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 2013 ANNUAL
AND FOURTH-QUARTER RESULTS

 

PROVO, Utah — March 3, 2014 — Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: NUS) today announced record fourth-quarter results with revenue of $1.056 billion, an 82 percent improvement over the prior-year period. Revenue was negatively impacted 4 percent by foreign currency fluctuations. Earnings per share for the quarter were $2.02, a 108 percent year-over-year improvement.

 

The company reported full-year 2013 revenue of $3.177 billion, a 49 percent year-over-year improvement. Annual revenue was negatively impacted 3 percent by foreign currency fluctuations. Earnings per share for the year were $5.94, a 69 percent increase over 2012.

 

Recently, the company reclassified a small portion of selling expenses as a product rebate. This reclassification reduced fourth-quarter and annual revenue by approximately 1.8 percent and 1.9 percent, respectively, with a corresponding reduction of selling expenses. This reclassification had no impact on operating income, net income, earnings per share or cash flow, but resulted in slightly lower revenue than the company’s previous estimate. The presentation of financial data for previous periods has been similarly reclassified for comparative purposes.

 

“We are pleased to report solid growth for the fourth quarter and full year of 2013,” said Truman Hunt, president and chief executive officer. “We achieved this growth by continuing to increase our consumer base and sales force, while also executing the limited-time offering of our ageLOC TR90 weight management and body shaping system.”

 

Regional Results

 

Greater China. In Greater China, fourth-quarter revenue increased 248 percent to $481.6 million, compared to $138.3 million in the prior-year period. Foreign currency fluctuations had a positive impact of 6 percent on the region’s revenue. The sales leader count in the region improved 232 percent, while the number of actives increased 127 percent compared to the prior year.

 

North Asia. Fourth-quarter revenue in North Asia was $286.3 million, compared to $246.9 million for the same period in 2012. The region’s results were negatively impacted approximately 8 percent by foreign currency fluctuations. The number of sales leaders in the region was up 14 percent and the number of actives improved 17 percent.

 

South Asia/Pacific. Revenue in South Asia/Pacific was $99.5 million, a 57 percent increase compared to the prior year. Sales in the quarter were negatively impacted 11 percent by foreign currency fluctuations. The region’s fourth-quarter sales leaders improved 60 percent while actives increased 22 percent compared to the same period in 2012.

 

Americas. Revenue in the Americas improved 59 percent to $126.1 million, compared to $79.1 million in the prior-year period. Foreign currency fluctuations negatively impacted sales in the region by 8 percent in the quarter. The number of sales leaders improved 30 percent while the number of actives increased 18 percent compared to the prior year.

 

Europe. Revenue in Europe was $62.3 million, a 21 percent improvement over the prior-year period. Results in the region were positively impacted 5 percent by foreign currency fluctuations. Sales leaders in Europe decreased 1 percent while actives improved 3 percent compared to the prior year.

 

Operational Performance

 

The company’s operating margin was 17.9 percent for the quarter, compared to 15.4 percent in the prior year. Operating margin for the year was 17.4 percent, up 140 basis points compared to 2012. Gross margin during the quarter was 84.4 percent, up 80 basis points over the prior-year period. Selling expenses, as a percent of revenue, were 48.2 percent in the fourth quarter, representing a 410 basis-point increase. The increase was driven by successful product launches and a higher number of sales leaders qualifying for promotional incentives. General and administrative expenses, as a percent of revenue, were 18.3 percent, improving 580 basis points over the prior year. Other income and expenses reflected a gain of $3.4 million.  

The company’s income tax rate for the quarter was 34.8 percent compared to 35.5 percent in the prior-year period. The company’s cash and short-term investment position at the end of the quarter was $547.1 million. Dividend payments during the quarter were $17.6 million, and the company repurchased $50.0 million of its outstanding shares, leaving $395 million in the company’s repurchase authorization at year end.

 

Annual Report

 

In response to recent media reports in China and the ensuing investigation by Chinese regulators, the company’s audit committee recently began an internal review of the company’s China operations. The company is unable at this time to predict the timing and outcome of the review. Given this review and the possibility that various components of its annual report on Form 10-K could be impacted, the company’s board of directors has determined that it cannot file its annual report by the March 3rd due date. The company currently expects that the audit committee will have made sufficient progress in its review to enable the company to file its annual report by the March 18th extended filing deadline.

 

Outlook

 

“We remain optimistic about the potential of our business globally,” said Hunt. “Our outlook for 2014, however, has been impacted by recent events that will negatively impact revenue this year.

 

“As previously announced, in China we have temporarily suspended all business promotional meetings as well as applications for new sales representatives. While these voluntary steps will negatively impact revenue and profitability in China in the short term, we believe these measures will enhance the likelihood of our long-term success in this important market.

 

“We are encouraged by the Chinese government’s continuing commitment to develop its economy. We remain fully committed to working cooperatively with the government in China to ensure our operations are in compliance with the regulation of direct selling. We are diligently preparing to resume normal business activities as soon as possible, subject to resolution of the China regulatory review.  In the meantime, we are taking steps to enhance our sales leader training processes following a period of rapid growth.

 

“In addition, we continue to plan on regional LTOs of either our ageLOC TR90 system or ageLOC Tru Face Essence Ultra in all of our geographic regions during the year, and expect a positive impact to revenue from these LTOs and subsequent product roll-outs,” concluded Hunt.

 

“For the first quarter of 2014 we now estimate revenue growth of 20 to 24 percent, or $650 to $670 million in revenue,” stated Ritch Wood, chief financial officer. “We believe all of our regions are on track to show year-over-year revenue growth in the first quarter. The decrease in projected revenue versus our first-quarter guidance provided last November is primarily a result of the recent measures we have taken in China, slightly lower than anticipated revenue increases in other markets, and an anticipated impact of about $20 million associated with the reclassification of a small percentage of selling expenses. In addition, our first-quarter revenue guidance anticipates a 4 percent negative impact from foreign currency fluctuations. Costs associated with China internal and external business reviews as well as lower than originally budgeted revenue will put pressure on our operating margin. We now project first-quarter earnings per share in the $0.90 to $0.94 range.

 

“We are early in the process of understanding the impact of recent events in China on our business, so it is difficult to project how reflective anticipated first quarter results will be of results for the remainder of the year. We believe we will be in a better position to provide specific updated annual guidance in conjunction with our first-quarter earnings release,” concluded Wood.

 

The company’s management will host a webcast with the investment community on March 3, 2014, at 11 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’ website, http://ir.nuskin.com. An archive of the webcast will be available at this same URL through March 14, 2014.

 

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. The company’s anti-aging portfolio features the new ageLOC line of products including the ageLOC® TR90™ weight management and body shaping system, ageLOC® R2 nutritional supplement, and ageLOC® Transformation daily skin care system. A global direct selling company, Nu Skin operates in 53 markets worldwide and 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 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended that represent the company's current expectations and beliefs. All statements other than statements of historical fact are "forward-looking statements" for purposes of federal and state securities laws and include, but are not limited to, statements of management's expectations regarding the company's performance, initiatives, strategies and new product introductions; statements of projections regarding revenue, operating margin, earnings per share, foreign currency impact and other financial items; statements of management’s expectations regarding the timing and outcome of its internal review and the ability to file its annual report on Form 10-K by March 18, 2014; statements of belief; and statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "believe," "expect," "project," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "targets," "likely," "will," "would," "could," "may," "might," the negative of these words and other similar words.

 

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, the following:

 

•                 risk that regulatory and media scrutiny and investigations in China, and any actions taken by the company or by regulators, could cause unanticipated delays or make it more difficult to forecast 2014 results, and could negatively impact the company's revenue and business in this market, including the interruption of sales activities, loss of licenses, and the imposition of fines, and any other adverse actions or events;

•                 risk that the company’s internal review of its China operations could take longer than expected and that other events could cause the company to be unable to file the company’s annual report on Form 10-K by March 18, 2014;

•                 any changes to the company’s anticipated financial results for both the year and quarter ended December 31, 2013 set forth in this release, as a result of our independent registered public accounting firm completing its audit of the company’s financial statements;

•                 any failure of current or planned initiatives or products to generate interest among our sales force and customers and generate sponsoring and selling activities on a sustained basis;

•                 risks associated with rapid growth globally, which could strain our ability to effectively manage our operations, and result in, among other things, product delays or shortages, operating mistakes and errors, inadequate customer service, inappropriate claims or promotions by our sales force, and governmental inquires and investigations, all of which could harm our revenue and ability to generate sustained growth and result in unanticipated expenses;

•                 risks related to accurately predicting, delivering or maintaining sufficient quantities of products to support our planned initiatives or launch strategies, and increased risk of inventory write-offs if we over forecast demand for a product or change our planned initiatives or launch strategies;

•                 risk of foreign currency fluctuations and the currency translation impact on the company's business associated with these fluctuations;

•                 unpredictable economic conditions and events globally;

•                 regulatory risks associated with the company's products, which could require the company to modify its claims or inhibit the company's ability to import or continue selling a product in a market if it is determined to be a medical device or if it is unable to register the product in a timely manner under applicable regulatory requirements;

•                 adverse publicity related to the company's business, products, industry or any legal actions or complaints by distributors or others;

•                 any prospective or retrospective increases in duties on the company's products imported into the company's markets outside of the United States and any adverse results of tax audits or unfavorable changes to tax laws in the company's various markets; and

•                 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 that such information was first provided 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 Fourth Quarters Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

Revenue:

 

 

 

      Greater China

$                481,561

 

$                138,322

      North Asia

                  286,288

 

                  246,945

      South Asia/Pacific

                    99,477

 

                    63,182

      Americas

                  126,149

 

                    79,104

      Europe

                    62,311

 

                    51,641

Total revenue

               1,055,786

 

                  579,194

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales

                  164,672

 

                    95,044

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

                  891,114

 

                  484,150

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

      Selling expenses

                  508,846

 

                  255,569

      General and administrative expenses

                  193,673

 

                  139,679

Total operating expenses

                  702,519

 

                  395,248

 

 

 

 

Operating income

                  188,595

 

                    88,902

 

 

 

 

Other income, net

                      3,399

 

                      2,893

Income before provision for income taxes

                  191,994

 

                    91,795

Provision for income taxes

                    66,723

 

                    32,562

 

 

 

 

Net income

$                125,271

 

$                  59,233

 

 

 

 

Net income per share:

 

 

 

      Basic

$                      2.13

 

$                      1.01

      Diluted

$                      2.02

 

$                      0.97

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

 

 

 

      Basic

                    58,791

 

                    58,620

      Diluted

                    61,881

 

                    60,893

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           



NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)

For the Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

Revenue:

 

 

 

      Greater China

$            1,363,182

 

$               550,690

      North Asia

                 869,400

 

                 785,302

      South Asia/Pacific

                 378,988

 

                 328,597

      Americas

                 370,087

 

                 285,283

      Europe

                 195,061

 

                 182,385

 

 

 

 

Total revenue

              3,176,718

 

              2,132,257

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales

                 505,806

 

                 353,152

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

              2,670,912

 

              1,779,105

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

      Selling expenses

              1,476,772

 

                 932,812

      General and administrative expenses

                 640,028

 

                 505,449

Total operating expenses

              2,116,800

 

              1,438,261

 

 

 

 

Operating income

                 554,112

 

                 340,844

 

 

 

 

Other income, net

                     2,828

 

                     4,398

Income before provision for income taxes

                 556,940

 

                 345,242

Provision for income taxes

                 192,052

 

                 123,597

 

 

 

 

Net income

$               364,888

 

$               221,645

 

 

 

 

Net income per share:

 

 

 

      Basic

$                     6.23

 

$                     3.66

      Diluted

$                     5.94

 

$                     3.52

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

 

 

 

      Basic

                   58,606

 

                   60,600

      Diluted

                   61,448

 

                   63,025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC.

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

As of December 31, 2013 and 2012

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

ASSETS

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

      Cash and cash equivalents

$                525,153

 

$                320,025

      Current investments

                    21,974

 

                    13,378

      Accounts receivable

                    68,652

 

                    36,850

      Inventories, net

                  339,669

 

                  135,874

      Prepaid expenses and other

                  162,886

 

                    82,476

 

               1,118,334

 

                  588,603

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

                  396,042

 

                  229,787

Goodwill

                  112,446

 

                  112,446

Other intangible assets, net

                    83,168

 

                    92,518

Other assets

                  111,072

 

                  101,453

            Total assets

$             1,821,062

 

$             1,124,807

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

      Accounts payable

$                  82,684     

 

$                  47,882     

      Accrued expenses

                  626,284

 

                  233,202

      Current portion of long-term debt

                    67,824

 

                    39,019

 

                  776,792           

 

                  320,103           

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

                  113,852

 

                  154,963

Other liabilities

                    71,799

 

                    59,129

      Total liabilities

                  962,443

 

                  534,195

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

      Class A common stock

                           91        

 

                           91        

     Additional paid-in capital

                  397,383

 

                  317,293

       Treasury stock, at cost

                 (826,904)

 

                 (714,853)

     Accumulated other comprehensive loss

                   (46,228)

 

                   (51,822)

     Retained earnings

               1,334,277

 

               1,039,903

 

                  858,619

 

                  590,612

           Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$             1,821,062

 

$             1,124,807

 

 

 

NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC.

Actives/Sales Leaders Statistics

 

 

As of December 31, 2013

 

As of December 31, 2012

 

% Increase (Decrease)

 

 

Actives

 

Sales Leaders

 

Actives

 

Sales Leaders

 

Actives

 

Sales Leaders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greater China

 

        490,000

 

          61,546

 

        216,000

 

          18,527

 

126.9%

 

232.2%

 

North Asia

 

        409,000

 

          19,816

 

        349,000

 

          17,395

 

  17.2%

 

  13.9%

 

South Asia/Pacific

 

        120,000

 

            7,992

 

          98,000

 

            4,988

 

  22.4%

 

  60.2%

 

Americas

 

        193,000

 

            8,274

 

        164,000

 

            6,352

 

  17.7%

 

  30.3%

 

EMEA

 

        123,000

 

            4,489

 

        119,000

 

            4,528

 

    3.4%

 

    (0.9%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

     1,335,000

 

        102,117

 

        946,000

 

          51,790

 

  41.1%

 

  97.2%

 

                             

 

 

“Actives” are persons who purchased products directly from the company during the previous three months.

 

“Sales Leaders” include our independent distributors who have completed and who maintain specified sales requirements, and our sales employees and contractual sales promoters in China, who have completed certain qualification requirements.

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