03:59 AM EDT, 09/17/2026 (MT Newswires) -- LVMH Moët Hennessy - Louis Vuitton, Société Européenne (MC.PA) signed a "secret" deal in 2002 to purchase shares in rival Hermès (RMS.PA), Reuters reported Thursday, citing legal documents. The luxury goods giant, however, previously said in a July court filing that it had never tried to purchase the stake held by Hermès founding-family heir Nicolas Puech, according to the report. Documents reviewed by Reuters also show that the management firm of Puech's former financial adviser, Eric Freymond, received at least $20 million in fees and commissions from LVMH and a family holding company of LVMH Chairman and Chief Executive Bernard Arnault between 2001 and 2009 as LVMH built its stake in Hermès. LVMH and Hermès did not immediately respond to requests for comment from MT Newswires. (Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

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