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 ...

Core Insights - Coty Inc. reported a net loss of $126.9 million for Q2 FY 2026, significantly missing the consensus estimate of $0.18 EPS by $0.04, resulting in a 22% earnings surprise [1][1][1] - The company's like-for-like revenue declined approximately 3%, contrasting with previous guidance of low-single-digit growth, marking a notable deviation from industry peers who reported stable or improving margins [1][1][1] - Following the earnings miss, Coty withdrew its full-year FY 2026 guidance and introduced a new turnaround strategy called "Coty. Curated." under interim CEO Markus Strobel, aimed at refocusing on core brands [1][1][1] Company Performance - Coty's $126.9 million loss is an outlier in the beauty and personal care sector, where competitors like Estée Lauder, L'Oréal, and Shiseido have shown resilience and growth [1][1][1] - The stock price fell approximately 15% in after-hours and pre-market trading, reaching a 52-week low of $2.66 [1][1][1] - Prior to the earnings announcement, management had expressed optimism about Q2 performance, indicating a significant gap between public expectations and actual results [1][1][1]

Market Overview - Asian stocks ended mixed, with a stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs report boosting optimism but dampening hopes for Federal Reserve rate cuts in the near term [1] - Precious metals, including gold, saw a decline, with gold falling by 0.5% to trade below $5,060 an ounce due to a strengthening U.S. dollar [1] - Oil prices experienced slight increases amid ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran [1] Regional Indices - China's Shanghai Composite index rose marginally to 4,134.02, influenced by reports of a potential extension of the U.S.-China trade truce [2] - Hong Kong's Hang Seng index fell by 0.86% to 27,032.54, negatively impacted by stock performance [2] - Japan's Nikkei average finished slightly lower at 57,639.84 after a volatile session, while the broader Topix index increased by 0.70% to 3,882.16 [3] - Seoul's Kospi index closed 3.13% higher at 5,522.27, driven by significant gains in technology shares, particularly Samsung Electronics, which surged by 6.4% [5] - Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rose by 0.32% to 9,043.50, supported by strong earnings from ANZ Group, which saw an 8.5% increase in its shares [5] - New Zealand's S&P/NZX-50 index edged up by 0.18% to 13,531.48, with Skellerup Holdings gaining 1.8% after reporting record half-year earnings [6] Company Performance - Shiseido's shares soared nearly 16% following fourth-quarter earnings and a full-year forecast that exceeded analyst expectations [4] - Honda Motor's stock fell by 3.5% after reporting a significant decline in third-quarter operating profit [4] - SoftBank Group's shares increased by 2.4% prior to announcing its financial results [4]

Shiseido rose the most in nearly eight years after the company’s fourth quarter earnings and full-year forecast beat analyst estimates https://t.co/h8o4f06auF ...

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]

Shiseido said it expects to return to operating profit this year after posting its first loss in decades in 2025 due to a writedown of the Drunk Elephant brand https://t.co/byiwxxiduV ...

Group 1: Industry Environment - The beauty industry is facing significant challenges in 2025, including market contraction, the end of traffic dividends, and intensified competition, leading to many brands closing or exiting the market. While leading companies show some resilience due to scale and R&D advantages, smaller brands struggle due to limited resources [3][4] - The luxury goods sector is witnessing a trend where high-end malls are losing luxury brands due to low foot traffic and high brand overlap, prompting a shift towards online channels and new consumer brands to attract customers [5] - The global beauty industry is entering a transformation phase in 2025, with growth rates slowing from 7% to 5%. The market is shifting towards segmentation and premiumization, with major players like L'Oréal and Estée Lauder focusing on high-end fragrance lines and digitalization [6] Group 2: Market Trends and Innovations - The implementation of the new cosmetic supervision regulations in May 2021 has led to a significant increase in the registration of new plant-based raw materials, with nearly 25% of the 370 registered materials being plant-based by the end of 2025 [7] - The application of generative AI in the fragrance industry is projected to contribute $9-10 billion in value by 2025, enhancing product development, marketing insights, and customer experience [9] - The Chinese cosmetics market is undergoing structural changes, with over 30 international beauty brands exiting the market in 2025, primarily from Japan and South Korea, due to the rise of domestic brands and changing consumer demands [10] Group 3: Company Dynamics - Aldi's beauty brand Lacura has gained popularity by offering high-quality products at low prices, leveraging its supermarket distribution model to attract young consumers [11][12] - Lin Qingxuan has successfully listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, becoming the first high-end domestic skincare brand to do so, with a focus on research and global expansion [13] - The brand Hai Gui Ba Ba has innovatively transformed acne treatment into a cultural and emotional marketing strategy, engaging with young consumers through festive themes and collaborations [15][16]

Summary of the Conference Call on Japanese IP/Brands Industry Overview - The focus is on the Japanese IP (Intellectual Property) and consumer brands, which are characterized by high functionality, craftsmanship, and technology. Notable examples include Dragon Ball, Super Mario Bros., and Uniqlo's Heattech [2][3]. Core Insights - **Profit Pool Growth**: From FY15 to FY25E, the profit pool for selected Japanese IP/brands increased from ¥1.2 trillion to ¥2.4 trillion, with overseas exposure expanding 3.0 times from ¥0.4 trillion to ¥1.2 trillion, compared to a 1.6 times increase in domestic exposure [3][19]. - **Sustainable Growth Factors**: Key factors for sustainable growth in IP/brands include: 1. **IP/Brand Value**: Unique positioning and added value are crucial for monetization [30]. 2. **Value Chain Strengthening**: Diversification of the portfolio enhances monetization potential [31]. 3. **Consumer Experience**: Products that allow consumers to easily perceive functionality and quality have a higher probability of sustainable growth [22][41]. Investment Recommendations - **Highlighted Stocks**: The report recommends 11 Buy-rated stocks, including: - Asics - Food & Life Companies - Ryohin Keikaku - Fast Retailing - Sony Group - Nintendo - Recruit Holdings - Konami Group - Toyo Suisan - Kotobuki Spirits - Shiseido (upgraded from Neutral to Buy) [3][19]. Performance Disparities - Significant disparities in stock performance were noted, with Capcom's market cap growing approximately 11 times compared to Square Enix's 3.4 times. For brands, Asics and Kotobuki Spirits rose 5.5 times, while Calbee, Meiji HD, and Pola Orbis HD lagged at 0.6 times [3][19]. Earnings and Share Price Drivers - An analysis of 27 Japanese companies revealed that while some achieved sustained profit expansion, others experienced volatility. The three necessary factors for sustainable growth were identified as: 1. **Consumer Experience**: High functionality and quality products. 2. **Brand-Building Capabilities**: Effective communication and supply chain management. 3. **Market Share**: High market share can act as a tailwind for growth [20][21][22]. Financial Projections - Operating profits for the 27 companies are projected to grow significantly, with total operating profits expected to reach ¥2.4 trillion by FY25E, driven by increased overseas exposure [24][43]. Risks and Considerations - Potential risks include economic slowdowns, changes in consumer preferences, and increased competition, particularly in sectors like cosmetics where differentiation is challenging [38][46]. Conclusion - The Japanese IP and consumer brands are positioned for growth, driven by expanding overseas markets and strong brand values. However, companies must navigate challenges related to market dynamics and consumer preferences to sustain this growth trajectory [19][41].

Rightmove’s grip on Britain’s property market makes it an attractive asset - M4OS Photos/Alamy An activist investor has bought a near £250m stake in Rightmove, piling fresh pressure on the embattled property giant. London-based Independent Franchise Partners (IFP) has built up a 5.8pc stake in the house-buying portal in recent weeks, becoming Rightmove’s third-biggest shareholder. The investment was made after the company warned its profit growth will slow next year because of investment in AI. That ann ...

Summary of China Beauty Expert Call Post 11.11 Events Industry Overview - **Industry**: China Beauty Sector - **Event**: 11.11 Shopping Festival Performance Review - **Date of Call**: November 17, 2025 Key Takeaways 1. **GMV Growth Across Platforms**: - Tmall: Approximately +8% year-over-year (yoy) - Douyin: Approximately +20% yoy - JD: Approximately +15% yoy - PDD: Approximately +12% yoy - Overall GMV growth for the beauty sector: Approximately +14% yoy according to Syntun Data [1][1][1] 2. **Performance of Local Listed Companies**: - Mao Geping (MGP) achieved approximately +60% GMV growth, leading the local brands - Chicmax and Proya maintained strong positions on Douyin and Tmall, respectively - Other local companies faced growth pressures [1][1][1] 3. **International Brands Recovery**: - Most international brands reported over +20% GMV growth, particularly high-end brands like Estee Lauder, Lancome, SK-II, and Shiseido [1][1][1] 4. **Emergence of Local Non-Listed Companies**: - Notable growth from brands such as Chando, Pechoin, Forest Cabin, and Grainrain [1][1][1] 5. **Discount Levels**: - Overall discount levels deepened by 5-8 percentage points yoy compared to the June 18 events [1][1][1] 6. **Preliminary Outlook for 2026**: - US/EU high-end brands expected to maintain growth momentum - Mass brands and Japanese/Korean brands likely to face challenges - High discount levels anticipated to persist [1][1][1] Company-Specific Insights - **Mao Geping (MGP)**: - Enhanced brand equity and unique offline presence expected to drive revenue and earnings CAGR of 31% from 2025 to 2027, outpacing peers' growth of 19% and 16% [1][1][1] - **Chicmax**: - Expected to benefit from the fast growth and local pride trend in China's cosmetics industry, leveraging a successful multi-brand portfolio and strong R&D capabilities [1][1][1] Analyst Preferences in China Beauty Sector - Order of preference: - MGP = Chicmax > Proya > Botanee > Yatsen > Marubi > Jahwa [1][1][1] Additional Notes - Concerns were raised regarding MGP's skincare product pipeline visibility in the mid-term [3][3][3] - Chicmax's KANS brand achieved approximately +30% GMV growth and maintained its position as the No.1 beauty brand on Douyin during the 11.11 events, with self-livestreaming contributing over 70% to GMV [3][3][3] This summary encapsulates the critical insights from the expert call regarding the performance and outlook of the China beauty sector following the 11.11 shopping events.