Global scale with broad geographic diversity; Very good product variety; Leading market positions with well-established brands; and Consistent and strong free cash flow generation. Meaningful commodity cost exposure; Highly competitive end-markets requiring ongoing investment into innovative products and faster-growing emerging markets; and Sensitivity to consumers trading down in certain categories due to the weak economy. The ratings on Dallas-based Kimberly-Clark Corp. (K-C), a global manufacturer and marketer of household and personal care products, reflect Standard&Poor's Ratings Services' view that the company will maintain a "strong" business risk profile and a "modest" financial risk profile for the next two to three years. Our business risk assessment is based on our expectation that the company will continue to have a
