Kimberly-Clark receives Chinese antitrust clearance for $40B Kenvue acquisition

Kimberly-Clark Corp announced that China’s State Administration for Market Regulation granted antitrust clearance for its $40 billion purchase of Kenvue. The approval follows earlier clearances in Brazil, the European Union and Australia. The regulatory milestone removes a key obstacle for the cross‑border merger and enables Kimberly-Clark to advance its integration plans in Asia.

The clearance eliminates the final major regulatory hurdle, allowing the transaction to close and giving Kimberly-Clark full access to Kenvue’s Asian distribution network. Investors can now assess the deal’s full strategic and financial impact without further antitrust risk.

  • 1China’s State Administration for Market Regulation granted antitrust clearance on October 20, 2026.
  • 2The acquisition price is $40 billion.
  • 3Prior antitrust approvals have been obtained from Brazil, the European Union and Australia.
  • 4Kimberly-Clark’s dividend yield is 4.78% and its payout ratio is 86%.

Sources