A O Smith Corp vs Kimberly Clark Corp — how do they compare? A O Smith Corp trades at $63.65 (market cap $8.65B), while Kimberly Clark Corp trades at $108.46 (market cap $36.11B). The key difference: Kimberly Clark Corp is far larger — about 4.2× A O Smith Corp's market cap, and Kimberly Clark Corp pays the higher dividend (4.72%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AOS | KMB | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $8.65B | $36.11B |
Sector | Industrials | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $80.47 | $134.81 |
52-Week Low | $55.78 | $93.05 |
Enterprise Value | $9.15B | $41.67B |
Dividend Yield | 2.26% | 4.72% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
A.O. Smith Corporation (AOS) trades at $62.53, showing modest daily gains of 0.19%. The stock maintains strong profitability with 13.15% net margins and 27.13% ROE, though recent Q1 2026 earnings missed expectations. Technical indicators suggest a bullish trend with the current price near key support at $62. Recent leadership transition with Kevin Wheeler's retirement and Stephen Shafer assuming chairman role adds management continuity.
The outlook remains cautiously optimistic with a $67.25 consensus price target offering 7.5% upside potential. Strong North American performance and dividend growth provide support, but higher input costs and weaker China demand present headwinds. The stock's valuation appears reasonable at 17.74 P/E, though recent Zacks Strong Sell ratings warrant monitoring.
Kimberly-Clark (KMB) trades at $108.95, up 0.86% on the day, with a neutral technical signal. The stock shows strong profitability with a net income margin of 11.79% and a high ROE of 129.43%, though revenue declined to $16.45B in 2025. Recent Q2 2026 earnings missed expectations, and the company cut its 2026 outlook due to challenges in China and softer consumer demand, as reported by Reuters on August 4, 2026.
The outlook is mixed; KMB offers a solid dividend yield and trades below the consensus price target of $113.20, but near-term headwinds from China and volatile shipments pose risks. Analyst sentiment is cautious with 61.29% hold ratings, reflecting balanced optimism for long-term value against short-term operational pressures.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
A.O. Smith Corporation manufactures and markets comprehensive lines of residential and commercial gas, gas tankless, and electric water heaters. Supplementary products include water heating equipment, condensing and noncondensing boilers, and water system tanks. The company's two operating segments are by geographic region: North America (majority of total revenue) and the Rest of the World. A material portion of sales in North America derive from replacing existing products, and the company utilizes a wholesale distribution channel and multiple selling locations. The Rest of the World segment sells primarily to Asian countries and operates sales offices to expand distribution and market its product portfolio.
Read more on AOS →With around half of sales from personal care and another third from tissue products, Kimberly-Clark sits as a leading manufacturer of tissue and hygiene realm. Its brand mix includes Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex, Depend, Kleenex, and Cottonelle. The firm also operates K-C Professional, which partners with businesses to provide safety and sanitary products for the workplace. Kimberly-Clark generates just over of half its sales in North America and more than 10% in Europe, with the rest primarily concentrated in Asia and Latin America.
Read more on KMB →