LVMH, the world's largest luxury-goods company by market value, was formed by the merger of which two companies?

LVMH was formed by the merger of Louis Vuitton and Moët Hennessy.

The two luxury businesses merged in 1987, creating Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, commonly abbreviated LVMH. Louis Vuitton was known for luggage and leather goods, while Moët Hennessy united major champagne and cognac businesses. Their combination created a diversified luxury group rather than a company focused on only one product category.

Bernard Arnault became involved soon after the merger and led the group as chairman and chief executive. Under his leadership, LVMH expanded through acquisitions and developed a portfolio spanning fashion, leather goods, wines and spirits, perfumes and cosmetics, watches, jewelry, and selective retailing.

LVMH's name preserves the names of the two merging groups, although the order is commonly written Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy in the abbreviation's expansion. Brands owned by LVMH, such as Dior, Bulgari, and Tiffany & Co., are not the companies that originally formed the 1987 merger.