Absent swift covenant relief and a DTC focused reset, Valentino's EBITDA could face further pressure in 2025, marginally diluting Kering's earnings while ceding market share to stronger peers; decisive action can protect margins by 150 to 300 bps and stabilize brand equity ahead of a staged buyout option.
Valentino has breached debt covenants amid sector softness, with EBITDA down 21 percent in 2024 and performance deteriorating in H1 2025, triggering talks with lending banks for covenant relief. This pressures Mayhoola and Kering, which holds 30 percent and extended an option to buy the remainder until 2029, to decide on near-term liquidity support, operating reset, and optionality on valuation.