Kering

Kering's shares <PRTP.PA> slumped on Friday as analysts honed in on signs of a slowdown at the French luxury group's Gucci brand to knock down the stock from record highs reached earlier this year.

* But Gucci margins surprise on the upside, reach record (Adds analyst reaction, details on U.S. performance)

French luxury goods group Kering reported a solid rise in operating profit and sales in the second quarter on Thursday, though revenues expanded at a slower-than-expected pace at its key Gucci brand.

Gucci, the luxury brand that powers most of parent Kering's <PRTP.PA> profits, made its first steps in high-end jewelery on Tuesday with a dedicated store in Paris - part of its bid to expand its reach after a blowout fashion makeover.

French luxury group Kering <PRTP.PA> appointed Bartolomeo Rongone as Chief Executive of its fashion label Bottega Veneta, to replace Claus-Dietrich Lahrs who is leaving the company.

Kering, owner of brands including Gucci, will tighten its grip on its e-commerce operations, focusing on its own branded sites to sell its luxury products or ventures where it can control its image and client data.

Italy's Ferrero is famous for its red-and-white Kinder chocolate eggs. But soon it may hope to be able to slap more green on the wrapper.

Kering, the French fashion group whose brands include Gucci and Saint Laurent, said it would only work with models aged over 18, as the fashion industry aims to tighten up its ethical guidelines.

French fashion group Kering, whose brands include Gucci and Saint Laurent, said it had set out internal guidelines for dealing with the welfare of animals, as fashion companies look to tighten their ethical standards.

French luxury goods group Kering said on Thursday it had agreed to pay a record 1.25 billion euros ($1.40 billion) to settle a dispute with Italian tax authorities centered on its fashion brand Gucci.

French luxury goods group Kering said on Thursday it had agreed to a 1.25 billion euro ($1.40 billion) settlement to draw a line under a dispute with Italian tax authorities centered on its fashion brand Gucci.

French luxury group Kering is close to agreeing to pay between 1.3 billion and 1.4 billion euros ($1.5-1.6 billion) to settle a dispute with Italian authorities over unpaid taxes by its fashion brand Gucci, three sources told Reuters on Thursday.

French luxury group Kering is close to agreeing to pay between 1.3 billion and 1.4 billion euros ($1.5-1.6 billion) to settle a dispute with Italian authorities over unpaid taxes by its fashion brand Gucci, three sources told Reuters.

Kering shares retreated sharply on Thursday after signs of slowing growth at the French luxury group's Gucci brand, particularly in the United States.

Kering's shares fell sharply on Thursday after signs of a slowdown at the French company's Gucci brand offset a broader rise in group sales.

* Chinese demand still strong, shifting to mainland China (Writes though to focus on Gucci, adds CFO quotes)

French luxury goods conglomerate Kering on Wednesday posted slightly higher-than-expected revenue growth in the first quarter, fueled by its star brand Gucci.

The family of French billionaire businessman Francois-Henri Pinault said it would not be seeking any tax breaks regarding its 100 million euros ($113 million) donation for repair work to the city's damaged Notre-Dame Cathedral.

The family of French billionaire businessman Francois-Henri Pinault said it would not be seeking any tax breaks regarding its 100 million euros ($113 million) donation for repair work to the city's damaged Notre-Dame Cathedral.