Limited Inc.’s 1988 profit edged up 4.2%...

Limited Inc.’s 1988 profit edged up 4.2% from a year ago to $245.1 million. Sales totaled $4.07 billion, an increase of 15.3%. The results for the women’s apparel retailer reflected the lingering effects of a sales slowdown, but the company said a strong performance in the fourth quarter showed that a fashion “recession” had ended. In the fourth quarter, net income rose 90% to $120 million on sales of $1.36 billion, up 35% from the year-ago period. The Columbus, Ohio-based company operates 3,381 stores, including the Limited, Limited Express, Henri Bendel, Victoria’s Secret, Lerner, Lane Bryant, Lerner Woman and Abercrombie & Fitch.