Hermès tops luxury stocks in 2026 as Richemont gains ground

Hermès remains the most reliable luxury stock, though Richemont — the owner of Cartier — is narrowing the performance gap, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis published July 22.

"Hermès has delivered the most consistent returns in the luxury sector, but Richemont's recent momentum suggests the gap is closing," the report said.

Hermès, the French maker of Birkin bags, has benefited from demand among ultra-high-net-worth consumers that held up through the post-pandemic normalization. The company's scarcity-driven model — limiting supply to maintain exclusivity — has supported pricing power and margin stability even as broader luxury demand softened in key markets including China.

Richemont, the Geneva-based owner of Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, and other jewelry houses, has gained ground through its exposure to the hard-luxury segment. Jewelry and watches have outperformed soft luxury categories such as ready-to-wear and leather goods in recent quarters, helping Richemont close the valuation gap with Hermès.

The comparison highlights a broader divergence within the luxury sector. While LVMH and Kering have faced headwinds from slowing Chinese demand and elevated inventory levels, Hermès and Richemont have benefited from their positioning at the top of the luxury pyramid — Hermès through unmatched brand equity in leather goods, Richemont through its dominance in high-end jewelry.

For investors, the key question is whether Richemont can sustain its catch-up trajectory. The company's exposure to the watch segment, which has seen periodic corrections in secondary market prices for brands like Rolex and Patek Philippe, introduces more cyclical risk than Hermès's leather goods business. Hermès, meanwhile, faces the challenge of maintaining growth rates as its revenue base expands.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.