COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 09, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) L Brands, Inc. (NYSE: LB) today announced that its Board of Directors (the “Board”) has approved the previously announced separation of the Victoria’s Secret business into an independent, publicly traded company. The new company, named Victoria’s Secret & Co. (“Victoria’s Secret”), will include Victoria’s Secret Lingerie, PINK and Victoria’s Secret Beauty.

In addition, the Board approved a name change from L Brands, Inc. to Bath & Body Works, Inc. (the “Name Change”). L Brands’ stock symbol will also change from “LB” to “BBWI.” The Name Change is expected to become effective on August 2, 2021, in connection with the separation. L Brands’ common stock is expected to start trading under the new stock symbol on August 3, 2021.

The separation will be achieved through the distribution of 100 percent of the shares of Victoria’s Secret to holders of L Brands common stock. L Brands stockholders entitled to receive the distribution will receive a book-entry account statement or a credit to their brokerage account reflecting their ownership of Victoria’s Secret common stock. No action is required by L Brands stockholders to receive Victoria’s Secret shares in the distribution.

The distribution of Victoria’s Secret’s shares is expected to be completed after the market close on August 2, 2021, with L Brands stockholders receiving one share of Victoria’s Secret common stock for every three shares of L Brands common stock held at the close of business on the record date of July 22, 2021. Fractional shares of Victoria’s Secret common stock will not be distributed. Any fractional share of Victoria’s Secret common stock otherwise issuable to an L Brands stockholder will be sold in the open market on such stockholder’s behalf, and such stockholder will receive a cash payment for the fractional share based on its pro rata portion of the net cash proceeds from all sales of fractional shares.

Following the distribution of Victoria’s Secret’s common stock on August 2, 2021, Victoria’s Secret will be an independent, publicly traded company. Victoria’s Secret has received approval for the listing of its common stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “VSCO.”

Prior to the distribution, L Brands expects to mail an information statement to all stockholders entitled to receive the distribution of shares of Victoria’s Secret’s common stock. The information statement will describe Victoria’s Secret, including the risks of owning Victoria’s Secret’s common stock and other details regarding the spin-off.

The completion of the distribution is subject to a number of customary conditions, including the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) having declared effective Victoria’s Secret’s Registration Statement on Form 10, as amended, which Victoria’s Secret has filed with the SEC and is available at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. L Brands expects to receive an opinion from its tax advisor confirming the tax-free status of the spin-off to L Brands and its stockholders (except to the extent of cash received in lieu of fractional shares).

L Brands expects that a “when-issued” public trading market for Victoria’s Secret’s common stock will commence on or about July 21, 2021 under the symbol “VSCO WI”, and will continue through the distribution date. L Brands also anticipates that “regular-way” trading of Victoria’s Secret’s common stock will begin on August 3, 2021, the first trading day following the distribution date.

Beginning on or about July 21, 2021, and through the distribution date, it is expected that there will be two ways to trade L Brands common stock – either with or without the distribution of Victoria’s Secret’s common stock. L Brands stockholders who sell their shares of L Brands common stock in the “regular-way” market (that is, the normal trading market under the symbol “LB”) after the record date and on or prior to the distribution date will be selling their right to receive shares of Victoria’s Secret common stock in connection with the spin-off. Alternatively, L Brands stockholders who sell their shares of L Brands common stock in the “ex-distribution” market during the same period under the symbol “BBWI WI” will not be selling their right to receive shares of Victoria’s Secret common stock in connection with the spin-off. Investors are encouraged to consult with their financial advisors regarding the specific implications of buying or selling shares of L Brands common stock on or before the distribution date.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC are serving as financial advisors and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP is serving as legal counsel to L Brands. Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is serving as legal counsel to the independent directors of the Board.

ABOUT L BRANDS:
L Brands, through Bath & Body Works, Victoria’s Secret and PINK, is an international company. The company operates 2,681 company-operated specialty stores in the United States, Canada and Greater China, in more than 700 franchised locations worldwide and through its websites worldwide.

ABOUT VICTORIA’S SECRET:
Victoria’s Secret is the world’s largest intimates specialty retailer offering a wide assortment of modern, fashion-inspired collections including signature bras, panties, lingerie, casual sleepwear and athleisure, as well as award-winning prestige fragrances and body care. With nearly 1,400 retail stores worldwide and a predominately female workforce of more than 25,000, Victoria’s Secret boasts the largest team of specialty trained bra fit experts worldwide. Victoria’s Secret is committed to inspiring women around the world with products and experiences that uplift and champion them and their journey while creating lifelong relationships and advocating for positive change.