By John Meyer, consultant in financial affairs – Eurasia Business News, October 31, 2024. Article No 1279.
Estée Lauder’s shares experienced a significant decline of 20% after the company announced a dividend cut and withdrew its financial outlook for the current fiscal year. This sharp drop occurred during intraday trading on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, and has been attributed to ongoing challenges in the Chinese market, which is crucial for the company’s revenue.
Dividend Reduction: Estée Lauder slashed its dividend in half, signaling potential financial difficulties as it reassesses its long-term strategies amidst declining sales and profits.
Weak Earnings Forecast: The company projected that net sales for the current quarter could decline between 9% and 11% compared to the same period last year, with adjusted earnings per share (EPS) expected to drop by up to 66%. This forecast was significantly lower than analysts’ expectations.
Impact of China Market: The slow recovery in demand for beauty products in China, following strict pandemic lockdowns, has heavily impacted Estée Lauder.
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Financial Performance
In its latest earnings report for the quarter ending September 2024, Estée Lauder reported a 10% decline in net sales to $3.52 billion, with net income plummeting over 90% from the previous year1. This performance reflects broader challenges in the prestige beauty market, particularly in mainland China.
Stock Market Reaction
Following these announcements, Estée Lauder’s stock is now trading at its lowest level in a decade and has dropped nearly 60% this year alone. The company’s shares are currently priced around $70.67, significantly below their all-time highs reached in late 2021 .Investors and analysts are closely monitoring the situation as Estée Lauder navigates these challenges while attempting to stabilize its financial outlook and regain market confidence.
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© Copyright 2024 – Eurasia Business News. Article no. 1279
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