SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazilian cosmetics maker Natura said on Thursday it has agreed to sell its Avon International unit to holding firm Regent, ending a long period of uncertainty after announcing last year it was weighing alternatives for the business arm. The sale of the unit, which aggregates Avon's businesses outside Natura's key Latin American market, sent Sao Paulo-traded shares in the company up more than 13%. Natura has been carrying out divestitures as part of a broader strategy to simplify it ...

Core Viewpoint - Natura is simplifying its operations by selling Avon's businesses in several Central American countries to Grupo PDC for $1, as part of a broader organizational restructuring effort [1][2]. Group 1: Transaction Details - The deal includes Avon's operations in Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras, El Salvador, and the Dominican Republic, collectively referred to as Avon CARD [1]. - An additional payment of $22 million is expected upon closing, which is a receivable from Avon Guatemala to Natura's subsidiary in Mexico [3]. - Natura will continue to supply finished goods to Avon CARD and will act as the licensor of the Avon brand in the region [3]. Group 2: Financial Impact and Market Reaction - Following the announcement of the Avon CARD deal, Natura's shares rose over 3%, outperforming the Bovespa index, which increased by 1.1% [2]. - Analysts estimate that the sale of Avon CARD could result in savings of approximately 60 million reais ($11.28 million) for the company [5]. Group 3: Strategic Alternatives - Natura is exploring strategic alternatives for the Avon International unit, which includes its Avon businesses outside Latin America, recently classified as an asset "held for sale" [4]. - The businesses in the Dominican Republic and Central America were also reclassified under this label in August [4]. - Analysts believe that the Avon CARD deal may enhance sentiment towards Natura's efforts to sell Avon International [4].

Core Viewpoint - L'Oréal's comparable growth accelerated between the first and second quarters of 2025, despite a noticeable slowdown in overall growth compared to previous years [1][2]. Summary by Division - **Professional Products**: Achieved a sales increase of 6.5% in the first half of 2025, with a notable 11.5% growth in the second quarter, reaching €1,269.4 million [1][3]. - **Consumer Products**: Recorded a 2.8% growth in the first half, with a modest 3.3% increase in the second quarter [1][3]. - **Luxe**: Experienced a decline of 1.9% in the second quarter, with a total growth of 2.0% in the first half [1][3]. - **Dermatological Beauty**: Grew by 3.1% in the first half, with a 3.5% increase in the second quarter [1][3]. Summary by Region - **Europe**: Contributed the highest sales in the first half, totaling €7,534.4 million, with a growth of 3.4% [2]. - **North America**: Sales reached €5,824.2 million, growing by 2% [2]. - **North Asia**: The only region with negative growth, down 1.1% in the first half, with sales of €5,392.7 million [2]. - **SAPMENA-SSA**: Sales increased by 10.4%, totaling €2,058.2 million [2]. - **Latin America**: Achieved a growth rate of 10.3%, with sales of €1,663.8 million [2]. Financial Performance - Total sales for the first half of 2025 amounted to €22,473.3 million, reflecting a 3% year-on-year growth [1][2]. - Operating profit reached €4,740 million, marking a 3.1% increase compared to the previous year [1][2]. - The second quarter revenue was €10,739 million, with a growth of 2.4%, slightly below analyst expectations of 2.9% [1][2]. Strategic Acquisitions - L'Oréal made three acquisitions in 2025, including the luxury perfume brand Amouage, skincare brand Medik8, and professional haircare brand Color Wow, focusing on enhancing its high-end cosmetics and professional hair product divisions [3][4]. - The acquisition of Color Wow is highlighted as a significant move to strengthen L'Oréal's position in the high-end hair and styling category [3][4].