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Sales for the six-month period ended Sept. 30 rose for Richemont due to international demand for its jewelry and high-end watch brands, which include names such as Cartier and Jaeger-LeCoultre. The Geneva-based luxury goods conglomerate reported last week that total sales reached $7.12 billion, up from $6.83 billion in the prior-year period, a 4 percent increase. Gross margin declined from 64.8 percent to 63.9 percent. Profit increased 10 percent from $1.44 billion to $1.59 billion. In the period, jewelry sales grew 2 percent in a “subdued environment” while operating margins increased to 36.9 percent. Sales of watches were up 9 percent while operating margins declined from 32.2 percent to 31.7 percent.