Kimberly-Clark profit falls, hurt by energy costs

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Kimberly-Clark Corp (KMB.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) on Thursday confirmed that quarterly profit fell as higher energy costs offset an 11 percent jump in sales.

The maker of Huggies diapers and Kleenex tissues said profit was $416.7 million, or 99 cents a share, in the second quarter, compared with $461.8 million, or $1.00 a share, a year earlier.

Excluding charges for cost-cutting measures, earnings were $1.03 a share, down from $1.04 a year earlier and in line with analysts' average forecast.

Sales rose 11 percent to $5.0 billion.

Last week the company warned that earnings for the quarter would be down from a year earlier, and it cut its full-year profit forecast. A day later it said it would raise prices for the second time this year.

Kimberly-Clark has been shutting facilities and cutting staff in order to save money.

For the year, the company expects earnings of $4.20 to $4.30 a share excluding one-time items.

(Reporting by Brad Dorfman; editing by John Wallace)