Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Basis of Presentation

v2.4.0.8
Basis of Presentation
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation

2. Basis of Presentation

The Company’s consolidated financial statements refer to Herbalife and its subsidiaries.

Revision of Prior Period Financial Statements

During the quarter ended June 30, 2013, in connection with preparing the interim financial information presented in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for that period, prior period errors were identified which affected the interim period ended June 30, 2013, and the annual periods ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, including the applicable interim periods therein. These income tax errors primarily relate to income tax expenses calculated on intercompany inventory transactions and the Company’s application of ASC 740-10-25-3(e) and ASC 810-10-45-8. As a result of its misapplication of these accounting standards, the Company’s income tax expenses and net income within its consolidated statement of income were misstated. There were also certain amounts within the Company’s other consolidated financial statements that were misstated. The Company has reflected the correction of these identified prior period errors in the periods in which they originated.

In evaluating whether the Company’s previously issued consolidated financial statements were materially misstated, the Company considered the guidance in ASC Topic 250, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections, ASC Topic 250-10-S99-1, Assessing Materiality, and ASC Topic 250-10-S99-2, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements. The Company concluded that these errors were not material, individually or in the aggregate, to any of the prior reporting periods, and therefore, amendments of previously filed reports were not required. If the entire correction was recorded in the second quarter of 2013, it is expected that the cumulative amount would not be material for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013. As such, this cumulative amount could have been recorded as an out of period adjustment during the second quarter of 2013. However, because the Company is amending its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 due to its predecessor auditors withdrawing their opinions, and will amend its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2013, June 30, 2013, and September 30, 2013 that were deficient due to the absence of a Statement of Auditing Standards No. 100 review, the Company decided to revise its applicable prior period financial statements in the amendments to its Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2013 so that the financial statements included herein and therein do not include these income tax errors. The Company believes this approach is more beneficial to investors due to the Company’s unusual facts and circumstances surrounding its predecessor auditors resigning and withdrawing their audit opinions and the Company being required to file amendments to its Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q referenced above. As such, the revisions for these corrections are reflected herein and will be reflected in the financial information of the applicable prior periods and will be reflected in future filings containing such financial information.

 

The effects of these prior period errors in the consolidated financial statements are as follows:

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

     December 31, 2012      December 31, 2011  
     As Previously
Reported
     As Adjusted      As Previously
Reported
     As Adjusted  
     (In thousands, except per share amount)  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

   $ 125,425       $ 145,624       $ 117,073       $ 134,605   

Deferred income taxes

   $ 49,339       $ 49,339       $ 55,615       $ 54,949   

Total current assets

   $ 963,848       $ 984,047       $ 768,819       $ 785,685   

Total assets

   $ 1,703,944       $ 1,724,143       $ 1,446,209       $ 1,463,075   

Income taxes payable

   $ 15,854       $ 61,325       $ 31,415       $ 62,283   

Total current liabilities

   $ 716,891       $ 762,362       $ 548,689       $ 579,557   

Deferred income taxes

   $ 62,982       $ 62,982       $ 72,348       $ 70,390   

Total liabilities

   $ 1,283,189       $ 1,328,660       $ 886,021       $ 914,931   

Retained earnings

   $ 148,368       $ 123,096       $ 305,931       $ 293,887   

Total shareholders’ equity

   $ 420,755       $ 395,483       $ 560,188       $ 548,144   

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 1,703,944       $ 1,724,143       $ 1,446,209       $ 1,463,075   

Consolidated Statements of Income

 

     Three months Ended
March 31, 2012
(Unaudited)
     Three months Ended
June 30, 2012
(Unaudited)
     Three months Ended
September 30, 2012
(Unaudited)
 
     As Previously
Reported
     As Adjusted      As Previously
Reported
     As Adjusted      As Previously
Reported
     As Adjusted  
     (In thousands, except per share amount)  

Income taxes

   $ 44,570       $ 44,801       $ 50,169       $ 51,586       $ 39,518       $ 45,424   

Net Income

   $ 108,162       $ 107,931       $ 133,368       $ 131,951       $ 117,779       $ 111,873   

Basic earnings per share

   $ 0.93       $ 0.93       $ 1.14       $ 1.13       $ 1.08       $ 1.03   

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.88       $ 0.88       $ 1.10       $ 1.09       $ 1.04       $ 0.98   
     Three months Ended
December 31, 2012
(Unaudited)
     Three months Ended
March 31, 2011
(Unaudited)
     Three months Ended
June 30, 2011
(Unaudited)
 
     As Previously
Reported
     As Adjusted      As Previously
Reported
     As Adjusted      As Previously
Reported
     As Adjusted  
     (In thousands, except per share amount)  

Income taxes

   $ 39,459       $ 45,133       $ 32,733       $ 31,925       $ 41,139       $ 43,718   

Net Income

   $ 117,881       $ 112,207       $ 88,019       $ 88,827       $ 111,180       $ 108,601   

Basic earnings per share

   $ 1.10       $ 1.04       $ 0.74       $ 0.75       $ 0.93       $ 0.91   

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 1.05       $ 1.00       $ 0.70       $ 0.71       $ 0.88       $ 0.86   

 

     Three months Ended
September 30, 2011
(Unaudited)
     Three months Ended
December 31, 2011
(Unaudited)
 
     As Previously
Reported
     As Adjusted      As Previously
Reported
     As Adjusted  
     (In thousands, except per share amount)  

Income taxes

   $ 42,980       $ 43,543       $ 30,349       $ 25,634   

Net Income

   $ 108,022       $ 107,459       $ 105,357       $ 110,072   

Basic earnings per share

   $ 0.92       $ 0.92       $ 0.91       $ 0.95   

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.87       $ 0.86       $ 0.86       $ 0.90   

 

     Year Ended
December 31, 2012
     Year Ended
December 31, 2011
     Year Ended
December 31, 2010
 
     As Previously
Reported
     As Adjusted      As Previously
Reported
     As Adjusted      As Previously
Reported
     As Adjusted  
     (In thousands, except per share amount)  

Income taxes

   $ 173,716       $ 186,944       $ 147,201       $ 144,820       $ 80,880       $ 87,212   

Net Income

   $ 477,190       $ 463,962       $ 412,578       $ 414,959       $ 299,215       $ 292,883   

Basic earnings per share

   $ 4.25       $ 4.13       $ 3.51       $ 3.53       $ 2.51       $ 2.46   

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 4.05       $ 3.94       $ 3.30       $ 3.32       $ 2.37       $ 2.32   

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

 

     Year Ended
December 31, 2012
     Year Ended
December 31, 2011
     Year Ended
December 31, 2010
 
     As Previously
Reported
     As Adjusted      As Previously
Reported
     As Adjusted      As Previously
Reported
     As Adjusted  
     (In thousands, except per share amount)  

Net Income

   $ 477,190       $ 463,962       $ 412,578       $ 414,959       $ 299,215       $ 292,883   

Total comprehensive income

   $ 483,304       $ 470,076       $ 402,054       $ 404,435       $ 295,326       $ 288,994   

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

 

     Paid-in Capital in Excess of par
Value
     Retained Earnings      Total Shareholders’ Equity  
     As Previously
Reported
     As Adjusted      As Previously
Reported
     As Adjusted      As Previously
Reported
     As Adjusted  
     (In thousands, except per share amount)  

Balance at December 31, 2009

   $ 222,882       $ 222,882       $ 159,705       $ 151,612       $ 359,311       $ 351,218   

Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options, SARs and restricted stock grants

   $ 8,045       $ 9,254             $ 8,045       $ 9,254   

Net income

         $ 299,215       $ 292,883       $ 299,215       $ 292,883   

Balance at December 31, 2010

   $ 248,693       $ 249,902       $ 265,686       $ 251,261       $ 487,212       $ 473,996   

Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options, SARs and restricted stock grants

   $ 27,450       $ 26,241             $ 27,450       $ 26,241   

Net income

         $ 412,578       $ 414,959       $ 412,578       $ 414,959   

Balance at December 31, 2011

   $ 291,950       $ 291,950       $ 305,931       $ 293,887       $ 560,188       $ 548,144   

Net income

         $ 477,190       $ 463,962       $ 477,190       $ 463,962   

Balance at December 31, 2012

   $ 303,975       $ 303,975       $ 148,368       $ 123,096       $ 420,755       $ 395,483   

 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

 

     Year Ended
December 31, 2012
    Year Ended
December 31, 2011
    Year Ended
December 31, 2010
 
     As Previously
Reported
    As Adjusted     As Previously
Reported
    As Adjusted     As Previously
Reported
    As Adjusted  
     (In thousands, except per share amount)  

Net income

   $ 477,190      $ 463,962      $ 412,578      $ 414,959      $ 299,215      $ 292,883   

Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

   $ (29,684   $ (29,684   $ (27,450   $ (26,241   $ (7,728   $ (8,937

Deferred income taxes

   $ (9,050   $ (7,758   $ (12,984   $ (21,271   $ (33,313   $ (33,338

Income taxes

   $ 16,106      $ 28,042      $ 42,659      $ 48,565      $ (8,807   $ (2,450

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 567,784      $ 567,784      $ 509,331      $ 510,540      $ 389,084      $ 387,875   

Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

   $ 29,684      $ 29,684      $ 27,450      $ 26,241      $ 7,728      $ 8,937   

Net cash used in financing activities

   $ (371,241   $ (371,241   $ (337,799   $ (339,008   $ (263,162   $ (261,953

In addition, the Company also identified income tax errors related to certain deferred income tax assets, which carry full valuation allowances. These deferred income tax assets relate to deferred interest expense carryforwards and net operating loss carryforwards which resulted in the gross deferred tax assets and related valuation allowance assets being overstated by $40.2 million as of December 31, 2011. These errors had no net impact to the Company’s financial position as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, or to the Company’s results of operations and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010. However, certain information presented within Note 12, Income Taxes, included in the Original 10-K was misstated. The Company is revising its applicable disclosures in Note 12 in this Amendment so that the disclosures included herein do not include these immaterial errors.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2012, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, No. 2012-02, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment. This ASU allows an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets. An organization that elects to perform a qualitative assessment is required to perform the quantitative impairment test for an indefinite-lived intangible asset if it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired. This ASU, which applies to all public, private, and not-for-profit organizations, is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012. Early adoption is permitted, including for annual and interim impairment tests performed as of a date before July 27, 2012, if a public entity’s financial statements for the most recent annual or interim period have not yet been issued or, for nonpublic entities, have not yet been made available for issuance. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, as it was intended to simplify the impairment assessment for indefinite-lived intangible assets.

In January 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-01, Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities which provides further clarification relating to the scope of ASU 2011-11, Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Disclosure about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. Effective for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2013, ASU 2011-11 requires an entity to include additional disclosures about financial instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of financial position, as well as financial instruments subject to a master netting agreement or similar arrangement. ASU 2013-01 added further scope clarification that ASU 2011-11 applies to derivatives, including bifurcated embedded derivatives, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements, and securities borrowing and securities lending transactions that are either offset or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. This pronouncement may increase the Company’s disclosures, including disclosures about its derivatives described in Note 11, Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, and will not have a material effect on the Company’s operating results or financial position. This ASU will be effective for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2013, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Due to the Company filing this Amendment, the Company has retrospectively adopted ASU 2013-01 and ASU 2011-11 and has presented the required disclosures within Note 13, Fair Value Measurements.

Significant Accounting Policies

Consolidation Policy

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Herbalife Ltd. and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated.

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 in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. The Company recorded net foreign currency transaction losses of $16.7 million, $11.4 million, and $7.3 million, for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively, which includes the foreign exchange impact relating to the Company’s Venezuelan subsidiary, Herbalife Venezuela. Herbalife Venezuela’s foreign currency financial statement impact is discussed further below within this Note.

Forward Exchange Contracts, Option Contracts and Interest Rate Swaps

The Company enters into foreign currency derivative instruments such as forward exchange contracts and option contracts in managing its foreign exchange risk on sales to distributors, purchase commitments denominated in foreign currencies, and intercompany transactions and bank loans. The Company also enters into interest rate swaps in managing its interest rate risk on its variable rate credit facility. The Company does not use the contracts for trading purposes.

In accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification, or 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 the effective portion of changes in the estimated fair value in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and subsequently reclassifies the related amount of accumulated other comprehensive income (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

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 foreign and domestic bank accounts. To reduce its credit risk, the Company monitors the credit standing of the financial institutions that hold the Company’s cash and cash equivalents.

During 2011, the Company entered into a cash pooling arrangement with a financial institution for cash management purposes. This cash pooling arrangement allows certain of the Company’s participating foreign locations to withdraw cash from this financial institution to the extent aggregate cash deposits held by its participating locations are available at the financial institution. 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 sheet and consolidated statement of cash flows, respectively. As of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company did not owe any amounts to this financial institution.

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company’s subsidiary in Venezuela, Herbalife Venezuela, had $99.2 million and $34.8 million, respectively, in Bolivar denominated cash and cash equivalents. Please see Remeasurement of Herbalife Venezuela’s Monetary Assets and Liabilities below for a further description of Herbalife Venezuela’s cash and cash equivalents balances.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable consist principally of receivables from credit card companies, arising from the sale of products to the Company’s distributors, and receivables from importers, who are utilized in a limited number of countries to sell products to distributors. The Company believes the concentration of its collection risk related to its credit card receivables is diminished due to the geographic dispersion of its receivables. The receivables from credit card companies were $81.1 million and $65.1 million as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Substantially all of the receivables from credit card companies were current as of December 31, 2012 and 2011. Although receivables from importers can be significant, 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 distributors and importers which are not material to its consolidated financial statements. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the majority of the Company’s total outstanding accounts receivable were current.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company applies the provisions of FASB authoritative guidance as it applies to the nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial 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. As disclosed in Note 13, Fair Value Measurements, the Company has properly measured and disclosed its financial instruments.

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; and

 

    The carrying values of the Company’s variable rate debt instruments are considered to approximate their fair values because interest rates of those instruments approximate current rates offered to the Company.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at lower of cost (primarily on the first-in, first-out basis) or market.

Deferred Financing Costs

Deferred financing costs represent fees and expenses related to the borrowing of the Company’s long-term debt and are amortized over the term of the related debt using the interest method.

Long-Lived Assets

In December 2012, the Company purchased an approximate 800,000 square foot facility in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, for approximately $22.2 million. As of December 31, 2012, the Company allocated $18.8 million and $3.4 million between buildings and land respectively, based on their relative fair values. As of December 31, 2012, these amounts have been reflected in property, plant and equipment on the Company’s accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

Depreciation of furniture, fixtures, and equipment (includes computer hardware and software) is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, which range from three to ten years. 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. Land is not depreciated. Depreciation and amortization expenses recorded to selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $70.9 million, $68.9 million, and $67.7 million, for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, 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 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 uses 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 the implied fair value of the goodwill must be determined. If the implied fair value of the goodwill is less than its carrying value then a goodwill impairment amount is recorded for the difference. For the marketing related intangible assets, the Company uses 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, 2012, 2011, and 2010, there were no goodwill or marketing related intangible asset impairments. At December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, the marketing related intangible asset balance was $310.0 million which consisted of the Company’s trademark, trade name, and marketing franchise. As of December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, the goodwill balance was $105.5 million, $105.5 million, and $102.9 million, respectively. The $2.6 million increase in goodwill in 2011 from 2010 was primarily due to the acquisition of iChange Network, Inc., a privately held software company, where the purchase price was not material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their expected lives, and are expected to be fully amortized over the next four years. As of December 31, 2012, the Company’s intangible assets with finite lives decreased to $1.1 million. As of December 31, 2011, the Company’s intangible assets with finite lives increased to $1.7 million, net of $0.6 million amortization, due to the iChange Network acquisition. As of December 31, 2010, the Company’s intangible assets with finite lives decreased to $0.8 million. The annual amortization expense for finite life intangibles was $0.6 million, $0.6 million, and $0.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively. At December 31, 2012, the annual expected amortization expense is as follows: 2013 — $0.4 million; 2014 — $0.3 million; 2015 — $0.3 million; and 2016 — $0.1 million.

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. See Note 12, Income Taxes, for a further description on income taxes.

Royalty Overrides

An independent distributor 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 distributors who are sponsored directly or indirectly by the distributor. Royalty overrides are recorded when the products are delivered and revenue is recognized. The royalty overrides are compensation to distributors 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.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income consists of net earnings, foreign currency translation adjustments and the effective portion of the unrealized gains or losses on derivatives.

Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax

   $ (28,788   $ (38,609   $ (21,852

Unrealized loss on derivatives, net of tax

     (2,907     800        (5,433
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

   $ (31,695   $ (37,809   $ (27,285
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating Leases

The Company leases most of its physical properties under operating leases. Certain lease agreements generally include rent holidays and tenant improvement allowances. The Company recognizes rent holiday periods on a straight-line basis over the lease term beginning when the Company has the right to the leased space. The Company also records tenant improvement allowances and rent holidays as deferred rent liabilities and amortizes the deferred rent over the terms of the lease to rent expense.

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.

Professional Fees

The Company expenses professional fees, including legal fees, as incurred. These professional fees are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of income.

Advertising

Advertising costs, including Company sponsorships, are expensed as incurred and amounted to approximately $42.3 million, $38.4 million, and $30.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively. These expenses are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share represents net income for the period common shares were outstanding, 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 options, SARs, stock units and warrants.

 

The following are the common share amounts used to compute the basic and diluted earnings per share for each period (in thousands):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2012      2011      2010  

Weighted average shares used in basic computations

     112,359         117,540         119,004   

Dilutive effect of exercise of equity grants outstanding

     5,457         7,046         7,059   

Dilutive effect of warrants

     40         260         432   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average shares used in diluted computations

     117,856         124,846         126,495   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

There were an aggregate of 4.0 million, 2.1 million, and 1.5 million of equity grants, consisting of stock options, SARs, and stock units that were outstanding during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive.

Revenue Recognition

The Company generally recognizes revenue upon delivery and when both the title and risk and rewards pass to the independent distributor or importer, or as products are sold in retail stores in China or through the Company’s independent service providers in China. Product sales are recognized net of product returns and discounts referred to as “distributor allowances.” Net sales include product sales and shipping and handling revenues. Shipping and handling costs paid by the Company are included in cost of sales. The Company generally receives the net sales price in cash or through credit card payments at the point of sale. The Company currently presents sales taxes collected from customers on a net basis. 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.

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 for service. The Company measures share-based compensation cost at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and recognizes the expense on a straight-line basis over the employee’s requisite service period.

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.

Currency Restrictions in Venezuela

Currency restrictions enacted by the Venezuelan government have become more restrictive and have impacted the ability of the Company’s subsidiary in Venezuela, Herbalife Venezuela, to timely obtain U.S. dollars in exchange for Venezuelan Bolivars, or Bolivars, at the official foreign exchange rates from the Venezuelan government and its foreign exchange commission, CADIVI. The application and approval process continue to be delayed and the Company’s ability to timely obtain U.S. dollars at the official exchange rates remains uncertain.

In June 2010, the Venezuelan government introduced additional regulations under a new regulated system, SITME, which is controlled by the Central Bank of Venezuela. SITME provides a mechanism to exchange Bolivars into U.S. dollars through the purchase and sale of U.S. dollar denominated bonds issued in Venezuela. However, SITME is only available in certain limited circumstances. Specifically, SITME can only be used for product purchases and is not available for other matters such as the payment of dividends. Also, SITME can only be used for amounts of up to $50,000 per day and $350,000 per month and is generally only available to the extent the applicant has not exchanged and received U.S. dollars via the CADIVI process within the previous 90 days. Effective January 1, 2012, additional laws were enacted that required companies to register with the Registry of Users of the System of Transactions with Securities in Foreign Currency, or RUSITME, prior to transacting with the SITME, the regulated system, which is controlled by the Central Bank of Venezuela. As an alternative exchange mechanism, the Company has also participated in certain bond offerings from the Venezuelan government and from Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. or PDVSA, a Venezuelan state-owned petroleum company, where the Company effectively purchased bonds with its Bolivars and then sold the bonds for U.S. dollars. In other instances, the Company has also used other alternative legal exchange mechanisms for currency exchanges.

Highly Inflationary Economy and Accounting in Venezuela

Venezuela’s inflation rate as measured using the blended National Consumer Price Index and Consumer Price Index rate exceeded a three-year cumulative inflation rate of 100% as of December 31, 2009. Accordingly, effective January 1, 2010, Venezuela was considered a highly inflationary economy. Pursuant to the highly inflationary basis of accounting under U.S. GAAP, Herbalife Venezuela changed its functional currency from the Bolivar to the U.S. dollar. Subsequent movements in the Bolivar to U.S. dollar exchange rate will impact the Company’s consolidated earnings. Prior to January 1, 2010 when the Bolivar was the functional currency, movements in the Bolivar to U.S. dollar were recorded as a component of equity through other comprehensive income. Pursuant to highly inflationary accounting rules, the Company no longer translates Herbalife Venezuela’s financial statements as its functional currency is the U.S. dollar.

Based on relevant facts and circumstances at the applicable times, under the highly inflationary basis of accounting, the Company used the parallel market exchange rate for remeasurement purposes until the parallel market was discontinued in May 2010. On January 1, 2010, in connection with the determination that Venezuela was a highly inflationary economy, the Company remeasured Herbalife Venezuela’s opening balance sheet’s monetary assets and liabilities at the parallel market rate and recorded a non-tax deductible foreign exchange loss of $15.1 million. Nonmonetary assets, such as inventory, reported on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2009, remained at historical cost subsequent to Venezuela becoming a highly inflationary economy. Therefore, the incremental costs related to the Company’s 2009 imported products recorded at the parallel market exchange rate negatively impacted the Company’s consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2010 by approximately $12.7 million as these products were sold during the first quarter of 2010. This amount is not tax deductible. See Note 12, Income Taxes, for additional discussion on the income tax impact related to Venezuela becoming a highly inflationary economy.

Official Exchange Rate Devaluations in Venezuela

In early January 2010, Venezuela announced an official exchange rate devaluation of the Bolivar to an official rate of 4.3 Bolivars per U.S. dollar for non-essential items and 2.6 Bolivars per U.S. dollar for essential items. The Company’s imports use to fall into both classifications. During 2010, because the Company used the parallel market exchange rate for remeasurement purposes until the parallel market was discontinued in May 2010 and then used the SITME rate thereafter, any U.S. dollars obtained from CADIVI at the official rate had a positive impact to the Company’s consolidated net earnings. The majority of Herbalife Venezuela’s 2010 importations were not registered with CADIVI so the official exchange rates were not available to pay for these U.S. imports.

In late December 2010, Venezuela announced the CADIVI official exchange rate of 2.6 Bolivars per U.S. dollar would be eliminated. The CADIVI official exchange of 4.3 Bolivars per U.S. dollar is used for all essential items and non-essential items beginning January 2011. This devaluation did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements since the SITME rate was used for remeasurement purposes.

Remeasurement of Herbalife Venezuela’s Monetary Assets and Liabilities

The Company recorded $5.8 million of foreign exchange gains to selling, general and administrative expenses within the Company’s consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2010, as a result of receiving U.S. dollars approved by CADIVI at the favorable official exchange rate compared to the less favorable parallel market and SITME rates. During the second quarter of 2010, the Company also recorded a $4.0 million pre-tax ($2.6 million post-tax) net foreign exchange gain to selling, general and administrative expenses, within the Company’s consolidated statement of income, as a result of remeasuring its Bolivar denominated monetary assets and liabilities as of June 30, 2010 at the SITME rate of 5.3 Bolivars per U.S. dollar as opposed to the last parallel market rate prior to the closure of the parallel market in May 2010 of 8.3 Bolivars per U.S. dollar. During the third quarter of 2010 and thereafter, the Company continued to use the SITME rate of 5.3 Bolivars per U.S. dollar to remeasure its Bolivar denominated transactions.

In February 2011, Herbalife Venezuela purchased U.S. dollar denominated bonds with a face value of $20 million U.S. dollars in a bond offering from PDVSA for 86 million Bolivars and then immediately sold the bonds for $15 million U.S. dollars, resulting in an average effective conversion rate of 5.7 Bolivars per U.S. dollar. This Bolivar to U.S. dollar conversion resulted in the Company recording a net pre-tax loss of $1.3 million U.S. dollars during the first quarter of 2011 which is included in its consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2011. The Company was unsuccessful in accessing any subsequent PDVSA bond offerings and the frequency of future bond offerings is unknown. During 2011, the Company also accessed the SITME market in order to exchange its Bolivars to U.S. dollars. In less frequent instances, the Company has also accessed alternative legal exchange mechanisms, to exchange Bolivars for U.S. dollars, at less favorable rates than the SITME rate, which resulted in the Company recognizing $1.2 million of losses in selling, general and administration expenses included within its consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2011.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company continued accessing the SITME market in order to exchange its Bolivars to U.S. dollars and the daily and monthly restrictions continues. In other instances, the Company recognized an aggregate of $4.8 million of foreign exchange losses as a result of exchanging Bolivars for U.S. dollars using alternative legal exchange mechanisms that were approximately 43% less favorable than the 5.3 Bolivars per U.S. dollar published SITME rate. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company has exchanged 59.2 million Bolivars for $6.4 million U.S. dollars using these alternative legal exchange mechanisms. The Company continues to remeasure its Bolivars at the published SITME rate given the limited availability of alternative exchange mechanisms and the uncertainty in the effective exchange rate for alternative exchange mechanisms.

As of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, Herbalife Venezuela’s net monetary assets and liabilities denominated in Bolivars was approximately $82.9 million and $26.8 million, respectively, and included approximately $99.2 million and $34.8 million, respectively, in Bolivar denominated cash and cash equivalents. These remeasured amounts, including cash and cash equivalents, that are reported on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet using the published SITME rate of 5.3 Bolivars per U.S. dollar may not accurately represent the amount of U.S. dollars that the Company could ultimately realize. While the Company continues to monitor the exchange mechanisms and restrictions under SITME, and assess and monitor the current economic and political environment in Venezuela, there is no assurance that the Company will be able to exchange Bolivars into U.S. dollars on a timely basis or at any particular exchange rate.

Consolidation of Herbalife Venezuela

The Company plans to continue its operation in Venezuela and to import products into Venezuela despite the foreign currency constraints described above. Herbalife Venezuela will continue to apply for legal exchange mechanisms to convert its Bolivars to U.S. dollars. Despite the currency exchange restrictions in Venezuela, the Company continues to control Herbalife Venezuela and its operations. The mere existence of the exchange restrictions discussed above does not in and of itself create a presumption that this lack of exchangeability is other-than-temporary, nor does it create a presumption that an entity should deconsolidate its Venezuelan operations. Therefore, the Company continues to consolidate Herbalife Venezuela in its consolidated financial statements for U.S. GAAP purposes. The majority of Herbalife Venezuela’s Bolivar denominated assets and liabilities are currently being remeasured at the SITME rate.

Although Venezuela is an important market in the Company’s South and Central America Region, Herbalife Venezuela’s net sales represented approximately 4%, 2%, and 2% of the Company’s consolidated net sales for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively, and its total assets represented approximately 7% and 3% of the Company’s consolidated total assets as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. See Note 14, Subsequent Events, for further discussion of Herbalife Venezuela.