Richemont Drops on Signs Luxury Demand Is Weakening in US, China
Comment of the Day

July 17 2023

Commentary by Eoin Treacy

Richemont Drops on Signs Luxury Demand Is Weakening in US, China

This article from Bloomberg may be of interest to subscribers. Here is a section:  

Richemont led luxury-goods stocks lower amid concerns that demand in the US and China, two of the biggest markets for the industry, is starting to sputter.

The Swiss owner of Cartier reported a surprise drop in revenue from the Americas in the three months through June.

While Richemont’s sales from Asia rose sharply, China reported slower-than-expected economic growth Monday, signaling signs of a possible pullback in consumer spending.

Richemont fell as much as 8.2%, the steepest intraday decline in more than year. LVMH dropped as much as 3.7% and Hermes fell as much as 4.2%.

The luxury-goods industry has been counting on a rebound in China after that country’s reopening would make up for weakness in the US market. Now Richemont and its peers are contending with the prospect that its two main growth motors are weakening.

Last week, Burberry Group Plc said the low end of the luxury market in the US softened.

Eoin Treacy's view

Aspirational spending is heavily dependent on disposable income and availability of credit. The luxury goods sector thrived during the pandemic because consumers were flush with cash and had fewer options to spend it since travel and sports events were shut down. The sector leaped higher again when China’s lockdowns ended because investors were betting the post pandemic celebratory spending would be repeated. That has not been the case.

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