Limited Brands December Sales up 7%; Increases Fourth Quarter Earnings Guidance

Limited Brands, Inc. LTD reported a comparable store sales increase of 7 percent for the five weeks ended Dec. 31, 2011, compared to the five weeks ended Jan. 1, 2011. The company reported net sales of $1.868 billion for the five weeks ended Dec. 31, 2011, compared to net sales of $1.790 billion last year. Total sales for the month were negatively impacted by the sale of our third party apparel sourcing business in the beginning of November 2011. The company reported a comparable store sales increase of 10 percent for the 48 weeks ended Dec. 31, 2011, compared to the 48 weeks ended Jan. 1, 2011. The company reported net sales of $9.590 billion for the 48 weeks ended Dec. 31, 2011, compared to sales of $8.841 billion last year. The company now expects to report adjusted fourth quarter earnings per share of $1.42 to $1.46 versus its previous guidance of $1.28 to $1.43 per share and $1.26 last year.