Herbalife Nutrition Ltd. (NYSE: HLF) reported net sales of $1.2 billion for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019.
The sales included growth in four of six regions—Asia Pacific, North America, EMEA and Mexico—and was approximately flat compared to first quarter 2018. Excluding China, net sales increased 6 percent compared to the first quarter 2018.
“In the first quarter of 2019, the momentum of our geographically diverse business continued with net sales growth in four of our six regions,” said Michael O. Johnson, chairman and CEO of Herbalife Nutrition. “We are confident that our strategies will drive volume growth in 2019.”
According to the report, the company’s volume points of 1.5 billion increased 6% compared to the prior year period1, the highest first quarter in Company history. Excluding China, volume points increased 10% compared to the prior year period.
First quarter reported diluted EPS of $0.66 and adjusted2 earnings of $0.66 per adjusted3 diluted share, both of which were negatively impacted by expenses of approximately $0.7 million or $0.00 per diluted share and adjusted3 diluted share, respectively, related to the China Growth and Impact Investment Program.
In mid-April, the Chinese government concluded a 100-day review of the health products industry, which led to a significant decrease in company and service provider meetings during the first quarter. Due to this recent slowdown in China, the Company is revising full year 2019 volume point guidance to a range of 0.5% – 6.5% growth, net sales guidance to a range of (1.0%) – 5.0%, as well as reported and adjusted1,3 diluted EPS guidance to a range of $2.19 – $2.64 and $2.50 – $2.95, respectively.
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1 Excluding adjustments to volume point values in 2018, the year over year change would have been an increase of 5.6%. See Regional Volume Point Metrics below. 2 Adjusted diluted EPS is a non-GAAP measure and, for guidance purposes, excludes the impact of: non-cash interest expense associated with the Company’s convertible notes and expenses related to regulatory inquiries. Adjusted diluted EPS for reported results purposes, excludes the impact of the foregoing as well as impacts relating to contingent value rights revaluation, insurance recoveries and China grant income. See Schedule A – “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a detailed reconciliation of adjusted net income to net income calculated in accordance with GAAP and a reconciliation of adjusted diluted EPS to diluted EPS calculated in accordance with GAAP and a discussion of why we believe these non-GAAP measures are useful. 3 See Schedule A – “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of adjusted diluted share count to reported diluted share count and a discussion of why the share count has been adjusted for purposes of calculating adjusted diluted EPS for the first quarter of 2019 and second and full year 2019 guidance.
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About Herbalife Nutrition Ltd.
Herbalife Nutrition is a global nutrition company whose purpose is to make the world healthier and happier. The Company has been on a mission for nutrition – changing people’s lives with great nutrition products and programs – since 1980. Together with our Herbalife Nutrition independent members, we are committed to providing solutions to global trends of poor nutrition and obesity, a population that wants to age in a healthier manner, skyrocketing public healthcare costs as well as providing an opportunity to meet the needs of the rising number of entrepreneurs. Herbalife Nutrition offers high quality, science-backed products, one-on-one coaching with an Herbalife Nutrition independent member, and a supportive community approach that inspires customers to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle. The Company’s direct sales model provides individuals with an entrepreneurial business opportunity to be their own boss and work either full or part-time.
Herbalife Nutrition’s targeted nutrition, weight-management, energy and fitness and personal care products are available exclusively to and through its independent members in more than 90 countries.
Herbalife Nutrition supports the Herbalife Nutrition Foundation (HNF) and its more than 130 community-based Casa Herbalife Nutrition programs around the globe that help bring good nutrition to children. The Company and HNF also provide aide to organizations focused on the general wellness of communities such as the American Cancer Society, Save The Children and the American Red Cross.
Herbalife Nutrition is also proud to sponsor more than 190 world-class athletes, teams and events around the globe.
Herbalife Nutrition has approximately 8,300 employees worldwide, and its shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HLF) with net sales of approximately US$4.9 billion in 2018. To learn more, visit Herbalife.com or IAmHerbalife.com.
