EssilorLuxottica Open to Italy Buying Stake, CEO Says (1)

EssilorLuxottica SA Chief Executive Officer Francesco Milleri said he’s open to Italy buying a stake in the eyewear company at a time when the government’s ability to influence corporate affairs is already in the spotlight.

A move by the government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to invest in French-Italian EssilorLuxottica, the world’s leading producer of eyeglasses and contact lenses, would be welcome, Milleri said in an interview with daily La Repubblica published on Thursday.

EssilorLuxottica shares fell as much as 4.8% in early trading Thursday. The company reported financial results late Wednesday, including full-year margins just below analysts’ estimates. ...