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8-K - 2010 EARNINGS RELEASE - NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC.er8k-4q2010.htm

 
 

 

 
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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 FOURTH-QUARTER AND 2010 RESULTS
 
PROVO, Utah—Feb. 2, 2011—Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: NUS) today announced record fourth-quarter and annual results. Revenue for the quarter was $401.2 million, a 6 percent improvement over the prior year. Quarterly revenue was positively impacted 3 percent by foreign currency fluctuations. Earnings per share for the quarter increased 23 percent to $0.58, compared to $0.47 in the prior year.
 
The company also reported annual revenue of $1.54 billion, a 15 percent year-over-year improvement. Annual revenue was positively impacted 5 percent by foreign currency fluctuations.  Earnings per share for the year were $2.11, a 51 percent increase over 2009, or a 41 percent improvement when excluding restructuring charges in the prior year.
 
“2010 was an exceptional year for Nu Skin as we generated a record level of revenue, paid out a record level of commissions to our sales leaders, and enjoyed a record level of profitability,” said Truman Hunt, president and chief executive officer. “While we are enjoying growth in most of our regions around the world, we are particularly pleased with robust growth rates in Mainland China, South Korea and South Asia/Pacific. Our growth is a reflection of the compelling innovation we have infused into our ageLOC product platform, as well as our sales leaders’ phenomenal ability to bring this innovation to the marketplace.
 
 
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Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.
Feb. 2, 2011
Page 2
 
 
 
“We concluded the year with our first-ever $400 million-dollar revenue quarter, which is an exciting benchmark in our effort to become the world’s leading direct selling company. And our global management team continues to execute successfully on our growth initiatives, boosting operating margin for the year by approximately 220 basis points to 14.1 percent. From virtually every metric, 2010 was a highly successful year,” said Hunt.
 
REGIONAL RESULTS
 
North Asia. Fourth-quarter revenue in North Asia grew 8 percent to $180.6 million, compared to $167.2 million for the same period in 2009. Revenue was positively impacted 6 percent by foreign currency fluctuations. Local-currency revenue increased 30 percent in South Korea, offsetting an 8 percent local currency decline in Japan. The year-over-year comparison in Japan reflects the highly successful launch of the ageLOC Future Serum in the prior year. The number of executive and active distributors in the region was up 4 percent and 3 percent, respectively, compared to the prior year.
 
Greater China. Revenue in Greater China improved 19 percent to $66.5 million for the quarter, and was positively impacted 4 percent by foreign currency fluctuations. Local-currency revenue in Mainland China improved 37 percent, while Taiwan and Hong Kong revenue improved 3 percent and 6 percent, respectively, over the prior year. The executive distributor count in the region increased 16 percent and the number of active distributors improved 11 percent.
 
Americas. Fourth-quarter revenue in the Americas was $61.4 million, compared to $78.9 million for the prior year. A 23 percent revenue decline in the United States was primarily the result of approximately $17 million of convention sales related to the introduction of ageLOC Transformation at the company’s global convention in the fourth quarter of 2009. Canada and Latin America also experienced local-currency revenue declines of 16 and 10 percent, respectively. The number of executive distributors in the region declined 4 percent compared to the prior year, while the number of active distributors declined 6 percent.
 
South Asia/Pacific. Revenue in South Asia/Pacific was $51.3 million for the fourth quarter, a 45 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 fourth-quarter executive count improved 33 percent, while the active distributor count increased 18 percent.
 
 
 
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Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.
Feb. 2, 2011
Page 3
 
 
 
 
 
Europe. Fourth-quarter revenue in Europe was $41.4 million, a 1 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 and 14 percent, respectively, compared to the prior year.
 
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
 
The company’s operating margin improved to 14.7 percent, compared to 13.8 percent in the prior year. Gross margin for the quarter was 82.3 percent, relatively even compared to the prior year. Selling expenses, as a percent of revenue, were 42.1 percent, compared to 41.6 percent in 2009 when sales of non-commissionable products at the global convention reduced selling expenses below historical averages. General and administrative expenses, as a percent of revenue, were 25.5 percent, a 160 basis-point improvement over the prior year as the company leveraged revenue growth and gained efficiencies from its transformation initiatives.
 
The company’s income tax rate for the quarter was 34.3 percent, compared to 37.8 percent in the prior year. Dividend payments during the quarter were $7.8 million and the company repurchased $9.5 million of its shares outstanding.
 
For 2010, increased revenue and a higher level of profitability resulted in cash from operations improving to $205 million compared to $134 million in the prior year. During the year, the company paid $31 million in dividends and repurchased approximately $60 million of its stock. The company ended the year with $230 million in cash and $161 million of debt.
 
OUTLOOK
 
“We anticipate another record year in 2011 as we expand our ageLOC story to address aging from the inside of the body,” said Hunt. “Nearly half of our revenue base is in the nutrition category, and this year, we will leverage this strength by infusing ageLOC science into our nutrition portfolio. In the first half of 2011, however, we face some challenging revenue comparisons as a result of highly successful ageLOC launches in the first half of 2010.
 
 
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Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.
Feb. 2, 2011
Page 4
 
 
 
“Our geographic profile is shifting as our growth rates have accelerated in our emerging markets, particularly in Mainland China and South Asia/Pacific, which are becoming more important components of our revenue mix. Overall, the strength of our ageLOC platform, the significant opportunity we see in emerging markets and our continued focus on improving profitability will enable us to sustain long-term growth.
 
“In 2007, we put a plan and incentives in place to more than double our earnings to $2.00 per share. We achieved that benchmark in 2010, two years ahead of target. Recently we have initiated a new plan and initiatives to again double our earnings to reach $4.00 per share by 2015, and our management team is moving forward to achieve this new objective,” concluded Hunt.
 
“We project first-quarter revenue of $380 to $390 million with earnings per share in the $0.50 to $0.53 range,” said Ritch Wood, chief financial officer. “We expect currency to benefit revenue about 2 to 3 percent in the first quarter. We reiterate our previous annual guidance of $1.60 to $1.63 billion with earnings per share projected to be $2.25 to $2.35. This assumes a positive currency benefit of approximately 1 percent for the year,” concluded Wood.
 
The company’s management will host a webcast with the investment community on Feb. 2, 2011, at 10 a.m. (EST). 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’ Web site, http://ir.nuskin.com. An archive of the webcast will be available at this same URL through Feb. 18, 2011.
 
ABOUT NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC.
 
Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. demonstrates its tradition of innovation through its comprehensive anti-aging product portfolio, independent business opportunity and corporate social responsibility initiatives. The company’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 suite of products including the ageLOC Transformation daily skin care system, ageLOC Future Serum and the ageLOC Edition Galvanic Spa® System II, as well as the ageLOC Vitality nutritional supplement. A global direct selling company, Nu Skin operates in 51 markets worldwide and has nearly 800,000 independent distributors. Nu Skin is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “NUS.” More information is available at http://www.nuskin.com.
 
 
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Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.
Feb. 2, 2011
Page 5
 
 
 
 
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) 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; (d) 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; (e) risks associated with complaints and general inquiries to consumer protection agencies in Japan regarding the activities of some distributors; (f) 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; (g) continued regulatory scrutiny and investigations in Mainland China, which
 
 
 
 
 
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Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.
Feb. 2, 2011
Page 6
 
 
 
 
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; (h) adverse publicity related to the company’s business, products, industry or any legal actions or complaints by distributors or others; (i) 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 (j) 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.
 
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Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.
Feb. 2, 2011
Page 7


 
NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC.
 
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
 
For the Fourth Quarters Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
             
   
2010
   
2009
 
Revenue:
           
    North Asia
  $ 180,570     $ 167,156  
    Greater China
    66,507       55,741  
    Americas
    61,444       78,897  
    South Asia/Pacific
    51,267       35,287  
    Europe
    41,432       40,972  
Total revenue
    401,220       378,053  
                 
Cost of sales
    70,906       67,097  
                 
Gross profit
    330,314       310,956  
                 
Operating expenses:
               
    Selling expenses
    168,945       157,279  
    General and administrative expenses
    102,480       102,544  
    Restructuring and other charges
 
 ─
       (1,035 )
Total operating expenses
    271,425       258,788  
                 
Operating income
    58,889       52,168  
                 
Other income (expense), net
    (2,102 )     (3,402 )
Income before provision for income taxes
    56,787       48,766  
Provision for income taxes
    19,457       18,447  
                 
Net income
  $ 37,330     $ 30,319  
                 
Net income per share:
               
    Basic
  $ 0.60     $ 0.48  
    Diluted
  $ 0.58     $ 0.47  
                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
               
    Basic
    62,152       62,977  
    Diluted
    64,371       65,074  
                 





 
 
 

 
Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.
Feb. 2, 2011
Page 8


NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC.
 
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
             
   
2010
   
2009
 
Revenue:
           
    North Asia
  $ 686,073     $ 606,113  
    Greater China
    268,171       210,379  
    Americas
    250,008       260,865  
    South Asia/Pacific
    182,796       120,123  
    Europe
    150,211       133,578  
                 
Total revenue
    1,537,259       1,331,058  
                 
Cost of sales
    272,431       243,648  
                 
Gross profit
    1,264,828       1,087,410  
                 
Operating expenses:
               
    Selling expenses
    646,348       559,605  
    General and administrative expenses
    401,418       369,368  
    Restructuring and other charges
 
      10,724  
Total operating expenses
    1,047,766       939,697  
                 
Operating income
    217,062       147,713  
                 
Other income (expense), net
    (9,449 )     (6,589 )
Income before provision for income taxes
    207,613       141,124  
Provision for income taxes
    71,562       51,279  
                 
Net income
  $ 136,051     $ 89,845  
                 
Net income per share:
               
    Basic
  $ 2.18     $ 1.42  
    Diluted
  $ 2.11     $ 1.40  
                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
               
    Basic
    62,370       63,333  
    Diluted
    64,547       64,296  
                 







 
 
 

 
Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.
Feb. 2, 2011
Page 9






NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC.
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
 
As of December 31, 2010 and 2009
 
(in thousands)
 
             
   
2010
   
2009
 
ASSETS
           
Current assets:
           
    Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 230,337     $ 158,045  
    Accounts receivable
    25,701       22,513  
    Inventories, net
    114,475       105,661  
    Prepaid expenses and other
    52,013       51,724  
      422,526       337,943  
                 
Property and equipment, net
    133,722       79,356  
Goodwill
    112,446       112,446  
Other intangible assets, net
    78,270       81,968  
Other assets
    145,260       136,736  
       Total assets
  $ 892,224     $ 748,449  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
    Accounts payable
  $ 25,480     $ 25,292  
    Accrued expenses
    146,108       124,520  
    Current portion of long-term debt
    27,865       35,400  
    Related party payable
    16,995    
 
      216,448       185,212  
                 
Long-term debt
    133,013       121,119  
Other liabilities
    71,514       66,431  
    Total liabilities
    420,975       372,762  
                 
Stockholders’ equity:
               
    Class A common stock
    91       91  
    Additional paid-in capital
    256,505       232,219  
    Treasury stock, at cost
    (476,748 )     (433,567 )
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (58,539 )     (68,134 )
    Retained earnings
    749,940       645,078  
      471,249       375,687  
       Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 892,224     $ 748,449  







 
 
 

 
Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.
Feb. 2, 2011
Page 10







NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC.
Distributor/Preferred Customer Growth by Market
 
 
As of December 31, 2010
    As of December 31, 2009  
% Increase (Decrease)
   
  Active*
 
Executive
 
  Active*
 
Executive
 
    Active*
 
Executive
 
                           
North Asia
 
        329,000
 
          14,687
 
        319,000
 
          14,144
 
  3.1%
 
 3.8%
 
Greater China
 
        118,000
 
            8,015
 
        106,000
 
            6,938
 
11.3%
 
15.5%
 
Americas
 
        161,000
 
            5,305
 
        171,000
 
            5,522
 
  (5.8%)
 
  (3.9%)
 
South Asia/Pacific
 
          84,000
 
            3,930
 
          71,000
 
            2,950
 
18.3%
 
 33.2% 
 
Europe
 
        107,000
 
            3,739
 
          94,000
 
            3,385
 
13.8%
 
10.5%
 
                           
Total
 
        799,000
 
          35,676
 
        761,000
 
          32,939
 
  5.0%
 
  8.3%
 


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

 
 
 

 
NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC.
Reconciliation of GAAP Operating Income to
Operating Income Excluding Certain Non-Operating Charges
(in thousands)
           
   
Year Ended
December 31,
 
   
2010
 
2009
 
           
Revenue as reported
 
$                 1,537,259
 
$                    1,331,058
 
           
GAAP operating income as reported
 
$                    217,062
 
$                       147,713
 
Certain non-operating charges:
         
Restructuring charges
 
                               ─
 
                           10,724
 
           
Operating income excluding certain non-operating charges
 
$                    217,062
 
$                       158,437
 
           
Operating income as a percent of revenue excluding certain non-operating charges
 
                        14.1%
 
                            11.9%