Form 4: Kimberly-Clark Director Mark T. Smucker Reports Acquisition of Restricted Share Units

Director Mark T. Smucker reports acquisition of restricted share units in Kimberly-Clark Corporation.

Summary

• On January 2, 2025, Mark T. Smucker, a director of Kimberly-Clark Corporation, reported the acquisition of 1,684 restricted share units.
• These units were granted under the Kimberly-Clark Corporation Outside Directors' Compensation Plan and are payable on a 1-for-1 basis with common stock.
• Additional restricted share units accrue based on dividends paid on the Corporation's common stock.
• The reported transaction increased Smucker's direct holdings to 9,955.8742 restricted share units.
• These restricted share units cannot be sold or transferred until Smucker ceases to be a member of the Corporation's Board of Directors.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The sentiment is neutral to slightly positive as it reflects standard director compensation practices and aligns director interests with shareholder value. There are no indications of negative implications.

Future Outlook

The restricted share units will vest and become payable as common stock after the director ceases to be a member of the Corporation's Board of Directors.

Industry Context

This filing is a routine disclosure related to director compensation in the form of equity, which is a common practice among publicly traded companies to align the interests of directors with those of shareholders.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• Equity-based compensation for directors is a standard practice across publicly traded companies, including Kimberly-Clark's peers such as Procter & Gamble (PG) and Unilever (UL).
• The specific amount and vesting terms of restricted share units can vary based on company size, performance, and compensation philosophy.
• Companies like Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and Colgate-Palmolive (CL) also utilize similar equity-based compensation plans for their directors.

Stakeholder Impact

• The acquisition of restricted share units by a director aligns their interests with those of shareholders, potentially encouraging decisions that increase shareholder value.
• This type of compensation is a standard practice and is unlikely to have a significant impact on employees, customers, suppliers, or creditors.

Key Dates