Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Overweight" rating for the consumer discretionary and commercial trade sectors [7]. Core Insights - Several leading overseas beauty and luxury brands are experiencing a recovery in their business in China, with notable growth in Q3 2025 [1][2]. - The overall consumption in mainland China is expected to continue its gradual recovery, supported by positive macroeconomic signals [1]. Summary by Sections Company Performance - LVMH's revenue in the Asia-Pacific region, excluding Japan, returned to positive growth after six consecutive quarters of decline, with Q3 2025 showing a recovery [1]. - L'Oréal's revenue in mainland China grew by approximately 3% year-on-year in Q3 2025, driven by a 4.7% increase in North Asia [2]. - Hermès reported strong growth in the Greater China region, while Estée Lauder achieved a 9% year-on-year increase in its China business [1][2]. - Unilever's business segments in China, excluding ice cream, also showed signs of recovery [1]. Channel Insights - Online channels have seen significant growth, with L'Oréal and Beiersdorf reporting year-on-year increases of 12% and 19.2% respectively in Q3 [3]. - Travel retail remains under pressure but has shown marginal improvements, with L'Oréal and Kering noting slight revenue recovery [3]. Category Insights - The medical aesthetics segment, particularly high-demand products like Sculptra, has seen a year-on-year revenue increase of 11.8% in Q3 2025 [4]. - Skin science skincare products, including brands like Cetaphil and Alastin, reported double-digit growth, contributing to a 9.3% year-on-year increase in the skincare segment [4]. - Fragrance categories also performed well, benefiting from new product launches by L'Oréal and LVMH [4]. Performance Guidance - Galderma has raised its full-year revenue growth guidance for FY25 to 17.0%-17.7%, up from a previous estimate of 10%-12% [5]. - Procter & Gamble expects a revenue growth rate of 1%-5% for FY26, maintaining its guidance for Q4 2025 [5]. - Unilever anticipates a potential sales growth rate of 3%-5% for FY25, with Q2 revenue growth expected to exceed that of H1 2025 [5].

Core Insights - The recent controversy surrounding La Roche-Posay's "Soothing Thermal Water Spray" has sparked discussions on social media, with critics labeling it as a "smart tax" due to its ingredient list primarily consisting of water, questioning its high price point [1] - L'Oréal Group reported a sales revenue of €22.473 billion (approximately ¥186.19 billion) for the first half of the year, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 3%, while operating profit reached approximately €4.74 billion (around ¥39.28 billion), also up by 3.1% [1] - Compared to the double-digit growth seen in the past three years, L'Oréal's growth rate for the first half of 2024 has noticeably slowed, with sales and operating profit both reverting to single-digit growth [1] Financial Performance - In the first half of 2024, L'Oréal's sales amounted to €22.12 billion, marking a year-on-year increase of 7.5%, while operating profit grew by 8% to €4.599 billion, accounting for 20.8% of sales, which is a 10 basis points increase year-on-year [1] - Net profit for the same period reached €3.65 billion, reflecting an 8.8% year-on-year growth [1] Segment Performance - L'Oréal's four major divisions experienced growth in the first half of the year, but with significant differences in growth rates. The Professional Products Division led with a 6.5% year-on-year growth, achieving sales of €2.55 billion (approximately ¥21.16 billion), driven by brands like Kérastase and Color Wow, which saw a second-quarter growth of 11.5% [2] - The Consumer Products Division reported sales of €8.41 billion (around ¥69.78 billion), with a year-on-year growth of 2.8% [2] - The Active Cosmetics Division generated sales of €3.86 billion (approximately ¥32.03 billion), with a year-on-year growth of 3.1%, supported by double-digit growth from brands like La Roche-Posay, SkinCeuticals, and CeraVe [2]

Core Insights - L'Oréal Group reported a sales revenue of €22.473 billion (approximately ¥186.19 billion) for the first half of 2025, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 3% [1] - The operating profit reached €4.74 billion (approximately ¥39.28 billion), with a year-on-year increase of 3.1% [1] Performance Trends - The growth rate of L'Oréal's performance has slowed down in recent years, with a full-year sales revenue of €43.487 billion (approximately ¥329.43 billion) for 2024, marking a 5.6% increase year-on-year [2] - For the first half of 2024, sales revenue was €22.12 billion, showing a year-on-year growth of 7.5%, while operating profit increased by 8% to €4.599 billion [2] - The company's four major divisions experienced growth in the first half of the year, but with significant variations in growth rates [2] Division Performance - The Professional Products division emerged as a growth engine with a year-on-year increase of 6.5%, achieving sales of €2.55 billion (approximately ¥21.16 billion) [2] - The Consumer Products division reported sales of €8.41 billion (approximately ¥69.78 billion), with a growth of 2.8% [4] - The Luxe division saw a decline of 1.9%, while the Dermatological Beauty division grew by 3.5% [4] Regional Performance - The European market recorded sales of €7.534 billion (approximately ¥62.42 billion), with a year-on-year growth of 3.4% [6] - North America experienced a 2% increase in sales, while Latin America and SAPMENA-SSA achieved double-digit growth rates of 10.3% and 10.4%, respectively [6] - North Asia was the only region to experience negative growth, with a sales decline of 1.1% to €5.393 billion (approximately ¥44.48 billion) [6] Strategic Developments - L'Oréal's CEO highlighted the effectiveness of the company's multi-polar strategy, with emerging markets and a slight rebound in mainland China offsetting the expected slowdown in Europe [7] - The company acquired majority stakes in the American haircare brand Color Wow and the British skincare brand Medik8 to strengthen its position in the dermatological and professional haircare sectors [5] Future Outlook - The CEO expressed optimism for the global beauty market, anticipating continued growth in the upcoming quarters [8]

Group 1 - Laetitia Toupet-Delon has been appointed as the Global Brand President of L'Oréal Paris, effective July 1 [1] - She will succeed Delphine Viguier-Hovasse, who will take on the newly created role of Chief Innovation and Trends Officer [1] - Viguier-Hovasse was the first woman to hold the position of Global Brand President for L'Oréal Paris since her appointment in 2019 [1] Group 2 - Toupet-Delon joined the L'Oréal Group in 1998 and has held various positions, including Global Brand President of La Roche-Posay and Global President of the Skin Care Division [2] - She will oversee the L'Oréal Paris business, which is projected to generate over €6 billion in annual revenue [2] - The L'Oréal Paris brand operates in 150 countries worldwide [2] Group 3 - In Q1 2025, L'Oréal Group reported a revenue growth of 4.4%, reaching €11.73 billion [3]