Shares of USANA Health Sciences Inc. (USNA—NYSE) are enjoying a boost following the release of the company’s first-quarter results on Tuesday.
In the quarter ended April 2, the seller of nutrition and personal-care products cleared a profit of $22.3 million, up 13 percent from a year ago. On a per share basis, earnings increased 18 percent to $1.77. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters had predicted earnings of $1.81 a share.
Revenue was up across the Asia Pacific region, most notably in Greater China, where the company posted a 16 percent year-over-year increase. North Asia revenue rose 14 percent, followed by an 8 percent uptick in Southeast Asia Pacific. In the company’s combined Americas and Europe segment, sales were essentially flat.
Overall, revenue climbed 10 percent to a record $240.4 million, narrowly missing analysts’ estimates of $244 million. Management attributed the strong quarter to a higher number of active Associates, up 16 percent, and Preferred Customer, up 9 percent.
“USANA delivered a solid performance in the first quarter, notwithstanding the continued impact of a stronger U.S. dollar and a tough prior year comparable,” Dave Wentz, CEO, said in the company’s earnings release.
USANA stock was up as much as 11 percent in Wednesday trading, before closing the day up 8 percent at $125.46.
