NEW YORK (AP) -- An analyst says Ralph Lauren's departing chief financial officer might be heading to makeup company Estee Lauder Cos.
On Tuesday, Ralph Lauren said its CFO Tracey Travis resigned to pursue other interests. The company said it is considering internal and external candidates to replace her.
Meanwhile, Estee Lauder said nearly a year ago that its CFO Rick Kunes would end his CFO tenure at the end of fiscal 2012, which ended on June 30, and serve in an advisory role in fiscal 2013. Since the June 30 deadline has come and gone, Travis might be heading there, surmised Citi Investment Research analyst Wendy Nicholson Wednesday.
"Given her background (both at Ralph Lauren, at Limited Brands and at Pepsi), we think Travis could be a great fit for Estee Lauder," Nicholson wrote in a note to investors. Still, she noted that it would be a shift for Travis, since 70 percent of Ralph Lauren's revenue comes from the U.S., while 60 percent of Estee Lauder's revenue comes from overseas.
But her move could benefit the company, she added.
"Estee Lauder's track record of delivering more consistent and overall stronger performance has much improved (and) we think fresh blood coming into Estee Lauder with a fresh perspective could be a valuable thing for Estee Lauder," she wrote.
Estee Lauder did not immediately return a call for comment and Ralph Lauren had no comment. Both companies are based in New York.
