Business World |

A crisis? What crisis? The luxury group Hermes has earned over the year 2009, sales up 8.5% (+4.1% at constant exchange rates), to 1.91 billion euros, exceeding its objectives and expectations of analysts (1.886 billion according to the consensus).

Performance explained by the boost of holiday season. In fact the only three months of 2009, activity has soared by 18% (+11% constant).

"All geographical areas are progressing with the exception of Japan," the group said. This is not surprising. The improvement in the fourth quarter was very strong in the Americas (+20% after +1.6% at the end of the first nine months of the previous year) and Europe (9% after -0.5%) and Asia outside Japan is still very active (35% after 26%).

The two activities most contributors margins are very strong, with an annual turnover up 16% on leather goods – which represents about half of total turnover – and 6% on Silk (12% of total business) cash advance to savings account . The activities mainly wholesale sales are picking up later this year but remain in the red.

Hermes International has finally raised its initial target of 5% decrease in recurring operating income is now expecting a slight increase. Natixis Securities anticipates an increase of 1%. In addition, net income is expected "close to that of 2008, or 290 million euros. The broker for the time table of 306 million euros. An analyst meeting will be held from nine hours.

For 2010, the continuation of the strategy and twelve new branches are announced.

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