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Bath & Body Works, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2020 August (Form 10-Q)


 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 _________________________________
FORM 10-Q
 _________________________________
☒
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended August 1, 2020
OR
☐
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from              to             
Commission file number 1-8344
 _________________________________
L BRANDS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 _______________________________
Delaware
 
31-1029810
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
Three Limited Parkway
 
Columbus,
Ohio
43230
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(614)
415-7000
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes   ☒   No  ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ☒   No  ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
☒
Accelerated filer
☐
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
☐  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
☐
 
 
 
 
 
 
Emerging growth company
☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.):    Yes  ☐    No  ☒
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.50 Par Value
LB
The New York Stock Exchange
As of August 28, 2020, the number of outstanding shares of the Registrant’s common stock, was 277,889,018 shares.
 


L BRANDS, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
Page No.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1A. Risk Factors
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 6. Exhibits
 
 
 
*
The Company's fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest to January 31. As used herein, “second quarter of 2020” and “second quarter of 2019” refer to the thirteen-week periods ended August 1, 2020 and August 3, 2019, respectively. “Year-to-date 2020” and “year-to-date 2019” refer to the twenty-six-week periods ending August 1, 2020 and August 3, 2019, respectively.


2

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

L BRANDS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS)
(in millions except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Second Quarter
 
Year-to-Date
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
Net Sales
$
2,319

 
$
2,902

 
$
3,974

 
$
5,530

Costs of Goods Sold, Buying and Occupancy
(1,608
)
 
(1,919
)
 
(2,974
)
 
(3,614
)
Gross Profit
711

 
983


1,000


1,916

General, Administrative and Store Operating Expenses
(667
)
 
(808
)
 
(1,274
)
 
(1,588
)
Operating Income (Loss)
44

 
175


(274
)

328

Interest Expense
(104
)
 
(95
)
 
(201
)
 
(194
)
Other Income (Loss)
—

 
(38
)
 
3

 
(31
)
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes
(60
)
 
42


(472
)

103

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes
(11
)
 
4

 
(126
)
 
25

Net Income (Loss)
$
(49
)
 
$
38

 
$
(346
)
 
$
78

Net Income (Loss) Per Basic Share
$
(0.18
)
 
$
0.14

 
$
(1.25
)
 
$
0.28

Net Income (Loss) Per Dilutive Share
$
(0.18
)
 
$
0.14

 
$
(1.25
)
 
$
0.28

Dividends Per Share
$
—

 
$
0.30

 
$
0.30

 
$
0.60



L BRANDS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(in millions)
(Unaudited)
 
Second Quarter
 
Year-to-Date
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
Net Income (Loss)
$
(49
)
 
$
38

 
$
(346
)
 
$
78

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Foreign Currency Translation
2

 
(7
)
 
(4
)
 
(11
)
   Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedges
(3
)
 
2

 
2

 
4

   Reclassification of Cash Flow Hedges to Earnings
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(3
)
Total Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax
(2
)
 
(6
)

(3
)

(10
)
Total Comprehensive Income (Loss)
$
(51
)
 
$
32

 
$
(349
)
 
$
68




The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

3

L BRANDS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions except par value amounts)
 
 
August 1,
2020
 
February 1,
2020
 
August 3,
2019
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
(Unaudited)
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
$
2,611

 
$
1,499

 
$
853

Accounts Receivable, Net
268

 
306

 
283

Inventories
1,476

 
1,287

 
1,329

Other
150

 
153

 
188

Total Current Assets
4,505

 
3,245

 
2,653

Property and Equipment, Net
2,292

 
2,486

 
2,756

Operating Lease Assets
2,635

 
3,053

 
3,209

Goodwill
628

 
628

 
1,348

Trade Names
411

 
411

 
411

Deferred Income Taxes
74

 
84

 
62

Other Assets
335

 
218

 
179

Total Assets
$
10,880

 
$
10,125

 
$
10,618

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY (DEFICIT)
 
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts Payable
$
957

 
$
647

 
$
763

Accrued Expenses and Other
1,340

 
1,052

 
919

Current Debt
460

 
61

 
75

Current Operating Lease Liabilities
624

 
478

 
456

Income Taxes
52

 
134

 
3

Total Current Liabilities
3,433

 
2,372

 
2,216

Deferred Income Taxes
191

 
219

 
241

Long-term Debt
6,269

 
5,487

 
5,475

Long-term Operating Lease Liabilities
2,698

 
3,052

 
3,165

Other Long-term Liabilities
193

 
490

 
450

Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit):
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred Stock - $1.00 par value; 10 shares authorized; none issued
—

 
—

 
—

Common Stock - $0.50 par value; 1,000 shares authorized; 286, 285 and 284 shares issued; 278, 277 and 276 shares outstanding, respectively
143

 
142

 
142

Paid-in Capital
869

 
847

 
806

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
49

 
52

 
49

Retained Earnings (Deficit)
(2,611
)
 
(2,182
)
 
(1,572
)
Less: Treasury Stock, at Average Cost; 8, 8 and 8 shares, respectively
(358
)
 
(358
)
 
(358
)
Total L Brands, Inc. Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)
(1,908
)
 
(1,499
)
 
(933
)
Noncontrolling Interest
4

 
4

 
4

Total Equity (Accumulated Deficit)
(1,904
)
 
(1,495
)
 
(929
)
Total Liabilities and Equity (Deficit)
$
10,880

 
$
10,125

 
$
10,618


The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

4

L BRANDS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF TOTAL EQUITY (DEFICIT)
(in millions except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

Second Quarter 2020
 
Common Stock
 
Paid-In
Capital
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
 
Retained
Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)
 
Treasury
Stock, at
Average
Cost
 
Noncontrolling Interest
 
Total Equity (Deficit)
Shares
Outstanding
 
Par
Value
Balance, May 2, 2020
278

 
$
143

 
$
865

 
$
51

 
$
(2,562
)
 
$
(358
)
 
$
3

 
$
(1,858
)
Net Loss
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(49
)
 
—

 
—

 
(49
)
Other Comprehensive Loss
—

 
—

 
—

 
(2
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(2
)
Total Comprehensive Loss
—

 
—

 
—

 
(2
)
 
(49
)
 
—

 
—

 
(51
)
Share-based Compensation and Other
—

 
—

 
4

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1

 
5

Balance, August 1, 2020
278

 
$
143

 
$
869

 
$
49

 
$
(2,611
)
 
$
(358
)
 
$
4

 
$
(1,904
)

Second Quarter 2019
 
Common Stock
 
Paid-In
Capital
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
 
Retained
Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)
 
Treasury
Stock, at
Average
Cost
 
Noncontrolling Interest
 
Total Equity (Deficit)
Shares
Outstanding
 
Par
Value
Balance, May 4, 2019
276

 
$
142

 
$
786

 
$
55

 
$
(1,527
)
 
$
(358
)
 
$
4

 
$
(898
)
Net Income
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
38

 
—

 
—

 
38

Other Comprehensive Loss
—

 
—

 
—

 
(6
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(6
)
Total Comprehensive Income (Loss)
—

 
—

 
—

 
(6
)
 
38

 
—

 
—

 
32

Cash Dividends ($0.30 per share)
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(83
)
 
—

 
—

 
(83
)
Share-based Compensation and Other
—

 
—

 
20

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
20

Balance, August 3, 2019
276

 
$
142

 
$
806

 
$
49

 
$
(1,572
)
 
$
(358
)
 
$
4

 
$
(929
)

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

5

L BRANDS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF TOTAL EQUITY (DEFICIT)
(in millions except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

Year-to-Date 2020
 
Common Stock
 
Paid-In
Capital
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
 
Retained
Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)
 
Treasury
Stock, at
Average
Cost
 
Noncontrolling Interest
 
Total Equity (Deficit)
Shares
Outstanding
 
Par
Value
Balance, February 1, 2020
277

 
$
142

 
$
847

 
$
52

 
$
(2,182
)
 
$
(358
)
 
$
4

 
$
(1,495
)
Net Loss
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(346
)
 
—

 
—

 
(346
)
Other Comprehensive Loss
—

 
—

 
—

 
(3
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(3
)
Total Comprehensive Loss
—

 
—

 
—

 
(3
)
 
(346
)
 
—

 
—

 
(349
)
Cash Dividends ($0.30 per share)
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(83
)
 
—

 
—

 
(83
)
Share-based Compensation and Other
1

 
1

 
22

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
23

Balance, August 1, 2020
278

 
$
143

 
$
869

 
$
49

 
$
(2,611
)
 
$
(358
)
 
$
4

 
$
(1,904
)

Year-to-Date 2019
 
Common Stock
 
Paid-In
Capital
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
 
Retained
Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)
 
Treasury
Stock, at
Average
Cost
 
Noncontrolling Interest
 
Total Equity (Deficit)
Shares
Outstanding
 
Par
Value
Balance, February 2, 2019
275

 
$
141

 
$
771

 
$
59

 
$
(1,482
)
 
$
(358
)
 
$
4

 
$
(865
)
Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(2
)
 
—

 
—

 
(2
)
Balance, February 3, 2019
275

 
141

 
771

 
59

 
(1,484
)
 
(358
)
 
4

 
(867
)
Net Income
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
78

 
—

 
—

 
78

Other Comprehensive Loss
—

 
—

 
—

 
(10
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(10
)
Total Comprehensive Income (Loss)
—

 
—

 
—

 
(10
)
 
78

 
—

 
—

 
68

Cash Dividends ($0.60 per share)
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(166
)
 
—

 
—

 
(166
)
Share-based Compensation and Other
1

 
1

 
35

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
36

Balance, August 3, 2019
276

 
$
142

 
$
806

 
$
49

 
$
(1,572
)
 
$
(358
)
 
$
4

 
$
(929
)

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.


6

L BRANDS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions)
(Unaudited)
 
Year-to-Date
 
2020
 
2019
Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Net Income (Loss)
$
(346
)
 
$
78

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation of Long-lived Assets
266

 
295

Long-lived Store and Lease Asset Impairment Charges
214

 
—

Share-based Compensation Expense
28

 
44

Deferred Income Taxes
(19
)
 
15

Gain from Hong Kong Store Closure and Lease Termination
(39
)
 
—

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt
—

 
40

Gains on Distributions from Easton Investments
—

 
(2
)
Changes in Assets and Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts Receivable
37

 
55

Inventories
(191
)
 
(83
)
Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other
304

 
(107
)
Income Taxes Payable
(92
)
 
(138
)
Other Assets and Liabilities
124

 
(35
)
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
286

 
162

Investing Activities:
 
 
 
Capital Expenditures
(124
)
 
(244
)
Other Investing Activities
8

 
7

Net Cash Used for Investing Activities
(116
)
 
(237
)
Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-Term Debt, Net of Issuance Costs
1,231

 
486

Payments of Long-term Debt
—

 
(799
)
Borrowing from Credit Agreement
950

 
—

Repayment of Credit Agreement
(950
)
 
—

Borrowings from Foreign Facilities
33

 
25

Repayments of Foreign Facilities
(85
)
 
(14
)
Dividends Paid
(83
)
 
(166
)
Tax Payments related to Share-based Awards
(6
)
 
(11
)
Other Financing Activities
(19
)
 
(4
)
Net Cash Provided by (Used for) Financing Activities
1,071

 
(483
)
Effects of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
(1
)
 
(2
)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
1,240

 
(560
)
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash, Beginning of Period
1,499

 
1,413

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash, End of Period
$
2,739

 
$
853


The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

7

L BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

1. Description of Business and Basis of Presentation
Description of Business
L Brands, Inc. (the "Company”) operates in the highly competitive specialty retail business. The Company is a specialty retailer of home fragrance products, body care, soaps and sanitizers, women’s intimate and other apparel, and personal and beauty care products. The Company sells its merchandise through company-owned specialty retail stores in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Ireland and Greater China, and through its websites and other channels. The Company's other international operations are primarily through franchise, license and wholesale partners. The Company currently operates the following retail brands:
•
Bath & Body Works
•
Victoria’s Secret
•
PINK
On February 20, 2020, the Company and an affiliate of Sycamore Partners Management, L.P. ("Sycamore"), entered into a Transaction Agreement (the "Transaction Agreement") pursuant to which, among other things, the Company would have sold a 55% interest in the Company's Victoria's Secret and PINK businesses (collectively, "Victoria's Secret"). On May 4, 2020, the Company and Sycamore mutually agreed to terminate the Transaction Agreement.
The Company remains committed to establishing Bath & Body Works as a pure-play public company and is taking the necessary steps to prepare Victoria's Secret to operate as a separate standalone company. Management is actively engaged in implementing a comprehensive profit improvement plan that will enable more effective and faster decision making and set each business up independently, allowing for a more efficient future separation.
During the second quarter of 2020, the Company completed its comprehensive review of the home office organizations in order to achieve meaningful reductions in overhead expenses and decentralize significant shared functions and services to support the creation of standalone companies. This resulted in a reduction of the home office headcount by approximately 15%, or about 850 associates. For additional information, see Note 4, “Restructuring."
Impacts of COVID-19
In March 2020, the coronavirus pandemic ("COVID-19") was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. This pandemic has negatively affected the U.S. and global economies, disrupted global supply chains and financial markets, and led to significant travel and transportation restrictions, including mandatory closures and orders to “shelter-in-place.” The situation and preventative or protective actions that governments around the world have taken to contain the spread of COVID-19 have resulted in a period of disruption, including closure of the Company's stores, limited store operating hours, reduced customer traffic and consumer spending and delays in manufacturing and shipping of products and raw materials. During this period, the Company is focused on protecting the health and safety of its customers, employees, contractors, suppliers, and other business partners. The Company is also working with its suppliers to minimize potential disruptions, while managing the Company's business in response to a changing dynamic.
The Company's business operations and financial performance for 2020 have been materially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. All the Company's stores in North America were closed on March 17th and almost all remained closed as of the beginning of the second quarter. Operations for Victoria’s Secret Direct were temporarily suspended for approximately one week in late March, while Bath & Body Works Direct has remained open for the duration of 2020. The Company has re-opened approximately 1,600 Bath & Body Works stores and approximately 690 Victoria’s Secret stores in North America, representing the majority of its stores, as of August 1, 2020. On average, Bath & Body Works stores were closed for about half of the second quarter and Victoria’s Secret stores were closed for about 70% of the second quarter (including the impact of the approximately 250 stores which the Company plans to close). Additionally, the Company has dedicated resources to maximize capacity in its direct fulfillment centers to meet increased customer demand, while focusing on distribution, fulfillment and call center safety.
Since the global COVID-19 crisis began, the Company has taken prudent actions to manage expenses and to maintain its solid cash position and financial flexibility through the pandemic, including:
•
Furloughing most store associates as of April 5 during their temporary store closure, while continuing to provide healthcare benefits for eligible associates;
•
Suspending associate merit increases;
•
Temporarily reducing salaries for senior vice presidents and above by 20%;

8

•
Temporarily suspending cash compensation for all members of the Board of Directors;
•
Reducing 2020 forecasted capital expenditures from $550 million to approximately $250 million;
•
Reducing Spring (first and second quarter) inventory receipts versus last year by approximately 45% at Victoria's Secret and PINK, and by approximately 20% at Bath & Body Works;
•
Suspending the quarterly cash dividend beginning in the second quarter of fiscal 2020;
•
Suspending most store and select office rent payments during the temporary closures. The Company is in active discussions with its landlords to negotiate with respect to these rent payments and go-forward occupancy costs;
•
Converting the revolving credit facility to an asset-backed loan facility and issuing $1.25 billion in new notes; and
•
Extending payment terms to vendors.
On March 27, 2020, the U.S. government enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) which, among other things, provides employer payroll tax credits for wages paid to employees who are unable to work during the coronavirus outbreak and options to defer payroll tax payments. Based on the Company's evaluation of the CARES Act, it qualifies for certain employer payroll tax credits, which will offset store operating expenses. Year-to-date the Company has recognized $54 million of qualified payroll tax credits.
For most stores and select office locations, rent from April through July was not paid, or only partially paid, due to the temporary closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company is in active discussions with its landlords to negotiate with respect to these rent payments and go-forward occupancy costs. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance in April, which allows COVID-19-related rent concessions to be treated as variable rent. The Company has not yet finalized negotiations with respect to the majority of its leases.
Fiscal Year
The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest to January 31. As used herein, “second quarter of 2020” and “second quarter of 2019” refer to the thirteen-week periods ended August 1, 2020 and August 3, 2019, respectively. “Year-to-Date 2020” and “year-to-date 2019” refer to the twenty-six-week periods ending August 1, 2020 and August 3, 2019, respectively.
Basis of Consolidation
The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The Company accounts for investments in unconsolidated entities where it exercises significant influence, but does not have control, using the equity method. Under the equity method of accounting, the Company recognizes its share of the investee's net income or loss. Losses are only recognized to the extent the Company has positive carrying value related to the investee. Carrying values are only reduced below zero if the Company has an obligation to provide funding to the investee. The Company’s share of net income or loss of unconsolidated entities from which the Company purchases merchandise or merchandise components is included in Costs of Goods Sold, Buying and Occupancy in the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss). The Company’s share of net income or loss of all other unconsolidated entities is included in Other Income (Loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss). The Company’s equity method investments are required to be reviewed for impairment when it is determined there may be an other-than-temporary loss in value.
Interim Financial Statements
The Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the periods ended August 1, 2020 and August 3, 2019 are unaudited and are presented pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto contained in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
In the opinion of management, the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature and necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods.
Due to the impacts of COVID-19 and seasonal variations in the retail industry, the results of operations for the interim period is not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full fiscal year.
Restricted Cash
During the second quarter, the Company placed cash on deposit with certain financial institutions as collateral for lending commitments. The amount of collateral required reduces over time as the Company makes certain paydowns. For additional information see Note 10, "Long-term Debt and Borrowing Facilities."
These deposits, totaling $128 million, are recorded in Other Assets on the August 1, 2020 Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company's total Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash was $2.739 billion as of August 1, 2020.

9

Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company uses derivative financial instruments to manage exposure to foreign currency exchange rates. The Company does not use derivative instruments for trading purposes. All derivative instruments are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value.
The earnings of the Company's wholly owned foreign businesses are subject to exchange rate risk as substantially all the merchandise is sourced through U.S. dollar transactions. The Company uses foreign currency forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges to mitigate this foreign currency exposure for its Canadian and U.K. businesses. Amounts are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) upon sale of the hedged merchandise to the customer. These gains and losses are recognized in Costs of Goods Sold, Buying and Occupancy in the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss). The fair value of designated cash flow hedges is not significant as of August 1, 2020.
Concentration of Credit Risk
The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and derivative contracts with various major financial institutions. The Company monitors the relative credit standing of financial institutions with whom the Company transacts and limits the amount of credit exposure with any one entity. Typically, the Company’s investment portfolio is primarily comprised of U.S. government obligations, U.S. Treasury and AAA-rated money market funds, commercial paper and bank deposits.
The Company also periodically reviews the relative credit standing of franchise, license and wholesale partners and other entities to which the Company grants credit terms in the normal course of business. The Company records an allowance for uncollectable accounts when it becomes probable that the counterparty will be unable to pay.
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period, as well as the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates, and the Company revises its estimates and assumptions as new information becomes available.
2. New Accounting Pronouncements
Credit Losses
In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses, which requires the use of a forward-looking expected loss impairment model for accounts receivable and certain other financial instruments. The Company adopted the standard in the first quarter of 2020. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
Guarantor Reporting
In March 2020, the SEC issued a final rule, Financial Disclosures About Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities and Affiliates Whose Securities Collateralize a Registrant’s Securities, that simplifies the disclosure requirements related to registered securities under Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X. The rule replaces the requirement to provide condensed consolidating financial information with a requirement to present summarized financial information of the issuers and guarantors. It also requires qualitative disclosures with respect to information about guarantors, the terms and conditions of guarantees and the factors that may affect payment. These disclosures may be provided outside the footnotes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company early adopted the reporting requirements of the rule in the first quarter of 2020 and elected to provide these disclosures in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
3. Revenue Recognition
Accounts receivable, net from revenue-generating activities were $186 million as of August 1, 2020, $152 million as of February 1, 2020 and $174 million as of August 3, 2019. Accounts receivable primarily relate to amounts due from the Company's franchise, license and wholesale partners. Under these arrangements, payment terms are typically 60 to 90 days. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company has extended the payment terms for certain partners.
The Company records deferred revenue when cash payments are received in advance of transfer of control of goods or services. Deferred revenue primarily relates to gift cards, loyalty and private label credit card programs and direct channel shipments, which are all impacted by seasonal and holiday-related sales patterns. Deferred revenue was $316 million as of August 1, 2020, $342 million as of February 1, 2020 and $276 million as of August 3, 2019. The Company recognized $132 million as revenue year-to-date 2020 from amounts recorded as deferred revenue at the beginning of the year. As of August 1, 2020, the Company recorded deferred revenue of $304 million within Accrued Expenses and Other, and $12 million within Other Long-term Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

10

The following table provides a disaggregation of Net Sales for the second quarter and year-to-date 2020 and 2019:
 
Second Quarter
 
Year-to-Date
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
 
(in millions)
Bath & Body Works Stores (a)
$
678

 
$
883

 
$
1,102

 
$
1,597

Bath & Body Works Direct
519

 
178

 
807

 
335

Total Bath & Body Works
1,197

 
1,061

 
1,909

 
1,932

Victoria’s Secret Stores (a)
364

 
1,233

 
877

 
2,381

Victoria’s Secret Direct
614

 
373

 
922

 
735

Total Victoria’s Secret
978

 
1,606

 
1,799

 
3,116

Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works International (b)
80

 
155

 
146

 
289

Other (c)
64

 
80

 
120

 
193

Total Net Sales
$
2,319

 
$
2,902

 
$
3,974

 
$
5,530

 _______________
(a)
Includes company-owned stores in the U.S. and Canada.
(b)
Includes company-owned stores in the U.K., Ireland and Greater China, direct sales in Greater China and wholesale sales, royalties and other fees associated with non-company owned stores.
(c)
Includes wholesale revenues from the Company's sourcing function.
4. Restructuring
The Company remains committed to establishing Bath & Body Works as a pure-play public company and is taking the necessary steps to prepare Victoria's Secret to operate as a separate standalone company. Management of the Company is actively engaged in implementing a comprehensive profit improvement plan that will better position the Company to evaluate the next steps for the separation of the Victoria's Secret business. During the second quarter of 2020, the Company completed its comprehensive review of its home office organizations in order to achieve meaningful reductions in overhead expenses and decentralize significant shared functions and services to support the creation of standalone companies. This resulted in a reduction of the home office headcount by approximately 15%, or about 850 associates. Pre-tax severance and related costs associated with these reductions, totaling $81 million, are included in General, Administrative and Store Operating Expenses in the 2020 Consolidated Statements of Loss. Costs of $26 million and $5 million are recorded within the Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works segments, respectively, while the remaining $50 million is recorded within Other. As of August 1, 2020, a liability of $79 million related to these costs is included in Accrued Expenses and Other on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Victoria's Secret U.K.
The Company is actively working to reduce operating losses in the Victoria's Secret U.K. business. The Company entered into "Light Administration" in June to restructure store lease agreements and explore the sale of the business to a joint venture or franchise partner. The Company subsequently signed a non-binding term sheet with a major fashion retailer and is in an exclusive period of negotiation.
5. Earnings (Loss) Per Share and Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
Earnings (Loss) per basic share is computed based on the weighted-average number of outstanding common shares. Earnings (Loss) per diluted share include the weighted-average effect of dilutive options and restricted stock on the weighted-average shares outstanding.

11

The following table provides shares utilized for the calculation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share for the second quarter and year-to-date 2020 and 2019:
 
Second Quarter
 
Year-to-Date
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
 
(in millions)
Weighted-average Common Shares:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issued Shares
286

 
284

 
285

 
284

Treasury Shares
(8
)
 
(8
)
 
(8
)
 
(8
)
Basic Shares
278

 
276


277


276

Effect of Dilutive Options and Restricted Stock (a)
—

 
2

 
—

 
2

Diluted Shares
278

 
278


277


278

Anti-dilutive Options and Awards (a)
11

 
6

 
12

 
5

 _______________
(a)
These options and awards were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. For 2020, the dilutive impact of outstanding options and awards were excluded from dilutive shares as a result of the Company's net loss for the periods.
Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)
Common Stock Share Repurchases
In March 2018, the Company's Board of Directors approved a $250 million repurchase program, which had $79 million remaining as of August 1, 2020.
The Company did not repurchase any shares during 2020 or 2019.
Dividends
Under the authority and declaration of the Board of Directors, the Company paid the following dividends during year-to-date 2020 and 2019:
 
 
Ordinary Dividends
 
Total Paid
 
 
(per share)
 
(in millions)
2020
 
 
 
 
Second Quarter
 
$
—

 
$
—

First Quarter
 
0.30

 
83

Total
 
$
0.30

 
$
83

2019
 
 
 
 
Second Quarter
 
$
0.30

 
$
83

First Quarter
 
0.30

 
83

Total
 
$
0.60

 
$
166


The Board of Directors suspended the quarterly cash dividend beginning in the second quarter of 2020.
6. Inventories
The following table provides details of inventories as of August 1, 2020, February 1, 2020 and August 3, 2019:
 
August 1,
2020
 
February 1,
2020
 
August 3,
2019
 
(in millions)
Finished Goods Merchandise
$
1,259

 
$
1,152

 
$
1,132

Raw Materials and Merchandise Components
217

 
135

 
197

Total Inventories
$
1,476

 
$
1,287

 
$
1,329


Inventories are principally valued at the lower of cost, on a weighted-average cost basis, or net realizable value.

12

7. Long-Lived Assets
The following table provides details of property and equipment, net as of August 1, 2020, February 1, 2020 and August 3, 2019:
 
August 1,
2020
 
February 1,
2020
 
August 3,
2019
 
(in millions)
Property and Equipment, at Cost
$
6,276

 
$
6,613

 
$
6,808

Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization
(3,984
)
 
(4,127
)
 
(4,052
)
Property and Equipment, Net
$
2,292

 
$
2,486

 
$
2,756



Depreciation expense was $127 million and $150 million for the second quarter of 2020 and 2019, respectively. Depreciation expense was $266 million and $295 million for year-to-date 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Long-lived store assets, which include leasehold improvements, store related assets and operating lease assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. Store assets are grouped at the lowest level for which they are largely independent of other assets or asset groups. If the estimated undiscounted future cash flows related to the asset group are less than the carrying value, the Company recognizes a loss equal to the difference between the carrying value and the estimated fair value, determined by the estimated discounted future cash flows of the asset group. For operating lease assets, the Company determines the fair value of the assets by comparing the contractual rent payments to estimated market rental rates.  An individual asset within an asset group is not impaired below its estimated fair value. The fair value of long-lived store assets are determined using Level 3 inputs within the fair value hierarchy.
The Company remains committed to taking the necessary steps to prepare the Victoria's Secret business to operate as a separate, standalone company. Management is actively working on implementing a comprehensive profit improvement plan that will better position the Company to evaluate the next steps for the separation of the Victoria's Secret business. A component of the profit improvement plan includes a rationalization of the Victoria’s Secret company-owned store footprint. The Company expects that it will close approximately 250 stores in North America in 2020. Given the closures as well as the negative operating results of certain Victoria's Secret stores, the Company determined that the estimated undiscounted future cash flows were less than the carrying values for certain asset groups and, as a result, determined the estimated fair values of the store asset groups using estimated discounted future cash flows and estimated market rental rates. Long-lived store asset impairment charges are included in Costs of Goods Sold, Buying and Occupancy in the Consolidated Statements of Loss.
The following table provides pre-tax long-lived store asset impairment charges included in the 2020 Consolidated Statements of Loss:
 
Second Quarter
 
Year-to-Date
 
Store Asset
Impairment
 
Operating Lease Asset Impairment
 
Total
Impairment
 
Store Asset
Impairment
 
Operating Lease Asset Impairment
 
Total
Impairment
 
(in millions)
Victoria's Secret (a)
$
14

 
$
61

 
$
75

 
$
111

 
$
61

 
$
172

Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works International (b)
—

 
42

 
42

 
—

 
42

 
42

Total
$
14

 
$
103

 
$
117

 
$
111

 
$
103

 
$
214

 ________________
(a)
Includes stores in the U.S. and Canada.
(b)
Includes stores in the U.K., Ireland and Greater China.
Victoria's Secret Hong Kong
During the second quarter of 2020, the Company closed its unprofitable Victoria's Secret flagship store in Hong Kong. As a result of the store closure, the Company recognized a non-cash pre-tax gain of $39 million, primarily due to terminating the store lease and the related write-off of the operating lease liability in excess of the operating lease asset, which was partially impaired in fiscal 2019. This gain is included in Costs of Goods Sold, Buying and Occupancy in the 2020 Consolidated Statements of Loss. The Company also recorded $3 million of severance and related costs, included in General, Administrative and Store Operating Expenses in the 2020 Consolidated Statements of Loss.

13

8. Equity Investments
The Company has land and other investments in Easton, a planned community in Columbus, Ohio, that integrates office, hotel, retail, residential and recreational space. These investments, totaling $124 million as of August 1, 2020, $118 million as of February 1, 2020 and $102 million as of August 3, 2019, are recorded in Other Assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Included in the Company’s Easton investments are equity interests in Easton Town Center, LLC (“ETC”) and Easton Gateway, LLC (“EG”), entities that own and develop commercial entertainment and shopping centers. The Company’s investments in ETC and EG are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. The Company has a majority financial interest in ETC and EG, but another unaffiliated member manages them, and certain significant decisions regarding ETC and EG require the consent of unaffiliated members in addition to the Company.
9. Income Taxes
The Company has historically calculated the provision for income taxes on the current estimate of the annual effective tax rate and adjusted as necessary for quarterly events. Due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the income tax expense for the twenty-six-weeks ended August 1, 2020 was computed on a year-to-date effective tax rate.
For the second quarter of 2020, the Company’s effective tax rate was 17.7% compared to 10.1% in the second quarter of 2019. The second quarter of 2020 rate was lower than the Company's combined estimated federal and state statutory rate primarily due to losses related to certain foreign subsidiaries, which generate no tax benefit, partially offset by recent changes in tax legislation included in the CARES Act, which resulted in a $21 million tax benefit. The second quarter of 2019 rate was lower than the Company's combined federal and state statutory rate primarily due to the resolution of certain tax matters.
For year-to-date 2020, the Company's effective tax rate was 26.7% compared to 24.0% year-to-date 2019. The year-to-date 2020 rate was generally consistent with the Company's combined estimated federal and state statutory rate due to the resolution of certain tax matters, which resulted in a $50 million tax benefit and recent changes in tax legislation included in the CARES Act, which resulted in a $21 million tax benefit, offset by losses related to certain foreign subsidiaries, which generate no tax benefit. The year-to-date 2019 rate was lower than the Company's combined estimated federal and state statutory rate primarily due to the resolution of certain tax matters.
Income taxes paid were $13 million and $169 million for the second quarter of 2020 and 2019, respectively. Income taxes paid were $22 million and $181 million for year-to-date 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Uncertain Tax Positions
The Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $88 million as of February 1, 2020, of which $81 million, if recognized, would reduce the effective income tax rate. Through August 1, 2020, the Company had a net decrease to gross unrecognized tax benefits of $31 million, primarily due to the resolution of certain tax matters. The changes to the unrecognized tax benefits resulted in a $30 million benefit to the Company’s Provision for Income Taxes year-to-date.
Of the total unrecognized tax benefits as of August 1, 2020, it is reasonably possible that $28 million could change in the next 12 months due to audit settlements, expiration of statute of limitations or other resolution of uncertainties. Due to the uncertain and complex application of tax regulations, it is possible that the ultimate resolution of audits may result in amounts which could be different from this estimate. In such case, the Company will record additional tax expense or tax benefit in the period in which such matters are effectively settled.

14

10. Long-term Debt and Borrowing Facilities
The following table provides the Company’s outstanding debt balance, net of unamortized debt issuance costs and discounts, as of August 1, 2020, February 1, 2020 and August 3, 2019:
 
August 1,
2020
 
February 1,
2020
 
August 3,
2019
 
(in millions)
Senior Secured Debt with Subsidiary Guarantee
 
 
 
 
 
$750 million, 6.875% Fixed Interest Rate Secured Notes due July 2025 ("2025 Secured Notes")
$
739

 
$
—

 
$
—

Secured Foreign Facilities
101

 
103

 
95

Total Senior Secured Debt with Subsidiary Guarantee
$
840

 
$
103

 
$
95

Senior Debt with Subsidiary Guarantee
 
 
 
 
 
$1 billion, 6.875% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due November 2035 (“2035 Notes”)
$
991


$
991


$
990

$860 million, 5.625% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due February 2022 (“2022 Notes”)
858


858


857

$700 million, 6.75% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due July 2036 (“2036 Notes”)
693


693


693

$500 million, 5.625% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due October 2023 (“2023 Notes”)
498


498


498

$500 million, 5.25% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due February 2028 (“2028 Notes”)
496

 
496

 
496

$500 million, 9.375% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due July 2025 ("2025 Notes")
492

 
—

 
—

$500 million, 7.50% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due June 2029 ("2029 Notes")
488

 
487

 
486

$450 million, 6.625% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due April 2021 (“2021 Notes”)
450

 
450

 
449

$297 million, 6.694% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due January 2027 (“2027 Notes”)
277

 
276

 
274

Total Senior Debt with Subsidiary Guarantee
$
5,243


$
4,749


$
4,743

Senior Debt
 
 
 
 
 
$350 million, 6.95% Fixed Interest Rate Debentures due March 2033 (“2033 Notes”)
$
348


$
348


$
348

$300 million, 7.60% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due July 2037 (“2037 Notes”)
298


298


297

Unsecured Foreign Facilities
—


50


67

Total Senior Debt
$
646


$
696


$
712

Total
$
6,729


$
5,548


$
5,550

Current Debt
(460
)

(61
)

(75
)
Total Long-term Debt, Net of Current Portion
$
6,269


$
5,487


$
5,475


Issuance of Notes
In June 2020, the Company issued $750 million of 6.875% senior secured notes due July 2025 (the “2025 Secured Notes”). The obligation to pay principal and interest on these notes is jointly and severally guaranteed on a full and unconditional basis by the Company and certain of the Company's 100% owned subsidiaries. The 2025 Secured Notes are secured on a first-priority lien basis by substantially all of the assets of the Company and the guarantors, and on a second-priority lien basis by certain collateral securing the asset-backed revolving credit facility (“ABL Facility”), in each case, subject to certain exceptions. The proceeds from the issuance were $739 million, which were net of issuance costs of $11 million. The issuance costs are being amortized through the maturity date and are included within Long-term Debt on the August 1, 2020 Consolidated Balance Sheet.

In June 2020, the Company also issued $500 million of 9.375% notes due in July 2025 (the "2025 Notes"). The obligation to pay principal and interest on these notes is jointly and severally guaranteed on a full and unconditional basis by the Company and certain of the Company's 100% owned subsidiaries. The proceeds from the issuance were $492 million, which were net of issuance costs of $8 million. The issuance costs are being amortized through the maturity date and are included within Long-term Debt on the August 1, 2020 Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Repurchases of Notes
In June 2019, the Company completed the early settlement of tender offers to repurchase $212 million of outstanding 2020 Notes, $330 million of outstanding 2021 Notes and $96 million of outstanding 2022 Notes for $669 million. The Company used the proceeds from the 2029 Notes, together with cash on hand, to fund the purchase price for the tender offers. Additionally, in July 2019, the Company redeemed the remaining $126 million of outstanding 2020 Notes for $130 million.

15

In the second quarter of 2019, the Company recognized a pre-tax loss on extinguishment of debt of $40 million (after-tax loss of $30 million), which includes redemption fees and the write-offs of unamortized issuance costs. This loss is included in Other Income (Loss) in the 2019 Consolidated Statements of Income.
Revolving Credit Facility
The Company and certain of the Company's 100% owned subsidiaries guarantee and pledge collateral to secure a revolving credit facility ("Credit Agreement"). In April 2020, the Company entered into an amendment and restatement (“Amendment”) of the Credit Agreement to convert the Company’s credit facility into an asset-backed revolving credit facility. The Amendment maintains the aggregate commitments at $1 billion, and maintains the expiration date in August of 2024. The ABL Facility allows borrowings and letters of credit in U.S. dollars or Canadian dollars.
Availability under the ABL Facility is the lesser of (i) the borrowing base, determined primarily based on the Company's eligible U.S. and Canadian credit card receivables, accounts receivable, inventory and eligible real property, or (ii) the aggregate commitment. If at any time, the outstanding amount under the ABL Facility exceeds the lesser of (i) the borrowing base and (ii) the aggregate commitment, the Company will be required to prepay the outstanding amounts under the ABL Facility to the extent of such excess. In addition, at any time that the Company's consolidated cash balance exceeds $350 million, it will be required to prepay outstanding amounts under the ABL Facility to the extent of such excess. As of August 1, 2020, the Company's borrowing base was $844 million but it was unable to draw upon the ABL Facility as its consolidated cash balance exceeded $350 million.
As of August 1, 2020, the ABL Facility fees related to committed and unutilized amounts were 0.30% per annum, and the fees related to outstanding letters of credit were 1.75% per annum. In addition, the interest rate on outstanding U.S. dollar borrowings was the London Interbank Offered Rate plus 1.75% per annum. The interest rate on outstanding Canadian dollar-denominated borrowings was the Canadian Dollar Offered Rate plus 1.75% per annum. 
The ABL Facility requires the Company to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.00 to 1.00 during an event of default or any period commencing on any day when specified excess availability is less than the greater of (1) $100 million or (2) 15% of the maximum borrowing amount. As of August 1, 2020, the Company was not required to maintain this ratio.
In March 2020, in an abundance of caution and as a proactive measure in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company elected to borrow $950 million from its revolving facility, which was prepaid upon the completion of the Amendment. As of August 1, 2020, there were no borrowings outstanding under the ABL Facility.
The ABL Facility supports the Company’s letter of credit program. The Company had $61 million of outstanding letters of credit as of August 1, 2020 that reduced its availability under the ABL Facility.
Foreign Facilities
Certain of the Company's China subsidiaries utilize revolving and term loan bank facilities to support their operations ("Foreign Facilities"). The Foreign Facilities allow borrowings in U.S. dollars and Chinese Yuan, and interest rates on outstanding borrowings are based upon the applicable benchmark rate for the currency of each borrowing. Certain of these facilities are guaranteed by the Company and certain of the Company's 100% owned subsidiaries ("Secured Foreign Facilities"), and certain of these facilities were guaranteed by the Company only ("Unsecured Foreign Facilities").
The Secured Foreign Facilities have availability totaling $128 million. During 2020, the Company borrowed $20 million and made payments of $22 million under the Secured Foreign Facilities. As of August 1, 2020, there were borrowings of $101 million outstanding under the Secured Foreign Facilities, of which $10 million is included within Current Debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Borrowings on the Secured Foreign Facilities mature between September 2020 and August 2024.
During the second quarter, the Company placed cash on deposit with certain financial institutions as collateral for their lending commitments under the Secured Foreign Facilities. The amount of collateral required reduces over time as the Company makes certain paydowns. These deposits, totaling $128 million, are recorded in Other Assets on the August 1, 2020 Consolidated Balance Sheet.
During 2020, the Company borrowed $13 million and made payments of $63 million under the Unsecured Foreign Facilities. During the second quarter of 2020, with no borrowings outstanding, the Company terminated the Unsecured Foreign Facilities.
11. Fair Value Measurements
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash include cash on hand, deposits with financial institutions and highly liquid investments with original maturities of less than 90 days. The Company's Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash are considered Level 1 fair value measurements as they are valued using unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.

16

The following table provides a summary of the principal value and estimated fair value of outstanding publicly traded debt as of August 1, 2020, February 1, 2020 and August 3, 2019:
 
August 1,
2020
 
February 1,
2020
 
August 3,
2019
 
(in millions)
Principal Value
$
6,708

 
$
5,458

 
$
5,458

Fair Value, Estimated (a)
6,692

 
5,555

 
5,215


  _______________
(a)
The estimated fair value of the Company’s publicly traded debt is based on reported transaction prices, which are considered Level 2 inputs in accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement. The estimates presented are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company could realize in a current market exchange.
Management believes that the carrying values of accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value because of their short maturity.
12. Comprehensive Income
The following table provides the rollforward of accumulated other comprehensive income for year-to-date 2020:
 
Foreign Currency Translation
 
Cash Flow Hedges
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
 
(in millions)
Balance as of February 1, 2020
$
52

 
$
—

 
$
52

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Before Reclassifications
(4
)
 
2

 
(2
)
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
—

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Tax Effect
—

 
—

 
—

Current-period Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(4
)
 
1

 
(3
)
Balance as of August 1, 2020
$
48

 
$
1

 
$
49


The following table provides the rollforward of accumulated other comprehensive income for year-to-date 2019:
 
Foreign Currency Translation
 
Cash Flow Hedges
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
 
(in millions)
Balance as of February 2, 2019
$
57

 
$
2

 
$
59

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Before Reclassifications
(11
)
 
4

 
(7
)
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
—

 
(3
)
 
(3
)
Tax Effect
—

 
—

 
—

Current-period Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(11
)
 
1

 
(10
)
Balance as of August 3, 2019
$
46

 
$
3

 
$
49



13. Commitments and Contingencies
The Company is subject to various claims and contingencies related to lawsuits, taxes, insurance, regulatory and other matters arising out of the normal course of business. Actions filed against the Company from time to time include commercial, tort, intellectual property, customer, employment, data privacy, securities and other claims, including purported class action lawsuits. Management believes that the ultimate liability arising from such claims and contingencies, if any, is not likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
In July 2019, a plaintiff shareholder filed a putative class action complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio alleging that the Company made false and/or misleading statements relating to the November 2018 announcement that the Company was reducing its quarterly dividend. In September 2019, a different plaintiff shareholder filed a second putative class action complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio containing substantially the same allegations and seeking substantially the same relief.  In October 2019, the Court issued an order consolidating the two putative class actions, appointing a lead plaintiff, and approving that lead plaintiff’s selection of lead counsel.  The lead plaintiff filed a consolidated

17

amended complaint on December 20, 2019 that asserted substantially the same allegations and sought substantially the same relief as the initial complaint.  The Company filed a motion to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint on February 18, 2020, the lead plaintiff filed an opposition to the Company's motion to dismiss on May 4, 2020, and the Company filed a reply brief in further support of its motion to dismiss on June 3, 2020.  The Company's motion to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint is now fully briefed and pending before the court.  The court will hear oral argument on the motion to dismiss on September 23, 2020. The Company views this lawsuit as meritless and intends to defend against this lawsuit vigorously. 
On February 19, 2020, a plaintiff shareholder filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio alleging derivative claims on behalf of the Company against certain of its current and former directors and officers.  The Company was named as nominal defendant.  The lawsuit asserts claims for breach of fiduciary duty, corporate waste and unjust enrichment in connection with alleged misstatements about the Company's quarterly dividend prior to the announced reduction of the dividend in November 2018. On July 21, 2020, the court so-ordered a stipulation staying all proceedings in this lawsuit, pending resolution of the motion to dismiss that the Company filed on February 18, 2020 in the putative class action lawsuit described above.  The Company intends to seek dismissal of the lawsuit at the appropriate time.
On May 19, 2020, a purported shareholder filed a derivative lawsuit on behalf of L Brands, Inc. in the Court of Common Pleas for Franklin County, Ohio.  The complaint names as defendants certain current and former directors and officers of L Brands, Inc. and alleges, among other things, that these defendants breached their fiduciary duties by violating law and/or company policies relating to workplace conduct.  The Company was named as nominal defendant only, and there are no claims asserted against it.  On June 16, 2020, the lawsuit was removed to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.  On July 6, 2020, the court so-ordered a stipulation staying the lawsuit until December 29, 2020.  The Company is currently evaluating potential options for responding to the lawsuit.
La Senza
In connection with the sale of La Senza in the fourth quarter of 2018, certain of the Company's subsidiaries have remaining contingent obligations of $36 million related to lease payments under the current terms of noncancelable leases expiring at various dates through 2028. These obligations include minimum rent and additional payments covering taxes, common area costs and certain other expenses and relate to leases that commenced prior to the disposition of the business. As of August 1, 2020, the Company has recorded reserves of $37 million related to these lease-related obligations and certain other obligations related to the La Senza business. As of August 1, 2020, reserves of $6 million are included within Accrued Expenses and Other on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and the remaining reserves are included within Other Long-term Liabilities.
Other
In connection with the noncancelable operating lease of an operating asset, the Company provides a residual value guarantee to the lessor if the leased asset cannot be sold for an amount in excess of a specified minimum value at the conclusion of the lease term. The lease expires in 2021, and the total amount of the guarantee is $28 million. The Company did not record a liability as of August 1, 2020.
14. Retirement Benefits
The Company sponsors a tax-qualified defined contribution retirement plan for substantially all its associates within the U.S. Participation is available to associates who meet certain age and service requirements. The qualified plan permits participating associates to elect contributions up to the maximum limits allowable under the Internal Revenue Code. The Company matches associate contributions according to a predetermined formula and contributes additional amounts based on a percentage of the associates’ eligible annual compensation and years of service. Associate contributions and Company matching contributions vest immediately. Additional Company contributions and the related investment earnings are subject to vesting based on years of service. Total expense recognized related to the qualified plan was $18 million for the second quarter of 2020 and $20 million for the second quarter of 2019. Total expense recognized related to the qualified plan was $39 million for both year-to-date 2020 and 2019.
The Company sponsors a non-qualified supplemental retirement plan. The non-qualified plan is an unfunded plan, which provides benefits beyond the Internal Revenue Code limits for qualified defined contribution plans. On June 27, 2020 (the “Termination Date”), the Human Capital and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors authorized the termination of the non-qualified plan. Subsequent to the Termination Date, no additional employee contributions may be made to the non-qualified plan. The remaining benefits and obligations are expected to be paid out in full approximately one year following the Termination Date. Accordingly, the liability of $258 million related to the non-qualified plan is included within Accrued Expenses and Other on the August 1, 2020 Consolidated Balance Sheet. Total expense recognized related to the non-qualified plan was $3 million for the second quarter of 2020 and $6 million for the second quarter of 2019. Total expense recognized related to the non-qualified plan was $9 million for year-to-date 2020 and $12 million for year-to-date 2019.

18

15. Segment Information
The Company has three reportable segments: Bath & Body Works, Victoria's Secret and Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works International.
The Bath & Body Works segment sells body care, home fragrance products, soaps and sanitizers under the Bath & Body Works, White Barn, C.O. Bigelow and other brand names. Bath & Body Works merchandise is sold online and at retail stores located in the U.S. and Canada.
The Victoria’s Secret segment sells women’s intimate and other apparel, personal care and beauty products under the Victoria’s Secret and PINK brand names. Victoria’s Secret merchandise is sold online and through retail stores located in the U.S. and Canada.
The Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works International segment includes the Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works company-owned and partner-operated stores located outside of the U.S. and Canada, as well as the online business in Greater China. This segment includes the following:
•
Victoria's Secret International, comprised of company-owned stores in the U.K., Ireland and Greater China, as well as stores operated by partners under franchise and license arrangements;
•
Victoria's Secret Beauty and Accessories, comprised of company-owned stores in Greater China, as well as stores operated by partners under franchise, license and wholesale arrangements, which feature Victoria's Secret branded beauty and accessories products in travel retail and other locations; and
•
Bath & Body Works International, comprised of stores operated by partners under franchise, license and wholesale arrangements.
Other includes Mast Global, a merchandise sourcing and production function serving the Company and its international partners, and Corporate functions, including non-core real estate, equity investments and other governance functions such as treasury and tax.
The following table provides the Company’s segment information for the second quarter and year-to-date 2020 and 2019:
 
Bath & Body
Works
 
Victoria’s
Secret
 
Victoria’s Secret
and
Bath &
Body Works
International
 
Other
 
Total
 
(in millions)
2020
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Second Quarter:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Sales
$
1,197

 
$
978

 
$
80

 
$
64

 
$
2,319

Operating Income (Loss) (a)
326

 
(140
)
 
(19
)
 
(123
)
 
44

Year-to-Date:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Sales
$
1,909

 
$
1,799

 
$
146

 
$
120

 
$
3,974

Operating Income (Loss) (a)
395

 
(440
)
 
(54
)
 
(175
)
 
(274
)
2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Second Quarter:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Sales
$
1,061

 
$
1,606

 
$
155

 
$
80

 
$
2,902

Operating Income (Loss)
180

 
17

 
(1
)
 
(21
)
 
175

Year-to-Date:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Net Sales
$
1,932

 
$
3,116

 
$
289

 
$
193

 
$
5,530

Operating Income (Loss)
335

 
49

 
(5
)
 
(51
)
 
328


 _______________
(a)
Victoria's Secret includes store and lease asset impairment charges of $75 million and $172 million for the second quarter and year-to-date 2020, respectively. Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works International includes lease asset impairment charges of $42 million. Additionally, Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works International includes a $36 million net gain related to the closure and lease termination of the Hong Kong flagship store. For additional information, see Note 7, “Long-Lived Assets." Bath & Body Works, Victoria's Secret and Other includes severance and related charges of $5 million, $26 million and $50 million, respectively. For additional information, see Note 4, “Restructuring."

19

The Company’s international net sales include sales from company-owned stores, royalty revenue from franchise and license arrangements, wholesale revenues and direct sales shipped internationally. Certain of these sales are subject to the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency. The Company’s international net sales totaled $238 million and $357 million for the second quarter of 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Company's international net sales across all segments totaled $418 million and $706 million for year-to-date 2020 and 2019, respectively.

20

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of L Brands, Inc.

Results of Review of Interim Financial Statements

We have reviewed the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of L Brands, Inc. (the Company) as of August 1, 2020 and August 3, 2019, and the related consolidated statements of income (loss), comprehensive income (loss), and total equity (deficit) for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended August 1, 2020 and August 3, 2019, and the consolidated statements of cash flows for the twenty-six week periods ended August 1, 2020 and August 3, 2019, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated interim financial statements”). Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of February 1, 2020, and the related consolidated statements of income (loss), comprehensive income (loss), total equity (deficit), and cash flows for the year then ended, and the related notes (not presented herein); and in our report dated March 27, 2020, we expressed an unqualified audit opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of February 1, 2020, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.

Basis for Review Results

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the PCAOB. We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. A review of interim financial statements consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Grandview Heights, Ohio
September 3, 2020


21

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE
SECURITIES LITIGATION ACT OF 1995
Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
We caution that any forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) contained in this report or made by our company or our management involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, our future performance and financial results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in any such forward-looking statements. Words such as “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “planned,” “potential” and any similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements. Risks associated with the following factors, among others, in some cases have affected and in the future could affect our financial performance and actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements included in this report or otherwise made by our company or our management:
•
general economic conditions, consumer confidence, consumer spending patterns and market disruptions including pandemics or significant health hazards, severe weather conditions, natural disasters, terrorist activities, financial crises, political crises or other major events, or the prospect of these events;
•
divestitures or other dispositions, including any divestiture of Victoria’s Secret and related operations, could negatively impact our business, and contingent liabilities from businesses that we have sold could adversely affect our financial statements;
•
the seasonality of our business;
•
difficulties arising from turnover in company leadership or other key positions;
•
our ability to attract, develop and retain qualified associates and manage labor-related costs;
•
liabilities arising from divested businesses;
•
the dependence on mall traffic and the availability of suitable store locations on appropriate terms;
•
our ability to grow through new store openings and existing store remodels and expansions;
•
our ability to successfully expand internationally and related risks;
•
our independent franchise, license and wholesale partners;
•
our direct channel businesses;
•
our ability to protect our reputation and our brand images;
•
our ability to attract customers with marketing, advertising and promotional programs;
•
our ability to protect our trade names, trademarks and patents;
•
the highly competitive nature of the retail industry and the segments in which we operate;
•
consumer acceptance of our products and our ability to manage the life cycle of our brands, keep up with fashion trends, develop new merchandise and launch new product lines successfully;
•
our ability to source, distribute and sell goods and materials on a global basis, including risks related to:
•
political instability, environmental hazards or natural disasters;
•
significant health hazards or pandemics, which could result in closed factories, closed stores, reduced workforces, scarcity of raw materials, and scrutiny or embargoing of goods produced in infected areas;
•
duties, taxes and other charges;
•
legal and regulatory matters;
•
volatility in currency exchange rates;
•
local business practices and political issues;
•
potential delays or disruptions in shipping and transportation and related pricing impacts;
•
disruption due to labor disputes; and
•
changing expectations regarding product safety due to new legislation;
•
our geographic concentration of vendor and distribution facilities in central Ohio;
•
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;
•
stock price volatility;
•
our ability to pay dividends and related effects;
•
our ability to maintain our credit rating;
•
our ability to service or refinance our debt;

22

•
shareholder activism matters;
•
the ability of our vendors to deliver products in a timely manner, meet quality standards and comply with applicable laws and regulations;
•
fluctuations in product input costs;
•
our ability to adequately protect our assets from loss and theft;
•
fluctuations in energy costs;
•
increases in the costs of mailing, paper and printing;
•
claims arising from our self-insurance;
•
our ability to implement and maintain information technology systems and to protect associated data;
•
our ability to maintain the security of customer, associate, third-party or company information;
•
our ability to comply with laws and regulations or other obligations related to data privacy and security;
•
our ability to comply with regulatory requirements;
•
legal and compliance matters; and
•
tax, trade and other regulatory matters.
We are not under any obligation and do not intend to make publicly available any update or other revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained in this report to reflect circumstances existing after the date of this report or to reflect the occurrence of future events even if experience or future events make it clear that any expected results expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements will not be realized. Additional information regarding these and other factors can be found in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in this Form 10-Q and in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 2.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon our Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The following information should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the related notes included in Item 1. Financial Statements.
Executive Overview
In the second quarter of 2020, our operating income decreased $131 million to $44 million, and our operating income rate decreased to 1.9% from 6.0%. Net sales decreased $583 million to $2.319 billion. At Bath & Body Works, net sales increased $136 million, or 13%, and operating income increased $146 million, or 81%, to $326 million. At Victoria's Secret, net sales decreased $628 million, or 39%, and operating income decreased to a loss of $140 million, including store and lease asset impairment charges of $75 million. At Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works International, net sales decreased $75 million, or 48%, and the operating loss increased by $18 million, including lease asset impairment charges of $42 million partially offset by a $36 million net gain related to the closure and lease termination of the Hong Kong flagship store.
For additional information related to our second quarter 2020 financial performance, see “Results of Operations.”
Go-forward Plan for Victoria's Secret
During the second quarter, we took a number of important steps to prepare Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works to operate as standalone separate companies, including:
•
Completed our comprehensive review of our home office organizations in order to achieve meaningful reductions in overhead expenses and decentralize significant shared functions and services to support the creation of standalone companies. This resulted in a reduction of our home office headcount by approximately 15%, or about 850 associates;
•
Managed inventories with discipline, including working with suppliers to identify opportunities to reduce merchandise costs in order to increase merchandise margin rates at Victoria’s Secret. As a result of this effort already underway, Spring inventory receipts for Victoria’s Secret were down approximately 45% compared to last year, and Fall receipts are expected to be down approximately 50% compared to last year;
•
Began taking action to reduce Victoria’s Secret store selling costs through changes in the management structure and labor model;
•
Continued to execute our previously announced plan to close approximately 250 Victoria’s Secret stores in 2020 while also negotiating with landlords for ongoing rent relief;
•
Worked to reduce operating losses in the Victoria's Secret U.K. business. We entered into "Light Administration" in June to restructure store lease agreements and explore the sale of the business to a joint venture or franchise partner.

23

We subsequently signed a non-binding term sheet with a major fashion retailer and are in an exclusive period of negotiation;
•
We closed our unprofitable Victoria's Secret flagship store in Hong Kong and in China are restructuring lease terms on other unprofitable stores and have implemented a significant overhead expense reduction plan; and,
•
Subsequent to the end of the quarter, we retained financial advisors on the separation of Bath & Body Works and Victoria’s Secret.
We expect these actions will result in approximately $400 million of annualized cost reductions, about $175 million of which we expect to achieve in the remainder of 2020. Importantly, these actions will enable more efficient and faster decision making and set each business up independently, allowing for an easier future separation.
Impacts of COVID-19
In March 2020, COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. This pandemic has negatively affected the U.S. and global economies, disrupted global supply chains and financial markets, and led to significant travel and transportation restrictions, including mandatory closures and orders to “shelter-in-place.” The situation and preventative or protective actions that governments around the world have taken to contain the spread of COVID-19 have resulted in a period of disruption, including closure of our stores, limited store operating hours, reduced customer traffic and consumer spending and delays in manufacturing and shipping of products and raw materials. During this period, we are focused on protecting the health and safety of our customers, employees, contractors, suppliers, and other business partners. We are also working with our suppliers to minimize potential disruptions, while managing our business in response to a changing dynamic.
Our business operations and financial performance for 2020 have been materially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. All of our stores in North America were closed on March 17th, and almost all remained closed as of the beginning of the second quarter. We have re-opened approximately 1,600 Bath & Body Works stores and approximately 690 Victoria’s Secret stores in North America, representing the majority of our stores, as of August 1, 2020. On average, Bath & Body Works stores were closed for about half of the second quarter and Victoria’s Secret stores were closed for about 70% of the second quarter (including the impact of the approximately 250 stores which we plan to close).
We adopted new operating models in our stores that focused on providing a safe shopping experience. At Bath & Body Works, we launched Buy Online Pick Up In Store ("BOPIS") capabilities in some locations and are able to operate stores as BOPIS only in jurisdictions that do not permit open shopping. Additionally, we have dedicated resources to maximize capacity in our direct fulfillment centers to meet increased customer demand, while focusing on distribution, fulfillment and call center safety. We will continue to follow local laws, to ensure a safe environment.
Since the global COVID-19 crisis began, we have taken prudent actions to manage expenses and to maintain our solid cash position and financial flexibility through the pandemic, including:
•
Furloughing most store associates as of April 5 during their temporary store closure, while continuing to provide healthcare benefits for eligible associates;
•
Suspending associate merit increases;
•
Temporarily reducing salaries for senior vice presidents and above by 20%;
•
Temporarily suspending cash compensation for all members of the Board of Directors;
•
Reducing 2020 forecasted capital expenditures from $550 million to approximately $250 million;
•
Reducing Spring (first and second quarter) inventory receipts versus last year by approximately 45% at Victoria's Secret and PINK, and by approximately 20% at Bath & Body Works;
•
Suspending the quarterly cash dividend beginning in the second quarter of fiscal 2020;
•
Suspending most store and select office rent payments during the temporary closures. We are in active discussions with our landlords to negotiate with respect to these rent payments and go-forward occupancy costs;
•
Converting the revolving credit facility to an asset-backed loan facility and issuing $1.25 billion in new notes; and
•
Extending payment terms to vendors.
Looking toward the second half of the year, we will remain disciplined in expense and inventory management, and focused on staying close to our customer while delivering compelling products. In accordance with continuously changing local regulatory requirements and guidelines, we will continue to operate both of our channels in a safe manner for our customers and associates.
Given the traffic constraints imposed by social distancing protocols in stores and capacity restraints in our direct channel distribution centers, we have a very cautious outlook about our ability to manage our typical Holiday volumes, which

24

historically are about three times larger per week than the average week in the second quarter. We are evaluating and testing ideas to spread our Holiday volume out over a broader time period.
We are forecasting meaningful expense pressure driven by increased store costs, including payroll and supplies, as a result of the new labor model imposed by social distancing protocols, wage rate inflation in the domestic supply chain and increased direct channel fulfillment and shipping costs.
Adjusted Financial Information
In addition to our results provided in accordance with GAAP above and throughout this Form 10-Q, provided below are non-GAAP measurements which present net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per share in 2020 and 2019 on an adjusted basis, which remove certain special items. We believe that these special items are not indicative of our ongoing operations due to their size and nature. We use adjusted financial information as key performance measures of results of operations for the purpose of evaluating performance internally. These non-GAAP measurements are not intended to replace the presentation of our financial results in accordance with GAAP. Instead, we believe that the presentation of adjusted financial information provides additional information to investors to facilitate the comparison of past and present operations. Further, our definition of adjusted financial information may differ from similarly titled measures used by other companies. The table below reconciles the GAAP financial measures to the non-GAAP financial measures.
 
Second Quarter
 
Year-to-Date
(in millions, except per share amounts)
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
Detail of Special Items - Income (Expense)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Victoria's Secret Store and Lease Asset Impairment (a)
$
(117
)
 
$
—

 
$
(214
)
 
$
—

Restructuring Charges (b)
(81
)
 
—

 
(81
)
 
—

Hong Kong Store Closure and Lease Termination (c)
36

 
—

 
36

 
—

Special Items included in Operating Income (Loss)
(162
)
 
—

 
(258
)
 
—

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt (d)
—

 
(40
)
 
—

 
(40
)
Special Items included in Other Income (Loss)
—

 
(40
)
 
—

 
(40
)
Tax Benefit from the Resolution of Certain Tax Matters and Changes in Tax Legislation (e)
21

 
—

 
71

 
—

Tax Effect of Special Items included in Operating Income (Loss) and Other Income (Loss)
22

 
10

 
47

 
10

Special Items included in Net Income (Loss)
$
(119
)
 
$
(30
)
 
$
(140
)
 
$
(30
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation of Reported Operating Income (Loss) to Adjusted Operating Income (Loss)
Reported Operating Income (Loss)
$
44

 
$
175

 
$
(274
)
 
$
328

Special Items included in Operating Income (Loss)
162

 
—

 
258

 
—

Adjusted Operating Income (Loss)
$
206

 
$
175

 
$
(15
)
 
$
328

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation of Reported Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted Net Income (Loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reported Net Income (Loss)
$
(49
)
 
$
38

 
$
(346
)
 
$
78

Special Items included in Net Income (Loss)
119

 
30

 
140

 
30

Adjusted Net Income (Loss)
$
69

 
$
68

 
$
(206
)
 
$
108

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation of Reported Earnings (Loss) Per Diluted Share to Adjusted Earnings (Loss) Per Diluted Share
Reported Earnings (Loss) Per Diluted Share
$
(0.18
)
 
$
0.14

 
$
(1.25
)
 
$
0.28

Special Items included in Earnings (Loss) Per Diluted Share
0.42

 
0.11

 
0.50

 
0.11

Adjusted Earnings (Loss) Per Diluted Share
$
0.25

 
$
0.24

 
$
(0.74
)
 
$
0.39

 ________________
(a)
We recognized pre-tax impairment charges of $117 million ($99 million after tax) and $97 million ($72 million after tax) related to certain Victoria's Secret store and lease assets in the second and first quarter of 2020, respectively. For additional information see Note 7, "Long-Lived Assets" included in Item 1. Financial Statements.
(b)
In the second quarter of 2020, we recognized pre-tax severance charges of $81 million ($65 million after tax) related to headcount reductions as a result of restructuring activities. For additional information, see Note 4, “Restructuring" included in Item 1. Financial Statements.

25

(c)
In the second quarter of 2020, we recognized a net pre-tax gain of $36 million ($25 million after tax) related to the closure and termination of our lease for the Victoria’s Secret Hong Kong flagship store. For additional information, see Note 7, "Long-Lived Assets" included in Item 1. Financial Statements.
(d)
In the second quarter of 2019, we redeemed $764 million of outstanding notes maturing between 2020 and 2022, resulting in a pre-tax loss on extinguishment of $40 million (after-tax loss of $30 million). For additional information see Note 10, "Long-term Debt and Borrowing Facilities" included in Item 1. Financial Statements.
(e)
In the second quarter of 2020, we recognized a $21 million income tax benefit related to recent changes in tax legislation included in the CARES Act. In the first quarter of 2020, we recognized a $50 million tax benefit related to the resolution of certain tax matters. For additional information see Note 9, "Income Taxes" included in Item 1. Financial Statements.
Company-Owned Store Data
The following table compares the second quarter of 2020 company-owned store data to the second quarter of 2019 and year-to-date 2020 store data to year-to-date 2019:
 
Second Quarter
 
Year-to-Date
 
2020
 
2019
 
% Change
 
2020
 
2019
 
% Change
Sales per Average Selling Square Foot (a)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bath & Body Works U.S.
$
148

 
$
196

 
(24
%)
 
$
240

 
$
356

 
(33
%)
Victoria’s Secret U.S.
54

 
166

 
(67
%)
 
129

 
317

 
(59
%)
Sales per Average Store (in thousands) (a)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bath & Body Works U.S.
$
389

 
$
510

 
(24
%)
 
$
634

 
$
925

 
(32
%)
Victoria’s Secret U.S.
364

 
1,083

 
(66
%)
 
867

 
2,066

 
(58
%)
Average Store Size (selling square feet)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bath & Body Works U.S.
2,638

 
2,606

 
1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Victoria’s Secret U.S.
6,937

 
6,543

 
6
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Selling Square Feet (in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bath & Body Works U.S.
4,308

 
4,253

 
1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Victoria’s Secret U.S.
5,952

 
6,961

 
(14
%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ________________
(a)
Sales per average selling square foot and sales per average store, which are indicators of store productivity, are calculated based on store sales for the period divided by the average, including the beginning and end of period, of total square footage and store count, respectively. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, all our stores in the U.S. were closed on March 17, and almost all remained closed as of the beginning of the second quarter. As of August 1, 2020 we have reopened the majority of our U.S. stores for both businesses. As a result, comparisons of year-over-year trends are not a meaningful way to discuss our operating results this quarter.

The following table represents company-owned store data for year-to-date 2020:
 
Stores at
 
 
 
 
 
Stores at
 
February 1, 2020
 
Opened
 
Closed
 
August 1, 2020
Bath & Body Works U.S.
1,637

 
10

 
(14
)
 
1,633

Bath & Body Works Canada
102

 
—

 
—

 
102

Total Bath & Body Works
1,739

 
10

 
(14
)
 
1,735

Victoria’s Secret U.S.
1,053

 
3

 
(198
)
 
858

Victoria’s Secret Canada
38

 
—

 
(12
)
 
26

Total Victoria's Secret
1,091

 
3

 
(210
)
 
884

Victoria's Secret U.K. / Ireland
26

 
—

 
—

 
26

Victoria's Secret Beauty and Accessories
41

 
1

 
(3
)
 
39

Victoria's Secret Greater China
23

 
3

 
(1
)
 
25

Total Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works International
90

 
4

 
(4
)
 
90

Total L Brands Stores
2,920

 
17

 
(228
)
 
2,709



26

The following table represents company-owned store data for year-to-date 2019:
 
Stores at
 
 
 
 
 
Stores at
 
February 2, 2019
 
Opened
 
Closed
 
August 3, 2019
Bath & Body Works U.S.
1,619

 
23

 
(10
)
 
1,632

Bath & Body Works Canada
102

 
1

 
—

 
103

Total Bath & Body Works
1,721

 
24

 
(10
)
 
1,735

Victoria’s Secret U.S.
1,098

 
3

 
(37
)
 
1,064

Victoria’s Secret Canada
45

 
—

 
—

 
45

Total Victoria's Secret
1,143

 
3

 
(37
)
 
1,109

Victoria's Secret U.K. / Ireland
26

 
—

 
—

 
26

Victoria's Secret Beauty and Accessories
38

 
6

 
(5
)
 
39

Victoria's Secret Greater China
15

 
3

 
—

 
18

Total Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works International
79


9


(5
)

83

Total L Brands Stores
2,943

 
36

 
(52
)
 
2,927

Noncompany-Owned Store Data
The following table represents noncompany-owned store data for year-to-date 2020:
 
Stores at
 
 
 
 
 
Stores at
 
February 1, 2020
 
Opened
 
Closed
 
August 1, 2020
Bath & Body Works
278

 
7

 
(1
)
 
284

Victoria’s Secret Beauty & Accessories
360

 
2

 
(13
)
 
349

Victoria's Secret
84

 
4

 
—

 
88

Total
722

 
13

 
(14
)
 
721

The following table represents noncompany-owned store data for year-to-date 2019:
 
Stores at
 
 
 
 
 
Stores at
 
February 2, 2019
 
Opened
 
Closed
 
August 3, 2019
Bath & Body Works
235

 
14

 
(2
)
 
247

Victoria’s Secret Beauty & Accessories
383

 
15

 
(21
)
 
377

Victoria's Secret
56

 
7

 
—

 
63

Total
674

 
36

 
(23
)
 
687



27

Results of Operations
Second Quarter of 2020 Compared to Second Quarter of 2019
Operating Income (Loss)
The following table provides our segment operating income (loss) and operating income (loss) rates (expressed as a percentage of net sales) for the second quarter of 2020 in comparison to the second quarter of 2019:
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income (Loss) Rate
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
Second Quarter
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
Bath & Body Works
$
326

 
$
180

 
27.2
%
 
17.0
%
Victoria’s Secret
(140
)
 
17

 
(14.4
%)
 
1.0
 %
Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works International
(19
)
 
(1
)
 
(23.3
%)
 
(0.8
%)
Other (a)
(123
)
 
(21
)
 
(187.6
%)
 
(26.0
%)
Total Operating Income (Loss)
$
44

 
$
175

 
1.9
%
 
6.0
 %
  _______________
(a)
Includes sourcing and corporate functions.
For the second quarter of 2020, operating income decreased $131 million, to $44 million, and the operating income rate decreased to 1.9% from 6.0%. The drivers of the operating income (loss) results are discussed in the following sections.
Net Sales
The following table provides net sales for the second quarter of 2020 in comparison to the second quarter of 2019:
 
2020
 
2019
 
% Change
Second Quarter
(in millions)
 
 
Bath & Body Works Stores (a)
$
678

 
$
883

 
(23
%)
Bath & Body Works Direct
519

 
178

 
191
%
Total Bath & Body Works
1,197

 
1,061

 
13
%
Victoria’s Secret Stores (a)
364

 
1,233

 
(70
%)
Victoria’s Secret Direct
614

 
373

 
65
%
Total Victoria’s Secret
978

 
1,606

 
(39
%)
Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works International (b)
80

 
155

 
(48
%)
Other (c)
64

 
80

 
(19
%)
Total Net Sales
$
2,319

 
$
2,902

 
(20
%)
________________
(a)
Includes company-owned stores in the U.S. and Canada.
(b)
Includes company-owned stores in the U.K., Ireland and Greater China, direct sales in Greater China and wholesale sales, royalties and other fees associated with non-company owned stores.
(c)
Includes wholesale revenues from our sourcing function.


28

The following table provides a reconciliation of net sales for the second quarter of 2020 to the second quarter of 2019:
 
Bath &
Body Works
 
Victoria’s
Secret
 
Victoria’s Secret
and
Bath & Body
Works
International
 
Other
 
Total
Second Quarter
(in millions)
2019 Net Sales
$
1,061

 
$
1,606

 
$
155

 
$
80

 
$
2,902

Comparable Store Sales
294

 
(37
)
 
(13
)
 
—

 
244

Sales Associated with New, Closed and Non-comparable Remodeled Stores, Net
(497
)
 
(810
)
 
(27
)
 
—

 
(1,334
)
Foreign Currency Translation
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
—

 
(3
)
Direct Channels
340

 
238

 
(1
)
 
—

 
577

Private Label Credit Card
—

 
(18
)
 
—

 
—

 
(18
)
International Wholesale, Royalty and Other
—

 
—

 
(33
)
 
(16
)
 
(49
)
2020 Net Sales
$
1,197

 
$
978

 
$
80

 
$
64

 
$
2,319

The following table compares the second quarter of 2020 comparable sales to the second quarter of 2019:
Second Quarter
2020
 
2019
Comparable Sales (Stores and Direct) (a)
 
 
 
Bath & Body Works (b)
123
%
 
8
%
Victoria's Secret (b)
28
%
 
(6
%)
Total Comparable Sales
63
%
 
(1
%)
 
 
 
 
Comparable Store Sales (a)
 
 
 
Bath & Body Works (b)
87
%
 
4
%
Victoria’s Secret (b)
(10
%)
 
(9
%)
Total Comparable Store Sales
33
%
 
(4
%)
________
(a)
The percentage change in comparable sales represents direct and comparable store sales. The percentage change in comparable store sales represents the change in sales at comparable stores only and excludes the change in sales from our direct channels. A store is typically included in the calculation of comparable sales when it has been open 12 months or more and it has not had a change in selling square footage of 20% or more. Stores are excluded from the comparable sales calculation if they have been closed for four consecutive days or more. Therefore, comparable sales results for the second quarter of 2020 exclude stores that were closed for four consecutive days or more as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, stores of a given brand are excluded if total selling square footage for the brand in the mall changes by 20% or more through the opening or closing of a second store. The percentage change in comparable sales is calculated on a comparable calendar period as opposed to a fiscal basis. Comparable sales attributable to our international stores are calculated on a constant currency basis.
(b)
Includes company-owned stores in the U.S. and Canada.
The results by segment are as follows:
Bath & Body Works
For the second quarter of 2020, net sales increased $136 million to $1.197 billion, comparable sales increased 123% and comparable store sales increased 87% (during the period the stores were open). Net sales increased primarily as a result of an increase in our direct channel, which increased 191% to $519 million. During the quarter, we focused on increasing our direct fulfillment capacity to meet the significant increase in demand and, as a result, are achieving strong productivity and maintaining standard delivery times for our customers after experiencing delays earlier in the year. In both channels, sales were strong across all regions, store types and merchandise categories, driven by continued high demand for soaps and sanitizers and also strong comparable sales performance in body care and home fragrance. These increases were partially offset by the COVID-19-related store closures as, on average, Bath & Body Works stores were closed for about half of the quarter.
The increase in comparable sales was driven by increases in digital traffic, conversion and average unit retail.

29

Victoria's Secret
For the second quarter of 2020, net sales decreased $628 million to $978 million, comparable sales increased 28% and comparable store sales decreased 10% (during the period stores were open). Net sales decreased primarily as a result of the COVID-19-related store closures as, on average, Victoria’s Secret stores were closed for about 70% of the quarter (including the impact of the approximately 250 stores which we plan to close). This was partially offset by an increase in Victoria's Secret Direct channel sales, which increased 65% to $614 million, reflecting significant growth in the Lingerie, PINK and Beauty businesses.
The increase in comparable sales was driven by increases in digital traffic, conversion and average unit retail.
Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works International
For the second quarter of 2020, net sales decreased $75 million to $80 million primarily due to the significant number of COVID-19-related store closures impacting Company-owned and partner-operated stores.
Other
For the second quarter of 2020, net sales decreased $16 million to $64 million due a decrease in wholesale sales to our international partners, impacted significantly by COVID-19-related store closures.
Gross Profit
For the second quarter of 2020, our gross profit decreased $272 million to $711 million, and our gross profit rate (expressed as a percentage of net sales) decreased to 30.7% from 33.9%, primarily driven by the following:
Bath & Body Works
For the second quarter of 2020, the gross profit increase was due to increased merchandise margin dollars related to the increase in net sales and a decrease in promotional activity, partially offset by higher occupancy expenses due to increased direct channel fulfillment and shipping costs.
The gross profit rate increase was driven by an increase in the merchandise margin rate due to a more profitable semi-annual sale period and less promotional activity.
Victoria's Secret
For the second quarter of 2020, the gross profit decrease was due to lower merchandise margin dollars related to the decrease in net sales due to the COVID-19-related store closures and store and lease asset impairment charges of $75 million. These decreases were partially offset by a meaningful pullback in promotional activity, better pricing during semi-annual sale and reduced occupancy expenses due to the store closures.
The gross profit rate decrease was primarily driven by the store and lease asset impairment charges and buying and occupancy deleverage on lower net sales, partially offset by a higher merchandise margin rate reflecting a meaningful pullback in promotional activity and better pricing during semi-annual sale.
Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works International
For the second quarter of 2020, the gross profit decrease was due to lower merchandise margin dollars related to the decrease in net sales due to the COVID-19-related store closures and lease asset impairment charges of $42 million, partially offset by a $36 million net gain related to the closure and termination of our lease for the Victoria’s Secret Hong Kong flagship store and reduced depreciation expense due to store and lease asset impairments recognized in prior periods.
The gross profit rate decrease was driven by the lease asset impairment charges and buying and occupancy deleverage on lower net sales.
General, Administrative and Store Operating Expenses
For the second quarter of 2020, our general, administrative and store operating expenses decreased $141 million to $667 million due to declines in store selling payroll, supplies, credit card fees and marketing expenses as a result of the COVID-19-related store closures, partially offset by severance and related costs associated with headcount reductions totaling $81 million and increased credit card fees in our direct businesses.
The general, administrative and store operating expense rate increased to 28.8% from 27.8% due to the severance and related costs.

30

Other Income and Expense
Interest Expense
The following table provides the average daily borrowings and average borrowing rates for the second quarter of 2020 and 2019:
Second Quarter
2020
 
2019
Average daily borrowings (in millions)
$
6,173

 
$
5,792

Average borrowing rate (in percentages)
6.8
%
 
6.6
%
For the second quarter of 2020, our interest expense increased $9 million to $104 million due to both higher average daily borrowings and average borrowing rate.
Other Income (Loss)
For the second quarter of 2020, our other loss decreased $38 million primarily due to a $40 million loss associated with the early extinguishment of outstanding notes recognized in the second quarter of 2019.
Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes
For the second quarter of 2020, our effective tax rate was 17.7% compared to 10.1% in the second quarter of 2019. The second quarter of 2020 rate was lower than our combined estimated federal and state statutory rate primarily due to losses related to certain foreign subsidiaries, which generate no tax benefit, partially offset by recent changes in tax legislation included in the CARES Act, which resulted in a $21 million tax benefit. The second quarter of 2019 rate was lower than our combined federal and state statutory rate primarily due to the resolution of certain tax matters.
Results of Operations
Year-to-Date 2020 Compared to Year-to-Date 2019
Operating Income (Loss)
The following table provides our segment operating income (loss) and operating income (loss) rates (expressed as a percentage of net sales) for year-to-date 2020 in comparison to year-to-date 2019:
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income (Loss) Rate
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
Year-to-Date
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
Bath & Body Works
$
395

 
$
335

 
20.7
 %
 
17.3
 %
Victoria’s Secret
(440
)
 
49

 
(24.5
%)
 
1.6
 %
Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works International
(54
)
 
(5
)
 
(37.1
%)
 
(1.8
%)
Other (a)
(175
)
 
(51
)
 
(145.2
%)
 
(26.5
%)
Total Operating Income (Loss)
$
(274
)
 
$
328

 
(6.9
%)
 
5.9
 %
  _______________
(a)
Includes sourcing and corporate functions.
For year-to-date 2020, operating income (loss) decreased $602 million, or 184%, to a loss of $274 million, and the operating income (loss) rate decreased to (6.9%) from 5.9%. The drivers of the operating income results are discussed in the following sections.

31

Net Sales
The following table provides net sales for year-to-date 2020 in comparison to year-to-date 2019:
 
2020
 
2019
 
% Change
Year-to-Date
(in millions)
 
 
Bath & Body Works Stores (a)
$
1,102

 
$
1,597

 
(31
%)
Bath & Body Works Direct
807

 
335

 
141
%
Total Bath & Body Works
1,909

 
1,932

 
(1
%)
Victoria’s Secret Stores (a)
877

 
2,381

 
(63
%)
Victoria’s Secret Direct
922

 
735

 
25
%
Total Victoria’s Secret
1,799

 
3,116

 
(42
%)
Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works International (b)
146

 
289

 
(50
%)
Other (c)
120

 
193

 
(38
%)
Total Net Sales
$
3,974

 
$
5,530

 
(28
%)
 _______________
(a)
Includes company-owned stores in the U.S. and Canada.
(b)
Includes company-owned stores in the U.K., Ireland and Greater China, direct sales in Greater China and wholesale sales, royalties and other fees associated with non-company owned stores.
(c)
Includes wholesale revenues from our sourcing function.

The following table provides a reconciliation of net sales for year-to-date 2020 to year-to-date 2019:
 
Bath &
Body Works
 
Victoria's Secret
 
Victoria’s Secret
and
Bath & Body Works International
 
Other
 
Total
Year-to-Date
(in millions)
2019 Net Sales
$
1,932

 
$
3,116

 
$
289

 
$
193

 
$
5,530

Comparable Store Sales
359

 
(121
)
 
(39
)
 
—

 
199

Sales Associated with New, Closed and Non-comparable Remodeled Stores, Net
(848
)
 
(1,342
)
 
(40
)
 
—

 
(2,230
)
Foreign Currency Translation
(7
)
 
(4
)
 
(8
)
 
—

 
(19
)
Direct Channels
473

 
185

 
(2
)
 
—

 
656

Private Label Credit Card
—

 
(35
)
 
—

 
—

 
(35
)
International Wholesale, Royalty and Other
—

 
—

 
(54
)
 
(73
)
 
(127
)
2020 Net Sales
$
1,909

 
$
1,799

 
$
146

 
$
120

 
$
3,974


32


The following table compares year-to-date 2020 comparable sales to year-to-date 2019:
Year-to-Date
2020
 
2019
Comparable Sales (Stores and Direct) (a)
 
 
 
Bath & Body Works (b)
84
%
 
10
%
Victoria's Secret (b)
6
%
 
(6
%)
Total Comparable Sales
32
%
 
(1
%)
 
 
 
 
Comparable Store Sales (a)
 
 
 
Bath & Body Works (b)
54
%
 
6
%
Victoria’s Secret (b)
(13
%)
 
(8
%)
Total Comparable Store Sales
12
%
 
(3
%)
________
(a)
The percentage change in comparable sales represents direct and comparable store sales. The percentage change in comparable store sales represents the change in sales at comparable stores only and excludes the change in sales from our direct channels. A store is typically included in the calculation of comparable sales when it has been open 12 months or more and it has not had a change in selling square footage of 20% or more. Stores are excluded from the comparable sales calculation if they have been closed for four consecutive days or more. Therefore, comparable sales results for 2020 exclude stores that were closed for four consecutive days or more as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, stores of a given brand are excluded if total selling square footage for the brand in the mall changes by 20% or more through the opening or closing of a second store. The percentage change in comparable sales is calculated on a comparable calendar period as opposed to a fiscal basis. Comparable sales attributable to our international stores are calculated on a constant currency basis.
(b)
Includes company-owned stores in the U.S. and Canada.
The results by segment are as follows:
Bath & Body Works
For year-to-date 2020, net sales decreased $23 million to $1.909 billion, comparable sales increased 84% and comparable store sales increased 54% (during the period the stores were open). Net sales decreased as a result of the COVID-19-related store closures. The Bath & Body Works Direct channel, which remained open throughout the period, grew sales by 141% to $807 million as we focused on increasing our fulfillment capacity to meet the significant increase in demand. In both channels, sales were strong across all regions, store types and merchandise categories, driven by continued high demand for soaps and sanitizers and also strong comparable sales performance in home fragrance and body care.
The increase in comparable sales was driven by increases in digital traffic, conversion and average unit retail.
Victoria's Secret
For year-to-date 2020, net sales decreased $1.317 billion to $1.799 billion, comparable sales increased 6% and comparable store sales decreased 13% (during the period the stores were open). Net sales decreased primarily as a result of the COVID-19-related store closures. This decline was partially offset by an increase in Victoria's Secret Direct channel sales, which increased 25% to $922 million despite a temporary suspension of operations in March, reflecting significant growth in the Lingerie, PINK and Beauty businesses.
The increase in comparable sales was driven by increases in digital traffic, conversion and average unit retail.
Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works International
For year-to-date 2020, net sales decreased $143 million to $146 million due to the significant number of COVID-19-related store closures impacting Company-owned and partner-operated stores.
Other
For year-to-date 2020, net sales decreased $73 million to $120 million due a decrease in wholesale sales to our international partners, impacted significantly by COVID-19-related store closures.
Gross Profit
For year-to-date 2020, our gross profit decreased $916 million to $1.000 billion, and our gross profit rate (expressed as a percentage of net sales) decreased to 25.2% from 34.6%, primarily driven by the following:

33

Bath & Body Works
For year-to-date 2020, the gross profit decrease was due to lower merchandise margin dollars related to the decrease in net sales due to the COVID-19-related store closures. This decrease was partially offset by a decrease in promotional activity.
The gross profit rate remained about flat as a meaningful reduction in promotional activity was offset by buying and occupancy deleverage in the stores channel on lower net sales.
Victoria's Secret
For year-to-date 2020, the gross profit decrease was due to lower merchandise margin dollars related to the decrease in net sales due to the COVID-19-related store closures and store and lease asset impairment charges of $172 million. These decreases were partially offset by reduced occupancy expenses due to the store closures, and a meaningful pullback in promotional activity and better pricing during semi-annual sale.
The gross profit rate decrease was driven by the store and lease asset impairment charges and buying and occupancy deleverage on lower net sales.
Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works International
For year-to-date 2020, the gross profit decrease was due to lower merchandise margin dollars related to the decrease in net sales due to the COVID-19-related store closures and lease asset impairment charges of $42 million, partially offset by a $36 million net gain related to the closure and termination of our lease for the Victoria’s Secret Hong Kong flagship store and reduced depreciation expense due to store and lease asset impairments recognized in prior periods.
The gross profit rate decrease was driven by the lease asset impairment charges and buying and occupancy deleverage on lower net sales.
General, Administrative and Store Operating Expenses
For year-to-date 2020, our general, administrative and store operating expenses decreased $314 million to $1.274 billion due to declines in store selling payroll, supplies, credit card fees and marketing expenses as a result of the COVID-19-related store closures, partially offset by severance and related costs associated with headcount reductions totaling $81 million and increased credit card fees in our direct businesses.
The general, administrative and store operating expense rate increased to 32.1% from 28.7% due to deleverage on lower net sales and the severance and related costs.
Other Income and Expense
Interest Expense
The following table provides the average daily borrowings and average borrowing rates for year-to-date 2020 and 2019:
Year-to-Date
2020
 
2019
Average daily borrowings (in millions)
$
6,125

 
$
5,835

Average borrowing rate (in percentages)
6.5
%
 
6.6
%
For year-to-date 2020, our interest expense increased $7 million to $201 million due to higher average daily borrowings.
Other Income (Loss)
For year-to-date 2020, our other income (loss) increased $34 million to income of $3 million primarily due to a $40 million loss associated with the early extinguishment of outstanding notes recognized in the second quarter of 2019.
Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes
For year-to-date 2020, our effective tax rate was 26.7% compared to 24.0% year-to-date 2019. The year-to-date 2020 rate was generally consistent with our combined estimated federal and state statutory rate due to the resolution of certain tax matters, which resulted in a $50 million tax benefit, and recent changes in tax legislation included in the CARES Act, which resulted in a $21 million tax benefit, offset by losses related to certain foreign subsidiaries, which generate no tax benefit. The year-to-date 2019 rate was lower than our combined estimated federal and state statutory rate primarily due to the resolution of certain tax matters.


34

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity, or access to cash, is an important factor in determining our financial stability. We are committed to maintaining adequate liquidity. Cash generated from our operating activities provides the primary resources to support current operations, growth initiatives, seasonal funding requirements and capital expenditures. Our cash provided from operations is impacted by our net income (loss) and working capital changes. Our net income (loss) is impacted by, among other things, sales volume, seasonal sales patterns, success of new product introductions, profit margins and income taxes. Historically, sales are higher during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year due to seasonal and holiday-related sales patterns. Generally, our need for working capital peaks during the summer and fall months as inventory builds in anticipation of the holiday period. Our cash and cash equivalents held by foreign subsidiaries were $149 million as of August 1, 2020.
COVID-19 Response
Since the global COVID-19 crisis began, we have taken prudent actions to manage expenses and to maintain our solid cash position and financial flexibility through the pandemic, including:
•
Furloughing most store associates as of April 5 during their temporary store closure, while continuing to provide healthcare benefits for eligible associates;
•
Suspending associate merit increases;
•
Temporarily reducing salaries for senior vice presidents and above by 20%;
•
Temporarily suspending cash compensation for all members of the Board of Directors;
•
Reducing 2020 forecasted capital expenditures from $550 million to approximately $250 million;
•
Reducing Spring (first and second quarter) inventory receipts versus last year by approximately 45% at Victoria's Secret and PINK, and by approximately 20% at Bath & Body Works;
•
Suspending the quarterly cash dividend beginning in the second quarter of fiscal 2020;
•
Suspending most store and select office rent payments during the temporary closures. We are in active discussions with our landlords to negotiate with respect to these rent payments and go-forward occupancy costs;
•
Converting the revolving credit facility to an asset-backed loan facility and issuing $1.25 billion in new notes; and
•
Extending payment terms to vendors.
Working Capital and Capitalization
We believe that our available short-term and long-term capital resources are sufficient to fund foreseeable requirements.

35

The following table provides a summary of our working capital position and capitalization as of August 1, 2020, February 1, 2020 and August 3, 2019:
 
August 1,
2020
 
February 1,
2020
 
August 3,
2019
 
(in millions)
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities (a)
$
286

 
$
1,236

 
$
162

Capital Expenditures (a)
124

 
458

 
244

Working Capital
1,072

 
873

 
437

Capitalization:
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term Debt
6,269

 
5,487

 
5,475

Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)
(1,908
)
 
(1,499
)
 
(933
)
Total Capitalization
$
4,361

 
$
3,988

 
$
4,542

Amounts Available Under the Credit Agreement (b)
$
—

 
$
981

 
$
990

 _______________
(a)
The February 1, 2020 amounts represent a fifty-two-week period, and the August 1, 2020 and August 3, 2019 amounts represent twenty-six-week periods.
(b)
As of August 1, 2020, our borrowing base was $844 million but we were unable to draw upon the Credit Agreement as our consolidated cash balance exceeded $350 million. We had outstanding letters of credit, which reduce our availability under the Credit Agreement, of $61 million as of August 1, 2020, $19 million as of February 1, 2020 and $10 million as of August 3, 2019.

Cash Flow
The following table provides a summary of our cash flow activity for year-to-date 2020 and 2019:
 
Year-to-Date
 
2020
 
2019
 
(in millions)
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash, Beginning of Period
$
1,499

 
$
1,413

Net Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities
286

 
162

Net Cash Flows Used for Investing Activities
(116
)
 
(237
)
Net Cash Flows Provided by (Used for) Financing Activities
1,071

 
(483
)
Effects of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
(1
)
 
(2
)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
1,240

 
(560
)
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash, End of Period
$
2,739

 
$
853

Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities in 2020 was $286 million, including a net loss of $346 million. Net loss included depreciation of $266 million, store and lease asset impairment charges of $214 million, gain from Victoria's Secret Hong Kong store closure and lease termination of $39 million and share-based compensation expense of $28 million. Other changes in assets and liabilities represent items that had a current period cash flow impact, such as changes in working capital. The most significant items in working capital were the seasonal and COVID-19-related changes in Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other, Inventories, Income Taxes Payable and Accounts Receivable.
Net cash provided by operating activities in 2019 was $162 million, including net income of $78 million. Net income included depreciation of $295 million, share-based compensation expense of $44 million and loss on extinguishment of debt of $40 million. Other changes in assets and liabilities represent items that had a current period cash flow impact, such as changes in working capital. The most significant items in working capital were the seasonal changes in Income Taxes Payable and Inventories, and the changes in Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other and Accounts Receivable.

36

Investing Activities
Net cash used for investing activities in 2020 was $116 million consisting primarily of capital expenditures of $124 million. The capital expenditures were primarily related to spending on technology and logistics to support our digital businesses and other retail capabilities. Capital expenditures of $45 million related to the opening of new stores or the remodeling and improving of existing stores, primarily for Bath & Body Works.
Net cash used for investing activities in 2019 was $237 million consisting primarily of capital expenditures of $244 million, partially offset by proceeds of $12 million related to our divestiture of La Senza. The capital expenditures included $169 million for opening new stores and remodeling and improving existing stores. Remaining capital expenditures were primarily related to spending on technology and logistics to support our digital businesses and other retail capabilities.
Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities in 2020 was $1.071 billion consisting primarily of net proceeds of $1.231 billion from the issuance of new notes, partially offset by dividend payments of $0.30 per share, or $83 million, and $52 million of net repayments under our Foreign Facilities. We also borrowed and repaid $950 million under our Credit Agreement during 2020.
Net cash used for financing activities in 2019 was $483 million consisting primarily of $799 million in payments for the early extinguishment of outstanding notes maturing between 2020 and 2022, quarterly dividend payments of $0.60 per share, or $166 million, and tax payments related to share-based awards of $11 million, partially offset by the net proceeds of $486 million from the issuance of the 2029 Notes and $11 million of net new borrowings under our Foreign Facilities.
Common Stock Share Repurchases
Our Board of Directors will determine share repurchase authorizations, giving consideration to our levels of profit and cash flow, capital requirements, current and forecasted liquidity, the restrictions placed upon us by our borrowing arrangements as well as financial and other conditions existing at the time. We use cash flow generated from operating and financing activities to fund our share repurchase programs. The timing and amount of any repurchases will be made at our discretion, taking into account a number of factors, including market conditions.
We did not repurchase any shares during 2020 or 2019.
In March 2018, our Board of Directors approved a $250 million repurchase program, which had $79 million remaining as of August 1, 2020.
Dividend Policy and Procedures
Our Board of Directors will determine future dividends after giving consideration to our levels of profit and cash flow, capital requirements, current and forecasted liquidity, the restrictions placed upon us by our borrowing arrangements as well as financial and other conditions existing at the time. We use cash flow generated from operating and financing activities to fund our dividends.
Our Board of Directors suspended our quarterly cash dividend beginning in the second quarter of fiscal 2020 as a proactive measure to strengthen our financial flexibility and manage through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the authority and declaration of our Board of Directors, we paid the following dividends during year-to-date 2020 and 2019:
 
 
Ordinary Dividends
 
Total Paid
 
 
(per share)
 
(in millions)
2020
 
 
 
 
Second Quarter
 
$
—

 
$
—

First Quarter
 
0.30

 
83

Total
 
$
0.30

 
$
83

2019
 
 
 
 
Second Quarter
 
$
0.30

 
$
83

First Quarter
 
0.30

 
83

Total
 
$
0.60

 
$
166


37

Long-term Debt and Borrowing Facilities
The following table provides our outstanding debt balance, net of unamortized debt issuance costs and discounts, as of August 1, 2020, February 1, 2020 and August 3, 2019:
 
August 1,
2020
 
February 1,
2020
 
August 3,
2019
 
(in millions)
Senior Secured Debt with Subsidiary Guarantee
 
 
 
 
 
$750 million, 6.875% Fixed Interest Rate Secured Notes due July 2025 ("2025 Secured Notes")
$
739

 
$
—

 
$
—

Secured Foreign Facilities
101

 
103

 
95

Total Senior Secured Debt with Subsidiary Guarantee
$
840

 
$
103

 
$
95

Senior Debt with Subsidiary Guarantee
 
 
 
 
 
$1 billion, 6.875% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due November 2035 (“2035 Notes”)
$
991

 
$
991

 
$
990

$860 million, 5.625% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due February 2022 (“2022 Notes”)
858

 
858

 
857

$700 million, 6.75% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due July 2036 (“2036 Notes”)
693

 
693

 
693

$500 million, 5.625% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due October 2023 (“2023 Notes”)
498

 
498

 
498

$500 million, 5.25% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due February 2028 (“2028 Notes”)
496

 
496

 
496

$500 million, 9.375% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due July 2025 ("2025 Notes")
492

 
—

 
—

$500 million, 7.50% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due June 2029 ("2029 Notes")
488

 
487

 
486

$450 million, 6.625% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due April 2021 (“2021 Notes”)
450

 
450

 
449

$297 million, 6.694% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due January 2027 (“2027 Notes”)
277

 
276

 
274

Total Senior Debt with Subsidiary Guarantee
$
5,243

 
$
4,749

 
$
4,743

Senior Debt
 
 
 
 
 
$350 million, 6.95% Fixed Interest Rate Debentures due March 2033 (“2033 Notes”)
$
348

 
$
348

 
$
348

$300 million, 7.60% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due July 2037 (“2037 Notes”)
298

 
298

 
297

Unsecured Foreign Facilities
—

 
50

 
67

Total Senior Debt
$
646

 
$
696

 
$
712

Total
$
6,729

 
$
5,548

 
$
5,550

Current Debt
(460
)
 
(61
)
 
(75
)
Total Long-term Debt, Net of Current Portion
$
6,269

 
$
5,487

 
$
5,475

Issuance of Notes
In June 2020, we issued $750 million of 6.875% senior secured notes due July 2025. The obligation to pay principal and interest on these notes is jointly and severally guaranteed on a full and unconditional basis by us and certain of our 100% owned subsidiaries. The 2025 Secured Notes are secured on a first-priority lien basis by substantially all of our and the guarantors' assets, and on a second-priority lien basis by certain collateral securing the ABL Facility, in each case, subject to certain exceptions. The proceeds from the issuance were $739 million, which were net of issuance costs of $11 million. The issuance costs are being amortized through the maturity date and are included within Long-term Debt on the August 1, 2020 Consolidated Balance Sheet.

In June 2020, we also issued $500 million of 9.375% notes due in July 2025 (the "2025 Notes"). The obligation to pay principal and interest on these notes is jointly and severally guaranteed on a full and unconditional basis by us and certain of our 100% owned subsidiaries. The proceeds from the issuance were $492 million, which were net of issuance costs of $8 million. The issuance costs are being amortized through the maturity date and are included within Long-term Debt on the August 1, 2020 Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Repurchases of Notes
In June 2019, we completed the early settlement of tender offers to repurchase $212 million of outstanding 2020 Notes, $330 million of outstanding 2021 Notes and $96 million of outstanding 2022 Notes for $669 million. We used the proceeds from the 2029 Notes, together with cash on hand, to fund the purchase price for the tender offers. Additionally, in July 2019, we redeemed the remaining $126 million of outstanding 2020 Notes for $130 million.

38

In the second quarter of 2019, we recognized a pre-tax loss on extinguishment of debt of $40 million (after-tax loss of $30 million), which includes redemption fees and the write-offs of unamortized issuance costs. This loss is included in Other Income (Loss) in the 2019 Consolidated Statements of Income.
Revolving Credit Facility
We and certain of our 100% owned subsidiaries guarantee and pledge collateral to secure a revolving credit facility. In April 2020, we entered into an amendment and restatement of the Credit Agreement to convert our credit facility into an asset-backed revolving credit facility. The Amendment maintains the aggregate commitments at $1 billion, and maintains the expiration date in August of 2024. The ABL Facility allows borrowings and letters of credit in U.S. dollars or Canadian dollars.
Availability under the ABL Facility is the lesser of (i) the borrowing base, determined primarily based on our eligible U.S. and Canadian credit card receivables, accounts receivable, inventory and eligible real property, or (ii) the aggregate commitment. If at any time, the outstanding amount under the ABL Facility exceeds the lesser of (i) the borrowing base and (ii) the aggregate commitment, we will be required to prepay the outstanding amounts under the ABL Facility to the extent of such excess. In addition, at any time that our consolidated cash balance exceeds $350 million, we will be required to prepay outstanding amounts under the ABL Facility to the extent of such excess. As of August 1, 2020, our borrowing base was $844 million but we were unable to draw upon the ABL Facility as our consolidated cash balance exceeded $350 million.
As of August 1, 2020, the ABL Facility fees related to committed and unutilized amounts were 0.30% per annum, and the fees related to outstanding letters of credit were 1.75% per annum. In addition, the interest rate on outstanding U.S. dollar borrowings was the London Interbank Offered Rate plus 1.75% per annum. The interest rate on outstanding Canadian dollar-denominated borrowings was the Canadian Dollar Offered Rate plus 1.75% per annum. 
The ABL Facility requires us to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.00 to 1.00 during an event of default or any period commencing on any day when specified excess availability is less than the greater of (1) $100 million or (2) 15% of the maximum borrowing amount. As of August 1, 2020, we were not required to maintain this ratio.
In March 2020, in an abundance of caution and as a proactive measure in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we elected to borrow $950 million from our revolving facility, which was prepaid upon the completion of the Amendment. As of August 1, 2020, there were no borrowings outstanding under the ABL Facility.
The ABL Facility supports our letter of credit program. We had $61 million of outstanding letters of credit as of August 1, 2020 that reduced our availability under the ABL Facility.
Foreign Facilities
Certain of our China subsidiaries utilize revolving and term loan bank facilities to support their operations. The Foreign Facilities allow borrowings in U.S. dollars and Chinese Yuan, and interest rates on outstanding borrowings are based upon the applicable benchmark rate for the currency of each borrowing. Certain of these facilities are guaranteed by us and certain of our 100% owned subsidiaries, and certain of these facilities were guaranteed by us only.
The Secured Foreign Facilities have availability totaling $128 million. During 2020, we borrowed $20 million and made payments of $22 million under the Secured Foreign Facilities. As of August 1, 2020, there were borrowings of $101 million outstanding under the Secured Foreign Facilities, of which $10 million is included within Current Debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Borrowings on the Secured Foreign Facilities mature between September 2020 and August 2024.
During the second quarter, we placed cash on deposit with certain financial institutions as collateral for their lending commitments under the Secured Foreign Facilities. The amount of collateral required reduces over time as we make certain paydowns. These deposits, totaling $128 million, are recorded in Other Assets on the August 1, 2020 Consolidated Balance Sheet.
During 2020, we borrowed $13 million and made payments of $63 million under the Unsecured Foreign Facilities. During the second quarter of 2020, with no borrowings outstanding, we terminated the Unsecured Foreign Facilities.
Credit Ratings
The following table provides our credit ratings as of August 1, 2020:
 
Moody’s
 
S&P
Senior Secured Debt
Ba2
 
BB
Corporate
B2
 
B+
Senior Unsecured Debt with Subsidiary Guarantee
B2
 
B+
Senior Unsecured Debt
Caa1
 
B-
Outlook
Negative
 
Negative

39

Subsequent to August 1, 2020, S&P updated our outlook to Stable.
Guarantor Summarized Financial Information
Certain of our subsidiaries, which are listed on Exhibit 22 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, have guaranteed our obligations under the 2021 Notes, 2022 Notes, 2023 Notes, 2025 Notes, 2027 Notes, 2028 Notes, 2029 Notes, 2035 Notes and the 2036 Notes (collectively, the "Unsecured Notes") and the 2025 Secured Notes (the “Secured Notes” and together with the Unsecured Notes, the “Notes”).
The Notes have been issued by L Brands, Inc. (the “Parent Company”). The Unsecured Notes are its senior unsecured obligations and the Secured Notes are its senior secured obligations. The Unsecured Notes rank equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future senior unsecured obligations, senior to any of our future subordinated indebtedness, are effectively subordinated to all of our existing and future indebtedness that is secured by a lien and are structurally subordinated to all existing and future obligations of each of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the Unsecured Notes. The Secured Notes rank equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future senior obligations, senior to any of our future subordinated indebtedness, are effectively senior to all of our existing and future indebtedness that is secured by a lien on collateral that ranks junior to the lien on such collateral securing the Secured Notes, are effectively senior to all of our existing and future unsecured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing the Secured Notes, are effectively subordinated to all of our existing and future indebtedness that is secured by a lien on assets that do not constitute collateral or that is secured by a first-priority lien on certain collateral, in each case to the extent of the value of such assets, and structurally subordinated to all existing and future obligations of each of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the Unsecured Notes.
The Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis by certain of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, including each subsidiary that also guarantees our obligations under certain of our senior secured credit facilities (such guarantees, the “Guarantees” and, such guaranteeing subsidiaries, the “Subsidiary Guarantors”). The Guarantees of the Subsidiary Guarantors are subject to release in limited circumstances only upon the occurrence of certain customary conditions. Each Guarantee is limited, by its terms, to an amount not to exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed by the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor subject to avoidance under applicable fraudulent conveyance provisions of U.S. and non-U.S. law.
The following tables set forth summarized financial information for the Parent Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors on a combined basis after elimination of (i) intercompany transactions and balances among the Parent Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors and (ii) investments in and equity in the earnings of non-Guarantor subsidiaries:
SUMMARIZED BALANCE SHEETS
August 1,
2020
 
February 1,
2020
 
(in millions)
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current Assets (a)
$
5,202

 
$
3,728

Noncurrent Assets
5,007

 
5,357

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES
 
 
 
Current Liabilities (b)
$
4,923

 
$
4,163

Noncurrent Liabilities (c)
9,293

 
8,772

 _______________
(a)
Includes amounts due from non-Guarantor subsidiaries of $1.255 billion and $1.091 billion as of August 1, 2020 and February 1, 2020, respectively.
(b)
Includes amounts due to non-Guarantor subsidiaries of $2.269 billion and $2.684 billion as of August 1, 2020 and February 1, 2020, respectively.
(c)
Includes amounts due to non-Guarantor subsidiaries of $476 million as of both August 1, 2020 and February 1, 2020.

40

SUMMARIZED STATEMENT OF LOSS
Year-to-Date
 
2020
 
(in millions)
Net Sales (a)
$
3,802

Gross Profit
970

Operating Loss
(173
)
Loss Before Income Taxes
(407
)
Net Loss (b)
(263
)
 _______________
(a)
Includes net sales of $101 million to non-Guarantor subsidiaries.
(b)
Includes net loss of $7 million related to transactions with non-Guarantor subsidiaries.
In addition to the Subsidiary Guarantors, a certain subsidiary, which is listed on Exhibit 22 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, has only guaranteed our obligations under the 2025 Notes and the 2025 Secured Notes. This subsidiary had assets, all of which were noncurrent, of $239 million and $244 million as of August 1, 2020 and February 1, 2020, respectively. In addition, this subsidiary had current liabilities of $2 million as of August 1, 2020 and $119 million as of February 1, 2020, which included $93 million due to the Subsidiary Guarantors. Year-to-date 2020 Statement of Loss activity for this subsidiary is immaterial.
Contingent Liabilities and Contractual Obligations
La Senza
In connection with the sale of La Senza in the fourth quarter of 2018, certain of our subsidiaries have remaining contingent obligations of $36 million related to lease payments under the current terms of noncancelable leases expiring at various dates through 2028. These obligations include minimum rent and additional payments covering taxes, common area costs and certain other expenses and relate to leases that commenced prior to the disposition of the business. As of August 1, 2020, we have recorded reserves of $37 million related to these lease-related obligations and certain other obligations related to the La Senza business. As of August 1, 2020, reserves of $6 million are included within Accrued Expenses and Other on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and the remaining reserves are included within Other Long-term Liabilities.
Other
In connection with the noncancelable operating lease of an operating asset, we provide a residual value guarantee to the lessor if the leased asset cannot be sold for an amount in excess of a specified minimum value at the conclusion of the lease term. The lease expires in 2021, and the total amount of the guarantee is $28 million. We did not record a liability as of August 1, 2020.
Contractual Obligations
Our contractual obligations primarily consist of long-term debt and the related interest payments, operating leases, purchase orders for merchandise inventory and other long-term obligations. These contractual obligations impact our short-term and long-term liquidity and capital resource needs. There have been no material changes in our contractual obligations since February 1, 2020, as discussed in “Contingent Liabilities and Contractual Obligations” in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K, other than the newly issued 2025 Secured Notes and 2025 Notes. Certain of our contractual obligations may fluctuate during the normal course of business (primarily changes in our merchandise inventory-related purchase obligations, which fluctuate throughout the year as a result of the seasonal nature of our operations).
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Credit Losses
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses, which requires the use of a forward-looking expected loss impairment model for accounts receivable and certain other financial instruments. We adopted the standard in the first quarter of 2020. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

41

Guarantor Reporting
In March 2020, the SEC issued a final rule, Financial Disclosures About Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities and Affiliates Whose Securities Collateralize a Registrant’s Securities, that simplifies the disclosure requirements related to registered securities under Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X. The rule replaces the requirement to provide condensed consolidating financial information with a requirement to present summarized financial information of the issuers and guarantors. It also requires qualitative disclosures with respect to information about guarantors, the terms and conditions of guarantees and the factors that may affect payment. These disclosures may be provided outside the footnotes to our consolidated financial statements. We early adopted the reporting requirements of the rule in the first quarter of 2020 and elected to provide these disclosures in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
IMPACT OF INFLATION
While it is difficult to accurately measure the impact of inflation due to the imprecise nature of the estimates required, we believe the effects of inflation, if any, on the results of operations and financial condition have been minor.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to adopt accounting policies related to estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period, as well as the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its accounting policies, estimates and judgments, including those related to inventories, long-lived assets, claims and contingencies, income taxes and revenue recognition. Management bases our estimates and judgments on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
There have been no material changes to the critical accounting policies and estimates disclosed in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market Risk
The market risk inherent in our financial instruments represents the potential loss in fair value, earnings or cash flows arising from adverse changes in foreign currency exchange rates or interest rates. We may use derivative financial instruments like foreign currency forward contracts, cross-currency swaps and interest rate swap arrangements to manage exposure to market risks. We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.
Foreign Exchange Rate Risk
We have operations in foreign countries which expose us to market risk associated with foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Our Canadian dollar, British pound, Chinese Yuan and Euro denominated earnings are subject to exchange rate risk as substantially all our merchandise sold in Canada, the U.K., Ireland and Greater China is sourced through U.S. dollar transactions. Although we utilize foreign currency forward contracts to partially offset risks associated with our operations in Canada and the U.K., these measures may not succeed in offsetting all the short-term impact of foreign currency rate movements and generally may not be effective in offsetting the long-term impact of sustained shifts in foreign currency rates.
Further, although our royalty arrangements with our international partners are denominated in U.S. dollars, the royalties we receive in U.S. dollars are calculated based on sales in the local currency. As a result, our royalties in these arrangements are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.
Interest Rate Risk
Our investment portfolio primarily consists of interest-bearing instruments that are classified as cash and cash equivalents based on their original maturities. Our investment portfolio is maintained in accordance with our investment policy, which specifies permitted types of investments, specifies credit quality standards and maturity profiles and limits credit exposure to any single issuer. The primary objective of our investment activities is the preservation of principal, the maintenance of liquidity and the maximization of interest income while minimizing risk. Typically, our investment portfolio is comprised of U.S. government obligations, U.S. Treasury and AAA-rated money market funds, commercial paper and bank deposits. Given the short-term nature and quality of investments in our portfolio, we do not believe there is any material risk to principal associated with increases or decreases in interest rates.

42

Excluding our Foreign Facilities, all of our debt as of August 1, 2020 has fixed interest rates. We will from time to time adjust our exposure to interest rate risk by entering into interest rate swap arrangements. Our exposure to interest rate changes is limited to the fair value of the debt issued, which would not have a material impact on our earnings or cash flows.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
As of August 1, 2020, we believe that the carrying values of accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value because of their short maturity.
The following table provides a summary of the principal value and estimated fair value of outstanding publicly traded debt as of August 1, 2020, February 1, 2020 and August 3, 2019:
 
August 1,
2020
 
February 1,
2020
 
August 3,
2019
 
(in millions)
Principal Value
$
6,708

 
$
5,458

 
$
5,458

Fair Value, Estimated (a)
6,692

 
5,555

 
5,215

 _______________
(a)
The estimated fair value is based on reported transaction prices. The estimates presented are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that we could realize in a current market exchange.
Concentration of Credit Risk
We maintain cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and derivative contracts with various major financial institutions. We monitor the relative credit standing of financial institutions with whom we transact and limit the amount of credit exposure with any one entity. Typically, our investment portfolio is primarily comprised of U.S. government obligations, U.S. Treasury and AAA-rated money market funds, commercial paper and bank deposits. We also periodically review the relative credit standing of franchise, license and wholesale partners and other entities to which we grant credit terms in the normal course of business.

Item 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective and designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (1) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and (2) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in internal control over financial reporting. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred in the second quarter of 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

43

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are a defendant in a variety of lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business. Actions filed against our Company from time to time include commercial, tort, intellectual property, customer, employment, data privacy, securities and other claims, including purported class action lawsuits. Although it is not possible to predict with certainty the eventual outcome of any litigation, in the opinion of management, our current legal proceedings are not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.
In July 2019, a plaintiff shareholder filed a putative class action complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio alleging that we made false and/or misleading statements relating to the November 2018 announcement that we were reducing our quarterly dividend. In September 2019, a different plaintiff shareholder filed a second putative class action complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio containing substantially the same allegations and seeking substantially the same relief.  In October 2019, the Court issued an order consolidating the two putative class actions, appointing a lead plaintiff, and approving that lead plaintiff’s selection of lead counsel.  The lead plaintiff filed a consolidated amended complaint on December 20, 2019 that asserted substantially the same allegations and sought substantially the same relief as the initial complaint.  We filed a motion to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint on February 18, 2020, the lead plaintiff filed an opposition to our motion to dismiss on May 4, 2020, and we filed a reply brief in further support of its motion to dismiss on June 3, 2020.  Our motion to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint is now fully briefed and pending before the court.  The court will hear oral argument on the motion to dismiss on September 23, 2020. We view this lawsuit as meritless and intend to defend against this lawsuit vigorously. 
On February 19, 2020, a plaintiff shareholder filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio alleging derivative claims on our behalf against certain of our current and former directors and officers.  We were named as nominal defendant.  The lawsuit asserts claims for breach of fiduciary duty, corporate waste and unjust enrichment in connection with alleged misstatements about our quarterly dividend prior to the announced reduction of the dividend in November 2018. On July 21, 2020, the court so-ordered a stipulation staying all proceedings in this lawsuit, pending resolution of the motion to dismiss that we filed on February 18, 2020 in the putative class action lawsuit described above.  We intend to seek dismissal of the lawsuit at the appropriate time.
On May 19, 2020, a purported shareholder filed a derivative lawsuit on behalf of L Brands, Inc. in the Court of Common Pleas for Franklin County, Ohio.  The complaint names as defendants certain current and former directors and officers of L Brands, Inc. and alleges, among other things, that these defendants breached their fiduciary duties by violating law and/or company policies relating to workplace conduct.  We were named as nominal defendant only, and there are no claims asserted against us.  On June 16, 2020, the lawsuit was removed to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.  On July 6, 2020, the court so-ordered a stipulation staying the lawsuit until December 29, 2020.  We are currently evaluating potential options for responding to the lawsuit.
Item 1A.
RISK FACTORS

The following information supplements the risk factors described in “Item 1A: Risk Factors” in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K and should be read in conjunction with the risk factors described in the 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K. We wish to caution the reader that the risk factors discussed in “Item 1A: Risk Factors” in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K and those described in this report or other SEC filings could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated in any forward-looking statements.

Divestitures or other dispositions, including any divestiture of Victoria’s Secret and related operations, could negatively impact our business, and contingent liabilities from businesses that we have sold could adversely affect our financial statements.

We continually assess the shareholder value and the strategic fit of our existing businesses, and may divest or otherwise dispose of businesses that are deemed not to fit with our strategic plan, or are not achieving the desired shareholder value or return on investment. These transactions, including any divestiture of Victoria’s Secret and related operations, pose risks and challenges that could negatively impact our business. For example, we may be unable to do so on satisfactory terms within our anticipated timeframe or at all, and even after reaching a definitive agreement to sell or dispose a business, the sale is typically subject to satisfaction of pre-closing conditions which may not become satisfied. In addition, divestitures or other dispositions may dilute our earnings per share, have other adverse financial and accounting impacts and distract management, and disputes may arise with buyers. In addition, we may be required to indemnify buyers against known and unknown contingent liabilities related to any businesses we have sold or disposed of. The resolution of these contingencies may have a material effect on our financial statements. Uncertainty about the effect of any potential divestiture of Victoria’s Secret on employees, commercial partners and

44

vendors may have an adverse effect on us. These uncertainties may impair our ability to retain and motivate key personnel and could cause commercial partners, vendors and others that deal with us to defer or decline entering into contracts with us or seek to change existing business relationships with us. In addition, if key employees depart because of uncertainty about their future roles and the potential complexities of any potential divestiture of Victoria’s Secret, our business could be harmed. If we are unable to divest any such businesses, including Victoria’s Secret, we will continue to be subject to the risks of operating such businesses.

Item 2.
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The following table provides our repurchases of our common stock during the second quarter of 2020:
Period
Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased (a)
 
Average Price
Paid per
Share (b)
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Programs (c)
 
Maximum Number of Shares (or Approximate Dollar Value) that May Yet be Purchased Under the Programs (c)
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
(in thousands)
May 2020
74

 
$
10.31

 
—

 
$
78,677

June 2020
23

 
17.50

 
—

 
78,677

July 2020
4

 
20.39

 
—

 
78,677

Total
101

 
 
 
—

 
 
  _______________
(a)
The total number of shares repurchased includes shares repurchased in connection with tax payments due upon vesting of employee restricted stock awards and the use of our stock to pay the exercise price on employee stock options.
(b)
The average price paid per share includes any broker commissions.
(c)
For additional share repurchase program information, see Note 5, “Earnings (Loss) Per Share and Shareholders' Equity (Deficit)” included in Item 1. Financial Statements.

Item 3.
DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

Not applicable.

Item 4.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

Item 5.
OTHER INFORMATION

None.


45

Item 6. EXHIBITS

Exhibits
 
  
 
 
 
15
 
 
 
 
22
 
 
 
 
31.1
 
 
 
 
31.2
 
 
 
 
32
 
 
 
 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
 
 
 
101.SCH
 
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
 
101.CAL
 
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.DEF
 
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.LAB
 
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.PRE
 
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
104
 
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)


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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. 
 
L BRANDS, INC.
 
(Registrant)
 
By:
/s/ STUART B. BURGDOERFER
 
 
Stuart B. Burgdoerfer
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer *
Date: September 3, 2020
*
Mr. Burgdoerfer is the principal financial officer and the principal accounting officer and has been duly authorized to sign on behalf of the Registrant.


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