New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - February 24, 2026) - Levi & Korsinsky notifies investors that it has commenced an investigation into Coty Inc. ("Coty Inc.") (NYSE: COTY) concerning potential violations of the federal securities laws.Coty's quarterly loss stands out within the global beauty and personal care sector, an industry that has generally posted resilient consumer demand over the past two years. Peers such as Estée Lauder, L'Oréal, and Shiseido reported stable or improving margins in their mos ...

Industry Overview - The U.S. beauty and cosmetics industry demonstrates resilience, providing a defensive growth profile even during economic fluctuations, with stable demand for skincare, fragrance, and color cosmetics [1] - Structural growth drivers include the rapid expansion of skincare and prestige fragrance, with wellness, ingredient transparency, and sustainability influencing purchasing decisions, particularly among Gen Z and millennials [2] Digital Transformation - Digital transformation is crucial for competitive advantage, with elevated e-commerce penetration; retailers combining online convenience with experiential store formats are better positioned for customer loyalty [3] - Companies like Ulta Beauty, Inc. leverage robust loyalty programs and omnichannel capabilities to align with evolving consumer preferences [3] Brand Strategy - A diverse portfolio across mass and prestige offerings allows companies to navigate shifting demand trends effectively; Coty Inc. exemplifies this with its mix of consumer beauty products and higher-growth prestige fragrance assets [4] - Interparfums focuses on developing fragrance franchises for global fashion houses, emphasizing brand identity and long-term partnerships rather than short-term volume [7] Innovation and Growth - Continuous innovation is central to Interparfums' strategy, with successful product lines like Jimmy Choo and Montblanc enhancing brand visibility and consumer engagement [8][9] - The Estee Lauder Companies is reshaping its approach through the "Beauty Reimagined" strategy, focusing on consumer-centricity and agility across various channels [10][11] Market Positioning - e.l.f. Beauty has emerged as an agile player by offering high-quality, prestige-inspired products at accessible prices, quickly adapting to consumer demand [13] - Product innovation is key for e.l.f., with successful launches in various categories and strong in-store execution supporting brand visibility [14][15] Investment Opportunities - The beauty and cosmetics sector presents stability and long-term growth potential, with companies like Interparfums, The Estee Lauder Companies, and e.l.f. Beauty identified as positioned to benefit from industry growth drivers [5]

Investigation Into Coty's $126.9 Million Quarterly Loss and Collapse of Earnings Expectations [Accessibility Statement] Skip NavigationNYSE: COTYNEW YORK, Feb. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating Coty Inc. (NYSE: COTY) following the company's disclosure of a $126.9 million net loss for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026 and non-GAAP earnings per share of $0.14, which fell $0.04 short of the $0.18 consensus estimate. The results, released after market close on February 5, 2026 ...

Core Insights - The consumer staples sector has identified oversold stocks, presenting potential investment opportunities in undervalued companies [1] - The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is a key momentum indicator used to assess stock performance, with an RSI below 30 indicating that a stock is considered oversold [1] Oversold Stocks List - Notable companies with an RSI near or below 30 include NU Skin Enterprises Inc (NYSE:NUS), Coty Inc (NYSE:COTY), and Honest Company Inc (NASDAQ:HNST) [2][3]

Core Viewpoint - The consumer staples sector has several oversold stocks that present potential buying opportunities for undervalued companies [1]. Group 1: Oversold Stocks - The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is a momentum indicator that helps assess a stock's performance by comparing its strength on up days versus down days [1]. - A stock is typically considered oversold when its RSI is below 30, indicating potential for short-term price recovery [1]. - The latest list of major oversold stocks in the consumer staples sector includes NU Skin Enterprises Inc (NYSE:NUS), Coty Inc (NYSE:COTY), and Honest Company Inc (NASDAQ:HNST) [2][3].

Core Insights - Coty Inc. reported a quarterly loss of $126.9 million, which is a significant outlier in the beauty and personal care sector, where competitors like Estée Lauder, L'Oréal, and Shiseido have shown stable or improving margins [2] - The company's like-for-like revenue declined approximately 3%, contrasting with previous guidance of low-single-digit growth, and the earnings per share (EPS) missed consensus estimates by 22%, indicating a substantial gap between public expectations and internal performance [2][3] - Coty has withdrawn its full-year FY 2026 guidance and introduced a new turnaround strategy called "Coty. Curated." under interim CEO Markus Strobel, which aims to refocus on core brands [3] Company Performance - The reported loss of $126.9 million places Coty among the widest negative earnings surprises in the mid-cap consumer space for the reporting period [2] - Prior to the earnings announcement, management had expressed optimism about the second quarter, expecting to be at the "more favorable end of our guidance range," which contrasts sharply with the actual reported loss [4] Strategic Changes - The introduction of the "Coty. Curated." strategy coincided with the withdrawal of forward-looking targets, leading to a negative reaction from investors and analysts [3]

Group 1 - Coty is set to present its Second Quarter fiscal 2026 Earnings, with a live Q&A session scheduled for February 6, 2026 [2] - The presentation will feature key executives including Markus Strobel, the Executive Chairman and Interim CEO, and Laurent Mercier, the Chief Financial Officer [2][4] - The company will discuss financial results that may include forward-looking statements, with a reminder to refer to the earnings release and SEC filings for potential discrepancies [3]

Core Insights - Coty Inc. reported mixed results for Q2 of fiscal 2026, with earnings missing expectations while revenues exceeded estimates, indicating improving sales momentum but ongoing margin pressures [1][9] Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings were 14 cents per share, below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 18 cents, but improved from 11 cents in the same quarter last year [2] - Net revenues reached $1,678.6 million, a 1% year-over-year increase, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,665 million, with a 4% benefit from foreign exchange [3] - On a like-for-like basis, revenues declined 3%, showing improvement from an 8% decline in the previous quarter [3] Margins and Profitability - Adjusted gross margin decreased by 260 basis points year-over-year to 64.2%, impacted by high promotions, lower volumes in Consumer Beauty, and tariffs [4] - Adjusted operating income fell 18% to $274.3 million, with the adjusted operating margin contracting 370 basis points to 16.3% [5] - Adjusted EBITDA declined 15% to $330.2 million, with the adjusted EBITDA margin slipping 370 basis points to 19.7% [5] Segment Performance - Prestige revenues were $1,133.6 million, accounting for 68% of total sales, with a 2% increase reported but a 2% decline on a like-for-like basis [6] - Consumer Beauty revenues were $545.0 million, representing 32% of total sales, with a 2% reported decline and a 6% decline on a like-for-like basis [7] Regional Highlights - In the Americas, revenues declined 2% reported and 3% like-for-like, reflecting weaker trends in Prestige fragrances [8] - EMEA revenues rose 3% reported but fell 4% like-for-like due to pressures in Prestige fragrance and Consumer Beauty [8] - Asia Pacific revenues slipped 1% reported and 2% like-for-like, with strength in China and Japan offset by weakness in Southeast Asia [8] Strategic and Financial Updates - Coty appointed Markus Strobel as Executive Chairman and Interim CEO, introducing the "Coty. Curated." strategic framework [10] - The company sold its remaining 25.8% stake in Wella for $750 million, strengthening its balance sheet [10] - Coty ended the quarter with financial net debt of $2.6 billion and a leverage ratio of 2.7, the lowest in over nine years [11] Guidance - Coty withdrew full-year fiscal 2026 guidance, providing only a third-quarter outlook, expecting mid-single-digit revenue declines driven by Consumer Beauty softness [12][13] - For the third quarter, Coty anticipates gross margin contraction of 200-300 basis points year-over-year, with adjusted EBITDA projected at $100-$110 million [15]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is experiencing a mid-single-digit sales decline in Q3, primarily driven by the Consumer Beauty segment, which is still in a phase of addressing operational gaps [40][39] - Gross margin for Q2 was lower than expected, with a contraction of 200-300 basis points attributed to high promotional activity, tariffs, and foreign exchange impacts [44][46] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Consumer Beauty segment is underperforming, with a focus on streamlining the portfolio and improving sell-out growth [5][9] - The Prestige division is seeing a sequential recovery, with improved synchronization between sell-in and sell-out, although challenges remain in the U.S. market [41][42] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has reported over 30% sales growth in its Prestige portfolio on Amazon, indicating a successful strategy in new channels [14] - The promotional environment has intensified, with competitors increasing markdowns, which is expected to continue into Q3 [60] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on its most iconic brands and streamlining its product offerings to drive market share growth [5][13] - There is a clear emphasis on improving operational discipline and aligning marketing efforts with consumer needs to enhance sell-out performance [31][69] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledges that recent financial performance has not met expectations and emphasizes a commitment to transparency and focused execution moving forward [69] - The company is optimistic about future improvements, with plans for sharper priorities and resource allocation to key areas [69] Other Important Information - The company is investing in AI to enhance marketing asset creation efficiency, potentially reducing costs by 70%-80% [8] - There are significant growth opportunities identified in brands like Hugo Boss and Marc Jacobs, with new initiatives planned for the coming years [20][21] Q&A Session Summary Question: Future performance improvement plan for Consumer Beauty - Management is focusing on iconic brands and streamlining product offerings to improve sales and market share [5][9] Question: Changes in channel strategy - The company is investing heavily in online and e-commerce channels while maintaining focus on traditional retail [17] Question: Managing business after Gucci license ends - The company plans to drive growth in existing big brand franchises and explore new initiatives to compensate for the Gucci exit [20][22] Question: Impact of SKU rationalization on top line and gross margin - SKU rationalization is expected to improve productivity and gross margin over time, with a focus on driving top line growth [67] Question: Promotional environment and its impact - The promotional environment is expected to remain challenging, but the company is confident in its innovation and market strategies to mitigate these effects [60][61]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is experiencing a mid-single-digit sales decline in Q3, primarily driven by the Consumer Beauty segment, which is still in a phase of addressing operational gaps [34][38] - Gross margin for Q2 was lower than expected, with a contraction of 200-300 basis points attributed to high promotional activity, tariffs, and foreign exchange impacts [44][46] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consumer Beauty is underperforming, with significant declines in iconic brands like COVERGIRL, although recent initiatives have shown early signs of improvement [5][40] - The Prestige division is seeing a sequential recovery, with improved synchronization between sell-in and sell-out, although challenges remain in the U.S. market [41][46] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has reported over 30% sales growth in its prestige portfolio on Amazon, indicating a successful adaptation to changing consumer purchasing behaviors [14][15] - The promotional environment has intensified, with competitors increasing markdowns, which is expected to continue into Q3 [59][60] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on streamlining its portfolio by prioritizing iconic brands and reducing SKU proliferation to enhance market share and sell-out growth [5][13] - Future initiatives include launching sharper, more focused product bundles and leveraging AI for cost-effective asset creation [8][32] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledges that recent financial performance has not met expectations and emphasizes a commitment to transparency and disciplined execution moving forward [69] - There is confidence that the changes being implemented will lead to improved performance over time, although it will not happen overnight [69] Other Important Information - The company is actively investing in new channels such as TikTok and e-commerce to capture emerging consumer segments, particularly Gen Z [17][62] - The exit from the Gucci license in 2028 is prompting the company to focus on building its existing brand franchises and exploring new growth opportunities [20][22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Future performance improvement plan for Consumer Beauty - Management is focusing on iconic brands and streamlining product offerings to improve sales and market share, with expected benefits materializing in fiscal 2027 [4][9] Question: Changes in channel strategy - The company is investing heavily in online and e-commerce channels while also protecting existing retail channels to cater to diverse consumer demographics [17][19] Question: Managing business after Gucci license ends - The company plans to drive growth in existing franchises and explore new brand opportunities while adjusting cost structures as needed [20][22] Question: Impact of SKU rationalization on top line and gross margin - SKU rationalization is expected to improve operational efficiency and gross margins over time, with a focus on driving top line growth as a priority [66][67]