UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 
February 15, 2018
 
 
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
 
 
 
NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC.
 
 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
Delaware
 
001-12421
 
87-0565309
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
 
(Commission File Number)
 
 
(IRS Employer Identification Number)
 
75 West Center Street
Provo, Utah 84601
 
 
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
 
 
 
(801) 345-1000
 
 
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
 
 
 
N/A
 
 
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
 
 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
 Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4 (c))


Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
On February 15, 2018, Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. (the "Company") issued a press release announcing its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2017, and certain other information. A copy of the Company's press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this report and incorporated by reference.

The information furnished pursuant to this Item 2.02 and the exhibit hereto shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

The press release furnished herewith in Exhibit 99.1 may contain non-GAAP financial measures. Management believes non-GAAP financial measures assist management and investors in evaluating and comparing period-to-period results and projections in a more meaningful and consistent manner.

Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibit.
99.1


SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC.
(Registrant)


/s/ Mark H. Lawrence
Mark H. Lawrence
Chief Financial Officer


Date:  February 15, 2018
 




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NU SKIN ENTERPRISES REPORTS FOURTH-QUARTER AND 2017 RESULTS
AND PROVIDES INITIAL 2018 GUIDANCE
PROVO, Utah — Feb. 15, 2018 — Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: NUS) today announced fourth-quarter and 2017 financial results.

Executive Summary
Q4 2017
Revenue:
$666.2 million, up 25.4%
· +3% fx impact
Earnings Per Share (EPS):
$0.33 or $1.20 when excluding the impact of tax reform, compared to $0.69 in Q4 2016, which included a $0.10 tax charge.
Sales Leaders:
81,900 – 33% year-over-year increase, benefitting from ageLOC LumiSpa preview
Customers:
1,070,000 – 8% year-over-year increase
Tax Reform Impact:
Non-cash $47.7 million write-down of net deferred tax assets

2017 Annual
Revenue:
$2.28 billion, up 3%
· less than (1%) fx impact
Earnings Per Share (EPS):
$2.36 or $3.23 when excluding the impact of tax reform, compared to $2.55 in 2016, which included a $0.36 Japan customs charge

"We concluded 2017 on a high note with solid quarterly results driven by customer and sales leader growth," said Ritch Wood, chief executive officer. "Our growth strategy, which remains focused on three key elements – engaging platforms, enabling products and empowering programs, continues to drive our positive results. According to plan, we introduced ageLOC LumiSpa during the fourth quarter, which contributed to strong results in most of our markets. We also experienced continued momentum surrounding our social selling efforts, which we expect will be a catalyst for continued customer growth in 2018 and beyond."
 
 
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Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.
Feb. 15, 2018
Page 2
 
Q4 2017 Year-Over-Year Operating Results
Revenue:
$666.2 million compared to $531.3 million
Gross Margin:
77.7% compared to 79.6%
Selling Expenses:
39.8% of revenue compared to 41.9%
G&A Expenses:
23.0% of revenue compared to 26.2%
Operating Margin:
14.9% compared to 11.4%
Other Income / (Expense):
($0.4) million compared to $1.4 million
Income Tax Rate:
81.5%, or 33.1% when excluding the tax reform impact
EPS:
$0.33 or $1.20 when excluding the tax reform impact, compared to $0.69, which included a $0.10 tax charge



Stockholder Value
Dividend Payments:
$19.0 million
Stock Repurchases:
$23.9 million; $128.0 million remaining in authorization

The fourth quarter provision for income taxes included the following amounts related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). These amounts, which are provisional, may require adjustments as Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance is issued and as additional analysis of the provisions of the TCJA are completed:
·
$52.0 million write-down of our foreign tax credit carryforward.
·
$7.3 million charge related to a tax on permanently reinvested foreign earnings that have not been repatriated to the U.S.
·
$11.6 million benefit related to the remeasurement of U.S. net deferred tax liabilities at the lower statutory rate.
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Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.
Feb. 15, 2018
Page 3
 
2018 Outlook
Q1 2018 Revenue:
$550 to $570 million, 10 to 14% growth
· +4 to 5% fx impact
Q1 2018 EPS:
$0.65 to $0.70
2018 Revenue:
$2.44 billion to $2.49 billion, 7 to 9% growth
· +2 to 3% fx impact
2018 EPS
$3.45 to $3.65

"Our 2018 guidance reflects optimism about our business prospects for the coming year, with expected top- and bottom-line growth," said Wood. "Our plans are focused on growing our customer base by executing on our 3P – Platforms, Products, Programs – growth strategy. We expect to further leverage the power of social selling and believe this channel will empower our sales leaders to reach a broader audience, helping to enable greater sales growth. On the product front, we are accelerating the introduction of innovative and socially shareable products, led by our recently introduced ageLOC LumiSpa, which is rolling out globally in the first half of 2018. We have also begun implementing sales compensation enhancements to more effectively reward our sales leaders and drive increased productivity.
"We also recently completed the acquisition of two manufacturing partners in which we previously held non-controlling equity ownership, as well as a packaging company. We anticipate these acquisitions will be accretive to our annual results and will be meaningful contributors to our future success," concluded Wood.
"Looking at 2018, we expect first-quarter revenue in the $550 to $570 million range, which includes an approximate 4 to 5 percent positive foreign currency impact," said Mark Lawrence, chief financial officer. "For the full year, we are projecting revenue growth of 7 to 9 percent, or $2.44 to $2.49 billion, including a favorable foreign currency impact of 2 to 3 percent, and earnings per share of $3.45 to $3.65. For 2018, excluding discrete items, we anticipate our effective tax rate will be approximately 34 to 35 percent."
Conference Call
The Nu Skin management team will host a conference call with the investment community on Feb. 15, 2018, at 5 p.m. (ET). Those wishing to access the webcast, as well as the financial information presented during the call, can visit the Investor Relations page on the company's website at ir.nuskin.com. A replay of the webcast will be available at the same URL through March 2, 2018.
 
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Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.
Feb. 15, 2018
Page 4

 
About Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.
Founded more than 30 years ago, Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. develops and distributes innovative consumer products, offering a comprehensive line of premium-quality beauty and wellness solutions. The company builds upon its scientific expertise in both skin care and nutrition to continually develop innovative product brands that include the Nu Skin® personal care brand, the Pharmanex® nutrition brand, and most recently, the ageLOC® anti-aging brand. The ageLOC brand has generated a loyal following for such products as the ageLOC Youth nutritional supplement, the ageLOC Me® customized skin care system, as well as the ageLOC TR90® weight management and body shaping system. Nu Skin sells its products through a global network of sales leaders in Asia, the Americas, Europe, Africa and the Pacific. As a long-standing member of direct selling associations globally, Nu Skin is committed to the industry's consumer guidelines that protect and support those who sell and purchase its products through the direct selling channel. Nu Skin is also traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "NUS." More information is available at nuskin.com.
Important Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that represent the company's current expectations and beliefs. All statements other than statements of historical fact are "forward-looking statements" for purposes of federal and state securities laws and include, but are not limited to, statements of management's expectations regarding the company's performance, sales force and customer base, growth, strategies, initiatives and areas of focus, acquisitions and new product introductions; projections regarding revenue, earnings per share, foreign currency fluctuations, tax rates and other financial items; statements of belief; and statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "believe," "expect," "project," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "targets," "likely," "will," "would," "could," "may," "might," the negative of these words and other similar words.
 
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Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.
Feb. 15, 2018
Page 5
 
The forward-looking statements and related assumptions involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from any forward-looking statements or views expressed herein. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following:
·
adverse publicity related to the company's business, products, industry or any legal actions or complaints by the company's sales force or others;
·
risk that direct selling laws and regulations in any of our markets, including the United States and Mainland China, may be modified, interpreted or enforced in a manner that results in negative changes to our business model or negatively impacts our revenue, sales force or business, including through the interruption of sales activities, loss of licenses, imposition of fines, or any other adverse actions or events;
·
any failure of current or planned initiatives or products to generate interest among the company's sales force and customers and generate sponsoring and selling activities on a sustained basis;
·
risk of foreign currency fluctuations and the currency translation impact on the company's business associated with these fluctuations;
·
uncertainties regarding the future financial performance of the company's recent acquisitions;
·
risks related to accurately predicting, delivering or maintaining sufficient quantities of products to support our planned initiatives or launch strategies, and increased risk of inventory write-offs if the company over-forecasts demand for a product or changes its planned initiatives or launch strategies;
·
regulatory risks associated with the company's products, which could require the company to modify its claims or inhibit the company's ability to import or continue selling a product in a market if it is determined to be a medical device or if it is unable to register the product in a timely manner under applicable regulatory requirements;
·
unpredictable economic conditions and events globally;
·
uncertainties related to interpretation of, and forthcoming regulations under, the recently enacted U.S. tax reform legislation; the company's future tax-planning initiatives; any prospective or retrospective increases in duties on the company's products imported into the company's markets outside of the United States; and any adverse results of tax audits or unfavorable changes to tax laws in the company's various markets; and
·
continued competitive pressures in the company's markets.

The company's financial performance and the forward-looking statements contained herein are further qualified by a detailed discussion of associated risks set forth in the documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements set forth the company's beliefs as of the date that such information was first provided and the company assumes no duty to update the forward-looking statements contained in this release to reflect any change except as required by law.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures: Constant-currency revenue growth is a non-GAAP financial measure that removes the impact of fluctuations in foreign-currency exchange rates, thereby facilitating period-to-period comparisons of the company's performance. It is calculated by translating the current period's revenue at the same average exchange rates in effect during the applicable prior-year period and then comparing this amount to the prior-year period's revenue.
Earnings per share and income tax rate, each excluding the impact of tax reform, also are non-GAAP financial measures. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was enacted in December 2017 and had a material impact on the company's earnings per share and tax rate. Removing its impact facilitates period-to-period comparisons of the company's performance. Please see the reconciliations of these items to our earnings per share and income tax rate calculated under GAAP, below.
 
 
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Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.
Feb. 15, 2018
Page 6

The Company's revenue results by segment for the three-month periods ended December 31 are presented in the following table (in thousands).

   
2017
   
2016
   
%
Change
   
Constant Currency
% Change
 
                         
Mainland China
 
$
222,333
   
$
139,095
     
59.8%
 
   
54.3%
 
South Korea
   
103,066
     
98,354
     
  4.8%
 
   
  (0.3%)
 
Americas
   
95,412
     
71,708
     
33.1%
 
   
34.0%
 
South Asia/Pacific
   
83,253
     
70,016
     
18.9%
 
   
16.8%
 
Japan
   
67,620
     
68,613
     
  (1.4%)
 
   
  1.5%
 
Hong Kong/Taiwan
   
46,627
     
43,411
     
  7.4%
 
   
  4.5%
 
EMEA
   
47,890
     
40,132
     
19.3%
 
   
  9.7%
 
                                 
Total
 
$
666,201
   
$
531,329
     
25.4%
 
   
22.3%
 

 
The Company's revenue results by segment for the year ended December 31 are presented in the following table (in thousands).

   
2017
   
2016
   
%
Change
   
Constant Currency
% Change
 
                         
Mainland China
 
$
716,991
   
$
610,414
     
17.5%
 
   
18.9%
 
South Korea
   
361,692
     
413,696
     
(12.6%)
 
   
(14.9%)
 
Americas
   
317,380
     
276,590
     
14.7%
 
   
15.5%
 
South Asia/Pacific
   
299,980
     
296,758
     
  1.1%
 
   
  1.7%
 
Japan
   
256,085
     
279,042
     
  (8.2%)
 
   
  (5.2%)
 
Hong Kong/Taiwan
   
166,696
     
183,979
     
  (9.4%)
 
   
(12.1%)
 
EMEA
   
160,275
     
147,318
     
  8.8%
 
   
  5.6%
 
                                 
Total
 
$
2,279,099
   
$
2,207,797
     
  3.2%
 
   
  3.3%
 


The company's Customers and Sales Leaders statistics by segment for the three-month periods ended December 31 are presented in the following table.

   
2017
   
2016
   
% Increase (Decrease)
 
   
Customers
   
Sales Leaders
   
Customers
   
Sales Leaders
   
Customers
   
Sales Leaders
 
                                     
Mainland China
   
193,000
     
40,600
     
175,000
     
22,000
     
10.3%
 
   
84.5%
 
South Korea
   
173,000
     
8,400
     
192,000
     
9,600
     
  (9.9%)
 
   
(12.5%)
 
Americas
   
222,000
     
8,000
     
166,000
     
6,700
     
33.7%
 
   
19.4%
 
South Asia/Pacific
   
144,000
     
8,900
     
116,000
     
7,600
     
24.1%
 
   
17.1%
 
Japan
   
132,000
     
6,600
     
137,000
     
6,700
     
  (3.6%)
 
   
  (1.5%)
 
Hong Kong/Taiwan
   
71,000
     
4,700
     
73,000
     
4,600
     
  (2.7%)
 
   
  2.2%
 
EMEA
   
135,000
     
4,700
     
129,000
     
4,400
     
  4.7%
 
   
  6.8%
 
                                                 
Total
   
1,070,000
     
81,900
     
988,000
     
61,600
     
  8.3%
 
   
33.0%
 


"Customers" are persons who purchased products directly from the company during the previous three months.


"Sales Leaders" are independent distributors, and sales employees and independent marketers in China, who achieve certain qualification requirements.
 
 
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Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.
Feb. 15, 2018
Page 7





NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC.
 
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
 
For the Fourth Quarters Ended December 31, 2017 and 2016
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
             
   
2017
   
2016
 
             
Revenue
 
$
666,201
   
$
531,329
 
                 
Cost of sales
   
148,459
     
108,520
 
                 
Gross profit
   
517,742
     
422,809
 
                 
Operating expenses:
               
Selling expenses
   
265,378
     
222,887
 
 General and administrative expenses
   
153,244
     
139,139
 
Total operating expenses
   
418,622
     
362,026
 
                 
Operating income
   
99,120
     
60,783
 
                 
Other (expense)/income, net
   
(446
)
   
1,353
 
Income before provision for income taxes
   
98,674
     
62,136
 
Provision for income taxes
   
80,439
     
23,951
 
                 
Net income
 
$
18,235
   
$
38,185
 
                 
Net income per share:
               
Basic
 
$
0.35
   
$
0.71
 
 Diluted
 
$
0.33
   
$
0.69
 
                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
               
Basic
   
52,722
     
53,769
 
 Diluted
   
55,053
     
55,539
 

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Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.
Feb. 15, 2018
Page 8

NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC.
 
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2017 and 2016
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
             
   
2017
   
2016
 
             
Revenue
 
$
2,279,099
   
$
2,207,797
 
                 
Cost of sales
   
502,078
     
500,457
 
                 
Gross profit
   
1,777,021
     
1,707,340
 
                 
Operating expenses:
               
Selling expenses
   
938,024
     
922,083
 
 General and administrative expenses
   
564,514
     
554,153
 
Total operating expenses
   
1,502,538
     
1,476,236
 
                 
Operating income
   
274,483
     
231,104
 
                 
Other (expense)/income, net
   
(8,916
)
   
(18,265
)
Income before provision for income taxes
   
265,567
     
212,839
 
Provision for income taxes
   
136,130
     
69,753
 
                 
Net income
 
$
129,437
   
$
143,086
 
                 
Net income per share:
               
Basic
 
$
2.45
   
$
2.58
 
 Diluted
 
$
2.36
   
$
2.55
 
                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
               
Basic
   
52,806
     
55,412
 
 Diluted
   
54,852
     
56,097
 


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Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.
Feb. 15, 2018
Page 9

NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC.
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
 
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016
 
(in thousands)
 
             
   
2017
   
2016
 
ASSETS
           
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
426,399
   
$
357,246
 
Current investments
   
11,847
     
10,880
 
 Accounts receivable
   
33,196
     
31,199
 
Inventories, net
   
253,454
     
249,936
 
 Prepaid expenses and other
   
52,893
     
65,076
 
     
777,789
     
714,337
 
                 
Property and equipment, net
   
464,587
     
444,732
 
Goodwill
   
114,954
     
114,954
 
Other intangible assets, net
   
67,647
     
63,553
 
Other assets
   
164,895
     
136,469
 
 Total assets
 
$
1,589,872
   
$
1,474,045
 
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
 
$
50,341
   
$
41,261
 
Accrued expenses
   
319,189
     
275,023
 
 Current portion of long-term debt
   
77,840
     
82,727
 
     
447,370
     
399,011
 
                 
Long-term debt
   
310,790
     
334,165
 
Other liabilities
   
127,116
     
76,799
 
Total liabilities
   
885,276
     
809,975
 
                 
Stockholders' equity:
               
Class A common stock
   
91
     
91
 
 Additional paid-in capital
   
466,349
     
439,635
 
       Treasury stock, at cost
   
(1,304,694
)
   
(1,250,123
)
 Accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
(66,318
)
   
(84,122
)
 Retained earnings
   
1,609,168
     
1,558,589
 
     
704,596
     
664,070
 
 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
1,589,872
   
$
1,474,045
 
 
 
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Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.
Feb. 15, 2018
Page 10

NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC.
Reconciliation of Earnings Per Share Excluding Impact of Tax Reform to
GAAP Earnings Per Share
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 
   
2017
     
Q4 2017
 
Net income
 
$
129,437
   
$
18,235
 
Impact of tax reform on provision for income taxes
   
47,729
     
47,729
 
Net income, excluding impact of tax reform
 
$
177,166
   
$
65,964
 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (000s)
   
54,852
     
55,053
 
Diluted earnings per share
 
$
2.36
   
$
0.33
 
Diluted earnings per share, excluding tax reform impact
 
$
3.23
   
$
1.20
 
                 
                 
NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC.
Reconciliation of Effective Tax Rate Excluding Impact of Tax Reform to
GAAP Effective Tax Rate
(in thousands)
 
 
     
2017
     
Q4 2017
 
Provision for income taxes
 
$
136,130
   
$
80,439
 
Impact of tax reform on provision for income taxes
   
(47,729
)
   
(47,729
)
Provision for income taxes, excluding impact of tax reform
 
$
88,401
   
$
32,710
 
Income before provision for income taxes
 
$
265,567
   
$
98,674
 
Effective tax rate
   
51.3%
 
   
81.5%
 
Effective tax rate, excluding tax reform impact
   
33.3%
 
   
33.1%
 

# # #

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CONTACTS:
Media: media@nuskin.com, (801) 345-6397
Investors: investorrelations@nuskin.com,  (801) 345-3577---