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Herbalife Ltd. Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2014 Results, and 2015 Earnings Guidance
[February 26, 2015]

Herbalife Ltd. Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2014 Results, and 2015 Earnings Guidance


Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE: HLF) today reported fourth quarter net sales of $1.1 billion, reflecting a decline of 11 percent, primarily due to the unfavorable impact of currency fluctuations. Net sales, excluding currency impact, were flat compared to the prior year. Adjusted net income for the quarter was $121.0 million, or $1.41 per diluted share, compared to $137.2 million, or $1.28 per diluted share for the same period in 2013. On a reported basis, the company announced fourth quarter net income of $103.3 million, or $1.21 per diluted share, compared to $123.5 million, or $1.15 per diluted share for the same period in 2013. Fourth quarter 2014 EPS was negatively impacted by a $0.31 currency headwind.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, the company reported net sales of $5.0 billion, a 3 percent increase compared to 2013. Net sales, excluding currency impact, increased 8 percent compared to 2013. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, the company reported net income of $308.7 million, or $3.40 per diluted share. On an adjusted basis, net income of $538.5 million decreased 7 percent versus adjusted net income of $577.4 million for the same period in 2013. Adjusted EPS for full year 2014 of $5.93 increased by 10 percent versus adjusted EPS of $5.37 for full year 2013.

Michael Johnson, chairman and CEO stated, "2014 was a record year in terms of net sales, volume and sales leader retention. It was also a year of transition, as we continue to implement changes that we believe will create a stronger company with the ideal combination of growth and sustainability. We have seen the success of these changes in early adopter markets and remain confident that our other markets will follow a similar pattern through 2015 and beyond."

Johnson continued, "Our revised guidance reflects the currency landscape faced by all global companies and the short-term volume impact of the enhancements we are making. We believe we are executing the right long-term strategy and are confident in our ability to create sustainable value for our shareholders and the millions of Herbalife members and their customers worldwide."

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the company generated cash flow from operations of $511.4 million, invested $156.7 million in capital expenditures, and repurchased approximately $1.3 billion in common shares outstanding under the approved share repurchase program.

______________________________
1 See Schedule A - "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for more detail.

Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2014 Key Metrics2,3

Regional Volume Point and Average Active Sales Leader Metrics





  Volume Points (Mil)   Average Active Sales Leaders
Region   4Q'14   Yr/Yr % Chg   4Q'14   Yr/Yr % Chg
North America 268.6   -6% 77,490   5%
Asia Pacific 263.0 -10% 78,211 6%
EMEA 215.5 17% 66,422 24%
Mexico 204.9 -6% 68,242 3%
South & Central America 211.6 -24% 66,534 1%
China   118.2   15%   20,528   18%
Worldwide Total   1,281.8   -6%   366,489   8%
Venezuela   20.2   -68%   8,146   -32%
Worldwide Total excl Venezuela   1,261.6   -3%   358,963   9%

  Volume Points (Mil)   Average Active Sales Leaders
Region   FY 2014   Yr/Yr % Chg   FY 2014   Yr/Yr % Chg
North America 1,244.0   0% 76,180   6%
Asia Pacific 1,189.8 -3% 75,351 5%
EMEA 835.4 20% 59,224 19%
Mexico 875.2 1% 65,861 4%
South & Central America 850.1 -12% 63,712 10%
China   448.5   34%   18,857   27%
Worldwide Total   5,443.0   2%   347,321   9%
Venezuela   91.1   -57%   8,593   -18%
Worldwide Total excl Venezuela   5,351.9   4%   339,395   10%
 

2 Supplemental tables that include additional business metrics can be found at http://www.ir.herbalife.com.
3 Worldwide Average Active Sales Leaders may not equal the sum of the Average Active Sales Leaders in each region due to the calculation being an average of Sales Leaders active in a period, not a summation, and the fact that some sales leaders are active in more than one region but are counted only once in the worldwide amount.

   

Regional Net Sales and FX Impact

 
Region Reported Net Sales

4Q '14 (mil)

  Growth/Decline

including FX

  Growth/Decline

excluding FX

North America $ 204.8 -3 % -3 %
Asia Pacific (ex. China) $ 245.6 -12 % -10 %
EMEA $ 200.2 1 % 17 %
Mexico $ 132.7 -7 % -1 %
South & Central America $ 173.2 -40 % -12 %
China $ 177.1   19 %   20 %
Worldwide Total $ 1,133.6   -11 %   0 %
Venezuela $ 9.5   -90 %   -19 %
Worldwide Total excl Venezuela $ 1,124.1   -4 %   1 %
Region Reported Net Sales

FY 2014 (mil)

  Growth/Decline

including FX

  Growth/Decline

excluding FX

North America $ 926.8   2 %   2 %
Asia Pacific (ex. China) $ 1,130.1 -4 % -2 %
EMEA $ 843.1 15 % 20 %
Mexico $ 567.9 1 % 5 %
South & Central America $ 826.4 -15 % 4 %
China $ 664.3   41 %   41 %
Worldwide Total $ 4,958.6   3 %   8 %
Venezuela $ 140.3   -47 %   -1 %
Worldwide Total excl Venezuela $ 4,818.3   6 %   9 %
 

2015 Annual Sales Leader Requalification 4

Each year, by the end of January, sales leaders are required to re-qualify to retain their sales leader status. A record number of sales leaders were retained in 2015. The pool of sales leaders needing to re-qualify increased by approximately 2% compared to the prior year, and we retained 7% more of them than in the prior year. Our overall retention rate increased to 54.2% compared to 51.8% from the prior year.

2015 First Quarter and Full Year Guidance

Guidance includes an unfavorable impact from currency rates. For the first quarter, we expect an approximately $0.28 impact, inclusive of approximately $0.10 resulting from Venezuela. Full year guidance includes a currency headwind of approximately $1.19, including approximately $0.45 from Venezuela.

Based on current business trends the company's first quarter fiscal 2015 and full year fiscal 2015 guidance is as follows:

Three Months Ending   Twelve Months Ending
March 31, 2015 December 31, 2015
Low High Low High
Volume Point Growth vs 2014 (8.0%) (5.0%) (4.5%) (1.5%)
Net Sales Growth vs 2014 (15.5%) (12.5%) (9.0%) (6.0%)
Currency Adjusted Net Sales Growth vs 2014 (7.5%) (4.5%) (1.0%) 2.0%
Diluted EPS $1.00 $1.10 $4.10 $4.50
Currency Adjusted EPS $1.30 $1.40 $5.30 $5.70
Cap Ex ($ millions) $30.0 $40.0 $120.0 $140.0
Effective Tax Rate 27.0% 29.0% 27.0% 29.0%
Free Cash Flow ($ millions) $430.0 $460.0
 

Guidance excludes the impact of expenses primarily related to legal and advisory services relating to the company's ongoing business matters, expenses related to an FTC Civil Investigative Demand or CID, and the impact of non-cash interest costs associated with the company's Convertible Notes and the expenses incurred related to the effort to recover costs related to the re-audits that occurred in 2013. Forward guidance is based on the average daily exchange rates of the first three weeks of January. With respect to Venezuela, the guidance assumes a rate of 50 to 1 for all of 2015 and excludes the potential impact of the recent and any future devaluation of the Venezuelan Bolivar and future repatriation, if any, of existing cash balances in Venezuela.

______________________________
4 Results exclude China, Venezuela and Argentina

Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2014 Earnings Conference Call

Herbalife senior management will host an investor conference call to discuss its recent financial results and provide an update on current business trends on Thursday, February 26, 2015 at 2:30 p.m. PST (5:30 p.m. EST).

The dial-in number for this conference call for domestic callers is (877) 317-1296 and (706) 634-5671 for international callers (conference ID 67375297). Live audio of the conference call will be simultaneously webcast in the investor relations section of the Company's website at http://ir.herbalife.com.

An audio replay will be available following the completion of the conference call in MP3 format or by dialing (855) 859-2056 for domestic callers or (404) 537-3406 for international callers (conference ID 67375297). The webcast of the teleconference will be archived and available on Herbalife's website.

About Herbalife Ltd.

Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE:HLF) is a 35-year-old global nutrition company that sells weight-management, nutrition and personal care products intended to support a healthy lifestyle. Herbalife products are sold in more than 90 countries to and through a network of independent members. The company supports the Herbalife Family Foundation and its Casa Herbalife program to help bring good nutrition to children. Herbalife's website contains a significant amount of financial and other information about the company at http://ir.Herbalife.com. The company encourages investors to visit its website from time to time, as information is updated and new information is posted.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in any of our forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in any of our forward-looking statements. Our future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to change and to inherent risks and uncertainties, such as those disclosed or incorporated by reference in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Important factors that could cause our actual results, performance and achievements, or industry results to differ materially from estimates or projections contained in our forward-looking statements include, among others, the following:

• our relationship with, and our ability to influence the actions of, our Members;

• improper action by our employees or Members in violation of applicable law;

• adverse publicity associated with our products or network marketing organization, including our ability to comfort the marketplace and regulators regarding our compliance with applicable laws;

• changing consumer preferences and demands;

• our reliance upon, or the loss or departure of any member of, our senior management team which could negatively impact our Member relations and operating results;

• the competitive nature of our business;

• regulatory matters governing our products, including potential governmental or regulatory actions concerning the safety or efficacy of our products and network marketing program, including the direct selling market in which we operate;

• legal challenges to our network marketing program;

• risks associated with operating internationally and the effect of economic factors, including foreign exchange, inflation, disruptions or conflicts with our third party importers, pricing and currency devaluation risks, especially in countries such as Venezuela;

• uncertainties relating to the application of transfer pricing, duties, value added taxes, and other tax regulations, and changes thereto;

• uncertainties relating to interpretation and enforcement of legislation in China governing direct selling;

• our inability to obtain the necessary licenses to expand our direct selling business in China;

• adverse changes in the Chinese economy;

• our dependence on increased penetration of existing markets;

• contractual limitations on our ability to expand our business;

• our reliance on our information technology infrastructure and outside manufacturers;

• the sufficiency of trademarks and other intellectual property rights;

• product concentration;

• changes in tax laws, treaties or regulations, or their interpretation;

• taxation relating to our Members;

• product liability claims;

• whether we will purchase any of our shares in the open markets or otherwise; and

• share price volatility related to, among other things, speculative trading and certain traders shorting our common shares.

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

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:

Herbalife Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(In millions, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
               
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
  12/31/2014     12/31/2013   12/31/2014     12/31/2013
 
North America $ 204.8 $ 210.3 $ 926.8 $ 908.0
Mexico 132.7 142.6 567.9 562.4
South and Central America 173.2 290.3 826.4 973.5
EMEA 200.2 197.7 843.1 735.2
Asia Pacific 245.6 279.6 1,130.1 1,174.6
China   177.1   148.4   664.3   471.6
Worldwide net sales 1,133.6 1,268.9 4,958.6 4,825.3
Cost of Sales (1)   219.6   251.8   982.9   963.4
Gross Profit 914.0 1,017.1 3,975.7 3,861.9
Royalty Overrides 334.6 380.7 1,471.1 1,497.5
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses (2)   417.4   454.6   1,991.1   1,629.1
Operating Income 162.0 181.8 513.5 735.3
Interest Expense, net 23.0 2.9 79.2 18.6
Other Expense, net (3)   0.0   -   13.0   -
Income before income taxes 139.0 178.9 421.3 716.7
Income Taxes   35.7   55.4   112.6   189.2
Net Income $ 103.3 $ 123.5 $ 308.7 $ 527.5
 
Basic Shares 82.1 101.2 86.3 102.6
Diluted Shares 85.5 107.2 90.8 107.4
 
Basic EPS $ 1.26 $ 1.22 $ 3.58 $ 5.14
Diluted EPS $ 1.21 $ 1.15 $ 3.40 $ 4.91
 
Dividends declared per share $ - $ 0.30 $ 0.30 $ 1.20
(1) As discussed in Note 2 of the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, Cost of Sales includes $7.6 million of inventory write downs related to Venezuela for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014.
(2) As discussed in Note 2 of the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, Selling, General and Administrative Expenses includes $103.4 million and $98.0 million pre-tax unfavorable impact related to the remeasurement of Venezuela Bolivar-denominated assets and liabilities at the SICAD I and SICAD II rate, respectively, and $7.0 million loss on Venezuela asset impairment for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014.
(3) As discussed in Note 2 of the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, Other Expense, net relates to the impairment of investments in Bolivar-denominated bonds.
 

Herbalife Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
 
Dec 31,   Dec 31,
  2014     2013  
 
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash & cash equivalents $ 645.4 $ 973.0
Receivables, net 83.6 100.3
Inventories 377.7 351.2
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 186.1 148.8
Deferred income tax assets   100.6     69.8  
Total Current Assets 1,393.4 1,643.1
 
Property, net 366.7 318.9
Deferred compensation plan assets 27.4 26.8
Other assets 152.8 63.7
Deferred financing cost, net 22.0 4.9
Marketing related intangibles and other intangible assets, net 310.4 310.8
Goodwill   102.2     105.5  
Total Assets $ 2,374.9   $ 2,473.7  
 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 72.4 $ 82.7
Royalty overrides 251.0 267.0
Accrued compensation 69.6 111.9
Accrued expenses 252.1 267.5
Current portion of long-term debt 100.0 81.3
Advance sales deposits 70.0 68.1
Income taxes payable   59.7     43.8  
Total Current Liabilities 874.8 922.3
 
Non-current liabilities
Long-term debt, net of current portion 1,711.7 850.0
Deferred compensation plan liability 42.9 37.2
Deferred income tax liabilities 15.3 66.0
Other non-current liabilities   64.6     46.8  
Total Liabilities 2,709.3 1,922.3
 
Commitments and Contingencies
 
Shareholders' (deficit) equity:
Common shares 0.1 0.1
Paid-in capital in excess of par value 409.1 323.9
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (78.2 ) (19.8 )
(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings   (665.4 )   247.2  
Total Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity   (334.4 )   551.4  
   

Total Liabilities and Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity

$ 2,374.9   $ 2,473.7  
 

Herbalife Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In millions)

(Unaudited)

 

     
Twelve Months Ended
  12/31/2014       12/31/2013  
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income $ 308.7 $ 527.5
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 93.2 84.7
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements (10.4 ) (15.6 )
Share-based compensation expenses 45.7 29.5
Non-cash interest expense 43.5 2.6
Deferred income taxes (84.8 ) (24.9 )
Inventory write-downs 24.5 29.8
Unrealized foreign exchange transaction (gain) loss (6.2 ) 5.8
Foreign exchange loss from Venezuela currency devaluation 200.3 15.1
Impairments and write-downs relating to Venezuela currency devaluation 27.5 -
Other 6.1 0.6
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables 6.0 9.2
Inventories (99.4 ) (54.8 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (34.9 ) (9.4 )
Other assets (36.7 ) (9.4 )
Accounts payable (5.2 ) 10.8
Royalty overrides 6.7 28.8
Accrued expenses and accrued compensation (11.5 ) 86.0
Advance sales deposits 10.4 22.0
Income taxes 22.2 26.8
Deferred compensation plan liability   5.7     7.8  
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES   511.4     772.9  
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (173.7 ) (146.9 )
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment - 0.2
Investments in Venezuelan bonds (12.6 ) (4.1 )
Deposit in escrow   (15.0 )   -  
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES   (201.3 )   (150.8 )
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Dividends paid (30.4 ) (123.1 )
Dividends received 3.4 -
Payments for Capped Call Transactions (123.8 ) -
Borrowings from senior secured credit facility and other debt 50.0 763.1
Proceeds from senior convertible notes 1,150.0 -
Principal payments on senior secured credit facility and other debt (131.3 ) (319.4 )
Issuance costs relating to long-term debt and senior convertible notes (28.9 ) -
Share repurchases (1,291.9 ) (306.5 )
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements 10.4 15.6
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and sale of stock under employee stock purchase plan   3.0     1.0  
NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES   (389.5 )   30.7  
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH   (248.2 )   (13.3 )
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (327.6 ) 639.5
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR   973.0     333.5  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR $ 645.4   $ 973.0  
CASH PAID DURING THE YEAR
Interest paid $ 39.2   $ 23.0  
Income taxes paid $ 180.8   $ 197.1  
NON CASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Accrued capital expenditures $ 12.3   $ 29.6  
NON CASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Forward transaction non-cash issuance cost $ 35.8   $ -  
 

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

SCHEDULE A: RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(Unaudited and unreviewed), (Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

In addition to its reported results, the Company has included in the tables below adjusted results that the Securities and Exchange Commission defines as "non-GAAP financial measures." Management believes that such non-GAAP financial measures, when read in conjunction with the Company's reported results, can provide useful supplemental information for investors in analyzing period to period comparisons of the Company's results.

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

     
Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
  12/31/2014     12/31/2013   12/31/2014   12/31/2013
(in millions)
 
Net income, as reported $ 103.3 $ 123.5 $ 308.7 $ 527.5
Remeasurement and impairment losses relating to Venezuela (1) (2) (0.4 ) 1.4 152.4 9.8
Non-recurring expenses associated with Member payments related to Venezuela (1) 1.8 - 1.8 -
Expenses incurred responding to attacks on the Company's business model (1) (3) 3.1 3.9 16.6 24.5
Expenses incurred for the re-audit of 2010 to 2012 financial statements (1) (4) - 8.3 - 15.6
Expenses related to the FTC inquiry (1) (5) 2.8 - 9.4 -
Expenses incurred for the recovery of re-audit fees (1) (6) 0.1 - 0.4 -
Non-cash interest expense and amortization of non-cash issuance costs (1) (7) 10.8 - 36.7 -
Legal reserve for the Bostick case (1) (8) (0.4 ) - 10.9 -
Impairment of newly acquired defective manufacturing equipment (1) (9)   (0.1 )   -   1.6   -
Net income, as adjusted (10) $ 121.0   $ 137.2 $ 538.5 $ 577.4
 

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

 
Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
  12/31/2014       12/31/2013   12/31/2014     12/31/2013
 
Diluted earnings per share, as reported $ 1.21 $ 1.15 $ 3.40 $ 4.91
Remeasurement and impairment losses relating to Venezuela (1) (2) (0.01 ) 0.01 1.68 0.09
Non-recurring expenses associated with Member payments related to Venezuela (1) 0.02 0.02
Expenses incurred responding to attacks on the Company's business model (1) (3) 0.04 0.04 0.18 0.23
Expenses incurred for the re-audit of 2010 to 2012 financial statements (1) (4) - 0.08 - 0.14
Expenses related to the FTC inquiry (1) (5) 0.03 - 0.10 -
Expenses incurred for the recovery of re-audit fees (1) (6) - - - -
Non-cash interest expense and amortization of non-cash issuance costs (1) (7) 0.13 - 0.40 -
Legal reserve for the Bostick case (1) (8) - - 0.12 -
Impairment of newly acquired defective manufacturing equipment (1) (9)   -     -   0.02   -
Diluted earnings per share, as adjusted (10) $ 1.41   $ 1.28 $ 5.93 $ 5.37
 

(1) Based on interim income tax reporting rules, these expenses are not considered discrete items. As a result, the Company's full year effective tax rate is impacted by these items. When applying the full year effective tax rate to year-to-date income, the Company's year-to-date tax provision recorded with respect to these non-GAAP adjustments is different from the forecasted full-year tax provision impact of these items. As a consequence, adjustments to the year-to-date and quarterly tax impacts will be recorded as the adjusted full year effective tax rate is applied to income in subsequent periods.
(2) Net of $0.4 million and $(1.4 million) tax benefit for the three months ended Dec. 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively; and net of $76.6 million and $5.4 million tax benefit for the twelve months ended Dec. 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
(3) Net of $3.7 million and $1.4 million tax benefit for the three months ended Dec. 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively; and net of $8.5 million and $4.6 million tax benefit for the twelve months ended Dec. 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
(4) Net of $2.5 million and $4.9 million tax benefit for the three and twelve months ended Dec. 31, 2013, respectively.
(5) Net of $1.6 million and $5.7 million tax benefit for the three and twelve months ended Dec. 31, 2014, respectively.
(6) Net of $0.1 million and $0.2 million tax benefit for the three and twelve months ended Dec. 31, 2014, respectively.
(7) Relates to non-cash expense on our convertible notes and prepaid forward share repurchase contract.
(8) Net of $0.4 million and $6.6 million tax benefit for the three and twelve months ended Dec 31, 2014, respectively.
(9) Net of $0.1 million and $1.0 million tax benefit for the three and twelve months ended Dec. 31, 2014, respectively.
(10) Amounts may not total due to rounding.
 

The following is a reconciliation of total long-term debt to net debt:

    12/31/2014     12/31/2013  
(in millions)
 
Total long-term debt (current and long-term portion) $ 1,811.7 $ 931.3
Less: Cash and cash equivalents   645.4   973.0  
Net debt $ 1,166.3   $ (41.7 )


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