Lvmh Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE Earnings - Analysis & Highlights for Q4 2024

Overview
PositivesNegativesOutlook
  • Operating FCF is up €2.4 billion.
  • Debt has gone down from €10.7 billion to €9.2 billion with a ratio of 13%.
  • Sephora reported exceptional growth.
  • The company saw a lot of innovation in watches and jewelry.
  • The company faced a bit of a slowdown in Japan.
  • The company's organic growth in Wines & Spirits is negative 8%.
  • The company had a negative margin of €100 million compared to the previous year.
  • The company's costs for Wines & Spirits have gone down in 2024, but it is seeing a slight drop in volume, a drop in prices, and a drop in mix.
  • The company experienced a 2% increase on expenses for admin and sales.
  • The company expects to see a good recovery in cognac and spirits in the next two years.

Q&A Highlights from Lvmh Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE Earnings Call Q4 2024

  • Analyst asked about the various geographies and the performance of Chinese and American customers.
    • The company reported stable customer base for the year, with slight improvements in Q4. The situation in Mainland China has been improving, but the company is cautious about the day before Chinese New Year. The US market also reported a stable customer base, with slight improvements in H2.

  • Analyst asked about the company's performance in the face of a challenging environment.
    • The company reported that Dior, the number one French haute couture brand, had the best performance in 2024, despite a challenging environment. The company is confident that Dior and haute couture will be in the spotlight in 2025, along with other Maisons.

  • Analyst asked about the impact of the economic environment and real estate market on the company's performance.
    • The company believes that the economic environment and real estate market are impacting their performance, but they are confident that with the stimulus plan announced by the Chinese government, they will be able to renew confidence in the market. The company also believes that there is a shift in consumption habits, but they are not sure if it is due to the economic environment or the real estate market.

  • Analyst asked about the company's investment plans and the possibility of divestment.
    • The company is still investing and communicating, organizing fashion shows, and working on various projects to keep the momentum going. Divestment is not on the agenda.

  • Analyst asked about the company's plans to roll out the brand in Europe.
    • The company acquired Tiffany, a prestigious luxury brand, for an excellent price, but it was a sleeping beauty and needed to be awakened. The company had to let go of some employees who were not happy with the changes and misrepresented what happened. The company is confident in its performance, with a 9% increase in revenue and profit, and a 4x increase in jewelry sales. The company is developing icons and has a few stores in the pipeline, requiring investments but resulting in a 25% increase in revenue.

  • Analyst asked about potential strategic decisions for the group, including divestments.
    • The company confirmed that the margin for Fashion & Leather Goods could be lower and that they can control costs based on revenue. The company also mentioned the impact of ForEx and the possibility of a discrepancy if there are changes. The company cannot provide any information about potential strategic changes for DFS, as it is a strategic decision.

  • Analyst asked about the impact of inflation on raw material and labor costs, and whether the company is considering pricing power as a strategy.
    • The company's management clarified that they are distinguishing between inflation and the impact of currency fluctuations on revenue. They stated that they have already increased prices to offset inflation, but they are also considering the impact of currency fluctuations on revenue. They also mentioned that they are investing in their luxury goods manufacturing business, specifically in the Cheval Blanc hotel chain, which they started 10 years ago and has now become the highest-rated luxury chain in the world. They also mentioned that they are investing in their facilities to provide a more privileged environment for their customers.