French cognac maker’s efforts to clear excess inventory affect sales and profitability

  • Remy Cointreau expects inventory reduction efforts in the U.S. market to continue into the new fiscal year
  • Company aims for gradual recovery in sales and profitability protection
  • Cognac maker’s current operating profit down 28% compared to prior-year period
  • Inventory reductions impacted by post-pandemic boom and sluggish consumer environment

Remy Cointreau, the maker of Remy Martin cognac and Cointreau orange liqueur, expects its efforts to clear out excess inventory in the U.S. market to continue into the new fiscal year amid a market slowdown. The company aims for a gradual recovery in sales and profitability protection during this period of transition. The French cognac maker reported a current operating profit of €304.4 million ($330.9 million) for the year to March 31, down roughly 28% on an organic basis compared with the prior-year period. Remy Cointreau’s CEO Eric Vallat said they have come through a challenging year and are focused on recovery in the U.S. market. The company confirmed its 2029-30 objectives, including high single-digit average annual sales growth on an organic basis and a gradual improvement in current operating profit margin to 33% from 2026.

Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate and objective information about Remy Cointreau’s financial performance and inventory reduction efforts in the U.S. market, as well as their projections for future growth. It includes relevant details about the company’s operations and market conditions in the Americas and China. The article is not sensational or misleading, and there is no evidence of personal perspective being presented as a fact.
Noise Level: 5
Noise Justification: The article provides some relevant information about the challenges faced by Remy Cointreau in managing inventory and sales growth, but it lacks a comprehensive analysis of long-term trends or possibilities. It also does not offer much in terms of actionable insights or new knowledge for readers.
Public Companies: Remy Cointreau (RCO), Brown-Forman (BF.B)
Key People: Eric Vallat (Chief Executive), Marie-Amelie de Leusse (Chairwoman)


Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: Spirits market, specifically cognac and liqueur companies like Remy Cointreau and Brown-Forman
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses the financial performance of Remy Cointreau, a cognac and liqueur company, and its efforts to clear out excess inventory in the U.S., impacting its profitability. It also mentions the effects on the spirits market as a whole, including competitor Brown-Forman’s results. This information is relevant to financial topics and impacts companies within the industry.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no extreme event mentioned in the article. It discusses the financial challenges faced by Remy Cointreau due to a market slowdown and inventory reduction in the U.S., but it does not describe an extreme event.

Reported publicly: www.wsj.com