BARINGTON Companies Management, LLC made a significant addition to its portfolio in the third quarter of 2025.
What happened
According to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission dated November 12, 2025, BARINGTON initiated a new position in Bath & Body Works (BBWI +0.32%). The fund acquired 125,000 shares, bringing the position’s value to $3.22 million, or 2.42% of its $133.17 million total reportable assets as of September 30, 2025.
What else to know
- This was a new position for the fund, now accounting for 2.42% of reported assets under management
Top five holdings after the filing:
- NYSE: M: $23.31 million (17.5% of AUM)
- NASDAQ: MATW: $22.16 million (16.6% of AUM)
- NYSE: VSCO: $21.71 million (16.3% of AUM)
- NYSE: HBI: $16.49 million (12.4% of AUM)
- NASDAQ: EML: $14.78 million (11.1% of AUM)
- As of November 12, 2025, shares of Bath & Body Works were priced at $22.40.
- The stock’s one-year total return was -27.15%, underperforming the S&P 500 by 41.22 percentage points over the same period.
Company overview
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Revenue (TTM) | $7.37 billion |
| Net Income (TTM) | $699.00 million |
| Dividend Yield | 3.57% |
| Price (as of market close November 12, 2025) | $22.40 |
Company snapshot
- Offers home fragrance, body care, soaps, and sanitizer products under the Bath & Body Works and White Barn brands, distributed through company-operated stores, e-commerce, and international franchise partners.
- Generates revenue primarily from direct retail sales in the United States and Canada, supplemented by international licensing and wholesale arrangements.
- Targets individual consumers seeking personal care and home fragrance products, with a focus on a broad demographic in North America and select international markets.
As of January 29, 2022, Bath & Body Works, Inc. operated 1,755 company-owned retail stores and a significant online platform. The company's strategy leverages strong brand recognition and a robust product pipeline to maintain customer loyalty and drive recurring sales. Its competitive edge is rooted in product innovation, an extensive retail footprint, and a multi-channel distribution model that supports consistent revenue generation.
Foolish take
When BARINGTON adds a stock, it is noteworthy when considering its portfolio of only 12 stocks. In buying Bath and Body Works, BARINGTON adds another consumer discretionary stock in a portfolio geared heavily toward consumer names.
At just 2.4%, it is taking a comparatively small position in Bath and Body Works. The stock has also been on a downward trajectory since February. Moreover, since it has fallen further since the end of the quarter, it may take time for BARINGTON to see a positive return in this stock.
Nonetheless, the P/E ratio, which stood at 7 at the time of the filing, may have attracted BARINGTON to this stock. Additionally, it has consistently paid an annual dividend of $0.80 per share. That offers a dividend yield of 3.6%, more than triple the S&P 500 average of 1.1%.
NYSE: BBWI
Key Data Points
For now, Bath and Body Works stock remains on a downward trajectory, and it may take time for BARINGTON to earn positive returns on this investment. Nonetheless, its generous dividend should generate outsized cash returns while it waits for a recovery in the stock.
Glossary
Stake: An ownership interest or investment in a company, typically represented by shares.
Assets under management (AUM): The total market value of investments managed by a fund or investment firm.
Reportable assets: Assets that a fund must disclose in regulatory filings, usually representing managed investments.
Position: The amount of a particular security or investment held by an individual or institution.
Top holdings: The largest investments in a fund's portfolio, ranked by value or percentage of assets.
Total return: The investment's price change plus all dividends and distributions, assuming those payouts are reinvested.
Dividend yield: Annual dividend payments divided by the stock price, expressed as a percentage.
Franchise partners: Independent businesses licensed to operate stores or sell products under another company's brand.
Wholesale arrangements: Agreements to sell products in bulk to other businesses, rather than directly to consumers.
Multi-channel distribution: Selling products through multiple methods, such as stores, online, and third-party partners.
Product pipeline: The range of products a company is developing or planning to launch.
TTM: The 12-month period ending with the most recent quarterly report.
