In the fourth quarter, a series of new product launches was not enough to counter the effects of a stronger dollar and lackluster sales at Nu Skin Enterprises Inc. (NUS—NYSE).
The maker of anti-aging products and nutritional supplements reported fourth-quarter revenue of $572.2 million, cut 7 percent by currency fluctuations. Though up on a sequential basis, sales fell 6 percent year over year. Earnings were down 20 percent to 62 cents a share. Analysts had expected a better performance on both counts.
The company ran three of its signature limited-time offers in the quarter, featuring its anti-aging ageLOC Youth and ageLOC Me products. In the Americas and Japan, the results were positive, while a new promotion in South Korea fell flat, largely due to a 12-month product subscription commitment bundled into the offer.
On a regional basis quarterly results were mixed. Constant-dollar revenue improved 26 percent in the Americas. Besides breakeven results in North Asia, sales in all other regions were down from the prior year. In the company’s largest segment, Greater China, revenue dipped 5 percent on a constant-dollar basis.
For the full year, revenue totaled $2.25 billion, compared to $2.57 billion a year ago. Earnings fell 28 percent to $2.25 per share. The company continued its share buyback program, repurchasing more than 5 percent of outstanding shares in 2015.
“We enter 2016 with a calendar filled with significant product launches,” said President and CEO Truman Hunt. “In the Americas, Japan and South Asia, where we have executed well, these product launches have generated positive results. In South Korea and China, we are moderating our expectations based on the December launch of ageLOC Me in South Korea and economic uncertainty in China.”
In 2016, the company expects revenue in the range of $2.10 billion to $2.15 billion. Management said its operating margin for the year likely will be 10.5 percent to 11.0 percent, with earnings of $2.40 to $2.60 per share, coming in well below analysts’ forecasts of $3.09 per share.
