Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Basis of Presentation (Policies)

v3.20.4
Basis of Presentation (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Recently Adopted Pronouncements
Recently Adopted Pronouncements
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU,
No. 2016-13,
Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic
 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments
. This ASU changes the impairment model for most financial assets, requiring the use of an expected loss model which requires entities to estimate the lifetime expected credit loss on financial assets measured at amortized cost. Such credit losses will be recorded as an allowance to offset the amortized cost of the financial asset, resulting in a net presentation of the amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. In addition, credit losses relating to
available-for-sale
debt securities will now be recorded through an allowance for credit losses rather than as a direct write-down to the security. The amendments in this update are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The adoption of this guidance during the first quarter of 2020 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU
No. 2017-04,
Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (Topic
 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment
. This ASU simplifies the test for goodwill impairment by removing Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Companies will now perform the goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, recognizing an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. The amendments in this update are effective for goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for goodwill impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017. The adoption of this guidance during the first quarter of 2020 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU
No. 2018-13,
Fair Value Measurement (Topic
 820): Disclosure Framework — Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement
. This ASU modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820 based on the consideration of costs and benefits to promote the appropriate exercise and discretion by entities when considering fair value measurement disclosures and to clarify that materiality is an appropriate consideration of entities and their auditors when evaluating disclosure requirements. The amendments in this update are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance during the first quarter of 2020 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU
No. 2018-15,
Intangibles — Goodwill and Other —
Internal-Use
Software (Subtopic
 350-40):
Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract
. This ASU clarifies the accounting for implementation costs of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract and aligns that accounting, regardless of whether the arrangement conveys a license to the hosted software. The amendments in this update are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted the guidance with an initial application date of January 1, 2020 with prospective application to implementation costs incurred after January 1, 2020. The adoption of this guidance during the first quarter of 2020 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU No.
2019-08,
Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic
 718) and Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic
 606): Codification Improvements—Share-Based Consideration Payable to a Customer
. This ASU clarifies the accounting for measuring share-based payment awards granted to a customer. The amendments in this update are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance during the first quarter of 2020 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU
No. 2020-04,
Reference Rate Reform (Topic
 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting
. This ASU provides optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease the potential burden in accounting for or recognizing the effects of reference rate reform on financial reporting. The amendments in this update are effective as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. The adoption of this guidance during the first quarter of 2020 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
New Accounting Pronouncements
New Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU
No. 2018-14,
Compensation — Retirement Benefits — Defined Benefit Plans — General (Subtopic
 715-20):
Disclosure Framework — Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans
. This ASU removes disclosures that are no longer considered cost beneficial, clarifies the specific requirements of disclosures, and adds disclosure requirements identified as relevant. The amendments in this update are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU
No. 2019-12,
Income Taxes (Topic
 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes
. This ASU simplifies the accounting for income taxes by eliminating some exceptions to the general approach in ASC Topic 740,
Income Taxes
, and clarifies certain aspects of the existing guidance to promote more consistent application, among other things. The amendments in this update are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU
No. 2020-06,
Debt — Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic
 470-20)
and Derivatives and Hedging — Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic
 815-40):
Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity
. This ASU simplifies the accounting for convertible instruments by eliminating certain accounting models, resulting in fewer embedded conversion features being separately recognized from the host contract, and also amends the guidance for derivatives scope exception for contracts in an entity’s own equity to reduce form-over-substance-based accounting conclusions. Additionally, the amendments in this ASU affect the diluted EPS calculation for convertible instruments. It will require that the effect of potential share settlement be included in the diluted EPS calculation when a convertible instrument may be settled in cash or shares; the
if-converted
method as opposed to the treasury stock method would be required to calculate diluted EPS for these types of convertible instruments. The amendments in this update are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2021, with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the potential impact of this adoption on its consolidated financial statements.
Consolidation Policy
Consolidation Policy
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Herbalife Nutrition Ltd. and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated.
Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions
Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions
In the majority of the countries that the Company operates, the functional currency is the local currency. The Company’s foreign subsidiaries’ asset and liability accounts are translated for consolidated financial reporting purposes into U.S. dollar amounts at
year-end
exchange rates. Revenue and expense accounts are translated at the average rates during the year. Foreign exchange translation adjustments are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses, which include the cost of foreign currency derivative contracts and the related settlement gains and losses but excluding certain foreign currency derivatives designated as cash flow hedges as discussed in Note 11,
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
, are included in selling, general, and administrative expenses within the accompanying consolidated statements of income. The Company recorded net foreign currency transaction losses of $14.8 million, $2.0 million, and $17.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.
Forward Exchange Contracts
Forward Exchange Contracts, Option Contracts, and Interest Rate Swaps
The Company enters into foreign currency derivatives, primarily comprised of foreign currency forward contracts and option contracts, in managing its foreign exchange risk on sales to Members, inventory purchases denominated in foreign currencies, and intercompany transactions and loans. The Company also enters into interest rate swaps in managing its interest rate risk on its variable rate senior secured credit facility. The Company does not use the contracts for trading purposes.
In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 815,
Derivatives and Hedging
, or ASC 815, the Company designates certain of its derivative instruments as cash flow hedges and formally documents its hedge relationships, including identification of the hedging instruments and the hedged items, as well as its risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking the hedge transaction, at the time the derivative contract is executed. The Company assesses the effectiveness of the hedge both at inception and on an ongoing basis and determines whether the hedge is highly or perfectly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged item. The Company records changes in the estimated fair value in accumulated other comprehensive loss and subsequently reclassifies the related amount of accumulated other comprehensive loss to earnings when the hedged item and underlying transaction impacts earnings. If it is determined that a derivative has ceased to be a highly effective hedge, the Company will discontinue hedge accounting for such transaction. For derivatives that are not designated as hedges, all changes in estimated fair value are recognized in the consolidated statements of income.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are comprised primarily of domestic and foreign bank accounts and money market funds. These cash and cash equivalents are valued based on Level 1 inputs, which consist of quoted prices in active markets. To reduce its credit risk, the Company monitors the credit standing of the financial institutions that hold the Company’s cash and cash equivalents.
The Company has a cash pooling arrangement with a financial institution for cash management purposes. This cash pooling arrangement allows certain of the Company’s participating subsidiaries to withdraw cash from this financial institution based upon the Company’s aggregate cash deposits held by subsidiaries who participate in the cash pooling arrangement. To the extent any participating location on an individual basis is in an overdraft
position, these overdrafts will be recorded as liabilities and reflected as financing activities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of cash flows, respectively. The Company did not owe any amounts to this financial institution as of December 31, 2020 and 2019
Accounts Receivable
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable consist principally of receivables from credit card companies, arising from the sale of products to the Company’s Members, and receivables from importers, who are utilized in a limited number of countries to sell products to Members. The Company believes the concentration of its collection risk related to its credit card receivables is reduced due to geographic dispersion. Credit card receivables were $65.2 million and $56.0 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Substantially all credit card receivables were current as of December 31, 2020 and 2019. For the Company’s receivables from its importers, the Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its importers and maintains an allowance for potential credit losses. The Company considers customer credit-worthiness, past and current transaction history with the customer, contractual terms, current economic industry trends, and changes in customer payment terms when determining whether collectability is reasonably assured and whether to record allowances for its receivables. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers deteriorates and adversely affects their ability to make payments, additional allowances will be recorded. The Company believes that it provides adequate allowances for receivables from its Members and importers which are not material to its consolidated financial statements. The Company recorded $1.7 million, $3.0 million, and $1.2 million during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively, in
bad-debt
expense related to allowances for the Company’s receivables. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts was $3.3 million and $2.5 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the majority of the Company’s total outstanding accounts receivable were current.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company applies the provisions of FASB authoritative guidance as it applies to its financial and
non-financial
assets and liabilities. The FASB authoritative guidance clarifies the definition of fair value, prescribes methods for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.
The Company has estimated the fair value of its financial instruments using the following methods and assumptions:
 
   
The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term maturities of these instruments;
 
   
The fair value of option and forward contracts are based on dealer quotes;
 
   
The Company’s variable-rate revolving credit facility is recorded at carrying value and is considered to approximate its fair value;
 
   
The outstanding borrowings on the Company’s term loan A under its senior secured credit facility are recorded at carrying value, and their fair value is determined by utilizing
over-the-counter
market quotes for similar instruments;
 
   
The outstanding borrowings on the Company’s term loan B under its senior secured credit facility are recorded at carrying value, and their fair value is determined by utilizing
over-the-counter
market quotes;
 
   
The Company’s convertible senior notes are recorded at carrying value and their fair value is determined using two valuation methods as described further in Note 5,
Long-Term Debt
; and
 
   
The Company’s senior notes issued in August 2018, or the 2026 Notes, and senior notes issued in May 2020, or the 2025 Notes, are recorded at carrying value, and their fair values are determined by utilizing
over-the-counter
market quotes and yield curves.
Inventories
Inventories
Inventories are stated at lower of cost (primarily on the
first-in,
first-out
basis) and net realizable value.
Debt Issuance Costs
Debt Issuance Costs
Debt issuance costs represent fees and expenses related to the borrowing of the Company’s long-term debt and are generally amortized over the term of the related debt using the effective interest method. Debt issuance costs, except for those related to the Company’s revolving credit facility, are recorded as a reduction to debt (contra-liability) within the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Total amortization expense related to debt issuance costs were $4.6 million, $5.3 million, and $7.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company’s remaining unamortized debt issuance costs were $25.4 million and $21.2 million, respectively.
Long-Lived Assets
Long-Lived Assets
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company’s net property, plant, and equipment consisted of the following:
 
    
December 31,
 
    
2020
    
2019
 
    
(in millions)
 
Property, plant, and equipment, at cost:
     
Land and buildings
   $ 51.1      $ 51.1  
Furniture and fixtures
     26.1        26.2  
Equipment
     1,023.7        931.3  
Building and leasehold improvements
     222.8        208.2  
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
Total property, plant, and equipment, at cost
     1,323.7        1,216.8  
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization
     (933.5      (845.3
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
Property, plant, and equipment, at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization
   $ 390.2      $ 371.5  
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
In December 2012, the Company purchased an approximate 800,000 square foot facility in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, for approximately $22.2 million. The Company allocated $18.8 million and $3.4 million between buildings and land respectively, based on their relative fair values. In April 2016, the Company purchased one of its office buildings in Torrance, California, which it had previously leased, for approximately $29.6 million. The Company allocated $16.9 million and $11.6 million, which was net of the deferred rent liability of $1.1 million, between buildings and land, respectively, based on their relative fair values. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, these amounts have been reflected in property, plant, and equipment within the Company’s accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Depreciation of furniture, fixtures, and equipment (including computer hardware and soft
w
are) is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, which range from three to ten years. The Company capitalizes eligible costs to acquire or develop
internal-use
software that are incurred subsequent to the preliminary project stage. Computer hardware and software, the majority of which is comprised of capitalized
internal-use
software costs, were $188.7 million and $177.4 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, net of accumulated depreciation. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the related asset or the term of the lease, whichever is shorter. Buildings are depreciated over 40 years. Building improvements are generally depreciated over ten to fifteen years. Land is not depreciated. Depreciation and amortization expenses recorded to selling, general, and administrative expenses totaled $80.9 million, $78.8 million, and $80.8 million, for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.
Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment based on undiscounted cash flows
whenever
events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Measurement of an impairment loss is based on the estimated fair value of the asset.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill and marketing-related intangible assets with indefinite lives are evaluated on an annual basis for impairment or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. For goodwill, the Company performed a qualitative assessment during the fourth quarter of 2020 and determined that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of each reporting unit is less than its respective carrying value. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount or if a qualitative assessment is not performed, then the Company would perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test as required, in which it would use a discounted cash flow approach to estimate the fair value of a reporting unit. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value, then a goodwill impairment amount is recorded for the difference. For the marketing-related intangible assets, the Company performed a qualitative assessment during the fourth quarter of 2020 and determined that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of the assets is less than their carrying value. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the assets is less than their carrying amount or if a qualitative assessment is not performed, then the Company would perform the quantitative impairment test as required, in which it would use a discounted cash flow model under the relief-from-royalty method in order to determine the fair value. If the fair value is less than its carrying value, then an impairment amount is recorded for the difference. During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, there were no additions to
 
or impairments of marketing-related intangible assets. As of both December 31, 2020 and 2019, the marketing-related intangible asset balance was $310.0 million and consisted of the Company’s trademark, trade name, and marketing franchise.
 
During the year ended 
December 31, 2020, goodwill
increased by
$9.0 million,
 
of which
 $7.0 million was due to an immaterial acquisition and $2.0 million was due to foreign currency translation
adjustments
.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2020, there was no impairment of goodwill. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, there were no additions to or impairments of goodwill. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the goodwill balance was $100.5 million and $91.5 million, respectively. The cash paid for the immaterial acquisition during 2020 is reflected as other cash flows from investing activities within the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows. 
Restricted Cash
Restricted Cash
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the Company’s consolidated balance sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows:
 
    
December 31,
 
    
2020
    
2019
 
    
(in millions)
 
Cash and cash equivalents
   $ 1,045.4      $ 839.4  
Restricted cash included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets
     2.5        2.5  
Restricted cash included in Other assets
     6.1        5.6  
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows
   $ 1,054.0      $ 847.5  
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
The majority of the Company’s consolidated restricted cash is held by certain of its foreign entities and consists of cash deposits that are required due to the business operating requirements in those jurisdictions.
Income Taxes
Income Taxes
Income tax expense includes income taxes payable for the current year and the change in deferred income tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s
financial statements or income tax returns. A valuation allowance is recognized to reduce the carrying value of deferred income tax assets if it is believed to be more likely than not that a component of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized.
The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes in accordance with FASB authoritative guidance which clarifies the accounting and reporting for uncertainties in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements. This guidance prescribes a comprehensive model for the financial statement recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns.
On December 22, 2017, the U.S. enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which contained several key tax provisions that affected the Company, including, but not limited to, a
one-time
mandatory transition tax on accumulated foreign earnings, changes in the sourcing and calculation of foreign income, and a reduction of the corporate income tax rate to 21% effective January 1, 2018. The Company was required to recognize the effect of the tax law changes in the period of enactment, such as determining the transition tax, remeasuring its U.S. deferred tax assets and liabilities as well as reassessing the net realizability of its deferred tax assets and liabilities. In December 2017, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118,
Income Tax Accounting Implications of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
, which allowed the Company to record provisional amounts during a measurement period not to extend beyond one year of the enactment date. See Note 12,
Income Taxes
, for a further description on income taxes and the impact of the U.S. Tax Reform. The Company has made an accounting policy election to account for global intangible
low-taxed
income as a period cost if and when incurred.
Royalty Overrides
Royalty Overrides
Certain Members may earn commissions called royalty overrides, which include production bonuses, based on retail sales volume. Royalty overrides are based on the retail sales volume of certain other Members who are sponsored directly or indirectly by the Member. Royalty overrides are recorded when the products are delivered and revenue is recognized. The royalty overrides are compensation to Members for services rendered including the development, retention and the improved productivity of their sales organizations. As such royalty overrides are classified as an operating expense.
Non-U.S.
royalty override checks that have aged, for a variety of reasons, beyond a certainty of being paid, are taken back into income. Management has estimated this period of certainty to be three years worldwide.
Distributor Compensation ? U.S.
Distributor Compensation – U.S.
In the U.S., distributor compensation, including Royalty overrides, is capped if the Company does not meet an annual requirement as described in the consent order discussed in more detail in Note 7,
Contingencies
. On a periodic basis, the Company evaluates if this requirement will be achieved by
year-end
to determine if a cap on distributor compensation will be required, and then determines the appropriate amount of distributor compensation expense, which may vary in each reporting period. The Company determined that the cap to distributor compensation will not be applicable for the year ended December 31, 2020 as the annual requirement was met.
Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income consists of net income, foreign currency translation adjustments, and unrealized gains or losses on derivatives. See Note 8,
Shareholders’ Deficit
, for the description and detail of the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss.
Operating Leases
Operating Leases
The Company leases most of its physical properties under operating leases. The Company recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis for its operating leases. Certain lease agreements generally include rent holidays and tenant improvement allowances. Prior to January 1, 2019, the Company recognized rent holiday periods on a straight-line basis over the lease term beginning when the Company had the right to the leased space; the
Company also recorded tenant improvement allowances and rent holidays as deferred rent liabilities and amortized the deferred rent over the terms of the lease to rent expense. Prior to January 1, 2019, the Company did not recognize its operating leases on its balance sheet. Beginning January 1, 2019, the Company recognizes a right of use asset and lease liability within its consolidated balance sheets for operating leases with terms greater than twelve months. The initial measurement of the lease liability is measured at the present value of lease payments not yet paid discounted generally using the Company’s incremental borrowing rate at the commencement date. Leases with an initial term of twelve months or less are not recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, and the Company does not separate nonlease components from lease components.
Research and Development
Research and Development
The Company’s research and development is performed by
in-house
staff and outside consultants. For all periods presented, research and development costs were expensed as incurred and were not material.
Other Operating Income
Other Operating Income
To encourage local investment and operations, governments in various China provinces conduct grant programs. The Company applied for and received several such grants in China. Government grants are recorded into income when a legal right to the grant exists, there is a reasonable assurance that the grant proceeds will be received, and the substantive conditions under which the grants were provided have been met. Generally, these substantive conditions are the Company maintaining operations and paying certain taxes in the relevant province and obtaining government approval by completing an annual application process. The Company believes the continuing obligation with respect to the funds is a general requirement that they are used only for its business in China. The Company recognized government grant income related to its regional headquarters and distribution centers within China of approximately $14.5 million, $31.5 million, and $29.8 million during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively, in other operating income within its consolidated statements of income. The Company intends to continue applying for government grants in China when programs are available; however, there is no assurance that the Company will receive grants in future periods.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company also recognized $6.0 million in other operating income within its consolidated statement of income related to the finalization of insurance recoveries in connection with the flooding at one of its warehouses in Mexico during September 2017, which damaged certain of the Company’s inventory stored within the warehouse. See Note 7,
Contingencies
, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2018 for further discussion.
Other (Income) Expense, Net
Other Expense (Income), Net
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company did not recognize any other expense (income), net. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recognized a gain of $15.7 million on the revaluation of the
non-transferable
contractual contingent value right, or CVR, provided for each share tendered in the October 2017 modified Dutch auction tender offer (See Note 8,
Shareholders’ Deficit
) in other expense (income), net within its consolidated statements of income. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recognized a loss of $8.8 million on the revaluation of the CVR; a $13.1 million loss on the extinguishment of $475.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 2019 Convertible Notes (See Note 5,
Long-Term Debt
); and a $35.4 million loss on extinguishment of the Company’s 2017 senior secured credit facility (See Note 5,
Long-Term Debt
) in other expense (income), net within its consolidated statements of income.
These
non-cash
expenses are included as
non-cash
adjustments to net income in the Company’s cash flows from operating activities within its consolidated statements of cash flows.
Professional Fees
Professional Fees
The Company expenses professional fees, including legal fees, as incurred. These professional fees are included in selling, general, and administrative expenses within the Company’s consolidated statements of income.
Advertising
Advertising
Advertising costs, including Company sponsorships, are expensed as incurred and amounted to approximately $39.0 million, $41.4 million, and $41.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. These expenses are included in selling, general, and administrative expenses within the Company’s consolidated statements of income.
Earnings Per Share
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share represents net income divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share represents net income divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, inclusive of the effect of dilutive securities, such as outstanding stock appreciation rights, or SARs, stock units, and convertible notes.
The following are the common share amounts used to compute the basic and diluted earnings per share for each period:
 
    
Year Ended December 31,
 
    
2020
    
2019
    
2018
 
    
(in millions)
 
Weighted-average shares used in basic computations
     131.5        137.4        140.2  
Dilutive effect of exercise of equity grants outstanding
     3.0        3.5        6.3  
Dilutive effect of 2019 Convertible Notes
     —          0.7        3.0  
  
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
 
Weighted-average shares used in diluted computations
     134.5        141.6        149.5  
  
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
 
There were an aggregate of 0.8 million, 0.8 million, and 1.4 million of equity grants, consisting of SARs and stock units that were outstanding during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive or the performance condition of the award had not been satisfied.
Since the Company was required to settle the principal amount of its 2019 Convertible Notes in cash and settle the conversion feature for the amount above the conversion price in common shares, or the conversion spread, the Company used the treasury stock method for calculating any potential dilutive effect of the conversion spread on diluted earnings per share, if applicable. The conversion spread would have had a dilutive impact on diluted earnings per share when the average market price of the Company’s common shares for a given period exceeded the conversion price of the 2019 Convertible Notes. The dilutive impacts for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 are disclosed in the table above. The initial conversion rate and conversion price for the 2019 Convertible Notes are described further in Note 5,
Long-Term Debt
.
For the 2024 Convertible Notes, the Company has the intent and ability to settle the principal amount in cash and intends to settle the conversion feature for the amount above the conversion price, or the conversion spread, in common shares. The Company uses the treasury stock method for calculating any potential dilutive effect of the conversion spread on diluted earnings per share, if applicable. The conversion spread will have a dilutive impact on diluted earnings per share when the average market price of the Company’s common shares for a given period exceeds the conversion price of the 2024 Convertible Notes. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, the 2024 Convertible Notes have been excluded from the computation of diluted earnings
per share, as the effect would be anti-dilutive since the conversion price of the 2024 Convertible Notes exceeded the average market price of the Company’s common shares for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018. The initial conversion rate and conversion price for the 2024 Convertible Notes are described further in Note 5,
Long-Term Debt
.
The capped call transactions executed in connection with the issuance of the 2019 Convertible Notes, or the Capped Call Transactions, were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their impact is always anti-dilutive. Additionally, the prepaid forward share repurchase transactions executed in connection with the issuance of the 2019 Convertible Notes, or the Forward Transactions, were treated as retired shares for basic and diluted EPS purposes, in each case for the periods the transactions were in effect. On August 15, 2019, the remaining Capped Call Transactions expired unexercised and all shares were retired under the Forward Transactions. See Note 8,
Shareholders’ Deficit
, for additional discussion regarding the Capped Call Transactions and Forward Transactions.
See Note 8,
Shareholders’ Deficit
, for a discussion of how common shares repurchased by the Company’s indirect wholly-owned subsidiary are treated under U.S. GAAP.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Recognition
The Company’s net sales consist of product sales. In general, the Company’s performance obligation is to transfer its products to its Members. The Company generally recognizes revenue when product is delivered to its Members. For China independent service providers and for third-party importers utilized in certain other countries where sales historically have not been material, the Company recognizes revenue based on the Company’s estimate of when the service provider or third-party importer sells the products because the Company is deemed to be the principal party of these product sales due to the additional selling and operating requirements relating to pricing of products, conducting business with physical locations, and other selling and marketing activities required of the service providers and third-party importers.
The Company’s Members, excluding its China independent service providers, may receive distributor allowances, which are comprised of discounts, rebates, and wholesale commission payments from the Company. Distributor allowances resulting from the Company’s sales of its products to its Members are recorded against net sales because the distributor allowances represent discounts from the suggested retail price.
The Company compensates its sales leader Members with royalty overrides for services rendered relating to the development, retention, and management of their sales organizations. Royalty overrides are payable based on achieved sales volume. Royalty overrides are classified as an operating expense reflecting the services provided to the Company. The Company compensates its China independent service providers and third-party importers utilized in certain other countries for providing marketing, selling, and customer support services. As the Company is the principal party of the product sales as described above, the service fees payable to China independent service providers and the compensation received by third-party importers for the services they provide, which represents the discount provided to them, are recorded in selling, general, and administrative expenses within the Company’s consolidated statements of income.
The Company recognizes revenue when it delivers products to its United States Members; distributor allowances, inclusive of discounts and wholesale commissions, are recorded as a reduction to net sales; and royalty overrides are classified as an operating expense.
Shipping and handling services relating to product sales are recognized as fulfillment activities on the Company’s performance obligation to transfer products and are therefore recorded within net sales as part of product sales and are not considered as separate revenues. Shipping and handling costs paid by the Company are included in cost of sales.
The Company presents sales taxes collected from customers on a net basis.
The Company generally receives the net sales price in cash or through credit card payments at the point of sale.
The Company records advance sales deposits when payment is received but revenue has not yet been recognized. In the majority of the Company’s markets, advance sales deposits are generally recorded to income when the product is delivered to its Members. Additionally, advance sales deposits also include deferred revenues due to the timing of revenue recognition for products sold through China independent service providers. The estimated deferral period for advance sales deposits is generally within one week. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recognized substantially all of the revenues that were included within advance sales deposits as of December 31, 2019 and any remaining such balance was not material as of December 31, 2020. Advance sales deposits are included in other current liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. See Note 14,
Detail of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts
, for further information.
In general, if a Member returns product to the Company on a timely basis, they may obtain replacement product from the Company for such returned products. In addition, in general the Company maintains a buyback program pursuant to which it will repurchase products sold to a Member who has decided to leave the business. Allowances for product returns, primarily in connection with the Company’s buyback program, are provided at the time the sale is recorded. This accrual is based upon historical return rates for each country and the relevant return pattern, which reflects anticipated returns to be received over a period of up to 12 months following the original sale. Allowances for product returns were $3.7 million and $4.7 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The Company’s products are grouped in five principal categories: weight management; targeted nutrition; energy, sports, and fitness; outer nutrition; and literature and promotional items. However, the effect of economic factors on the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue recognition and cash flows are similar among all five product categories. The Company defines its operating segments through six geographic regions. The effect of economic factors on the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue recognition and cash flows are similar among the geographic regions within the Company’s Primary Reporting Segment. See Note 10,
Segment Information
, for further information on the Company’s reportable segments and the Company’s presentation of disaggregated revenue by reportable segment.
Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities
Non-Cash
Investing and Financing Activities
During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, the Company recorded $18.0 million, $14.1 million, and $10.2 million, respectively, of
non-cash
capital expenditures.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company did not record any
non-cash
borrowings that were used to finance software maintenance. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded $5.9 million of
non-cash
borrowings that were used to finance software maintenance. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company did not record any
non-cash
borrowings that were used to finance software maintenance. Additionally, see Note 8,
Shareholders’ Deficit
,
for information on the Company’s
non-cash
financing activities related to the CVR, as well as share repurchases for which payment was made subsequent to year end.
Share-Based Payments
Share-Based Payments
The Company accounts for share-based compensation in accordance with FASB authoritative guidance which requires the measurement of share-based compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees. The Company measures share-based compensation cost at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award. The Company recognizes share-based compensation expense for service condition awards on a straight-line basis over the employee’s requisite service period. The Company recognizes share-based compensation expense for performance condition awards over the vesting term using the graded vesting method.
Use of Estimates
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions. Such estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. The Company adjusts such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. Illiquid credit markets, volatile equity, and foreign currency have combined to increase the uncertainty inherent in such estimates and assumptions. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ from these estimates. Changes in estimates resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the financial statements in future periods.
COVID-19 Pandemic
COVID-19
Pandemic
During March 2020, the World Health Organization characterized the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019, or
COVID-19,
as a pandemic. In response to the spread of
COVID-19,
certain government agencies and the Company itself have mandated various measures and recommended others, in each to protect the public and the Company’s employees, which have disrupted certain areas of the Company’s business including, but not limited to, distribution and selling activities. Despite the pandemic having a negative impact in certain of the Company’s markets, the Company’s consolidated net sales was higher for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019 and its cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2020 increased as compared to December 31, 2019. The ultimate extent and magnitude of the impact of
COVID-19
is not known and could have a material adverse impact to the Company’s business and future financial condition and results of operations. Management has been and continues to actively monitor the impact of
COVID-19
generally and on the Company.
The Company’s consolidated financial statements presented herein reflect the latest estimates and assumptions made by management that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and related disclosures as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods presented. The Company believes it has used reasonable estimates and assumptions to assess the fair values of its goodwill, marketing-related intangible assets, and long-lived assets; assessment of the annual effective tax rate; valuation of deferred income taxes; and the allowance for doubtful accounts. After reviewing historical and forward-looking information, the Company determined there were no impairments required relating to its goodwill, marketing-related intangible assets, and long-lived assets during the year ended December 31, 2020.
Segment Reporting
The Company is a nutrition company that sells a wide range of weight management; targeted nutrition; energy, sports, and fitness; and outer nutrition products. The Company’s products are manufactured by the Company in its Changsha, Hunan, China extraction facility; Suzhou, China facility; Nanjing, China facility; Lake Forest, California facility; and Winston-Salem, North Carolina facility, as well as by third-party providers, and then are sold to Members who consume and sell Herbalife products to retail consumers or other Members. Revenues reflect sales of products by the Company to its Members and are categorized based on geographic location.
As of December 31, 2020, the Company sold products in 95
markets
throughout the world and was organized and managed by six geographic regions: North America, Mexico, South and Central America, EMEA, Asia Pacific, and China. The Company defines its operating segments as those geographical operations. The Company aggregates its operating segments, excluding China, into a reporting segment, or the Primary Reporting Segment, as management believes that the Company’s operating segments have similar operating characteristics and similar long-term operating performance. In making this determination, management believes that the operating segments are similar in the nature of the products sold, the product acquisition process, the types of customers to whom products are sold, the methods used to distribute the products, the nature of the regulatory environment, and their economic characteristics. China has been identified as a separate reporting segment as it does not meet the criteria for aggregation. The Company reviews its net sales and contribution margin by operating segment, and reviews its assets and capital expenditures on a consolidated basis and not by operating segment. Therefore, net sales and contribution margin are presented by reportable segment and assets and capital expenditures by segment are not presented.
Derivatives and Hedging Policies
Foreign Currency Instruments
The Company designates certain foreign currency derivatives, primarily comprised of foreign currency forward contracts and option contracts, as freestanding derivatives for which hedge accounting does not apply. The changes in the fair market value of these freestanding derivatives are included in selling, general, and administrative expenses within the Company’s consolidated statements of income. The Company primarily uses freestanding foreign currency derivatives to hedge foreign currency-denominated intercompany transactions and to partially mitigate the impact of foreign currency fluctuations. The fair value of the freestanding foreign currency derivatives is based on third-party quotes. The Company’s foreign currency derivative contracts are generally executed on a monthly basis.
The Company designates as cash flow hedges those foreign currency forward contracts it enters into to hedge forecasted inventory purchases and intercompany management fees that are subject to foreign currency exposures. Forward contracts are used to hedge forecasted inventory purchases over specific months. Changes in the fair value of these forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges, excluding forward points, are recorded
as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss within shareholders’ deficit, and are recognized in cost of sales within the Company’s consolidated statement of income during the period which approximates the time the hedged inventory is sold. The Company also hedges forecasted intercompany management fees over specific months. These contracts allow the Company to sell Euros in exchange for U.S. dollars at specified contract rates. Changes in the fair value of these forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges, excluding forward points, are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss within shareholders’ deficit, and are recognized in selling, general, and administrative expenses within the Company’s consolidated statement of income during the period when the hedged item and underlying transaction affect earnings. The Company has elected to record changes in the fair value of amounts excluded from the assessment of effectiveness currently in
earnings
.