Bernard Arnault Boosts LVMH Stake with $1.6 Billion Share Purchase

PARIS – Bernard Arnault, France’s richest man and founder of luxury conglomerate LVMH, has expanded his stake by purchasing $1.6 billion worth of shares over eight months. Regulatory filings show Arnault, 76, acquired about 2.5 million shares—roughly 0.5% of LVMH—through his holding firms Financiere Agache and Christian Dior SE. The buying spree occurred as LVMH’s share price dipped amid weaker earnings and a broader luxury sector slowdown.

Bernard Arnault

Arnault now controls 49% of LVMH’s capital and nearly 65% of its voting rights. Analysts believe the purchases reflect his intent to secure an absolute majority and reinforce long-term control. LVMH, which owns brands such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, Hennessy, and Bulgari, remains France’s largest company with a market capitalization of €302 billion. Arnault’s non-LVMH investments total only about $4 billion, underscoring his focus on the luxury empire he built since 1987.

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