Core Viewpoint - Coty Inc. reported disappointing financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026, reflecting the challenges faced under former CEO Sue Nabi's leadership, with a notable decline in net income and a significant drop in stock value during her tenure [1][2][10]. Financial Performance - For Q2 of fiscal year 2026 (October-December 2025), Coty achieved net revenues of $1.679 billion (approximately ¥11.649 billion), representing a 1% year-over-year increase, but a 3% decline on a like-for-like (LFL) basis [1][3][4]. - The net loss for the same period was $126.9 million (approximately ¥8.81 billion), marking a significant downturn compared to previous years [1][3][4]. - For the full year of 2025, Coty's total net revenue was $402.9 billion, a 4.66% decrease from $422.61 billion in 2024, marking the first decline in net revenue in five years [10][11]. Segment Performance - The Prestige segment, which includes brands like Chloé and Hugo Boss, reported net revenues of $1.133 billion, a 2% increase year-over-year, but a 2% decline on an LFL basis [12][14]. - The Consumer Beauty segment saw a 2% decline in net revenues, contributing $545 million, with a 6% drop on an LFL basis [12][14]. - The overall operating income reported a 45% decrease, while adjusted operating income fell by 18% [4][12]. Regional Performance - In the EMEA region, Coty recorded net revenues of $864.2 million, a 3% increase year-over-year, but a 4% decline on an LFL basis [16][17]. - The Americas region experienced a 2% decline in net revenues, totaling $624.5 million, with a 3% drop on an LFL basis [16][17]. - The Asia Pacific region reported a slight decline of 1% in net revenues, amounting to $189.9 million, with a 2% drop on an LFL basis [16][17]. Leadership Changes - Following Sue Nabi's departure in December, Markus Strobel was appointed as the new Executive Chairman and interim CEO, taking office on January 1, 2026 [1][2]. - Strobel acknowledged the disappointing financial performance and the impact on Coty's stock price, which has been fluctuating between $3 and $5 [17][21]. Strategic Challenges - Coty is facing significant challenges due to the loss of brand licensing agreements, which are critical to its revenue model. The company has recently terminated agreements with brands like Orveda and Wella, and is set to lose the Gucci beauty license to L'Oréal [18][19][20]. - The company has initiated a new strategic framework called "Coty Select" to focus on clearer priorities and improve execution in its core business areas [20][21].

Core Viewpoint - Coty is exploring the possibility of splitting and selling its high-end and mass beauty divisions, which could lead to a merger and acquisition scale of hundreds of billions to trillions of yuan, potentially reshaping the global beauty industry [1][4]. Company Overview - Founded in 1904 in Paris, Coty has developed a strong brand portfolio, including luxury brands like GUCCI and Burberry, and has grown to be one of the top ten beauty companies globally [2][4]. - Coty operates over 50 fragrance and beauty brands, divided into high-end and mass segments, with high-end beauty generating 277 billion yuan and mass beauty generating 162 billion yuan in revenue for the fiscal year 2024 [1][4]. Financial Performance - Coty's revenue for fiscal year 2024 was 439 billion yuan, reflecting a 10% increase from the previous year, but the company has faced significant fluctuations in performance [9]. - The company reported a net revenue decline of 2% to 333.3 billion yuan for the first three quarters of fiscal year 2025, with a net loss of 22.2 billion yuan [9][10]. Market Dynamics - The global beauty industry is undergoing significant challenges, including market growth slowdown and increased competition from emerging DTC brands, particularly affecting mass beauty brands [4][12]. - Coty is facing difficulties in finding suitable buyers for its mass beauty division, especially in Asia, due to economic slowdowns and trade tensions with the U.S. [5][4]. Strategic Moves - Coty is in discussions with Interparfums regarding the sale of its high-end beauty business, particularly brands like Burberry and Hugo Boss, which have shown strong growth [4][10]. - The company has initiated a transformation plan aimed at streamlining operations and focusing on key business innovations, with an expected savings of nearly 36 billion yuan between fiscal years 2025 and 2027 [12]. Industry Trends - The beauty industry is witnessing a shift towards high-end and luxury products, with major players like Shiseido and Unilever restructuring to enhance operational efficiency [12][14]. - Coty’s historical capital-driven development and frequent ownership changes have influenced its current strategy to seek a sale [11][12].