L Brands sales at stores open at least a year up 5 pct in August, tops analysts' expectations

L Brands, which owns Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body Works and other brands, said Thursday that sales at stores open at least a year rose 5 percent in August, handily topping analysts' expectations.

Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected a 2.7 percent increase in the figure.

Sales at stores open at least a year is a key indicator of a retailer's health because it excludes results from stores recently opened or closed.

Total revenue for the four weeks ended Aug. 30 increased 9 percent to $765.3 million.

Year-to-date sales at stores open at least a year rose 3 percent. Total revenue climbed 6 percent to $5.83 billion.

L Brands Inc. is based in Columbus, Ohio. Its other brands include Pink, La Senza and Henri Bendel.