Sector: Consumer Staples|Industry: Household & Personal Products|Market Cap: $25.90B|Employees: 62K
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. is a global leader in the manufacturing, marketing, and selling of prestige beauty products, including skincare, makeup, fragrance, and haircare. The company's diverse brand portfolio, strong market position, and global distribution network are key competitive advantages. They operate in approximately 150 countries and territories.
Net sales decreased by 6% year-over-year for both the three and six months ended December 31, 2024, primarily due to lower sales in Asia/Pacific and Europe, the Middle East & Africa (EMEA). This decline reflects ongoing challenges in retail environments, particularly subdued consumer sentiment in mainland China, Korea, and Hong Kong SAR.
Operating income shifted to a loss of $580 million for the three months and $701 million for the six months ended December 31, 2024, compared to profits in the prior year. This shift is primarily attributed to significant goodwill and other intangible asset impairment charges, particularly related to the TOM FORD and Too Faced brands.
Gross margin increased to 76.1% and 74.4% for the three and six months ended December 31, 2024, respectively, compared to 73.0% and 71.5% in the prior-year periods. This improvement is attributed to lower obsolescence charges and more efficient manufacturing costs.