European luxury stocks on the front foot

European shares fell on Thursday, losing ground for the fifth time in six sessions as weaker earnings

and persistent concerns over emerging markets discouraged investors. Main luxury goods companies such as LVMH, Tod´s or Salvatore Ferragamo lead the session. In Germany, national bonds rose, sending 30-year yields to a five-month low, after euro-area inflation slowed more than forecast, reported Bloomberg. Stocks and Standard & Poor's 500 Index futures declined while copper extended the longest losing streak since 1998.

Thursday was a strongly corporate newsy - and weighted - session, with LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA (MC) jumping 6.4 percent after the luxury goods titan reported a profit gain as growth in fashion and leather-goods sales rebounded. Meanwhile, Christian Dior SA climbed 5.3 percent.

In Italy, luxury companies bonanza continued, with Salvatore Ferragamo consolidated revenues for the fiscal year 2013 increased by 9 percent at current exchange rates and by 11 percent at constant exchange rates versus financial year 2012. Likewise, fashion peer Tod's reported full-year sales revenues, at constant exchange rates, up by 1.7 percent. Consolidated sales for the year were up 0.5 percent.

To complete the Italian luxe trident, Luxottica noted net sales for the full year 2013 boosted by 7.5 percent at constant exchange rates and 3.2 percent at current exchange rates compared to 2012. Emerging markets became the main engine for the high-end eyewear group, with an increase of over 20 percent at constant exchange rates.

In the UK, cooperative-owned John Lewis has decided against closing its final salary pension scheme, leaving it as one of the only retailers in the country that still offers new staff the gold-plated retirement payouts more commonly associated with politicians and civil servants, as highlighted by trade publications. Still in London, listed private equity group 3i has taken a 14 million pounds writedown in its Hobbs clothing business after weak Christmas sales.