Aug 1 (Reuters) - Kimberly-Clark ( KMB ) on Friday

posted a rise in second-quarter organic sales, led by steady

demand for products such as Huggies diapers and Kleenex tissues

in domestic and international markets.

The Dallas-based firm has broadened its portfolio to offer

products from budget to premium price tiers, in an effort to

capture demand across income levels and combat competition from

rivals such as Procter & Gamble ( PG ).

The company has also been streamlining its business to

control costs and drive growth in more profitable brands. In

June, it struck a $3.4 billion deal to sell a majority stake in

its international tissue business to Brazilian pulp maker Suzano

.

Organic sales for the quarter ended June 30 was up 3.9%,

driven by a 5% growth in overall volumes offsetting a 1.2%

decline in prices from last year.

Net sales from continuing operations, which exclude the

divested unit, came in at $4.16 billion, down 1.6% from last

year.

It also posted earnings of $1.92 per share. Analysts

were expecting $1.67 per share, according to data compiled by

LSEG.

In April, Kimberly-Clark ( KMB ) warned of $300 million in

additional costs this year, primarily due to U.S. President

Donald Trump's levies on China that have since come down to a

10% level.

It now expects adjusted earnings per share attributable for

2025 to grow at a low- to mid-single-digit rate, compared with

an earlier forecast for flat-to-positive growth on a

constant-currency basis.

The profit forecast continues to include the International

Family Care and Professional business until the close of the

joint venture deal with Suzano in mid-year 2026, Kimberly-Clark ( KMB )

said.