Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH, the owner of Louis Vuitton, has confirmed acquiring a minor stake in Richemont, the owner of Cartier, to dispel speculation about his intentions. Arnault emphasized his friendly relationship with Richemont’s chairman, Johann Rupert, and assured that his investment is part of a broader family portfolio and not aimed at undermining Richemont’s independence. Despite owning just 10.2% of Richemont’s capital, Rupert controls 51% of the voting rights, making a takeover difficult.