Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Basis of Presentation (Policies)

v2.4.0.8
Basis of Presentation (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
New Accounting Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, No. 2013-04, Liabilities (Topic 405): Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for which the Total Amount of the Obligation Is Fixed at the Reporting Date (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force). This ASU addresses the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of certain obligations resulting from joint and several arrangements including debt arrangements, other contractual obligations, and settled litigation and judicial rulings. The ASU is effective for public entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-05, Foreign Currency Matters (Topic 830): Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force). This ASU addresses the accounting for the cumulative translation adjustment when a parent either sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or a business within a foreign entity. This ASU is effective prospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force). This ASU addresses when unrecognized tax benefits should be presented as reductions to deferred tax assets for net operating loss carryforwards in the financial statements. This ASU is effective prospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. Early adoption and retrospective application is permitted. The adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements because it aligns with our current presentation.

Consolidation Policy

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

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 $37.9 million, $16.7 million, and $11.4 million, for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, 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

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 Members, 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

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, 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.

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, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company did not owe any amounts to this financial institution.

As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company’s subsidiary in Venezuela, Herbalife Venezuela, had $215.9 million and $99.2 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

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 diminished due to the geographic dispersion of its receivables. The receivables from credit card companies were $72.8 million and $81.1 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Substantially all of the receivables from credit card companies were current as of December 31, 2013 and 2012. 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 Members and importers which are not material to its consolidated financial statements. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company recorded $2.1 million, $2.9 million, and $2.6 million, respectively, in bad-debt expense related to allowances for the Company’s receivables. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, 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 available-for-sale investments are based on prices of similar assets traded in active markets and observable yield curves;

 

   

The fair value of option and forward contracts are based on dealer quotes; and

 

   

The Company’s variable rate debt instruments are recorded at carrying value and are considered to approximate their fair values. See Note 4, Long-Term Debt for a further description.

Inventories

Inventories

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

Deferred Financing Costs

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

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, 2013 and 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, 2013 and 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. 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, was $140.6 million and $131.5 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, 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 $81.1 million, $70.9 million, and $68.9 million, for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, 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 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, 2013, 2012, and 2011, there were no goodwill or marketing related intangible asset impairments. At December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, 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, 2013, 2012, and 2011, the goodwill balance was $105.5 million.

Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their expected lives, and are expected to be fully amortized over the next three years. As of December 31, 2013, the Company’s intangible assets with finite lives decreased to $0.7 million. 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. The annual amortization expense for finite life intangibles was $0.4 million, $0.6 million, and $0.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. At December 31, 2013, the annual expected amortization expense is as follows: 2014 — $0.3 million; 2015 — $0.3 million; and 2016 — $0.1 million.

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

Royalty Overrides

Royalty Overrides

A Member 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.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income consists of net income, foreign currency translation adjustments, the effective portion of the unrealized gains or losses on derivatives, and unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale investments.

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

 

     December 31,  
     2013     2012     2011  

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax

   $ (25,636   $ (28,788   $ (38,609

Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivatives, net of tax

     5,747        (2,907     800   

Unrealized gain on available-for-sale investments, net of tax

     95                 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

   $ (19,794   $ (31,695   $ (37,809
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Operating Leases

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

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

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

Advertising costs, including Company sponsorships, are expensed as incurred and amounted to approximately $57.9 million, $42.3 million, and $38.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. These expenses are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

Earnings Per Share

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,  
     2013      2012      2011  

Weighted average shares used in basic computations

     102,620         112,359         117,540   

Dilutive effect of exercise of equity grants outstanding

     4,825         5,457         7,046   

Dilutive effect of warrants

             40         260   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average shares used in diluted computations

     107,445         117,856         124,846   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

There were an aggregate of 3.0 million, 4.0 million, and 2.1 million of equity grants, consisting of stock options, SARs, and stock units that were outstanding during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

The Company generally recognizes revenue upon delivery and when both the title and risk and rewards pass to the Member 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. Allowances for product returns were $4.7 million, $3.9 million and $2.8 million as of December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Product returns were $9.7 million, $11.1 million and $10.4 million during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

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 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

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.

Investments

Investments in Bolivar-Denominated Bonds

During the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company invested in Bolivar denominated bonds, or bonds, issued by the Venezuelan government. The purchase price of the bonds was approximately 25.5 million Bolivars, or approximately $4.1 million using the CADIVI rate. The Company classifies these bonds as long-term available-for-sale investments which are carried at fair value, inclusive of unrealized gains and losses, and net of discount accretion and premium amortization. The fair value of these bonds are determined using Level 2 inputs which include prices of similar assets traded in active markets in Venezuela and observable yield curves. Net unrealized gains and losses on these bonds are included in other comprehensive income (loss) and are net of applicable income taxes. During 2013, the Company did not sell any of its bonds.

 

The Company’s investments in these bonds as of December 31, 2013 are summarized as follows:

 

     Amortized
Costs
     Gross
Unrealized
Gain
     Gross
Unrealized
Loss
     Net
Unrealized
Gain
     Market
Value
 
     (In thousands)  

Investments in Venezuelan bonds

   $ 4,042       $ 146       $       $ 146       $ 4,188   

As of December 31, 2013, there have been no events or developments which would indicate the value of these bonds have been impaired. There were no bonds with gross unrealized losses as of December 31, 2013.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of these bonds as of December 31, 2013 by contractual maturity are as follows:

 

     Amortized Cost      Estimated
Market Value
 
     (In thousands)  

Contractual Maturity

  

Due in 1 year or less

   $       $   

Due in 1-2 years

               

Due in 2-5 years

               

Due after 5 years

     4,042         4,188   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments

   $ 4,042       $ 4,188   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Expected disposal dates may be less than the contractual dates as indicated in the table above.

Segment Reporting

The Company is a nutrition company that sells a wide range of weight management products, nutritional supplements and personal care products. The Company’s products are manufactured by third party providers and by the Company in its Changsha, Hunan, China extraction facility, Suzhou, China facility and in its Lake Forest, California facility, 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, 2013, the Company sold products in 91 countries throughout the world and was organized and managed by geographic regions. The Company aggregates its operating segments, excluding China, into one 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, and the nature of the regulatory environment. China has been identified as a separate reporting segment as it does not meet the criteria for aggregation.

Venezuela [Member]
 
Consolidation Policy

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.

Although Venezuela is an important market in the Company’s South and Central America Region, Herbalife Venezuela’s net sales represented approximately 6%, 4%, and 2% of the Company’s consolidated net sales for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively, and its total assets represented approximately 10% and 7% of the Company’s consolidated total assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Currency Restrictions

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 rate from the Venezuelan government. The application and approval process continue to be delayed and the Company’s ability to timely obtain U.S. dollars at the official exchange rate remains uncertain. In recent instances, the Company has been unsuccessful in obtaining U.S. dollars at the official rate and it remains uncertain whether the Company’s current pending applications and future anticipated applications will be approved.

In June 2010, the Venezuelan government introduced additional regulations under a new regulated system, SITME, which was controlled by the Central Bank of Venezuela. SITME provided 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 was only available in certain limited circumstances. Specifically, SITME could only be used for product purchases and was not available for other matters such as the payment of dividends. Also, SITME could only be used for amounts of up to $50,000 per day and $350,000 per month and was generally only available to the extent the applicant had 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 was controlled by the Central Bank of Venezuela.

 

In February 2013, the Venezuela government announced that it devalued its Bolivar currency and will eliminate the SITME regulated system. The SITME 5.3 Bolivars per U.S. dollar rate was eliminated and the CADIVI rate has been devalued from 4.3 Bolivars to 6.3 Bolivars per U.S. dollar. In March 2013, the Venezuelan government also announced they will introduce an additional complimentary exchange mechanism known as SICAD. It is currently unknown whether Herbalife Venezuela will be able to timely access this new exchange mechanism and the Company is currently assessing and monitoring the restrictions and exchange rates relating to this alternative mechanism.

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

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.

Remeasurement of Monetary Assets and Liabilities

Remeasurement of Herbalife Venezuela’s Monetary Assets and Liabilities

Prior to February 2013, the Company used 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 continued. 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 exchanged 59.2 million Bolivars for $6.4 million U.S. dollars using these alternative legal exchange mechanisms.

 

Following the Venezuelan government’s devaluation of the Bolivar against the U.S. dollar and elimination of the SITME regulated system in February 2013, the Company uses the new CADIVI rate of 6.3 Bolivars per U.S. dollar to remeasure its Bolivar denominated transactions. This new CADIVI rate is approximately 16% less favorable than the previously published 5.3 SITME rate. The Company recognized approximately $15.1 million of net foreign exchange losses within its consolidated statement of income during the first quarter of 2013, as a result of remeasuring the Company’s Bolivar denominated monetary assets and liabilities at this new CADIVI rate of 6.3 Bolivars per U.S. dollar. The majority of these foreign exchange losses related to the approximately $16.9 million devaluation of Herbalife Venezuela’s Bolivar denominated cash and cash equivalents. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company also recognized $0.7 million of foreign exchange losses as a result of exchanging Bolivars for U.S. dollars using alternative legal exchange mechanisms that were approximately 75% less favorable than the new CADIVI rate. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company exchanged 5.6 million Bolivars for $0.2 million U.S. dollars using these alternative legal exchange mechanisms. During the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company also submitted a bid of approximately 6.8 million Bolivars, or approximately $1.1 million U.S. dollars remeasured using the CADIVI rate, through the SICAD mechanism. The Company received notification from the central bank of Venezuela that the bid was approved and the Company is to receive a distribution of approximately $0.6 million in U.S. dollars, resulting in a foreign exchange loss of approximately $0.5 million, or an effective exchange rate of 11.3 Bolivars per U.S. dollar. As of December 31, 2013, the Company has not received the U.S. dollars related to this approved bid.

As of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, Herbalife Venezuela’s net monetary assets and liabilities denominated in Bolivars was approximately $186.9 million and $82.9 million, respectively, and included approximately $215.9 million and $99.2 million, respectively, in Bolivar denominated cash and cash equivalents. As noted above, these Bolivar denominated assets and liabilities were remeasured at the CADIVI rate as of December 31, 2013 and at the SITME rate as of December 31, 2012. The Company remeasures its Bolivars at the official published CADIVI rate as of December 31, 2013 given the limited availability of alternative exchange mechanisms and the uncertainty in the effective exchange rate for alternative exchange mechanisms. These remeasured amounts, including cash and cash equivalents, being reported on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet using the published CADIVI rate 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 imposed by the Venezuelan government, 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.