The Big Bet on Luxury Stocks Stumbles on Inflation, China Woes

  • Richemont warned it’s seeing effects of inflation in Europe
  • Europe luxury stocks lost $180 billion in value in two months

A Cartier concession in London.

Photographer: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg
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Problems are stacking up for Europe’s hottest sector.

A warning from the chairman of Cartier-owner Richemont that stubborn inflation was starting to affect demand in Europe prompted a swoon in luxury stocks last week. That downbeat message added to a string of worrying economic signals from China and signs of softer trends in the US.