Category: housing

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

AD HOC ANNOUNCEMENT PURSUANT TO ART. 53 LR
16 MAY 2025

Please find below the Highlights and Chairman’s commentary from Richemont FY25 Annual Results Announcement.

RICHEMONT POSTS ROBUST PERFORMANCE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Group highlights

• Group sales at € 21.4 billion; Q4 sales up 8% (+7% constant) with Jewellery Maisons up at double digits
• Operating profit at € 4.5 billion including € 72 million of non-recurring costs 
• Sustained focus on nurturing Maisons’ growth, investing in distribution, manufacturing assets and craftsmanship  
• Renewed executive leadership, with appointment of Group CEO and expansion of Senior Executive Committee expertise to include Van Cleef & Arpels and Cartier CEOs, as well as dedicated Group Chief People Officer
• Completion of key strategic steps, with the addition of Italian jewellery Maison Vhernier and the finalisation of the sale of YNAP to Mytheresa in April 2025; Richemont now holds a 33% stake in newly created LuxExperience  

Financial highlights

• Full year sales up 4% at actual and constant exchange rates, led by high single-digit increase at Jewellery Maisons 
• Double-digit growth across all regions, except for Asia Pacific, further rebalancing the Group’s regional mix
• Operating profit down by 7%, or by 4% at constant exchange rates, resulting in a 20.9% operating margin
  • Strong performance at Jewellery Maisons, with sales up 8% at actual and constant exchange rates; operating margin at 31.9%
  • Sales at Specialist Watchmakers lower by 13% at actual and constant exchange rates, leading to a 5.3% operating margin
  • ‘Other’ business area’s sales up 7% at actual and constant exchange rates, operating margin at -3.7%; Fashion & Accessories Maisons margin impacted by inventory provisioning
• € 3.8 billion profit for the year from continuing operations; € 1.0 billion loss from discontinued operations mainly due to the non-cash write-down of YNAP (improved against € 1.3 billion communicated in H1)
• Robust net cash position of € 8.3 billion, supported by € 4.4 billion cash flow generated from operating activities
• Proposed increase in dividend to CHF 3.00 per 1 ‘A’ share / 10 ‘B’ shares

Key financial data (audited)

Chairman’s commentary

Overview of results
Richemont delivered a robust performance for the financial year ended 31 March 2025. In a persistently uncertain macroeconomic and geopolitical environment, we maintained our focus on nurturing Maisons’ current and future growth, investing in our distribution network, manufacturing assets and quality craftsmanship. Group sales increased by 4% at actual and constant exchange rates to € 21.4 billion, led by high single-digit growth at the Jewellery Maisons over the year. Operating profit came in at € 4.5 billion, down by 7% at actual rates, or by 4% at constant exchange rates.

After a resilient first half, sales performance accelerated in the second part of the year, with a 10% rise in the third quarter followed by +8% in the fourth quarter at actual exchange rates. Over the year, most regions grew at double digits at both actual and constant exchange rates, more than offsetting the decline in Asia Pacific, led by China, illustrating the value of our balanced regional footprint. Notable growth rates included Europe at +10%, the Americas at +16%, Japan at +25% and Middle East & Africa at +15% at actual exchange rates. Direct to client sales rose further driven by both retail and online, overall representing 76% of Group sales.

Our Jewellery Maisons – Buccellati, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Vhernier since October – saw their sales reach € 15.3 billion, growing by 8% at actual and constant exchange rates. This sales increase, combined with disciplined operating costs and targeted price increases, helped mitigate the impact of higher raw materials costs, notably gold, on our profitability. Our Jewellery Maisons delivered a € 4.9 billion operating result, up 4% versus the prior year, corresponding to a solid margin at close to 32%.

As discussed in our first half report in November, the global watch market experienced a slowdown affecting volumes. This was led by demand weakness in China, with greater resilience of high-end price segments. While the watch market remained subdued in the second half, some improvement was visible outside of China. In this challenging context, our Specialist Watchmakers reported a 13% decline in sales at actual and constant exchange rates over the year, impacted by their high exposure to Asia Pacific, particularly to China, while the other regions showed resilience. The rate of decline was softer in the second half of the year, with notable growth in the Americas. While the Maisons demonstrated discipline on operating expenses, the overall decline in sales had a significant impact on production and fixed operating costs absorption. In addition, with our headquarters and most of our production located in Switzerland, the strengthening Swiss franc weighed on our operating result. Consequently, the Specialist Watchmakers’ operating result was down to € 175 million for the year, corresponding to a 5.3% margin.

Sales at our ‘Other’ business area reached € 2.8 billion, an increase of 7% at actual and constant exchange rates, underpinned by faster growth in the second half. All regions other than Asia Pacific grew, with notable double-digit performances in the Americas, Europe and Middle East & Africa. Alaïa recorded another year of strong growth, and Peter Millar maintained its solid momentum. Overall, ready-to-wear sales rose by double-digits across the Maisons, with notably an encouraging performance from Chloé. Operating result was a € 102 million loss for the year, resulting in a margin of -3.7%. Within this, Fashion & Accessories Maisons posted a -2% operating margin when excluding targeted inventory provisioning.

At Group level, operating profit came in at € 4.5 billion, including € 72 million of non-recurring charges. Operating margin was 20.9%.

Profit for the year from continuing operations reached € 3.8 billion, down by 1%. The overall profit for the year amounted to € 2.8 billion, up 17%, after taking into account a € 1.0 billion loss for the year from discontinued operations, primarily reflecting the write-down of the carrying value of YOOX NET-A-PORTER (‘YNAP’) assets in the context of the sale to Mytheresa.

The Group maintained a robust balance sheet, with a net cash position of € 8.3 billion at year end, up € 807 million versus the prior year. It excludes YNAP’s net cash position of € 0.2 billion presented as assets and liabilities of disposal group held for sale.

Strengthening of our operations and portfolio of Maisons
We are delighted to have welcomed Italian jewellery Maison Vhernier as part of Richemont’s Jewellery portfolio during the year. Vhernier is renowned for the distinctive modern aesthetic of its creations, and we are now working on the Maison’s integration and development to ensure that its full potential can be realised over time, as we have effectively been doing with our Italian high-end shoe Maison Gianvito Rossi which celebrated its first anniversary as part of our Fashion & Accessories (‘F&A’) portfolio with a very encouraging performance.

It is also a pleasure to report that G/FORE, previously under Peter Millar’s umbrella since its acquisition in 2018, was added to Richemont’s F&A portfolio as a distinct Maison in February 2025. This marks a significant milestone for the Maison, whose products are sold in top golf shops, resorts, department stores and dedicated retail boutiques, reflecting its remarkable success to date.

On 1 June 2024, Nicolas Bos, formerly Chief Executive Officer (‘CEO’) of Van Cleef & Arpels, was appointed CEO of Richemont and joined the Senior Executive Committee (‘SEC’), with direct oversight of all the Maisons, functions and regions. On 14 February 2025, the SEC was further strengthened with the appointments of Marie-Aude Stocker as Chief People Officer, alongside Catherine Rénier (CEO, Van Cleef & Arpels) and Louis Ferla (CEO, Cartier). Marie-Aude’s extensive background in luxury HR will be important to address our strategic resource management needs, while Catherine and Louis bring invaluable operational insights from their respective leadership roles.

Following his appointment as CEO of Specialist Watchmaker Maison Jaeger-LeCoultre, Jérôme Lambert stepped down from the SEC and the Board of Directors, whilst Boet Brinkgreve, CEO of Laboratoire de Haute Parfumerie et Beauté, stepped down from the SEC when leaving the Group at the end of April 2025.

YOOX NET-A-PORTER (‘YNAP’) 

The closing of the transaction for the sale of 100% of YNAP to leading luxury multi-brand digital group Mytheresa occurred just outside of our FY25 reporting period, on 23 April 2025, following fulfilment of customary conditions, including regulatory approvals.

At transaction closing, Richemont sold YNAP to Mytheresa with a cash position of € 555 million and no financial debt in exchange for shares issued by Mytheresa representing 33% of the fully diluted share capital of the newly combined group which has been listed under the new trade name LuxExperience from 1 May 2025. As per the terms of the agreement, Richemont provided a € 100 million revolving credit facility to finance YNAP’s corporate needs.

We look forward to LuxExperience’s future success, as the closing of the transaction paves the way for both the Mytheresa and YNAP teams, their brand partners and clients alike to fully benefit from the enhanced value propositions and expanded global reach offered by the combined businesses.

Dividend

Based upon the performance of the year and net cash position of € 8.3 billion at the end of March 2025, the Board proposes to pay an ordinary dividend of 3.00 Swiss francs per 1 ‘A’ share (and CHF 0.30 per ‘B’ share), a 9% increase in the ordinary dividend over the prior year, subject to shareholder approval at the Annual General Meeting (‘AGM’) on 10 September 2025.

Annual General Meeting and Board changes

The 2024 AGM in September saw Nicolas Bos, CEO of Richemont, elected as Executive Director of the Board, and Gary Saage as Non-executive Director, assuming the role of Chairman of the Audit Committee from Josua (Dillie) Malherbe.

Shareholders also re-elected Wendy Luhabe as the ‘A’ shareholders’ representative and all Board members who stood for re-election for a further one-year term. Bram Schot succeeded Dillie as Non-executive Deputy Chairman of the Board and following the departure of Maria Ramos and Clay Brendish on 31 March, succeeded Clay as Chairman of the Compensation Committee.

Once again, I would like to express my gratitude to Dillie for his contributions as Non-executive Deputy Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Audit Committee and for accepting to remain on the Audit and Strategic Security Committees, and to Maria and Clay for their invaluable contributions in their respective roles over the years.

As indicated in the 2022 Annual Report, recognising shareholder expectations, we decided at the time to initiate a comprehensive tender process for our external audit function under the supervision of the Audit Committee. Having carefully considered the results of the tender, on 29 November 2024 we announced that the Audit Committee had recommended to the Board to propose to shareholders that KPMG be appointed as the new auditors of the Company for the financial year ending 31 March 2026 at the next AGM in September 2025.

Concluding remarks

Fiscal Year 2025 was a year of progress underscoring the Group’s strategic focus amidst a complex, fast-evolving global landscape. Whilst our Specialist Watchmakers’ performance mostly reflected weakness in their largest region, the Group’s performance was robust overall, driven by remarkable growth at our Jewellery Maisons and retail, and improved momentum at our ‘Other’ activities.

We continued to invest in future growth by further strengthening our distribution network, enhancing our manufacturing capacity, and contributing to the nurturing and preservation of unique artisan skills. We also delivered on several strategic fronts, successfully completing the acquisition of Vhernier, and enabling Gianvito Rossi to further expand its brand globally, after having joined the Group last year. We are also pleased to have found a good home for YNAP, whose strengths Mytheresa will harness to create a new global leader in digital luxury.

With a renewed leadership team and governance structure, the completion of seamless management transitions across several Maisons, and our teams of talented professionals committed to creativity and innovation, we are well-positioned to guide Richemont through its next phase of development.

As I have said before, ongoing global uncertainties will continue to require strong agility and discipline. Richemont has solid foundations for sustained value creation over time, built upon our leading Maisons’ unique heritage and innovative craftsmanship, coupled with an increasingly balanced and tailored regional presence that allows us to better connect with and enchant clients. Our long-term perspective, underpinned by a healthy balance sheet, constitutes a proven formula that has delivered seven-fold sales growth over the past 25 years, and remains central to our strategy.

Our achievements this year would not have been possible without the unwavering dedication of our teams and the invaluable collaboration of our partners. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to each of them for their significant contributions to Richemont’s success. I also wish to take this opportunity to thank our valued clients for their enduring trust and appreciation for the distinctive character and timeless appeal of our Maisons’ creations.

Johann Rupert
Chairman

Compagnie Financière Richemont SA

About Richemont 

At Richemont, we craft the future. Our unique portfolio includes prestigious Maisons distinguished by their craftsmanship and creativity. Richemont’s ambition is to nurture its Maisons and businesses and enable them to grow and prosper in a responsible, sustainable manner over the long term.

Richemont operates in three business areas: Jewellery Maisons with Buccellati, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Vhernier; Specialist Watchmakers with A. Lange & Söhne, Baume & Mercier, IWC Schaffhausen, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Panerai, Piaget, Roger Dubuis and Vacheron Constantin; and Other, primarily Fashion & Accessories Maisons with Alaïa, Chloé, Delvaux, dunhill, G/FORE, Gianvito Rossi, Montblanc, Peter Millar, Purdey, Serapian as well as Watchfinder & Co. Find out more at https://www.richemont.com/.

Disclaimer

This document contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Richemont’s forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company’s business and performance, the economy and other future conditions and forecasts of future events, circumstances and results. Our retail stores are heavily dependent on the ability and desire of consumers to travel and shop and a decline in consumer traffic could have a negative effect on our comparable store sales and/or average sales per square foot and store profitability resulting in impairment charges, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Reduced travel resulting from economic conditions, retail store closure orders of civil authorities, travel restrictions, travel concerns and other circumstances, including disease epidemics and other health-related concerns, could have a material adverse effect on us, particularly if such events impact our customers’ desire to travel to our retail stores. International conflicts or wars, including resulting sanctions and restrictions on importation and exportation of finished products and/or raw materials, whether self-imposed or imposed by international countries, non-state entities or others, may also impact these forward-looking statements. If international tariffs are imposed or increased, materials and goods that Richemont imports may face higher prices, which could lead to reduced margins or increased prices that could cause decreased consumer demand. As with any projection or forecast, forward-looking statements are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside the Group’s control. Richemont does not undertake to update, nor does it have any obligation to provide updates of, or to revise, any forward-looking statements.

© Richemont 2025

This announcement does not contain full details and should not be used as a basis for any investment decision in relation to the Company’s shares. Please find the full announcement available in PDF below: 

Richemont FY25 Annual Results PDF EN | Richemont FY25 Annual Results PDF FR (abridged)

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