UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
______________________________________________________ 
FORM 11-K
______________________________________________________ 
(Mark One)
[X]
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011

OR

[ ]
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _______ to   _______               
Commission file number 1-8344




A.
Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below:

Limited Brands, Inc.
Savings and Retirement Plan


B.
Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office:


Limited Brands, Inc.
Three Limited Parkway
Columbus, Ohio 43230






Financial Statements and Supplemental Schedule
Limited Brands, Inc. Savings and Retirement Plan
Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
With Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm




Limited Brands, Inc. Savings and Retirement Plan
Financial Statements and Supplemental Schedule
Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010

Contents







Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Retirement Plan Committee of
Limited Brands, Inc. and
Plan Administrator of the Limited Brands, Inc.
Savings and Retirement Plan


We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of Limited Brands, Inc. Savings and Retirement Plan (the Plan) as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related statements of changes in net assets available for benefits for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Plan's internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Plan's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan at December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the changes in its net assets available for benefits for the years then ended, in conformity with US generally accepted accounting principles.

Our audits were conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the financial statements taken as a whole. The accompanying supplemental schedule of assets (held at end of year) as of December 31, 2011 is presented for purposes of additional analysis and is not a required part of the financial statements but is supplementary information required by the Department of Labor's Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. Such information is the responsibility of the Plan's management. The information has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in our audits of the financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the financial statements taken as a whole.

/s/ Ernst & Young, LLP    

Columbus, Ohio
June 26, 2012
    


1



Limited Brands, Inc. Savings and Retirement Plan
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits

 
 
December 31,
 
 
2011
 
2010
Assets
 
 
 
 
Investments (at fair value)
 
$
749,243,772

 
$
705,191,312

Wrapper contracts (at fair value)
 
17,599

 
655,277

Total investments
 
749,261,371

 
705,846,589

 
 
 
 
 
Receivable for contributions from employer
 
32,331,995

 
31,160,453

 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
2,605,817

 
1,334,181

Due from brokers
 
60,668

 
128,505

Other earnings
 
89,066

 
297,147

Accrued interest and dividends
 
224

 
748

Total assets
 
784,349,141

 
738,767,623

 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
Due to brokers
 
1,090,380

 
13,887,196

Administrative expenses payable
 
376,921

 
507,376

Total liabilities
 
1,467,301

 
14,394,572

Net assets reflecting all investments at fair value
 
782,881,840

 
724,373,051

Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts
 
(2,042,411
)
 
(32,825
)
Net assets available for benefits
 
$
780,839,429

 
$
724,340,226

 
 
 
 
 
See accompanying notes.
 
 
 
 


2


Limited Brands, Inc. Savings and Retirement Plan
Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits

 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
2011
 
2010
Additions:
 
 
 
 
Investment income:
 
 
 
 
Net appreciation in fair value of investments
 
$
25,407,780

 
$
88,343,126

Dividends
 
15,091,629

 
17,589,589

Earnings from mutual funds
 
3,483,763

 
3,222,848

Earnings from investment contracts
 
2,753,856

 
2,611,419

Earnings from common collective trusts
 
3,432

 
4,365

Other earnings
 
532,995

 
768,165

Total investment income
 
47,273,455

 
112,539,512

 
 
 
 
 
Contributions:
 
 
 
 
Employer
 
51,008,667

 
48,843,351

Participant deferrals
 
33,261,685

 
30,643,912

Participant rollovers
 
2,444,512

 
1,515,770

Total contributions
 
86,714,864

 
81,003,033

 
 
 
 
 
Total additions
 
133,988,319

 
193,542,545

 
 
 
 
 
Deductions:
 
 
 
 
Distributions to participants
 
75,625,953

 
58,254,366

Administrative expenses
 
1,863,163

 
2,125,976

Total deductions
 
77,489,116

 
60,380,342

 
 
 
 
 
Net increase
 
56,499,203

 
133,162,203

 
 
 
 
 
Net assets available for benefits:
 
 
 
 
Beginning of year
 
724,340,226

 
591,178,023

End of year
 
$
780,839,429

 
$
724,340,226

 
 
 
 
 
See accompanying notes.
 
 
 
 



3


1. Description of the Plan
General
The Limited Brands, Inc. Savings and Retirement Plan (“the Plan”) is a defined contribution plan covering eligible employees of Limited Brands, Inc. and its affiliates (“the Employer”). The following description of the Plan provides only general information. Participants should refer to the Plan document (as amended and restated effective as of October 1, 2011) for a more complete description of the Plan's provisions. The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), as amended.
Eligibility
Employees become eligible to participate in the Plan upon becoming at least 21 years of age and either (1) a full-time employee, or (2) a part-time employee having completed a year of employment with 1,000 or more hours of service. All employees eligible to participate in the Plan must complete a year of employment with 1,000 or more hours of service to become eligible for Employer contributions.
Contributions
Employer contributions:
The Employer provides a matching contribution of 100% of each participant's voluntary contributions up to 4% of annual eligible compensation.

The Employer also provides a non-elective annual retirement contribution equal to a percentage of annual eligible compensation to such eligible participants who are employed on the last day of the Plan year and have completed 1,000 hours of service during the Plan year.

Annual retirement contributions are determined based on each participant's annual eligible compensation and accumulated years of vested service as follows:
Years of Vested Service
 
Earnings Up To
Social Security
Wage Base
 
Earnings Above
Social Security
Wage Base
Less than 5 years
 
3%
 
6%
5 or more years
 
4%
 
8%

Annual eligible compensation used to determine Employer contributions is based on each participant's qualified plan compensation less any compensation received prior to initially becoming eligible for Employer contributions, and is limited to the maximum amount permitted under Section 401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”). The annual compensation limit was $245,000 for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.
Participant voluntary contributions:
Participants may elect to make voluntary tax-deferred contributions up to 75% of annual eligible compensation up to the maximum contribution permitted under Section 402(g) of the Code adjusted annually ($16,500 for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010). This voluntary tax-deferred contribution may be limited by Section 401(k) of the Code.

Plan participants age 50 or above before the end of the Plan year whose contributions to the Plan reach the maximum amount allowed by the Plan are eligible to make voluntary “catch up” contributions to the Plan. Catch-up contributions are limited to the maximum permitted under Section 414(v) of the Code adjusted annually ($5,500 for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010). Catch-up contributions are not eligible for Employer matching contributions.

4


Investment Options
Both the Employer and participant contributions are directed solely through each participant's election into investment alternatives offered by the Plan. At any time, participants may also elect to reallocate existing account balances between investment alternatives or to change their investment elections for future contributions. The Plan's investment options offered as of December 31, 2011 include eight mutual funds, one unitized pooled mutual fund, six common collective trusts, one pooled account of the Employer's common stock, one pooled account of common collective trusts and synthetic investment contracts, and self-managed brokerage accounts. The Employer periodically reviews and may make changes to the investment choices available. On May 3, 2011 the Plan replaced one fund and one fund manager, eliminated one fund and changed the share classes for nine funds.
If a participant makes no investment fund election, any contributions made into the participant's account are invested into the Plan's qualified default investment alternative (“QDIA”). The Plan's QDIA is the age-appropriate Schwab Managed Retirement Trust Fund, which is selected based on the participant's date of birth.
Participant Accounts
Each participant's account is credited with the participant's and Employer contributions as well as allocated investment earnings. The benefit to which a participant is entitled is equal to the vested balance in the participant's account.
Vesting
Participants are fully and immediately vested in all voluntary, rollover, and Employer matching contributions. Participants become vested in the Employer retirement contributions over a period of 6 years of vested service as follows:
Years of Vested Service
 
Percentage
Less than 2 years
 
—%
2 years
 
20%
3 years
 
40%
4 years
 
60%
5 years
 
80%
6 or more years
 
100%

Employees hired on or after January 1, 2010 are credited with a year of vested service for each Plan year in which they have at least 1,000 hours of service. Employees hired prior to January 1, 2010 are credited with a year of vested service for each Plan year in which they have at least 500 hours of service.
Payment of Benefits
The full value of a participant's account becomes payable upon retirement, disability or death. Upon termination of employment for any other reason, each participant's account, to the extent vested, becomes payable. Terminated participants whose vested account balances are greater than $1,000 are permitted to leave their accounts invested in the Plan until they reach age 65.
Qualifying actively-employed participants may elect to withdraw all or a portion of their vested account balances through specified in-service distribution alternatives, including the age 59½, financial hardship, and early withdrawal.
Participants whose benefit payment include amounts invested in the pooled account of Employer stock may elect to receive such amounts in cash or in whole shares of Employer securities and cash for any fractional shares. Participants may elect to receive their benefit payments from the Plan or have such benefits paid directly to an eligible retirement plan.
Amounts Allocated to Participants Withdrawn from the Plan
Amounts allocated to participants withdrawn from the Plan, but not yet paid, were $110,319 and $764,887 as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Forfeitures
Forfeitures are used to reduce the Employer's required contributions, and if so elected by the Employer, to reduce administrative expenses. Forfeitures used to reduce contributions were $1,537,349 and $1,501,923 for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Forfeitures used to pay administrative expenses were $145,097 and $192,391 for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. There were no unused forfeitures at December 31, 2011 or 2010.

5


Administrative Expenses
Plan participants pay administrative expenses of the Plan through revenue sharing arrangements between the Plan's investment funds and the Plan's trustee, and through fees deducted directly from participant accounts.
The Plan pays no indirect expenses, as revenue sharing and sub transfer fees are credited directly into the Plan's trust accounts, and from there remitted to the Plan's trustee. Fees transferred through the Plan's trust accounts in this manner are reported in the Plan's financial statements as administrative expenses and also as other earnings.
Each participant's account is charged on a per-participant basis for additional recordkeeping and trustee fees, as well as investment advisory and audit fees.
The Employer pays any additional Plan expenses from accumulated forfeitures.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting, as required by Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 962, Plan Accounting - Defined Contribution Pension Plans , including investment valuation and income recognition. Participant benefit payments are recorded upon distribution. The Plan year is January 1 through December 31.
Use of Estimates
The Plan prepares its financial statements in conformity with US generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of net assets available for benefits at the date of the financial statements and the changes in net assets available for benefits during the reporting period and, when applicable, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Risks
The Plan provides for the various investment options as described in Notes 1, 3, 4 and 5. Any investment is exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, market and credit risks. These risks could have a material effect on participants' account balances and the amounts reported in the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits and the Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits.
Investment Valuation and Income Recognition
Investments are reported at fair value. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. See Note 4 for discussion of fair value measurements.
Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade-date basis. Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Fair Value Measurements:
In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") No. 2010-06, Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements , which amends ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures ("Topic 820"). This guidance requires new disclosures and provides amendments to clarify existing disclosures. The new requirements include disclosing transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2 fair value measurements and the reasons for the transfers and further disaggregating activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning in 2010, except for the new disclosures regarding the activity in Level 3 measurements, which were effective in 2011. The Plan adopted this guidance for 2010, except for the new disclosure regarding the activity in Level 3 measurements, which the Plan adopted in 2011. Since ASU 2010-06 only affects fair value measurement disclosures, adoption of ASU 2010-06 did not have an effect on the Plan's net assets available for benefits or its changes in net assets available for benefits.

6


In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS")(Topic 820) , to provide a consistent definition of fair value and ensure that the fair value measurement and disclosure requirements are similar between U.S. GAAP and IFRS. The amendments are to be applied prospectively and are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Plan management is currently evaluating the effect that the provisions of ASU 2011-04 will have on the Plan's financial statements.
Adjustment from Fair Value to Contract Value
In accordance with the FASB authoritative guidance included in ASC 962, Defined Contribution Pension Plans , the Statements of Assets Available for Benefits present investment contracts at fair value. However, contract value is the relevant measurement attribute for the Plan's fully benefit-responsive investment contracts because contract value is the amount participants would receive if they were to initiate permitted transactions under the terms of the plan. The Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits presents the fair value of the investment contracts as well as the adjustment of the fully benefit-responsive investment contract from fair value to contract value. The Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits is prepared on a contract value basis.

Net Appreciation in Fair Value of Investments
Net realized and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is recorded in the accompanying Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits as net appreciation in fair value of investments.
Benefit Payments
Benefits are recorded when paid.

7


3. Investments
The Plan's investments are held by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., trustee of the Plan.
The following table presents balances at December 31, 2011 and 2010 for the Plan's current investments. Investments that represent five percent or more of the Plan's net assets at December 31, 2011 or 2010 are separately identified.
 
December 31,
 
2011
 
2010
Investments at fair value as determined by:
 
 
 
Quoted market price:
 
 
 
Common stocks:
 
 
 
Limited Brands, Inc.
$
165,946,356

 
$
128,902,578

Common stocks - other
1,992,419

 
2,572,234

Mutual funds:
 
 
 
Vanguard Institutional Index Fund
86,981,647

 
86,880,437

Managers Cadence Capital Appreciation Fund

 
47,463,867

Nuveen Winslow Large-Cap Growth Fund
46,406,047

 

Dodge & Cox Stock Fund
43,709,380

 
45,156,202

Artisan International Investor Shares
36,085,802

 
36,976,537

Mutual funds - other
33,040,301

 
58,405,910

Other investments
23,975

 
27,422

Estimated fair value:
 
 
 
Synthetic investment contracts:
 
 
 
Invesco Short Term Bond Fund
48,603,231

 

Synthetic investment contracts - other
107,282,445

 
165,874,928

Common collective trusts:
 
 
 
Schwab Managed Retirement Trust - 2040
48,190,995

 
37,733,504

Schwab Managed Retirement Trust - 2030
47,822,983

 
33,524,294

Common collective trusts - other
47,086,667

 
29,294,090

Pimco - Unitized pooled mutual fund
36,089,123

 
33,034,586

Total investments at fair value
$
749,261,371

 
$
705,846,589


8


The appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of the Plan's investments, including investments bought, sold, and held during the year, for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, is as follows:
 
December 31,
 
2011
 
2010
Net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of investments determined by:
 
 
 
Quoted market price:
 
 
 
Common stocks
$
39,919,770

 
$
43,238,203

Mutual funds
(8,609,995
)
 
30,256,468

Other investments
(16,643
)
 
(14,587
)
 
31,293,132

 
73,480,084

Estimated fair value:
 
 
 
Common collective trusts
(6,796,607
)
 
12,562,978

Unitized pooled mutual fund
911,255

 
2,300,064

 
(5,885,352
)
 
14,863,042

Net appreciation in fair value of investments
$
25,407,780

 
$
88,343,126

4. Fair Value Measurements
The authoritative guidance included in ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure , defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principle or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. This authoritative guidance further establishes a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. This hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:
Level 1
Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2
Observable inputs other than quoted market prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices of similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3
Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets and liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant observable inputs.
Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets measured at fair value. There have been no significant changes in the methodologies used at December 31, 2011 and 2010.
Mutual funds and common stocks: are determined by quoted market prices and are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.
Common collective trusts (“CCTs”) and the unitized pooled mutual fund: are valued at the respective net asset values (“NAV”) as reported by such trusts/funds, which are reported at fair value. The value of each unit is determined by subtracting total liabilities from the total value of the assets, including accrued income, and dividing the amount remaining by the number of units outstanding on the valuation date. There are no restrictions as to the redemption of these investments nor does the Plan have any contractual obligations to further invest in any of these funds. The NAV is a quoted price in a market that is not active and classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.
Synthetic investment contracts (“SICs”): are portfolios of securities (debt securities or units of common collective trusts) owned by the Plan with wrapper contracts. For 2011 the fair value of such wrapper contracts is determined by calculating the present value of excess future wrap fees. When the replacement cost of the wrapper contract (a re-pricing provided annually by the contract issuer) is greater than the current wrap fee, the difference is converted into the implied additional fee payment cash flows for the duration of the holding. The present value of that cash flow stream is calculated using a swap curve yield that is based on the duration of the holding and adjusted for the holding's credit quality rating. For 2010 the fair value of such wrapper contracts is determined based on the present value of the expected contract fees discounted at current market rates.

9


A limited number of the underlying investments in debt securities (corporate debt instruments, U.S government and federal agency obligations and U.S. government-sponsored enterprise obligations) are valued at the closing price reported on the major market on which the individual securities are traded. Where quoted prices are available in an active market, the investments are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. If quoted market prices are not available for the specified security, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or discounted cash flows. When quoted market prices for the specific security are not available in an active market, they are classified within either Level 2 or 3 of the valuation hierarchy. SICs may have elements of risk due to lack of a secondary market and resale restrictions which may result in the inability of the Plan to sell a contract at a fair price and may substantially delay the sale of contracts which the Plan seeks to sell (see Note 5). In addition, wrapper contracts may be subject to credit risk based on the ability of the insurance company or bank to meet interest or principal payments, or both, as they become due. These are classified under Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.
The preceding methods described may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable values or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, although the Plan believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.
The following tables set forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Plan's investments at fair value as of December 31, 2011 and 2010. ASC 820-10 requires investments to be shown by major security types.
 
Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2011
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Target maturity funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CCT equity funds (a)
$

 
$
141,202,930

 
$

 
$
141,202,930

CCT bond funds (b)

 
1,897,715

 

 
1,897,715

Total target maturity funds

 
143,100,645

 

 
143,100,645

Common stocks:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail industry
166,156,390

 

 

 
166,156,390

Other
1,782,385

 

 

 
1,782,385

Total common stocks
167,938,775

 

 

 
167,938,775

Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity funds
120,655,361

 

 

 
120,655,361

Index funds
87,000,866

 

 

 
87,000,866

International funds
36,328,505

 

 

 
36,328,505

Fixed income funds
1,825,696

 

 

 
1,825,696

Other funds
412,729

 

 

 
412,729

Total mutual funds
246,223,157

 

 

 
246,223,157

Synthetic investment contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CCT bond funds (b)

 
151,307,345

 

 
151,307,345

Mutual Fund - Fixed Income
4,560,732

 

 

 
4,560,732

Wrapper contracts

 

 
17,599

 
17,599

Total synthetic investment contracts
4,560,732

 
151,307,345

 
17,599

 
155,885,676

Unitized pooled mutual bond fund (d)

 
36,089,123

 

 
36,089,123

Other investments
23,995

 

 

 
23,995

Total assets at fair value
$
418,746,659

 
$
330,497,113

 
$
17,599

 
$
749,261,371



10



 
Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2010
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
CCT equity funds (a)
$

 
$
100,551,888

 
$

 
$
100,551,888

Common stocks:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail industry
129,147,969

 

 

 
129,147,969

Other
2,326,843

 

 

 
2,326,843

Total common stocks
131,474,812

 

 

 
131,474,812

Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balanced funds
27,460,766

 

 

 
27,460,766

Equity funds
207,905,086

 

 

 
207,905,086

International funds
37,234,012

 

 

 
37,234,012

Other funds
2,283,089

 

 

 
2,283,089

Total mutual funds
274,882,953

 

 

 
274,882,953

Synthetic investment contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CCT bond funds (b)

 
24,111,697

 

 
24,111,697

Corporate bonds

 
34,123,884

 

 
34,123,884

CCT fixed income funds (c)

 
24,170,533

 

 
24,170,533

Government obligations
8,324,407

 
73,933,028

 
556,102

 
82,813,537

Wrapper contracts

 

 
655,277

 
655,277

Total synthetic investment contracts
8,324,407

 
156,339,142

 
1,211,379

 
165,874,928

Unitized pooled mutual bond fund (d)

 
33,034,586

 

 
33,034,586

Other investments
27,422

 

 

 
27,422

Total assets at fair value
$
414,709,594

 
$
289,925,616

 
$
1,211,379

 
$
705,846,589


(a)
This category includes funds designed to provide single investment portfolios that adjust over time to meet the changing risk and return objectives of investors based on retirement date. The funds are diversified across several asset classes, including, but not limited, to Large Cap Equities, Mid Cap Equities, Small Cap Equities, International Equities, Fixed Income and Stable Value.
(b) This category includes investments in U.S. government and agency obligations, asset-backed securities, commercial and residential mortgaged-backed securities, corporate debt securities and FDIC-insured debt securities.
(c) This category includes short-term investments in U.S. government and agency obligations, commercial paper, certificates of deposits and repurchase agreements.
(d) This category invests in Wells Fargo Collective Fund for Pimco Total Return. Total Return is a core bond portfolio strategy that seeks maximum current income and price appreciation consistent with the preservation of capital and prudent risk taking. All sectors of the bond markets are utilized.

11


Gains and Losses on Level 3 Investments

The following tables set forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the Plan's Level 3 investments for the year ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.
 
 
Level 3 Assets
Year Ended December 31, 2011
 
 
Government Obligations
 
Wrapper Contracts
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2010
 
$
556,102

 
$
655,277

 
$
1,211,379

Total net unrealized losses included in net investment income in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits
 

 
(637,678
)
 
(637,678
)
Total net realized losses included in net investment income in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits
 
(1,149
)
 

 
(1,149
)
Total net unrealized gains not included in net investment income in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits
 

 

 

Net purchases
 

 

 

Net sales
 
(554,953
)
 

 
(554,953
)
Net transfers out of Level 3
 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2011
 
$

 
$
17,599

 
$
17,599

The amount of total gains or losses for the period attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at the reporting date
 
$

 
$
(148,895
)
 
$
(148,895
)
Transfers into level 3 are recorded at the beginning of the year and transfers out of level 3 are recorded at the end of the year. The Plan had no significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2.
 
Level 3 Assets
Year Ended December 31, 2010
 
Corporate Bonds
 
Government Obligations
 
Wrapper Contracts
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2009
$
513,259

 

 
$
541,035

 
$
1,054,294

Total net unrealized gains included in net investment income in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits
566,569

 

 

 
566,569

Total net realized losses included in net investment income in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits
(444,650
)
 

 

 
(444,650
)
Total net unrealized gains not included in net investment income in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits

 
 
 
114,242

 
114,242

Net purchases
(277,736
)
 
556,102

 

 
278,366

Net transfers out of Level 3
(357,442
)
 

 

 
(357,442
)
Balance at December 31, 2010
$

 
$
556,102

 
$
655,277

 
$
1,211,379

The amount of total gains or losses for the period attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at the reporting date
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Transfers into level 3 are recorded at the beginning of the year and transfers out of levels 3 are recorded at the end of the year. The Plan had no significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2.

12


5. Investment Contracts
Nature of Investment Contracts
The Plan, under its Stable Value Fund investment option, invests primarily in SICs. In a SIC structure, the underlying investments are owned by the Plan and held in trust for Plan participants. The Plan enters into wrapper contracts from third-party insurance companies or banks that serve to substantially offset the price fluctuations in the underlying investments caused by movements in interest rates. Each wrapper contract obligates the wrapper provider to maintain the “contract value” of the underlying investments. The contract value is generally equal to the contract, less any adjustments for withdrawals (as specified in the wrapper agreement). Under the terms of the wrapper contract, the realized and unrealized gains and losses on the underlying investments are, in effect, amortized over the duration of the underlying investments through adjustments to the future contract interest crediting rate (which is the rate earned by the Plan). The wrapper contract provides that the adjustments to the interest crediting rate will not result in future interest crediting rates that are less than zero. These wrapper contracts are designed to insulate the Plan from investment losses as a result of movements in interest rates. However, they generally do not protect the Plan from loss if a wrapper provider defaults. A default by the wrapper provider on its obligation could result in a decrease in the value of the Plan's assets.
In general, if the contract value of the wrapper agreement exceeds the market value of the underlying investments, including accrued interest, the wrapper provider becomes obligated to pay the difference to the Plan in the event that Plan redemptions result in a total contract liquidation. In the event that there are partial Plan redemptions that would otherwise cause the contract's crediting rate to fall below zero percent, the wrapper provider is obligated to contribute to the Plan an amount necessary to maintain the contract's crediting rate at a minimum of zero percent. The circumstances under which payments are made and the timing of payments between the Plan and the wrapper provider may vary based on the terms of the wrapper contract.
Calculating the Interest Crediting Rate in Wrapper Contracts
The key factors that influence future interest crediting rates for wrapper contracts include:
The level of market interest rates;
The amount and timing of participant contributions, transfers and withdrawals in/out of the wrapper contract;
The investment returns generated by the fixed income investments that back the wrapper contract; and
The duration of the underlying fixed income investments backing the wrapper.
The Plan has no reserves against the contract value for credit risk of the contract issuer or otherwise. The average annual yield for the investment contracts was approximately 2.01% and 4.94% for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The average annual yield adjusted to reflect the rate credited to participants was approximately 1.66% and 1.48% for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
The wrapper contracts' interest crediting rates are typically reset on a monthly or quarterly basis according to each contract.
Because changes in market interest rates affect the yield to maturity and the market value of the underlying investments, they can have a material impact on the wrapper contract's interest crediting rate. In addition, participant withdrawals and transfers from the Plan's Stable Value Fund investment option are paid at contract value, but are funded through the market value liquidation of the underlying investments, also impacting the interest crediting rate. The resulting difference between the market value of the underlying investments relative to the wrapper contract value is presented on the Plan's Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits as Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts. If the adjustment from fair value to contract value is positive for a given contract, this indicates that the wrapper contract value is greater than the market value of the underlying investments. The embedded market value losses will be amortized in the future through a lower interest crediting rate than would otherwise be the case. If the adjustment from fair value to contract value is negative, this indicates that the wrapper contract value is less than the market value of the underlying investments. The amortization of the embedded market value gains will cause the future interest crediting rate to be higher than it otherwise would have been.
Events That Limit the Ability of the Plan to Transact at Contract Value
In certain circumstances, the amount withdrawn from the wrapper contract would be payable at fair value rather than at contract value. These events include Plan disqualification, termination of the Plan, a material adverse change to the provisions of the Plan, the Employer's election to withdraw from a wrapper contract in order to change to a different investment provider, or if the terms of a successor plan (in the event of the spin-off or sale of a division) do not meet the wrapper contract issuer's underwriting criteria for issuance of a clone wrapper contract. While the Employer does consider that the spin-off or sale of an affiliate is possible, they do not consider these or other events to limit the ability of the Plan to transact at contract value.

13


Issuer-Initiated Contract Termination
Wrapper contracts generally are evergreen contacts that contain termination provisions. Events that would permit a wrapper contract issuer to terminate a wrapper contract upon short notice include the Plan's loss of its qualified status, uncured material breaches of responsibilities, failure to make fee payments to the issuer, determination that any of the transactions are or will become prohibitive and material and adverse changes to the provisions of the Plan. If one of these events were to occur, the wrapper contract issuer could terminate the wrapper contract at the market value of the underlying investments (or in the case of a guaranteed investment contract, at the hypothetical market value based upon a contractual formula).
6 . Tax Status
The Plan has received a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) dated April 28, 2009, stating that the Plan is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code and, therefore, the related trust is exempt from taxation. Although the Plan has been amended since receiving the determination letter, the Plan administrator believes that the plan is designed and is currently being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Code and, therefore, believes that the plan is qualified and the related trust is tax-exempt.

U.S GAAP requires Plan management to evaluate uncertain tax positions taken by the Plan. The financial statement effects of a tax position are recognized when the position is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, to be sustained upon examination by the IRS. The Plan administrator has analyzed the tax positions taken by the Plan, and has concluded that as of December 31, 2011, there are no uncertain positions taken or expected to be taken. The Plan has recognized no interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions. The Plan is subject to routine audits by taxing jurisdiction; however, there are currently no audits for any tax periods in progress. The Plan administrator believes it is no longer subject to income tax examinations for years prior to 2008.
7. Plan Administration
The Retirement Plan Committee, comprised of members appointed by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Employer, administers the Plan. The Board of Directors has delegated the day-to-day administrative duties to the Retirement Plan Committee.
8. Plan Termination
Although the Employer has not expressed any intent to do so, the Employer has the right under the Plan to discontinue its contributions at any time. Limited Brands, Inc. has the right at any time, by action of its Board of Directors, to terminate the Plan subject to provisions of ERISA. Upon Plan termination or partial termination, participants will become fully vested in their accounts.
9. Parties-in-Interest
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., trustee of the Plan, its subsidiaries and affiliates maintain and manage certain of the investments of the Plan, for which the Plan is charged investment expenses.
10. Reconciliation of Financial Statements to Form 5500
The following is a reconciliation of net assets available for benefits per the financial statements to Form 5500:
 
December 31,
 
2011
 
2010
Net assets available for benefits per the financial statements
$
780,839,429

 
$
724,340,226

Contract value above (below) fair value
2,042,411

 
32,825

Amounts allocated to withdrawing participants
(110,319
)
 
(764,887
)
Net assets available for benefits per Form 5500
$
782,771,521

 
$
723,608,164


The following is a reconciliation of total additions per the financial statements to the total earnings per the Form 5500:
 
 
Year Ended
December 31, 2011
Total additions per the financial statements
 
$
133,988,319

Adjustments from contract value to fair value
 
2,009,586

Total income per Form 5500
 
$
135,997,905


14



The following is a reconciliation of benefits paid to participants per the financial statements to Form 5500:
 
 
Year Ended
December 31, 2011
Benefits paid to participants per the financial statements
 
$
75,625,953

Amounts allocated to withdrawing participants:
 
 
At December 31, 2011
 
110,319

At December 31, 2010
 
(764,887
)
Benefits paid to participants per Form 5500
 
$
74,971,385


Amounts allocated to withdrawing participants are recorded on Form 5500 for benefit claims that have been processed and approved for payment prior to December 31 but not yet paid as of that date.


15



Supplemental Schedule


16


Limited Brands, Inc. Savings and Retirement Plan
EIN #31-1048997 Plan #002
Schedule H, Line 4i
Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a)
 
(b)
 
(c)
 
(e)
 
 
Identity of Issue, Borrower, Lessor, or Similar Party
 
Description of Investment Including Maturity Date, Rate of Interest, Collateral, Par or Maturity Value
 
Current Value
*
 
Limited Brands, Inc.
 
Common Stock - 4,122,673 - shares
 
$
165,946,356

 
 
Schwab Managed Retirement Trust 2040 Class III
 
Common Collective Trust - 2,735,017 - shares
 
48,190,995

 
 
Schwab Managed Retirement Trust 2030 Class III
 
Common Collective Trust - 2,695,771 - shares
 
47,822,983

 
 
Schwab Managed Retirement Trust 2020 Class III
 
Common Collective Trust - 1,716,690 - shares
 
29,870,399

 
 
Schwab Managed Retirement Trust 2010 Class III
 
Common Collective Trust - 607,414 - shares
 
10,247,074

 
 
Schwab Managed Retirement Trust 2050 Class III
 
Common Collective Trust - 546,496 - shares
 
5,071,479

 
 
Schwab Managed Retirement Trust Income Class III
 
Common Collective Trust - 140,467 - shares
 
1,897,715

 
 
Vanguard Institutional Index Fund
 
Mutual Fund - 756,099 - shares
 
86,981,647

 
 
Nuveen Winslow Large-Cap Growth Fund
 
Mutual Fund - 1,541,729 - shares
 
46,406,047

 
 
Dodge & Cox Stock Fund
 
Mutual Fund - 430,041 - shares
 
43,709,380

 
 
Artisan International Investor Shares
 
Mutual Fund - 1,819,758 - units
 
36,085,802

 
 
Hartford Midcap Holdings Fund
 
Mutual Fund - 1,124,155 - shares
 
26,721,161

 
 
Prudential Jennison Small Company Fund
 
Mutual Fund - 38,907 - shares
 
809,256

 
 
RidgeWorth Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund
 
Mutual Fund - 143,287 - shares
 
1,407,079

 
 
RidgeWorth Small Cap Value Equity Fund
 
Mutual Fund - 89,818 - shares
 
1,111,952

*
 
Wells Fargo Heritage Money Market Fund
 
Mutual Fund - 1,502,613 - shares
 
1,502,613

 
 
PIMCO Total Return Fund
 
Collective Fund - 2,387,580 - shares
 
36,089,123

 
 
Self Directed Brokerage Accounts
 
 
 
3,504,637

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pooled Stable Value Fund
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dreyfus Cash Management Fund
 
Mutual Fund - 4,560,732 - shares
 
4,560,732

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Synthetic Contracts and Underlying Investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aviva Life and Annuity Co
 
Contract Wrapper - 0.85%
 

 
 
Natixis Financial Product
 
Contract Wrapper - 1.48%
 

 
 
ING Life & Annuity - A
 
Contract Wrapper - 1.58%
 

 
 
ING Life & Annuity - B
 
Contract Wrapper - 1.49%
 

 
 
ING Life & Annuity - C
 
Contract Wrapper - 2.91%
 

 
 
Monumental
 
Contract Wrapper - 1.79%
 
17,599

 
 
Pacific Life Insurance
 
Contract Wrapper - 1.95%
 

 
 
Prudential Ins Co
 
Contract Wrapper - 2.02%
 

 
 
Invesco Short Term Bond Fund
 
Collective Fund - 35,544,843 - shares
 
48,603,231

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note: Column (d) is not applicable for participant-directed investments.
* Represents a party-in-interest


17


Limited Brands, Inc. Savings and Retirement Plan
EIN #31-1048997 Plan #002
Schedule H, Line 4i
Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a)
 
(b)
 
(c)
 
(e)
 
 
Identity of Issue, Borrower, Lessor, or Similar Party
 
Description of Investment Including Maturity Date, Rate of Interest, Collateral, Par or Maturity Value
 
Current Value
 
 
 Aviva 1-5 Year Government Fund
 
Collective Fund - 22,443,183 - shares
 
22,769,821

 
 
 Jennison intermediate Government/Credit Fund
 
Collective Fund - 12,495,696 - shares
 
21,661,288

 
 
 ING Short Duration Bond Fund
 
Collective Fund - 15,353,156 - shares
 
15,796,847

 
 
 Jennison 1-5 Year Government/Credit Fund
 
Collective Fund - 11,034,096 - shares
 
11,394,666

 
 
 Invesco Multi Manager Core Fixed Income Fund
 
Collective Fund - 5,352,417 - shares
 
8,119,906

 
 
 Aviva Core Fixed Income Fund
 
Collective Fund - 5,525,333 - shares
 
5,755,204

 
 
 BlackRock Core Fixed Income Fund
 
Collective Fund - 1,931,705 - shares
 
2,947,396

 
 
 PIMCO Core Fixed Income Fund
 
Collective Fund - 1,792,328 - shares
 
2,939,777

 
 
 Invesco Core Fixed Income Fund
 
Collective Fund - 1,868,694 - shares
 
2,935,679

 
 
 GSAM Core Fixed Income Fund
 
Collective Fund - 2,092,216 - shares
 
2,934,751

 
 
 PIMCO Intermediate Government/Credit Fund
 
Collective Fund - 789,945 - shares
 
1,820,981

 
 
 BlackRock Intermediate Government/Credit Fund
 
Collective Fund - 1,157,119 - shares
 
1,815,866

 
 
 Invesco Intermediate Government/Credit Fund
 
Collective Fund - 983,181 - shares
 
1,811,929

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
749,261,371

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note: Column (d) is not applicable for participant-directed investments.
* Represents a party-in-interest


18


SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the trustees (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) have duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 
Limited Brands, Inc. Savings and Retirement Plan
 
 
 
Date: June 26, 2012
By:
/s/ EZRA D. SINGER
 
 
Ezra D. Singer
 
 
Senior Vice President,
 
 
Talent Management & Total Rewards


19


INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.
 
Description
 
 
 
23.1
 
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP


20
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