Exhibit 99

Contact:

 

Riley Timmer

 

 

Investor Relations

 

 

(801) 954-7100

 

 

investor.relations@us.usana.com

 

USANA Reports Strong 15.8% Year-Over-Year Third Quarter Sales Growth
USANA to Enter Malaysian Market in First Quarter 2007

SALT LAKE CITY, October 17, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE)—USANA Health Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: USNA) today announced continued strong financial results for the fiscal third quarter of 2006 (ended September 30).  Additionally, the Company announced that it has obtained a business license in Malaysia and plans to begin selling products there in the first quarter of 2007.

Financial Performance

Consolidated net sales in the third quarter of 2006 increased by 15.8% to $95.2 million, compared with $82.2 million in the third quarter of the prior year.  This is the 17th consecutive quarter of record sales for the Company.  Net sales growth for the third quarter of 2006 was driven primarily by a 14.2% increase in the number of active Associates, compared with the third quarter of the prior year.

Earnings from operations in the third quarter of 2006 grew by 7.7% to $15.7 million, or 16.5% of net sales, compared with $14.6 million, or 17.8% of net sales, in the third quarter of the prior year.  Earnings from operations in the third quarter of 2006 were reduced by $1.3 million due to the required expensing of equity-based compensation.  Net earnings in the third quarter of 2006 grew by 1.8% to $10.2 million, compared with net earnings of $10.0 million in the third quarter of the prior year.  Excluding the expense of equity-based compensation, this increase in net earnings would have been 10.5%.  Earnings per share in the third




 

quarter of 2006 increased by 7.8% to $0.55 per share, compared with $0.51 per share in the third quarter of the prior year.  Excluding the expense of equity-based compensation, earnings per share would have been $0.60, an increase of 17.6%.

“During the third quarter, we again achieved growth in sales, earnings, and Associates,” said Dave Wentz, President of USANA.  “We were pleased with the double-digit sales growth that we achieved in all of our markets, excluding Japan.  We have maintained our commitment to supporting our Associates with excellent customer service, innovative business management tools, and science-based products, and we believe that this strategy will promote our growth in the future.”

In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2006, consolidated net sales increased by 15.8% to $278.7 million, compared with $240.8 million in the first nine months of the prior year.  Earnings from operations in the first nine months of 2006 increased by 6.3% to $45.6 million, compared with $42.9 million in the first nine months of the prior year.  Earnings from operations in the first nine months of 2006 were reduced by $3.5 million due to the required expensing of equity-based compensation.  Net earnings in the first nine months of 2006 increased by 5.7% to $30.1 million, compared with net earnings of $28.5 million in the first nine months of the prior year.  Excluding the expense of equity-based compensation, net earnings would have been $32.4 million, an increase of 13.7%.  Earnings per share in the first nine months of 2006 increased by 11.1% to $1.60, compared with $1.44 in the first nine months of the prior year.  Excluding the expense of equity-based compensation, earnings per share would have been $1.72, and increase of 19.4%.

Regional Results

During the third quarter of 2006, net sales in North America, the Company’s most mature region, increased by 14.0% to $61.2 million, compared with the third quarter of the prior year.  Excluding the positive impact of currency fluctuations,




 

this sales increase would have been 12.1%.  This growth was driven primarily by a 13.9% increase in the number of active Associates in this region.  Strong sales in Mexico, which increased by 32.1%, compared with the third quarter of the prior year, led the growth in this region.

During the third quarter of 2006, the Company held its annual International Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah.  This four-day event was attended by a record number of Associates from 12 different countries.  “Our International Convention is our most important event, where we recognize our Associates, launch new products and sales tools, and provide our Associates with motivational support to help them build their home-based businesses,” commented Mr. Wentz.  “At this year’s convention, we were very excited to introduce a new Optimizer supplement called TenXTM Antioxidant Blast.  TenX is a unique dietary supplement fruit bar.  It provides the equivalent of two fruit servings and is fortified with important antioxidants, including quercetin and USANA’s patented Olivol® olive-fruit extract.  We also announced that we will be featured in the November issue of Success from Home magazine and are helping our Associates capitalize on this feature by offering the magazine as a low-cost sales tool.  We believe that these exciting introductions will further promote the enrollment and retention efforts of our Associates.”

In the Pacific Rim region, during the third quarter of 2006, net sales increased by 20.0% to $32.0 million, compared with the third quarter of the prior year.  This growth was driven primarily by double-digit increases in net sales over the third quarter of the prior year in the following markets: Australia-New Zealand, up 10.1%; Taiwan, up 14.4%; Singapore, up 28.1%; Hong Kong, up 56.3%; and South Korea, up 76.1%.  Moreover, the number of active Associates in the Pacific Rim region increased by 14.6% to 55,000, compared with 48,000 in the third quarter of the prior year.




 

The Opening of Malaysia

The Company also announced today that it has received its business license in Malaysia and will begin operations there in the first quarter of 2007.  According to the World Federation of Direct Selling Associations, Malaysia is one of the top 15 markets for direct selling, with approximately $1.4 billion in annual sales.  Malaysia will be USANA’s 13th market.  The USANA Malaysia facility will be located just outside Kuala Lumpur and will contain administrative offices, a distribution center, Associate meeting rooms, and a call center.  “We are excited to offer USANA’s products and business opportunity in this growing market,” Mr. Wentz said.  “Our network marketing system and our science-based products have proven to be successful in several markets within this region, and we hope to achieve similar success in Malaysia.

Outlook

Commenting on USANA’s future expectations, Gilbert A. Fuller, the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, said, “We expect net sales in the fourth quarter of 2006 to be in the range of $98 million to $100 million, compared with $86.9 million in the fourth quarter of last year, a growth rate of 13% to 15%.  During the fourth quarter of 2006, we will be heavily promoting our featured coverage in Success from Home magazine with related contests and incentives.  These promotions and incentives were introduced at our convention in mid-September and so far the feedback from our Associates has been very positive.  Additionally, we expect to incur expenses related to opening Malaysia.  Accordingly, we now believe earnings per share in the fourth quarter of 2006 to be between $0.56 and $0.58.  Excluding the expense of equity-based compensation, we expect earnings per share in the fourth quarter of 2006 to be between $0.61 and $0.63, a growth rate of 13% to 17%.

“Looking ahead to 2007, we expect to grow both net sales and earnings per share between 15% and 17%.  This earnings per share estimate includes operations in Malaysia, the expense of equity-based compensation, and




 

assumes a tax rate for 2007 of 37%, which is meaningfully higher than the 35% tax rate that we have incurred during most of 2006,” Mr. Fuller concluded.

Conference Call

USANA will hold a conference call and webcast to discuss this announcement with investors on Wednesday, October 18, 2006 at 11:00 AM ET.  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, 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 reliance upon our network of independent Associates, the governmental regulation of our products, manufacturing and marketing 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)

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

1-Oct-05

 

30-Sep-06

 

1-Oct-05

 

30-Sep-06

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

82,225

 

$

95,187

 

$

240,818

 

$

278,749

 

Cost of sales

 

19,760

 

22,188

 

57,269

 

65,802

 

Gross profit

 

62,465

 

72,999

 

183,549

 

212,947

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Associate incentives

 

32,545

 

38,483

 

94,006

 

111,365

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

14,756

 

17,898

 

44,773

 

53,515

 

Research and development

 

551

 

881

 

1,839

 

2,443

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings from operations

 

14,613

 

15,737

 

42,931

 

45,624

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense)

 

172

 

68

 

270

 

699

 

Earnings before income taxes

 

14,785

 

15,805

 

43,201

 

46,323

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes

 

4,743

 

5,582

 

14,688

 

16,196

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET EARNINGS

 

$

10,042

 

$

10,223

 

$

28,513

 

$

30,127

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share - diluted

 

$

0.51

 

$

0.55

 

$

1.44

 

$

1.60

 

Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted

 

19,755

 

18,486

 

19,849

 

18,830

 

 

USANA Health Sciences, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands)

 

 

As of

 

As of

 

 

 

31-Dec-05

 

30-Sep-06

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

10,579

 

$

20,977

 

Inventories

 

22,223

 

22,497

 

Other current assets

 

9,028

 

9,548

 

Total current assets

 

41,830

 

53,022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

23,302

 

25,764

 

Goodwill

 

5,690

 

5,690

 

Other assets

 

2,886

 

2,349

 

Total assets

 

$

73,708

 

$

86,825

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

4,955

 

$

8,928

 

Other current liabilities

 

21,601

 

25,954

 

Total current liabilities

 

26,556

 

34,882

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

1,414

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders' equity

 

45,738

 

51,943

 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

 

$

73,708

 

$

86,825

 

 




 

USANA Health Sciences, Inc.

Sales by Segment and Region

(in thousands)

 

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

 

 

1-Oct-05

 

30-Sep-06

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

Region

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

35,181

 

42.8

%

$

40,015

 

42.0

%

Canada

 

15,231

 

18.5

%

16,814

 

17.7

%

Mexico

 

3,449

 

4.2

%

4,555

 

4.8

%

North America Total

 

53,861

 

65.5

%

61,384

 

64.5

%

Pacific Rim

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Australia-New Zealand

 

11,341

 

13.8

%

12,488

 

13.1

%

Hong Kong

 

2,971

 

3.6

%

4,643

 

4.9

%

Japan

 

2,562

 

3.1

%

2,390

 

2.5

%

Taiwan

 

4,885

 

6.0

%

5,587

 

5.9

%

South Korea

 

1,250

 

1.5

%

2,201

 

2.3

%

Singapore

 

3,680

 

4.5

%

4,714

 

4.9

%

Pacific Rim Total

 

26,689

 

32.5

%

32,023

 

33.6

%

Segment Total

 

80,550

 

98.0

%

93,407

 

98.1

%

Contract Manufacturing

 

1,675

 

2.0

%

1,780

 

1.9

%

Consolidated

 

$

82,225

 

100.0

%

$

95,187

 

100.0

%

 

Active Associates by Region

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

1-Oct-05

 

30-Sep-06

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Region

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

50,000

 

39.4

%

58,000

 

40.0

%

Canada

 

21,000

 

16.5

%

22,000

 

15.2

%

Mexico

 

8,000

 

6.3

%

10,000

 

6.9

%

North America Total

 

79,000

 

62.2

%

90,000

 

62.1

%

Pacific Rim

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Australia-New Zealand

 

16,000

 

12.6

%

18,000

 

12.4

%

Hong Kong

 

4,000

 

3.1

%

8,000

 

5.5

%

Japan

 

4,000

 

3.1

%

4,000

 

2.7

%

Taiwan

 

13,000

 

10.3

%

13,000

 

9.0

%

South Korea

 

2,000

 

1.6

%

2,000

 

1.4

%

Singapore

 

9,000

 

7.1

%

10,000

 

6.9

%

Pacific Rim Total

 

48,000

 

37.8

%

55,000

 

37.9

%

Total

 

127,000

 

100.0

%

145,000

 

100.0

%

 

Active Preferred Customers by Region

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

1-Oct-05

 

30-Sep-06

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

Region

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

43,000

 

63.2

%

49,000

 

64.5

%

Canada

 

17,000

 

25.0

%

18,000

 

23.7

%

Mexico

 

1,000

 

1.5

%

2,000

 

2.6

%

North America Total

 

61,000

 

89.7

%

69,000

 

90.8

%

Pacific Rim

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Australia-New Zealand

 

6,000

 

8.8

%

6,000

 

7.9

%

Hong Kong

 

**

 

0.0

%

**

 

0.0

%

Japan

 

1,000

 

1.5

%

1,000

 

1.3

%

Taiwan

 

**

 

0.0

%

**

 

0.0

%

South Korea

 

**

 

0.0

%

**

 

0.0

%

Singapore

 

**

 

0.0

%

**

 

0.0

%

Pacific Rim Total

 

7,000

 

10.3

%

7,000

 

9.2

%

Total

 

68,000

 

100.0

%

76,000

 

100.0

%

 

**             Count of Active Preferred Customers is less than 500.