By happenstance, just two weeks later, French fashion magnate Bernard Arnault disclosed that his company, LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, acquired a 17 percent stake in Hermes International.

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U.S.-listed shares of Paris-based LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, a veritable luxury conglomerate in fine bags, booze and jewelry, have also shot to new highs on the Pink Sheets as LVMUY.

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Unfortunately, top competitors PPR SA, the Gucci parent, and LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton all recently reported lackluster China sales, and European shoppers remain squeezed by weak wages and deep economic uncertainty.

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Sales at LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the world's largest luxury goods maker, grew 3 percent in the third quarter, versus the 5 percent increase posted in the first half of the year.

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Founded in 1970 in Paris, Sephora was acquired by Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH) in 1997.

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