LVMH first-half net profit up 5%, sales jump 19%

The world's top luxury group LVMH on Tuesday reported its net profit rose by 5.0 percent in the first half of the year, as sales jumped 19 percent boosted by strong growth in Europe and the United States.

"Building on the first-half performances, we face the second half of the year with confidence," Bernard Arnault, chairman and CEO of LVMH, said in a statement.

From January to June, the LMVH saw a net profit of 1.58 billion euros, an increase of 5.0 percent compared with a 4.0 percent drop in profits in the same period last year.

Turnover was 16.7 billion euros in the six-month period compared with 14 billion euros a year earlier.

"The excellent results of the first half are witness to the efficiency of our strategy, which relies upon the strength of our brands and a very entrepreneurial style of management," Arnault said.

The first half for the luxury group -- Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy -- was marked by "solid growth in Europe and the United States, strong positive exchange rate effects (and) double-digit organic revenue growth in the second quarter for fashion and leather goods," it said.

Its wines and spirits division saw "good performance in all regions with the exception of China, impacted by the continued destocking of distributors," it added.

LMVH also singled out the "major success of new products at Louis Vuitton, where profitability remains at an exceptional level."