Hermes Not Interested in LVMH Collaboration as Profit Jumps

Hermes International SCA, the French maker of Birkin and Kelly bags, reported a surge in full-year earnings and said it’s not interested in collaborating with LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA, which has built a stake.

Hermes had no contact with LVMH, the world’s largest maker of luxury goods, Chief Executive Officer Patrick Thomas said today at a presentation in Paris. LVMH has built a 20.2 percent stake since October, saying last month that it won’t be a passive investor and can provide strategic and operational help.