China's brandy duties depress shares of makers of spirits, luxury and cars

Oct 09, 2024

China's brandy duties depress shares of makers of spirits, luxury and cars.
China's provisional anti-dumping duties on brandy imports from the European Union (EU) depressed spirit makers' shares on Tuesday with knock-on effects for luxury and auto brands as concern grew Beijing could extend its trade measures.

Pernod Ricard shares fell 3.8%, while those of Remy Cointreau lost 8.2% by 0951 GMT, on track for their worst single-day drops in 11 and 10 months respectively. The losses have so far wiped roughly a combined 1.6 billion euros ($1.76 billion) off their market values.

Jefferies analysts estimated in a note to clients that the tariffs could translate into a 20% consumer price increase, which would probably turn into a 20% decline in volume and supplier sales.

They added Pernod Ricard's portfolio and distribution network meant it was better placed to navigate the environment than peers.

Neither company was immediately available to comment.

Luxury names, for whom China is one of the main export regions, including LVMH, which also markets high-end Hennessy cognac, Hermes, Kering, Ferragamo and Burberry, dropped 2%-6%.

The negative sentiment was exacerbated by falls on the Chinese stock market as a rally driven by economic stimulus was reversed after officials refrained from stronger fiscal steps that investors had hoped for.

German car makers, which could be hit the hardest by retaliatory moves from china, also sank.

Volkswagen, Porsche AG, Mercedes-Benz , BMW, and Porsche Automobil Holding were down between 1.5% and 3% at 0920 GMT.

"It's not coming as a major surprise", Stifel Europe analyst Daniel Schwarz said. "But the negotiations are supposed to go on in the coming weeks. I think there was hope that there's still a solution negotiated between China and Europe," he added.

Car parts suppliers Forvia and Valeo also fell 3.6% and 1.7% respectively.