Kimberly-Clark (KMB) 10-Q 21 Oct 15 2015 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Oct. 14, 2015
Document And Entity Information
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Entity Registrant Name	KIMBERLY CLARK CORP
Entity Central Index Key	55,785
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		362,994,411

Consolidated Income Statement C

Consolidated Income Statement Consolidated Income Statement - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net Sales		$ 4,718	$ 5,056	$ 14,052	$ 14,896
Cost of products sold		3,036	3,291	9,054	9,766
Gross Profit		1,682	1,765	4,998	5,130
Marketing, research and general expenses		868	904	2,586	2,738
Other (income) and expense, net	[1]	35	(16)	1,429	29
Operating Profit		779	877	983	2,363
Interest income		4	5	12	13
Interest expense		(74)	(72)	(219)	(215)
Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Equity Interests		709	810	776	2,161
Provision for income taxes		(217)	(260)	(166)	(681)
Income From Continuing Operations Before Equity Interests		492	550	610	1,480
Share of net income of equity companies		37	31	112	113
Income From Continuing Operations		529	581	722	1,593
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		0	1	0	65
Net Income		529	582	722	1,658
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in continuing operations		(12)	(20)	(42)	(49)
Net Income Attributable to Kimberly-Clark Corporation		$ 517	$ 562	$ 680	$ 1,609
Basic
Continuing operations		$ 1.42	$ 1.50	$ 1.87	$ 4.11
Discontinued operations		0	0	0	0.17
Rounding		0	0.01	0	0
Net income		1.42	1.51	1.87	4.28
Diluted
Continuing operations		1.41	1.49	1.85	4.08
Discontinued operations		0	0	0	0.17
Rounding		0	0.01	0	0
Net income		1.41	1.50	1.85	4.25
Cash Dividends Declared		$ 0.88	$ 0.84	$ 2.64	$ 2.52
[1]	(a)Other (income) and expense, net includes charges related to pension settlements of $19 and $1,350 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and a charge related to the remeasurement of the Venezuelan balance sheet of $40 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. In addition, other (income) and expense, net includes a $39 charge related to a regulatory dispute in the Middle East for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Consolidated Statement Of Compr

Consolidated Statement Of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Income	$ 529	$ 582	$ 722	$ 1,658
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax
Unrealized currency translation adjustments	(531)	(529)	(847)	(366)
Employee postretirement benefits	(43)	46	818	72
Other	10	30	5	19
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(564)	(453)	(24)	(275)
Comprehensive Income	(35)	129	698	1,383
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	4	(8)	(21)	(45)
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Kimberly-Clark Corporation	$ (31)	$ 121	$ 677	$ 1,338

Consolidated Balance Sheet

Consolidated Balance Sheet - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 643	$ 789
Accounts receivable, net	2,284	2,223
Inventories	1,883	1,892
Other current assets	632	655
Total Current Assets	5,442	5,559
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	7,066	7,359
Investments in Equity Companies	279	257
Goodwill	1,435	1,628
Other Assets	706	723
TOTAL ASSETS	14,928	15,526
Current Liabilities
Debt payable within one year	1,460	1,326
Trade accounts payable	2,518	2,616
Accrued expenses	1,903	1,974
Dividends payable	320	310
Total Current Liabilities	6,201	6,226
Long-Term Debt	6,125	5,630
Noncurrent Employee Benefits	1,312	1,693
Deferred Income Taxes	626	587
Other Liabilities	316	319
Redeemable Preferred Securities of Subsidiaries	72	72
Stockholders' Equity
Kimberly-Clark Corporation	54	729
Noncontrolling Interests	222	270
Total Stockholders' Equity	276	999
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	$ 14,928	$ 15,526

Consolidated Cash Flow Statemen

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Operating Activities
Net Income	$ 722	$ 1,658
Depreciation and amortization	565	655
Asset impairments	20	42
Stock-based compensation	68	51
Deferred income taxes	(378)	57
Equity companies' earnings (in excess of) less than dividends paid	(38)	(27)
(Increase) decrease in operating working capital	(316)	(63)
Postretirement benefits	941	(119)
Charge for Venezuelan balance sheet remeasurement	45	0
Other	12	1
Cash Provided by Operations	1,641	2,255
Investing Activities
Capital spending	(798)	(730)
Proceeds from sales of investments	0	96
Investments in time deposits	(100)	(123)
Maturities of time deposits	100	191
Other	(25)	41
Cash Used for Investing	(823)	(525)
Financing Activities
Cash dividends paid	(952)	(942)
Change in short-term debt	(109)	153
Debt proceeds	1,097	621
Debt repayments	(349)	(109)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	102	98
Acquisitions of common stock for the treasury	(503)	(1,122)
Shares purchased from noncontrolling interest	(151)	0
Other	6	(22)
Cash Used for Financing	(859)	(1,323)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	(105)	(30)
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(146)	377
Cash and Cash Equivalents - Beginning of Year	789	1,054
Cash and Cash Equivalents - End of Period	$ 643	$ 1,431

Accounting Policies

Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Accounting Policies	Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all material adjustments which are of a normal and recurring nature necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the periods presented have been reflected. Dollar amounts are reported in millions, except per share dollar amounts, unless otherwise noted. We completed the spin-off of our health care business on October 31, 2014. As a result, the health care business is presented as discontinued operations on the Consolidated Income Statement for all periods presented, and prior period Consolidated Income Statements and related disclosures have been recast accordingly. Segment results present net sales and operating profit by segment on a continuing operations basis. Other comprehensive income and cash flows of the health care business are included within our Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and Consolidated Cash Flow Statement, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , as applicable. For further information, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements and footnotes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 . The terms "Corporation," "Kimberly-Clark," "K-C," "we," "our" and "us" refer to Kimberly-Clark Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries. Annual Goodwill Impairment Assessment 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 of goodwill with its fair value. If the reporting unit carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge would be recorded. In our evaluation of goodwill impairment, we have the option to first assess qualitative factors such as macroeconomic, industry and competitive conditions, legal and regulatory environment, historical and projected financial performance, significant changes in the reporting unit and the magnitude of excess fair value over carrying amount from the previous quantitative impairment testing. If the qualitative assessment determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then a quantitative impairment test using discounted cash flows to estimate fair value must be performed. On the other hand, if the qualitative assessment determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is more than its carrying value, then further quantitative testing is not required. For 2015, we have completed the required annual assessment of goodwill for impairment for all of our reporting units using a qualitative assessment as of the first day of the third quarter, and have determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value is more than the carrying amount for each of our reporting units. Highly Inflationary Accounting for Venezuelan Operations We account for our operations in Venezuela using highly inflationary accounting. Since February 2013, the Central Bank of Venezuela's regulated currency exchange system rate has been 6.3 bolivars per U.S. dollar. During March 2013 , the Venezuelan government announced a complementary currency exchange system, SICAD. In February 2014, the president of Venezuela announced that another floating rate exchange system (referred to as SICAD II) would be initiated. On February 10, 2015, the Venezuelan government announced the addition of a new foreign currency exchange system referred to as the Marginal Currency System, or SIMADI, along with the elimination of the SICAD II system. We have historically measured results in Venezuela at the rate in which we transact our business. We have qualified for access to the official exchange rate because we manufacture and sell price-controlled products. Since March 2013 , exchange transactions have taken place through letters of credit which resulted in an effective exchange rate of 6.3 bolivars per U.S. dollar and through approved transactions using the regulated currency exchange system, which were also at a 6.3 exchange rate. To date, we have not been invited to participate in SICAD, and currency exchanges obtained using the SIMADI system have been minimal. The SIMADI exchange rate at September 30, 2015 was 199 bolivars per U.S. dollar. We continued to measure results at the 6.3 rate through December 31, 2014 , however, given the level of uncertainty and lack of liquidity in Venezuela, we remeasured our local currency-denominated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 at the year-end floating SICAD II exchange rate of 50 bolivars per U.S. dollar as we believed this was the most accessible rate available in the absence of exchange at 6.3 bolivars per U.S. dollar. This remeasurement resulted in a non-deductible charge of $462 in the Consolidated Income Statement for the year ended December 31, 2014 . With the elimination of SICAD II in February 2015, we remeasured our local currency-denominated balance sheet during the first quarter of 2015 at the applicable floating SIMADI exchange rate as we believe this is the most accessible rate available to us in the absence of exchange at 6.3 bolivars per U.S. dollar. This remeasurement resulted in a non-deductible charge of $45 in the Consolidated Income Statement for the three months ended March 31, 2015, with $5 recorded in cost of products sold and $40 recorded in other (income) and expense, net. Remeasurement charges since March 31, 2015 have not been significant. We continue to manufacture and sell products in Venezuela, as well as import raw materials and finished goods to the extent we are able to obtain foreign exchange transactions. Approval for exchange transactions using the regulated currency exchange system for raw materials have slowed in the current year, which has continued to result in curtailment of production at various times through September 30, 2015. We have also been unable to obtain approval for recent requests for price increases for our regulated products. At September 30, 2015 , our net investment in K-C Venezuela was approximately $100 , and the bolivar-denominated net monetary asset position was not significant. Net sales of K-C Venezuela represented less than 1 percent and 3 percent of consolidated net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. New Accounting Standards In July 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory . This ASU changes the measurement principle for inventories valued under the First-In, First-Out ("FIFO") or weighted-average methods from the lower of cost or market to the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is defined by the FASB as estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. This ASU does not change the measurement principles for inventories valued under the Last-In, First-Out ("LIFO") method. We adopted this ASU on September 30, 2015. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers , which provides a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and will supersede most current revenue recognition guidance. The standard is effective for public entities for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted as of one year prior to the current effective date. The guidance permits two implementation approaches, one requiring retrospective application of the new standard with restatement of prior years and one requiring prospective application of the new standard with disclosure of results under old standards. The effects of this standard on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows are not yet known.

2014 Organization Restructuring

2014 Organization Restructuring	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
2014 Organization Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure	2014 Organization Restructuring In October 2014, we initiated a restructuring plan in order to improve organization efficiency and offset the impact of stranded overhead costs resulting from the spin-off of our health care business. The restructuring is intended to improve our underlying profitability and increase our flexibility to invest in targeted growth initiatives, brand building and other capabilities critical to delivering future growth. The plan is expected to be completed by the end of 2016, with total costs, primarily severance, anticipated to be $130 to $160 after tax ( $190 to $230 pre-tax). Cash costs are projected to be approximately 80 percent of the total charges. The restructuring is expected to impact all of our business segments and our organizations in all major geographies. The following charges were incurred in connection with the restructuring: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Cost of products sold $ 4 $ 19 Marketing, research and general expenses 7 17 Provision for income taxes (4 ) (16 ) Net charges $ 7 $ 20 Through September 30, 2015 , cumulative pre-tax charges for the restructuring were $169 ( $115 after tax), including cumulative pre-tax cash charges of $135 . Cash payments during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 related to the restructuring were $65 .

Fair Value Information

Fair Value Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Information	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 the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and for the full year 2014 , there were no significant transfers among level 1, 2, or 3 fair value determinations. Company-owned life insurance ("COLI") assets and derivative assets and liabilities are measured on a recurring basis at fair value. COLI assets were $55 and $58 at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. The COLI policies are a source of funding primarily for our nonqualified employee benefits and are included in other assets. The fair value of the COLI policies is considered a level 2 measurement and is derived from investments in a mix of money market, fixed income and equity funds managed by unrelated fund managers. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , derivative assets were $76 and $54 , respectively, and derivative liabilities were $83 and $116 , 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 value of hedging instruments used to manage foreign currency risk is 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. Additional information on our classification and use of derivative instruments is contained in Note 7 . 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 September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Assets Cash and cash equivalents (a) 1 $ 643 $ 643 $ 789 $ 789 Time deposits and other (b) 1 150 150 130 130 Liabilities and redeemable securities of subsidiaries Short-term debt (c) 2 659 659 777 777 Long-term debt (d) 2 6,926 7,540 6,179 6,963 Redeemable preferred securities of subsidiaries (e) 3 72 72 72 72 (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. Other, included in other current assets, is composed of funds held in escrow. Time deposits and other 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. (e) The redeemable preferred securities of subsidiaries are not traded in active markets. For certain instruments, 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. Additionally, the fair value of the remaining redeemable securities was based on various inputs, including an independent third-party appraisal, adjusted for current market conditions.

Employee Postretirement Benefit

Employee Postretirement Benefits	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]
Employee Postretirement Benefits	Employee Postretirement Benefits The table below presents net periodic benefit cost information for defined benefit plans and other postretirement benefit plans: Pension Benefits Other Benefits Three Months Ended September 30 2015 2014 2015 2014 Service cost $ 10 $ 12 $ 3 $ 3 Interest cost 39 70 8 9 Expected return on plan assets (43 ) (83 ) — — Recognized net actuarial loss 13 25 — — Settlements 19 — — — Other (2 ) 1 — — Net periodic benefit cost $ 36 $ 25 $ 11 $ 12 Pension Benefits Other Benefits Nine Months Ended September 30 2015 2014 2015 2014 Service cost $ 29 $ 36 $ 9 $ 9 Interest cost 148 209 25 27 Expected return on plan assets (173 ) (249 ) — — Recognized net actuarial loss 61 75 (1 ) — Settlements 1,348 — — — Other (9 ) 6 — — Net periodic benefit cost $ 1,404 $ 77 $ 33 $ 36 Effective January 2015, the U.S. pension plan was amended to include a lump-sum pension benefit payout option for certain plan participants. In addition, in April 2015, the U.S. pension plan completed the purchase of group annuity contracts that transferred to two insurance companies the pension benefit obligations totaling $2.5 billion for approximately 21,000 Kimberly-Clark retirees in the United States. As a result of these changes, we recognized charges related to pension settlements of $0.8 billion after tax ( $1.4 billion pre-tax in other (income) and expense, net) during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , mostly in the second quarter. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , we made cash contributions of $437 to our pension trusts, of which $410 relates to the changes above. In total we expect to contribute $440 to $500 to our defined benefit pension plans for the full year 2015. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 , we made cash contributions of $180 to our pension trusts.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share ("EPS") There are no adjustments required to be made to net income for purposes of computing EPS. A reconciliation of the average number of common shares outstanding used in the basic and diluted EPS computations follows: Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30 (Millions of shares) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Basic 363.9 373.3 364.5 376.0 Dilutive effect of stock options 0.9 1.1 0.9 1.2 Dilutive effect of restricted share and restricted share unit awards 1.4 1.5 1.5 1.6 Diluted 366.2 375.9 366.9 378.8 There were no significant outstanding stock-based awards excluded from the computation of diluted EPS during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 . The number of common shares outstanding as of September 30, 2015 and 2014 was 363.3 million and 372.5 million , respectively.

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	Stockholders' Equity Set forth below is a reconciliation for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 of the carrying amount of total stockholders' equity from the beginning of the period to the end of the period. Stockholders' Equity Attributable to The Corporation Noncontrolling Interests Balance at December 31, 2014 $ 729 $ 270 Net Income 680 38 Other comprehensive income, net of tax Unrealized translation (825 ) (22 ) Employee postretirement benefits 817 1 Other 5 — Stock-based awards exercised or vested 101 — Recognition of stock-based compensation 68 — Income tax benefits on stock-based compensation 26 — Shares repurchased (483 ) — Dividends declared (962 ) (19 ) Other (102 ) (46 ) Balance at September 30, 2015 $ 54 $ 222 During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , we repurchased 4.1 million shares at a total cost of $450 . 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 accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI"). For these operations, changes in exchange rates generally do not affect cash flows; therefore, unrealized translation is recorded in AOCI rather than net income. Upon sale or substantially complete liquidation of any of these subsidiaries, the applicable unrealized translation would be removed from AOCI and reported as part of the gain or loss on the sale or liquidation. Also included in unrealized translation 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. The change in net unrealized currency translation for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was primarily due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar versus most foreign currencies, including the Brazilian real, Australian dollar, South Korean won, Colombian peso, Canadian dollar and the euro. 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, 2013 $ (525 ) $ (1,668 ) $ (15 ) $ (34 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (362 ) (2 ) 24 17 (Income) loss reclassified from AOCI — 49 (a) 1 (a) 2 Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) (362 ) 47 25 19 Balance as of September 30, 2014 $ (887 ) $ (1,621 ) $ 10 $ (15 ) Balance as of December 31, 2014 $ (1,335 ) $ (1,924 ) $ (37 ) $ (16 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (825 ) (56 ) 10 44 (Income) loss reclassified from AOCI — 864 (a) (1 ) (a) (39 ) Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) (825 ) 808 9 5 Other (12 ) — — 1 Balance as of September 30, 2015 $ (2,172 ) $ (1,116 ) $ (28 ) $ (10 ) (a) Included in computation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefits costs (see Note 4 ). During the first quarter of 2015, we acquired the remaining 49.9 percent interest in our subsidiary in Israel, Hogla-Kimberly, Ltd., for $151 . As our subsidiary in Turkey was wholly-owned by our subsidiary in Israel, through this acquisition we also effectively acquired the remaining 49.9 percent interest in our subsidiary in Turkey, Kimberly-Clark Tuketim Mallari Sanayi ve Ticaret A.s. The acquisition was recorded as an equity transaction that reduced noncontrolling interests, AOCI and additional paid-in capital by $45 , $12 and $94 , respectively. The purchase of additional ownership in an already controlled subsidiary is treated as an equity transaction with no gain or loss recognized in consolidated net income or comprehensive income. The effect of the change in ownership interest is as follows: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Net Income attributable to Kimberly-Clark Corporation $ 680 Decrease in Kimberly-Clark Corporation's additional paid-in capital for acquisition (94 ) Change from net income attributable to Kimberly-Clark Corporation and transfers to noncontrolling interest $ 586

Objectives And Strategies For U

Objectives And Strategies For Using Derivatives	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Objectives And Strategies For Using Derivatives	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. We enter into derivative instruments 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 and qualify as cash flow 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. 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 and qualify as fair value hedges. From time to time, we also hedge the anticipated issuance of fixed-rate debt, using forward-starting swaps, and these contracts are designated as cash flow hedges. We use derivative instruments, such as forward swap 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. 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 borrowing. Translation exposure, which results from changes in translation rates between functional currencies and the U.S. dollar, generally is not hedged. However, consistent with other years, a portion of our net investment in our Mexican affiliate has been hedged. At September 30, 2015 , we had in place net investment hedges of $68 for a portion of our investment in our Mexican affiliate. Set forth below is a summary of the total designated and undesignated fair values of our derivative instruments: Assets Liabilities September 30, December 31, September 30, December 31, Foreign currency exchange contracts $ 69 $ 54 $ 68 $ 102 Interest rate contracts 7 — — 4 Commodity price contracts — — 15 10 Total $ 76 $ 54 $ 83 $ 116 The derivative assets are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet in other current assets and other assets, as appropriate. The derivative liabilities are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet in accrued expenses and other liabilities, as appropriate. 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 earnings. The offset to the change in fair values of the related hedged items also is recorded in current earnings. 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. At September 30, 2015 , the aggregate notional values of outstanding interest rate contracts designated as fair value hedges were $500 . Fair value hedges resulted in no significant ineffectiveness in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 . For the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, gains or losses recognized in interest expense for interest rate swaps were not significant. For the nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , no gain or loss was recognized in earnings as a result of a hedged firm commitment no longer qualifying as a fair value hedge. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of 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 period that the hedged exposure affects earnings. As of September 30, 2015 , outstanding commodity forward contracts were in place to hedge a limited portion of our estimated requirements of the related underlying commodities in the remainder of 2015 and future periods. As of September 30, 2015 , the aggregate notional value of outstanding foreign exchange derivative contracts designated as cash flow hedges was $820 , and there were no outstanding interest rate derivative contracts designated as cash flow hedges. Cash flow hedges resulted in no significant ineffectiveness for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 . For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , no gains or losses were reclassified into earnings as a result of the discontinuance of cash flow hedges due to the original forecasted transaction no longer being probable of occurring. At September 30, 2015 , amounts to be reclassified from AOCI during the next twelve months are not expected to be material. The maximum maturity of cash flow hedges in place at September 30, 2015 is December 2018 . Gains or losses on undesignated foreign exchange hedging instruments are immediately recognized in other (income) and expense, net. Losses of $77 and $130 were recorded in the three month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Losses of $158 and $77 were recorded in the nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , 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 September 30, 2015 , the notional amount of these undesignated derivative instruments was $2.7 billion .

Description Of Business Segment

Description Of Business Segments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business Segment Information	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 K-C Professional. The reportable segments were determined in accordance with how 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 the business segments. The principal sources of revenue in each global business segment are described below: • Personal Care brands offer parents a trusted partner in caring for their families and deliver confidence, protection and discretion to adults 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 touch and improve people's lives every day. 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 helps transform workplaces for employees and patrons, making them healthier, safer and more productive, through a range of solutions and supporting products such as apparel, wipers, soaps, sanitizers, tissue and towels. Key brands in this segment include Kleenex, Scott, WypAll, Kimtech and Jackson Safety. The following schedules present information concerning consolidated operations by business segment: Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30 2015 2014 Change 2015 2014 Change NET SALES Personal Care $ 2,357 $ 2,475 -4.8 % $ 6,971 $ 7,299 -4.5 % Consumer Tissue 1,528 1,697 -10.0 % 4,601 5,024 -8.4 % K-C Professional 826 873 -5.4 % 2,443 2,531 -3.5 % Corporate & Other 7 11 N.M. 37 42 N.M. TOTAL NET SALES $ 4,718 $ 5,056 -6.7 % $ 14,052 $ 14,896 -5.7 % OPERATING PROFIT Personal Care $ 484 $ 483 +0.2 % $ 1,412 $ 1,393 +1.4 % Consumer Tissue 260 285 -8.8 % 811 782 +3.7 % K-C Professional 154 165 -6.7 % 433 453 -4.4 % Corporate & Other (84 ) (72 ) N.M. (244 ) (236 ) N.M. Other (income) and expense, net (a) 35 (16 ) N.M. 1,429 29 N.M. TOTAL OPERATING PROFIT $ 779 $ 877 -11.2 % $ 983 $ 2,363 -58.4 % N.M. - Not Meaningful (a) Other (income) and expense, net includes charges related to pension settlements of $19 and $1,350 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , respectively, and a charge related to the remeasurement of the Venezuelan balance sheet of $40 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . In addition, other (income) and expense, net includes a $39 charge related to a regulatory dispute in the Middle East for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 .

Supplemental Balance Sheet Data

Supplemental Balance Sheet Data (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Additional Financial Information Disclosure	Supplemental Balance Sheet Data The following schedule presents a summary of inventories by major class: September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 LIFO Non-LIFO Total LIFO Non-LIFO Total Raw materials $ 103 $ 299 $ 402 $ 104 $ 322 $ 426 Work-in-process 119 99 218 120 95 215 Finished goods 488 681 1,169 511 672 1,183 Supplies and other — 278 278 — 288 288 710 1,357 2,067 735 1,377 2,112 Excess of FIFO or weighted-average cost over LIFO cost (184 ) — (184 ) (220 ) — (220 ) Total $ 526 $ 1,357 $ 1,883 $ 515 $ 1,377 $ 1,892 Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and 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. The following schedule presents a summary of property, plant and equipment, net: September 30, December 31, Land $ 166 $ 177 Buildings 2,535 2,574 Machinery and equipment 13,280 13,437 Construction in progress 494 591 16,475 16,779 Less accumulated depreciation (9,409 ) (9,420 ) Total $ 7,066 $ 7,359

2014 Organization Restructuri15

2014 Organization Restructuring 2014 Organization Restructuring (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
2014 Organization Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block]	The following charges were incurred in connection with the restructuring: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Cost of products sold $ 4 $ 19 Marketing, research and general expenses 7 17 Provision for income taxes (4 ) (16 ) Net charges $ 7 $ 20

Fair Value Information (Tables)

Fair Value Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair value of financial instruments	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 September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Assets Cash and cash equivalents (a) 1 $ 643 $ 643 $ 789 $ 789 Time deposits and other (b) 1 150 150 130 130 Liabilities and redeemable securities of subsidiaries Short-term debt (c) 2 659 659 777 777 Long-term debt (d) 2 6,926 7,540 6,179 6,963 Redeemable preferred securities of subsidiaries (e) 3 72 72 72 72 (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. Other, included in other current assets, is composed of funds held in escrow. Time deposits and other 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. (e) The redeemable preferred securities of subsidiaries are not traded in active markets. For certain instruments, 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. Additionally, the fair value of the remaining redeemable securities was based on various inputs, including an independent third-party appraisal, adjusted for current market conditions.

Employee Postretirement Benef17

Employee Postretirement Benefits (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of net periodic benefit cost	The table below presents net periodic benefit cost information for defined benefit plans and other postretirement benefit plans: Pension Benefits Other Benefits Three Months Ended September 30 2015 2014 2015 2014 Service cost $ 10 $ 12 $ 3 $ 3 Interest cost 39 70 8 9 Expected return on plan assets (43 ) (83 ) — — Recognized net actuarial loss 13 25 — — Settlements 19 — — — Other (2 ) 1 — — Net periodic benefit cost $ 36 $ 25 $ 11 $ 12 Pension Benefits Other Benefits Nine Months Ended September 30 2015 2014 2015 2014 Service cost $ 29 $ 36 $ 9 $ 9 Interest cost 148 209 25 27 Expected return on plan assets (173 ) (249 ) — — Recognized net actuarial loss 61 75 (1 ) — Settlements 1,348 — — — Other (9 ) 6 — — Net periodic benefit cost $ 1,404 $ 77 $ 33 $ 36

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Average Common Shares Outstanding Basic and Diluted	A reconciliation of the average number of common shares outstanding used in the basic and diluted EPS computations follows: Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30 (Millions of shares) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Basic 363.9 373.3 364.5 376.0 Dilutive effect of stock options 0.9 1.1 0.9 1.2 Dilutive effect of restricted share and restricted share unit awards 1.4 1.5 1.5 1.6 Diluted 366.2 375.9 366.9 378.8

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Components Of Stockholders' Equity	Set forth below is a reconciliation for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 of the carrying amount of total stockholders' equity from the beginning of the period to the end of the period. Stockholders' Equity Attributable to The Corporation Noncontrolling Interests Balance at December 31, 2014 $ 729 $ 270 Net Income 680 38 Other comprehensive income, net of tax Unrealized translation (825 ) (22 ) Employee postretirement benefits 817 1 Other 5 — Stock-based awards exercised or vested 101 — Recognition of stock-based compensation 68 — Income tax benefits on stock-based compensation 26 — Shares repurchased (483 ) — Dividends declared (962 ) (19 ) Other (102 ) (46 ) Balance at September 30, 2015 $ 54 $ 222
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	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, 2013 $ (525 ) $ (1,668 ) $ (15 ) $ (34 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (362 ) (2 ) 24 17 (Income) loss reclassified from AOCI — 49 (a) 1 (a) 2 Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) (362 ) 47 25 19 Balance as of September 30, 2014 $ (887 ) $ (1,621 ) $ 10 $ (15 ) Balance as of December 31, 2014 $ (1,335 ) $ (1,924 ) $ (37 ) $ (16 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (825 ) (56 ) 10 44 (Income) loss reclassified from AOCI — 864 (a) (1 ) (a) (39 ) Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) (825 ) 808 9 5 Other (12 ) — — 1 Balance as of September 30, 2015 $ (2,172 ) $ (1,116 ) $ (28 ) $ (10 ) (a) Included in computation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefits costs (see Note 4 ).
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Table Text Block]	The effect of the change in ownership interest is as follows: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Net Income attributable to Kimberly-Clark Corporation $ 680 Decrease in Kimberly-Clark Corporation's additional paid-in capital for acquisition (94 ) Change from net income attributable to Kimberly-Clark Corporation and transfers to noncontrolling interest $ 586

Objectives And Strategies For20

Objectives And Strategies For Using Derivatives (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Total Designated and Undesignated Fair Value of Derivative Instruments [Table Text Block]	Set forth below is a summary of the total designated and undesignated fair values of our derivative instruments: Assets Liabilities September 30, December 31, September 30, December 31, Foreign currency exchange contracts $ 69 $ 54 $ 68 $ 102 Interest rate contracts 7 — — 4 Commodity price contracts — — 15 10 Total $ 76 $ 54 $ 83 $ 116

Description Of Business Segme21

Description Of Business Segments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Information Concerning Consolidated Operations by Business Segment	The following schedules present information concerning consolidated operations by business segment: Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30 2015 2014 Change 2015 2014 Change NET SALES Personal Care $ 2,357 $ 2,475 -4.8 % $ 6,971 $ 7,299 -4.5 % Consumer Tissue 1,528 1,697 -10.0 % 4,601 5,024 -8.4 % K-C Professional 826 873 -5.4 % 2,443 2,531 -3.5 % Corporate & Other 7 11 N.M. 37 42 N.M. TOTAL NET SALES $ 4,718 $ 5,056 -6.7 % $ 14,052 $ 14,896 -5.7 % OPERATING PROFIT Personal Care $ 484 $ 483 +0.2 % $ 1,412 $ 1,393 +1.4 % Consumer Tissue 260 285 -8.8 % 811 782 +3.7 % K-C Professional 154 165 -6.7 % 433 453 -4.4 % Corporate & Other (84 ) (72 ) N.M. (244 ) (236 ) N.M. Other (income) and expense, net (a) 35 (16 ) N.M. 1,429 29 N.M. TOTAL OPERATING PROFIT $ 779 $ 877 -11.2 % $ 983 $ 2,363 -58.4 % N.M. - Not Meaningful (a) Other (income) and expense, net includes charges related to pension settlements of $19 and $1,350 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , respectively, and a charge related to the remeasurement of the Venezuelan balance sheet of $40 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . In addition, other (income) and expense, net includes a $39 charge related to a regulatory dispute in the Middle East for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 .

Summary of Balance Sheet Data (

Summary of Balance Sheet Data (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventory, Current	The following schedule presents a summary of inventories by major class: September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 LIFO Non-LIFO Total LIFO Non-LIFO Total Raw materials $ 103 $ 299 $ 402 $ 104 $ 322 $ 426 Work-in-process 119 99 218 120 95 215 Finished goods 488 681 1,169 511 672 1,183 Supplies and other — 278 278 — 288 288 710 1,357 2,067 735 1,377 2,112 Excess of FIFO or weighted-average cost over LIFO cost (184 ) — (184 ) (220 ) — (220 ) Total $ 526 $ 1,357 $ 1,883 $ 515 $ 1,377 $ 1,892
Property, Plant and Equipment	September 30, December 31, Land $ 166 $ 177 Buildings 2,535 2,574 Machinery and equipment 13,280 13,437 Construction in progress 494 591 16,475 16,779 Less accumulated depreciation (9,409 ) (9,420 ) Total $ 7,066 $ 7,359

Accounting Policies Narrative (

Accounting Policies Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Charge for Venezuelan balance sheet remeasurement	$ 45	$ 0
K-C Venezuela [Member]
Charge for Venezuelan balance sheet remeasurement	45		$ 462
Net Investment Foreign Operations	$ 100
Portion Of Consolidate Net Sales Earned By Affiliate Percent	1.00%	3.00%
K-C Venezuela [Member] | Cost of products sold
Charge for Venezuelan balance sheet remeasurement	$ 5
K-C Venezuela [Member] | Other Operating Income (Expense) [Member]
Charge for Venezuelan balance sheet remeasurement	$ 40
K-C Venezuela [Member] | Central Bank System Rate [Member]
Bolivar to USD Exchange Rate	6.3
K-C Venezuela [Member] | SIMADI exchange rate [Member]
Bolivar to USD Exchange Rate	199
K-C Venezuela [Member] | SICAD II exchange rate [Member]
Bolivar to USD Exchange Rate			50

2014 Organization Restructuri24

2014 Organization Restructuring 2014 Organization Restructuring Narrative (Details) - 2014 Organization Restructuring [Member] $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Projected cash costs as a percentage of total charges		80.00%
Cash payments		$ 65
After Tax [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring Charges	$ 7	20	$ 115
Before Tax [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring Charges			169
Before Tax [Member] | Cash charges [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring Charges			135
Minimum [Member] | After Tax [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Expected restructuring charges	130	130	130
Minimum [Member] | Before Tax [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Expected restructuring charges	190	190	190
Maximum [Member] | After Tax [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Expected restructuring charges	160	160	160
Maximum [Member] | Before Tax [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Expected restructuring charges	$ 230	$ 230	$ 230

2014 Organization Restructuri25

2014 Organization Restructuring 2014 Organization Restructuring Tables (Details) - 2014 Organization Restructuring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015
Cost of products sold
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring charges	$ 4	$ 19
Marketing, research and general expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring charges	7	17
Provision for income taxes
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring charges	(4)	(16)
After Tax [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring charges	$ 7	$ 20	$ 115

Fair Value Information (Narrati

Fair Value Information (Narrative) (Details) - Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Company-owned life insurance (“COLI”)	$ 55	$ 58
Derivatives Assets	76	54
Derivatives Liability	$ 83	$ 116

Fair Value Information (Fair Va

Fair Value Information (Fair Value Of Financial Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Cash and cash equivalents(a)	[1]	$ 643	$ 789
Time Deposits and Other Fair Value Disclosure	[2]	150	130
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Estimated Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Cash and cash equivalents(a)	[1]	643	789
Time Deposits and Other Fair Value Disclosure	[2]	150	130
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Short-term debt(c)	[3]	659	777
Long-term debt(d)	[4]	6,926	6,179
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Estimated Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Short-term debt(c)	[3]	659	777
Long-term debt(d)	[4]	7,540	6,963
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Redeemable preferred securities of subsidiaries(e)	[5]	72	72
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Estimated Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Redeemable preferred securities of subsidiaries(e)	[5]	$ 72	$ 72
[1]	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.
[2]	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. Other, included in other current assets, is composed of funds held in escrow. Time deposits and other are recorded at cost, which approximates fair value.
[3]	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.
[4]	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.
[5]	The redeemable preferred securities of subsidiaries are not traded in active markets. For certain instruments, 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. Additionally, the fair value of the remaining redeemable securities was based on various inputs, including an independent third-party appraisal, adjusted for current market conditions.

Employee Postretirement Benef28

Employee Postretirement Benefits (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Cash contribution to pension trusts			$ 437	$ 180
Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Settlements	$ (19)	$ 0	(1,348)	$ 0
UNITED STATES | Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Cash contribution to pension trusts			410
UNITED STATES | Pension Plan [Member] | After Tax [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Settlements			(830)
UNITED STATES | Pension Plan [Member] | Before Tax [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Settlements	$ (19)		(1,350)
UNITED STATES | Group Annuity Contracts that Transferred [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation					$ 2,500
Minimum [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected contribution to defined benefit pension plans			440
Maximum [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected contribution to defined benefit pension plans			$ 500

Employee Postretirement Benef29

Employee Postretirement Benefits (Benefit Cost Information For Defined Benefit Plans And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Service cost	$ 10	$ 12	$ 29	$ 36
Interest cost	39	70	148	209
Expected return on plan assets	(43)	(83)	(173)	(249)
Recognized net actuarial loss	13	25	61	75
Settlements	19	0	1,348	0
Other	(2)	1	(9)	6
Net periodic benefit cost	36	25	1,404	77
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Service cost	3	3	9	9
Interest cost	8	9	25	27
Expected return on plan assets	0	0	0	0
Recognized net actuarial loss	0	0	(1)	0
Settlements	0	0	0	0
Other	0	0	0	0
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 11	$ 12	$ 33	$ 36

Earnings Per Share (Narrative)

Earnings Per Share (Narrative) (Details) - shares shares in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Common shares outstanding	363.3	372.5

Earnings Per Share (Average Com

Earnings Per Share (Average Common Shares Outstanding Basic And Diluted) (Details) - shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Average Common Shares Outstanding Basic and Diluted
Basic	363.9	373.3	364.5	376
Diluted	366.2	375.9	366.9	378.8
Equity Option [Member]
Average Common Shares Outstanding Basic and Diluted
Dilutive effect of stock options	0.9	1.1	0.9	1.2
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Average Common Shares Outstanding Basic and Diluted
Dilutive effect of stock options	1.4	1.5	1.5	1.6

Stockholders' Equity (Narrative

Stockholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Repurchased shares		4.1
Repurchased shares, total cost		$ 450
Reduction in noncontrolling interests	$ 45
Reduction in AOCI	12
Reduction in additional paid-in capital	$ 94
Israel [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest acquired	49.90%
Payment to acquired noncontrolling interest	$ 151
Turkey [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest acquired	49.90%

Stockholders' Equity (Component

Stockholders' Equity (Components Of Stockholders' Equity) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Kimberly-Clark Corporation	$ 54		$ 54		$ 729
Noncontrolling Interests	222		222		$ 270
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Unrealized currency translation adjustments	(531)	$ (529)	(847)	$ (366)
Employee postretirement benefits	(43)	46	818	72
Other	10	$ 30	5	19
Parent [Member]
Kimberly-Clark Corporation	54		54
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income			680
Unrealized currency translation adjustments			(825)	(362)
Employee postretirement benefits			817
Other			5	$ 19
Stock-based awards exercised or vested			101
Recognition of stock-based compensation			68
Income tax benefits on stock-based compensation			26
Shares repurchased			(483)
Dividends declared			(962)
Other			(102)
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Noncontrolling Interests	$ 222		222
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income			38
Unrealized currency translation adjustments			(22)
Employee postretirement benefits			1
Other			0
Stock-based awards exercised or vested			0
Recognition of stock-based compensation			0
Income tax benefits on stock-based compensation			0
Shares repurchased			0
Dividends declared			(19)
Other			$ (46)

Stockholders' Equity (Compone34

Stockholders' Equity (Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Unrealized translation - Beginning balance				$ (1,335)	$ (525)
Cash flow hedge and other - Beginning balance				(16)	(34)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications				(825)	(362)
(Income)/loss reclassified from AOCI				0	0
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications				44	17
Income/loss reclassified from AOCI				(39)	2
Unrealized currency translation adjustments		$ (531)	$ (529)	(847)	(366)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax		(43)	46	818	72
Unrealized translation - Ending balance		(2,172)	(887)	(2,172)	(887)
Cash flow hedge and other - Ending balance		(10)	(15)	(10)	(15)
Other		10	30	5	19
Pension Plan [Member]
Defined benefit and other postretirement benefit plans - Beginning balance				(1,924)	(1,668)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications				(56)	(2)
(Income)/loss reclassified from AOCI	[1]			864	49
Defined benefit and other postretirement benefit plans - Ending balance		(1,116)	(1,621)	(1,116)	(1,621)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Decrease from Purchase of Noncontrolling Interest				0
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined benefit and other postretirement benefit plans - Beginning balance				(37)	(15)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications				10	24
(Income)/loss reclassified from AOCI	[1]			(1)	1
Defined benefit and other postretirement benefit plans - Ending balance		$ (28)	$ 10	(28)	10
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Decrease from Purchase of Noncontrolling Interest				0
Parent [Member]
Unrealized currency translation adjustments				(825)	(362)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax				817
Other				5	19
Parent [Member] | Pension Plan [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax				808	47
Parent [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax				9	$ 25
Unrealized Translation [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Decrease from Purchase of Noncontrolling Interest				12
Cash Flow Hedges and Other [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Decrease from Purchase of Noncontrolling Interest				$ (1)
[1]	(a)Included in computation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefits costs (see Note 4).

Stockholders' Equity Stockholde

Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity (Effect of Change in Ownership) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	$ 517	$ 562	$ 680	$ 1,609
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Decrease from Purchase of Noncontrolling Interests			(94)
Stockholders' Equity, Change in Net Income and Transfers to Noncontolling Interest			$ 586

Objectives And Strategies For36

Objectives And Strategies For Using Derivatives (Narratives) (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Fair value hedge ineffectiveness assertion			Fair value hedges resulted in no significant ineffectiveness in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
Gain (loss) recognized in earnings as a result of hedge not qualifying as a fair value hedge			$ 0	$ 0
Cash flow hedge ineffectiveness assertion			Cash flow hedges resulted in no significant ineffectiveness for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
Gain (loss) reclassified into earnings as a result of discontinuance of cash flow hedges			$ 0	$ 0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Aggregate notional values of outstanding derivatives	$ 2,700,000,000		2,700,000,000
Gain (loss) on undesignated foreign exchange hedging instruments	77,000,000	$ 130,000,000	158,000,000	$ 77,000,000
Net Investment Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Aggregate notional values of outstanding derivatives	68,000,000		68,000,000
Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Aggregate notional values of outstanding derivatives	500,000,000		$ 500,000,000
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Maximum maturity of cash flow hedges outstanding			Dec. 1, 2018
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Foreign currency exchange contracts
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Aggregate notional values of outstanding derivatives	820,000,000		$ 820,000,000
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Aggregate notional values of outstanding derivatives	$ 0		$ 0

Objectives And Strategies For37

Objectives And Strategies For Using Derivatives Summary of total and undesignated fair values of derivative instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative
Assets	$ 76	$ 54
Liabilities	83	116
Foreign currency exchange contracts
Derivative
Assets	69	54
Liabilities	68	102
Interest rate contracts
Derivative
Assets	7	0
Liabilities	0	4
Commodity price contracts
Derivative
Assets	0	0
Liabilities	$ 15	$ 10

Description Of Business Segme38

Description Of Business Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Net Sales		$ 4,718	$ 5,056	$ 14,052	$ 14,896
Sales Revenue, Net, Percent Change		(6.70%)		(5.70%)
Total Operating Profit		$ 779	877	$ 983	2,363
Operating Income (Loss), Percent Change		(11.20%)		(58.40%)
Other (income) and expense, net	[1]	$ 35	(16)	$ 1,429	29
Charge for Venezuelan Balance Sheet Remeasurement				(45)	0
Personal Care [Member]
Net Sales		$ 2,357	2,475	$ 6,971	7,299
Sales Revenue, Net, Percent Change		(4.80%)		(4.50%)
Total Operating Profit		$ 484	483	$ 1,412	1,393
Operating Income (Loss), Percent Change		0.20%		1.40%
Consumer Tissue [Member]
Net Sales		$ 1,528	1,697	$ 4,601	5,024
Sales Revenue, Net, Percent Change		(10.00%)		(8.40%)
Total Operating Profit		$ 260	285	$ 811	782
Operating Income (Loss), Percent Change		(8.80%)		3.70%
K-C Professional
Net Sales		$ 826	873	$ 2,443	2,531
Sales Revenue, Net, Percent Change		(5.40%)		(3.50%)
Total Operating Profit		$ 154	165	$ 433	453
Operating Income (Loss), Percent Change		(6.70%)		(4.40%)
Corporate and Other [Member]
Net Sales		$ 7	11	$ 37	42
Total Operating Profit		(84)	(72)	(244)	(236)
Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Settlements		(19)	$ 0	(1,348)	0
UNITED STATES | Before Tax [Member] | Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Settlements		$ (19)		(1,350)
Other Operating Income (Expense) [Member]
Dispute in Middle East					$ 39
K-C Venezuela [Member]
Charge for Venezuelan Balance Sheet Remeasurement				(45)		$ (462)
K-C Venezuela [Member] | Other Operating Income (Expense) [Member]
Charge for Venezuelan Balance Sheet Remeasurement				$ (40)
[1]	(a)Other (income) and expense, net includes charges related to pension settlements of $19 and $1,350 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and a charge related to the remeasurement of the Venezuelan balance sheet of $40 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. In addition, other (income) and expense, net includes a $39 charge related to a regulatory dispute in the Middle East for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Supplemental Balance Sheet Da39

Supplemental Balance Sheet Data - Inventory (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Raw materials	$ 402	$ 426
Work-in-process	218	215
Finished goods	1,169	1,183
Supplies and other	278	288
Inventory, Gross	2,067	2,112
Excess of FIFO or weighted-average cost over LIFO cost	(184)	(220)
Total	1,883	1,892
LIFO [Member]
Raw materials	103	104
Work-in-process	119	120
Finished goods	488	511
Supplies and other	0	0
Inventory, Gross	710	735
Excess of FIFO or weighted-average cost over LIFO cost	(184)	(220)
Total	526	515
Non-LIFO [Member]
Raw materials	299	322
Work-in-process	99	95
Finished goods	681	672
Supplies and other	278	288
Inventory, Gross	1,357	1,377
Excess of FIFO or weighted-average cost over LIFO cost	0	0
Total	$ 1,357	$ 1,377

Supplemental Balance Sheet Da40

Supplemental Balance Sheet Data - Property Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Land	$ 166	$ 177
Buildings	2,535	2,574
Machinery and equipment	13,280	13,437
Construction in progress	494	591
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	16,475	16,779
Less accumulated depreciation	(9,409)	(9,420)
Total	$ 7,066	$ 7,359