Nu Skin Enterprises Reports Second-Quarter 2009 Results
PROVO, Utah, July 29, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: NUS) today announced record second-quarter revenue of $322.6 million, up slightly from $321.7 million reported in the prior year, but up 4 percent on a constant-currency basis. Earnings per share for the quarter were $0.35, a 9 percent improvement over the same quarter of 2008. Earnings per share, excluding restructuring charges in the current quarter, were $0.36, a 13 percent improvement over the prior-year period. Operating income improved 19 percent.
"We're very pleased with the direction of our business and the progress we are making towards achieving our annual goals," said Truman Hunt, president and chief executive officer. "We continue to generate healthy results in a difficult economic environment.
"Our growth is a result of continued strength in the skin care category, with sales up 14 percent, driven by strong sales of our Galvanic Spa System. Additionally, our business transformation efforts, most recently in Japan, have helped us track ahead of our operating margin targets."
Regional Results
North Asia. Second-quarter revenue in North Asia was $146.7 million, compared to $151.0 million for the same period in 2008. North Asia's results were negatively impacted approximately 1 percent by foreign currency fluctuations, due to a 26 percent weakening of the Korean Won compared to the prior year. Japan recorded a local-currency revenue decline of 6 percent while South Korea local-currency revenue improved 11 percent. The number of executive distributors in the region was down 3 percent while the number of active distributors declined 2 percent.
Americas. Revenue in the Americas improved 9 percent to $62.2 million, compared to $57.3 million in the prior-year period. The United States posted a 5 percent revenue increase during the quarter, while Canada and Latin America local-currency revenue grew by 69 percent and 30 percent, respectively. The number of executive distributors in the region improved 9 percent while the number of active distributors decreased 2 percent compared to the prior year.
Greater China. Second-quarter revenue in Greater China was $52.8 million, compared to $55.8 million in the prior-year period. Foreign currency fluctuations negatively impacted revenue by 3 percent. Local-currency revenue in Mainland China improved 6 percent over the same quarter in 2008. Taiwan local currency revenue increased 1 percent, and Hong Kong local-currency revenue was down 18 percent, reflecting significant sales in the prior year at a regional distributor convention held in Hong Kong. The executive distributor count in the region declined 5 percent, while the number of active distributors was down 21 percent compared to the prior-year, primarily a reflection of the on-going transition in the company's business model in China.
Europe. Revenue from Europe was $32.2 million, a 6 percent improvement over the prior-year period, with solid growth in each region within Europe. Results in the region were negatively impacted approximately 16 percent by foreign currency fluctuations. Executive and active distributor counts in Europe increased 20 percent and 25 percent, respectively, compared to the prior-year period.
South Asia/Pacific. Revenue in South Asia/Pacific was $28.7 million, an improvement of 5 percent compared to the prior year. Sales in the quarter were negatively impacted 11 percent by currency fluctuations. The region's second-quarter executive count improved 17 percent while the active distributor count increased 5 percent compared to the same period in 2008.
Operational Performance
The company's gross margin during the quarter was 81.2 percent, a 40-basis-point decline compared to the prior-year period, due primarily to foreign currency fluctuations and shifting product mix. Selling expenses, as a percent of revenue, were 41.7 percent in the second quarter, an 80-basis-point improvement due to distributor compensation plan modifications aimed at rewarding productivity. General and administrative expenses improved to $91.3 million, or 28.3 percent of revenue, compared to $96.5 million, or 30.0 percent of revenue in the prior-year period. Prior-year results included expenses associated with conventions in Japan and Hong Kong. The company incurred restructuring charges of $1.6 million during the quarter related to the continued restructuring of Japan.
The company's income tax rate for the quarter was 37.4 percent. The company's cash position at the end of the quarter was $125.3 million. Dividend payments during the quarter were $7.2 million. The company repurchased $3.9 million of its outstanding shares during the quarter.
Outlook
"Our strong first-half performance keeps us on course to achieve another year of record results," said Hunt. "We look forward to the next phase of our ageLOC launch in October when we will introduce a highly innovative anti-aging skin care system. ageLOC represents our proprietary approach to attacking the sources of aging, as opposed to just the signs and symptoms. We believe these ageLOC developments represent our most significant product innovation in our 25-year history.
"As we continue to export successful and proven sales programs throughout our markets, we expect to sustain increases in distributor productivity. For example, we introduced a new feature to our distributor compensation model called the 'Wealth Maximizer' in the United States and Europe last year with excellent results. In the second quarter, we launched this compensation feature in Japan and Southeast Asia with encouraging early indicators.
"We are generating improved profitability from our concerted efforts to operate the business more efficiently around the world. We are particularly encouraged by the restructuring work in Japan and anticipate continued improvement going forward," concluded Hunt.
"Based on the strength of our business, we are increasing our 2009 guidance," said Ritch Wood, chief financial officer. We are increasing our revenue guidance to $1.26 to $1.27 billion, anticipating a negative impact from foreign currency fluctuations of 3 to 5 percent for the year. We are increasing our earnings guidance to $1.09 to $1.14 or $1.23 to $1.28 excluding an estimated $0.14 restructuring charge. We expect third-quarter revenue of $312 to $317 million which anticipates a negative currency impact of 1 to 3 percent, and earnings per share in the $0.30 to $0.32 range, including a $0.02 planned restructuring charge," concluded Wood.
Company management will host a webcast with the investment community on July 29, 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' Web site, www.nuskinenterprises.com. An archive of the webcast will be available at this same URL through Aug. 14, 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.nuskinenteprises.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, earnings per share, the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, operating margin and restructuring charges for the year 2009 and for the third 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 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 8, 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 Second Quarters Ended June 30, 2009 and 2008
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
2009 2008
---- ----
Revenue:
North Asia $ 146,712 $ 151,025
Americas 62,240 57,253
Greater China 52,753 55,778
Europe 32,173 30,445
South Asia/Pacific 28,687 27,212
------ ------
Total revenue 322,565 321,713
Cost of sales 60,637 59,319
------ ------
Gross profit 261,928 262,394
------- -------
Operating expenses:
Selling expenses 134,630 136,983
General and
administrative
expenses 91,286 96,480
Restructuring
charges 1,561 -
----- -----
Total operating
expenses 227,477 233,463
------- -------
Operating income 34,451 28,931
Other income
(expense), net 882 4,110
---- -----
Income before
provision for income
taxes 35,333 33,041
Provision for income
taxes 13,219 12,440
------ ------
Net income $ 22,114 $ 20,601
======= =======
Net income per share:
Basic $ 0.35 $ 0.32
Diluted $ 0.35 $ 0.32
Weighted average
common shares
outstanding:
Basic 63,109 63,561
Diluted 63,726 64,269
NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
For the Six Month Periods Ended June 30, 2009 and 2008
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
2009 2008
---- ----
Revenue:
North Asia $ 286,530 $ 300,459
Americas 120,656 107,669
Greater China 100,223 105,682
Europe 58,847 53,278
South Asia/Pacific 52,507 52,714
------ ------
Total revenue 618,763 619,802
Cost of sales 114,443 113,516
------- -------
Gross profit 504,320 506,286
------- -------
Operating expenses:
Selling expenses 257,794 264,896
General and
administrative
expenses 180,977 185,035
Restructuring
charges 10,947 -
------ -------
Total operating
expenses 449,718 449,931
------- -------
Operating income 54,602 56,355
Other income
(expense), net (354) (1,719)
---- -------
Income before
provision for
income taxes 54,248 54,636
Provision for income
taxes 20,293 20,546
------ ------
Net income $ 33,955 $ 34,090
======= =======
Net income per
share:
Basic $ 0.54 $ 0.54
Diluted $ 0.53 $ 0.53
Weighted average
common shares
outstanding:
Basic 63,221 63,509
Diluted 63,585 64,242
NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(in thousands)
June 30, December 31,
2009 2008
------------- ------------
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 125,302 $ 114,586
Accounts receivable 20,614 16,496
Inventories, net 111,922 114,378
Prepaid expenses and other 45,950 44,944
------ ------
303,788 290,404
Property and equipment, net 75,958 82,336
Goodwill 112,446 112,446
Other intangible assets, net 83,974 87,888
Other assets 131,433 136,698
------- -------
Total assets $ 707,599 $ 709,772
======== ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 19,218 $ 20,378
Accrued expenses 119,573 115,794
Current portion of long-term
debt 29,024 30,196
------ ------
167,815 166,368
Long-term debt 138,981 158,760
Other liabilities 66,238 68,464
------ ------
Total liabilities 373,034 393,592
------- -------
Stockholders' equity:
Class A common stock 91 91
Additional paid-in capital 222,403 218,928
Treasury stock, at cost (421,810) (417,017)
Retained earnings 603,662 584,239
Accumulated other
comprehensive loss (69,781) (70,061)
-------- --------
334,565 316,180
------- -------
Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity $ 707,599 $ 709,772
======== ========
NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC.
Distributor/Preferred Customer Growth by Market
As of June 30, As of June 30, % Increase
2009 2008 (Decrease)
------------------- -------------------- --------------------
Active* Executive Active* Executive Active* Executive
--------- --------- --------- ---------- --------- ---------
North
Asia 322,000 13,803 329,000 14,292 (2.1%) (3.4%)
Americas 171,000 5,385 174,000 4,921 (1.7%) 9.4%
Greater
China 103,000 6,129 130,000 6,443 (20.8%) (4.9%)
Europe 89,000 3,173 71,000 2,648 25.4% 19.8%
South Asia/
Pacific 67,000 2,525 64,000 2,168 4.7% 16.5%
------ ----- ------ -----
Total 752,000 31,015 768,000 30,472 (2.1%) 1.8%
======= ====== ======= ======
* Active distributors include preferred customers and distributors
purchasing products directly from the company during the quarter.
SOURCE Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.
http://www.nuskinenterprises.com