limited brands

The Victoria's Secret chain has a secret, all right, and it's a dirty one. Its undies that are purported to be made with "fair trade" organic cotton actually utilize some unseemly labor practices in the early stages of the supply chain.

Retail stocks surged Thursday, as June same-store sales sparked investor euphoria. The jump probably stood out even more sharply against a still-tough economy for many U.S. consumers. However, if this sudden elation has you thinking about snapping up retail shares yourself, make sure you shop with more than a little caution.

Bath & Body Works is Limited Brands' second most valuable division after Victoria's Secret, representing 25% of the firm's estimated equity value. Trefis looks at how this key division is recovering from the recession, and what that could mean for the company overall.

Spending for the lovers' holiday this year is expected to climb 5.8% over 2009, and that spells opportunity for investors. Here are some greeting card, candy, jewelry, flower and restaurant stocks that could get a lift from sweethearts looking for that special something.

Early in the year, the market appeared fraught with danger as the recession threatened to hang around. But for the intrepid, it was a welcome stage for value-hunting at depressed stock prices. Here's a look at my column's picks that panned out well -- and not so well.

As year-end nears, investors are in for a surprise about which stocks in the S&P 500 spearheaded the unexpectedly robust upswing in 2010. Hint: Cummins is the only economy-driven name in the bunch. Plus: Goldman Sachs on how 2011 could turn out.

Big merchants got an early Christmas present this year: Better-than expected November sales. This group posted 6% sales growth compared to 2009, far ahead of most forecasts for 3% to 4% growth. But bargain-hunting is likely to continue in December.

As retailers wrapped up their earnings reports this week, most said they're back in cost-control mode and will tighten inventories after the holidays. Shoppers are still spending cautiously and costs are on the rise, so profits will have to be squeezed out of slowly rising sales.

Limited Brands (LTD), owner of retail chains including Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works, will pay out a special dividend of $3 a share. The company also plans to buy back $200 million of its shares, Limited Brands said in a statement. "We have been and remain committed to returning...

After a stronger-than-expected spring, summer doldrums have hit harder than usual. Merchants' second-quarter reports and a slow economic recovery means retailers have to work hard to boost sales for the year.