FORM 8-K NSE October 29, 2009 Q3 2009 Earnings Release

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


   October 29, 2009
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
  
        
   NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  
        
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
001-12421
(Commission File Number)
87-0565309
(IRS Employer
Identification Number)
        
   75 West Center Street
Provo, UT 84601

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

(801) 345-1000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4 (c))
Item 2.02   Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On October 29, 2009, Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009, and certain other information. A copy of the Company’s press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this report and incorporated by reference.

The information furnished pursuant to this Item 2.02 and the exhibit hereto shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

The press release furnished herewith in Exhibit 99.1 contains certain results and projections that exclude restructuring charges and/or foreign currency impacts as indicated in the release. Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures assist management and investors in evaluating, and comparing from period to period, results from ongoing operations in a more meaningful and consistent manner while also highlighting more meaningful trends in the results of operations. A reconciliation of each non-GAAP financial measure to GAAP is provided in the press release furnished herewith.

Item 9.01   Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)     Exhibit.

  99.1   Nu Skin Enterprises’ press release dated October 29, 2009, regarding financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009.

SIGNATURE

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

    NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC.
(Registrant)

/s/ Ritch Wood
Ritch Wood
Chief Financial Officer
 

Date:    October 29, 2009



EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit No.   Exhibit Description

99.1   Nu Skin Enterprises’ press release dated October 29, 2009, regarding financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009.

NSE 3Q 2009 Earnings Release 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 2009 RESULTS

PROVO, Utah — Oct. 29, 2009 — Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: NUS) today announced record third-quarter revenue of $334.2 million, an 8 percent improvement over the prior-year period. Revenue in the period benefited 1 percent from foreign currency fluctuations. Earnings per share for the quarter were $0.40, a 54 percent improvement over the same quarter of 2008. Earnings per share, excluding restructuring charges of $0.01, were $0.41, a 58 percent improvement over the prior-year period.

“We are really pleased with accelerated growth on both the top and bottom line,” said Truman Hunt, president and chief executive officer. “We are also optimistic about continued growth going forward. Last week we held our 25th anniversary convention where we hosted 12,000 of our global sales leaders and unveiled our new ageLOC skin care line. As part of the event, we also revealed more of the science and significant scientific collaborations that support our product strategy of targeting the sources of aging.

“There are several reasons we expect continued strength in our business. First, our anti-aging focus is tapping into a substantial market opportunity as consumers age, and as increasing numbers seek alternative income sources. Second, our product portfolio features highly differentiated and demonstrable skin care products today, and will expand into nutrition products next year. Third, our operating margin has consistently improved since we began restructuring our business in 2006. Our efforts to improve efficiency will continue to yield bottom-line improvements. Finally, our local currency revenue growth accelerated to 7 percent, boosted by continued sales trend improvements in Japan and double-digit growth in South Korea, Southeast Asia, Europe, Taiwan, Mainland China, and Latin America,” said Hunt.

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Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.
Oct. 29, 2009
Page 2

Regional Results

North Asia. Third-quarter revenue in North Asia was $152.4 million, compared to $142.8 million for the same period in 2008. North Asia’s results benefited approximately 6 percent from foreign currency fluctuations, due primarily to a strengthening of the Japanese yen. Japan recorded a local-currency revenue decline of 5 percent while South Korea local-currency revenue improved 15 percent. The number of executive distributors in the region was up 2 percent while the number of active distributors declined 2 percent.

Americas. Revenue in the Americas improved 7 percent to $61.3 million, compared to $57.3 million in the prior-year period. The United States posted a 4 percent revenue increase during the quarter, while Canada and Latin America local-currency revenue grew by 46 percent and 28 percent, respectively. The number of executive distributors improved 10 percent while the number of active distributors decreased 1 percent compared to the prior year.

Greater China. Third-quarter revenue in Greater China was $54.4 million, compared to $51.4 million in the prior-year period. Foreign currency fluctuations negatively impacted revenue by 2 percent. Local-currency revenue in Mainland China improved 18 percent over the same quarter in 2008. Taiwan local-currency revenue increased 11 percent, and Hong Kong local-currency revenue was down 8 percent. The executive distributor count in the region improved 6 percent, while the number of active distributors was down 15 percent compared to the prior year, primarily a reflection of the ongoing transition in the company’s business model in China.

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Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.
Oct. 29, 2009
Page 3

Europe. Revenue from Europe was $33.8 million, a 13 percent improvement over the prior-year period, with solid growth throughout Europe. Results in the region were negatively impacted approximately 8 percent by foreign currency fluctuations. Executive and active distributor counts in Europe increased 13 percent and 18 percent, respectively, compared to the prior-year period.

South Asia/Pacific. Revenue in South Asia/Pacific was $32.3 million, an improvement of 12 percent compared to the prior year. Sales in the quarter were negatively impacted 4 percent by foreign currency fluctuations. The region’s third-quarter executive count improved 19 percent while the active distributor count increased 4 percent compared to the same period in 2008.

Operational Performance

The company’s operating margin improved 250 basis points to 12.3 percent for the quarter. Gross margin during the quarter was 81.4 percent, a 30-basis-point decline compared to the prior-year period. Selling expenses, as a percent of revenue, were 41.3 percent in the third quarter, a 140-basis-point improvement due to distributor compensation modifications as the company has transitioned to a unified global compensation structure. General and administrative expenses improved to 27.7 percent of revenue or $92.5 million, compared to 29.3 percent of revenue or $90.9 million in the prior-year period. The company incurred restructuring charges of $0.8 million during the quarter related to the continued restructuring of Japan.

The company’s income tax rate for the quarter was 32.9 percent, and its cash position at the end of the quarter was $160.6 million. Dividend payments during the quarter were $7.2 million, and the company repurchased $7.8 million of its outstanding shares.

Outlook

“Over the next several months most of our markets will be launching the ageLOC skin care products and opportunity,” said Hunt. “This represents the most globalized product launch that we have ever undertaken, and is particularly exciting because the ageLOC line works well with our top-selling Galvanic Spa System.

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Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.
Oct. 29, 2009
Page 4

“We made a limited-time offering of our ageLOC skin care products during our global convention and were pleased with robust demand. We anticipate that the global launch of our ageLOC skin care line will be the biggest in Nu Skin’s 25-year history.

“We look forward to providing our 2010 business plans and financial guidance during our annual analyst day which will be held November 17,” concluded Hunt.

“We increased our 2009 guidance based upon our successful third quarter and the momentum we’re generating in our business,” said Ritch Wood, chief financial officer. “We expect our annual revenue to be in the $1.29 to $1.30 billion range, or $343 to $348 million in the fourth quarter, anticipating a positive impact from foreign currency fluctuations of 3 to 4 percent. As previously announced, we increased our annual earnings guidance to $1.25 to $1.27 per share, or $1.38 to $1.40 per share excluding an estimated $0.13 in restructuring charges. We expect fourth quarter earnings per share in the $0.32 to $0.34 range, including a $0.01 planned restructuring charge,” concluded Wood.

The company’s management will host a webcast with the investment community on Oct. 29, 2009 at 1 p.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. 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™ anti-aging platform and flagship products including the Galvanic Spa® System II, Tru Face® Essence Ultra, LifePak® 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.

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Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.
Oct. 29, 2009
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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 and restructuring charges and timing for the year 2009 and for the fourth 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) challenging economic conditions globally; (b) 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; (c) the recent fluctuations of numerous foreign currencies and the associated currency translation impact on our business if these currencies continue to fluctuate; (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) 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; (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) 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; (h) 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; (i) 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; (j) any unanticipated negative response from distributors regarding distributor compensation plan enhancements planned for implementation in most of our Asian markets in 2009; (k) 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; (l) 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 (m) 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 Reports on Form 10-Q filed on May 8, 2009 and August 7, 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.

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Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.
Oct. 29, 2009
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NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
For the Third Quarters Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

2009  2008 
Revenue:      
      North Asia  $                     152,427   $                     142,759  
      Americas  61,312   57,294  
      Greater China  54,415   51,382  
      Europe  33,759   29,884  
      South Asia/Pacific  32,329   28,947  
Total revenue  334,242   310,266  
               
Cost of sales  62,108   56,917  
               
Gross profit  272,134   253,349  
               
Operating expenses: 
      Selling expenses  137,916   132,217  
      General and administrative expenses  92,463   90,880  
      Restructuring charges  812    
Total operating expenses  231,191   223,097  
               
Operating income  40,943   30,252  
               
Other income (expense), net  (2,833 ) (8,269 )
Income before provision for income taxes  38,110   21,983  
Provision for income taxes  12,539   5,223  
               
Net income  $                       25,571   $                       16,760  
               
Net income per share: 
      Basic  $                           0.41   $                           0.26   
      Diluted  $                           0.40   $                           0.26   
               
Weighted average common shares outstanding: 
      Basic  62,912   63,567  
      Diluted  63,885   64,206  

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Nu Skin Enterprises
Oct. 29, 2009
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NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
For the Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

2009  2008 
Revenue:      
      North Asia  $                     438,957   $                     443,218  
      Americas  181,968   164,963  
      Greater China  154,638   157,064  
      Europe  92,606   83,162  
      South Asia/Pacific  84,836   81,661  
Total revenue  953,005   930,068  
               
Cost of sales  176,551   170,433  
               
Gross profit  776,454   759,635  
               
Operating expenses: 
      Selling expenses  395,710   397,113  
      General and administrative expenses  273,440   275,915  
      Restructuring charges  11,759    
Total operating expenses  680,909   673,028  
               
Operating income  95,545   86,607  
               
Other income (expense), net  (3,187 ) (9,988 )
Income before provision for income taxes  92,358   76,619  
Provision for income taxes  32,832   25,769  
               
Net income  $                       59,526   $                       50,850  
               
Net income per share: 
      Basic  $                           0.94   $                           0.80   
      Diluted  $                           0.93   $                           0.79   
               
Weighted average common shares outstanding: 
      Basic  63,108   63,528  
      Diluted  63,803   64,224  

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Nu Skin Enterprises
Oct. 29, 2009
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NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

(in thousands)

September 30, 2009  December 31, 2008 
ASSETS      
Current assets: 
      Cash and cash equivalents  $                     160,639   $                     114,586  
      Accounts receivable  20,898   16,496  
      Inventories, net  109,136   114,378  
      Prepaid expenses and other  46,855   44,944  
   337,528   290,404  
        
Property and equipment, net  76,644   82,336  
Goodwill  112,446   112,446  
Other intangible assets, net  84,064   87,888  
Other assets  130,276   136,698  
            Total assets  $                     740,958   $                     709,772  
        
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 
Current liabilities: 
      Accounts payable  $                       16,547   $                       20,378  
      Accrued expenses  130,640   115,794  
      Current portion of long-term debt  30,412   30,196  
   177,599   166,368  
        
Long-term debt  144,744   158,760  
Other liabilities  68,329   68,464  
      Total liabilities  390,672   393,592  
        
Stockholders' equity: 
      Class A common stock  91   91  
      Additional paid-in capital  225,277   218,928  
      Treasury stock, at cost  (428,684 ) (417,017 )
      Retained earnings  621,995   584,239  
      Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (68,393 ) (70,061 )
   350,286   316,180  
            Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $                     740,958   $                     709,772  

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Nu Skin Enterprises
Oct. 29, 2009
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NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC.
Distributor/Preferred Customer Growth by Market

As of September 30, 2009  As of September 30, 2008  % Increase (Decrease) 
Active*  Executive  Active*  Executive  Active*  Executive 
North Asia   318,000   13,705   323,000   13,453   (1.5%)   1.9%  
Americas  170,000   5,442   171,000   4,934   (0.6%)   10.3%   
Greater China  105,000   6,705   123,000   6,338   (14.6%)   5.8%   
Europe  90,000   3,184   76,000   2,827   18.4%    12.6% 
South Asia/Pacific  71,000   2,791   68,000   2,338   4.4%    19.4%   
Total  754,000   31,827   761,000   29,890   (0.9%)   6.5%   



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