L'Oreal fourth-quarter sales growth beats forecasts

French cosmetics giant L'Oreal posted forecast-beating fourth-quarter sales, helped by solid growth in the United States and resilient demand for its luxury products.

The Paris-based maker of Lancome face cream and Yves Saint Laurent perfume said revenue rose 4.2 percent in the three months to Dec. 31, above analysts' expectations of 3.6 percent.

L'Oreal said positive currency fluctuations supported both its growth in profit and sales.

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The company made a full-year operating profit of 4.39 billion euros ($4.98 billion), up 12.8 percent, on revenue of 25.26 billion euros, both broadly in line with forecasts.

It did not give a precise outlook other than its ambition to outperform the cosmetics market and "achieve another year of sales and profit growth".