SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

SCHEDULE 13G

(RULE 13D-102)

 

 

INFORMATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO RULE 13D-1

UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

 

Linens ‘N Things, Inc.

(Name of Issuer)

 

Common Stock

(Title of Class of Securities)

 

 

535679104

                                (CUSIP Number)                                

 

December 31, 2005

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

 

Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:

 

x Rule 13d-1(b)

 

¨ Rule 13d-1(c)

 

¨ Rule 13d-1(d)

CUSIP No. 535679104    Page 1 of 10 Pages

 

  1)  

Names of Reporting Persons

IRS Identification No. Of Above Persons

 

            The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.

            25-1435979

    
  2)  

Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)

a)  ¨

b)  ¨

    
  3)  

SEC USE ONLY

 

    
  4)  

Citizenship or Place of Organization

 

            Pennsylvania

    

Number of Shares

Beneficially Owned By

Each

Reporting

Person

With

  

  5)    Sole Voting Power

 

                2,606,100

  6)    Shared Voting Power

 

                -0-

  7)    Sole Dispositive Power

 

                2,854,200

  8)    Shared Dispositive Power

 

                -0-

  9)  

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

 

            2,854,300

    
10)  

Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares See Instructions

 

  

¨

 

11)  

Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9)

 

            6.28

    
12)  

Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

 

            HC

    

 

 

CUSIP No. 535679104    Page 2 of 10 Pages

 

  1)  

Names of Reporting Persons

IRS Identification No. Of Above Persons

 

            PNC Bancorp, Inc.

            51-0326854

    
  2)  

Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)

a)  ¨

b)  ¨

    
  3)  

SEC USE ONLY

 

    
  4)  

Citizenship or Place of Organization

 

            Delaware

    

Number of Shares

Beneficially Owned By

Each

Reporting

Person

With

  

  5)    Sole Voting Power

 

                2,606,100

  6)    Shared Voting Power

 

                -0-

  7)    Sole Dispositive Power

 

                2,854,200

  8)    Shared Dispositive Power

 

                -0-

  9)  

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

 

            2,854,300

    
10)  

Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares See Instructions

 

  

¨

 

11)  

Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9)

 

            6.28

    
12)  

Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

 

            HC

    

 

 

CUSIP No. 535679104    Page 3 of 10 Pages

 

  1)  

Names of Reporting Persons

IRS Identification No. Of Above Persons

 

            BlackRock Advisors, Inc.

            23-2784752

    
  2)  

Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)

a)  ¨

b)  ¨

    
  3)  

SEC USE ONLY

 

    
  4)  

Citizenship or Place of Organization

 

            Delaware

    

Number of Shares

Beneficially Owned By

Each

Reporting

Person

With

  

  5)    Sole Voting Power

 

                2,606,100

  6)    Shared Voting Power

 

                -0-

  7)    Sole Dispositive Power

 

                2,854,200

  8)    Shared Dispositive Power

 

                -0-

  9)  

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

 

            2,854,300

    
10)  

Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares See Instructions

 

  

¨

 

11)  

Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9)

 

            6.28

    
12)  

Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

 

            IA

    

 

 

CUSIP No. 535679104    Page 4 of 10 Pages

 

  1)  

Names of Reporting Persons

IRS Identification No. Of Above Persons

 

            BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.

            51-0395386

    
  2)  

Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)

a)  ¨

b)  ¨

    
  3)  

SEC USE ONLY

 

    
  4)  

Citizenship or Place of Organization

 

            Delaware

    

Number of Shares

Beneficially Owned By

Each

Reporting

Person

With

  

  5)    Sole Voting Power

 

                370,100

  6)    Shared Voting Power

 

                -0-

  7)    Sole Dispositive Power

 

                370,100

  8)    Shared Dispositive Power

 

                -0-

  9)  

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

 

            370,100

    
10)  

Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares See Instructions

 

  

¨

 

11)  

Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9)

 

            0.82

    
12)  

Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

 

            IA

    

 

 

CUSIP No. 535679104    Page 5 of 10 Pages

 

  1)  

Names of Reporting Persons

IRS Identification No. Of Above Persons

 

            BlackRock Financial Management, Inc

            13-3806691

    
  2)  

Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)

a)  ¨

b)  ¨

    
  3)  

SEC USE ONLY

 

    
  4)  

Citizenship or Place of Organization

 

            Delaware

    

Number of Shares

Beneficially Owned By

Each

Reporting

Person

With

  

  5)    Sole Voting Power

 

                223,200

  6)    Shared Voting Power

 

                -0-

  7)    Sole Dispositive Power

 

                223,200

  8)    Shared Dispositive Power

 

                -0-

  9)  

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

 

            223,200

    
10)  

Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares See Instructions

 

  

¨

 

11)  

Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9)

 

            0.49

    
12)  

Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

 

            IA

    

 

 

CUSIP No. 535679104    Page 6 of 10 Pages

 

  1)  

Names of Reporting Persons

IRS Identification No. Of Above Persons

 

            State Street Research & Management Company

            13-3142135

    
  2)  

Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)

a)  ¨

b)  ¨

    
  3)  

SEC USE ONLY

 

    
  4)  

Citizenship or Place of Organization

 

            Delaware

    

Number of Shares

Beneficially Owned By

Each

Reporting

Person

With

  

  5)    Sole Voting Power

 

                71,800

  6)    Shared Voting Power

 

                -0-

  7)    Sole Dispositive Power

 

                71,800

  8)    Shared Dispositive Power

 

                -0-

  9)  

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

 

            71,800

    
10)  

Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares See Instructions

 

  

¨

 

11)  

Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9)

 

            0.16

    
12)  

Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

 

            IA

    

 

 

Page 7 of 10 Pages

 

ITEM 1

  

(a) -

   

NAME OF ISSUER:

 

Linens ‘N Things, Inc.

          

ITEM 1

  

(b) -

   

ADDRESS OF ISSUER’S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES:

 

6 Brighton Road

Clifton, New Jersey 07015

          

ITEM 2

  

(a) -

   

NAME OF PERSON FILING:

 

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.; PNC Bancorp, Inc.; BlackRock

Advisors, Inc.; BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.; BlackRock

Financial Management, Inc.; and State Street Research & Management Company

          

ITEM 2

  

(b) -

   

ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL BUSINESS OFFICE:

 

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. - One PNC Plaza, 249 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh,
PA 15222- 2707

PNC Bancorp, Inc. - 300 Delaware Avenue, Suite 304, Wilmington, DE 19801

BlackRock Advisors, Inc. - 100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19809

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc. - 100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19809

BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. - 100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19809

State Street Research & Management Company – One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111

ITEM 2

  

(c) -

   

CITIZENSHIP:

 

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. - Pennsylvania

PNC Bancorp, Inc. - Delaware

BlackRock Advisors, Inc. - Delaware

Black Rock Capital Management, Inc. - Delaware

BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. - Delaware

State Street Research & Management Company - Delaware

          

ITEM 2

  

(d) -

   

TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES:

 

Common

          

ITEM 2

  

(e) -

   

CUSIP NUMBER:

 

535679104

          

ITEM 3 -

   IF THIS STATEMENT IS FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 13d-1(b), OR 13d-2(b), CHECK WHETHER THE PERSON FILING IS A:     
    (a)    ¨    Broker or dealer registered under Section 15 of the Exchange Act;
    (b)    ¨    Bank as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Exchange Act;
    (c)    ¨    Insurance Company as defined in Section 3(a)(19) of the Exchange Act;
    (d)    ¨    Investment Company registered under Section 8 of the Investment Company Act;
    (e)    x    An Investment Adviser in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E);
    (f)    ¨    An Employee Benefit Plan or Endowment Fund in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F);
    (g)    x    A Parent Holding Company or Control Person in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G);
    (h)    ¨    A Savings Association as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act;
    (i)    ¨    A Church Plan that is excluded from the definition of an Investment Company under Section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act;
    (j)    ¨    Group, in accordance with Rule 13d(b)(1)(ii)(J).
    If this statement is filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1(c), check this box. ¨          

Page 8 of 10 Pages

 

ITEM 4 -

    OWNERSHIP:          
    

The following information is as of December 31, 2005:

          
     (a)   

Amount Beneficially Owned:

 

2,854,200 shares

          
     (b)   

Percent of Class:

 

6.28

          
     (c)    Number of shares to which such person has:          
          (i)   

sole power to vote or to direct the vote

 

2,606,100

          
          (ii)   

shared power to vote or to direct the vote

 

-0-

          
          (iii)   

sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of

 

2,854,200

          
          (iv)   

shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of

 

-0-

          

ITEM 5 -

   

OWNERSHIP OF FIVE PERCENT OR LESS OF A CLASS:

 

Not Applicable.

     

ITEM 6 -

   

OWNERSHIP OF MORE THAN FIVE PERCENT ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER PERSON:

 

Not Applicable.

          

ITEM 7 -

    IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF THE SUBSIDIARY WHICH ACQUIRED THE SECURITY BEING REPORTED ON BY THE PARENT HOLDING COMPANY:
    

Included are the following subsidiaries of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. - HC:

    

PNC Bancorp, Inc. - HC (wholly owned subsidiary of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.)

    

BlackRock Advisors, Inc. - IA (indirect subsidiary of PNC Bancorp, Inc.)

    

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc. - IA (indirect subsidiary of BlackRock Advisors, Inc.)

    

BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. - IA (wholly owned subsidiary of BlackRock Advisors, Inc.)

    

State Street Research & Management Company - IA (indirect subsidiary of BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.)

ITEM 8 -

   

IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF MEMBERS OF THE GROUP:

 

Not Applicable.

          

ITEM 9 -

   

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF GROUP:

 

Not Applicable.

          

Page 9 of 10 Pages

 

ITEM 10

   

CERTIFICATION:

 

By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect.

          

 

SIGNATURE

 

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

 

February 10, 2006

  

February 10, 2006

Date   Date
By:  

/s/ Joan L. Gulley

   By:  

/s/ Maria C. Schaffer

Signature - The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.   Signature - PNC Bancorp, Inc.

Joan L. Gulley, Vice President

  

Maria C. Schaffer, Executive Vice President

Name & Title   Name & Title

February 10, 2006

  

February 10, 2006

Date   Date
By:  

/s/ Robert S. Kapito

   By:  

/s/ Robert S. Kapito

Signature - BlackRock Advisors, Inc.   Signature - BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.

Robert S. Kapito, Vice Chairman

  

Robert S. Kapito, Vice Chairman

Name & Title   Name & Title

 

February 10, 2006

  

February 10, 2006

Date   Date
By:  

/s/ Robert S. Kapito

   By:  

/s/ Robert S. Kapito

Signature - BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.   Signature - State Street Research & Management Company

Robert S. Kapito, Vice Chairman

  

Robert S. Kapito, Vice Chairman

Name & Title

Name & Title  

Page 10 of 10 Pages

 

EXHIBIT A

 

AGREEMENT

 

February 10, 2006

 

The undersigned hereby agree to file a joint statement on Schedule 13G under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Act”) in connection with their beneficial ownership of common stock issued by Linens ‘N Things, Inc.

 

Each of the undersigned states that it is entitled to individually use Schedule 13G pursuant to Rule 13d-1(c) of the Act.

 

Each of the undersigned is responsible for the timely filing of the statement and any amendments thereto, and for the completeness and accuracy of the information concerning each of them contained therein but none is responsible for the completeness or accuracy of the information concerning the others.

 

This Agreement applies to any amendments to Schedule 13G.

 

THE PNC FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.   PNC BANCORP, INC.
BY:  

/s/ Joan L. Gulley

   BY:  

/s/ Maria C. Schaffer

    Joan L. Gulley, Vice President       Maria C. Schaffer, Executive Vice President

 

BLACKROCK ADVISORS, INC.   BLACKROCK CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
BY:  

/s/ Robert S. Kapito

   BY:  

/s/ Robert S. Kapito

    Robert S. Kapito, Vice Chairman       Robert S. Kapito, Vice Chairman

 

BLACKROCK FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
BY:  

/s/ Robert S. Kapito

    Robert S. Kapito, Vice Chairman

 

STATE STREET RESEARCH & MANAGEMENT COMPANY
BY:  

/s/ Robert S. Kapito

    Robert S. Kapito, Vice Chairman