Estee Lauder's CEO Discusses Ongoing Merger Talks with Puig
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 21 2026
0mins
Source: Newsfilter
Estee Lauder's stock fell 5.01% and hit a 5-day low amid broader market declines, with the Nasdaq-100 down 0.41% and the S&P 500 down 0.43%.
The CEO of Estee Lauder stated at a recent summit that discussions regarding a potential merger with Puig are ongoing, although no formal announcement has been made. This proactive approach to expanding market share could consolidate several renowned brands, enhancing Estee Lauder's competitiveness in the premium beauty market. The CEO emphasized the importance of acquisitions for diversification, indicating a commitment to future growth despite the current market challenges.
The ongoing negotiations may trigger positive market reactions in the future, boosting investor confidence in Estee Lauder's long-term growth potential, even as the stock experiences short-term volatility.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy EL?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on EL
Wall Street analysts forecast EL stock price to rise
18 Analyst Rating
8 Buy
9 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 90.870
Low
70.00
Averages
106.76
High
130.00
Current: 90.870
Low
70.00
Averages
106.76
High
130.00
About EL
The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. is a manufacturer, marketer and seller of skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products. Its products are sold in over 150 countries and territories under a number of brand names, including Estee Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Lab Series, Origins, M.A.C, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, La Mer, Aveda, Jo Malone London, Bumble and bumble, Darphin Paris, TOM FORD, Smashbox, AERIN Beauty, Le Labo, Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle, GLAMGLOW, Kilian Paris, Too Faced, Dr.Jart+, and the DECIEM family of brands, including The Ordinary and NIOD, and BALMAIN Beauty. It is a licensee for fragrances, cosmetics and/or related products for AERIN, BALMAIN, and Dr. Andrew Weil. Its skin care products include moisturizers, serums, cleansers, toners, exfoliators, facial masks, body care, sun care products and others. Its makeup products include foundations, powders, concealers and setting sprays, lipsticks, lip liners and lip glosses, and mascaras, eyeshadows and eyeliners.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
U.S.-Iran Peace Agreement Close Yet Obstacles Remain
- U.S.-Iran Peace Progress: The peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran appears tantalizingly close, yet mixed messages from Washington and Tehran, along with ongoing missile strikes, present significant obstacles, as President Trump has yet to give final approval for a 60-day memorandum of understanding.
- Oil Price Volatility: Brent crude prices have fallen over 17% in May, while WTI has dropped more than 15%, significantly impacting the energy market, with forecasts indicating that oil inventories could reach record lows in the coming weeks.
- Strong Corporate Earnings: Dell's shares surged nearly 40% in after-hours trading after exceeding Wall Street's earnings forecasts and raising guidance, with analysts attributing this solid performance to Michael Dell's early efforts to foster good relations with the Trump Administration.
- Ferrari EV Launch Crisis: The launch of Ferrari's first full-electric car, the Luce, turned into a PR crisis due to overly strict security measures that disappointed investors, leading to an 8% drop in stock price the following day, although this move signifies a crucial step for the company in the electric vehicle market.
See More
Escalating Middle East Conflict Impacts Markets
- Market Volatility: The escalation of U.S. military strikes against Iran has led to significant volatility in Asian stocks and oil prices, reflecting the market's heightened sensitivity to Middle Eastern tensions, which could destabilize investor sentiment and impact global economic recovery.
- Rising Oil Prices: U.S. military actions have driven oil prices higher, raising concerns over the safety of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which may further increase global energy costs and affect national economies.
- Fed Officials' Insights: Federal Reserve officials have indicated that while the labor market remains strong, the energy inflation stemming from the Middle East conflict could create a
See More
SK Hynix Market Cap Surpasses $1 Trillion for First Time
- Market Cap Milestone: SK Hynix's market capitalization surpassed $1 trillion for the first time on Wednesday, marking a significant achievement as the stock has skyrocketed approximately 250% since the beginning of the year, which not only enhances the company's market position but also reflects the robust performance of global tech stocks.
- Surging AI Chip Demand: The substantial increase in demand for AI chips has driven SK Hynix's stock price higher, propelling the South Korean KOPSI index to record highs, indicating the company's critical role and competitiveness in the rapidly evolving semiconductor market.
- Industrial Profit Surge: China's industrial profits surged by 24.7% in April, marking the fastest growth since November 2023, with computing and electronics equipment manufacturing nearly doubling in earnings, highlighting the sector's recovery and growth potential.
- Positive Market Reaction: SK Hynix's success has captured investor attention in global markets, further driving record highs in Japanese and South Korean stock markets, demonstrating market optimism towards the tech sector and expectations for future growth.
See More
Estée Lauder Executives to Attend Global Consumer Conference 2026
- Conference Participation: Estée Lauder's CEO Stéphane de La Faverie and Chief Value Chain Officer Roberto Canevari will attend the dbAccess Global Consumer Conference in Paris on June 2, 2026, highlighting the company's leadership in the global market.
- Live Webcast Details: The conference will feature a live webcast from 09:15 to 09:55 CEST on June 2, allowing interested parties to engage with the company, thereby enhancing investor relations and transparency.
- Brand Influence: Estée Lauder operates in approximately 150 countries, marketing a diverse range of premium skincare, makeup, and fragrance brands, including Estée Lauder, Clinique, and M·A·C, showcasing its strong presence in the luxury market.
- Strategic Market Positioning: By participating in key industry conferences, Estée Lauder reinforces its market position in the beauty and personal care sector, demonstrating a strategic focus on future growth opportunities.
See More
Estée Lauder Abandons Merger Talks with Puig, Analysts View Move as Prudent
- Merger Talks Abandoned: Estée Lauder has walked away from merger discussions with Spanish perfume maker Puig, a move analysts deem prudent as it allows the company greater flexibility to pursue other acquisitions without distracting management from its turnaround plan.
- Stock Price Surge: Following investor concerns over the merger, Estée Lauder's shares surged 10% on Friday, indicating market support for the company's independent strategy and reflecting expectations for management to focus on organic growth.
- Strategic Acquisition Focus: Despite abandoning the Puig merger, analysts suggest Estée Lauder may still look to acquire smaller niche operators to enhance its position in the fragrance sector, particularly in emerging markets, signaling a continued commitment to strategic growth.
- Cost-Cutting Initiatives: Estée Lauder plans to cut up to 3,000 jobs globally, bringing total expected layoffs to 10,000, aiming to save as much as $1.2 billion annually, which supports its “Beauty Reimagined” strategy and enhances profitability.
See More
U.S.-Iran Negotiation Optimism Boosts Markets
- Market Optimism: The news that a deal with Iran has been 'largely negotiated' has driven U.S. stock futures higher after the long weekend, with Dow futures expected to rise over 300 points, reflecting investor hopes for a peaceful resolution.
- Oil Price Volatility: Despite a significant drop in benchmark oil prices on Monday, Brent and WTI prices diverged sharply in early Tuesday trading, indicating market concerns over potential supply shortages, particularly as July approaches.
- Military Actions Impacting Talks: U.S. Central Command announced 'self-defense' strikes against Iran targeting missile launch sites and mine boats, which could significantly affect the negotiation process and increase market uncertainty.
- Corporate Developments: Ferrari unveiled its first fully electric car, with the CEO stating this marks a new chapter in the company's history, demonstrating its commitment to electrification and potentially attracting environmentally conscious consumers.
See More
U.S.-Iran Peace Agreement Close Yet Obstacles Remain
- U.S.-Iran Peace Progress: The peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran appears tantalizingly close, yet mixed messages from Washington and Tehran, along with ongoing missile strikes, present significant obstacles, as President Trump has yet to give final approval for a 60-day memorandum of understanding.
- Oil Price Volatility: Brent crude prices have fallen over 17% in May, while WTI has dropped more than 15%, significantly impacting the energy market, with forecasts indicating that oil inventories could reach record lows in the coming weeks.
- Strong Corporate Earnings: Dell's shares surged nearly 40% in after-hours trading after exceeding Wall Street's earnings forecasts and raising guidance, with analysts attributing this solid performance to Michael Dell's early efforts to foster good relations with the Trump Administration.
- Ferrari EV Launch Crisis: The launch of Ferrari's first full-electric car, the Luce, turned into a PR crisis due to overly strict security measures that disappointed investors, leading to an 8% drop in stock price the following day, although this move signifies a crucial step for the company in the electric vehicle market.
See More
Escalating Middle East Conflict Impacts Markets
- Market Volatility: The escalation of U.S. military strikes against Iran has led to significant volatility in Asian stocks and oil prices, reflecting the market's heightened sensitivity to Middle Eastern tensions, which could destabilize investor sentiment and impact global economic recovery.
- Rising Oil Prices: U.S. military actions have driven oil prices higher, raising concerns over the safety of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which may further increase global energy costs and affect national economies.
- Fed Officials' Insights: Federal Reserve officials have indicated that while the labor market remains strong, the energy inflation stemming from the Middle East conflict could create a
See More
SK Hynix Market Cap Surpasses $1 Trillion for First Time
- Market Cap Milestone: SK Hynix's market capitalization surpassed $1 trillion for the first time on Wednesday, marking a significant achievement as the stock has skyrocketed approximately 250% since the beginning of the year, which not only enhances the company's market position but also reflects the robust performance of global tech stocks.
- Surging AI Chip Demand: The substantial increase in demand for AI chips has driven SK Hynix's stock price higher, propelling the South Korean KOPSI index to record highs, indicating the company's critical role and competitiveness in the rapidly evolving semiconductor market.
- Industrial Profit Surge: China's industrial profits surged by 24.7% in April, marking the fastest growth since November 2023, with computing and electronics equipment manufacturing nearly doubling in earnings, highlighting the sector's recovery and growth potential.
- Positive Market Reaction: SK Hynix's success has captured investor attention in global markets, further driving record highs in Japanese and South Korean stock markets, demonstrating market optimism towards the tech sector and expectations for future growth.
See More
Estée Lauder Executives to Attend Global Consumer Conference 2026
- Conference Participation: Estée Lauder's CEO Stéphane de La Faverie and Chief Value Chain Officer Roberto Canevari will attend the dbAccess Global Consumer Conference in Paris on June 2, 2026, highlighting the company's leadership in the global market.
- Live Webcast Details: The conference will feature a live webcast from 09:15 to 09:55 CEST on June 2, allowing interested parties to engage with the company, thereby enhancing investor relations and transparency.
- Brand Influence: Estée Lauder operates in approximately 150 countries, marketing a diverse range of premium skincare, makeup, and fragrance brands, including Estée Lauder, Clinique, and M·A·C, showcasing its strong presence in the luxury market.
- Strategic Market Positioning: By participating in key industry conferences, Estée Lauder reinforces its market position in the beauty and personal care sector, demonstrating a strategic focus on future growth opportunities.
See More
Estée Lauder Abandons Merger Talks with Puig, Analysts View Move as Prudent
- Merger Talks Abandoned: Estée Lauder has walked away from merger discussions with Spanish perfume maker Puig, a move analysts deem prudent as it allows the company greater flexibility to pursue other acquisitions without distracting management from its turnaround plan.
- Stock Price Surge: Following investor concerns over the merger, Estée Lauder's shares surged 10% on Friday, indicating market support for the company's independent strategy and reflecting expectations for management to focus on organic growth.
- Strategic Acquisition Focus: Despite abandoning the Puig merger, analysts suggest Estée Lauder may still look to acquire smaller niche operators to enhance its position in the fragrance sector, particularly in emerging markets, signaling a continued commitment to strategic growth.
- Cost-Cutting Initiatives: Estée Lauder plans to cut up to 3,000 jobs globally, bringing total expected layoffs to 10,000, aiming to save as much as $1.2 billion annually, which supports its “Beauty Reimagined” strategy and enhances profitability.
See More
U.S.-Iran Negotiation Optimism Boosts Markets
- Market Optimism: The news that a deal with Iran has been 'largely negotiated' has driven U.S. stock futures higher after the long weekend, with Dow futures expected to rise over 300 points, reflecting investor hopes for a peaceful resolution.
- Oil Price Volatility: Despite a significant drop in benchmark oil prices on Monday, Brent and WTI prices diverged sharply in early Tuesday trading, indicating market concerns over potential supply shortages, particularly as July approaches.
- Military Actions Impacting Talks: U.S. Central Command announced 'self-defense' strikes against Iran targeting missile launch sites and mine boats, which could significantly affect the negotiation process and increase market uncertainty.
- Corporate Developments: Ferrari unveiled its first fully electric car, with the CEO stating this marks a new chapter in the company's history, demonstrating its commitment to electrification and potentially attracting environmentally conscious consumers.
See More
