Limited Brands’ Profit Rises on Cost Controls

Limited Brands’ said second-quarter earnings rose 16% to $83.2 million, or 16 cents a share, as the owner of the Limited, Express and Victoria’s Secret stores cuts costs and focuses on its best-selling items. The results beat analysts’ average estimate of 12 cents, according to Thomson First Call.

Sales fell 3.6% to $2.11 billion, reduced by the sale of the Lane Bryant chain last year. Same-store sales rose 4%.

Shares of Columbus, Ohio-based Limited gained 30 cents to close at $16.91 on the NYSE.