Kimberly-Clark.

Second quarter results were recently released for roll goods producer Kimberly-Clark, Dallas, TX. Sales of $3.15 billion for the second quarter were up 3.5% compared to 1998's $3.04 billion. Net income rose 48.7% from $263 million in 1998's second quarter to $391.1 for this year. First half sales amounted to $6.3 billion, a 3% raise compared to $6.1 billion during 1998's comparable period. Earnings also rose during the first half of 1999, from $510.9 million to $767.4 million, a 50.2% increase. Sales in the Personal Care segment--including disposable baby diapers, feminine and incontinence products--increased 11% from $1.2 billion in 1998 to $1.3 billion this year. The Health Care and Other Divisions--including surgical packs and gowns, sterilization wraps and disposable face masks--experienced a decrease in sales by 16.2%, from 1998's $277 million to $232.2 million in 1999. K-C reported that the overall improvements in results were driven by new and improved products in the company's global personal care bu siness.