Limited Brands Profit Jumps

The company remained upbeat, however. Said Chief Executive Leslie Wexner: "Despite severe weather and record energy prices that have impacted the general retail environment in the last few months, we remain confident in our ability to deliver earnings growth in the fall season."

Looking to the full year, the retailer increased its EPS guidance to $1.30 to $1.35. The Wall Street consensus is for earnings of $1.30 a share.

Limited also announced a $250 million share repurchase program and said it finished a previous $100 million share repurchase program as of Wednesday. It repurchased 4.7 million shares for $90.5 million.

Lastly, the company declared its regular quarterly dividend of 12 cents a share. It will be paid to shareholders on Sept. 14.