H&M appoints new CEO in surprise move as profit margin falls

H&M's fourth-quarter operating profit margin fell to 7.2% from 7.8% in the third quarter Measured in local currencies, H&M said on Wednesday that sales from Dec. 1 to Jan. 29 - the start of its fiscal first quarter - fell by 4%, compared to an increase last year of 5%.

H&M surprised investors on Wednesday with a new CEO, Daniel Erver, taking the role with immediate effect as the Swedish fashion retailer struggles to boost sales in a fiercely competitive market.

Outgoing CEO Helena Helmersson said she had decided to step down and leave H&M, saying the role has been very personally demanding. The world's second-biggest listed fashion retailer after Inditex, H&M is aiming to reach an operating margin of 10% this year and has focused on profitability rather than cutting prices.

But H&M has struggled with its price-sensitive customers going to budget-friendly newcomer SHEIN, in addition to competition from Inditex's Zara. H&M's fourth-quarter operating profit margin fell to 7.2% from 7.8% in the third quarter

Measured in local currencies, H&M said on Wednesday that sales from Dec. 1 to Jan. 29 - the start of its fiscal first quarter - fell by 4%, compared to an increase last year of 5%. It posted a fourth-quarter operating profit of 4.33 billion crowns ($415.4 million), up from 821 million a year earlier but below the 4.57 billion expected by analysts in an LSEG poll.

The board of H&M proposed an unchanged dividend of 6.50 crowns per share, and said it would ask for authorisation to buy back the group's own B shares. ($1 = 10.4234 Swedish crowns)