Bernard Arnault, the CEO of LVMH, attempted to reassure investors during the shareholders' general assembly held in Paris on Thursday, April 17: "Our situation is far from worrying," he said. The world's largest luxury company's stock has been struggling on the Paris stock exchange, especially since the release of its disappointing first-quarter revenue on Monday. "The economic climate is more challenging. It makes us think. What are our goals? To increase sales? Or to always offer the best quality?" said the billionaire.

According to Arnault, the sector is not undergoing a "structural crisis." Faced with a 2% decline in activity in 2024 and a 17% drop in net profit compared to 2023, LVMH began 2025 on a poor note. Its sales fell by 2% in the first three months. Many uncertainties loom over its trajectory in the coming quarters, starting with the tariffs imposed by Washington at the US entry (currently at 10%), a market that accounts for a quarter of LVMH's sales.

Arnault has advocated for "negotiations between the European Union and the US" and for the establishment of a free-trade zone between the two economic powers. To avoid potentially "high" taxes, he has not ruled out increasing his "American productions." The group operates three Louis Vuitton factories in California and Texas, as well as workshops for the jeweler Tiffany & Co.

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