Luxury goods group beats forecasts
LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy) beat forecasts to report an underlying 12 per cent rise in sales, driven by a strong performance by the fashion and leather goods arm.

Total group revenue for the first six months of the year was 7 billion euros (£4.8 billion).

The fashion and leather goods arm, dominated by the Louis Vuitton brand, recorded sales of 2.5 billion euros (£1.7 billion), up 12 per cent over the half-year.

LVMH is the world's largest luxury goods group and includes brands such as Fendi, Christian Dior and Tag Heuer.