The Estée Lauder Companies reported a decrease in net sales and a net loss for the first quarter of fiscal 2025. Despite challenges in China and Asia travel retail, adjusted diluted EPS increased. The company has withdrawn its fiscal 2025 outlook due to market uncertainties and leadership changes, and has reduced its dividend payout ratio.
Net sales decreased by 4% compared to the prior year, reaching $3.36 billion.
Organic net sales decreased by 5% due to worsened consumer sentiment in China and low conversion rates in Asia travel retail.
The company reported a net loss of $156 million, primarily due to charges associated with talcum litigation settlement agreements.
Adjusted diluted net earnings per common share increased to $0.14, a 7% rise in constant currency.
The company anticipates continued challenges in mainland China and Asia travel retail, but is cautiously optimistic about long-term growth opportunities from new economic stimulus measures in China. The company expects ongoing normalization of growth in prestige beauty, particularly in North America, and is providing only a second quarter outlook, withdrawing the full-year fiscal 2025 outlook.
Visualization of income flow from segment revenue to net income