Topic: How To Invest

Hello Pat: Any ideas on Luxottica Group, one of the world’s leading makers of glasses/frames?

Article Excerpt

Luxottica Group SpA (ADR), $52.04, symbol LUX on New York (ADRs outstanding: 477.4 million; Market cap: $24.7 billion; www.luxottica.com), is an Italian company that sells prescription eyewear and sunglasses. It has six plants in Italy and one in China. Luxottica’s retail division operates nearly 7,000 company-owned, franchised and leased locations under the LensCrafters, Sunglass Hut, Pearle Vision, Target Optical and Sears Optical banners. The wholesale division makes and distributes over 2,400 frame styles, including company-owned brands (notably Ray-Ban and Oakley) and licensed labels (including Chanel, Bulgari, Prada, Tiffany, Coach and Armani). The company also owns EyeMed Vision Care, the second-largest eye-care insurance company in the U.S. Luxottica’s sales are rising in North America (which accounts for 58% of its overall sales), and it is seeing improving demand in Europe (19% of sales), although the recession-hit southern part of the continent remains weak. The company will need stronger global economic growth—including in emerging markets like China and Brazil—to keep reporting higher sales…