LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Herbalife Nutrition Ltd. (NYSE: HLF) today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021:

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211102006238/en/

Herbalife Nutrition Third Quarter 2021 Earnings Infographic

HIGHLIGHTS

• Third quarter 2021 net sales of $1.4 billion, a 6% decrease compared to the third quarter 2020 and in-line with guidance issued on September 13, 2021.
• Third quarter 2021 reported diluted EPS of $1.09 and adjusted¹ diluted EPS of $1.21², compared to $1.04 and $1.15², respectively, for the third quarter 2020. Third quarter 2021 reported and adjusted earnings per share both increased by approximately 5% compared to the third quarter 2020.
• Third quarter 2021 reported net income of $117.4 million and adjusted¹ EBITDA of $222.4 million.
• Third quarter 2021 adjusted¹ diluted EPS and adjusted¹ EBITDA exceeded the high-end of the guidance ranges issued on September 13, 2021.
• Reiterating FY 2021 outlook for the top and bottom line, including net sales guidance range of 4.5% to 8.5% growth, adjusted³ diluted EPS guidance range of $4.55 – $4.95, and adjusted³ EBITDA guidance of $860 million - $910 million.
• During the third quarter, the Company repurchased approximately 3.5 million shares for a total of $162 million.

MANAGEMENT COMMENTARY

Herbalife Nutrition reported net sales of $1.4 billion, a decline of 6% compared to the prior year. These results were in-line with guidance. The quarter was impacted by a challenging year-over-year comparison period, while on a two-year stack basis, net sales grew 15% compared to the third quarter of 2019.

The Company exceeded the high-end of its guidance range for adjusted¹ diluted EPS and adjusted¹ EBITDA.

“Over the course of the global pandemic, we have delivered unprecedented business performance and growth. Despite challenging comparison periods in the third and fourth quarters, we remain on track for another record sales year,” said John Agwunobi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Herbalife Nutrition. “The fundamental tailwinds driving the global nutrition industry, along with demand for our science-based nutrition products, continue to benefit the Company.”

The Company continues to demonstrate solid business fundamentals as evidenced by a 10% increase in the number of sales leaders actively selling in the quarter, compared to the prior year period, excluding China. The number of new distributors and preferred customers joining the business in the third quarter was down compared to the record number of new entrants in Q3 2020 but was up 28% compared to Q3 2019.

In the regions, Asia Pacific led with double-digit net sales growth, up 11% compared to the prior year. India demonstrated 46% growth in the quarter and set its fifth straight quarterly net sales record, as well as had over 220,000 new preferred customers join the business. In North America, though net sales declined 11% when compared to an extraordinarily high prior year, when comparing to a more normalized, pre-COVID third quarter 2019, the two-year stack increased 38%. Similarly, in EMEA, when looking at the two-year stack against the third quarter 2019, the region grew 33%.

The Company is focused on several key growth strategies as outlined at its investor day, one of which is product innovation. The Herbalife24 Sports Nutrition brand has contributed to product innovation and global expansion in the past several years. This has contributed to impressive growth in the Energy, Sport and Fitness category, which has increased at an 18% three-year CAGR from 2017 – 2020, and 31% year-to-date. The Company’s strategic objective is to increase sales attributable to new product development from 14.5% to 25% over the next five years by localizing product development and improving speed to market.

For the full year 2021, the Company is reiterating its outlook for the top and bottom line. This includes net sales to be within a range of 4.5% - 8.5% growth, adjusted³ diluted EPS of $4.55 - $4.95 per diluted share, and adjusted³ EBITDA of $860 - $910 million dollars.

____________________

¹ Adjusted diluted EPS and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures. See Schedule A – “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a detailed reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, and a discussion of why we believe these non-GAAP measures are useful.

² Third quarter 2021 results were impacted by expenses related to the China Growth and Impact Investment Program of approximately $4.1 million or $0.03 per diluted share. Third quarter 2020 results were impacted by China grant income of approximately $0.6 million, or $0.00 per diluted share and expenses related to the China Growth and Impact Investment Program of approximately $3.2 million or $0.02 per diluted share. Third quarter 2020 adjusted results have been updated in Schedule A to no longer exclude China grant income.

³ Adjusted diluted EPS and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures. See the “Outlook” discussion below and the related footnotes and Schedule A – “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for additional information regarding adjusted diluted EPS and adjusted EBITDA guidance.

Third Quarter 2021 Key Metrics

Regional Net Sales and Foreign Exchange (“FX”) Impact

^(a) Growth/decline in net sales excluding the effects of foreign exchange is based on “net sales in local currency,” a non-GAAP financial measure. See Schedule A – “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a discussion of why we believe adjusting for the effects of foreign exchange is useful.

^(b) Venezuela has been generally impacted by significant price increases and erosion in foreign currency exchange rates. Venezuela represents less than 1% of the Company’s consolidated net sales. See Schedule A – “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a discussion of why we believe adjusting for Venezuela is useful.

* Figure not meaningful due to significant foreign currency fluctuations in Venezuela and the price increases implemented as a result thereof that, when considered in isolation, have a disproportionately large impact on the Company’s South and Central American region and consolidated results. Amounts were (4.8%) and (7.3%) for South & Central America and Worldwide Total, respectively.

Regional Volume Point Metrics

Outlook

Following is the Company’s updated full year 2021 guidance based on current business trends:

Currency Fluctuation in Guidance

• Guidance is based on the average daily exchange rates for the first two weeks of October 2021.
• For the full year 2021, net sales guidance includes a projected currency tailwind of approximately 200bps, adjusted^(a)(b)(c) diluted EPS guidance includes a projected currency tailwind of approximately $0.11 per diluted share, and adjusted^(a)(b)(c) EBITDA guidance includes a projected currency tailwind of approximately $15 million, all versus the full year 2020.
• Net sales, adjusted^(a)(b)(c) diluted EPS, and adjusted^(a)(b)(c) EBITDA represent projections translated into US dollars at currency rates equal to the average rates used to translate 2020 full year net sales and diluted EPS and adjusted for items such as hedging gains/losses and Venezuela to be directly comparable to 2020 values. See our Company’s Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and Schedule A – “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a discussion of why we believe adjusting for the effects of foreign exchange is useful.

Share Repurchase in Guidance

• With respect to guidance, the Company cannot accurately predict the impact to its share base from any future share repurchases. Accordingly, any impact thereof is excluded from the guidance table above.

^(a) Excludes any future potential Venezuela currency devaluations and associated pricing and inflationary consequences.

^(b) Excludes the following items that cannot be accurately predicted: any future potential ongoing tax effects from the exercise or vesting of equity awards that could impact the Company's tax rate due to the stock compensation accounting standard, benefits from future potential China grant income, any future potential dilution from the Company’s convertible notes due in 2024, as well as any future impact of the China Growth and Impact Investment Program.

^(c) Adjusted diluted EPS and adjusted EBITDA guidance are non-GAAP measures and exclude potential charges or gains that may be recorded during the applicable period, such as, among other things, loss contingencies, gain/loss on debt extinguishments and refinancing, tax charges relating to tax law changes, net expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic and other unanticipated charges and event. The Company does not provide reconciliations of forward-looking non-GAAP Adjusted diluted EPS and adjusted EBITDA guidance to net income, the comparable GAAP measure because the impact and timing of these potential charges and gains cannot be determined without unreasonable efforts due to their inherent historical variability, complexity, and unpredictability. These items, which are necessary for a presentation of the reconciliation to GAAP, could have a potentially significant impact on the Company’s GAAP results.

Earnings Conference Call

Herbalife Nutrition senior management will host an investor conference call to discuss its recent financial results and provide an update on current business trends on Tuesday, November 2^nd, 2021, at 2:30 p.m. PT (5:30 p.m. ET).

The dial-in number for this conference call for domestic callers is (833) 962-1459, and (956) 394-3596 for international callers (conference ID: 7086354). Live audio of the conference call will be simultaneously webcast in the investor relations section of the Company's website at http://ir.Herbalife.com.

An audio replay will be available following the completion of the conference call in MP3 format or by dialing (855) 859-2056 for domestic callers or (404) 537-3406 for international callers (conference ID: 7086354). The webcast of the teleconference will be archived and available on Herbalife Nutrition's website.

About Herbalife Nutrition Ltd.

Herbalife Nutrition (NYSE: HLF) is a global company that has been changing people's lives with great nutrition products and a business opportunity for its independent distributors since 1980. The Company offers high-quality, science-backed products, sold in over 90 countries by entrepreneurial distributors who provide one-on-one coaching and a supportive community that inspires their customers to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle. Through the Company's global campaign to eradicate hunger, Herbalife Nutrition is also committed to bringing nutrition and education to communities around the world.

For more information, please visit IAmHerbalifeNutrition.com.

Herbalife Nutrition also encourages investors to visit its investor relations website at ir.herbalife.com as financial and other information is updated and new information is posted.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 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, many of which are beyond our control. Additionally, many of these risks and uncertainties are, and may continue to be, amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Important factors that could cause our actual results, performance and achievements, or industry results to differ materially from estimates or projections contained in or implied by our forward-looking statements include the following:

• the potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on us; our Members, customers, and supply chain; and the world economy;
• our ability to attract and retain Members;
• our relationship with, and our ability to influence the actions of, our Members;
• our noncompliance with, or improper action by our employees or Members in violation of, applicable U.S. and foreign laws, rules, and regulations;
• adverse publicity associated with our Company or the direct-selling industry, including our ability to comfort the marketplace and regulators regarding our compliance with applicable laws;
• changing consumer preferences and demands;
• the competitive nature of our business and industry;
• legal and regulatory matters, including regulatory actions concerning, or legal challenges to, our products or network marketing program and product liability claims;
• the Consent Order entered into with the FTC, the effects thereof and any failure to comply therewith;
• risks associated with operating internationally and in China;
• our dependence on increased penetration of existing markets;
• any material disruption to our business caused by natural disasters, other catastrophic events, acts of war or terrorism, cybersecurity incidents, pandemics and/or other acts by third parties;
• noncompliance by us or our Members with any privacy laws, rules, or regulations or any security breach involving the misappropriation, loss, or other unauthorized use or disclosure of confidential information;
• contractual limitations on our ability to expand or change our direct-selling business model;
• our reliance on our information technology infrastructure and manufacturing facilities and those of our outside manufacturers;
• the sufficiency of our trademarks and other intellectual property;
• product concentration;
• our reliance upon, or the loss or departure of any member of, our senior management team;
• restrictions imposed by covenants in the agreements governing our indebtedness;
• risks related to our convertible notes;
• changes in, and uncertainties relating to, the application of transfer pricing, customs duties, value added taxes, and other tax laws, treaties, and regulations, or their interpretation;
• our incorporation under the laws of the Cayman Islands; and
• share price volatility related to, among other things, speculative trading and certain traders shorting our common shares.

We do not undertake any obligation to update or release any revisions to any forward-looking statement or to report any events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.

Results of Operations

⁽¹⁾ Other Operating Income for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 relates to certain China government grant income.

⁽²⁾ Other Expense, net for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 relates to loss on the extinguishment of the 2026 Notes.

Supplemental Information

SCHEDULE A: RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

(Unaudited and unreviewed), (All tables provide Dollars in millions, except per Share Data)

Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Diluted EPS and Adjusted EBITDA

In addition to its reported results and guidance calculated in accordance with GAAP, the Company has included in this release adjusted net income, adjusted diluted EPS and adjusted EBITDA, performance measures that the Securities and Exchange Commission defines as “non-GAAP financial measures.” Adjusted net income, adjusted diluted EPS and adjusted EBITDA exclude the impact of certain unusual or non-recurring items such as non-cash interest expense and amortization associated with the Company’s convertible notes, expenses related to regulatory inquiries and legal accruals, debt issuance costs and losses on extinguishment of debt, as further detailed in the reconciliations below. Management believes that such non-GAAP financial measures, when read in conjunction with the Company’s reported results, calculated in accordance with GAAP, can provide useful supplemental information for investors because they facilitate a period to period comparative assessment of the Company’s operating performance relative to its performance based on reported results under GAAP, while isolating the effects of some items that vary from period to period without any correlation to core operating performance and eliminate certain charges that management believes do not reflect the Company’s operations and underlying operational performance. The Company’s definition and calculation as set forth in the tables below of adjusted net income, adjusted diluted EPS and adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies because other companies may not calculate them in the same manner as the Company does and should not be viewed in isolation from nor as alternatives to net income or diluted EPS calculated in accordance with GAAP. The Company does not provide reconciliations of forward-looking non-GAAP adjusted EPS and adjusted EBITDA guidance to net income, the comparable GAAP measure, because the impact and timing of the potential charges and gains cannot be determined without unreasonable efforts due to the inherent historical variability, complexity, and unpredictability. These items, which are necessary for a presentation of a reconciliation to GAAP, could have a potentially significant impact on the Company’s GAAP results.

In addition, China grant income is no longer excluded from the Company’s adjusted results and prior period information has been updated to reflect the current period presentation.

Currency Fluctuation

Our international operations have provided and will continue to provide a significant portion of our total net sales. As a result, total net sales will continue to be affected by fluctuations in the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies. In order to provide a framework for assessing how our underlying businesses performed excluding the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, in addition to comparing the percent change in net sales from one period to another in U.S. dollars, we also compare the percent change in net sales from one period to another period using “net sales in local currency.” Net sales in local currency is not a U.S. GAAP financial measure. Net sales in local currency removes from net sales in U.S. dollars the impact of changes in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the local currencies of our foreign subsidiaries, by translating the current period net sales into U.S. dollars using the same foreign currency exchange rates that were used to translate the net sales for the previous comparable period. We believe presenting net sales in local currency is useful to investors because it allows a meaningful comparison of net sales of our foreign operations from period to period. However, net sales in local currency measures should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to net sales in U.S. dollar measures that reflect current period exchange rates, or to other financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

In addition, the impact of foreign currency fluctuations in Venezuela and the price increases the Company implements as a result of the highly inflationary economy in that market can each, when considered in isolation, have a disproportionately large impact to the Company’s consolidated results despite the offsetting nature of these drivers and that net sales in Venezuela, which represent less than 1% of the Company’s consolidated net sales, are not material to our consolidated results. Therefore, in certain instances, the Company believes it is helpful to provide additional information with respect to these factors as reported and excluding the impact of Venezuela to illustrate the disproportionate nature of Venezuela’s individual pricing and foreign exchange impact to the Company’s consolidated results. However, excluding the impact of Venezuela from these measures is not in accordance with U.S. GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to the presentation and discussion thereof calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

The following is a reconciliation of net income, presented and reported in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, to net income adjusted for certain items:

The following is a reconciliation of diluted earnings per share, presented and reported in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, to diluted earnings per share adjusted for certain items.

The following is a reconciliation of net income, presented and reported in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, to EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA:

⁽¹⁾ Based on interim income tax reporting rules, these expenses are not considered discrete items. As a result, the Company's full year effective tax rate is impacted by these items. When applying the full year effective tax rate to year-to-date income, the Company's year-to-date tax provision recorded with respect to these non-GAAP adjustments is different from the forecasted full-year tax provision impact of these items. As a consequence, adjustments to the year-to-date and quarterly tax impacts will be recorded as the adjusted full year effective tax rate is applied to income in subsequent periods. Additionally, adjustments to items unrelated to these non-GAAP adjustments may have an effect on the income tax impact of these non-GAAP adjustments in subsequent periods. The Company plans to update the income tax impact of these items in subsequent interim reporting periods.

⁽²⁾ Excludes tax (benefit)/expense as follows:

⁽³⁾ Includes legal accrual recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 of $83.0 million relating to the SEC and DOJ investigations on the FCPA matter in China as described in the Company's Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2021.

⁽⁴⁾ Relates to non-cash expense on the Company's 2.625% convertible senior notes due 2024.

⁽⁵⁾ Relates to costs incurred in the amendment of the senior secured credit facility as described in the Company's Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2021. There is no per share amount for 2020 due to rounding.

⁽⁶⁾ Relates to the loss on the extinguishment of the senior notes due 2026.

⁽⁷⁾ Relates to certain non-income tax assessments, recoveries and credits.

⁽⁸⁾ Amounts may not total due to rounding.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211102006238/en/

Media Contact:
Jennifer Butler
VP, Media Relations
213.745.0420

Investor Contact:
Eric Monroe
Senior Director, Investor Relations
213.745.0449

Source: Herbalife Nutrition Ltd.

Released Nov 2, 2021 • 4:10pm EDT