Kimberly-Clark Corp. (NYSE:KMB)

The net income attributable to Kimberly-Clark Corporation exhibits variability over the observed period, with values generally fluctuating between approximately 1.5 billion and 2.3 billion US dollars. There is an observable peak in 2013 at 2.142 billion, followed by a pronounced decline in 2014 and 2015, reaching a low of 1.013 billion. Subsequently, net income recovers sharply in 2016 and continues an overall upward trend reaching 2.352 billion in 2020.

Total stockholders’ equity demonstrates considerable volatility throughout the period. Initial equity stands at 5.558 billion in 2005, rising and falling intermittently in the subsequent years. Notably, there are significant negative values reported in 2014 (-174 million), 2015 (-102 million), 2018 (-287 million), and 2019 (-33 million), indicating periods of negative equity or accounting adjustments. By 2020, the equity rebounds to 626 million, a value substantially lower than earlier years, representing an overall decline in shareholder equity over the 15-year span.

Return on equity (ROE) displays high variability and includes some unusually elevated or missing values during part of the timeframe. From 2005 through 2013, ROE ranges between 24.59% and 44.11%, indicating generally strong profitability relative to equity. However, in 2014 and 2015, ROE data is missing, which corresponds to the period of negative equity indicated previously. Following that, extremely high ROE percentages are observed in 2016 (362.16%) and 2020 (375.72%), suggesting distorted profitability metrics likely driven by the significantly reduced equity base during these years, rather than sustained earnings growth.

In summary, net income shows resilience with periods of recovery after declines, whereas stockholders’ equity undergoes substantial instability, including negative values for several years. The ROE figures, particularly in years with reduced or negative equity, display sharp spikes that may not accurately represent operational performance but rather reflect the impact of the diminished equity base on this ratio. Overall, the financial data suggest a company experiencing significant fluctuations in capital structure and profitability metrics over the analyzed period.