Paris, February 1, 2026, 20:38 CET — The market has closed.
Hermès shares closed Friday at 2,029 euros, inching up 0.1% following the luxury group’s announcement of a new leather goods workshop in Normandy. The stock has dropped roughly 26% over the last year.
Markets remain closed until Monday, so investors are focused on what lies ahead: output, demand, and guidance—not the usual runway chatter. The workshop’s main takeaway is long-term, but it arrives just before the company’s annual results.
Hermès counts on scarcity to drive its business, so production levels are crucial. Boosting output could fuel growth down the line, but it also challenges just how strong their pricing power remains amid a patchy luxury market.
On Friday, the Birkin bag maker announced plans for a new leather goods workshop in Les Andelys, Normandy, aiming to create 260 artisan jobs as part of its push to boost production capacity in France. The facility will rise on a former industrial site, with new hires undergoing a paid 18‑month apprenticeship. Hermès added that since 2010, it has opened 13 leather goods workshops across the country.
The CAC 40, France’s main index, ended Friday up 0.54%, with luxury stocks like LVMH pushing gains higher.
A weekend piece in the Wall Street Journal highlighted China’s slow recovery following the property slump, despite stronger demand in the U.S. and more resilient spending among the ultra-wealthy.
Yet investors seldom shell out for factories before the cash starts flowing. New plants need time to get up to speed, and extra capacity can become a burden if demand falters or currency shifts tighten margins.
Traders will be watching closely to see if Hermès builds on Friday’s modest gains or moves in line with the wider luxury group, where consumer trends and currency shifts remain the main drivers. Monday’s opening session can see thin liquidity, often amplifying early price swings.
Hermès will release its 2025 annual results on Feb. 12 at 0800 CET. Investors will focus on sales momentum, operating margins, and production growth.
