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Part 2: Kimberly-Clark Announces Fourth Quarter 2008 Results; Reviews 2009 Business Outlook; ......

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M2 PRESSWIRE-26 January 2009-Kimberly-Clark Corporation: Part 2: Kimberly-Clark Announces Fourth Quarter 2008 Results; Reviews 2009 Business Outlook; 4Q Net Sales Were $4.6 Billion, a Decrease of Approximately 3 Percent vs. 2007; GAAP-Basis EPS Were $1.01 Compared With $1.07 in 4Q '07; Adjusted EPS Declined 9 Percent to $1.01, Slightly Below Previous Guidance for the Quarter; Company Expects Adjusted Earnings Per Share in 2009 Will Be Similar to 2008, in a Range of $4.00 to $4.20, Despite Significant Headwinds from Pension Expense and Currency Effects(C)1994-2009 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

RDATE:26012009

Commenting on the outlook, Falk said, "The collapse of global financial markets has precipitated significant changes in commodity costs and currency rates and resulted in a high level of volatility and uncertainty in the current business environment. Although it has become more challenging to predict our results in the near-term, we will continue to do the right things for the long-term health of our businesses and effectively manage those factors which we can control. In short, we will continue to focus on executing our Global Business Plan strategies. Consistent with this focus and our commitment to deliver on the long-term financial objectives of the Plan, we have decided to discontinue providing earnings guidance for individual quarters within a year.

"Our plan for 2009 assumes no improvement in the external environment in the near-term, with gradually improving conditions later in the year. We are encouraged that commodity costs have fallen from their 2008 highs, which should help us to improve profitability over time, and that as of today, our cost assumptions appear to be conservative. Keep in mind, however, that a number of factors could cause consumer demand or net selling prices for our products to change unexpectedly or result in further volatility in currency exchange rates and our input costs. We will carefully monitor economic and competitive conditions and adjust our plans as appropriate to deliver the best possible results.

"In this environment, the strength of our marketing and innovation programs is vitally important to ensure our brands provide a great value to consumers. We will continue to invest to build our capabilities in these areas and we will continue to support our growth initiatives and further build...

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