LVMH records high sales

LVMH Mo�t Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH ) witnessed an increase by 17% to $535 million (�390 million), in its jewellery and watch sales during the first six months of 2007. The sales contributed to 5.2% of its overall revenues.

The company�s jewellery sales from its retail tie-up with De Beers progressed well in Asia and the United States. It earned a total revenue of $10 billion (�7.4 billion) in the first half of 2007, an increase of 6%, with the markets in Europe, United States and Asia particularly adding to the growth. The company�s profits from recurring operations grew by 11% to $1.97 billion (�1.44 billion) and the watch and jewellery division�s profit from recurring operations nearly doubled (+90%) to $78 million (�57 million), compared to $41 million (�30 million) in the equivalent period last year.

LVMH chairman and chief executive officer, Bernard Arnault, affirmed that with the growth in its brand portfolio, and expansion of marklets worldwide, the company expects an increase in these results over the year 2007.