It still has the potential to reward you

Article Excerpt

L BRANDS INC., $18, is still a hold. The retailer (New York symbol LB; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares o/s: 275.1 million; Market cap: $5.0 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.4; Divd. yield: 6.7%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.lb.com) owns two retail chains: Victoria’s Secret stores (which sell lingerie); and Bath & Body Works outlets (personal-care products, including soaps and shampoos). L Brands has dropped 30% in the past three months on slowing sales at Victoria’s Secret. The company hopes a new strategy, including a new marketing campaign and fewer discounts, will turn things around. However, fashion demand is notoriously fickle and Victoria’s Secret will likely have a hard time taking back market share from rival chains and online sellers. Still, investors stand to benefit from the possible sale or spinoff of Victoria’s Secret. That would also let L Brands focus on its more-profitable Bath & Body Works chain. chain…