Core Viewpoint - Victoria's Secret & Co. is set to release its fourth quarter 2025 earnings on March 5, 2026, with a live conference call scheduled for 8:30 a.m. ET, providing insights into the company's financial performance and strategic direction [1][2]. Company Overview - Victoria's Secret & Co. (NYSE: VSCO) is a specialty retailer offering a range of fashion-inspired collections, including bras, lingerie, apparel, and fragrances, with a commitment to empowering women [3]. - The company operates over 1,400 retail stores across approximately 70 countries and employs more than 30,000 associates [3]. Earnings Call Details - The earnings release will be available on the company's investor relations website approximately one hour before the conference call [1]. - Participants can join the call via a dedicated link or dial-in numbers provided for both domestic and international audiences [2].

Core Insights - Graphene Investments has completely liquidated its position in Bath & Body Works, selling 114,700 shares for an estimated $2.95 million, indicating a significant loss of confidence in the company's turnaround prospects [2][3][9] Company Overview - Bath & Body Works reported a total revenue of $7.35 billion and a net income of $699 million for the trailing twelve months (TTM) [5] - The company has a dividend yield of 3.74% and its share price was $21.45 as of January 26, 2026 [5] Transaction Details - The sale of 114,700 shares resulted in a decrease in the position's end-of-quarter value by $2.95 million, reflecting both the sale and price changes [3][7] - This transaction accounted for 1.85% of Graphene Investments' 13F reportable assets under management (AUM) [7] - Post-sale, Graphene Investments holds zero shares of Bath & Body Works, which previously represented 1.9% of its AUM [7][8] Market Performance - As of January 26, 2026, Bath & Body Works shares have decreased by 39.5% over the past year, underperforming the S&P 500 by 54.05 percentage points [8] Implications for Investors - The complete exit from Bath & Body Works by Graphene Investments suggests a fundamental change in the investment thesis rather than routine portfolio rebalancing, especially following a 25% drop in stock price after disappointing third-quarter results [9] Company Profile - Bath & Body Works offers a range of products including home fragrance, body care, soaps, and sanitizers, primarily through direct-to-consumer sales in North America, with additional revenue from international franchises and wholesale arrangements [10] - The company targets a broad consumer base in the United States and Canada seeking personal care and home fragrance products [10]

Company Overview - Bath & Body Works, Inc. is a leading specialty retailer in the North American personal care and home fragrance market, utilizing a multi-channel distribution strategy that includes retail stores, e-commerce, and international partnerships to enhance sales and brand recognition [5][8] - The company offers a variety of products, including home fragrance, body care, soaps, and sanitizers under the Bath & Body Works and White Barn brands [8] Financial Performance - For the trailing twelve months (TTM), Bath & Body Works reported revenue of $7.36 billion and a net income of $699 million, with a dividend yield of 3.6% [3] - The stock price as of November 12, 2025, was $22.40, reflecting a significant decline from a 52-week intraday high of $41.87 [3][9] - The company experienced a 1% year-over-year decline in net sales during the quarter, which contributed to a considerable drop in net income, attributed to lower discretionary spending and increased promotional activities [11] Recent Developments - Blueshift Asset Management, LLC disclosed a reduction in its holding of Bath & Body Works shares by 105,980 shares, valued at approximately $3.14 million, resulting in a remaining holding of 42,412 shares worth $1.09 million [2][11] - Following the sale, Bath & Body Works represented only 0.34% of Blueshift's total assets under management (AUM), indicating a diminished significance within the fund's portfolio [1][11] - The stock's performance has been notably poor, with a one-year total return of -27.15%, significantly underperforming the S&P 500 by 41.22 percentage points [7]

Core Insights - Barington Companies Management, LLC initiated a new position in Bath & Body Works, acquiring 125,000 shares valued at $3.22 million, representing 2.42% of its total reportable assets of $133.17 million as of September 30, 2025 [2][3] Company Overview - Bath & Body Works, Inc. operates 1,755 company-owned retail stores and has a significant online presence, focusing on strong brand recognition and a robust product pipeline to maintain customer loyalty [5] - The company generates revenue primarily from direct retail sales in the U.S. and Canada, supplemented by international licensing and wholesale arrangements [8] - As of November 12, 2025, Bath & Body Works reported a revenue of $7.37 billion and a net income of $699 million, with a dividend yield of 3.57% [3] Investment Position - Barington's investment in Bath & Body Works is relatively small at 2.42% of its assets under management, which is notable given the fund's concentrated portfolio of only 12 stocks [9][10] - The stock has experienced a one-year total return of -27.15%, significantly underperforming the S&P 500 by 41.22 percentage points [7] - The P/E ratio of Bath & Body Works was 7 at the time of the filing, which may have attracted Barington to this investment [11] Market Performance - As of November 12, 2025, Bath & Body Works shares were priced at $22.40, with a market cap of $4 billion [12] - The stock has been on a downward trajectory since February, and it may take time for Barington to see positive returns on this investment [10][13]

Company Overview - Bath & Body Works is a leader in home fragrance, body care, and soaps and sanitizers with over $7 billion in annual sales [2] - The company operates more than 2,400 stores globally [2] Event Format - The presentation format is a fireside chat aimed at addressing investor questions and audience inquiries [3]

Core Insights - Bath & Body Works Inc. experienced a significant stock decline of nearly 25% after reporting disappointing third-quarter earnings and reducing its full-year outlook due to macro consumer pressures [1][3] - The company reported a net income of $77 million, or 37 cents per share, down from $106 million, or 49 cents per share, in the previous year, with adjusted earnings of 35 cents per share compared to the expected 39 cents [3][9] - The company has announced a turnaround plan aiming for $250 million in cost savings by 2027, focusing on core products and attracting younger consumers [2][5] Financial Performance - Third-quarter net income was $77 million, a decrease from $106 million year-over-year, with earnings per share of 37 cents compared to 49 cents last year [3] - Revenue for the quarter was reported at $1.59 billion, falling short of the expected $1.63 billion [9] - The company anticipates fourth-quarter revenue to decline in the high single digits, contrasting with Wall Street's expectation of a 1.5% increase [4] Strategic Initiatives - The "Consumer First Formula" strategy includes four priorities: creating innovative products, reigniting the brand, winning in the marketplace, and operating efficiently [5] - The company plans to exit certain product categories, such as haircare and men's grooming, to refocus on core offerings like body care and fragrances [6] - Bath & Body Works aims to enhance its digital presence by revamping its app and website, and lowering the free shipping threshold in early 2026 [8] Market Positioning - CEO Daniel Heaf emphasized the need to adapt to evolving consumer preferences for efficacy, ingredient-led products, and modern packaging [7] - The company is recruiting influencers to generate social buzz and attract new consumers [7]

Core Insights - Bath & Body Works reported weaker-than-expected Q3 results, with a decline in sales and earnings, leading to a cut in full-year guidance [1][2] - CEO Daniel Heaf acknowledged that the company has made mistakes, including failing to attract younger consumers and becoming overly reliant on discounting, which has harmed brand value [2] - The company plans to simplify its product offerings by eliminating hair care and men's grooming products, focusing instead on core areas like body care and home fragrances to attract a younger audience [3][4] Strategic Initiatives - The company aims to "reignite its brand" and transform into a faster and more efficient organization by breaking down silos and speeding up decision-making processes [4] - Bath & Body Works is launching on Amazon to reach new customers, estimating that $60 million to $80 million of its products are sold via the grey market on the platform, presenting a significant sales opportunity [5] - The stock price of Bath & Body Works has decreased by 25% today and 58% this year, indicating market concerns about its performance [5]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q3, the company reported net sales of $1.6 billion, a decrease of 1% compared to the prior year, and adjusted earnings per diluted share of 35 cents, both below expectations [21][22] - The gross profit rate was 41.3%, down 220 basis points year-over-year, primarily due to a 260 basis point decrease in merchandise margin impacted by tariffs [23] - Operating income for Q3 was $161 million, down 26% from the previous year [24] - For Q4, the company expects sales to decline by high single digits and a gross profit rate of approximately 44.5% [25][26] - Full-year net sales guidance has been lowered from a growth of 1.5%-2.7% to a decline of low single digits, with adjusted earnings per diluted share guidance reduced from $3.35-$3.60 to at least $2.87 [27] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - All core categories experienced low single-digit declines in Q3, indicating a need for focused investment in these areas [22] - U.S. and Canadian store net sales were flat at $1.2 billion, while direct net sales decreased by 7% to $299 million [22] - International net sales increased by 6% to $73 million, with system-wide retail sales growing by 16% [23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consumer sentiment is negatively impacting purchase intent, with recent data showing a decline in consumer confidence due to job loss concerns and affordability issues [25] - The competitive retail marketplace is highly challenging, with customers waiting for deeper discounts before making purchases [25] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on a consumer-first strategy with four pillars: creating innovative products, reigniting the brand, winning in the marketplace, and operating with speed and efficiency [20][10] - Plans include reducing SKU complexity, exiting non-core categories, and investing in core product categories to attract new consumers [12][68] - The company aims to launch on Amazon in early 2026 to reach new consumers and enhance brand visibility [15][16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledges that the current consumer environment is challenging and that the brand is not fulfilling its potential [5][34] - The company is committed to making necessary changes to return to growth, with a focus on long-term sustainable growth [18][51] - Management expects that the initiatives will take time to impact financial performance, with more visible results anticipated in the second half of 2026 [38][47] Other Important Information - The company plans to deliver $250 million in cost savings over the next two years, with over half identified for 2026 [17] - Capital expenditures for the year are projected at approximately $240 million, down from previous guidance [27] - Free cash flow expectation for the full year is approximately $650 million, reflecting current performance trends [28] Q&A Session Summary Question: What changed between when the CEO first joined and current expectations? - The CEO noted that the brand is not fulfilling its potential and that the focus on adjacencies has resulted in underinvestment in core categories [34][35] Question: What are the key KPIs for the new strategy? - The CEO highlighted total active consumers and growth in core categories as key metrics, along with improvements in digital traffic and dwell time [45][46] Question: How will the company balance investments and margins in 2026? - The CEO indicated that 2026 will focus on investing behind the brand while also unlocking $250 million in savings to fund these investments [51] Question: What is the plan for the Amazon partnership? - The CEO explained that the initial product assortment will include evergreen products, with plans to expand thoughtfully over time [62] Question: How will the company exit non-go-forward categories? - The CEO stated that SKU rationalization will begin in Q1 2026, focusing on consumer feedback to simplify the product offering [80][81]

Core Viewpoint - Victoria's Secret & Co. is set to release its third quarter 2025 earnings on December 5, 2025, with a live conference call scheduled for 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss the results [1][2]. Company Overview - Victoria's Secret & Co. (NYSE: VSCO) is a specialty retailer offering modern, fashion-inspired collections, including bras, lingerie, apparel, and fragrances, with a commitment to empowering over 30,000 associates across more than 1,400 retail stores in nearly 70 countries [3].

Core Viewpoint - Victoria's Secret & Co. is experiencing significant momentum and outperformance under the leadership of new CEO Hillary Super, with total shareholder returns of 89% since her appointment, significantly outperforming relevant indices and peers [1][7]. Group 1: Board Engagement and Evaluation - The Board has been actively engaging with BBRC and is currently reviewing Brett Blundy's candidacy for a Board seat, along with his other demands [2][3]. - The Board's evaluation process includes thorough due diligence due to potential conflicts of interest and past conduct-related issues associated with BBRC [3][4]. - Despite the Board's collaborative approach, Mr. Blundy has not responded to follow-up questions, leading to disappointment from the Board regarding BBRC's public communication strategy [4][5]. Group 2: Company Performance and Strategy - Under CEO Hillary Super's leadership, Victoria's Secret & Co. has implemented the "Path to Potential" strategy, resulting in significant outperformance, including beating sales and operating income guidance in the second quarter [6][7]. - The company has increased its full-year sales guidance despite facing tariff headwinds, indicating strong operational performance [6][7]. - The Board has added four new directors since the spin-off from L Brands, enhancing its retail experience and governance [6]. Group 3: Shareholder Communication - Victoria's Secret & Co. is committed to transparent and collaborative communication with BBRC and all shareholders, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling fiduciary duties and enhancing shareholder value [5][8]. - The company appreciates BBRC's investment and aims to capitalize on its current momentum as it approaches the holiday season [7].