Derivative Instruments

12 Months Ended

Jan. 28, 2012

Summary of Derivative Instruments [Abstract]

Derivative Instruments

Derivative Instruments

Foreign Exchange Risk

In January 2007, the Company entered into a series of cross-currency swaps related to approximately $470 million of Canadian dollar denominated intercompany loans. These cross-currency swaps mitigate the exposure to fluctuations in the U.S. dollar-Canadian dollar exchange rate related to the Company’s La Senza operations. The cross-currency swaps require the periodic exchange of fixed rate Canadian dollar interest payments for fixed rate U.S. dollar interest payments as well as exchange of Canadian dollar and U.S. dollar principal payments upon maturity. The cross-currency swaps mature between 2015 and 2018 at the same time as the related loans and are designated as cash flow hedges of foreign currency exchange risk. Changes in the U.S. dollar-Canadian dollar exchange rate and the related swap settlements result in reclassification of amounts from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings to completely offset foreign currency transaction gains and losses recognized on the intercompany loans.

The following table provides a summary of the fair value and balance sheet classification of the derivative financial instruments designated as foreign exchange cash flow hedges as of January 28, 2012 and January 29, 2011:

	January 28, 2012		January 29, 2011
	(in millions)
Other Long-term Liabilities	$	60	$	57

The following table provides a summary of the pre-tax financial statement effect of the gains and losses on the Company’s derivative instruments designated as foreign exchange cash flow hedges for 2011 and 2010:

	Location	2011			2010
		(in millions)
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	$	(3	)	$	(23	)
(Gain) Loss Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Other Income (Loss) (a)	Other Income (Loss)	—			31

________________

(a) Represents reclassification of amounts from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings to completely offset foreign currency transaction gains and losses recognized on the intercompany loans. No ineffectiveness was associated with these foreign exchange cash flow hedges.

Interest Rate Risk

Interest Rate Designated Cash Flow Hedges

In March 2010, the Company prepaid a $200 million term loan. In conjunction with the term loan pre-payment, the Company terminated participating interest rate swap arrangements totaling $200 million resulting in a realized loss of $10 million. This realized loss was expensed in Interest Expense on the 2010 Consolidated Statement of Income as there are no future cash flows associated with these terminated swap arrangements.

Interest Rate Designated Fair Value Hedges

The Company has the following interest rate swap arrangements related to certain outstanding debt:

	Notional Amount
	January 28, 2012		January 29, 2011
	(in millions)
2012 Notes	$	—	$	57
2014 Notes	—		213
2017 Notes	175		325
Total	$	175	$	595

The interest rate swap arrangements effectively convert the fixed interest rate on the related debt to a variable interest rate based on a LIBOR plus a fixed interest rate.

The swap arrangements are designated as fair value hedges. The changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps have an equal and offsetting impact to the carrying value of the debt on the balance sheet. The differential to be paid or received on the interest rate swap arrangements is accrued and recognized as an adjustment to interest expense.

In July 2011, the Company terminated interest rate designated fair value hedges related to the 2012 Notes with a notional amount of $57 million. In settlement of these hedges, the Company received $1 million. In August 2011, the Company terminated interest rate designated fair value hedges related to the 2014 Notes with a notional amount of $213 million. In settlement of these hedges, the Company received $9 million. In September 2011, the Company terminated interest rate designated fair value hedges related to the 2017 Notes with a notional amount of $150 million. In settlement of these hedges, the Company received $12 million. The settlement amounts were equal to the fair value adjustment to the respective Notes and are amortized as a reduction to interest expense through the maturity date of the respective Notes.

The following table provides a summary of the fair value and balance sheet classification of the derivative financial instruments designated as interest rate fair value hedges as of January 28, 2012 and January 29, 2011:

	January 28, 2012		January 29, 2011
	(in millions)
Other Assets	$	14	$	3