$KMB

Hedge funds increased short positions in consumer stocks in August, with consumer discretionary stocks down 5% YTD. Kimberly-Clark, DoorDash, and Keurig Dr Pepper were among the most-shorted. Alphabet saw more bearish sentiment, exiting the most-crowded long list. AI-related stocks saw reduced short bets, with Super Micro Computer and Coreweave remaining top shorts.

RBC Capital's Nik Modi maintained a Buy rating on Kimberly Clark (KMB) with a $162 price target. The stock closed at $98.15. Analysts have a Moderate Buy consensus with a $115.83 average target. Q2 revenue was $4.19B, down from $4.16B YoY, with net profit decreasing from $509M to $345M.

Kimberly-Clark (KMB) shares rose 2.5% after announcing adjustments to address EU antitrust concerns over its $40B Kenvue (KVUE) acquisition. The EU decision deadline is September 29. KMB offers a 5.09% dividend yield but has a high payout ratio of 0.89, raising sustainability concerns. Its GF Value™ suggests the stock is 18.8% undervalued, with a GF Score™ of 72/100.

Kenvue (KVUE) is highlighted as a strong high-yield dividend stock with a 4.68% yield and 64 years of consecutive dividend increases. Its stable of well-known brands reported Q2 revenue of $3.95B and EPS of $0.24. The company is being acquired by Kimberly-Clark (KMB), another Dividend King, which may create uncertainty about Kenvue's dividend.

Kimberly-Clark negotiates EU regulators for $40B Kenvue acquisition, offering concessions. Definium Therapeutics' LSD-based drug reduced anxiety in trials. Scholar Rock's SMA drug priced at $11,659 per vial. Electra Therapeutics targets $977.6M IPO valuation. BioNTech's lung cancer treatment shows trial success.

Kimberly-Clark (KMB) is preparing asset sales to address EU antitrust concerns regarding its $40 billion acquisition of Kenvue. The EU is expected to formally raise its concerns this week, with Kimberly-Clark facing a September 29 deadline to submit concessions or face a full investigation. The deal has already received conditional approval in Australia and South Africa.

Barclays lowered its price target on Kimberly-Clark (KMB) from $115 to $105, maintaining an equalweight rating. The company is reportedly considering asset sales to secure EU approval for its Kenvue acquisition. KMB's stock price was $98.15 at the time of the report.

Kimberly-Clark (KMB) extended its 54-year dividend increase streak to $5.12 annualized while closing a $48.7 billion Kenvue (KVUE) acquisition, raising concerns about its balance sheet. Operating cash flow of $2.8 billion covers dividends and capex, but leaves little cushion. KMB shares fell 20% to $98, pushing the yield to 5%. The company's dividend streak and acquisition are under scrutiny as investors assess the financial impact.

Analysts have mixed views on Walmart (WMT) and Kimberly Clark (KMB). KeyBanc's Thomas maintained a Buy rating on WMT with a $128.27 avg. target, implying 21.4% upside. Wells Fargo's Carey kept a Hold rating on KMB with a $105.00 target, while the avg. target suggests 15.8% upside.

Wells Fargo maintained an Equal-Weight rating for Kimberly-Clark (KMB) but lowered its price target from $110 to $105. GuruFocus values KMB at $123.78, suggesting a 20.4% undervaluation. The company has a GF Score of 72/100, with strengths in profitability and valuation but weaker growth prospects.