Kering shares pop 9% as ‘sharp' improvement at Gucci builds investor optimism

Core Viewpoint - Kering's shares rose over 9% following a narrower sales decline and better-than-expected quarterly earnings Group Performance - Kering reported third-quarter sales of 3.42 billion euros ($3.97 billion), reflecting a 5% decline on a comparable basis year-on-year, an improvement from a 15% decline in the second quarter [2][4] - The company had anticipated group sales of 3.31 billion euros for the quarter, indicating a stronger performance than expected [4] Brand Performance - Sales at Gucci, Kering's largest brand, fell 14% year-on-year on a comparable basis to 1.34 billion euros, although smaller brands showed improvements that mitigated the overall impact [3] - The decline in Gucci's sales represented a significant sequential improvement from the previous quarter, where sales had dropped 25% [3][4] Currency Impact - Kering noted that currency fluctuations posed a "significant headwind," contributing to a 5% negative effect on sales [5] Management Commitment - CEO Luca de Meo emphasized the company's commitment to improving performance, stating that the third-quarter results, while better sequentially, were still below market expectations [5]