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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K 
☒
Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019
☐
Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from                  to
Commission File Number 1-225        
kclogoa13.jpg
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware

39-0394230
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
P.O. Box 619100
Dallas, TX
75261-9100
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (972) 281-1200
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock-$1.25 par value
KMB
New York Stock Exchange
0.625% Notes due 2024
KMB24
New York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes    ☒    No    ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes    ☐    No    ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes    ☒    No    ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer
☒
  
Accelerated filer
☐
Non-accelerated filer
☐
  
Smaller reporting company
☐
 
 
 
Emerging growth company
☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).           Yes  ☐    No  ☒
The aggregate market value of the registrant's common stock held by non-affiliates on June 30, 2019 (based on closing stock price on the New York Stock Exchange as of such date) was approximately $45.9 billion.
As of January 31, 2020, there were 341,795,666 shares of Kimberly-Clark common stock outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Certain information contained in the definitive Proxy Statement for Kimberly-Clark's Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 29, 2020 is incorporated by reference into Part III.


KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
Page
Part I
 
 
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 1B.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
 
 
 
 
Information About Our Executive Officers
 
 
 
Part II
 
 
Item 5.
Item 6.
Item 7.
Item 7A.
Item 8.
Item 9.
Item 9A.
Item 9B.
 
 
 
Part III
 
 
Item 10.
Item 11.
Item 12.
Item 13.
Item 14.
 
 
 
Part IV
 
 
Item 15.
Item 16.
 
 

 
 


 
 
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report
PART I




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.
Dollar amounts are reported in millions, except per share dollar amounts, unless otherwise noted.
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:
•
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 responsibly improve everyday living for families around the world.  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 ("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 KleenGuard 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 2019, 2018 and 2017.
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.


 
1
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

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."
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, ASEAN 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 $33 and $34 in 2020 and 2021, 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 $113 in 2020 and $114 in 2021.
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 40,000 employees as of December 31, 2019.
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.    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.
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, 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


 
2
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

our products to a significant customer materially decrease, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.
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, and 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. E-commerce potentially intensifies competition by simplifying distribution and lowering barriers to entry. 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, changing consumer preferences due to increased concerns in regard to post-consumer waste and packaging materials and their impact on environmental sustainability, 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.
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, ASEAN 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 34 countries, and sell products in more than 175 countries. Our results may be substantially affected by a number of foreign market risks:
•
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 where available and economically advantageous. We do not generally hedge our translation exposure with respect to foreign operations.
•
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.
•
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 the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union (Brexit), could adversely affect our financial results.


 
3
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

•
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. See Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") and Item 8, Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements for information regarding our adoption of highly inflationary accounting in Argentina.
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, environmental impacts (including packaging, energy and water use and waste management) and other sustainability 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. In addition, our products could face withdrawal, recall or other quality issues. 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 product-related litigation, allegations of product tampering or contamination, or the distribution and sale of counterfeit products. 
If our information technology systems suffer interruptions, failures or breaches, or we fail to comply with data privacy or similar regulations, 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. Further, data privacy is subject to frequently changing rules and regulations regarding the handling of personal data, such as the General Data Protection Regulation and the California Consumer Privacy Act. 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, or any failure to comply with these data privacy requirements or other laws in this area, could cause damage to our reputation, loss of valuable information or loss of revenue and could result in legal liability, or regulatory or other penalties. In addition, we may incur large expenditures to investigate or remediate, to recover data, to repair or replace networks or information systems, or to protect against similar future events.
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, supplier consolidation which could limit our sources of supply for these items, 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. In some instances, we utilize negotiated short-term contract structures to reduce pulp price volatility, but 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


 
4
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

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.
There can be no assurance that our efforts to increase selling prices in response to increased costs will be successful.
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. In January 2018, we announced a 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.
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. While it is our policy and practice to comply with all legal and regulatory requirements applicable to our business, a finding that we are in violation of, or out of compliance with, applicable laws or regulations could subject us to civil remedies, including fines, damages, injunctions or product recalls, or criminal sanctions, any of which could adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. Even if a claim is unsuccessful, is without merit or is not fully pursued, the negative publicity surrounding such assertions regarding our products, processes or business practices could adversely affect our reputation and brand image.
In addition, new or revised laws or regulations may alter the environment in which we do business, including Brexit, 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.
Disruption in our supply chain or our manufacturing or distribution operations could adversely affect our business.
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, epidemics (including the ongoing coronavirus outbreak emanating from China), 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 disrupt our supply chain and 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


 
5
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

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.
New or revised tax regulations could have an adverse effect on 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. 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.
We may divest or acquire product lines or businesses, which could impact our results.
We may periodically divest product lines or businesses. These divestitures may adversely impact our results if we are unable to offset the dilutive impacts from the loss of revenue associated with the divested products or businesses, or mitigate overhead costs allocated to those businesses. Furthermore, the divestitures could adversely affect our ongoing business operations, including by enhancing our competitors' positions or reducing consumer confidence in our ongoing brands and products.
We may pursue acquisitions of product lines or businesses from third parties. Acquisitions involve numerous risks, including difficulties in the assimilation of the operations, technologies, services and products of the acquired product lines or businesses, estimation and assumption of liabilities and contingencies, personnel turnover and the diversion of management's attention from other business concerns. We may be unable to successfully integrate and manage product lines or businesses that we may acquire in the future, or be unable to achieve anticipated benefits or cost savings from acquisitions in the timeframe we anticipate, or at all.
The inability to effectively and efficiently manage divestitures and acquisitions with the results we expect or in the timeframe we anticipate could adversely affect our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
ITEM 1B.    UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2.    PROPERTIES
At December 31, 2019, we own or lease:
•
our principal executive office located in the Dallas, Texas metropolitan area;
•
four operating segment and geographic headquarters at two U.S. and two international locations; and
•
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: 
Geographic Area:
Number of
Facilities
North America (in 15 states in the U.S.)
31

Outside North America
54

Total (in 34 countries)
85

Many of these facilities produce multiple products, some across multiple segments. Consumer tissue and KCP products are produced in 52 facilities and personal care products are produced in 47 facilities. We believe that our and our equity affiliates' facilities are suitable for their purpose, adequate to support their businesses and well maintained.
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.    MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.


 
6
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

INFORMATION ABOUR OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The names and ages of our executive officers as of February 13, 2020, together with certain biographical information, are as follows:
Achal Agarwal, 60, will serve as Chief Transformation Officer effective March 1, 2020 and will be responsible for leading the strategy and roadmap for further building our global organizational capabilities and evolving our work practices to consistently deliver results. His current role is President, K-C Asia-Pacific to which he was elected 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.
J. Scott Boston, 57, was elected Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer in 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 labor/employee relations. From 2011 to April 2016, his title was Vice President HR K-C International and from April 2016 to December 2016, 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.
Sergio Cruz, 53, was elected President, K-C Latin America in 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 Brazil and from 2011 to 2013, he served as Managing Director and Vice President, 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.
Maria Henry, 53, 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 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, 55, was elected Chief Executive Officer in January 2019 and Chairman of the Board in January 2020. Prior to that, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer since 2017, where he was 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. He has been a director of Kimberly-Clark since 2017. Prior to joining Kimberly-Clark, Mr. Hsu served as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Kraft Foods, Inc., 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.
Alison Lewis, 52, was elected Chief Growth Officer in July 2019. Ms. Lewis joined Kimberly-Clark from Johnson & Johnson, a health care products company, where she served as Chief Marketing Officer of the Global Consumer business since 2013. Prior to her role at Johnson & Johnson, Ms. Lewis served as Chief Marketing Officer, Senior Vice President, North America at The Coca-Cola Company.
Jeffrey Melucci, 49, was elected Senior Vice President - General Counsel in 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.
Aaron Powell, 48, will serve as President, K-C Asia-Pacific effective March 1, 2020. His current role is President of K-C Professional to which he was elected in 2018. He is responsible for our global professional business, which includes commercial tissue and wipers, skin care, safety and do-it-yourself products. Previously, he served as President, K-C Europe, Middle East &


 
7
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

Africa (EMEA) from April 2018 to May 2018, and prior to that he led our K-C Professional operations in North America since 2016. Mr. Powell joined Kimberly-Clark in 2007 and has held a number of positions of increasing responsibility within our EMEA operations, including Vice President and Managing Director, Central & Eastern Europe.
Kimberly K. Underhill, 55, was elected Group President, K-C North America in 2018. She is responsible for our consumer business in North America. From 2014 to May 2018, she served as President of K-C Professional, and from 2011 to 2014, she served as President, Consumer Europe. 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.
Tristram Wilkinson, 51, was elected President, K-C EMEA in 2018. He is responsible for our consumer business in our EMEA region. From 2016 to 2018, he served as Vice President and Managing Director, Central & Eastern Europe. Prior to that, Mr. Wilkinson held a number of positions of increasing responsibility within our EMEA operations, including Vice President and Managing Director, United Kingdom & Ireland. Mr. Wilkinson joined Kimberly-Clark in 1995.




 
8
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report
PART II


ITEM 5.
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Kimberly-Clark common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The ticker symbol is KMB.
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.
As of January 31, 2020, we had 18,719 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 2019, we repurchased 6.2 million shares of our common stock at a cost of $800 through a broker in the open market.
The following table contains information for shares repurchased during the fourth quarter of 2019. None of the shares in this table were repurchased directly from any of our officers or directors.
Period (2019)
 
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased(a)
 
Average
Price Paid
Per Share
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
 
Maximum Number
of Shares That May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs
October 1 to October 31
 
715,700

 
$
136.22

 
29,215,144

 
10,784,856

November 1 to November 30
 
595,700

 
132.65

 
29,810,844

 
10,189,156

December 1 to December 31
 
550,500

 
136.59

 
30,361,344

 
9,638,656

Total
 
1,861,900

 
 
 
 
 
 
(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.




 
9
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

ITEM 6.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
Year Ended December 31
 
2019(a)
 
2018(b)
 
2017(c)
 
2016(d)
 
2015(e)
Net Sales
$
18,450

 
$
18,486

 
$
18,348

 
$
18,287

 
$
18,682

Gross Profit
6,035

 
5,597

 
6,587

 
6,691

 
6,667

Operating Profit
2,991

 
2,229

 
3,358

 
3,383

 
3,038

Share of Net Income of Equity Companies
123

 
103

 
104

 
132

 
149

Net Income
2,197

 
1,445

 
2,319

 
2,219

 
1,066

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
(40
)
 
(35
)
 
(41
)
 
(53
)
 
(53
)
Net Income Attributable to Kimberly-Clark Corporation
2,157

 
1,410

 
2,278

 
2,166

 
1,013

Per Share Basis
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
6.28

 
4.05

 
6.44

 
6.03

 
2.78

Diluted
6.24

 
4.03

 
6.40

 
5.99

 
2.77

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Dividends Per Share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Declared
4.12

 
4.00

 
3.88

 
3.68

 
3.52

Paid
4.09

 
3.97

 
3.83

 
3.64

 
3.48

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Assets
15,283

 
14,518

 
15,151

 
14,602

 
14,842

Long-Term Debt
6,213

 
6,247

 
6,472

 
6,439

 
6,106

Total Stockholders' Equity
194

 
(46
)
 
882

 
117

 
40

(a)
Results include pre-tax charges of $366, $248 after tax, related to the 2018 Global Restructuring Program and a pre-tax property sale gain of $31, $24 after tax, related to the sale of property associated with a former manufacturing facility. See Item 8, Notes 2 and 13 to the consolidated financial statements for details.
(b)
Results include pre-tax charges of $1,036, $783 after tax, related to the 2018 Global Restructuring Program and a net charge of $117 associated with U.S. tax reform related matters. See Item 8, Notes 2 and 11 to the consolidated financial statements for details.
(c)
Results include other expense of $24 and an income tax benefit of $85 for U.S. tax reform related matters. See Item 8, Notes 4 and 11 to the consolidated financial statements for details.
(d)
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 restructuring plan initiated to improve organization efficiency and offset the impact of stranded overhead costs resulting from the spin-off of our health care business (the "2014 Organization Restructuring").
(e)
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.



 
10
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

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 2019 results to 2018. For a discussion that compares our 2018 results to 2017, see Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Part II, Item 7 of our 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K. 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 exchange rates and exited businesses 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:
•
Overview of Business
•
Overview of 2019 Results
•
Results of Operations and Related Information
•
Unaudited Quarterly Data
•
Liquidity and Capital Resources
•
Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates
•
Legal Matters
•
New Accounting Standards
•
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:
•
2018 Global Restructuring Program - In 2018, we initiated a restructuring program to reduce our structural cost base by streamlining and simplifying our manufacturing supply chain and overhead organization. See Item 8, Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements for details.
•
Property Sale Gain - In the fourth quarter of 2019, we recognized a gain on the sale of property associated with a former manufacturing facility that was closed in 2012 as part of a past restructuring.
•
U.S. Tax Reform Related Matters - In 2018 we recognized a net charge associated with U.S. tax reform related matters. See Item 8, Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements for details.


 
11
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

Overview of Business
We are a global company focused on leading the world in essentials for a better life, with manufacturing facilities in 32 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:
•
grow our portfolio of brands through innovation, category development and commercial execution,
•
leverage our cost and financial discipline to fund growth and improve margins, and
•
allocate capital in value-creating ways.
We describe our business outside North America in two groups – Developing and Emerging Markets ("D&E") and Developed Markets. D&E 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.
Overview of 2019 Results
•
Net sales of $18.5 billion were even with the year-ago period. Organic sales increased 4 percent. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates reduced sales by 3 percent.
•
In North America, organic sales increased 3 percent in both consumer products and in K-C Professional.
•
Outside North America, organic sales rose 6 percent in D&E Markets and 1 percent in Developed Markets.
•
Operating Profit and Net Income Attributable to Kimberly-Clark were $2,991 and $2,157 in 2019, respectively.
•
Diluted earnings per share were $6.24 in 2019 compared to $4.03 in 2018. Results in 2019 include net charges of $0.72 related to the 2018 Global Restructuring Program and a net gain of $0.07 related to the sale of property associated with a former manufacturing facility that was closed as part of a past restructuring. Results in 2018 include net charges of $2.24 related to the 2018 Global Restructuring Program and a net charge of $0.33 for U.S. tax reform related matters.
•
We continue to focus on generating cash flow and allocating capital to shareholders. Cash provided by operations was $2.7 billion in 2019. We raised our dividend in 2019 by 3 percent, the 47th consecutive annual increase in our dividend. Altogether, share repurchases and dividends in 2019 amounted to $2.2 billion.
In 2020, we plan to focus on our strategies for long-term success, including growing our brands, leveraging our financial discipline and allocating capital in value-creating ways.
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.
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 2019 results of operations.


 
12
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

Consolidated
Selected Financial Results
Year Ended December 31
 
2019
 
2018
 
Change
2019 vs. 2018
Net Sales:
 
 
 
 
 
North America
$
9,735

 
$
9,532

 
+2
 %
Outside North America
8,981

 
9,256

 
-3
 %
Intergeographic sales
(266
)
 
(302
)
 
-12
 %
Total Net Sales
18,450

 
18,486

 
—

Operating Profit:
 
 
 
 
 
North America
2,441

 
2,215

 
+10
 %
Outside North America
1,127

 
1,127

 
—

Corporate & Other(a)
(787
)
 
(1,112
)
 
N.M.

Other (income) and expense, net(a)
210

 
1

 
—

Total Operating Profit
2,991

 
2,229

 
+34
 %
Provision for income taxes
(576
)
 
(471
)
 
+22
 %
Share of net income of equity companies
123

 
103

 
+19
 %
Net Income Attributable to Kimberly-Clark Corporation
2,157

 
1,410

 
+53
 %
Diluted Earnings per Share
6.24

 
4.03

 
+55
 %
(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
 
 
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2019
 
 
As
Reported
 
2018 Global Restructuring Program
 
Property Sale Gain
 
As
Adjusted
Non-GAAP
Cost of products sold
 
$
12,415

 
$
416

 
$
—

 
$
11,999

Gross Profit
 
6,035

 
(416
)
 
—

 
6,451

Marketing, research and general expenses
 
3,254

 
99

 
—

 
3,155

Other (income) and expense, net
 
(210
)
 
(194
)
 
(31
)
 
15

Operating Profit
 
2,991

 
(321
)
 
31

 
3,281

Nonoperating expense
 
(91
)
 
(45
)
 
—

 
(46
)
Provision for income taxes
 
(576
)
 
118

 
(7
)
 
(687
)
Effective tax rate
 
21.7
%
 
—

 
—

 
23.0
%
Share of net income of equity companies
 
123

 
(2
)
 
—

 
125

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(40
)
 
2

 
—

 
(42
)
Net Income Attributable to Kimberly-Clark Corporation
 
2,157

 
(248
)
 
24

 
2,381

Diluted Earnings per Share(a)
 
6.24

 
(0.72
)
 
0.07

 
6.89









 
13
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

 
 
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018
 
 
As
Reported
 
2018 Global Restructuring Program
 
U.S. Tax Reform Related Matters
 
As
Adjusted
Non-GAAP
Cost of products sold
 
$
12,889

 
$
541

 
$
—

 
$
12,348

Gross profit
 
5,597

 
(541
)
 
—

 
6,138

Marketing, research and general expenses
 
3,367

 
380

 
—

 
2,987

Other (income) and expense, net
 
1

 
(12
)
 
—

 
13

Operating profit
 
2,229

 
(909
)
 
—

 
3,138

Nonoperating expense
 
(163
)
 
(127
)
 
—

 
(36
)
Provision for income taxes
 
(471
)
 
243

 
(117
)
 
(597
)
Effective tax rate
 
26.0
%
 
—

 
—

 
21.0
%
Share of net income of equity companies
 
103

 
(1
)
 
—

 
104

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(35
)
 
11

 
—

 
(46
)
Net income attributable to Kimberly-Clark Corporation
 
1,410

 
(783
)
 
(117
)
 
2,310

Diluted Earnings per Share(a)
 
4.03

 
(2.24
)
 
(0.33
)
 
6.61

(a)
"As Adjusted Non-GAAP" may not equal "As Reported" plus "Adjustments" as a result of rounding.

Analysis of Consolidated Results
Net Sales
 
Percent Change
 
Adjusted Operating Profit
 
Percent Change
 
 
2019 vs. 2018
 
 
 
2019 vs. 2018
Volume
 
(1
)
 
Volume
 
(1
)
Net Price
 
4

 
Net Price
 
21

Mix/Other
 
1

 
Input Costs
 
(5
)
Currency
 
(3
)
 
Cost Savings(c)
 
14

Total(a)
 
—

 
Currency Translation
 
(2
)
 
 
 
 
Other(d)
 
(22
)
Organic(b)
 
4

 
Total
 
5

(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)
Combined benefits of the FORCE (Focused On Reducing Costs Everywhere) program and 2018 Global Restructuring Program.
(d)
Includes impact of changes in product mix, marketing, research and general expenses, foreign currency transaction effects and other manufacturing costs.
Net sales of $18.5 billion were even with the year-ago period. Operating profit was $2,991 in 2019 and $2,229 in 2018. Adjusted operating profit was $3,281 in 2019, up 5 percent compared to $3,138 in 2018. Results benefited from organic sales growth, $260 of FORCE cost savings and $165 of cost savings from the 2018 Global Restructuring Program. The comparison was impacted by unfavorable currency effects, $145 of higher input costs, other manufacturing cost increases, increased advertising spending and higher selling, general and administrative costs.
Other (income) and expense, net of $210 in 2019 primarily reflected gains on the sales of manufacturing facilities and associated real estate related to the 2018 Global Restructuring Program and property associated with a former manufacturing facility that was closed as part of a past restructuring. Adjusted other (income) and expense, net was $15 and $13 of expense in 2019 and 2018, respectively.
The effective tax rate of 21.7 percent in 2019 decreased compared to the effective tax rate of 26.0 percent in 2018. The rate in 2019 included a net benefit of $47 related to a nonrecurring capital loss from a legal entity restructuring. The rate in 2018 included a net charge of $117 related to U.S. tax reform related matters. See additional details in Item 8, Note 11 to the consolidated financial


 
14
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

statements. The adjusted effective tax rate was 23.0 percent in 2019 compared to 21.0 percent in 2018. The adjusted rate in 2018 benefited from planning initiatives and resolution of certain tax matters.
Our share of net income of equity companies was $123 in 2019 and $103 in 2018. Kimberly-Clark de Mexico, S.A.B. de C.V. ("KCM") results in 2019 benefited from organic sales growth and cost savings but were negatively impacted by higher input costs.
Diluted earnings per share were $6.24 in 2019 and $4.03 in 2018. Adjusted earnings per share of $6.89 in 2019 increased 4 percent compared to $6.61 in 2018. The increase was driven by higher adjusted operating profit, increased net income from equity companies and a lower share count, partially offset by a higher adjusted effective tax rate.
Business Segments
Personal Care
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
Net Sales
 
$
9,108

 
$
9,037

 
Operating Profit
 
$
1,904

 
$
1,833

Net Sales
 
Percent Change
 
Operating Profit
 
Percent Change
 
 
2019 vs. 2018
 
 
 
2019 vs. 2018
Volume
 
1

 
Volume
 
3

Net Price
 
3

 
Net Price
 
15

Mix/Other
 
1

 
Input Costs
 
(6
)
Currency
 
(4
)
 
Cost Savings(c)
 
12

Total(a)
 
1

 
Currency Translation
 
(3
)
 
 
 
 
Other(d)
 
(17
)
Organic(b)
 
5

 
Total
 
4

(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)
Combined benefits of the FORCE program and 2018 Global Restructuring Program.
(d)
Includes impact of changes in product mix, marketing, research and general expenses, foreign currency transaction effects and other manufacturing costs.
Net sales in North America increased 3 percent. Higher sales volumes and changes in net selling prices and product mix each increased sales by 1 percent. Volume growth was primarily driven by an increase in sales of adult care products, reflecting product innovations, increased brand investments and category growth. The improvements in net selling prices and product mix were driven by baby and child care.
Net sales in D&E Markets decreased 1 percent. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates decreased sales by 9 percent, primarily in Latin America and China. Changes in net selling prices and product mix increased sales by 7 percent and 2 percent, respectively. The higher net selling prices were led by Latin America, China and Eastern Europe. The improvements in product mix were primarily in China.
Net sales in Developed Markets outside North America decreased 5 percent. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates decreased sales by 6 percent and changes in net selling prices decreased sales by 1 percent. Changes in product mix and higher sales volumes each increased sales by 1 percent.
Operating profit of $1,904 increased 4 percent. The comparison was positively impacted by organic sales growth and cost savings, partially offset by input cost inflation, unfavorable currency effects and higher advertising spending.



 
15
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

Consumer Tissue
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
Net Sales
 
$
5,993

 
$
6,015

 
Operating Profit
 
$
1,007

 
$
875

Net Sales
 
Percent Change
 
Operating Profit
 
Percent Change
 
 
2019 vs. 2018
 
 
 
2019 vs. 2018
Volume
 
(3
)
 
Volume
 
(7
)
Net Price
 
5

 
Net Price
 
33

Mix/Other
 
—

 
Input Costs
 
(3
)
Currency
 
(3
)
 
Cost Savings(c)
 
14

Total(a)
 
—

 
Currency Translation
 
(1
)
 
 
 
 
Other(d)
 
(21
)
Organic(b)
 
2

 
Total
 
15

(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)
Combined benefits of the FORCE program and 2018 Global Restructuring Program.
(d)
Includes impact of changes in product mix, marketing, research and general expenses, foreign currency transaction effects and other manufacturing costs.
Net sales in North America increased 2 percent. Organic sales increased 2 percent with improvement in all three major product categories of bathroom tissue, facial tissue and paper towels. Changes in net selling prices increased sales by 7 percent, reflecting disciplined execution of price increases, while sales volumes decreased 5 percent.
Net sales in D&E Markets decreased 2 percent. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates decreased sales by 5 percent, primarily in Latin America. Sales volumes decreased by 1 percent. Changes in net selling prices increased sales by 3 percent, led by improvements in Latin America. Changes in product mix increased sales by 1 percent.
Net sales in Developed Markets outside North America decreased 4 percent. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates decreased sales by 6 percent and lower sales volumes decreased sales by 1 percent. Changes in net selling prices increased sales by 2 percent. Each of the changes was driven by Western and Central Europe.
Operating profit of $1,007 increased by 15 percent. Results benefited from higher net selling prices and cost savings. The comparison was impacted by other manufacturing cost increases, lower volumes, unfavorable currency effects, higher input costs and increased selling, general and administrative costs.



 
16
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

K-C Professional
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
Net Sales
 
$
3,292

 
$
3,382

 
Operating Profit
 
$
657

 
$
634

Net Sales
 
Percent Change
 
Operating Profit
 
Percent Change
 
 
2019 vs. 2018
 
 
 
2019 vs. 2018
Volume
 
(2
)
 
Volume
 
(4
)
Net Price
 
3

 
Net Price
 
15

Mix/Other
 
1

 
Input Costs
 
(2
)
Exited Businesses(e)
 
(2
)
 
Cost Savings(c)
 
13

Currency
 
(3
)
 
Currency Translation
 
(2
)
Total(a)
 
(3
)
 
Other(d)
 
(16
)
Organic(b)
 
2

 
Total
 
4

(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)
Combined benefits of the FORCE program and 2018 Global Restructuring Program.
(d)
Includes impact of changes in product mix, marketing, research and general expenses, foreign currency transaction effects and other manufacturing costs.
(e)
Exited businesses in conjunction with the 2018 Global Restructuring Program.
Net sales in North America increased 1 percent. Changes in net selling prices and product mix increased sales by 3 percent and 1 percent, respectively, while business exits in conjunction with the 2018 Global Restructuring Program reduced sales more than 1 percent. Sales volumes decreased 1 percent.
Net sales in D&E Markets decreased 4 percent. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates decreased sales by 5 percent, primarily in Latin America. Sales volumes decreased 3 percent. Changes in net selling prices increased sales by 3 percent led by improvements in Latin America. Changes in product mix increased sales by 1 percent.
Net sales in Developed Markets outside North America decreased 6 percent. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates decreased sales by 6 percent, and lower sales volumes and business exits decreased sales by 5 percent and 1 percent, respectively. Changes in product mix and net selling prices increased sales by 3 percent and 2 percent, respectively. Each of the changes was driven by Western and Central Europe.
Operating profit of $657 increased 4 percent. The comparison benefited from improved net selling prices and cost savings, partially offset by increased other manufacturing costs, lower volumes and unfavorable currency effects.
2018 Global Restructuring Program
Annual pre-tax savings from the 2018 Global Restructuring Program are expected to be $500 to $550 by 2021. Savings for 2019 were $165, bringing cumulative savings to $300.
To implement this program, we expect to incur incremental capital spending of approximately $600 to $700 by the end of 2020. See Item 8, Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.


 
17
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

Unaudited Quarterly Data
 
2019(a)
 
2018(a)
 
Fourth
 
Third
 
Second
 
First
 
Fourth
 
Third
 
Second
 
First
Net Sales
$
4,583

 
$
4,640

 
$
4,594

 
$
4,633

 
$
4,569

 
$
4,582

 
$
4,604

 
$
4,731

Gross Profit
1,566

 
1,555

 
1,486

 
1,428

 
1,402

 
1,416

 
1,455

 
1,324

Operating Profit
751

 
915

 
670

 
655

 
639

 
669

 
674

 
247

Net Income
556

 
680

 
495

 
466

 
421

 
462

 
465

 
97

Net Income Attributable to Kimberly-Clark Corporation
547

 
671

 
485

 
454

 
411

 
451

 
455

 
93

Per Share Basis-Diluted
1.59

 
1.94

 
1.40

 
1.31

 
1.18

 
1.29

 
1.30

 
0.26

(a)
Quarterly results in 2019 and 2018 were impacted by charges related to the 2018 Global Restructuring Program. See Item 8, Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements for details.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Provided by Operations
Cash provided by operations was $2.7 billion in 2019 compared to $3.0 billion in 2018. The decrease was driven by increased working capital and tax payments, partially offset by higher earnings and lower pension contributions.
Obligations
The following table presents our total contractual obligations for which cash flows are fixed or determinable. 
 
Total
 
2020
 
2021
 
2022
 
2023
 
2024
 
2025+
Long-term debt
$
6,985

 
$
761

 
$
258

 
$
310

 
$
468

 
$
552

 
$
4,636

Interest payments on long-term debt
3,051

 
232

 
214

 
206

 
200

 
193

 
2,006

Operating lease liabilities
454

 
145

 
102

 
72

 
51

 
32

 
52

Unconditional purchase obligations
1,579

 
1,249

 
83

 
57

 
50

 
39

 
101

Open purchase orders
2,268

 
2,213

 
41

 
11

 
2

 
1

 
—

Total contractual obligations
$
14,337

 
$
4,600

 
$
698

 
$
656

 
$
771

 
$
817

 
$
6,795

•
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.
•
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:
•
We will fund our defined benefit pension plans to meet or exceed statutory requirements and currently expect to contribute approximately $50 to these plans in 2020.
•
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 of approximately $60 through 2029.
•
Accrued income tax liabilities for uncertain tax positions, deferred taxes and noncontrolling interests.


 
18
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

Investing
Our capital spending was $1.2 billion in 2019 and $0.9 billion 2018, reflecting incremental spending in 2019 related to the 2018 Global Restructuring Program. Proceeds from dispositions of property in 2019 of $242 primarily reflects the proceeds from the sales of manufacturing facilities and associated real estate related to the 2018 Global Restructuring Program and property associated with a former manufacturing facility that was closed as part of a past restructuring. We expect capital spending to be approximately $1.15 billion to $1.35 billion in 2020, including significant spending associated with 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 $775 as of December 31, 2019 (included in debt payable within one year on the consolidated balance sheet). The average month-end balance of short-term debt for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 was $1.0 billion. 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, 2019, total debt was $7.7 billion compared to $7.5 billion at December 31, 2018.
In February 2020, we issued $500 aggregate principal amount of 2.875% notes due February 7, 2050. Proceeds from the offering were used for general corporate purposes including the repayment of a portion of our commercial paper indebtedness.
We maintain a $2.0 billion revolving credit facility which expires in June 2023 and a $750 revolving credit facility which expires in June 2020.  These facilities, currently unused, support 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 2019. The Board of Directors approved a dividend increase of 3.9 percent for 2020. We repurchase shares of Kimberly-Clark common stock from time to time pursuant to publicly announced share repurchase programs. During 2019, we repurchased 6.2 million shares of our common stock at a cost of $800 through a broker in the open market. We are targeting full-year 2020 share repurchases between $700 and $900, subject to market conditions.
We believe 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, payments for our 2018 Global Restructuring Program, capital spending, pension contributions, dividends 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.


 
19
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

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 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 estimated redemption value of consumer coupons and related expense are based on historical patterns of coupon redemption, influenced by judgments about current market conditions such as competitive activity in specific product categories, and the cost is recorded when the related revenue from customers is realized. Our related accounting policies are discussed in Item 8, Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.
Employee Postretirement Benefits
Substantially all regular employees in the U.S. and the United Kingdom are covered by defined contribution retirement plans and certain U.S. and United Kingdom employees previously earned benefits covered by defined benefit pension plans that currently provide no future service benefit (the "Principal Plans"). 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 rate used to calculate the obligations:
•
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, 2019, the Principal Plans had cumulative unrecognized investment and actuarial losses of approximately $1.2 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, and whether such accumulated actuarial losses at each measurement date exceed the "corridor" as required. If the expected long-term rate 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 2020.
•
Discount rate. The discount (or settlement) rate used to determine the present value of our future U.S. pension obligation at December 31, 2019 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 2020, and the December 31, 2019 pension liability would increase by about $130.
•
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 $105 in 2020, including incremental charges resulting from 2018 Global Restructuring Program actions. Pension expense beyond 2020 will depend on future investment performance,


 
20
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

our contributions to the pension trusts, changes in discount rates and various other factors related to the covered participants in the plans.
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 rate used to calculate the obligations and the health care cost trend rate:
•
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 2020 other postretirement benefit expense and the increase in the December 31, 2019 benefit liability would not be material.
•
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.
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.
•
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.
•
Undistributed earnings. As of December 31, 2019, we have accumulated undistributed earnings generated by our foreign subsidiaries of approximately $7.7 billion.  Earnings of $5.6 billion were previously subject to tax, primarily due to the one-time transition tax on foreign earnings required by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.  Any additional taxes due with respect to such previously-taxed earnings, if repatriated, would generally be limited to foreign and U.S. state income taxes.  Deferred taxes have been recorded on $0.9 billion of earnings, most of which were previously taxed for U.S. federal income tax purposes, of foreign consolidated subsidiaries expected to be repatriated.  We do not intend to distribute the remaining $4.7 billion of previously taxed foreign earnings and therefore have not recorded deferred taxes for foreign and U.S. state income taxes on such earnings.  While the transition tax resulted in a reduction of the excess amount for financial reporting over the tax basis in our foreign subsidiaries, any remaining amount of financial reporting over tax basis after such reduction could be subject to additional taxes, if repatriated.  However, we consider any excess to be indefinitely reinvested.  The determination of deferred tax liabilities on the amount of financial reporting over tax basis or the $4.7 billion of previously taxed foreign earnings is not practicable.
•
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
See Item 8, Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements for information on legal matters.


 
21
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

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.
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, including the impact in Argentina, 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, our ability to maintain key customer relationships 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.
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 through the systematic use of foreign currency forward contracts.  The use of these instruments supports the management of transactional exposures to exchange rate fluctuations as the gains or losses incurred on the derivative instruments will offset, in whole or in part, gains or losses on the underlying foreign currency exposure.  We also utilize cross currency swaps and foreign denominated debt to hedge certain investments in foreign subsidiaries.  The gain or loss on these instruments are recognized in other comprehensive income to offset the change in value of the net investments being hedged.
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.


 
22
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

As of December 31, 2019, 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, 2019 rates and the assumed rates.
Our operations in Argentina are reported using highly inflationary accounting and their functional currency is the U.S. dollar. Changes in the value of an Argentine peso versus the U.S. dollar applied to our net peso monetary position are recorded in Other (income) and expense, net at the time of the change. As of December 31, 2019, K-C Argentina had a small net peso monetary position and a 10 percent unfavorable change in the exchange rate would not be material.
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, 2019, 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 $550. 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, 2019, the long-term debt portfolio was comprised of primarily fixed-rate debt. From time to time, we also hedge the anticipated issuance of fixed-rate debt and those contracts are designated as cash flow hedges.
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, 2019, a 10 percent decrease in interest rates would have increased the fair value of fixed-rate debt by about $210, 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. In some instances, we utilize negotiated short-term contract structures, including fixed price contracts, to manage volatility for a portion of our commodity costs, but 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.


 
23
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
 
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
 
 
Year Ended December 31
(Millions of dollars, except per share amounts)
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Net Sales
 
$
18,450

 
$
18,486

 
$
18,348

Cost of products sold
 
12,415

 
12,889

 
11,761

Gross Profit
 
6,035

 
5,597

 
6,587

Marketing, research and general expenses
 
3,254

 
3,367

 
3,202

Other (income) and expense, net
 
(210
)
 
1

 
27

Operating Profit
 
2,991

 
2,229

 
3,358

Nonoperating expense
 
(91
)
 
(163
)
 
(59
)
Interest income
 
11

 
10

 
10

Interest expense
 
(261
)
 
(263
)
 
(318
)
Income Before Income Taxes and Equity Interests
 
2,650

 
1,813

 
2,991

Provision for income taxes
 
(576
)
 
(471
)
 
(776
)
Income Before Equity Interests
 
2,074

 
1,342

 
2,215

Share of net income of equity companies
 
123

 
103

 
104

Net Income
 
2,197

 
1,445

 
2,319

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(40
)
 
(35
)
 
(41
)
Net Income Attributable to Kimberly-Clark Corporation
 
$
2,157

 
$
1,410

 
$
2,278

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Per Share Basis
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income Attributable to Kimberly-Clark Corporation
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
6.28

 
$
4.05

 
$
6.44

Diluted
 
$
6.24

 
$
4.03

 
$
6.40

See notes to the consolidated financial statements.


 
24
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
 
Year Ended December 31
(Millions of dollars)
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Net Income
 
$
2,197

 
$
1,445

 
$
2,319

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Unrealized currency translation adjustments
 
19

 
(428
)
 
517

   Employee postretirement benefits
 
12

 
140

 
118

   Other
 
(34
)
 
51

 
(45
)
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax
 
(3
)
 
(237
)
 
590

Comprehensive Income
 
2,194

 
1,208

 
2,909

   Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(31
)
 
(22
)
 
(76
)
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Kimberly-Clark Corporation
 
$
2,163

 
$
1,186

 
$
2,833

See notes to the consolidated financial statements.


 
25
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
 
December 31
(Millions of dollars)
 
2019
 
2018
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Current Assets
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
442

 
$
539

Accounts receivable, net
 
2,263

 
2,164

Inventories
 
1,790

 
1,813

Other current assets
 
562

 
525

Total Current Assets
 
5,057

 
5,041

Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
 
7,450

 
7,159

Investments in Equity Companies
 
268

 
224

Goodwill
 
1,467

 
1,474

Other Assets
 
1,041

 
620

TOTAL ASSETS
 
$
15,283

 
$
14,518

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities
 
 
 
 
Debt payable within one year
 
$
1,534

 
$
1,208

Trade accounts payable
 
3,055

 
3,190

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
 
1,978

 
1,793

Dividends payable
 
352

 
345

Total Current Liabilities
 
6,919

 
6,536

Long-Term Debt
 
6,213

 
6,247

Noncurrent Employee Benefits
 
897

 
931

Deferred Income Taxes
 
511

 
458

Other Liabilities
 
520

 
328

Redeemable Preferred Securities of Subsidiaries
 
29

 
64

Stockholders' Equity
 
 
 
 
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock - no par value - authorized 20.0 million shares, none issued
 
—

 
—

Common stock - $1.25 par value - authorized 1.2 billion shares;
issued 378.6 million shares at December 31, 2019 and 2018
 
473

 
473

Additional paid-in capital
 
556

 
548

Common stock held in treasury, at cost - 37.1 and 33.6 million
shares at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively
 
(4,454
)
 
(3,956
)
Retained earnings
 
6,686

 
5,947

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
(3,294
)
 
(3,299
)
Total Kimberly-Clark Corporation Stockholders' Equity
 
(33
)
 
(287
)
Noncontrolling Interests
 
227

 
241

Total Stockholders' Equity
 
194

 
(46
)
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
$
15,283

 
$
14,518

See notes to the consolidated financial statements.


 
26
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Millions of dollars, shares in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Common Stock
Issued
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Treasury Stock
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Non-
controlling
Interests
 
Total Stockholders'
Equity
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2016
 
378,597

 
$
473

 
$
600

 
22,029

 
$
(2,571
)
 
$
4,870

 
$
(3,474
)
 
$
219

 
$
117

Net income in stockholders' equity, excludes redeemable interests' share
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
2,278

 
—

 
36

 
2,314

Other comprehensive income, net of tax
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
555

 
35

 
590

Stock-based awards exercised or vested
 
—

 
—

 
(89
)
 
(1,926
)
 
210

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
121

Shares repurchased
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
7,388

 
(927
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(927
)
Recognition of stock-based compensation
 
—

 
—

 
76

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
76

Dividends declared ($3.88 per share)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(1,371
)
 
—

 
(37
)
 
(1,408
)
Other
 
—

 
—

 
7

 
—

 
—

 
(8
)
 
—

 
—

 
(1
)
Balance at December 31, 2017
 
378,597

 
473

 
594

 
27,491

 
(3,288
)
 
5,769

 
(2,919
)
 
253

 
882

Net income in stockholders' equity, excludes redeemable interests' share
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,410

 
—

 
31

 
1,441

Other comprehensive income, net of tax
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(224
)
 
(12
)
 
(236
)
Stock-based awards exercised or vested
 
—

 
—

 
(90
)
 
(1,351
)
 
152

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
62

Shares repurchased
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
7,495

 
(820
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(820
)
Recognition of stock-based compensation
 
—

 
—

 
39

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
39

Dividends declared ($4.00 per share)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(1,391
)
 
—

 
(32
)
 
(1,423
)
Other
 
—

 
—

 
5

 
—

 
—

 
159

 
(156
)
 
1

 
9

Balance at December 31, 2018
 
378,597

 
473

 
548

 
33,635

 
(3,956
)
 
5,947

 
(3,299
)
 
241

 
(46
)
Net income in stockholders' equity, excludes redeemable interests' share
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
2,157

 
—

 
37

 
2,194

Other comprehensive income, net of tax
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
6

 
(10
)
 
(4
)
Stock-based awards exercised or vested
 
—

 
—

 
(93
)
 
(2,817
)
 
322

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
229

Shares repurchased
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
6,331

 
(820
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(820
)
Recognition of stock-based compensation
 
—

 
—

 
94

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
94

Dividends declared ($4.12 per share)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(1,415
)
 
—

 
(42
)
 
(1,457
)
Other
 
—

 
—

 
7

 
—

 
—

 
(3
)
 
(1
)
 
1

 
4

Balance at December 31, 2019
 
378,597

 
$
473

 
$
556

 
37,149

 
$
(4,454
)
 
$
6,686

 
$
(3,294
)
 
$
227

 
$
194

See notes to the consolidated financial statements.


 
27
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENTS
 
 
Year Ended December 31
(Millions of dollars)
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Operating Activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
2,197

 
$
1,445

 
$
2,319

Depreciation and amortization
 
917

 
882

 
724

Asset impairments
 
—

 
74

 
—

Stock-based compensation
 
96

 
41

 
76

Deferred income taxes
 
29

 
2

 
(69
)
Net (gains) losses on asset dispositions
 
(193
)
 
52

 
21

Equity companies' earnings (in excess of) less than dividends paid
 
(6
)
 
18

 
26

Operating working capital
 
(288
)
 
389

 
(148
)
Postretirement benefits
 
13

 
(25
)
 
2

Other
 
(29
)
 
92

 
(22
)
Cash Provided by Operations
 
2,736

 
2,970

 
2,929

Investing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital spending
 
(1,209
)
 
(877
)
 
(785
)
Proceeds from dispositions of property
 
242

 
51

 
3

Investments in time deposits
 
(568
)
 
(353
)
 
(214
)
Maturities of time deposits
 
542

 
272

 
183

Other
 
(49
)
 
5

 
(38
)
Cash Used for Investing
 
(1,042
)
 
(902
)
 
(851
)
Financing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash dividends paid
 
(1,408
)
 
(1,386
)
 
(1,359
)
Change in short-term debt
 
303

 
(34
)
 
360

Debt proceeds
 
706

 
507

 
937

Debt repayments
 
(707
)
 
(407
)
 
(1,481
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
 
228

 
62

 
121

Acquisitions of common stock for the treasury
 
(800
)
 
(800
)
 
(911
)
Other
 
(114
)
 
(57
)
 
(88
)
Cash Used for Financing
 
(1,792
)
 
(2,115
)
 
(2,421
)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
1

 
(30
)
 
36

Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
(97
)
 
(77
)
 
(307
)
Cash and Cash Equivalents - Beginning of Year
 
539

 
616

 
923

Cash and Cash Equivalents - End of Year
 
$
442

 
$
539

 
$
616

See notes to the consolidated financial statements.


 
28
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

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, including goodwill, with its fair value.  Fair value is estimated based on discounted cash flows. If the reporting unit carrying amount, including goodwill, exceeds its fair value, a goodwill impairment charge for the excess amount above fair value would be recorded.   For 2019, we completed the required


 
29
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

annual testing of goodwill for impairment for all of our reporting units using the first day of the third quarter as the measurement date and determined through quantitative impairment testing that goodwill is not impaired.
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 control 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 and related expense are recorded when the related revenue from customers is realized. 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 through traditional or digital 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.
As of July 1, 2018, we elected to adopt highly inflationary accounting for our subsidiaries in Argentina (“K-C Argentina”).  The effect of changes in exchange rates on peso-denominated monetary assets and liabilities has been reflected in earnings in Other (income) and expense, net and was not material.  As of December 31, 2019, K-C Argentina had a small net peso monetary position.  Net sales of K-C Argentina were approximately 1 percent of our consolidated net sales in 2019 and 2018.
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.


 
30
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

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 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. 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. Cash flows from derivatives are classified within the consolidated statement of cash flows in the same category as the items being hedged. Cash flows from derivatives are classified within Operating Activities, except for derivatives designated as net investment hedges which are classified in Investing Activities. See Note 10 for disclosures about derivative instruments and hedging activities.
Leases
Lease assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the commencement of an arrangement where it is determined at inception that a lease exists.  Lease assets represent the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent the obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease.  These assets and liabilities are initially recognized based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term calculated using our incremental borrowing rate generally applicable to the location of the lease asset, unless the implicit rate is readily determinable.  Lease assets also include any upfront lease payments made and exclude lease incentives.  Lease terms include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that those options will be exercised.
Variable lease payments are generally expensed as incurred and include certain index-based changes in rent, certain nonlease components, such as maintenance and other services provided by the lessor, and other charges included in the lease.  Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet, and the expense for these short-term leases and for operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Certain lease agreements with lease and nonlease components are combined as a single lease component.  The depreciable life of lease assets and leasehold improvements is limited by the expected lease term, unless there is a transfer of title or purchase option reasonably certain of exercise.
Accounting Standards - Adopted During 2019
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), amended by ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements. The new guidance requires a lessee to recognize assets and liabilities for all leases with lease terms of more than 12 months and provide additional disclosures. The ASU requires adoption using a modified retrospective transition approach with either 1) periods prior to the adoption date being recast or 2) a cumulative-effect adjustment recognized to the opening balance of retained earnings on the adoption date with prior periods not recast.  We adopted this standard on January 1, 2019 using the cumulative-effect adjustment approach. We elected the package of practical expedients in transition for leases that commenced prior to January 1, 2019 whereby these contracts were not reassessed or reclassified from their previous assessment as of December 31, 2018. We also elected certain other practical expedients in transition including not reassessing existing land easements as lease contracts. For all new and modified leases after adoption of the ASU, we have taken the component election allowing us to generally account for lease components together with nonlease components in the calculation of the lease asset and corresponding liability. We implemented processes and a lease accounting system to ensure adequate internal controls were in place to assess our contracts and enable proper accounting and reporting of financial information upon adoption.  No cumulative-effect adjustment was recognized as the amount was not material, and the impact on our results of operations and cash flows was also not material. See Note 8 for the financial position impact and additional disclosures.
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 non-financial hedging strategies eligible for hedge accounting. It also amends presentation and disclosure requirements and changes how companies assess hedge effectiveness. This ASU requires


 
31
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

adoption using a modified retrospective transition approach with a cumulative-effect adjustment recognized to the opening balance of retained earnings on the adoption date with prior periods not recast. We adopted this standard on January 1, 2019 with no cumulative-effect adjustment as the amount was not material. The effects of this standard on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows were not material.
The FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820).  The new guidance modifies disclosure requirements related to fair value measurement.  The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019.  Implementation on a prospective or retrospective basis varies by specific disclosure requirement.  We early adopted this standard as of July 1, 2019 on a prospective basis. The impact on our disclosures was not material.
Accounting Standards Issued - Not Adopted as of December 31, 2019
The FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40).  The new guidance reduces complexity for the accounting for costs of implementing a cloud computing service arrangement and aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal use software license).  We adopted this standard as of January 1, 2020 on a prospective basis.  The effects of this standard on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows were not material.
The FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740):  Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes.  The new guidance simplifies the accounting for income taxes by eliminating certain exceptions related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period, hybrid taxes and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences.  It also clarifies and simplifies other aspects of the accounting for income taxes.  For public companies, the amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 and interim periods within those fiscal years.  Early adoption is permitted in interim or annual periods with any adjustments reflected as of the beginning of the annual period that includes that interim period.  Additionally, entities that elect early adoption must adopt all the amendments in the same period.  Amendments are to be applied prospectively, except for certain amendments that are to be applied either retrospectively or with a modified retrospective approach through a cumulative effect adjustment recorded to retained earnings.  The effects of this standard on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows are not expected to be material.
Note 2.     2018 Global Restructuring Program
In January 2018, we announced the 2018 Global Restructuring Program to reduce our structural cost base by streamlining and simplifying our manufacturing supply chain and overhead organization. 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 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 ($1.3 billion to $1.4 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, asset write-offs and pension settlement and curtailment charges. Restructuring charges in 2020 are expected to be $300 to $500 pre-tax ($235 to $390 after tax).


 
32
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

The following net charges were incurred in connection with the 2018 Global Restructuring Program:
 
Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2019
 
Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2018
Cost of products sold:
 
 
 
Charges for workforce reductions
$
31

 
$
149

Asset impairments
—

 
74

Asset write-offs
54

 
112

Incremental depreciation
235

 
172

Other exit costs
96

 
34

Total
416

 
541

Marketing, research and general expenses:
 
 
 
Charges for workforce reductions
(12
)
 
243

Other exit costs
111

 
137

Total
99

 
380

Other (income) and expense, net(a)
(194
)
 
(12
)
Nonoperating expense(b)
45

 
127

Total charges
366

 
1,036

Provision for income taxes
(118
)
 
(243
)
Net charges
248

 
793

Net impact related to equity companies and noncontrolling interests
—

 
(10
)
Net charges attributable to Kimberly-Clark Corporation
$
248

 
$
783

(a)
Other (income) and expense, net in 2019 was the result of pre-tax gains on the sales of manufacturing facilities and associated real estate which were disposed of as part of the restructuring. 
(b)
Represents non-cash pension settlement and curtailment charges resulting from restructuring actions, primarily in the U.S., United Kingdom and Canada.

The asset impairments charge measurement was based on the excess of the carrying value of the impacted asset groups over their fair values. These fair values were measured by using discounted cash flows expected over the limited time the assets would remain in use and as a result, the assets were essentially written off. The use of discounted cash flows represents a level 3 measure under the fair value hierarchy.
The following summarizes the restructuring liabilities activity:
 
 
2019
 
2018
Restructuring liabilities at January 1
 
$
210

 
$
—

Charges for workforce reductions and other cash exit costs
 
221

 
559

Cash payments
 
(302
)
 
(325
)
Currency and other
 
3

 
(24
)
Restructuring liabilities at December 31
 
$
132

 
$
210

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, restructuring liabilities of $93 and $118 are recorded in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities and $39 and $92 are recorded in Other Liabilities, respectively. The impact related to restructuring charges is recorded in Operating working capital and Other Operating Activities, as appropriate, in our consolidated cash flow statement.
Through December 31, 2019, cumulative pre-tax charges for the 2018 Global Restructuring Program were $1.4 billion ($1.0 billion after tax).


 
33
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

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 2019 and 2018, there were no significant transfers to or from level 3 fair value determinations.
Derivative assets and liabilities are measured on a recurring basis at fair value. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, derivative assets were $34 and $30, respectively, and derivative liabilities were $44 and $18, 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 $29 and $64 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, 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 a discounted cash flow valuation model. 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 $76 and $64 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, 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.


 
34
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

The following table includes the fair value of our financial instruments for which disclosure of fair value is required:
 

Fair Value
Hierarchy
Level
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
 
December 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents(a)
1
 
$
442

 
$
442

 
$
539

 
$
539

Time deposits(b)
1
 
275

 
275

 
256

 
256

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term debt(c)
2
 
775

 
775

 
495

 
495

Long-term debt(d)
2
 
6,972

 
7,877

 
6,960

 
7,192

(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:
 
Weighted-
Average
Interest
Rate
 
Maturities
 
December 31
 
2019
 
2018
Notes and debentures
3.5%
 
2020 - 2047
 
$
6,749

 
$
6,756

Industrial development revenue bonds
1.3%
 
2023 - 2045
 
169

 
169

Bank loans and other financings in various currencies
6.8%
 
2020 - 2038
 
54

 
35

Total long-term debt
 
 
 
 
6,972

 
6,960

Less current portion
 
 
 
 
759

 
713

Long-term portion
 
 
 
 
$
6,213

 
$
6,247


Scheduled maturities of long-term debt for the next five years are $761 in 2020, $258 in 2021, $310 in 2022, $468 in 2023 and $552 in 2024.
In April 2019, we issued $700 aggregate principal amount of 3.20% notes due April 25, 2029. Proceeds from the offering were used for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of a portion of our outstanding commercial paper indebtedness.
In October 2018, we issued $500 aggregate principal amount of 3.95% notes due November 1, 2028. Proceeds from the offering were used for general corporate purposes, including repayment of a portion of our outstanding commercial paper indebtedness.
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.


 
35
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

We maintain a $2.0 billion revolving credit facility which expires in June 2023 and a $750 revolving credit facility which expires in June 2020.  These facilities, currently unused, support our commercial paper program, and would provide liquidity in the event our access to the commercial paper markets is unavailable for any reason.
In February 2020, we issued $500 aggregate principal amount of 2.875% notes due February 7, 2050. Proceeds from the offering were used for general corporate purposes including the repayment of a portion of our commercial paper indebtedness.
Our subsidiary in Central America has outstanding redeemable preferred securities that are held by a noncontrolling interest.
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, 2019, the number of shares of common stock available for grants under the Plans aggregated 12 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 $96, $41 and $76 and related deferred income tax benefits of $11, $13 and $26 were recognized for 2019, 2018 and 2017, 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 $13.54, $13.56 and $12.21, in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, per option on the date of grant based on the following assumptions:
 
Year Ended December 31
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Dividend yield
3.3
%
 
3.9
%
 
3.2
%
Volatility
17.0
%
 
20.8
%
 
15.6
%
Risk-free interest rate
2.3
%
 
2.8
%
 
1.8
%
Expected life - years
4.6

 
4.6

 
4.6




 
36
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

Total remaining unrecognized compensation costs and amortization period are as follows:
 
December 31, 2019
 
Weighted-Average
Service Years
Stock options
$
11

 
1.3
Restricted shares and time-vested restricted share units
10

 
1.6
Performance-based restricted share units
48

 
2.0

A summary of stock-based compensation is presented below:
Stock Options
Shares
(in thousands)
 
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
 
Weighted-Average
Remaining Contractual Term
 
Aggregate Intrinsic
Value
Outstanding at January 1, 2019
7,186

 
$
110.27

 
 
 
 
Granted
1,197

 
125.52

 
 
 
 
Exercised
(2,239
)
 
102.88

 
 
 
 
Forfeited or expired
(252
)
 
119.14

 
 
 
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2019
5,892

 
115.26

 
6.46
 
$
128

Exercisable at December 31, 2019
3,444

 
113.49

 
4.99
 
$
81


The total intrinsic value of options exercised during 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $62, $22 and $48, respectively.
 
Time-Vested
Restricted Share Units
 
Performance-Based
Restricted Share Units
Other Stock-Based Awards
Shares
(in thousands)
 
Weighted-
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
 
Shares
(in thousands)
 
Weighted-
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
Nonvested at January 1, 2019
75

 
$
117.99

 
1,565

 
$
119.37

Granted
163

 
121.05

 
661

 
122.59

Vested
(71
)
 
113.59

 
(483
)
 
125.99

Forfeited
(11
)
 
117.67

 
(159
)
 
118.98

Nonvested at December 31, 2019
156

 
123.15

 
1,584

 
118.71


The total fair value of restricted share units that were distributed to participants during 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $75, $65 and $80, respectively.
Note 6.    Employee Postretirement Benefits
Substantially all regular employees in the U.S. and the United Kingdom are covered by defined contribution retirement plans and certain U.S. and United Kingdom employees previously earned benefits covered by defined benefit pension plans that currently provide no future service benefit (the "Principal 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 5.8 percent in 2020 and to decline to 4.5 percent in 2029 and thereafter. Assumed health care cost trend rates affect the amounts reported for postretirement health care benefit plans.
As a result of restructuring actions related to the 2018 Global Restructuring Program, aggregate pension settlement charges of $46 and $110 and curtailment gains of $1 and curtailment charges of $17 were recognized in Nonoperating expense during 2019 and 2018, respectively, primarily related to the defined benefit pension plans in the U.S., United Kingdom and Canada (see Note 2 for further information about the 2018 Global Restructuring Program).  


 
37
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

Summarized financial information about postretirement plans, excluding defined contribution retirement plans, is presented below:
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
 
Year Ended December 31
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Change in Benefit Obligation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
$
3,687

 
$
4,296

 
$
673

 
$
765

Service cost
21

 
36

 
8

 
11

Interest cost
121

 
128

 
28

 
28

Actuarial (gain) loss(a)
446

 
(256
)
 
36

 
(79
)
Currency and other
51

 
(96
)
 
—

 
(5
)
Benefit payments from plans
(142
)
 
(198
)
 
—

 
—

Direct benefit payments
(10
)

(8
)

(52
)

(48
)
Settlements and curtailments
(127
)
 
(215
)
 
—

 
1

Benefit obligation at end of year
4,047

 
3,687

 
693

 
673

Change in Plan Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
3,398

 
3,897

 
—

 
—

Actual return on plan assets
572

 
(132
)
 
—

 
—

Employer contributions
50

 
166

 
—

 
—

Currency and other
51

 
(116
)
 
—

 
—

Benefit payments
(142
)
 
(198
)
 
—

 
—

Settlements
(126
)
 
(219
)
 
—

 
—

Fair value of plan assets at end of year
3,803

 
3,398

 
—

 
—

Funded Status
$
(244
)
 
$
(289
)
 
$
(693
)
 
$
(673
)

(a) The actuarial net losses in 2019 and the actuarial net gains in 2018 were primarily due to discount rate decreases in 2019 and discount rate increases in 2018.
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 current liabilities and Other Assets. 
Information for the Principal Plans and All Other Pension Plans
 
Principal Plans
 
All Other
Pension Plans
 
Total
 
Year Ended December 31
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Projected benefit obligation (“PBO”)
$
3,406

 
$
3,094

 
$
641

 
$
593

 
$
4,047

 
$
3,687

Accumulated benefit obligation (“ABO”)
3,406

 
3,094

 
561

 
521

 
3,967

 
3,615

Fair value of plan assets
3,303

 
2,936

 
500

 
462

 
3,803

 
3,398


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
 
December 31
 
2019
 
2018
ABO
$
1,956

 
$
1,826

Fair value of plan assets
1,714

 
1,547




 
38
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

Information for Pension Plans with a PBO in Excess of Plan Assets
 
December 31
 
2019
 
2018
PBO
$
2,303

 
$
2,038

Fair value of plan assets
2,039

 
1,727


Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
 
Year Ended December 31
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Service cost
$
21

 
$
36

 
$
41

 
$
8

 
$
11

 
$
12

Interest cost
121

 
128

 
129

 
28

 
28

 
32

Expected return on plan assets(a)
(144
)
 
(166
)
 
(156
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Recognized net actuarial loss
44

 
47

 
57

 
—

 
1

 
1

Settlements and curtailments
45

 
136

 
7

 
—

 
—

 
—

Other
(4
)
 
(7
)
 
(9
)
 
(1
)
 
(3
)
 
(2
)
Net periodic benefit cost
$
83

 
$
174

 
$
69

 
$
35

 
$
37

 
$
43

(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.
The components of net periodic benefit cost other than the service cost component are included in the line item Nonoperating expense in our consolidated income statement.
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Net Periodic Benefit Cost for Years Ended December 31
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
 
Projected 2020
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Discount rate
2.51
%
 
3.40
%
 
3.23
%
 
3.19
%
 
4.50
%
 
3.91
%
 
4.29
%
Expected long-term return on plan assets
3.66
%
 
4.39
%
 
4.50
%
 
4.46
%
 
—

 
—

 
—

Rate of compensation increase
3.08
%
 
3.08
%
 
2.27
%
 
2.29
%
 
—

 
—

 
—


Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations at December 31
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Discount rate
2.51
%
 
3.40
%
 
3.51
%
 
4.50
%
Rate of compensation increase
3.08
%
 
3.08
%
 
—

 
—


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 2020 target plan asset allocation for the Principal Plans is approximately 80 percent fixed income securities and 20 percent equity securities.


 
39
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

The expected long-term rate of return is generally 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 4.59 percent in 2019, 4.75 percent in 2018 and 4.72 percent in 2017, and will be 3.76 percent in 2020.
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.
 
Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2019
 
Total
Plan Assets
 
Assets at Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Assets at Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Assets at Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Held directly
$
44

 
$
44

 
$
—

 
$
—

Held through mutual and pooled funds measured at net asset value
31

 
—

 
—

 
—

Fixed Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Held directly
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government and municipals
161

 
147

 
14

 
—

U.S. corporate debt
221

 
—

 
221

 
—

International bonds
9

 
—

 
9

 
—

Held through mutual and pooled funds measured at net asset value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government and municipals
586

 
—

 
—

 
—

U.S. corporate debt
662

 
—

 
—

 
—

International bonds
504

 
—

 
—

 
—

Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Held directly
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. equity
39

 
39

 
—

 
—

International equity
32

 
32

 
—

 
—

Held through mutual and pooled funds measured at net asset value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-U.S. equity
86

 
—

 
—

 
—

Global equity
572

 
—

 
—

 
—

Insurance Contracts
372

 
—

 
—

 
372

Other
(16
)
 
(4
)
 
—

 
—

Total Plan Assets
$
3,303

 
$
258

 
$
244

 
$
372


Futures contracts are used when appropriate to manage duration targets.  As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the U.S. plan held directly Treasury futures contracts with a total notional value of approximately $345 and $281, respectively, and an insignificant fair value. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the United Kingdom plan held through a pooled fund future contracts with a total notional value of approximately $346 and $287, and an insignificant fair value.
During 2019 and 2018, the plan assets did not include a significant amount of Kimberly-Clark common stock.


 
40
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

 
Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2018
 
Total
Plan Assets
 
Assets at Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 

Assets at Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

 
Assets at Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Held directly
$
15

 
$
15

 
$
—

 
$
—

Held through mutual and pooled funds measured at net asset value
45

 
—

 
—

 
—

Fixed Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Held directly
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government and municipals
161

 
145

 
16

 
—

U.S. corporate debt
196

 
—

 
196

 
—

International bonds
13

 
—

 
13

 
—

Held through mutual and pooled funds measured at net asset value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government and municipals
479

 
—

 
—

 
—

U.S. corporate debt
593

 
—

 
—

 
—

International bonds
494

 
—

 
—

 
—

Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Held directly
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. equity
30

 
30

 
—

 
—

International equity
31

 
31

 
—

 
—

Held through mutual and pooled funds measured at net asset value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-U.S. equity
73

 
—

 
—

 
—

Global equity
448

 
—

 
—

 
—

Insurance Contracts
347

 
—

 
—

 
347

Other
11

 
9

 
—

 
—

Total Plan Assets
$
2,936

 
$
230

 
$
225

 
$
347


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. government securities are determined based on trading activity in the marketplace.
Fair values of U.S. corporate debt, U.S. municipals 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, 2019, 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 2019 or 2018. Fair values of insurance contracts are based on an evaluation of various factors, including purchase price.


 
41
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

We expect to contribute approximately $50 to our defined benefit pension plans in 2020. Over the next ten years, we expect that the following gross benefit payments will occur:
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
2020
$
234

 
$
56

2021
212

 
61

2022
215

 
62

2023
216

 
61

2024
218

 
59

2025-2029
1,060

 
254


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 $131 in 2019, $120 in 2018, and $128 in 2017. Approximately 30 percent of these costs were for plans outside the U.S.
Note 7.    Stockholders' Equity
The changes in the components of AOCI attributable to Kimberly-Clark, net of tax, are as follows:
 
 
Unrealized Translation
 
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
 
Cash Flow Hedges and Other
Balance as of December 31, 2017
 
$
(1,864
)
 
$
(976
)
 
$
(39
)
 
$
(40
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
 
(416
)
 
(51
)
 
58

 
42

(Income) loss reclassified from AOCI
 
1

 
135

(a)
(2
)
(a)
9

Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)
 
(415
)
 
84

 
56

 
51

Tax effects reclassified from AOCI
 
(18
)
 
(125
)
 
(5
)
 
(8
)
Balance as of December 31, 2018
 
(2,297
)
 
(1,017
)
 
12

 
3

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
 
26

 
(27
)
 
(24
)
 
(22
)
(Income) loss reclassified from AOCI
 
—

 
65

(a)
(1
)
(a)
(12
)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)
 
26

 
38

 
(25
)
 
(34
)
Balance as of December 31, 2019
 
$
(2,271
)
 
$
(979
)
 
$
(13
)
 
$
(31
)

(a)
Included in computation of net periodic pension and other postretirement benefits costs (see Note 6).
Included in the above defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans balances as of December 31, 2019 is $1,000 and $8 of unrecognized net actuarial loss and unrecognized net prior service credit, respectively.


 
42
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

The changes in the components of AOCI attributable to Kimberly-Clark, including the tax effect, are as follows:
 
Year Ended December 31
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Unrealized translation
$
21

 
$
(408
)
 
$
398

Tax effect(a)
5

 
(25
)
 
89

 
26

 
(433
)
 
487

 
 
 
 
 
 
Defined benefit pension plans
 
 
 
 
 
Unrecognized net actuarial loss and transition amount
 
 
 
 
 
Funded status recognition
(17
)
 
(57
)
 
159

Amortization
44

 
47

 
56

Settlements and curtailments
46

 
134

 
7

Currency and other
(13
)
 
29

 
(66
)
 
60

 
153

 
156

Unrecognized prior service cost/credit
 
 
 
 
 
Funded status recognition
(1
)
 
(22
)
 
2

Amortization
(5
)
 
(8
)
 
(8
)
Curtailments
(1
)
 
2

 
—

Currency and other
(2
)
 
(1
)
 
3

 
(9
)
 
(29
)
 
(3
)
Tax effect(a)
(13
)
 
(165
)
 
(32
)
 
38

 
(41
)
 
121

Other postretirement benefit plans
 
 
 
 
 
Unrecognized net actuarial loss and transition amount and other
(35
)
 
79

 
(11
)
Tax effect(a)
10

 
(28
)
 
3

 
(25
)
 
51

 
(8
)
Cash flow hedges and other
 
 
 
 
 
Recognition of effective portion of hedges
(23
)
 
56

 
(76
)
Amortization
(16
)
 
12

 
18

Currency and other
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
(2
)
Tax effect(a)
6

 
(23
)
 
15

 
(34
)
 
43

 
(45
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in AOCI
$
5

 
$
(380
)
 
$
555


(a) The Tax effect for Unrealized translation, Defined benefit pension plans, Other postretirement benefit plans and Cash flow hedges and other includes reductions of $18, $125, $5 and $8, respectively, for stranded tax effects reclassified from AOCI to Retained earnings in 2018.
Amounts are reclassified from AOCI into Cost of products sold, Nonoperating expense, 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 2019 is primarily due to the strengthening of foreign currencies versus the U.S. 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.
Note 8.    Leases and Commitments
We have entered into leases for certain facilities, vehicles, material handling and other equipment. Our operating leases have remaining contractual terms up to 13 years, some of which include options to extend the leases for up to 20 years, and some of which include options to terminate the leases within 1 year. Our operating lease agreements do not contain any material residual


 
43
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. Our operating lease costs are primarily related to facility leases for inventory warehousing and administration offices. Our finance leases are immaterial.
Operating Lease Cost
 
 
December 31, 2019
 
Income Statement Classification
Lease cost
 
$
162

 
Cost of products sold, Marketing, research and general expenses
Variable lease cost(a)
 
145

 
Cost of products sold, Marketing, research and general expenses
Total lease cost
 
$
307

 
 
(a)    Includes short-term leases, which are immaterial.
Operating Lease Assets and Liabilities
 
 
December 31, 2019
 
Balance Sheet Classification
Lease assets
 
$
396

 
Other Assets
 
 
 
 
 
Current lease liabilities
 
$
130

 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
Noncurrent lease liabilities
 
274

 
Other Liabilities
Total lease liabilities
 
$
404

 
 

Maturity of Operating Lease Liabilities
 
 
December 31, 2019
2020
 
$
145

2021
 
102

2022
 
72

2023
 
51

2024
 
32

Thereafter
 
52

Total lease payments
 
454

Less imputed interest
 
50

Present value of lease liabilities
 
$
404


As of December 31, 2019, our operating leases have a weighted-average remaining lease term of 4.4 years and a weighted-average discount rate of 5.0 percent. Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities was $163 for the year ended December 31, 2019.
As of December 31, 2019, we have additional operating leases, primarily for facilities, that have not yet commenced of $147. These operating leases will commence during 2020 with lease terms of 9 years.
The future minimum obligations under operating leases in effect as of December 31, 2018 having a noncancelable term in excess of one year as determined prior to the adoption of ASU Topic 842 were as follows:
 
 
December 31, 2018
2019
 
$
160

2020
 
123

2021
 
85

2022
 
57

2023
 
41

Thereafter
 
72

Future minimum obligations
 
$
538




 
44
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

Consolidated rental expense under operating leases prior to the adoption of ASU Topic 842 was $280 and $281 in 2018 and 2017, 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 $1,249 in 2020, $83 in 2021, $57 in 2022, $50 in 2023, $39 in 2024, and $101 beyond the year 2024.
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.
We are party to certain legal proceedings relating to our former health care business, Avanos Medical, Inc. ("Avanos", previously Halyard Health, Inc.), which we spun-off on October 31, 2014, including civil actions, consumer class actions, qui tam matters, a shareholder derivative suit, a securities class action and certain subpoena and document requests from the federal government.
The health care matters include Bahamas Surgery Center v. Kimberly-Clark Corporation, et al., a California consumer class action relating to the sale of surgical gowns. In April 2017, the jury awarded the plaintiff class $3.9 in compensatory damages and $350 in punitive damages against us. During the first quarter of 2018, the Court reduced the punitive damages award to approximately $19. As a result, the total compensatory and punitive damages plus pre-judgment interest awarded against Kimberly-Clark is approximately $25. We intend to continue our vigorous defense of the Bahamas matter.
We also have received subpoenas from the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) concerning allegations of potential criminal and civil violations of federal laws, including the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, in connection with the manufacturing, marketing and sale of surgical gowns by our former health care business. We continue to produce documents and cooperate in this ongoing investigation. At this stage, we are unable to predict an outcome or estimate the potential range of outcomes to resolve this matter.
Under the terms of the distribution agreement we entered into with Avanos in connection with the spin-off, Avanos is obligated to indemnify us for legal proceedings, claims and other liabilities primarily related to our former health care business. Avanos and Kimberly-Clark have each filed suits against the other seeking declaratory judgment regarding the scope of these indemnification obligations. We intend to vigorously pursue our case against Avanos and to vigorously defend their case against us.
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.
At December 31, 2019 and 2018, derivative assets were $34 and $30, respectively, and derivative liabilities were $44 and $18, respectively, primarily comprised of foreign currency exchange contracts. Derivative assets are recorded in Other current assets or Other Assets, as appropriate, and derivative liabilities are recorded in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities or Other Liabilities, as appropriate.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
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


 
45
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

rates between the affiliates’ functional currencies and the U.S. dollar, is hedged with cross-currency swap contracts and certain foreign denominated debt which are designated as net investment 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.
Derivative instruments are entered into 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 as cash flow hedges.
Interest Rate Risk
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 as fair value hedges. From time to time, we also hedge the anticipated issuance of fixed-rate debt, and these contracts are designated as cash flow hedges.
Commodity Price Risk
We use derivative instruments, such as forward 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. In addition, we utilize negotiated short-term contract structures, including fixed price contracts, to manage volatility for a portion of our commodity costs.
Fair Value Hedges
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 Interest expense. The offset to the change in fair values of the related debt is also recorded in Interest expense. 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. As of December 31, 2019, the aggregate notional values and carrying values of outstanding interest rate contracts designated as fair value hedges were $300 and $308, respectively. For each of the three years ended December 31, 2019, gains or losses recognized in Interest expense for interest rate swaps were not significant.
Cash Flow Hedges
For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, 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 income statement line and period that the hedged exposure affects earnings. As of December 31, 2019, outstanding commodity forward contracts were in place to hedge a limited portion of our estimated requirements of the related underlying commodities in 2020 and future periods. As of December 31, 2019, the aggregate notional value of outstanding foreign exchange derivative contracts designated as cash flow hedges was $652. For each of the three years ended December 31, 2019, no significant gains or losses were reclassified into Interest expense, Cost of products sold or Other (income) and expense, net as a result of the discontinuance of cash flow hedges due to the original forecasted transaction no longer being probable of occurring. At December 31, 2019, amounts to be reclassified from AOCI into Interest expense, Cost of products sold or Other (income), net during the next twelve months are not expected to be material. The maximum maturity of cash flow hedges in place at December 31, 2019 is December 2021.
Net Investment Hedges
For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as net investment hedges, the aggregate notional value was $1.5 billion at December 31, 2019. We exclude the interest accruals on cross-currency swap contracts and the forward points on foreign exchange forward contracts from the assessment and measurement of hedge effectiveness.  We recognize the interest accruals on cross-currency swap contracts in earnings within Interest expense.  We amortize the forward points on foreign exchange contracts into earnings within Interest expense over the life of the hedging relationship.  Changes in fair value of net investment hedges are recorded in AOCI and offset the change in the value of the net investment being hedged.  For the year ended December 31, 2019, no significant unrealized gains or losses related to net investment hedge fair value changes were recorded in AOCI and no significant amounts were reclassified from AOCI to Interest expense.


 
46
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

No significant amounts were excluded from the assessment of net investment, fair value or cash flow hedge effectiveness as of December 31, 2019.
Undesignated Hedging Instruments
Gains or losses on undesignated foreign exchange hedging instruments are immediately recognized in Other (income) and expense, net. Losses of $17 and $52, and a gain of $37 were recorded in the years ending December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, 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, 2019, the notional amount of these undesignated derivative instruments was approximately $1.9 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 changes to the U.S. tax code, which included (1) a reduced U.S. corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent, (2) implementation of a base erosion and anti-abuse tax, (3) general elimination of U.S. federal income taxes on dividends from foreign subsidiaries, (4) a new provision designed to tax global intangible low-taxed income ("GILTI") of foreign subsidiaries which allows for the possibility of utilizing foreign tax credits to offset the tax liability (subject to some limitations), (5) a lower effective U.S. tax rate on certain revenues from sources outside the U.S., and (6) a one-time transition tax on certain undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries. In the period ended December 31, 2017, we recorded a provisional discrete net tax benefit associated with the Tax Act and related matters. The provisional amounts recorded in 2017 related to the transition tax, remeasurement of deferred taxes, our reassessment of permanently reinvested earnings, uncertain tax positions and valuation allowances, and actions taken in anticipation of the Tax Act were finalized and a net expense of $36 was recorded during 2018.
During 2018, we also recorded discrete net tax expense of $81 primarily related to new guidance issued during 2018 affecting tax benefits we recorded in the period ended December 31, 2017 for the transition tax and certain tax planning actions taken in anticipation of the Tax Act.
At December 31, 2018, we finalized our policy and have elected to use the period cost method for GILTI provisions and therefore have not recorded deferred taxes for basis differences expected to reverse in future periods.
In December 2019, we generated a nonrecurring capital loss from a legal entity restructuring. We recorded a net benefit of $47 in the fourth quarter.  There is no capital loss carryforward deferred tax asset remaining after utilization for 2019 capital gains.
An analysis of the provision for income taxes follows:
 
Year Ended December 31
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Current income taxes
 
 
 
 
 
  United States
$
215

 
$
177

 
$
463

  State
94

 
63

 
52

  Other countries
238

 
229

 
330

    Total
547

 
469

 
845

Deferred income taxes
 
 
 
 
 
  United States
50

 
16

 
(68
)
  State
(16
)
 
22

 
(3
)
  Other countries
(5
)
 
(36
)
 
2

    Total
29

 
2

 
(69
)
Total provision for income taxes
$
576

 
$
471

 
$
776




 
47
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

Income before income taxes is earned in the following tax jurisdictions:
 
Year Ended December 31
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
United States
$
2,252

 
$
1,606

 
$
1,995

Other countries
398

 
207

 
996

Total income before income taxes
$
2,650

 
$
1,813

 
$
2,991

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are composed of the following:
 
December 31
 
2019
 
2018
Deferred tax assets
 
 
 
      Pension and other postretirement benefits
$
253

 
$
252

      Tax credits and loss carryforwards
411

 
387

 Lease liability
104

 
—

      Other
388

 
449

 
1,156

 
1,088

      Valuation allowances
(248
)
 
(220
)
  Total deferred tax assets
908

 
868

 
 
 
 
Deferred tax liabilities
 
 
 
      Property, plant and equipment, net
795

 
789

      Investments in subsidiaries
103

 
102

      Goodwill
66

 
72

      Lease asset
105

 
—

      Other
108

 
143

  Total deferred tax liabilities
1,177

 
1,106

Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)
$
(269
)
 
$
(238
)

Valuation allowances at the end of 2019 primarily relate to tax credits, capital loss carryforwards, and income tax loss carryforwards of $860. If these items are not utilized against taxable income, $457 of the income tax loss carryforwards will expire from 2020 through 2039. The remaining $403 has 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.


 
48
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

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:
 
Year Ended December 31
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
U.S. statutory rate applied to income before income taxes
21.0
 %
 
21.0
 %
 
35.0
 %
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit
2.5

 
3.7

 
1.1

Statutory rates other than U.S. statutory rate
0.7

 
0.2

 
(3.1
)
Routine tax incentives
(3.5
)
 
(5.4
)
 
(2.7
)
Net tax (benefit) cost on foreign income
0.8

 
1.4

 
(0.7
)
Net impact of the Tax Act
—

 
6.4

 
(2.5
)
Valuation allowance
1.0

 
1.6

 
(0.1
)
Nonrecurring capital loss
(1.8
)
 
—

 
—

Other - net(a)
1.0

 
(2.9
)
 
(1.1
)
Effective income tax rate
21.7
 %
 
26.0
 %
 
25.9
 %

(a)
Other - net is composed of numerous items, none of which is greater than 1.05 percent and 1.75 percent of income before income taxes in 2019-2018 and 2017, respectively.
As of December 31, 2019, we have accumulated undistributed earnings generated by our foreign subsidiaries of approximately $7.7 billion.  Earnings of $5.6 billion were previously subject to tax, primarily due to the one-time transition tax on foreign earnings required by the Tax Act.  Any additional taxes due with respect to such previously-taxed earnings, if repatriated, would generally be limited to foreign and U.S. state income taxes.  Deferred taxes have been recorded on $0.9 billion of earnings, most of which were previously taxed for U.S. federal income tax purposes, of foreign consolidated subsidiaries expected to be repatriated.  We do not intend to distribute the remaining $4.7 billion of previously-taxed foreign earnings and therefore have not recorded deferred taxes for foreign and U.S. state income taxes on such earnings. 
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 a reduction of the excess amount for financial reporting over the tax basis in our foreign subsidiaries, any remaining amount of financial reporting over tax basis after such reduction could be subject to additional taxes, if repatriated. However, we consider any excess to be indefinitely reinvested. The determination of deferred tax liabilities on the amount of financial reporting over tax basis or the $4.7 billion of previously taxed foreign earnings is not practicable.
Presented below is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized income tax benefits:
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Balance at January 1
$
298

 
$
354

 
$
321

Gross increases for tax positions of prior years
36

 
75

 
50

Gross decreases for tax positions of prior years
(13
)
 
(86
)
 
(23
)
Gross increases for tax positions of the current year
87

 
41

 
37

Settlements
(13
)
 
(70
)
 
(19
)
Other
(12
)
 
(16
)
 
(12
)
Balance at December 31
$
383

 
$
298

 
$
354


Of the amounts recorded as unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2019, $326 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, 2019, the net impact of interest and penalties was not significant. Total accrued penalties and net accrued interest was $16 and $20 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, 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 $180, 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.


 
49
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

As of December 31, 2019, the following tax years remain subject to examination for the major jurisdictions where we conduct business:
Jurisdiction
Years
United States
2016 to 2019
United Kingdom
2016 to 2019
Brazil
2014 to 2019
Australia
2014 to 2019
China
2009 to 2019

Our U.S. federal income tax returns have been audited through 2015 and U.S. federal income tax amended returns are being audited for 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2013. We have various U.S. federal income tax return positions in administrative appeals for 2014 and 2015.
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.
The Brazilian tax authority, Secretaria da Receita Federal do Brasil ("RFB"), concluded an audit for the taxable periods from 2008-2013. This audit included a review of our determinations of amortization of certain goodwill arising from prior acquisitions in Brazil, and the RFB has proposed adjustments that effectively eliminate the goodwill amortization benefits related to these transactions. Administrative appeals have been exhausted, and the dispute is moving into the judicial phase. The amount of the proposed tax adjustments and penalties is approximately $90 as of December 31, 2019 (translated at the December 31, 2019 currency exchange rate).  The amount ultimately in dispute will be significantly greater because of interest. We believe we have meritorious defenses and intend to vigorously defend these proposed adjustments; however, it is expected to take a number of years to reach resolution of this matter.
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:
(Millions of shares)
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Basic
 
343.6

 
348.0

 
353.6

Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted share unit awards
 
2.0

 
1.6

 
2.3

Diluted
 
345.6

 
349.6

 
355.9


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, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was 341.4, 345.0 and 351.1, 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 ongoing operations of the business segments, including the costs of corporate decisions related to the 2018 Global Restructuring Program described in Note 2.


 
50
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

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 responsibly improve everyday living for families around the world.  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 KleenGuard 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 2019, 2018 and 2017.
Information concerning consolidated operations by business segment is presented in the following tables:
Consolidated Operations by Business Segment
 
Year Ended December 31
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
NET SALES(a)
 
 
 
 
 
Personal Care
$
9,108

 
$
9,037

 
$
9,078

Consumer Tissue
5,993

 
6,015

 
5,932

K-C Professional
3,292

 
3,382

 
3,297

Corporate & Other
57

 
52

 
41

TOTAL NET SALES
$
18,450

 
$
18,486

 
$
18,348

 
 
 
 
 
 
OPERATING PROFIT(b)
 
Personal Care
$
1,904

 
$
1,833

 
$
1,933

Consumer Tissue
1,007

 
875

 
1,052

K-C Professional
657

 
634

 
645

Corporate & Other(c)
(787
)
 
(1,112
)
 
(245
)
Other (income) and expense, net(d)
(210
)
 
1

 
27

TOTAL OPERATING PROFIT
$
2,991

 
$
2,229

 
$
3,358

(a)
Net sales in the U.S. to third parties totaled $9,027, $8,803 and $8,741 in 2019, 2018 and 2017, 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 of $515 and $921 related to the 2018 Global Restructuring Program in 2019 and 2018, respectively. Restructuring charges for the 2018 Global Restructuring Program related to the personal care, consumer tissue and K-C Professional business segments were $252, $176 and $75 for 2019 and $528, $229 and $125 for 2018, respectively.
(d)
Other (income) and expense, net for 2019 includes income of $31 from a gain on the sale of property associated with a former manufacturing facility that was closed in 2012 as part of a past restructuring, and for 2019 and 2018 includes income of $194 and $12 related to the 2018 Global Restructuring Program. 2017 includes a charge of $24 for the early redemption of debt.


 
51
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

 
Personal
Care
 
Consumer
Tissue
 
K-C
Professional
 
Corporate
& Other
 

Total
Depreciation and Amortization
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2019
$
430

 
$
372

 
$
111

 
$
4

 
$
917

2018
426

 
331

 
121

 
4

 
882

2017
324

 
283

 
112

 
5

 
724

Capital Spending
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2019
518

 
489

 
195

 
7

 
1,209

2018
415

 
299

 
157

 
6

 
877

2017
405

 
281

 
92

 
7

 
785

Goodwill(a)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2019
557

 
522

 
388

 
—

 
1,467

2018
564

 
522

 
388

 
—

 
1,474

2017
617

 
559

 
400

 
—

 
1,576

Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2019
6,630

 
4,954

 
2,442

 
1,257

 
15,283

2018
6,208

 
4,738

 
2,285

 
1,287

 
14,518

2017
6,592

 
5,007

 
2,255

 
1,297

 
15,151


(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
(Billions of dollars)
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Baby and child care products
 
$
6.3

 
$
6.3

 
$
6.3

Consumer tissue products
 
6.0

 
6.0

 
5.9

Away-from-home professional products
 
3.3

 
3.4

 
3.3

All other
 
2.9

 
2.8

 
2.8

Consolidated
 
$
18.5

 
$
18.5

 
$
18.3


Note 14.    Supplemental Data
Supplemental Income Statement Data
 
Year Ended December 31
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Advertising expense
$
757

 
$
655

 
$
648

Research expense
284

 
317

 
309




 
52
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

Equity Companies' Data
 
Net
Sales
 
Gross
Profit
 
Operating
Profit
 
Net
Income
 
Corporation's
Share of Net
Income
2019
$
2,379

 
$
727

 
$
454

 
$
255

 
$
123

2018
2,264

 
635

 
388

 
215

 
103

2017
2,191

 
627

 
378

 
214

 
104

 
Current
Assets
 
Noncurrent
Assets
 
Current
Liabilities
 
Noncurrent
Liabilities
 
Stockholders'
Equity
2019
$
1,020

 
$
1,275

 
$
749

 
$
1,196

 
$
350

2018
921

 
1,247

 
578

 
1,237

 
353

2017
828

 
1,232

 
415

 
1,125

 
520


Equity companies are principally engaged in operations in the personal care and consumer tissue businesses. At December 31, 2019, 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, 2019, our investment in this equity company was $165, and the estimated fair value of the investment was $3.0 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, 2019, undistributed net income of equity companies included in consolidated retained earnings was $1.0 billion.
Supplemental Balance Sheet Data
 
December 31
Summary of Accounts Receivable, Net
2019
 
2018
From customers
$
2,131

 
$
2,050

Other
181

 
167

Less allowance for doubtful accounts and sales discounts
(49
)
 
(53
)
Total
$
2,263

 
$
2,164


 
December 31
 
2019
 
2018
Summary of Inventories by Major Class
LIFO
 
Non-
LIFO
 
Total
 
LIFO
 
Non-
LIFO
 
Total
Raw materials
$
85

 
$
236

 
$
321

 
$
99

 
$
263

 
$
362

Work in process
113

 
93

 
206

 
120

 
94

 
214

Finished goods
451

 
696

 
1,147

 
461

 
692

 
1,153

Supplies and other
—

 
271

 
271

 
—

 
275

 
275

 
649

 
1,296

 
1,945

 
680

 
1,324

 
2,004

Excess of FIFO or weighted-average cost over LIFO cost
(155
)
 
—

 
(155
)
 
(191
)
 
—

 
(191
)
Total
$
494

 
$
1,296

 
$
1,790

 
$
489

 
$
1,324

 
$
1,813


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.



 
53
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

 
December 31
Summary of Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
2019
 
2018
Land
$
165

 
$
169

Buildings
2,877

 
2,787

Machinery and equipment
13,946

 
14,059

Construction in progress
851

 
699

 
17,839

 
17,714

Less accumulated depreciation
(10,389
)
 
(10,555
)
Total
$
7,450

 
$
7,159


Property, plant and equipment, net in the U.S. as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 was $3,787 and $3,625, respectively.
 
December 31
Summary of Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
2019
 
2018
Accrued advertising and promotion
$
415

 
$
399

Accrued salaries and wages
463

 
369

Accrued rebates
241

 
239

Accrued taxes - income and other
231

 
260

Operating leases
130

 
—

Accrued restructuring
93

 
118

Accrued interest
81

 
75

Other
324

 
333

Total
$
1,978

 
$
1,793


Supplemental Cash Flow Statement Data
Summary of Cash Flow Effects of Operating Working Capital
Year Ended December 31
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Accounts receivable
$
(116
)
 
$
33

 
$
(44
)
Inventories
24

 
(127
)
 
(33
)
Trade accounts payable
(153
)
 
392

 
174

Accrued expenses
11

 
115

 
(102
)
Accrued income taxes
(6
)
 
64

 
(176
)
Derivatives
1

 
30

 
(47
)
Currency and other
(49
)
 
(118
)
 
80

Total
$
(288
)
 
$
389

 
$
(148
)

 
Year Ended December 31
Other Cash Flow Data
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Interest paid
$
255

 
$
264

 
$
354

Income taxes paid
528

 
395

 
961




 
54
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

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, 2019 and 2018, 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, 2019, 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, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, 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, 2019, 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 13, 2020, 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.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Sales Incentives and Trade Promotion Allowances - Refer to Note 1 to the financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Corporation utilizes various trade promotional programs globally. The cost of promotion activities is classified as a reduction in sales revenue and can result in a period of time between the date the customer earns a promotion and the date the customer claims the promotion. The Corporation records an accrual for estimated promotions using customer sales associated with valid promotion events, actual promotional claims, and forecasted information of amounts earned by the customer but not yet claimed. As of December 31, 2019, the accrual balance was approximately $380 million.


 
55
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

We identified trade promotions and the related accrual as a critical audit matter because of the complexity and volume of the Corporation’s processes related to trade promotion programs and the subjectivity of estimating future customer claims. This required an extensive audit effort due to the complexity and volume of the trade promotional programs and information systems utilized globally as well as the subjectivity of estimating future customer claims related to the trade promotion accrual.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to the reduction in revenue associated with trade promotions and the trade promotion accrual included the following, among others:
▪
With the assistance of our IT specialists, we:
- Identified the significant systems used to process trade promotion transactions and tested the general IT controls over each of these systems, including testing of user access controls, change management controls, and IT operations controls
- Tested the effectiveness of automated controls over revenue streams, including those over the evaluation of the accuracy and completeness of trade promotions
▪
We tested the effectiveness of controls over the trade promotion claims and accrual, including those over the quantity of customer sales associated with valid promotional events and the estimated future promotional claims associated with the trade accrual.
▪
We evaluated gross sales using either analytical procedures or by evaluating individual promotional transactions. When analytical procedures were performed, we predicted gross sales based on the relationship with either cost of products sold or sales volume and average sales price per unit adjusted for changes in data such as changes in product mix, sales margin, or inflation. When individual promotional transactions were evaluated, we obtained evidence of the promotional agreement with the customer and the amounts of the promotions earned.
▪
We evaluated management’s ability to estimate future promotional claims by comparing actual promotional claims to management’s historical estimate.
▪
We evaluated the reasonableness of management’s estimate of future promotional claims by testing the underlying data related to (1) customer sales associated with valid promotional events, (2) actual promotional claims, and (3) forecasted information.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP  
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Dallas, Texas
February 13, 2020
We have served as the Corporation’s auditor since 1928.



 
56
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

ITEM 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of December 31, 2019, 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, 2019.
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, 2019. 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, 2019, 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, 2019, 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 Stockholders 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, 2019, 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, 2019, 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, 2019 and 2018, 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, 2019, of the Corporation and our report dated February 13, 2020, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
Basis for Opinion


 
57
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

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.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP  
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Dallas, Texas
February 13, 2020
ITEM 9B.    OTHER INFORMATION
None.




 
58
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report
PART III


ITEM 10.    DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The following sections of our 2020 Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "2020 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.
•
"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 "Information About Our Executive Officers" in Part I of this Report.
ITEM 11.    EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information in the sections of our 2020 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.    SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information in the sections of our 2020 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.    CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information in the sections of our 2020 Proxy Statement captioned "Other Information - Transactions with Related Persons" and "Corporate Governance - Director Independence" is incorporated in this Item 13 by reference.
ITEM 14.    PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information in the sections of our 2020 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.



 
59
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report
PART IV


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. (2)a.
Exhibit No. (3)a.
Exhibit No. (3)b.
Exhibit No. (4)a.

Exhibit No. (4)b.


Exhibit No. (4)c.


Exhibit No. (4)b.
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. (4)e.
Exhibit No. (4)f.


 
60
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

Exhibit No. (10)a.
Exhibit No. (10)b.
Exhibit No. (10)c.
Exhibit No. (10)d.
Exhibit No. (10)f.
Exhibit No. (10)g.
Exhibit No. (10)h.
Exhibit No. (10)i.
Exhibit No. (10)j.
Exhibit No. (10)l.
Exhibit No. (10)m.
Exhibit No. (10)n.
Exhibit No. (10)p.


 
61
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

Exhibit No. (10)q.
Exhibit No. (10)r.
Exhibit No. (10)s.
Exhibit No. (21).
Exhibit No. (23).
Exhibit No. (24).
Exhibit No. (31)a.
Exhibit No. (31)b.
Exhibit No. (32)a.
Exhibit No. (32)b.
Exhibit No. (101).INS
XBRL Instance Document - the instant document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document

Exhibit No. (101).SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
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
Exhibit No. 104
The cover page from this Current Report on Form 10-K formated as Inline XBRL

*
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.
**
Exhibit filed herewith for the purpose of correcting a typographical error in the exhibit originally filed as Exhibit No. (10)q of the Corporation's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019.


 
62
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.


 
63
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

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 13, 2020
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/ Michael D. Hsu
 
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and Director
(principal executive officer)
February 13, 2020
Michael D. Hsu
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Maria Henry
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial officer)
February 13, 2020
Maria Henry
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Andrew S. Drexler
 
Vice President and Controller
(principal accounting officer)
February 13, 2020
Andrew S. Drexler
 
 
 
 
Directors

 
 
 
Abelardo E. Bru
  
Christa S. Quarles
Robert W. Decherd
  
Ian C. Read
Mae C. Jemison
 
Marc J. Shapiro
Nancy J. Karch
  
Dunia A. Shive
S. Todd Maclin
  
Mark T. Smucker
Sherilyn S. McCoy
  
Michael D. White


 
By:
/s/   Andrew S. Drexler   
 
February 13, 2020
 
Andrew S. Drexler
Attorney-in-Fact
 
 



 
64
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report

KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

SCHEDULE II

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019, 2018 AND 2017
(Millions of dollars)
Description
Balance at
Beginning
of Period
 
Additions
 
Deductions
 
 
Charged to
Costs and
Expenses
 
Charged to
Other
Accounts(a)
 
Write-Offs and
Reclassifications
 
Balance
at End of
Period
December 31, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowances deducted from assets to which they apply
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for doubtful accounts
$
36

 
$
2

 
$
(1
)
 
$
5

(b) 
$
32

Allowances for sales discounts
17

 
249

 
(4
)
 
245

(c) 
17

December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowances deducted from assets to which they apply
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for doubtful accounts
$
38

 
$
15

 
$
(3
)
 
$
14

(b) 
$
36

Allowances for sales discounts
18

 
248

 
(4
)
 
245

(c) 
17

December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowances deducted from assets to which they apply
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for doubtful accounts
$
50

 
$
8

 
$
2

 
$
22

(b) 
$
38

Allowances for sales discounts
18

 
247

 
—

 
247

(c) 
18

(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.
 
 
 
Additions
 
 
 
 
Description
Balance at
Beginning
of Period
 
Charged to
Costs and
Expenses
 
Charged to
Other
Accounts
 
Deductions(a)
 
Balance
at End
of  Period
December 31, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Valuation allowance
$
220

 
$
26

 
$
—

 
$
(2
)
 
$
248

December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Valuation allowance
$
176

 
$
55

 
$
—

 
$
11

 
$
220

December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Valuation allowance
$
225

 
$
(59
)
 
$
—

 
$
(10
)
 
$
176

(a)
Represents the net currency effects of translating valuation allowances at current rates of exchange.



 
65
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION - 2019 Annual Report