L’Oréal posts stronger quarter

L’Oréal said first-quarter sales grew at their fastest pace in two years, helped by strong demand in North America, Europe and emerging markets. (reuters.com) The French beauty group reported first-quarter sales of 12.15 billion euros for the three months ended March 31, up 3.6% as reported and 7.6% like-for-like. L’Oréal said adjusted like-for-like growth was 6.7% after accounting for an information-technology transformation effect in early 2026. (loreal-finance.com) Chief executive Nicolas Hieronimus said Europe was the biggest contributor to growth, emerging markets rose by double digits, and all four divisions expanded. Professional Products and Dermatological Beauty both posted double-digit adjusted like-for-like growth, while L’Oréal Luxe and Consumer Products also increased. (loreal.com) Reuters reported that premium hair products and perfume sold well in North America and emerging markets, offsetting weaker demand tied to disruption in the Middle East. Hieronimus said the company saw an effect in March on travel retail and in the United Arab Emirates, while consumption in Saudi Arabia had returned to normal. (reuters.com) The quarter extends a pattern from 2025, when L’Oréal reported 44.05 billion euros in annual sales and 4.0% like-for-like growth, ahead of a global beauty market it estimated at about 3.5%. The company said last year included a second-half recovery in its two largest countries, the United States and China. (loreal-finance.com) That backdrop matters because beauty companies have spent the past year navigating uneven demand by region, softer skin-care trends in some markets, and geopolitical shocks that hit travel retail. Women’s Wear Daily reported that L’Oréal’s skin-care business underperformed in 2025 before the company put in place a plan that lifted Dermatological Beauty in early 2026. (wwd.com) L’Oréal said its adjusted first-quarter growth ran significantly ahead of a global beauty market growing at close to 4%. The company also said e-commerce stayed strong and that it gained market share across all regions and divisions. (loreal-finance.com) The next scheduled checkpoint is close: L’Oréal’s annual general meeting is set for April 24, 2026, and its half-year results are due on July 29, 2026. For now, the first quarter gave the company a stronger start than analysts had expected. (loreal-finance.com)