New Plan Adds Appeal But Raises Debt

Article Excerpt

LIMITED BRANDS INC. $28 (New York symbol LTD; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 397.4 million; Market cap: $11.1 billion; WSSF Rating: Average) hopes to cut its annual expenses by $100 million with a new restructuring plan. To put that in context, it earned $0.13 a share (total $52.9 million) in the quarter ended May 5, 2007. Limited Brands aims to complete the sale of 67% of its Express apparel chain for $548 million in July. The cash will help it double its current share buyback plan, from $500 million to $1 billion. The company now wants to sell its Limited clothing stores to focus on its more promising lingerie and personal care businesses. The company will also issue $1.25 billion in new debt. That will raise its long-term debt, from 55% of equity to 97%. That’s high, but the planned cost cuts should help it pay down the extra debt. Limited Brands is a buy. buy…