French luxury goods giant LVMH has announced it is buying the iconic New York City-based jeweler Tiffany & Co. for $16.2 billion dollars. The deal will see LVMH pay $135 per share for Tiffany. That price is a $10 premium over where Tiffany’s stock closed at on Friday, which was just above $125 per share.
« We are delighted to have the opportunity to welcome @TiffanyAndCo to the LVMH family. » Bernard Arnault. https://t.co/XigkCgwGPG pic.twitter.com/3UqfyLZ6Wq
— LVMH (@LVMH) November 25, 2019
News of the merger has been circulating for weeks and if approved by shareholders and regulators will be one of the largest mergers ever in the luxury goods sector. Scooping up the iconic Tiffany is a major win for LVMH, which already owns some of the world’s most iconic luxury brands, including Louis Vuitton, Bvlgari, Christian Dior, and dozens more.
Announcing the deal, LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault, said:
We are delighted to have the opportunity to welcome Tiffany, a company with an unparalleled heritage and unique position in the global jewelry world, to the LVMH family. We have an immense respect and admiration for Tiffany and intend to develop this jewel with the same dedication and commitment that we have applied to each and every one of our Maisons. We will be proud to have Tiffany sit alongside our iconic brands and look forward to ensuring that Tiffany continues to thrive for centuries to come.
Tiffany CEO Alessandro Bogliolo said:
Tiffany has been focused on executing on our key strategic priorities to drive sustainable long-term growth. This transaction, which occurs at a time of internal transformation for our legendary brand, will provide further support, resources and momentum for those priorities as we evolve towards becoming The Next Generation Luxury Jeweler. As part of the LVMH group, Tiffany will reach new heights, capitalizing on its remarkable internal expertise, unparalleled craftsmanship and strong cultural values.
Tiffany & Co. currently employs over 14,000 people and has 300 locations across the globe, including its iconic Manhattan location that was featured in the Audrey Hepburn classic Breakfast at Tiffany’s. It’s unknown how or if the merger will affect the headcount at Tiffany. The deal is expected to close sometime in the middle of 2020.
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