L Brands Reports Estimated October Comp And Raises Third Quarter Earnings Guidance

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- L Brands, Inc. (NYSE: LB) today reported estimated October comparable store sales and raised guidance for third quarter earnings.  The company is making this updated information available in advance of its previously announced Investor Update Meeting on Nov. 4.

October comparable store sales are expected to be up low-single digit, in line with expectations, including an expected flat comp at Victoria's Secret Stores (on top of 10% last year), and 5% at Bath & Body Works (on top of 4% last year).  Total sales at Victoria's Secret Direct, which are not included in comparable store sales, are estimated to be down about 7%, driven by the exit of non-go-forward apparel merchandise.

The company now expects third quarter earnings per share between $0.38 and $0.40, versus its previous guidance of $0.26 to $0.31 and last year's result of $0.31.  The company will provide fourth quarter earnings guidance when it reports third quarter earnings on Nov. 19.

As announced last week, the Investor Update Meeting will be video webcast live from noon to 3 p.m. ET Nov. 4 on www.LB.com, and accessible via phone (listen only) by dialing 1-866-363-4673 (international callers dial 1-360-347-1773).  Please reference the "L Brands Annual Investor Update Meeting" to access the call.  An archive of the webcast will be available on www.LB.com as soon as possible following the live event.

ABOUT L BRANDS:
L Brands, through Victoria's Secret, PINK, Bath & Body Works, La Senza and Henri Bendel, is an international company.  The company operates 2,955 company-owned specialty stores in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, and its brands are sold in about 600 additional franchised locations worldwide.  The company's products are also available online at www.VictoriasSecret.com, www.BathandBodyWorks.com, www.HenriBendel.com and www.LaSenza.com.

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

L Brands, Inc. cautions that any forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) contained in this press release or the presentations involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, our future performance and financial results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in any such forward-looking statements. Words such as "estimate," "project," "plan," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "planned," "potential" and any similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements. Risks associated with the following factors, among others, in some cases have affected and in the future could affect our financial performance and actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements included in this press release or the presentations:

• general economic conditions, consumer confidence, consumer spending patterns and market disruptions including severe weather conditions, natural disasters, health hazards, terrorist activities, financial crises, political crises or other major events, or the prospect of these events;
• the seasonality of our business;
• the dependence on a high volume of mall traffic and the availability of suitable store locations on appropriate terms;
• our ability to grow through new store openings and existing store remodels and expansions;
• our ability to successfully expand into global markets and related risks;
• our relationships with independent licensees and franchisees;
• our direct channel businesses;
• our failure to protect our reputation and our brand images;
• our failure to protect our trade names, trademarks and patents;
• the highly competitive nature of the retail industry generally and the segments in which we operate particularly;
• consumer acceptance of our products and our ability to keep up with fashion trends, develop new merchandise and launch new product lines successfully;
• our ability to source, distribute and sell goods and materials on a global basis, including risks related to:

• political instability;
• duties, taxes and other charges;
• legal and regulatory matters;
• volatility in currency exchange rates;
• local business practices and political issues;
• potential delays or disruptions in shipping and transportation and related pricing impacts;
• disruption due to labor disputes; and
• changing expectations regarding product safety due to new legislation;

• fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;
• stock price volatility;
• our failure to maintain our credit rating;
• our ability to service or refinance our debt;
• our ability to retain key personnel;
• our ability to attract, develop and retain qualified employees and manage labor-related costs;
• the inability of our manufacturers to deliver products in a timely manner and meet quality standards;
• fluctuations in product input costs;
• fluctuations in energy costs;
• increases in the costs of mailing, paper and printing;
• claims arising from our self-insurance;
• our ability to implement and maintain information technology systems and to protect associated data;
• our failure to maintain the security of customer, associate, supplier or company information;
• our failure to comply with regulatory requirements;
• tax matters; and
• legal and compliance matters.

We are not under any obligation and do not intend to make publicly available any update or other revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release or the presentations to reflect circumstances existing after the date of this report or to reflect the occurrence of future events even if experience or future events make it clear that any expected results expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements will not be realized.  Additional information regarding these and other factors can be found in "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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SOURCE L Brands, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.lb.com