PROVO, Utah, April 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.
(NYSE: NUS) today reported first-quarter revenue of $296.2 million, compared
to $298.1 million in the first quarter of 2008. Reported revenue for the
quarter declined 1 percent, but increased 4 percent on a constant currency
basis, reflecting a negative 5 percent impact from foreign currency
fluctuations. Earnings per share for the quarter were $0.19, or $0.28 when
excluding $9.4 million in planned restructuring charges, compared to $0.21 in
the prior-year.
"We are very pleased with strong first-quarter results," said Truman Hunt,
president and chief executive officer. "Our innovative products and attractive
business opportunity continue to produce growth in this difficult economic
climate. We are generating local-currency growth as well as strong distributor
sponsoring numbers globally as more people are attracted to opportunities to
supplement or replace income.
"Our personal care business generated solid revenue growth of 19 percent
in the quarter, driven by the continued success of the Nu Skin Galvanic Spa
System. In addition, our restructuring efforts over the past three years are
increasing profitability, as demonstrated by a significant improvement in
first-quarter operating margin when excluding restructuring charges," said
Hunt.
Regional Results
North Asia. First-quarter revenue in North Asia was $139.8 million,
compared to $149.4 million for the same period in 2008. Revenue in the region
was positively impacted by an 11 percent weighted-average strengthening of the
Japanese yen against the dollar and negatively impacted by a 48 percent
weighted-average weakening of the Korean won, which resulted in a net negative
impact of approximately 2 percent. Local-currency revenue increased 10 percent
in South Korea and decreased 10 percent in Japan. The number of executive
distributors in the region was down 7 percent, while the number of active
distributors was down 2 percent when compared to the prior-year period.
Americas. First-quarter revenue in the Americas was $58.4 million,
compared to $50.4 million for the prior-year period. Revenue improved 11
percent in the U.S. and local-currency revenue improved 74 percent in Canada
and 93 percent in Latin America during the quarter. The number of executive
distributors improved 8 percent while the number of active distributors
increased 6 percent compared to the prior year.
Greater China. First-quarter revenue in Greater China was $47.5 million,
compared to $49.9 million in the prior-year period. Hong Kong revenue was even
with the prior year, while Taiwan and Mainland China experienced
local-currency revenue declines of 3 and 6 percent, respectively. The
executive distributor count in the region declined 3 percent, while the number
of active distributors was down 28 percent compared to the prior-year period,
primarily a reflection of continued transition in our business model in China.
Europe. First-quarter revenue in Europe was $26.7 million, a 17 percent
improvement over the prior-year period or a 36 percent increase in constant
currency, reflecting a negative foreign-currency impact of 19 percent. The
executive and active distributor counts in the region increased 27 and 37
percent, respectively, compared to the prior year.
South Asia/Pacific. Revenue in South Asia/Pacific was $23.8 million for
the first quarter, a 7 percent decline from the prior-year period, but
increased 8 percent in constant currency. The region's first-quarter executive
count improved 11 percent while the active distributor count increased 2
percent compared to the same period in 2008.
Operational Performance
The company's gross margin in the first quarter was 81.8 percent, even
with the prior-year period. Selling expenses, as a percent of revenue,
improved to 41.6 percent in the first quarter compared to 42.9 percent in the
prior-year period due to distributor compensation plan modifications to reward
productivity. General and administrative expenses for the quarter were $89.7
million, or 30.3 percent of revenue, compared to 29.7 percent in the first
quarter of 2008, primarily due to increased spending on distributor events in
Japan. The company also incurred a $9.4 million planned restructuring charge
during the quarter, primarily related to Japan.
During the period, the company incurred a gain of approximately $0.6
million versus a loss in the prior year of $4.5 million, or $0.05 per share,
from foreign currency fluctuations. Dividend payments during the quarter were
$7.3 million and the company repurchased $2.0 million of its common stock
during the quarter.
Outlook
"We begin our 25th year of operations in a solid position," said Hunt.
"Our business results are on pace with expectations. Strong product and
business initiatives are helping drive growth and our restructuring efforts
are leading to more streamlined operations and cost savings, which will lead
to improved operating margins.
"Going forward, we will continue to fuel the success of our Nu Skin
Galvanic Spa System and look forward to building on our revolutionary ageLOC
anti-aging platform at our 25th Anniversary convention in the fourth quarter
of this year. Our differentiating strategy of going beyond addressing the
superficial signs of aging to addressing aging at its source, combined with
our proven scientific expertise in both skin care and nutrition, gives us a
powerful advantage in the anti-aging arena," Hunt continued.
"We continue to see strong potential for our business opportunities. With
an aging population and turbulent economic environment, we are seeing
increasing numbers of people recognize the benefits that our products and
business offer. In addition, we are continuing the rollout of a compensation
plan enhancement, known as the Wealth Maximizer, aimed at keeping distributors
at all income levels engaged in the business. We initially introduced this
feature in the U.S. and Europe where it was well received, and plan to roll it
out to most of our remaining markets in 2009.
"We are encouraged with the ongoing success of our global business
transformation initiative and continue to focus on driving greater
efficiencies into our business - particularly in Japan. Our new Japan
management team executed the most difficult phase of our restructuring plan
with precision. By focusing on initiatives that are working in other markets,
we believe the business is beginning to show signs of stabilization.
"We continue to be pleased with healthy growth rates in the Americas and
Europe and plan to expand our operations within these regions by beginning
initial marketing efforts in Colombia and Turkey during the second quarter.
Our growing international diversity is helping us to be less dependent on any
single market. Overall, our business is performing well and we remain
confident in our ability to deliver on our 2009 business targets," concluded
Hunt.
"In the second quarter, we expect constant currency revenue growth
comparable to the first quarter. This will put second quarter revenue in the
$303 to $310 million range, including a negative currency impact of
approximately 5 to 8 percent," said Ritch Wood, chief financial officer. "We
anticipate second-quarter earnings per share in the $0.26 to $0.28 range,
which includes approximately $0.03 in planned restructuring charges. Excluding
restructuring charges, we estimate earnings per share to be in the $0.29 to
$0.31 range. For 2009, we reiterate our revenue guidance of $1.24 to $1.27
billion, with constant-currency revenue growth being offset by
foreign-currency fluctuations. We also expect earnings per share to be in the
$0.98 to $1.06 range, or $1.12 to $1.20, excluding an estimated $0.14 in
restructuring charges."
The company's management will host a webcast with the investment community
on April, 30, 2009 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,
www.nuskinenterprises.com. An archive of the webcast will be available at this
same URL through May 15, 2009.
The Company
For 25 years, Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. has been demonstrating its
tradition of innovation through its 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 patent-pending ageLOC(TM)
anti-aging platform and flagship products including the Galvanic Spa(R) System
II, Tru Face(R) Essence Ultra, LifePak(R) nano and the g3 nutrition beverage.
A global direct selling company, Nu Skin operates in 48 markets worldwide and
has more than 750,000 independent sales representatives. Nu Skin Enterprises
is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "NUS." More
information is available at http://www.nuskinenterprises.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, product development and launches,
transformation efforts and other innovation efforts; and (iii) management's
projections regarding revenue, foreign currency translation, earnings per
share, operating margin and restructuring charges and timing for the year 2009
and for the first quarter of 2009 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) economic
conditions globally, including the current financial crisis and decreased
consumer confidence and spending, and related risks; (b) the recent
fluctuations of numerous foreign currencies and the associated currency
translation impact on our business if these currencies continue to fluctuate;
(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; (d) an increase in complaints
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) risks
related to the recent swine flu outbreak, which could negatively impact our
business to the extent that it inhibits travel, causes people to avoid
interaction with other people, or restricts our ability to produce or
distribute any of our porcine-sourced gelatin encapsulated products; (g)
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; (h) 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;
(i) any unanticipated negative response from distributors regarding
distributor compensation plan enhancements planned for implementation in most
of our Asian markets in 2009; (j) 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; (k) adverse publicity related to the
company's business, products, industry or any legal actions or complaints by
distributors or others similar to claims made against some of the company's
competitors; and (l) 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, including the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed
on February 27, 2009. 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.
NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
For the First Quarters Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
2009 2008
Revenue:
North Asia $ 139,818 $ 149,434
Americas 58,416 50,416
Greater China 47,470 49,904
Europe 26,674 22,833
South Asia/Pacific 23,820 25,502
Total revenue 296,198 298,089
Cost of sales 53,806 54,197
Gross profit 242,392 243,892
Operating expenses:
Selling expenses 123,164 127,913
General and administrative expenses 89,691 88,555
Restructuring charges 9,386 -
Total operating expenses 222,241 216,468
Operating income 20,151 27,424
Other income (expense), net (1,236) (5,829)
Income before provision for income taxes 18,915 21,595
Provision for income taxes 7,074 8,106
Net income $ 11,841 $ 13,489
Net income per share:
Basic $ 0.19 $ 0.21
Diluted $ 0.19 $ 0.21
Weighted average common shares
outstanding:
Basic 63,334 63,457
Diluted 63,522 64,166
NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(in thousands)
March 31, 2009 December 31, 2008
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 117,034 $ 114,586
Accounts receivable 19,829 16,496
Inventories, net 112,917 114,378
Prepaid expenses and other 43,345 44,944
293,125 290,404
Property and equipment, net 77,165 82,336
Goodwill 112,446 112,446
Other intangible assets, net 85,111 87,888
Other assets 131,190 136,698
Total assets $ 699,037 $ 709,772
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 19,099 $ 20,378
Accrued expenses 113,471 115,794
Current portion of long-term debt 28,518 30,196
161,088 166,368
Long-term debt 151,387 158,760
Other liabilities 65,607 68,464
Total liabilities 378,082 393,592
Stockholders' equity:
Class A common stock 91 91
Additional paid-in capital 220,496 218,928
Treasury stock, at cost (418,475) (417,017)
Retained earnings 588,794 584,239
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (69,951) (70,061)
320,955 316,180
Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity $ 699,037 $ 709,772
NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC.
Distributor/Preferred Customer Growth by Market
As of As of % Increase
March 31, 2009 March 31, 2008 (Decrease)
Active* Executive Active* Executive Active* Executive
North Asia 319,000 13,971 324,000 14,938 (1.5%) (6.5%)
Americas 171,000 4,993 162,000 4,627 5.6% 7.9%
Greater China 99,000 5,972 137,000 6,140 (27.7%) (2.7%)
Europe 85,000 2,850 62,000 2,244 37.1% 27.0%
South
Asia/Pacific 63,000 2,368 62,000 2,138 1.6% 10.8%
Total 737,000 30,154 747,000 30,087 (1.3%) 0.2%
* Active distributors include preferred customers and distributors
purchasing products directly from the company during the quarter.
SOURCE Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.
CONTACT:
Investors,
Scott Pond,
+1-801-345-2657,
spond@nuskin.com,
or
Media,
Kara Schneck,
+1-801-345-2116,
kschneck@nuskin.com,
both of Nu Skin
Enterprises, Inc.
Web Site: http://www.nuskinenterprises.com /