Both are down, but one is a buy

Article Excerpt

On August 3, 2021, the old L Brands holding company (old New York symbol LB) split into two separate firms: Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works. Investors received one new share of Victoria’s Secret for every three shares of L Brands they held. L Brands then changed its name to Bath & Body Works. Victoria’s Secret is now down roughly 60%, while the former parent has dropped 30%. Those declines are mainly because higher interest rates and inflation are prompting consumers to spend less on discretionary goods. We still like the long-term outlook for both, but we prefer Bath & Body Works for your new buying due to activist pressure and a new share buyback plan. VICTORIA’S SECRET & CO. $19 is a hold. The company (New York symbol VSCO; Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 78.3 million; Market cap: $1.5 billion; No dividend paid; Takeover Target Rating: Medium; www.victoriassecretandco.com) sells lingerie, sleepwear and beauty products through 1,378 stores in over 70 countries under the banners of…