Kimberly-Clark Corp. (NYSE:KMB)

Over the observed period, the share price exhibited notable fluctuations with an overall upward trend. Beginning at $59.45 in February 2006, the price increased to a peak of $144.74 by February 2020 before experiencing a moderate decline to $132.09 in February 2021. Key periods of growth include the years following 2011, culminating in significant gains between 2012 and 2015, where the price rose from $72.88 to $126.42. A distinct dip is observed around 2009, with the share price dropping to $47.11, reflecting a potential market or company-specific downturn.

Earnings per Share (EPS)

EPS showed variability but generally increased from $3.40 in 2006 to $6.95 in 2021. Important fluctuations include a peak at $4.56 in 2011, a decline to $2.81 in 2016, and a subsequent recovery reaching a high of $6.95 by 2021. The data indicate earnings volatility, particularly between 2013 and 2016, where EPS saw both a surge to $5.65 in 2014 and a sharp drop in the following years.

Price-to-Earnings (P/E) Ratio

The P/E ratio demonstrated considerable variability, oscillating between a low of 11.54 in 2009 and a high of 45.04 in 2016. Notable insights include the increase in P/E ratio during periods of elevated share price and lower EPS, such as the spike in 2016, which may indicate market optimism or overvaluation during that year. The P/E ratio generally stabilized around the mid-teens to low twenties in the final years observed, suggesting a normalization in market valuation relative to earnings.

In summary, the company exhibited growth in share price and EPS over the long term, despite intermittent volatility and earnings fluctuations. The P/E ratio trend indicates periods of investor optimism and market reassessment of the company's value. These dynamics reflect a company influenced by varying economic conditions and internal performance metrics, with overall positive momentum heading into 2021.