# Kimberly-Clark Dividend Streak Under Pressure

> Kimberly-Clark's 54-year dividend streak faces pressure as free cash flow barely covers payouts.
- Title: Kimberly-Clark Dividend Streak Under Pressure · 24/7 Wall St.
- Summary: Kimberly-Clark's 54-year dividend streak faces pressure as free cash flow barely covers payouts. Kimberly-Clark's dividend streak continues but free cash…
- Keywords: kimberly-clark, dividend, free cash flow, kenvue, nasdaq, kmb, dividend streak, dividend yield, trailing p/e, beta, Streak, Under
- Source: 24/7 Wall St. — https://247wallst.com/investing/2026/10/13/kimberly-clarks-54-year-dividend-streak-faces-pressure-as-free-cash-flow-barely-covers-payout
- Author: Chris Lange
- Published: 2026-10-13T17:15:43+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: kimberly-clark, dividend, free cash flow, kenvue, nasdaq, kmb, dividend streak, dividend yield, trailing p/e, beta
## Dividend Streak Continues
Kimberly-Clark paid its third straight $1.28 quarterly dividend on October 2, 2026, extending its 54-year run of dividend increases.
## Free Cash Flow Coverage
Free cash flow covers dividends at 101% of payouts, with 2025 operating cash flow falling to $2.777 billion.
## Pending Kenvue Acquisition
Kimberly-Clark's pending $48.7 billion acquisition of Kenvue adds pressure as the company carries $16.680 billion in liabilities.

> Our pending acquisition of Kenvue remains on track to close by the end of this year.
## Dividend Yield and Coverage
The $5.12 forward dividend yields 5.2% but requires 101% of free cash flow, higher than peers like Procter & Gamble.
## Margin Pressure
Revenue missed expectations as category growth slowed and input-cost pressures threaten 2026 earnings.
## Dividend Streak Resilient
The dividend holds with thin margins but risks increasing as Kenvue integration progresses.
## Key takeaway

Kimberly-Clark's dividend streak continues but free cash flow barely covers payouts amid pending acquisition and thin margins.