(KERFP; NR/BBB+ Neg/NR)
Guidance was thin, but what management did give implies a trough in the sales trend and a likely sequential improvement into 4Q. Still, macro tailwinds may be doing some of the lifting and key Chinese consumer brand traction remains weak. The group continues to demonstrate very strong balance sheet governance after the Beauty sale including guiding to further real-estate disposals.
- We see year-end leverage at 4.3x, mgmt reported 2.6x
- pro-forma €4b beauty sale 3.3x, mgmt reported 1.5x
- pro forma another €1.7b in RE disposals 2.8x, mgmt reported 1.0x
- Leverage last year was 3.8x, mgmt reported 2.3x
Notable points from call:
- "From what we see so far, I would say that we could expect that Q4 sales decline year-on-year could be in the same order of magnitude of Q3, despite a tougher comp base." (Q3 was -5%).
- July weaker (tough base), August best month, September in line with qtr average. Current trading in line with Q3, but October has the easiest comp within 4Q.
- 4Q FX drag likely to be larger.
- Gucci: “newness” (60% of sales) offsetting carryover weakness and helping handbags stabilise (~highest margin item).
- FY opex down mid- to high-single digits.
- 2H Gross margin similar level to 1H at constant currency.
- Comfortable with wholesale setup and do not expect "material impact from rationalisation in 2026".
- Chinese cluster -18%, substantially better vs. 1H/Q2. But mainland China still not "very supportive". Golden week "not very supportive" (Oct 1- 8th), "even if some brands are posting better results than last year".
On BS:
- Open to tenders using beauty sale proceeds; "The deal with L'Oreal will also have a highly positive impact on reducing our debt leverage and are the top priority...we will balance between cash investment and potential buyback of some bonds, trying to be smart, but also always very mindful of our liquidity profile."
- "We are continuing to explore real estate transactions along the lines of what we have already done." (did €1.3b in 1H, was guiding to €1.7b ahead).