Estée Lauder Companies Conference Summary Company Overview - **Company**: Estée Lauder Companies (NYSE: EL) - **Event**: 2025 Conference held on December 02, 2025 - **Speakers**: CEO Stéphane de La Faverie and Chief Digital and Marketing Officer Aude Gandon Key Points Beauty Reimagined Program - The company is a year into the "Beauty Reimagined" program, focusing on five pillars: consumer coverage, accelerating innovation, and increased investment in consumer-facing initiatives [3][4] - Progress has been made in consumer coverage, with expansion into platforms like Amazon, Shopee, and TikTok Shop, reconnecting with lapsed consumers and attracting new ones [4] - Innovation is accelerating, with notable product launches like Double Wear Concealer and The Ordinary, which has seen consistent double-digit growth [5][6] Financial and Operational Performance - The company has maintained and even grown market share in the U.S. and China, with a focus on innovation and consumer engagement [5][39] - The company is in the process of reducing workforce by 5,800-7,000 positions as part of its Profit Recovery and Growth Plan (PRGP) [8] - A cultural shift is underway, with a focus on agility and accountability within the organization [19][26] Digital and Marketing Strategy - Aude Gandon emphasizes the importance of media investment rebalancing towards brand building and awareness, moving away from a solely performance-driven approach [13][15] - Personalization is a key focus, leveraging data and AI to enhance consumer engagement and marketing effectiveness [17][18] - The company is actively engaging in social selling through platforms like TikTok Shop, recognizing the need for shoppable content [27][29] Market Insights - In the U.S., the company is regaining market share after years of decline, with a focus on price-sensitive consumers and leveraging brands like The Ordinary and Clinique [39][40] - In China, the market is stabilizing after a period of depressed sales, with consistent market share gains across several brands [46][49] - Western Europe presents challenges, with low consumer sentiment in some markets, but opportunities exist in emerging markets like Mexico and India, where double-digit growth has been observed [53][55] Leadership and Organizational Changes - The executive team has undergone significant changes, with over 70% of the leadership being new or in new positions, aimed at enhancing skills in media, digital, and innovation [20][21] - The company is focused on building a more agile and accountable organization, with changes in the reward system to align with overall enterprise success [22][26] Future Outlook - The company is optimistic about its ability to sustain growth and regain market share, with a strong foundation and a committed leadership team [59][62] - Continued investment in innovation and consumer engagement is expected to drive future success [50][51] Additional Insights - The company is adapting to the evolving retail landscape, integrating emerging channels with traditional ones to enhance consumer experience [30][34] - The partnership with Shopify is seen as crucial for integrating commerce with marketing efforts [31][32] - The focus on content creation is shifting towards producing adaptable content for various platforms to meet consumer needs [33] This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the Estée Lauder Companies conference, highlighting the company's strategic initiatives, market performance, and future outlook.

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Organic sales declined by 9%, with a sequential improvement from a 4% decline in the second quarter to a 3% decline excluding Travel Retail [6][31] - Diluted earnings per share decreased by 33% to $0.65, which was better than anticipated [6][31] - Gross margin expanded by over 300 basis points, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of improvement [6][33] - Operating margin contracted by 270 basis points to 11.4%, influenced by increased consumer-facing spending [6][33] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Travel Retail experienced a significant decline of 28% organically, continuing to shrink as a percentage of the overall business [6][31] - The U.S., China, and Japan saw share gains, with Clinique, The Ordinary, and Bumble and Bumble driving gains in the U.S. [8][9] - Clinique gained share for eleven consecutive months through March, while La Mer and Estee Lauder fueled growth in China [9][10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company outperformed in the U.S., China, and Japan, marking the first share gains in the U.S. in many years [8][9] - In China, share gains were achieved in three of the last four quarters, indicating a strong brand presence [9][10] - The company is focused on expanding gains in key markets while reigniting share gains in the UK, Korea, and Mexico [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is committed to transforming its operating model to be leaner and more agile through the "Beauty Reimagine" strategic vision [5][30] - The PRGP (Profit Recovery and Growth Plan) aims to restore sustainable sales growth and achieve a solid double-digit adjusted operating margin over the next few years [5][31] - The company is exploring expansion with various retailers and focusing on innovative product launches to reach a wider audience [10][14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expects headwinds in the Travel Retail business to be greater in the fourth quarter, but organic sales decline is anticipated to moderate [26][43] - There is a focus on tighter inventory management as retailers manage working capital, particularly in North America [26][50] - The company remains confident in returning to sales growth in fiscal 2026, contingent on resolving recent tariff issues [27][44] Other Important Information - The company has approved initiatives to reduce over 2,600 net positions as part of the PRGP restructuring plan [24][35] - Capital expenditures were reduced by 44% compared to last year, reflecting a strong focus on optimizing capital expenditures [37][38] - The company is actively monitoring trade policies and tariffs, with strategies in place to mitigate potential impacts [38][41] Q&A Session Summary Question: Inventory Alignment Across Categories and Geographies - Management noted significant progress in reducing inventory levels, particularly in Travel Retail, and is closely monitoring retail inventory adjustments [46][49] Question: FY 2026 Planning Assumptions - Management expressed confidence in returning to positive growth in fiscal 2026, citing market share gains in key markets and improvements in retail sales [54][60] Question: Tariff Sourcing and Mitigation Plans - The company aims to reduce the percentage of products sourced from China to below 10% by the end of the fiscal year, leveraging manufacturing capabilities in Japan and Europe [72][75] Question: PRGP Savings Expectations - Management is on target for PRGP savings and is exploring additional efficiencies, including outsourcing and procurement projects [86][90] Question: Sales Growth and Tariff Impact - Management indicated that the return to growth in fiscal 2026 is contingent on resolving tariff issues, with ongoing monitoring of consumer sentiment [97][104]