USANA Health Sciences Announces Third Quarter 2009 Financial Results
-- Net sales increase to $110.8 million -- Earnings per share increase to $0.51 -- Company raises outlook for 2009
SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- USANA Health Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: USNA) today announced financial results for its fiscal third quarter, ended October 3, 2009.
Financial Performance
Net sales for the third quarter of 2009 improved to $110.8 million, compared with $107.2 million in the third quarter of the prior year, an increase of 3.3%. The year-over-year increase was due to an overall increase in product sales, driven primarily by an 8.2% increase in the number of active Associates. The negative effect of changes in currency exchange rates, on a year-over-year basis, reduced net sales in the third quarter by approximately $4.1 million. Net earnings for the third quarter were $7.9 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, compared with $8.1 million or $0.50 per diluted share in the third quarter of the prior year. The decrease in net earnings resulted from higher Associate incentives expense, partially offset by lower selling, general and administrative expenses and improved gross profit margins. The increase in earnings per share in third quarter of 2009 was due to a lower number of average shares outstanding.
Dave Wentz, chief executive officer, said, "We are pleased to report another quarter of solid operating results. The two compensation plan enhancements that we introduced last year continue to drive our growth in sales and Associates. We recognize that offering a rewarding compensation plan that attracts and retains talented entrepreneurs is central to our long-term objectives of generating top-line growth and returning value to our shareholders. While Associate incentive expense has initially increased due to our compensation plan enhancements, we expect that it will decrease as a percentage of sales over the next several quarters. Additionally, we will continue to closely manage our SG&A costs and expect further improvements in our gross profit margins."
For the nine months ended October 3, 2009, net sales increased by 0.7% to $320.2 million, compared with $318.0 million for the first nine months of the prior year. This growth in sales was due to an overall increase in product sales, driven by a higher average number of active Associates. This increase was largely offset by the negative effect of changes in currency exchange rates versus the prior year, which reduced net sales by approximately $23.6 million. Excluding the impact of currency fluctuations, net sales for the first nine months of 2009 would have been $343.8 million, a year-over-year increase of 8.1%. Net earnings for the first nine months of 2009 were $23.3 million, or $1.51 per diluted share, compared with net earnings of $25.5 million, or $1.56 per diluted share for the first nine months of the prior year. Unfavorable currency exchange rates and higher Associate incentives expense were the primary cause for lower net earnings and earnings per share. These decreases, however, were partially offset by lower selling, general and administrative expenses and a lower number of average shares outstanding.
Regional Results
During the third quarter of 2009, net sales in North America decreased by 6.7%, or $4.3 million, to $60.3 million, compared with the third quarter of the prior year. This decline was primarily the result of the negative effect of changes in currency exchange rates, which decreased net sales in this region by $2.5 million. Additionally, sales in the U.S. decreased by 5.2% and local currency sales in Canada decreased by 3.8%. In Mexico, however, local currency sales increased by 14.9% compared with the third quarter of 2008. Active Associates in the North America region decreased by 1.0% to 102,000, compared with the third quarter of the prior year.
"North America continues to be the region most affected by the difficult economic conditions," continued Wentz. "Additionally, our third quarter sales tend to be softer in North America, as many of our Associates slow their business activities during the summer vacation months. We continue to implement new initiatives, including targeted marketing campaigns, to keep our customers in this region consistently purchasing our products and our Associates actively building their home-based business."
Net sales in the Asia Pacific region for the third quarter of 2009 increased by 18.5% to $50.5 million, compared with the third quarter of the prior year. Excluding the negative effect of a stronger U.S. dollar, net sales in this region increased during the quarter by 22.3%. This improvement was due to an overall increase in product sales, driven by 19.8% growth in the number of active Associates and, to a lesser extent, higher product prices. Active associates in this region grew to a record 97,000, compared with 81,000 for the third quarter of the prior year. This increase in the number of active Associates was due primarily to double-digit growth in Hong Kong, Malaysia, and South Korea. Additionally, the Company's newest market, the Philippines, added 6,000 Associates.
"Momentum in our Asia Pacific region continues to build with record sales and Associate counts. Our balanced approach of providing best-in-class products, coupled with a rewarding compensation plan, continues to drive our record results in this region. Furthermore, we are pleased with the success of our 17th annual International Convention, which we held in Salt Lake City during August. This exciting event was highlighted by new product announcements and several renowned speakers, including Larry King. In light of our solid operating results and the success of our Convention, we look forward to continued success for the balance of 2009 and anticipate carrying positive momentum into 2010," concluded Wentz.
Outlook
Jeff Yates, chief financial officer, said, "Following another solid quarter, we are raising our financial guidance for 2009. Accordingly, we are projecting consolidated net sales for 2009 to be between $431 million and $434 million. We are also raising our earnings per share guidance for 2009 and now estimate that EPS will be between $2.07 and $2.10."
"We are pleased with the performance of the business in this difficult economic environment and remain confident that our business model and operating efficiencies will give us a distinct advantage in our industry. We are firmly committed to increasing the number of Associates and customers and look forward to completing what we believe will be yet another record year for sales at USANA."
Conference Call
USANA will hold a conference call and webcast to discuss this announcement with investors on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Investors may listen to the call by accessing USANA's website at http://www.usanahealthsciences.com.
About USANA
USANA develops and manufactures high-quality nutritional, personal care and weight management products that are sold directly to Preferred Customers and Associates throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Mexico, Malaysia, the Philippines, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. More information on USANA can be found at http://www.usanahealthsciences.com.
Safe Harbor
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act. Our actual results could differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including global economic conditions generally, reliance upon our network of independent Associates, the governmental regulation of our products, manufacturing and marketing risks, adverse publicity risks, and risks associated with our international expansion. The contents of this release should be considered in conjunction with the risk factors, warnings, and cautionary statements that are contained in our most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
USANA Health Sciences, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Earnings (In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited) Quarter Ended 27-Sept-08(1) 3-Oct-09 Net sales $ 107,176 $ 110,764 Cost of sales 22,228 22,637 Gross profit 84,948 88,127 Operating expenses Associate incentives 44,573 50,799 Selling, general and administrative 27,621 25,414 Earnings from operations 12,754 11,914 Other income (expense) (489 ) 110 Earnings before income taxes 12,265 12,024 Income taxes 4,185 4,112 NET EARNINGS $ 8,080 $ 7,912 Earnings per share - diluted $ 0.50 $ 0.51 Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted 16,133 15,547 (1) All amounts reflective of adjustments made due to the restatement of previously reported amounts USANA Health Sciences, Inc. Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands) As of As of 3-Jan-09 3-Oct-09 (Unaudited) ASSETS Current Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 13,281 $ 13,265 Inventories 23,879 25,615 Other current assets 15,514 11,465 Total current assets 52,674 50,345 Property and equipment, net 57,369 57,289 Goodwill 5,690 5,690 Other assets 6,839 8,150 Total assets $ 122,572 $ 121,474 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities Accounts payable $ 6,879 $ 5,628 Other current liabilities 47,655 34,259 Total current liabilities 54,534 39,887 Line of credit 34,990 17,000 Other long-term liabilities 1,212 1,743 Stockholders' equity 31,836 62,844 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 122,572 $ 121,474
USANA Health Sciences, Inc. Sales by Region (Unaudited) (In thousands) Quarter Ended 27-Sep-08 3-Oct-09 Region North America United States $ 40,169 37.5 % $ 38,098 34.4 % Canada 18,216 17.0 % 16,661 15.0 % Mexico 6,208 5.8 % 5,535 5.0 % North America Total 64,593 60.3 % 60,294 54.4 % Asia Pacific Southeast Asia/Pacific 23,265 21.7 % 25,227 22.8 % East Asia 15,206 14.2 % 20,262 18.3 % North Asia 4,112 3.8 % 4,981 4.5 % Asia Pacific Total 42,583 39.7 % 50,470 45.6 % Consolidated $ 107,176 100.0 % $ 110,764 100.0 % Active Associates by Region(1) (Unaudited) As of 27-Sep-08 3-Oct-09 Region North America United States 61,000 33.2 % 61,000 30.7 % Canada 28,000 15.2 % 26,000 13.1 % Mexico 14,000 7.6 % 15,000 7.5 % North America Total 103,000 56.0 % 102,000 51.3 % Asia Pacific Southeast Asia/Pacific 42,000 22.8 % 49,000 24.6 % East Asia 32,000 17.4 % 40,000 20.1 % North Asia 7,000 3.8 % 8,000 4.0 % Asia Pacific Total 81,000 44.0 % 97,000 48.7 % Total 184,000 100.0 % 199,000 100.0 % (1) Associates are independent distributors of our products who also purchase our products for their personal use. We only count as active those Associates who have purchased product from USANA at any time during the most recent three-month period, either for personal use or for resale. Active Preferred Customers by Region(2) (Unaudited) As of 27-Sep-08 3-Oct-09 Region North America United States 45,000 61.7 % 40,000 58.8 % Canada 16,000 21.9 % 15,000 22.1 % Mexico 3,000 4.1 % 3,000 4.4 % North America Total 64,000 87.7 % 58,000 85.3 % Asia Pacific Southeast Asia/Pacific 8,000 10.9 % 8,000 11.7 % East Asia 1,000 1.4 % 1,000 1.5 % North Asia - 0.0 % 1,000 1.5 % Asia Pacific Total 9,000 12.3 % 10,000 14.7 % Total 73,000 100.0 % 68,000 100.0 % (2) Preferred Customers purchase our products strictly for their personal use and are not permitted to resell or to distribute the products. We only count as active those Preferred Customers who have purchased product from USANA at any time during the most recent three-month period.
Source: USANA Health Sciences, Inc.
Released October 27, 2009