beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods. We adopted this standard as of January 1, 2018. Prior periods will be recast. See Note 6 for more information about the net periodic benefit cost for pensions and other postretirement benefits and related service cost for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.
In 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). Under the new guidance, a lessee will be required to recognize assets and liabilities for all leases with lease terms of more than 12 months. Consistent with current GAAP, the recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee primarily will depend on its classification as a finance or operating lease. The ASU requires additional disclosures. The standard is effective for public companies for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The ASU requires adoption based upon a modified retrospective transition approach. We will adopt this standard as of January 1, 2019. The effects of this standard on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows are not yet known.
In 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. The new standard makes more financial and nonfinancial hedging strategies eligible for hedge accounting. It also amends the presentation and disclosure requirements and changes how companies assess effectiveness. For public companies, the amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted in any interim period. The effects of this standard on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows are not yet known.
Note 2. 2014 Organization Restructuring
In 2014, we initiated a restructuring plan in order to improve organization efficiency and offset the impact of stranded overhead costs resulting from the spin-off of our health care business. The restructuring was intended to improve our underlying profitability and increase our flexibility to invest in targeted growth initiatives, brand building and other capabilities critical to delivering future growth. The restructuring impacted all of our business segments and our organizations in all major geographies.
The restructuring actions were completed by December 31, 2016, with total costs, primarily severance, of $164 after tax ($231 pre-tax). Charges were $27 and $42 after tax ($35 and $63 pre-tax) for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Cash payments of $60 and $86 were made during 2016 and 2015, respectively, related to the restructuring.
Note 3. Fair Value Information
The following fair value information is based on a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The three levels in the hierarchy used to measure fair value are:
Level 1-Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets accessible at the reporting date for identical assets and liabilities.
Level 2-Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets. Quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not considered active or financial instruments for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.
Level 3-Prices or valuations that require inputs that are significant to the valuation and are unobservable.
A financial instrument's level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
During 2017 and 2016, there were no significant transfers among level 1, 2 or 3 fair value determinations.
Derivative assets and liabilities are measured on a recurring basis at fair value. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, derivative assets were $27 and $43, respectively, and derivative liabilities were $51 and $46, respectively. The fair values of derivatives used to manage interest rate risk and commodity price risk are based on LIBOR rates and interest rate swap curves and NYMEX price quotations, respectively. The fair values of hedging instruments used to manage foreign currency risk are based on published quotations of spot currency rates and forward points, which are converted into implied forward currency rates. Measurement of our derivative assets and liabilities is considered a level 2 measurement. See Note 10 for additional information on our use of derivative instruments.
Redeemable preferred securities of subsidiaries are measured on a recurring basis at fair value and were $61 and $58 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. They are not traded in active markets. For certain redeemable securities, fair values were calculated using a floating rate pricing model that compared the stated spread to the fair value spread to determine the price at
which each of the financial instruments should trade. The model used the following inputs to calculate fair values: face value, current LIBOR rate, unobservable fair value credit spread, stated spread, maturity date and interest or dividend payment dates. The fair value of the remaining redeemable securities was based on various inputs, including an independent third-party appraisal, adjusted for current market conditions. Measurement of the redeemable preferred securities is considered a level 3 measurement.
Company-owned life insurance ("COLI") assets are measured on a recurring basis at fair value. COLI assets were $68 and $61 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The COLI policies are a source of funding primarily for our nonqualified employee benefits and are included in other assets. The COLI policies are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share practical expedient, and therefore, are not classified in the fair value hierarchy.
The following table includes the fair value of our financial instruments for which disclosure of fair value is required:
(a)
Cash equivalents are composed of certificates of deposit, time deposits and other interest-bearing investments with original maturity dates of 90 days or less. Cash equivalents are recorded at cost, which approximates fair value.
(b)
Time deposits are composed of deposits with original maturities of more than 90 days but less than one year and instruments with original maturities of greater than one year, included in other current assets or other assets in the consolidated balance sheet, as appropriate. Time deposits are recorded at cost, which approximates fair value.
(c)
Short-term debt is composed of U.S. commercial paper and/or other similar short-term debt issued by non-U.S. subsidiaries, all of which are recorded at cost, which approximates fair value.
(d)
Long-term debt includes the current portion of these debt instruments. Fair values were estimated based on quoted prices for financial instruments for which all significant inputs were observable, either directly or indirectly.
Note 4. Debt and Redeemable Preferred Securities of Subsidiaries
Long-term debt is composed of the following:
Scheduled maturities of long-term debt for the next five years are $407 in 2018, $714 in 2019, $760 in 2020, $251 in 2021 and $298 in 2022.
In December 2017, we redeemed $500 aggregate principal amount of 7.50% notes originally due November 1, 2018. As a result, we recognized a charge of $24 in other (income) and expense, net.
In September 2017, we issued €500 aggregate principal amount of 0.625% notes due September 7, 2024. Proceeds from the offering were used to repay a portion of our outstanding commercial paper indebtedness.
In May 2017, we issued $350 aggregate principal amount of 3.90% notes due May 4, 2047. Proceeds from the offering were used for general corporate purposes, including repayment of a portion of our outstanding commercial paper indebtedness.
In July 2016, we issued $500 aggregate principal amount of 3.20% notes due July 30, 2046. Proceeds from the offering were used for general corporate purposes, including repayment of a portion of our outstanding commercial paper indebtedness.
In February 2016, we issued $400 aggregate principal amount of 1.40% notes due February 15, 2019 and $400 aggregate principal amount of 2.75% notes due February 15, 2026. Proceeds from the offering were used for general corporate purposes, including repayment of a portion of our outstanding notes and commercial paper indebtedness.
In August 2015, we issued $250 aggregate principal amount of 2.15% notes due August 2020 and $300 aggregate principal amount of 3.05% notes due August 2025. Proceeds from the offering were used to repay $300 of notes due in August 2015 and to pay down a portion of our outstanding commercial paper balance.
In February 2015, we issued $250 aggregate principal amount of 1.85% notes due March 2020 and $250 aggregate principal amount of 2.65% notes due March 2025. Proceeds from the offering were used for general corporate purposes, including pension contribution payments.
We maintain a $2.0 billion revolving credit facility which expires in 2021. This facility, currently unused, supports our commercial paper program, and would provide liquidity in the event our access to the commercial paper markets is unavailable for any reason.
Our subsidiary in Central America has outstanding redeemable preferred securities that are held by a noncontrolling interest and another noncontrolling interest holds certain redeemable preferred securities issued by one of our subsidiaries in North America.
Note 5. Stock-Based Compensation
We have a stock-based Equity Participation Plan and an Outside Directors' Compensation Plan (the "Plans"), under which we can grant stock options, restricted shares and restricted share units to employees and outside directors. As of December 31, 2017, the number of shares of common stock available for grants under the Plans aggregated 16 million shares.
Stock options are granted at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant, and they have a term of 10 years. Stock options are subject to graded vesting whereby options vest 30 percent at the end of each of the first two 12-month periods following the grant and 40 percent at the end of the third 12-month period.
Restricted shares, time-vested restricted share units and performance-based restricted share units granted to employees are valued at the closing market price of our common stock on the grant date and vest generally at the end of three years. The number of performance-based share units that ultimately vest ranges from zero to 200 percent of the number granted, based on performance tied to return on invested capital ("ROIC") and net sales during the three-year performance period. ROIC and net sales targets are set at the beginning of the performance period. Restricted share units granted to outside directors are valued at the closing market price of our common stock on the grant date and vest when they are granted. The restricted period begins on the date of grant and expires on the date the outside director retires from or otherwise terminates service on our Board.
At the time stock options are exercised or restricted shares and restricted share units become payable, common stock is issued from our accumulated treasury shares. Dividend equivalents are credited on restricted share units on the same date and at the same rate as dividends are paid on Kimberly-Clark's common stock. These dividend equivalents, net of estimated forfeitures, are charged to retained earnings.
Stock-based compensation costs of $76, $77 and $75 and related deferred income tax benefits of $26, $28 and $29 were recognized for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
The fair value of stock option awards was determined using a Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model utilizing a range of assumptions related to dividend yield, volatility, risk-free interest rate, and employee exercise behavior. Dividend yield is based on historical experience and expected future dividend actions. Expected volatility is based on a blend of historical volatility and implied volatility from traded options on Kimberly-Clark's common stock. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. We estimate forfeitures based on historical data.
The weighted-average fair value of options granted was estimated at $12.21, $10.95 and $7.39, in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, per option on the date of grant based on the following assumptions:
Total remaining unrecognized compensation costs and amortization period are as follows:
A summary of stock-based compensation is presented below:
The total intrinsic value of options exercised during 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $48, $55 and $83, respectively.
The total fair value of restricted share units that were distributed to participants during 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $80, $83 and $99, respectively.
Note 6. Employee Postretirement Benefits
Substantially all regular employees in the U.S. and the United Kingdom are covered by defined benefit pension plans (the "Principal Plans") and/or defined contribution retirement plans. Certain other subsidiaries have defined benefit pension plans or, in certain countries, termination pay plans covering substantially all regular employees. The funding policy for our qualified defined benefit pension plans is to contribute assets at least equal in amount to regulatory minimum requirements. Nonqualified U.S. plans providing pension benefits in excess of limitations imposed by the U.S. income tax code are not funded.
Substantially all U.S. retirees and employees have access to our unfunded health care and life insurance benefit plans. The annual increase in the consolidated weighted-average health care cost trend rate is expected to be 6.0 percent in 2018 and to decline to 4.6 percent in 2028 and thereafter. Assumed health care cost trend rates affect the amounts reported for postretirement health care benefit plans. A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care trend rates would not have a significant effect on our financial results.
Effective January 2015, the U.S. pension plan was amended to include a lump-sum pension benefit payout option for certain plan participants. In addition, in April 2015, the U.S. pension plan completed the purchase of group annuity contracts that transferred to two insurance companies the pension benefit obligations totaling $2.5 billion for approximately 21,000 Kimberly-Clark retirees in the U.S. As a result of these changes, we recognized pension settlement-related charges of $0.8 billion after tax ($1.4 billion pre-tax in other (income) and expense, net) during 2015. In 2015, we made cash contributions of $410 related to these changes to the U.S. plan.
Summarized financial information about postretirement plans, excluding defined contribution retirement plans, is presented below:
Substantially all of the funded status of pension and other benefits is recognized in the consolidated balance sheet in noncurrent employee benefits, with the remainder recognized in accrued expenses and other assets.
Information for the Principal Plans and All Other Pension Plans
Approximately one-half of the PBO and fair value of plan assets for the Principal Plans relate to the U.S. qualified and nonqualified pension plans.
Information for Pension Plans with an ABO in Excess of Plan Assets
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
(a)
The expected return on plan assets is determined by multiplying the fair value of plan assets at the remeasurement date, typically the prior year-end adjusted for estimated current year cash benefit payments and contributions, by the expected long-term rate of return.
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Net Cost for Years Ended December 31
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations at December 31
Investment Strategies for the Principal Plans
Strategic asset allocation decisions are made considering several risk factors, including plan participants' retirement benefit security, the estimated payments of the associated liabilities, the plan funded status, and Kimberly-Clark's financial condition. The resulting strategic asset allocation is a diversified blend of equity and fixed income investments. Equity investments are typically diversified across geographies and market capitalization. Fixed income investments are diversified across multiple sectors including government issues and corporate debt instruments with a portfolio duration that is consistent with the estimated payment of the associated liability. Actual asset allocation is regularly reviewed and periodically rebalanced to the strategic allocation when considered appropriate. Our 2018 target plan asset allocation for the Principal Plans is 70 percent fixed income securities and 30 percent equity securities.
The expected long-term rate of return is evaluated on an annual basis. In setting this assumption, we consider a number of factors including projected future returns by asset class relative to the current asset allocation. The weighted-average expected long-term rate of return on pension fund assets used to calculate pension expense for the Principal Plans was 4.72 percent in 2017, 5.10 percent in 2016 and 5.35 percent in 2015, and will be 4.81 percent in 2018.
Set forth below are the pension plan assets of the Principal Plans measured at fair value, by level in the fair-value hierarchy. More than 70 percent of the assets are held in pooled funds and are measured using a net asset value (or its equivalent). Accordingly, such assets do not meet the Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 criteria of the fair value hierarchy.
(a)
There were no plan assets measured at Level 2.
For the U.S. pension plan, Treasury futures contracts are used when appropriate to manage duration targets. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the U.S. plan had Treasury futures contracts in place with a total notional value of approximately $138 and $216, respectively, and an insignificant fair value. During 2017 and 2016, the plan assets did not include a significant amount of Kimberly-Clark common stock.
(a)
There were no plan assets measured at Level 2 or Level 3.
Inputs and valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of plan assets vary according to the type of security being valued. Substantially all of the equity securities held directly by the plans are actively traded and fair values are determined based on quoted market prices. Fair values of U.S. Treasury securities are determined based on trading activity in the marketplace.
Fair values of U.S. corporate debt, U.S. securitized fixed income and international bonds are typically determined by reference to the values of similar securities traded in the marketplace and current interest rate levels. Multiple pricing services are typically employed to assist in determining these valuations.
Fair values of equity securities and fixed income securities held through units of pooled funds are based on net asset value of the units of the pooled fund determined by the fund manager. Pooled funds are similar in nature to retail mutual funds, but are typically more efficient for institutional investors. The fair value of pooled funds is determined by the value of the underlying assets held by the fund and the units outstanding.
Equity securities held directly by the pension trusts and those held through units in pooled funds are monitored as to issuer and industry. Except for U.S. Treasuries, concentrations of fixed income securities are similarly monitored for concentrations by issuer and industry. As of December 31, 2017, there were no significant concentrations of equity or debt securities in any single issuer or industry.
No level 3 transfers (in or out) were made in 2017 or 2016, other than an insurance contract purchase in 2017. Fair values of insurance contracts are based on an evaluation of various factors, including purchase price.
We expect to contribute up to $100 to our defined benefit pension plans in 2018. Over the next ten years, we expect that the following gross benefit payments will occur:
Defined Contribution Pension Plans
Our 401(k) profit sharing plan and supplemental plan provide for a matching contribution of a U.S. employee's contributions and accruals, subject to predetermined limits, as well as a discretionary profit sharing contribution, in which contributions will be based on our profit performance. We also have defined contribution pension plans for certain employees outside the U.S. Costs charged to expense for our defined contribution pension plans were $128 in 2017, $126 in 2016, and $107 in 2015. Approximately one-fourth of these costs were for plans outside the U.S.
Note 7. Stockholders' Equity
The changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") attributable to Kimberly-Clark, net of tax, are as follows:
(a)
Included in computation of net periodic pension and other postretirement benefits costs (see Note 6).
Included in the defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans balances as of December 31, 2017 is $1,050 and $35 of unrecognized net actuarial loss and unrecognized net prior service credit, respectively, of which $50 and $10 pre-tax, respectively, are expected to be recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost in 2018.
The changes in the components of AOCI attributable to Kimberly-Clark, including the tax effect, are as follows:
Amounts are reclassified from AOCI into cost of products sold, marketing, research and general expenses, interest expense or other (income) and expense, net, as applicable, in the consolidated income statement.
Net unrealized currency gains or losses resulting from the translation of assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries, except those in highly inflationary economies, are recorded in AOCI. For these operations, changes in exchange rates generally do not affect cash flows; therefore, unrealized translation adjustments are recorded in AOCI rather than net income. Upon sale or substantially complete liquidation of any of these subsidiaries, the applicable unrealized translation adjustment would be removed from AOCI and reported as part of the gain or loss on the sale or liquidation. The change in unrealized translation in 2017 is primarily due to the strengthening of most foreign currencies versus the U.S. dollar, including the euro, South Korean won, British pound sterling, and Australian dollar. Also included in unrealized translation amounts are the effects of foreign exchange rate changes on intercompany balances of a long-term investment nature and transactions designated as hedges of net foreign investments.
During 2015, we acquired the remaining 49.9 percent interest in our subsidiary in Israel, Hogla-Kimberly, Ltd., for $151. As our subsidiary in Turkey was wholly-owned by our subsidiary in Israel, through this acquisition we also effectively acquired the remaining 49.9 percent interest in our subsidiary in Turkey, Kimberly-Clark Tuketim Mallari Sanayi ve Ticaret A.s.
Note 8. Leases and Commitments
We have entered into operating leases for certain facilities, automobiles and equipment. The future minimum obligations under operating leases having a noncancelable term in excess of one year are as follows:
Consolidated rental expense under operating leases was $281, $271 and $279 in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
We have entered into long-term contracts for the purchase of superabsorbent materials, pulp and certain utilities. Commitments under these contracts based on current prices are $699 in 2018, $206 in 2019, $204 in 2020, $8 in 2021, $5 in 2022, and $51 beyond the year 2022.
Although we are primarily liable for payments on the above-mentioned leases and purchase commitments, our exposure to losses, if any, under these arrangements is not material.
Note 9. Legal Matters
We are subject to various legal proceedings, claims and governmental inquiries, inspections, audits or investigations pertaining to issues such as contract disputes, product liability, tax matters, patents and trademarks, advertising, pricing, business practices, governmental regulations, employment and other matters. Although the results of litigation and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe that the ultimate disposition of these matters, to the extent not previously provided for, will not have a material adverse effect, individually or in the aggregate, on our business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
We are subject to federal, state and local environmental protection laws and regulations with respect to our business operations and are operating in compliance with, or taking action aimed at ensuring compliance with, these laws and regulations. We have been named a potentially responsible party under the provisions of the U.S. federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, or analogous state statutes, at a number of sites where hazardous substances are present. None of our compliance obligations with environmental protection laws and regulations, individually or in the aggregate, is expected to have a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity, financial condition or results of operations.
Note 10. Objectives and Strategies for Using Derivatives
As a multinational enterprise, we are exposed to financial risks, such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates, and commodity prices. We employ a number of practices to manage these risks, including operating and financing activities and, where appropriate, the use of derivative instruments. We enter into derivative instruments to hedge a portion of forecasted cash flows denominated in foreign currencies for non-U.S. operations' purchases of raw materials, which are priced in U.S. dollars, and imports of intercompany finished goods and work-in-process priced predominantly in U.S. dollars and euros. The derivative instruments used to manage these exposures are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges. The foreign currency exposure on certain non-functional currency denominated monetary assets and liabilities, primarily intercompany loans and accounts payable, is hedged with primarily undesignated derivative instruments.
Interest rate risk is managed using a portfolio of variable and fixed-rate debt composed of short and long-term instruments. Interest rate swap contracts may be used to facilitate the maintenance of the desired ratio of variable and fixed-rate debt and are designated
and qualify as fair value hedges. From time to time, we also hedge the anticipated issuance of fixed-rate debt and those contracts are designated as cash flow hedges.
We use derivative instruments, such as forward swap contracts, to hedge a limited portion of our exposure to market risk arising from changes in prices of certain commodities. These derivatives are designated as cash flow hedges of specific quantities of the underlying commodity expected to be purchased in future months.
Translation adjustments result from translating foreign entities' financial statements into U.S. dollars from their functional currencies. The risk to any particular entity's net assets is reduced to the extent that the entity is financed with local currency borrowings. A portion of our balance sheet translation exposure for certain affiliates, which results from changes in translation rates between the affiliates’ functional currencies and the U.S. dollar, is hedged with financial instruments. These instruments are designated as net investment hedges and have an aggregate notional value of $870 at December 31, 2017. Changes in fair value of net investment hedges are recorded in AOCI as part of the cumulative translation adjustment.
At December 31, 2017 and 2016, derivative assets were $27 and $43, respectively, and derivative liabilities were $51 and $46, respectively, primarily comprised of foreign currency exchange contracts.
The derivative assets are included in the consolidated balance sheet in other current assets and other assets, as appropriate. The derivative liabilities are included in the consolidated balance sheet in accrued expenses and other liabilities, as appropriate.
Derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges are predominantly used to manage interest rate risk. The fair values of these derivative instruments are recorded as an asset or liability, as appropriate, with the offset recorded in current earnings. The offset to the change in fair values of the related hedged items also is recorded in current earnings. Any realized gain or loss on the derivatives that hedge interest rate risk is amortized to interest expense over the life of the related debt. At December 31, 2017, the aggregate notional values of outstanding interest rate contracts designated as fair value hedges were $300. Fair value hedges resulted in no significant ineffectiveness in each of the three years ended December 31, 2017, and gains or losses recognized in interest expense were not significant. For each of the three years ended December 31, 2017, no gain or loss was recognized in earnings as a result of a hedged firm commitment no longer qualifying as a fair value hedge.
For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is initially recorded in AOCI, net of related income taxes, and recognized in earnings in the same period that the hedged exposure affects earnings. As of December 31, 2017, outstanding commodity forward contracts were in place to hedge a limited portion of our estimated requirements of the related underlying commodities in 2018 and future periods. As of December 31, 2017, the aggregate notional values of outstanding foreign exchange and interest rate derivative contracts designated as cash flow hedges were $795 and $200, respectively. Cash flow hedges resulted in no significant ineffectiveness in each of the three years ended December 31, 2017, and no gains or losses were reclassified into earnings as a result of the discontinuance of cash flow hedges due to the original forecast transaction no longer being probable of occurring. At December 31, 2017, amounts to be reclassified from AOCI during the next twelve months are not expected to be material. The maximum maturity of cash flow hedges in place at December 31, 2017 is January 2020.
Gains or losses on undesignated foreign exchange hedging instruments are immediately recognized in other (income) and expense, net. A gain of $37 and losses of $30 and $188 were recorded in the years ending December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The effect on earnings from the use of these non-designated derivatives is substantially neutralized by the transactional gains and losses recorded on the underlying assets and liabilities. At December 31, 2017, the notional amount of these undesignated derivative instruments was approximately $2.4 billion.
Note 11. Income Taxes
On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”). The Tax Act made broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code which impacted 2017 including, but not limited to, reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate and requiring a one-time transition tax on certain undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries.
The Tax Act also puts in place new tax laws that will apply prospectively, which include, but are not limited to, (1) implementing a base erosion and anti-abuse tax, (2) generally eliminating U.S. federal income taxes on dividends from foreign subsidiaries, (3) a new provision designed to tax currently in the U.S. global intangible low-taxed income ("GILTI") of foreign subsidiaries, which
allows for the possibility of utilizing foreign tax credits to offset the income tax liability (subject to some limitations), and (4) a lower effective U.S. tax rate on certain revenues from sources outside the U.S.
GAAP requires the impact of tax legislation to be recorded in the period of enactment. Therefore, in connection with our initial analysis of the impact of the Tax Act, we recorded a discrete net tax expense of $76 in the period ended December 31, 2017. This amount consists of a net expense of $278 for the transition tax and a net benefit of $202 for the remeasurement of deferred taxes associated with the corporate rate reduction and our reassessment of permanently reinvested earnings. In addition, we recorded a net benefit of $152 for certain tax planning actions that were taken in the fourth quarter of 2017 in anticipation of the enactment of the Tax Act.
Other than the item noted below, we were able to make reasonable estimates of the impact of the Tax Act and have recorded provisional amounts for the transition tax, the remeasurement of deferred taxes, and our reassessment of permanently reinvested earnings, uncertain tax positions and valuation allowances. These estimates may be impacted by the need for further analysis and future clarification and guidance regarding available tax accounting methods and elections, earnings and profits computations, state tax conformity to federal tax changes and the impact of prospective tax related to the GILTI provisions.
At December 31, 2017, we were not able to reasonably estimate and, therefore, have not recorded deferred taxes for the GILTI provisions. We have not yet determined our policy election with respect to whether to record deferred taxes for basis differences expected to reverse as a result of the GILTI provisions in future years, or in the period in which that tax was incurred.
An analysis of the provision for income taxes follows:
Income before income taxes is earned in the following tax jurisdictions:
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are composed of the following:
Valuation allowances at the end of 2017 primarily relate to tax credits, capital loss carryforwards, and income tax loss carryforwards of $743. If these items are not utilized against taxable income, $481 of the income tax loss carryforwards will expire from 2018 through 2037. The remaining $262 have no expiration date.
Realization of income tax loss carryforwards is dependent on generating sufficient taxable income prior to expiration of these carryforwards. Although realization is not assured, we believe it is more likely than not that all of the deferred tax assets, net of applicable valuation allowances, will be realized. The amount of the deferred tax assets considered realizable could be reduced or increased due to changes in the tax environment or if estimates of future taxable income change during the carryforward period.
Presented below is a reconciliation of the income tax provision computed at the U.S. federal statutory tax rate to the actual effective tax rate:
(a)
In 2015, we updated our assessment of uncertain tax positions for certain international operations and as a result we recorded an immaterial income tax charge of $49 related to prior years.
(b)
Other - net is composed of numerous items, none of which is greater than 1.75 percent of income before income taxes.
Prior to the Tax Act, we considered essentially all historical earnings in our non-U.S. subsidiaries to be indefinitely reinvested, except related to certain equity investments, and, accordingly, recorded insignificant deferred income taxes. Prior to the transition
tax, we had an excess of the amount for financial reporting over the tax basis in our foreign subsidiaries. While the transition tax resulted in the reduction of the excess of the amount for financial reporting over the tax basis in our foreign subsidiaries, an actual repatriation from our non-U.S. subsidiaries could be subject to additional foreign and U.S. state income taxes.
Deferred taxes have been recorded for foreign and U.S. state income taxes on $1.0 billion of earnings of foreign consolidated subsidiaries expected to be repatriated. We do not intend to distribute $4.5 billion of earnings of foreign consolidated subsidiaries taxed as part of the transition tax and have not recorded any deferred taxes related to such amounts for foreign and U.S. state income taxes. We consider any excess of the amount for financial reporting over the tax basis of our investment in our foreign subsidiaries to be indefinitely reinvested. At this time, the determination of deferred tax liabilities on this amount is not practicable.
Presented below is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized income tax benefits:
Of the amounts recorded as unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2017, $297 would reduce our effective tax rate if recognized.
We recognize accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. During each of the three years ended December 31, 2017, the net impact in interest and penalties was not significant. Total accrued penalties and net accrued interest was $35 and $47 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
It is reasonably possible that a number of uncertainties could be resolved within the next 12 months. The aggregate resolution of the uncertainties could be up to $220, while none of the uncertainties is individually significant. Resolution of these matters is not expected to have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
As of December 31, 2017, the following tax years remain subject to examination for the major jurisdictions where we conduct business:
Our U.S. federal income tax returns have been audited through 2013. We have various federal income tax return positions in administrative appeals for 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2010 through 2013.
State income tax returns are generally subject to examination for a period of 3 to 5 years after filing of the respective return. The state effect of any changes to filed federal positions remains subject to examination by various states for a period of up to two years after formal notification to the states. We have various state income tax return positions in the process of examination, administrative appeals or litigation.
Note 12. Earnings Per Share ("EPS")
There are no adjustments required to be made to net income for purposes of computing basic and diluted EPS. The average number of common shares outstanding is reconciled to those used in the basic and diluted EPS computations as follows:
Options outstanding that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because their exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares were insignificant. The number of common shares outstanding as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was 351.1 million, 356.6 million and 360.9 million, respectively.
Note 13. Business Segment Information
We are organized into operating segments based on product groupings. These operating segments have been aggregated into three reportable global business segments: Personal Care, Consumer Tissue and KCP. The reportable segments were determined in accordance with how our chief operating decision maker and our executive managers develop and execute global strategies to drive growth and profitability. These strategies include global plans for branding and product positioning, technology, research and development programs, cost reductions including supply chain management, and capacity and capital investments for each of these businesses. Segment management is evaluated on several factors, including operating profit. Segment operating profit excludes other (income) and expense, net and income and expense not associated with the business segments.
The principal sources of revenue in each global business segment are described below:
•
Personal Care brands offer our consumers a trusted partner in caring for themselves and their families by delivering confidence, protection and discretion through a wide variety of innovative solutions and products such as disposable diapers, training and youth pants, swimpants, baby wipes, feminine and incontinence care products, and other related products. Products in this segment are sold under the Huggies, Pull-Ups, Little Swimmers, GoodNites, DryNites, Kotex, U by Kotex, Intimus, Depend, Plenitud, Poise and other brand names.
•
Consumer Tissue offers a wide variety of innovative solutions and trusted brands that touch and improve people's lives every day. Products in this segment include facial and bathroom tissue, paper towels, napkins and related products, and are sold under the Kleenex, Scott, Cottonelle, Viva, Andrex, Scottex, Neve and other brand names.
•
K-C Professional partners with businesses to create Exceptional Workplaces, helping to make them healthier, safer and more productive through a range of solutions and supporting products such as wipers, tissue, towels, apparel, soaps and sanitizers. Our brands, including Kleenex, Scott, WypAll, Kimtech and Jackson Safety, are well-known for quality and trusted to help people around the world work better.
Net sales to Walmart Inc. as a percent of our consolidated net sales were approximately 14 percent in 2017, 2016 and 2015.
Information concerning consolidated operations by business segment is presented in the following tables:
Consolidated Operations by Business Segment
(a)
Net sales in the U.S. to third parties totaled $8,698, $8,874 and $8,819 in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. No other individual country's net sales exceeds 10 percent of total net sales.
(b)
Segment operating profit excludes other (income) and expense, net and income and expenses not associated with the business segments.
(c)
Corporate & Other includes charges related to the 2014 Organization Restructuring of $38 and $63 in 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $5 related to the remeasurement of the Venezuelan balance sheet in 2015. Corporate & Other also includes charges of $23 for restructuring in Turkey in 2015.
(d)
Other (income) and expense, net for 2017 includes a charge of $24 for the early redemption of debt, 2016 and 2015 includes income of $11 and a charge of $108, respectively, related to the deconsolidation of our Venezuelan operations, and 2015 includes charges of $40 related to the remeasurement of the Venezuelan balance sheet. In addition, 2015 includes $1,358 for charges related to pension settlements.
(a)
In 2017, we acquired the remaining 50 percent of our joint venture in India, which resulted in the recognition of $35 of personal care goodwill. All other changes in goodwill are related to currency.
Sales of Principal Products
Note 14. Supplemental Data
Supplemental Income Statement Data
Equity Companies' Data
Equity companies are principally engaged in operations in the personal care and consumer tissue businesses. At December 31, 2017, our ownership interest in KCM and subsidiaries was 47.9 percent. KCM is partially owned by the public, and its stock is publicly traded in Mexico. At December 31, 2017, our investment in this equity company was $170, and the estimated fair value of the investment was $2.6 billion based on the market price of publicly traded shares. Our other equity ownership interests are not significant to our consolidated balance sheet or financial results.
At December 31, 2017, undistributed net income of equity companies included in consolidated retained earnings was $1.1 billion.
Supplemental Balance Sheet Data
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value, determined on the FIFO or weighted-average cost methods, and at the lower of cost or market, determined on the LIFO cost method.
Property, plant and equipment, net in the U.S. as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $3,591 and $3,638, respectively.
Supplemental Cash Flow Statement Data
Note 15. Subsequent Events - Announcement of 2018 Global Restructuring Program
On January 23, 2018, we announced a new global restructuring program. The 2018 Global Restructuring Program will reduce our structural cost base by streamlining and simplifying our manufacturing supply chain and overhead organization. The program will make our overhead organization structure and manufacturing supply chain less complex and more efficient. We expect to close or sell approximately 10 manufacturing facilities and expand production capacity at several others. We expect to exit or divest some lower-margin businesses that generate approximately 1 percent of our net sales. The sales are concentrated in our consumer tissue business segment. The restructuring is expected to impact all of our business segments and our organizations in all major geographies. Workforce reductions are expected to be in the range of 5,000 to 5,500. Certain capital appropriations under the 2018 Global Restructuring Program are being finalized. Accounting for actions related to each appropriation will commence when the appropriation is authorized for execution.
The restructuring is expected to be completed by the end of 2020, with total costs anticipated to be $1.7 billion to $1.9 billion pre-tax ($1.35 billion to $1.5 billion after tax). Cash costs are expected to be $900 to $1.0 billion, primarily related to workforce reductions. Non-cash charges are expected to be $800 to $900 pre-tax and will primarily consist of incremental depreciation and asset impairments. Restructuring charges in 2018 are expected to be $1.2 billion to $1.35 billion pre-tax ($950 to $1.05 billion after tax).
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of
Kimberly-Clark Corporation:
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Kimberly-Clark Corporation and subsidiaries (the "Corporation") as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes and the financial statement schedule listed in the Table of Contents at Item 15 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Corporation as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 8, 2018, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Corporation’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Corporation’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Corporation in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
We have served as the Corporation’s auditor since 1928.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A.
ITEM 9A.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of December 31, 2017, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a - 15(e) and 15d - 15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act)). Based on that evaluation, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2017.
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining an adequate system of internal control over financial reporting, including safeguarding of assets against unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition. This system is designed to provide reasonable assurance to management and our Board of Directors regarding preparation of reliable published financial statements and safeguarding of our assets. This system is supported with written policies and procedures, contains self-monitoring mechanisms and is audited by the internal audit function. Appropriate actions are taken by management to correct deficiencies as they are identified. All internal control systems have inherent limitations, including the possibility of circumvention and overriding of controls, and, therefore, can provide only reasonable assurance as to the reliability of financial statement preparation and such asset safeguarding.
We have assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017. In making this assessment, we used the criteria described in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management believes that, as of December 31, 2017, our internal control over financial reporting is effective.
Deloitte & Touche LLP has audited the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, and has expressed an unqualified opinion in their report, which appears in this report.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation described above in "Internal Control Over Financial Reporting" that occurred during our fourth fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of
Kimberly-Clark Corporation:
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Kimberly-Clark Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Corporation”) as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, of the Corporation and our report dated February 8, 2018, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Corporation’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Internal Control Over
Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Corporation in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A corporation’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the corporation; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the corporation are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the corporation; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the corporation’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
ITEM 9B.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
PART III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The following sections of our 2018 Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "2018 Proxy Statement") are incorporated in this Item 10 by reference:
•
"The Nominees" under "Proposal 1. Election of Directors," which identifies our directors and nominees for our Board of Directors.
•
"Other Information - Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance."
•
"Corporate Governance - Other Corporate Governance Policies and Practices - Code of Conduct," which describes our Code of Conduct.
•
"Corporate Governance - Stockholder Rights," "Proposal 1. Election of Directors," "Other Information - Stockholder Director Nominees for Inclusion in Next Year's Proxy Statement," and "Other Information - Stockholder Director Nominees Not Included in Next Year's Proxy Statement," which describe the procedures by which stockholders may nominate candidates for election to our Board of Directors.
•
"Corporate Governance - Board Committees - Audit Committee," which identifies members of the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors and audit committee financial experts.
Information regarding our executive officers is reported under the caption "Executive Officers of the Registrant" in Part I of this Report.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information in the sections of our 2018 Proxy Statement captioned "Compensation Discussion and Analysis," "Compensation Tables," "Director Compensation," "Corporate Governance - Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation" and "Other Information - CEO Pay Ratio Disclosure" is incorporated in this Item 11 by reference.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 12.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information in the sections of our 2018 Proxy Statement captioned "Compensation Tables - Equity Compensation Plan Information" and "Other Information - Security Ownership Information" is incorporated in this Item 12 by reference.
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information in the sections of our 2018 Proxy Statement captioned "Other Information - Transactions with Related Persons" and "Corporate Governance - Director Independence" is incorporated in this Item 13 by reference.
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information in the sections of our 2018 Proxy Statement captioned "Principal Accounting Firm Fees" and "Audit Committee Approval of Audit and Non-Audit Services" under "Proposal 2. Ratification of Auditor" is incorporated in this Item 14 by reference.
PART IV
ITEM 15.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a)
Documents filed as part of this report.
1.
Financial statements.
The financial statements are set forth under Item 8 of this report on Form 10-K.
2.
Financial statement schedules.
The following information is filed as part of this Form 10-K and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements contained in Item 8:
•Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Schedule for Kimberly-Clark Corporation and Subsidiaries:
•Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
All other schedules have been omitted because they were not applicable or because the required information has been included in the financial statements or notes thereto.
3.
Exhibits
Exhibit No. (4).
Copies of instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt will be furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on request.
Exhibit No. (21).
Subsidiaries of the Corporation, filed herewith.
Exhibit No. (23).
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, filed herewith.
Exhibit No. (24).
Powers of Attorney, filed herewith.
Exhibit No. (101).CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
Exhibit No. (101).DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
Exhibit No. (101).LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
Exhibit No. (101).PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
*
A management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be identified pursuant to Item 15(a)(3) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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
February 8, 2018
By:
/s/ Maria Henry
Maria Henry
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
/s/ Thomas J. Falk
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and Director
(principal executive officer)
February 8, 2018
Thomas J. Falk
/s/ Maria Henry
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial officer)
February 8, 2018
Maria Henry
/s/ Michael T. Azbell
Vice President and Controller
(principal accounting officer)
February 8, 2018
Michael T. Azbell
Directors
John F. Bergstrom
James M. Jenness
Abelardo E. Bru
Nancy J. Karch
Robert W. Decherd
Christa S. Quarles
Fabian T. Garcia
Ian C. Read
Michael D. Hsu
Marc J. Shapiro
Mae C. Jemison
Michael D. White
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE II
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017, 2016 AND 2015
(Millions of dollars)
(a)
Includes bad debt recoveries and the effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
(b)
Primarily uncollectible receivables written off.
(c)
Sales discounts allowed.
(a)
Represents the net currency effects of translating valuation allowances at current rates of exchange.