Limited Brands Operating Earnings Rise  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Retailer Limited Brands Inc. &lt;A HREF="http://www.investor.reuters.com/FullQuote.aspx?ticker=LTD.N target=/stocks/quickinfo/fullquote"&gt;LTD.N&lt;/A&gt;  on Thursday posted higher quarterly earnings before special  items as clearance sales at its Express apparel stores and  cost-cutting boosted results.