Hermes International sales up despite Paris attacks

French luxury handbag maker Hermes International reported full-year profit that beat analysts’ estimates even after the November terrorist attacks in Paris damped tourist spending in its home market.

Operating profit rose 19%, €1.54bn on an adjusted basis, the Paris-based company said yesterday in a statement. Analysts predicted €1.52bn, based on the average of 16 estimates.

The margin widened to 31.8%, after the company had warned profitability would be close to 2014’s 31.5% because of adverse currency shifts.