Luxottica Group, S.p.A. (LUX)

Performance overview for the third quarter of 2009

The third quarter saw a further stabilization in the international markets, though in an environment that continued to be challenging. Several countries have shown encouraging signs of a return to growth. In the coming months, it will become clearer whether this recovery in demand is sustainable in the long-term.

In Europe in particular, the market saw a second consecutive quarter of improvement, with encouraging signs of recovery coming from Italy, Spain, Germany and France. The North American market found some stability. Overall, emerging markets did not show signs of a slowdown in growth.

Andrea Guerra, CEO of Luxottica Group, commented: “Now that we are approaching the end of a year as demanding as 2009, we believe that the worst is behind us. Flexibility, speed, the ongoing search for new solutions and a continued focus on the balance sheet have enabled Luxottica to post positive results even in a period as difficult as what we experienced. For the second consecutive quarter Luxottica saw growth in sales and, most importantly, for the first nine months of the year results are much in line with last year. Additionally, we achieved strong cash flow generation, of Euro 207 million for the quarter. Today we are optimistic about the future. We are working to make sure that 2010 is again a normal year, in which we enjoy growth in sales, a solid improvement in profitability, greater than the growth in sales, as well as strong free cash flow generation and deleveraging.”

Performance overview for the second quarter of 2009

The performance of the Group for the second quarter confirmed that the current fiscal year saw an extremely difficult January and February, with a stabilization of the market in the following months. The most acute phase of global economic restructuring probably took place between September 2008 and March 2009, while today the environment is less uncertain albeit certainly still challenging.

There are considerable differences between geographic regions: North America is still negative but now more stable than during the first few months of the year; Europe is improving, thanks above all to good weather; and key emerging markets continue to be positive overall.

Andrea Guerra, Chief Executive Officer of Luxottica Group, commented: “We outlined our priorities for 2009 from the very beginning: a solid financial position and an immediate search for a new equilibrium and efficiencies in manufacturing and distribution, while maintaining our commitment to growth and the search for new solutions that would support the long-term growth of Luxottica. For the quarter, two results deserve to be mentioned above all: the improvement in sales and the Euro 260 million in free cash flow(2). The very positive results achieved to-date allow us to be more confident going into the second half of the year, thanks to a less challenging scenario overall.”

These results were made possible by Luxottica’s well-balanced brand portfolio and especially by the performance of Ray-Ban and Oakley. The two brands posted growth in sales in both the sun and optical businesses for the quarter but also for the trailing twelve months, which was the most difficult portion of the global economic downturn.

Performance overview for the first quarter of 2009

The first quarter of 2009 was a particularly challenging period for the eyewear market, due to the structural changes that it is currently undergoing. Demand and the market in general were affected by three main factors: consumer attitudes, rapid reduction in inventories by clients in all geographical areas and the slowdown in the global economy. At the same time, it should be noted that some positive signals are now being seen on all three of these fronts.

“After the first four months of 2009, we are already seeing a clear difference between the January to February and March to April periods,” said Andrea Guerra, Chief Executive Officer of Luxottica Group. “In fact, in March and April our results have stabilized in North America, while improving in nearly all other markets. April ended with sales results ahead of last year. In fact consolidated sales year-to-date were down by only 3% compared to the same period last year.”

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