Europe Movers: Ashmore, Ericsson, LVMH, Publicis Groupe, Sika

Inga Muller
15 Apr, 2025
Frankfurt

LVMH gained 1.1% to €530.10 after the French luxury products retailer reported muted results in the first  quarter of 2025.

Total revenue declined to €20.31 billion from €20.69 billion a year ago, as the wine and spirits segment sales dropped 8% and fashion and leather goods sales fell 4%.

“Europe once again achieved growth on a constant consolidation scope and currency basis, while the United States saw a slight decline,” the company said in a release to investors.

Japan sales declined from a year ago, which had been boosted by strong growth in Chinese consumer spending in the country, LVMH added in the statement.

Ericsson surged 4.2% to 73.60 krona after the Swedish telecom company said net income jumped in the first quarter of 2025. 

Net sales climbed 3% to SEK 55.02 billion from SEK 53.32 billion, net income jumped to SEK 4.15 billion from SEK 2.56 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose to SEK 1.24 from 77 cents a year ago.

The company expanded its presence in the U.S. market to 45% of sales, compared to 37% of sales in the first quarter of 2024.

Sika AG gained 2.4% to CHF 197.70 after the specialty chemicals company reported revenue results for the first quarter of 2025.

Sales increased to CHF 2.68 billion from CHF 2.65 billion a year ago, with an acquisition effect of 1%.

The company plans to acquire Singapore-based Elmich, UK-based Cromar, and US-based HPS and is working to open new factories in Singapore, China, Ecuador, and Kazakhstan.

Sika has confirmed its outlook for fiscal 2025 but cited increased market uncertainties from potentially prolonged trade conflicts.

The company guided 2025 sales growth in local currencies between 3% and 6%, compared to CHF 11.76 billion in 2024, and an EBITDA margin between 19.5% and 19.8%, compared to 19.3% a year earlier.

Ashmore Group Plc plunged 6.4% to 125.10 pence after the UK-based emerging market investment manager released its assets under management report.

Total assets in the third quarter ending in March declined 5% to $46.2 billion, compared to $48.8 billion in the quarter ending in December.

“Emerging markets performed well over the quarter on the back of economic resilience together with the benefit of a weaker US dollar and strength in the euro as a consequence of planned fiscal expansion in Europe,” the company said in a release to investors.

However, individual institutional asset allocation decisions resulted in a net outflow for the quarter, the company added in the statement.

Publicis Groupe S.A. traded flat at €84.02 after the French public relations company reported higher sales in the first quarter of 2025.

Revenue surged 9.4% to €3.53 billion from €3.23 billion a year ago, helped by key acquisitions in Australia, Latin America, and Canada.

The company guided fiscal 2025 sales to increase between 4% and 5% and estimated a slight increase in operating margin rate, compared to its industry-high level of 18% in 2024, along with a free cash flow projection between €1.9 billion and €2 billion.