STORY: L'Oreal shares fell around 6% in early trade on Friday (Friday 13) - setting the stage for potentially the stock's worst day since October.

That's after the beauty giant missed quarterly sales expectations and reported a surprise fall in its Asian business.

Fourth-quarter sales rose 6%, short of some analyst forecasts of about 7% growth.

The Maybelline owner further posted quarterly revenue of $13.4 billion.

But momentum in North Asia stalled, with sales growing less than expected as travel retail disappointed.

The company said it had seen continued softness in South Korea.

And a weaker mainland China travel retail market due to changes in domestic airport operators.

However, L'Oreal had highlighted improving demand for its luxury brands in China in the third quarter.

The stock was Europe's second-biggest decliner on Friday in early trade.