face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">LVMH reported a third-quarter sales

drop of 0.6% to €4.135 billion. 

 Before the favorable impact

of currency exchange, sales dropped 3%.

face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">For the nine months through

September, all regions outside Asia (excluding Japan) experienced sales

declines.  Asia grew 7% while

Japanese sales tumbled 19%.  U.S.

sales slumped 12% and European revenue was down 5%.

face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The company's Watch & Jewelry

division suffered a 28% decline through September while Wine & Spirit sales

are down 18%.  Fashion & Leather

Goods saw declines in the U.S. and Japan that were offset by gains in Asia

(+19%) and Europe (+5%).  Perfume

& Cosmetic sales fell 7%.

face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The company's eponymous Louis

Vuitton brand continues to expand in China, where it performed "exceptionally

well."  The company plans to open

its first store in Mongolia.

(Posted 3 Nov

2009)