The company reported a comparable store sales increase of 8 percent for the second quarter ended July 28, 2012, compared to the second quarter ended July 30, 2011.  The company reported net sales of $2.399 billion for the second quarter ended July 28, 2012, compared to sales of $2.458 billion last year.

The company reported a comparable store sales increase of 8 percent for the 26 weeks ended July 28, 2012, compared to the 26 weeks ended July 30, 2011.  The company reported net sales of $4.553 billion for the 26 weeks ended July 28, 2012, compared to sales of $4.675 billion last year.

July 2011, 2011 second quarter and 2011 year-to-date sales included $67.7 million, $216.6 million and $430.6 million, respectively, attributable to the third party apparel sourcing business, which was sold in November 2011.

The company now expects to report second quarter adjusted earnings per share of $0.46 to $0.48 cents versus its previous guidance of $0.40 to $0.45 cents. 

Special and Regular Dividend

Consistent with its ongoing commitment to return value to shareholders, the company announced that its Board of Directors has declared a special dividend of $1 per share and its regular quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share, both of which will be paid on Sept. 7, 2012, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Aug. 23, 2012.  With this distribution, the company will have returned over $13 billion to shareholders since 2000.  This is the company's 151st consecutive quarterly dividend.

Limited Brands, through Victoria's Secret, Pink, Bath & Body Works, La Senza and Henri Bendel, is an international company. 

Limited Brands Inc