Our opinion on the current state of RICHEMONT(CFR)Richemont (CFR) is the world's second-largest supplier of luxury goods, controlled by the Rupert family in Stellenbosch. Its sales are entirely overseas, making it an excellent rand-hedge. The company owns a prestigious portfolio of luxury brands, including Mont Blanc, Cartier, Lancel, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Van Cleef, and Piaget. Richemont has successfully expanded its online presence, with online sales now accounting for 21% of its turnover. This growth has been driven by the acquisition of Yoox-Net-A-Porter (YNAP) and Watchfinder, a UK-based online group, as well as a joint venture with Alibaba. Through this partnership, Richemont has developed apps to penetrate the Chinese market and offer its luxury goods via Alibaba's Tmall Luxury Pavilion.
Richemont is well-positioned to benefit from the global economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. While the company experienced a decline in sales during the pandemic, its aggressive shift toward online sales positions it for continued growth. However, Richemont's performance is influenced by the Chinese economy's slowdown, developments in Central and Eastern Europe, and fluctuations in the rand's strength.
In its results for the six months to 30th September 2024, Richemont reported sales of just over 10 billion euros, down 1%, with headline earnings per share (HEPS) of 2.862 euros, compared to 3.577 euros in the prior period. The company noted, "Solid growth in sales across all regions, except for Asia Pacific; double-digit growth in the Americas, reinforcing the US' position as the largest individual market for the Group. Continued growth in direct-to-client sales, now accounting for 76% of Group sales."
In an update for the third quarter ended 31st December 2024, Richemont reported a 10% increase in sales, achieving its highest-ever quarterly sales of 6.2 billion euros. This strong performance caused the share price to rise sharply.
Although the share trades at a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 17.8, which is relatively high, Richemont remains a compelling investment for its strong rand-hedge characteristics and its exposure to the global luxury market. However, investors should consider its dependence on the Chinese consumer and its sensitivity to global economic conditions when evaluating this stock.