Nu Skin Enterprises Reports Q2 Revenue Down

Nu Skin Enterprises, announced second-quarter results with revenue of $560.2 million compared to $650.0 million in the prior-year period. Revenue in the quarter was negatively impacted 7 percent by foreign currency fluctuations. Revenue in the second quarter of 2014 included $76 million in limited-time offer product sales, while there were no significant limited-time offers during the second quarter of 2015. Earnings per share for the quarter were $0.75, compared to $0.32 in the prior-year period which included a $50 million inventory write-down and a $25 million foreign currency charge related to Venezuela.

«We are pleased the business performed at the high end of our expectations for the second quarter», said Truman Hunt, president and chief executive officer.  «Additionally, we are encouraged by growth in the number of sales leaders sequentially, including a 19 percent increase in sales leaders in Mainland China. We believe that this trend signals growing sales leader energy as we build toward the introduction of our new ageLOC products in the second half of the year».

«Additionally, our financial performance and strong cash flow enabled us to repurchase approximately $50 millionof shares in the second quarter. Overall, we are pleased with the direction of the business and continue to anticipate a return to revenue growth in the second half of the year».

The company’s operating margin for the quarter was 12.8 percent, compared to 8.4 percent in the second quarter of 2014. Gross margin during the quarter was 80.3 percent, versus 76.0 percent in the prior-year period. Last year’s gross margin was unusually low due to the inventory write-down. Selling expenses were 42.7 percent of sales in the second quarter, compared to 43.6 percent in the prior-year period. General and administrative expenses were 24.8 percent of sales compared to 24.0 percent in the prior-year period.

The company’s effective income tax rate for the quarter was 35.3 percent, compared to 42.0 percent in the prior year. Last year’s tax rate was abnormally high due to the tax impact of a foreign currency charge related to Venezuela. Cash and current investments at the end of the quarter were $303.9 million and debt was $252.1 million. Dividend payments during the quarter were $20.5 million. Cash flow from operations for the quarter was $85.4 million, and the company repurchased $49.6 million of its outstanding shares.