Oct. 29, 2009 (PR Newswire) --
PROVO, Utah, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 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.
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.
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.
"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.
