Attached files

file filename
8-K - NSE 3Q EARNINGS RELEASE 8-K - NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC.q3-2010.htm

 
 

 

NSE Logo
 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
CONTACTS:
Investors — Scott Pond (801) 345-2657, spond@nuskin.com
Media — Kara Schneck (801) 345-2116, kschneck@nuskin.com


 
NU SKIN ENTERPRISES REPORTS RECORD THIRD-QUARTER RESULTS
 
Company Increases Fourth Quarter and 2010 Guidance
 
 

PROVO, Utah — Nov. 2, 2010 — Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: NUS) today announced record third-quarter results, with revenue of $383.6 million, a 15 percent improvement over the prior-year period. Quarterly revenue was positively impacted 4 percent by foreign currency fluctuations. Earnings per share for the quarter were $0.55, a 38 percent improvement over the prior year.
 
 
“Our ageLOC anti-aging platform gives us a long-term competitive advantage with highly innovative anti-aging solutions in both skin care and nutrition,” said Truman Hunt, president and chief executive officer. “We have now rolled out the ageLOC Transformation skin care system in all of our markets and are generating strong, sustained revenue growth worldwide. We are particularly pleased with the emerging markets of South Asia/Pacific and Mainland China where we posted local currency revenue gains of 43 percent and 29 percent, respectively.”

“In September we also initiated a limited-time offer of our first ageLOC nutritional product, ageLOC Vitality, generating very encouraging results in Japan and the United States. Both markets experienced revenue trend improvements during the quarter, benefiting from distributor enthusiasm surrounding the new ageLOC Vitality product.”

 
-more-
 
 
 
 

 
 
Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.
Nov.  2, 2010
Page 2
 

 
Regional Results
 
North Asia. Third-quarter revenue in North Asia grew 12 percent to $170.5 million, compared to $152.4 million for the same period in 2009. Revenue was positively impacted 8 percent by foreign currency fluctuations. Local-currency revenue increased 20 percent in South Korea, offsetting a 2 percent local currency decline in Japan. The number of executive and active distributors in the region was up 3 percent and 1 percent, respectively, compared to the prior year.

Americas. Third-quarter revenue in the Americas was $63.7 million, compared to $61.3 million for the prior year. Revenue in the United States improved 8 percent, offsetting local currency declines of 5 percent in Canada, and 23 percent in Latin America. The number of executive distributors in the region increased 2 percent compared to the prior year, while the number of active distributors declined 4 percent.

Greater China. Revenue in Greater China improved 16 percent to $63.3 million for the quarter, and was positively impacted 2 percent by foreign currency fluctuations. Local-currency revenue in Mainland China improved 29 percent, while Taiwan and Hong Kong revenue improved 8 percent and 6 percent, respectively, over the prior-year period. The executive distributor count in the region increased 16 percent and the number of active distributors improved 12 percent.

South Asia/Pacific. Revenue in South Asia/Pacific was $50.2 million for the third quarter, a 55 percent improvement over the prior year. Regional results were driven by solid performances in all markets and were positively impacted 12 percent by foreign currency fluctuations. The region’s third-quarter executive count improved 35 percent, while the active distributor count increased 13 percent.

Europe. Third-quarter revenue in Europe was $35.7 million, a 6 percent improvement over the prior year. Results in the region were negatively impacted approximately 9 percent by foreign currency fluctuations. Executive and active distributor counts in the region increased 11 percent and 10 percent, respectively, compared to the prior year.
 
-more-
 
 
 
 
 

 

Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.
Nov.  2, 2010
Page 3
 
 
Operational Performance
 
The company’s operating margin improved to 13.8 percent, compared to 12.3 percent in the prior year. Gross margin also improved during the quarter to 82.1 percent, representing a 70 basis-point improvement, primarily as a result of sales of higher-margin products and stronger foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar. Selling expenses, as a percent of revenue, were 42.3 percent, a 30 basis-point increase over the prior year. General and administrative expenses, as a percent of revenue, were 25.9 percent, a 90 basis-point improvement over the prior year as the company continues to leverage revenue growth to improve profitability.

The company’s income tax rate for the quarter was 32.4 percent, consistent with the prior year period. Dividend payments during the quarter were $7.7 million and the company repurchased $10.7 million of its outstanding shares.
 

 
Outlook
 
“Given our strong performance, we are on pace to post another year of record revenue and earnings,” said Hunt. “We are creating healthy growth with our ageLOC anti-aging platform, generating solid gains in our global business and making steady improvements in operational efficiency.

“The catalyst for our growth over the past few years has been the infusion of ageLOC anti-aging science into our skin care line. We are now taking the battle against aging ‘inside’ with the introduction of ageLOC Vitality. Recognizing that one of the first signs of aging is diminished energy levels, ageLOC Vitality is scientifically formulated to promote healthy gene activity associated with youthful energy production. The initial reaction to our limited-time offering of ageLOC Vitality was very promising, and we look forward to broadening distribution during the fourth quarter,” concluded Hunt.

“We are raising our 2010 projected revenue and earnings per share guidance to $1.52 to $1.53 billion and $2.04 to $2.07, respectively,” said Ritch Wood, chief financial officer. “We expect currency to benefit revenue about 1 to 2 percent in the fourth quarter and project revenue in the $388 to $398 million range with earnings per share in the $0.51 to $0.54 range. On November 18, we will be hosting our annual investor day and look forward to providing more detail on our business plans as well as our 2011 financial projections,” concluded Wood.
 
 
 
-more-
 
 
 

 
 
Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.
Nov.  2, 2010
Page 4
 
 

The company’s management will host a webcast with the investment community on Nov. 2 at 11 a.m. (EDT). Those wishing to access the webcast, as well as the financial information presented during the call, can visit the Investor Relations page on Nu Skin Enterprises’ website, http://ir.nuskin.com. An archive of the webcast will be available at this same URL through Nov. 19.
 

 
The Company
 
Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. demonstrates its tradition of innovation through its comprehensive anti-aging product portfolio, independent business opportunity and corporate social responsibility initiatives. Nu Skin’s scientific leadership in both skin care and nutrition has established Nu Skin as a premier anti-aging company, evidenced in its unique ageLOC science that addresses aging at its source. The company’s anti-aging products feature the new ageLOC portfolio of skin care products including ageLOC Future Serum and the ageLOC Edition Galvanic Spa® System II, as well as Tru Face® Essence Ultra and LifePak® Nano. A global direct selling company, Nu Skin operates in 50 markets worldwide and has more than 785,000 independent sales representatives. Nu Skin is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “NUS.” More information is available at http://www.nuskin.com.

Please note: This press release, particularly the “Outlook” section, contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that represent the company’s current expectations and beliefs, including, among other things: (i) management’s positive outlook for the company; (ii) management’s expectations regarding the company’s initiatives, strategies, development and launch of new products, and other innovation efforts; and (iii) management’s projections regarding revenue, earnings per share, and the impact of foreign currency fluctuations set forth in the “Outlook” section. The forward-looking statements and related assumptions involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from any forward-looking statements or views expressed herein. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: (a) challenging economic conditions globally; (b) the risks of foreign currency fluctuations and the currency translation impact on our business associated with these fluctuations; (c) uncertainty regarding the impact on our business of increased regulatory scrutiny of the direct selling industry in Japan and our efforts to increase distributor compliance efforts in this market;
 
 
 
-more-
 
 
 

 
 
 
Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.
Nov.  2, 2010
Page 5
 
 
 
(d) an increase in complaints and general inquiries to consumer protection agencies in Japan regarding the activities of some distributors and the associated risks to the company’s business if such increase results in further regulatory scrutiny; (e) regulatory risks associated with the company’s tools and products, which could inhibit the company’s ability to market a tool or product in a market if it is determined to be a medical device in any market, if distributors make unauthorized claims that would cause such products to be classified as drugs, or if the company is unable to obtain necessary product registrations in a timely manner;  (f) continued regulatory scrutiny and investigations in Mainland China, which have from time to time in the past, and could in the future, negatively impact the company’s business, including the interruption of sales activities in stores, loss of licenses, and the imposition of fines; (g) any failure of current or planned initiatives or products to generate interest among distributors and customers and generate sponsoring and selling activities on a sustained basis; (h) any failure of the implementation of business transformation initiatives to reduce overhead and drive growth, and any negative impact of such initiatives on the company’s ability to effectively manage its operations; (i) adverse publicity related to the company’s business, products, industry or any legal actions or complaints by distributors or others; (j) any prospective or retrospective increases in duties on our products imported into our markets outside of the United States and any adverse results of tax audits or unfavorable changes to tax laws in our various markets; and (k) continued competitive pressures in the company’s markets. The company’s financial performance and the forward-looking statements contained herein are further qualified by a detailed discussion of associated risks set forth in the documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements set forth the company’s beliefs as of the date of this release, and the company assumes no duty to update the forward-looking statements contained in this release to reflect any change except as required by law.
 

-more-

 
 

 
Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.
Nov. 2, 2010
Page 6


 
NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC.
 
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
 
For the Third Quarters Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
             
   
2010
   
2009
 
Revenue:
           
    North Asia
  $ 170,537     $ 152,427  
    Americas
    63,721       61,312  
    Greater China
    63,337       54,415  
    South Asia/Pacific
    50,247       32,329  
    Europe
    35,711       33,759  
Total revenue
    383,553       334,242  
                 
Cost of sales
    68,755       62,108  
                 
Gross profit
    314,798       272,134  
                 
Operating expenses:
               
    Selling expenses
    162,402       140,585  
    General and administrative expenses
    99,501       89,794  
    Restructuring charges
 
      812  
Total operating expenses
    261,903       231,191  
                 
Operating income
    52,895       40,943  
                 
Other income (expense), net
    (674 )     (2,833 )
Income before provision for income taxes
    52,221       38,110  
Provision for income taxes
    16,932       12,539  
                 
Net income
  $ 35,289     $ 25,571  
                 
Net income per share:
               
    Basic
  $ 0.57     $ 0.41  
    Diluted
  $ 0.55     $ 0.40  
                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
               
    Basic
    61,971       62,912  
    Diluted
    64,065       63,885  
                 




-more-
 
 

 
Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.
Nov. 2, 2010
Page 7


NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC.
 
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
 
For the Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
             
   
2010
   
2009
 
Revenue:
           
    North Asia
  $ 505,503     $ 438,957  
    Americas
    188,564       181,968  
    Greater China
    201,664       154,638  
    South Asia/Pacific
    131,529       84,836  
    Europe
    108,779       92,606  
Total revenue
    1,136,039       953,005  
                 
Cost of sales
    201,525       176,551  
                 
Gross profit
    934,514       776,454  
                 
Operating expenses:
               
    Selling expenses
    477,403       402,326  
    General and administrative expenses
    298,938       266,824  
    Restructuring charges
 
 ─
       11,759  
Total operating expenses
    776,341       680,909  
                 
Operating income
    158,173       95,545  
                 
Other income (expense), net
    (7,347 )     (3,187 )
Income before provision for income taxes
    150,826       92,358  
Provision for income taxes
    52,105       32,832  
                 
Net income
  $ 98,721     $ 59,526  
                 
Net income per share:
               
    Basic
  $ 1.58     $ 0.94  
    Diluted
  $ 1.53     $ 0.93  
                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
               
    Basic
    62,443       63,108  
    Diluted
    64,584       63,803  
                 





-more-
 
 

 
Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.
Nov. 2, 2010
Page 8


NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC.
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
 
(in thousands)
 
             
   
September 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
ASSETS
           
Current assets:
           
    Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 197,627     $ 158,045  
    Accounts receivable
    29,132       22,513  
    Inventories, net
    118,283       105,661  
    Prepaid expenses and other
    58,374       51,724  
      403,416       337,943  
                 
Property and equipment, net
    95,416       79,356  
Goodwill
    112,446       112,446  
Other intangible assets, net
    79,311       81,968  
Other assets
    129,121       136,736  
       Total assets
  $ 819,710     $ 748,449  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
    Accounts payable
  $ 28,763     $ 25,292  
    Accrued expenses
    146,934       124,520  
    Current portion of long-term debt
    38,116       35,400  
      213,813       185,212  
                 
Long-term debt
    107,300       121,119  
Other liabilities
    67,450       66,431  
       Total liabilities
    388,563       372,762  
                 
Stockholders’ equity:
               
    Class A common stock
    91       91  
    Additional paid-in capital
    250,912       232,219  
    Treasury stock, at cost
    (474,123 )     (433,567 )
    Retained earnings
    720,387       645,078  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (66,120 )     (68,134 )
      431,147       375,687  
       Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 819,710     $ 748,449  




-more-




 
 

 



Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.
Nov.  2, 2010
Page 9
 



NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC.
Distributor/Preferred Customer Growth by Market
 
 
As of September 30, 2010
 
As of September 30, 2009
    % Increase (Decrease)
   
  Active*
 
Executive
 
  Active*
 
Executive
 
    Active*
 
Executive
 
                           
North Asia
 
322,000
 
14,173
 
318,000
 
13,705
 
       1.3%
 
       3.4%
 
Americas
 
164,000
 
5,540
 
170,000
 
5,442
 
       (3.5%)
 
       1.8%
 
Greater China
 
118,000
 
7,781
 
105,000
 
6,705
 
     12.4%
 
     16.0%
 
South Asia/Pacific
 
80,000
 
3,776
 
71,000
 
2,791
 
     12.7%
 
     35.3%
 
Europe
 
99,000
 
3,535
 
90,000
 
3,184
 
     10.0%
 
     11.0%
 
                           
Total
 
783,000
 
34,805
 
754,000
 
31,827
 
      3.8%
 
       9.4%
 
 
 

  *
Active distributors include preferred customers and distributors purchasing products directly from the company during the quarter.



 
###