Kimberly-Clark CEO Mike Hsu told CNBC’s Jim Cramer that his company’s planned acquisition of Tylenol maker Kenvue will create value for shareholders, even as the pain reliever is scrutinized by the Trump administration.
He also said Tylenol sales have “seen a little bit of impact, but less than you would think” from Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and President Donald Trump promoted unfounded claims linking the use of Tylenol’s active ingredient, acetaminophen, during pregnancy to autism.
“I think the brand has been very resilient,” Hsu said. “While I’m still getting into it, so, I’m no expert on Tylenol, but I’m told it’s a very effective and safe pain reliever, and so I think the consumers respond accordingly.”
Kimberly-Clark — which makes consumer packaged goods including Kleenex and Huggies — and Kenvue, which, along with Tylenol, is known for brands such as Neutrogena, Listerine and Band-Aid, announced the acquisition Monday. The deal is valued at $48.7 billion and would create one of the largest consumer staple companies in the world.
Kimberly-Clark stock plummeted 14.57% at the news while Kenvue jumped more than 12%.
