Luxury companies thrive as millions fret over affording energy this year

A string of consumer companies this week reported they're making money from their most expensive products, despite a cost-of-living crisis

Wealthier consumers are still sitting on a cushion of savings built up during the Covid-19 pandemic. AP

While millions are fretting over whether they can afford to spend another $1,000 on energy this year, others are splashing out on $10,000 Hermes handbags, as soaring prices leave wealthier people relatively unscathed.

A string of consumer companies, from spirits group Diageo to Birkin bag maker Hermes, have this week reported they're making money from their most expensive products and expect to continue to do so, despite a cost-of-living crisis that shows no signs of abating.

Sharply higher interest rates, surging inflation and a prolonged energy crisis are leading to the conclusion that the global economy is headed towards a recession.

But millions of wealthier consumers are still sitting on a cushion of savings built up during the Covid-19 pandemic and keen to treat themselves after two years of restrictions.

Hermes reported a record quarterly profit margin on Friday, as sales rose sharply amid strong growth in Europe and the US, and a rebound in China in June.

Chairman Axel Dumas said he saw no sign of a slowdown in any region, even though the company has raised prices 4 per cent this year.

Car maker Renault also said its turnaround strategy of focusing on selling fewer but more profitable cars was paying off and upgraded its forecast for full-year margins. The most expensive Renault cars can cost more than $100,000.

“The surprising resilience of European consumers can also be seen in the strong results of luxury brands owner, Louis Vuitton, particularly in their fashion and leather goods, such as Fendi and Christian Dior,” said Rebecca Chesworth, senior equities strategist at investor State Street SPDR ETFs.

Many consumers are bracing for the economy to deteriorate rapidly this winter.

In Britain, for example, a price cap on typical household energy bills is expected to jump from £1,277 ($1,552) earlier this year to more than £3,500 by October, while the cost of food has leapt by 10 per cent year-on-year.

That will plunge hundreds of thousands into financial jeopardy, unable to spend on anything but the absolute basics.

Food and personal goods companies such as Nestle and Unilever have been locked in hard negotiations with retailers since late last year, with supermarkets reluctant to raise prices of basic necessities and risk alienating shoppers struggling to get by.

“Not all companies can [raise prices], only companies that have pricing power that are doing relatively well — that have the dominant positions in their respective sectors — will be able to do that,” BlackRock Investment Institute's global chief investment strategist Wei Li said.

“Focusing on the quality players within the sector is important.”

While wealthier consumers' savings are still being eroded by inflation, they currently seem focused on enjoying the freedoms that have returned with the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.

British Airways-owner IAG on Friday returned to profit for the first time since the pandemic, as more people flew around Europe between April and June.

“Commentary suggesting forward bookings show no sign of weakness supports the argument that pent up demand for travel still far outweighs the impact of a cost-of-living crisis,” said Matt Britzman, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown.

IAG sales on trips mostly booked out of Britain, Spain and the US more than quadrupled to €9.35 billion ($9.55bn) in the first half of the year compared to last year.

Europe's lenders this week also offered some positive surprises on profits, but investors are watching for signs a weaker economy, surging inflation and the war in Ukraine could hit their prospects.

Eurozone inflation rose to another record high in July and its peak could still be months away, keeping pressure on the European Central Bank to opt for another big interest rate increase in September.

For now, however, French bank BNP Paribas reported better than expected quarterly profit on Friday, after bad loan provisions dipped and business remained buoyant in both investment and retail banking.