L Brands witnesses 15 percent rise FY14 and Q4 earnings

Earnings per share at L Brands, for the fourth quarter ended January 31, 2015, increased 15 percent to 1.89 dollars from 1.65 dollars for the quarter ended February 1, 2014. Earnings per share for the year increased 15 percent to 3.50 dollars from 3.05 dollars for the year ended February 1, 2014.

Operating income increased 12 percent to 1.953 billion dollars in 2014 from 1.743 billion dollars in 2013. Net income in 2014 increased 15 percent to 1.042 billion dollars from 903 million dollars in 2013. Fourth quarter operating income increased 11 percent to 957 million dollars from 863.5 million dollars last year. Net income increased 15 percent to 564.8 million dollars compared to 489.6 million dollars last year.

Net sales for the fourth quarter ended January 31, 2015, were 4.069 billion dollars, an increase of 7 percent compared to 3.818 billion dollars for the quarter ended February 1, 2014. Comparable store sales for the fourth quarter increased 6 percent. Net sales were 11.454 billion dollars for the year ended January 31, 2015, an increase of 6 percent compared to 10.773 billion dollars for the year ended February 1, 2014. Comparable store sales for the year increased 4 percent.

Commenting on the results, Leslie H. Wexner, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We focused on the execution of fundamentals in the business in 2014, and we continued to get better throughout the year.”

The company currently expects 2015 full-year earnings per share to be between 3.45 dollars and 3.65 dollars, including earnings per share between 0.50 dollars and 0.55 dollars in the first quarter. The company expects to report February comparable store sales to increase in the mid-single digit range.