Herbalife Ltd. Announces Record Second Quarter Results.* Net Sales Net Sales The amount a seller receives from the buyer after costs associated with the sale are deducted. Notes: This amount is calculated by subtracting the following items from gross sales: merchandise returned for credit, allowances for damaged or missing goods, freight Increase 20.7 Percent to $639.7 Million * 18(th) Consecutive Quarter Of Double-Digit dou·ble-dig·it adj. Being between 10 and 99 percent: double-digit inflation. Sales Growth * Record Net Sales Led By Accelerating Growth in the U.S., Mexico Mexico, city, Mexico Mexico or Mexico City, Span. Ciudad de México (Méjico), city (1990 pop. 8,236,960; 1991 met. area est. 20,899,000), central Mexico, capital and largest city of Mexico. and Brazil * Second Quarter Reported Diluted Earnings Per Share diluted earnings per share An earnings measure calculated by dividing net income less preferred stock dividends for a period by the average number of shares of common stock that would be outstanding if all convertible securities were converted into shares of was $1.01 * Company Repurchased 1.8 million of its Common Shares LOS ANGELES Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. -- Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange : HLF HLF Heritage Lottery Fund HLF Hapag Lloyd Flug (German airline) HLF Himalayan Light Foundation HLF Hawaiian Longboard Federation HLF High-Level Format HLF Home Location Function HLF Hook Length Formula ) today reported its 18th consecutive quarter of double-digit sales growth with second quarter net sales of $639.7 million, an increase of 20.7 percent compared to the same period of 2007. For the quarter ended June 30, 2008, the company reported net income of $67.1 million, or $1.01 per diluted di·lute tr.v. di·lut·ed, di·lut·ing, di·lutes 1. To make thinner or less concentrated by adding a liquid such as water. 2. To lessen the force, strength, purity, or brilliance of, especially by admixture. share, compared to $48.1 million, or $0.65 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2007, reflecting the record net sales, a lower effective tax rate, and accretion The act of adding portions of soil to the soil already in possession of the owner by gradual deposition through the operation of natural causes. The growth of the value of a particular item given to a person as a specific bequest under the provisions of a will between the from our share repurchase Share Repurchase A program by which a company buys back its own shares from the marketplace, reducing the number of outstanding shares. This is usually an indication that the company's management thinks the shares are undervalued. program. Excluding the impact of $0.9 million of expenses associated with the company's Realignment re·a·lign tr.v. re·a·ligned, re·a·lign·ing, re·a·ligns 1. To put back into proper order or alignment. 2. To make new groupings of or working arrangements between. for Growth initiative in the second quarter of 2008 and an increase in tax reserves in second quarter 2007 of $0.6 million(1), adjusted diluted earnings per share in the second quarter of 2008 was $1.03 compared to the $0.64 in the second quarter of 2007, reflecting an increase of 60.9 percent. "We continue to generate positive cash flow, expand margins and report record earnings per share," said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael O. Johnson. "Our excellent quarter reflects our distributors' confidence in our products and business opportunity as well as their hard work and commitment." The record net sales performance in the second quarter was attributable to strong growth from the company's top 10 markets, which were cumulatively up 25.1 percent versus the same period in the prior year. Two of these top markets produced triple-digit net sales gains including, China, up 125.2 percent; and Venezuela, up 156.9 percent. Six of these top markets produced double-digit net sales gains including: the U.S., up 18.2 percent; Brazil, up 19.3 percent; Italy, up 26.4 percent; Taiwan, up 19.1 percent; South Korea, up 19.6 percent; and France, up 32.9 percent. Total net sales growth in the quarter benefited from a 759 basis point favorable fa·vor·a·ble adj. 1. Advantageous; helpful: favorable winds. 2. Encouraging; propitious: a favorable diagnosis. 3. impact from currency fluctuations. During the second quarter 2008, total Sales Leaders (2) increased 11.8 percent to 411,614 and new Sales Leaders increased 10.9 percent to 62,225 versus the second quarter of 2007. The company's President's Team membership increased 11.8 percent to 1,118 members and its prestigious Chairman's Club increased 12.9 percent to 35 members, in each case versus the second quarter of 2007. The company produced cash flow from operations Cash flow from operations A firm's net cash inflow resulting directly from its regular operations (disregarding extraordinary items such as the sale of fixed assets or transaction costs associated with issuing securities), calculated as the sum of net income plus noncash expenses of $59.1 million during the second quarter of 2008, and invested $25.2 million in capital expenditures, primarily in technology investments to support improvements in distributor services. In addition, the company increased its share-repurchase program to $600 million and repurchased 1.8 million of its common shares for an aggregate cost of $76.5 million during the quarter. From the program's inception in April, 2007, the company has repurchased 11.3 million shares at an aggregate cost of $460.0 million, representing approximately 15 percent of the fully diluted share base since the initial authorization The right or permission to use a system resource; the process of granting access. See access control. . Net cash and cash equivalents at the end of the quarter were $162.4 and net debt was $208.5 million. Richard Goudis, chief financial officer, said, "We generated significant cash flow again this quarter, while increasing operating margins Operating Margin A ratio used to measure a company's pricing strategy and operating efficiency. Calculated by: to 14.8 percent when excluding expenses associated with the company's Realignment for Growth initiative for the quarter (1). This cash flow supports our investment in capital spending capital spending Spending for long-term assets such as factories, equipment, machinery, and buildings that permits the production of more goods and services in future years. , an expanded share repurchase program and our ongoing commitment to return value to shareholders while still internally funding distributor growth initiatives." Second Quarter 2008 Business Highlights "We continue to expand our education, training and marketing-tools initiatives for our distributors and to create consumer awareness with branding activities, such as our ASYO sponsorship in the U.S., our LA Galaxy sponsorship - which has a worldwide impact - and more than 50 sponsorships and 25 sponsored athletes. These activities not only create brand recognition, they are a source of pride for our distributors. For example, at the Beijing Olympics Olympics Sports medicine An international competition among (traditionally) nonprofessional athletes trained in a particular summer or winter sport, which is held every 4 yrs in a selected city. See Paralympics, Special Olympics, World Medical Games. , six of our Herbalife-sponsored competitors will be competing and Herbalife distributors around the world will be cheering them on," said Johnson. "Our large-scale events remain a major factor in both attracting new distributors and increasing the productivity and retention of current distributors," concluded Johnson. "During the past six weeks the company hosted four extravaganzas: in Barcelona, Rio de Janerio, Mexico City Mexico City Spanish Ciudad de México City (pop., 2000: city, 8,605,239; 2003 metro. area est., 18,660,000), capital of Mexico. Located at an elevation of 7,350 ft (2,240 m), it is officially coterminous with the Federal District, which occupies 571 sq mi and Bangkok Bangkok (băng`kŏk'), Thai Krung Thep, city (1990 pop. 8,538,610), capital of Thailand and of Bangkok prov., SW Thailand, on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River, near the Gulf of Thailand. , collectively meeting nearly 60,000 distributors. At these events, the company introduced new products, and provided motivation, training and social activities as well as recognition for the numerous distributors reaching new levels of achievement." The company recently announced that China's Ministry of Commerce granted five additional licenses for Herbalife to conduct direct-selling business in the provinces of Beijing, Guangdong, Shandong, Zhejiang and Guizhou. All licenses are effective immediately, except Beijing which will be activated activated a state of being more than usually active. In biological systems this is usually brought about by chemical or electrical means. Commonly said of pharmaceutical and chemical products. after the company opens service outlets. These licenses, combined with the company's original direct-selling license in the Jiangsu province, bring the total number of provinces in which Herbalife can operate a direct-selling model to six. Consumers and other distributors come into the stores to buy products and learn more about the business opportunity. Once a direct-selling license has been received for a province, sales representatives and sales employees are allowed to conduct business outside of the store in that particular province. As of July 20, 2008, Herbalife operates 91 stores in 30 provinces throughout China. [TABLE OMITTED] The Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) Refers to that region of the world. For example, one might see products packaged differently for the UK, EMEA and Asia Pacific markets. ) region, the company's largest region, reported net sales of $159.9 million in the second quarter of 2008, an increase of 9.5 percent versus the same period of 2007. However, excluding the benefit of currency fluctuations, net sales decreased 3.2 percent. The EMEA region realized double-digit net sales growth, including favorable currency fluctuations, in several of its top markets during the second quarter of 2008. Italy was up 26.4 percent; France, up 32.9 percent; Russia, up 40.4 percent; Netherlands, up 8.9 percent; and Switzerland up 5.2 percent, compared to the second quarter of 2007. These net-sales gains were partially offset by declines in other markets including Spain, down 4.6 percent; Germany, down 11.6 percent; and Portugal, down 49.5 percent. New Sales Leaders in the region, during the quarter ended June 30, 2008, decreased 6.1 percent versus June 30, 2007 to 8,522. Total Sales Leaders in the region, as of June 30, 2008, decreased 8.0 percent to 69,832 versus June 30, 2007. The Asia Pacific region reported net sales of $145.2 million in the second quarter of 2008, up 34.2 percent over the same period of 2007. Excluding currency fluctuations, net sales increased 26.3 percent. The increase is attributable to net-sales growth in China, up 125.2 percent; Taiwan, up 19.1 percent; South Korea, up 19.6 percent; and Malaysia, up 97.7 percent, in each case as compared with the same period in 2007. New Sales Leaders in the region, during the quarter ended June 30, 2008, increased 37.8 percent versus June 30, 2007 to 19,234. Total Sales Leaders as of June 30, 2008 increased 28.1 percent to 105,211 versus June 30, 2007. These figures include China sales employees. The North America North America, third largest continent (1990 est. pop. 365,000,000), c.9,400,000 sq mi (24,346,000 sq km), the northern of the two continents of the Western Hemisphere. region reported net sales of $133.2 million in the second quarter of 2008, up 16.9 percent versus the same period of 2007, driven by growth in the U.S. of 18.2 percent versus second quarter 2007. Excluding currency fluctuations, net sales increased 16.7 percent. New Sales Leaders in the region, during the quarter ended June 30, 2008, increased 9.7 percent versus June 30, 2007 to 13,129. Total Sales Leaders in the region, as of June 30, 2008, increased 16.1 percent to 80,277 versus June 30, 2007. The Mexico and Central America Central America, narrow, southernmost region (c.202,200 sq mi/523,698 sq km) of North America, linked to South America at Colombia. It separates the Caribbean from the Pacific. region reported net sales of $107.4 million in the second quarter of 2008, up 9.7 percent versus the same period of 2007. Excluding currency fluctuations, net sales for the region increased 5.1 percent. Mexico, the largest market in the region, had a sales increase of 8.5 percent as compared with the same period in 2007. New Sales Leaders in the region, during the quarter ended June 30, 2008, decreased 11.3 percent versus June 30, 2007 to 8,643. Total Sales Leaders in the region, as of June 30, 2008, decreased 2.2 percent to 73,747 versus June 30, 2007. The South America South America, fourth largest continent (1991 est. pop. 299,150,000), c.6,880,000 sq mi (17,819,000 sq km), the southern of the two continents of the Western Hemisphere. region reported net sales of $94.0 million in the second quarter of 2008, up 46.6 percent versus the same period of 2007. Excluding currency fluctuations, net sales increased 33.7 percent. The growth in the region was primarily attributable to double and triple digit A single character in a numbering system. In decimal, digits are 0 through 9. In binary, digits are 0 and 1. digit - An employee of Digital Equipment Corporation. See also VAX, VMS, PDP-10, TOPS-10, DEChead, double DECkers, field circus. growth in key markets including Venezuela, up 156.9 percent; Peru, up 117.6 percent; and the region's largest market, Brazil, up 19.3 percent, in each case as compared with the same period in 2007. New Sales Leaders in the region, during the quarter ended June 30, 2008, increased 11.6 percent versus June 30, 2007, to 12,697. Total Sales Leaders in the region, as of June 30, 2008, increased 26.0 percent to 82,547 versus June 30, 2007. Third Quarter 2008 and Full Year 2008 Guidance Based on its first half results and current business trends, including the recent announcement regarding direct-selling licenses in five additional provinces in China, the company is raising its full year 2008 diluted earnings per share guidance to be in a range of $3.64 - $3.69 reflecting current foreign exchange rates and an effective tax rate of between 29.5 percent and 30.5 percent. The company's guidance for the third quarter of 2008 is diluted earnings per share of between $0.81- $0.84 reflecting an effective tax rate of between 33.0 percent and 34.0 percent. Third quarter capital expenditures are expected in the range of $25 million - $28 million, and full year 2008 capital expenditure guidance is between $100 million - $103 million. Second Quarter Earnings Conference Call On Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at 8 a.m. PDT PDT abbr. Pacific Daylight Time PDT Pacific Daylight Time PDT n abbr (US) (= Pacific Daylight Time) → hora de verano del Pacífico PDT (11 a.m. EDT EDT abbr. Eastern Daylight Time EDT Eastern Daylight Time EDT n abbr (US) (= Eastern Daylight Time) → hora de verano de Nueva York EDT ), Herbalife's senior management team will host an investor conference call to discuss its second quarter 2008 financial results and provide an update on current business trends. The dial-in number for this conference call for domestic callers is (866) 804-3545 and the dial-in number for international callers is (703) 639-1326. Live audio of the conference call will be simultaneously webcast in the Investor Relations Investor relations The process by which the corporation communicates with its investors. section of the company's Web site at http://ir.herbalife.com. An audio replay will be available following the completion of the conference call in MP3 format or by dialing (866) 837-8032 (domestic callers) and (703) 925-2474 (international callers) and entering access code 839975. The webcast of the teleconference will be archived and available on Herbalife's Web site. About Herbalife Ltd. Herbalife Ltd. is a global network marketing company that sells weight-management, nutrition, and personal care products intended to support a healthy lifestyle. Herbalife products are sold in 66 countries through a network of over 1.8 million independent distributors. The company supports the Herbalife Family Foundation and its Casa Herbalife program to bring good nutrition to children. Please visit Herbalife Investor Relations for additional financial information. Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements forward-looking statement A projected financial statement based on management expectations. A forward-looking statement involves risks with regard to the accuracy of assumptions underlying the projections. Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release are "forward-looking statements." All statements other than statements of historical fact are "forward-looking statements" for purposes of federal and state securities laws, including any projections of earnings, revenue or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning proposed new services or developments; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; any statements of belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Forward-looking statements may include the words, "may," "will," "estimate," "intend," "continue," "believe," "expect," or "anticipate" and any other similar words. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in any of our forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in any of our forward-looking statements. Our future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to change and to inherent risks and uncertainties, such as those disclosed or incorporated by reference in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Important factors that could cause our actual results, performance and achievements, or industry results to differ materially from estimates or projections contained in our forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: * our relationship with, and our ability to influence the actions of, our distributors; * adverse publicity associated with our products or network marketing organization; * uncertainties relating to relating to relate prep → concernant relating to relate prep → bezüglich +gen, mit Bezug auf +acc interpretation and enforcement of recently enacted legislation in China governing gov·ern v. gov·erned, gov·ern·ing, gov·erns v.tr. 1. To make and administer the public policy and affairs of; exercise sovereign authority in. 2. direct selling Direct selling is the marketing of products or services to consumers through sales tactics including presentations, demonstrations, and phone calls. It is sometimes also considered to be a sale that does not utilize a "middle man" such as a retail outlets, distributors or brokers. ; * our inability to obtain the necessary licenses to expand our direct selling business in China; * adverse changes in the Chinese economy, Chinese legal system or Chinese governmental policies; * improper
* changing consumer preferences and demands; * loss or departure of any member of our senior management team which could negatively impact our distributor relations and operating results; * the competitive nature of our business; * regulatory matters governing our products, including potential governmental or regulatory actions concerning the safety or efficacy of our products, and network marketing program including the direct selling market in which we operate; * risks associated with operating internationally, including foreign exchange and devaluation devaluation, decreasing the value of one nation's currency relative to gold or the currencies of other nations. It is usually undertaken as a means of correcting a deficit in the balance of payments. risks; * our dependence on increased penetration of existing markets; * contractual limitations on our ability to expand our business; * our reliance on our information technology infrastructure and outside manufacturers; * the sufficiency of trademarks and other intellectual property rights; * product concentration; * our reliance on our management team; * uncertainties relating to the application of transfer pricing Transfer pricing refers to the pricing of goods and services within a multi-divisional organization, particularly in regard to cross-border transactions. For example, goods from the production division may be sold to the marketing division, or goods from a parent company may be , duties, value added taxes value added tax n (BRIT) → impuesto sobre el valor añadido or agregado (LAM) value added tax n (Brit and similar tax regulations; * taxation relating to our distributors; * product liability claims; and * whether we will purchase any of our shares in the open markets or otherwise. 1 See Schedule A - "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for more detail U See Schedule titled "Total Sales Leaders by Region" for more detail [TABLE OMITTED] [TABLE OMITTED] [TABLE OMITTED] [TABLE OMITTED] Note: We refer to supervisors who qualified in 65 countries under our traditional marketing plan plus China sales employees collectively as 'Sales Leaders'. [TABLE OMITTED] [TABLE OMITTED] [TABLE OMITTED] [TABLE OMITTED] [TABLE OMITTED] [TABLE OMITTED] |
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