Estée Lauder Cos Inc cut its full-year profit forecast as fresh COVID-19 curbs in China and the suspension of operations in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine dent the cosmetics maker's sales.
Estee's shares fell as much as 12.7%, but recovered some of those losses after company executives announced further price increases in July to offset surging costs.
The restrictions in China, a major growth market for global luxury goods makers, put the brakes on a recovery in demand for cosmetics from a pandemic-induced slump, leading the Clinique skincare maker to miss third-quarter sales estimates.
Estée's Asia-Pacific sales fell for the first time in nearly two years as the restraints in China also limited its capacity to ship orders from distribution facilities.
In contrast, French rival L'Oréal beat sales estimates last month as strong demand in Europe and North America helped counter some impact from lockdowns in China.
China COVID Curbs
China generates about 36% of Estée's sales, compared to about 20% for L'Oréal, according to Jefferies analysts.
The brokerage said Estée's forecast for weaker China sales in the fourth quarter did not bode well for L'Oréal, even with its smaller exposure to the market.
Still, Estée expects to bounce back from the China slowdown, saying demand for high-end cosmetics was showing no sign of petering out even with inflation running hot and fears of an economic downturn.
"Everywhere the high luxury part (of the business) is doing better in growth than any other parts. This doesn't suggest consumers are worried by the economy," Estée chief executive officer Fabrizio Freda said.
Outlook
Full-year net sales are projected to rise 7% to 9%, down from a prior forecast of a 13%-16% increase.
Estée estimates adjusted annual profit between $7.05 and $7.15 per share, compared with its prior outlook of $7.43 to $7.58.
Estée's shares were last down 5% at $247.73.
News by Reuters, edited by ESM – your source for the latest A-Brands news. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
