World’s richest man loses $11 billion after LVMH stock rout

Bernard Arnault, the world’s richest person, had $11.2 billion wiped from his fortune in one day over concerns that a softening U.S. economy will dampen demand for luxury goods. 

The founder of LVMH — whose offerings include Louis Vuitton handbags, Moet & Chandon Champagne and Christian Dior gowns — had seen his wealth balloon for most of 2023 as share prices of European luxury companies surged.

On Tuesday, he gave back some of those gains. LVMH shares fell 5% in Paris — the most in more than a year — amid a broader decline that erased about $30 billion from the European luxury sector. 

Read more: LVMH, Hermes Spark $30 Billion Luxury Stocks Rout on US Slowdown

Even with the selloff, the French billionaire still has a net worth of $191.6 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. He has added $29.5 billion so far this year. 

The gap between the fortunes of Arnault and Tesla Inc.’s Elon Musk, the world’s second-richest person, has shrunk to just $11.4 billion. 

Tuesday’s rout came after a lengthy rally in LVMH’s share price, which is still up 23% for the year. The MSCI Europe Textiles Apparel & Luxury Goods Index has surged 27%.

Attendees at a luxury conference in Paris that was organized by Morgan Stanley flagged a “relatively more subdued” performance in the U.S., said Edouard Aubin, an analyst at the investment bank. 

Deutsche Bank AG analysts Matt Garland and Adam Cochrane said in a note that they expect investors to become more selective with European luxury stocks, with slowing growth in the U.S. a concern.