Earlier this week, the market braced for dim news from Kering’s first-half results: Reports of falling US sales at LVMH bore worrying signs for its smaller rival, which had leaned heavily into the market over the past two years, and where sluggish momentum at flagship brand Gucci showed few signs of turning around.
In the end, an unexpected tie-up with Qatari fund Mayhoola that will see Kering acquire 30 percent of Valentino stole the…