Finance & Capital Management

L Brands Inc. continues to elude the troubles that have plagued other mall retailers, as the company reported a spike in same store sales.

The parent company of Bath and Body Works and Victoria's Secret said earnings per share for the second quarter ended Aug. 1 increased 8% to 68 cents compared to 63 cents for the quarter ended Aug. 2, 2014. Net income was $202.5 million compared to $188.4 million last year. Same store sales increased 4%.

Columbus, Ohio — L Brands Inc. met Wall Street expectations with profit and revenue in the second quarter of fiscal 2015. Net income grew 7% to $202.48 million from $188.36 million the same period a year earlier.

The cost of goods sold rose at a slower rate than net sales, helping boost profits. Net sales grew 4% to $2.76 billion from $2.67 billion. Same-store sales rose 3% overall, with the Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works banners both posting a 3% same-store sales lift.

Nashville, Tenn. — Even as net sales climbed, Kirlkland’s Inc. missed Wall Street expectations with growing net loss in the second quarter of fiscal 2015. Increases in operating expenses and depreciation helped more than double net loss to $2.3 million from $1.1 million the same quarter a year earlier.

Net sales rose 10% to $233.6 million from $211.7 million. Same-store sales, including e-commerce, rose 4.8%.

Stage Stores Inc. lowered its profit forecast for the year and said it plans to close at least 90 underperforming stores as the retailer invests more on digital.

The retailer said it expects the closures to enhance its capital efficiency, deliver higher productivity and allow it to invest more money in the online sales product mix and technology in general.

Mooresville, N.C. – Lowe’s Companies Inc. missed Wall Street expectations for profit but beat the Street with revenue in a mixed second quarter of fiscal 2015. Net earnings totaled $1.13 billion, up 8% from $1.04 billion the same quarter a year earlier.

Lowe’s achieved its lower-than-expected profit increase by limiting growth of costs and expenses while beating expectations with net sales of $17.35 billion, up 4% from $16.6 billion. Same-store sales increased 4.3%.

Norfolk, Va. -- The Cordish Companies announced its comprehensive $40 million overhaul and rebranding of Norfolk, Virginia’s iconic Waterside Festival Marketplace as Waterside District.

Lumber Liquidators has hired a new executive to help it fight off an avalanche of legal troubles that has hammered the flooring retailer.

Chicago - Lawn fertilizer, grass and weed killer, and propane grills were the top three categories driving small-scale growth at True Value Co. during the second quarter of fiscal 2015.

The company reported gross billings of $573.6 million for the quarter ended July 4, up 1% from the same period a year ago. Revenue was $431.9 million, an increase of 0.6% or $2.4 million. The cooperative posted a quarterly net margin of $9.3 million.