Limited Brands, Inc. today reported 2011 fourth quarter and full-year results.

Fourth Quarter Results: Adjusted earnings per share for the fourth quarter ended Jan. 28, 2012, which exclude certain significant items as detailed below, increased 19 percent to $1.50 compared to $1.26 for the quarter ended Jan. 29, 2011.  Fourth quarter adjusted operating income was $786.5 million compared to $713.5 million last year, and adjusted net income was $459.2 million compared to $419.7 million last year.

Including the significant items below, reported fourth quarter earnings per share were $1.17 compared to $1.36 last year; operating income was $641.1 million compared to $713.5 million last year; and net income was $359.4 million compared to $452.3 million last year.

The company reported a comparable store sales increase of 7 percent for the fourth quarter ended Jan. 28, 2012, compared to the fourth quarter ended Jan. 29, 2011.  The company reported net sales of $3.515 billion for the fourth quarter ended Jan. 28, 2012, compared to sales of $3.456 billion last year.

Total sales were negatively impacted by the sale of our third party apparel sourcing business in the beginning of November 2011.