LVMH's Arnault Clinches Majority Ownership of Luxury Group
By Andrea Figueras
French billionaire Bernard Arnault has taken majority ownership of LVMH with a stake valued at more than $160 billion, tightening his family's control of the sprawling luxury-goods company that he founded.
A spokesperson for the company said Tuesday that Arnault now owns 50.01% of LVMH's share capital, up from 49.77% at the end of last year.
The move comes weeks after Arnault unveiled plans to acquire more shares in LVMH, the conglomerate that owns fashion houses Louis Vuitton and Dior, jewelers Tiffany and Bulgari, champagne-and-cognac group Moet Hennessy and a host of other brands across luxury and other areas.
The family group has about 50% of LVMH's capital, Arnault said in an earnings call last month. "We are entitled to acquire a bit more," he said, adding that this year the family intended to cross the 50% threshold.
"We believe in what we do and we are showing it in that way," Arnault said.
LVMH has a market valuation of approximately 280 billion euros ($330 billion) according to Refinitiv LSEG data and based on Tuesday's closing price. That makes the Arnault family stake worth around $165 billion.
Arnault has long worked to secure control of the company, which is among Europe's largest. All of his children hold positions within the group, though ultimate succession plans remain uncertain.
Like most of its rivals, LVMH--considered a sector bellwether by most investors given the size, geographic diversity and category range of its operations--has been facing tough market conditions in the past years. That is especially true in China, due to limp demand and weak sales amid a frosty economic landscape.
After a lengthy downturn, the sector was relying on a rebound in China as well as creative shifts to reinvigorate demand for high-end goods. However, the company posted in January sluggish sales growth for the key holiday quarter, leading to caution among investors.
-0-
Write to Andrea Figueras at andrea.figueras@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
February 24, 2026 13:35 ET (18:35 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.The articles, information, and content displayed on this webpage may include materials prepared and provided by third parties. Such third-party content is offered for informational purposes only and is not endorsed, reviewed, or verified by Morningstar.
Morningstar makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or reliability of any third-party content displayed on this site. The views and opinions expressed in third-party content are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Morningstar, its affiliates, or employees.
Morningstar is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or delays in this content, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Users are advised to exercise their own judgment and seek independent financial advice before making any decisions based on such content. The third-party providers of this content are not affiliated with Morningstar, and their inclusion on this site does not imply any form of partnership, agency, or endorsement.
Popular
5 Stocks to Sell for Tax-Loss Harvesting
33 Undervalued Stocks to Buy Before the Market Shifts Again
Ask the Analyst: What Is the Best Source for Low-Risk Tax-Free Income?
The Smartest Moves for Bond Investors Today, and What to Do When You Have Too Many Investments
United States