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LONDON (Reuters) – News of Renault Chief Executive Luca de Meo’s decision to leave the French carmaker and sources saying he is being lined up to take charge at luxury goods group Kering has created a stir across their respective sectors.
Here’s some initial reaction from analysts.
EQUITA ANALYST PAOLA CARBON
“Although he is a newcomer to the world of luxury, Pinault would have chosen De Meo for his change-oriented managerial style, for the combination of Italian origins but with experience already in a French group, for his good relationship with the financial community.”
UBS ANALYST ZUZANNA PUSZ
“He is very well respected in the financial community. According to feedback from our autos colleagues, he is said to be a marketing- and product-driven executive, which seems applicable to luxury, despite having no prior experience in the industry.
“The more cautious feedback centres around the potential downside risk to earnings and the associated balance sheet risk given Kering’s high level of debt … Additionally, some investors noted concern that (he) has no prior experience in the luxury industry, which could be seen as crucial to address the group’s lack of top-line growth amid an unsupportive sector context.”
CITI ANALYST THOMAS CHAUVET
“Execution of luxury brand turnarounds has become more complex, lengthy, costly and far less public market-friendly, reflecting consumer preference for top brands rather than those in transition.
“We believe it’s premature to adopt a more positive stance given the lack of visibility on Gucci’s turnaround.”
JP MORGAN ANALYST JOSE ASUMENDI
“Investors were this year focused on the announcement of Renault’s mid-term plan. With the CEO stepping down, this will naturally provide a setback.
“In terms of potential candidates for the CEO position, we see Renault has a strong bench across its different brand managers including Dacia, but also would envision potential external candidates.”
BERNSTEIN ANALYST LUCA SOLCA
“Brand management and marketing are his forte, which dovetails with what the luxury industry does – for which he seems passionate.
“Time will tell if he manages to hit the ground running and be effective in a different industry. De Meo acted decisively at Renault, reducing capacity and break-even points.
“De Meo has a titanic challenge ahead of him. Critically, investors will need to hear what it is that De Meo plans to do and digest how soon his plans can be realised.”
KEPLER CHEUVREUX
“Hiring someone from outside the luxury sector might be seen as risky, but his profile appears well suited to lead Kering. We would view positively the appointment of an outsider, and Luca de Meo could be the right profile to drive the turnaround.
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“His turnaround capabilities, product-focused leadership, and extensive marketing experience would be particularly valuable.
“We see Denis Le Vot (head of Dacia) and other internal candidates as potential successors, as well as Maxime Picat, a French executive from Stellantis.”
JEFFERIES
“His departure leaves Renault leaderless at a time when the group is due to communicate a new strategic plan and further unwind the Nissan alliance.
“His departure may hurt early lobbying (joint with Stellantis) to revive an affordable small car segment in Europe. It will add to concerns about Renault’s ability to be independent, the growing influence of Geely as minority investor (engines, Korea, Brazil) and renewed interference from the French state, now the largest core shareholder at 15%.
“Recent changes at Stellantis may provide a pool of applicants.”
(Reporting by Reuters reporters; Compiled by Josephine Mason; Editing by David Goodman and Tomasz Janowski)
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