INTERVIEW-Estee Lauder CEO: U.S. shoppers holding back
* Says U.S. holiday season "very uncertain"
* Says sentiment in Japan perhaps worse than United States
* Says Asian travelers driving strength in travel retail
* Shares up 6 pct after strong profit report
(Adds comments, updates stock activity)
By Jessica Wohl
CHICAGO, Oct 30 (Reuters) - It is too early to call a recovery in the cosmetics market as the impact of the H1N1 flu pandemic and the holiday season are so uncertain, Estee Lauder Cos Inc (EL.N: Quote, Profile, Research) Chief Executive Fabrizio Freda said on Friday.
"The consumer is holding back in the U.S. and is not back," Freda told Reuters in an interview. "I'm not yet optimistic. I think the holiday season we have in front of us is still very uncertain." Continued...
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