STRONG 1ST-HALF PERFORMANCE FOR LVMH WINE AND SPIRITS

LVMH’s wine and spirits unit recorded an 18% increase in revenue in the first half of 2006. Helped by strong volume growth, improved product mix, and price increases in key markets, Veuve Clicquot made progress in Europe and the U.S. while Hennessy cognac continued its momentum in China and the U.S.

"Over the second half, LVMH will focus on developing market share for its star brands and on the launch of several new products. The first half performance allows LVMH to confirm its objective of achieving a very significant growth in its results for 2006," the company said in a statement.