Investors had been gaining confidence in Kimberly-Clark 's ( KMB 0.31% ) business through the first half of 2019. The consumer staples giant reported an encouraging uptick in growth to start the year thanks mainly to higher prices on products like diapers and tissue paper. Its chief rival, Procter & Gamble ( PG 0.94% ), meanwhile, raised its growth outlook in two successive quarters, which implied gathering demand momentum in the industry.