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]

PresentationKatherine DelahuntMorgan Stanley, Research Division Okay. Good morning, everyone. We can get this started. So for those of you who don't know me, I'm Katy Delahunt, an associate on Alex Straton, Softline Retail and Brands team here at Morgan Stanley. And thank you all for joining us to kick off the second day of Morgan Stanley's Global Consumer and Retail Conference. So I'm really pleased to welcome Bath & Body Works. And here on the stage with us, they're the leader in home fragrance, body car ...

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].

Group 1 - Kenvue Inc. (NYSE:KVUE) is considered one of the most oversold large-cap stocks in 2025, with Barclays lowering its price target from $20 to $17 while maintaining an Equal Weight rating [1] - The company operates in the consumer health sector through three segments: Skin Health and Beauty, Self Care, and Essential Health [2] - The Skin Health and Beauty segment includes various product categories such as hair care, body care, and face care, with a global presence in over 165 countries [3] Group 2 - The firm has adjusted its growth models to reflect "muted and decelerating" growth in certain areas of the personal care domain since the Q2 reports [2] - There is a belief that certain AI stocks may offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk compared to Kenvue [4]

Core Viewpoint - Victoria's Secret & Co. will participate in a fireside chat at the Goldman Sachs 32nd Annual Global Retailing conference on September 4, 2025, featuring CEO Hillary Super and CFO Scott Sekella [1]. Company Overview - Victoria's Secret & Co. is a specialty retailer offering modern, fashion-inspired collections, including bras, panties, lingerie, apparel, casual sleepwear, swimwear, lounge, and sport items, as well as prestige fragrances and body care [3]. - The company operates leading brands, Victoria's Secret and PINK, and also includes Adore Me, a technology-driven, digital-first intimates brand catering to women of all sizes and budgets [3]. - Victoria's Secret & Co. employs over 30,000 associates and has approximately 1,380 retail stores across nearly 70 countries [3]. Event Details - A live audio webcast of the fireside chat will be available on the company's investor relations website, with a replay accessible afterward [2].