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Herbalife (HLF) Q3 Earnings Top Estimates, Volumes Up Y/Y
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Herbalife Nutrition Ltd. (HLF - Free Report) posted third-quarter 2018 results, with the top and the bottom line improving year over year and beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the fourth consecutive time. Further, the company sustained its strong volume points surge. This encouraged management to raise volumes outlook and increase earnings view for 2018.
We note that, Herbalife’s strong record helped the Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock rally almost 54.4% in the past year compared with the industry’s 8.7% rise.
A Closer Look at Q3 Performance
Adjusted earnings of 74 cents per share came ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 66 cents and surged 80.5% year over year. Also, the figure surpassed the company’s projected range. The upside can be attributed to upbeat sales and improved gross margin. Adjusted effective tax rate came in at 32.2%, which was in line with management’s expectations.
Net sales of $1,242.8 million advanced nearly 14.5% year over year and surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,226 million. The top line was backed by sales growth in five out six regions. Moreover, the quarterly results benefited from strong volume point advancement.
Notably, volume points advanced 15% to 1,506.9 million, exceeding management’s projections. This marks the second highest volume points achieved by the company, following second-quarter 2018 as well as highest year-on-year volume points growth since 2012. Additionally, volumes depicted double-digit growth in four of the top five markets, for the second consecutive period.
Regionally, volumes surged 19% in the United States, courtesy of favorable trends in the previous quarters. Volumes in North America as a whole increased 18.3%. In China, Herbalife’s volumes jumped 19.6%, owing to gains from the future star promotion. Volumes increased 9.2% in Mexico. In Asia-Pacific, volumes advanced 24.3% marking an all-time record-high performance. The Asia-Pacific region depicted improvements in 12 out of 15 markets, led by India. Further, the EMEA region witnessed its 34th straight quarter of volume point improvement, with a gain of 17.1%. However, in South & Central America volumes declined 8%.
Gross profit came in at $1,024.7 million, up 17.8% from the prior-year quarter’s figure. Moreover, gross margin expanded nearly 230 basis points (bps) to 82.5%, courtesy of higher retail pricing as well as favorable cost-changes in self-manufacturing and sourcing. These were countered by currency headwinds. Further, operating income during the quarter came in at $187.3 million, depicting growth of 57% from the prior-year quarter’s tally.
Other Financial Updates
Herbalife ended the quarter with cash of $1,110.5 million and long-term debt (net of current portion) of $1,774.4 million. Total shareholders’ deficit amounted to $761.1 million as of Sep 30, 2018.
Further, the company generated cash flow from operating activities of approximately $509.7 million during the first nine months of 2018.
The company announced a five-year share repurchase plan worth $1.5 billion.
Outlook
Management raised earnings and volumes outlook for 2018 along with updating sales view. Consequently, the company anticipates net sales in 2018 to advance 9.9-10.9% compared with the previous range of 8.3-12.3%. The revised sales view includes adverse currency impacts of approximately 70 bps.
Meanwhile, volumes are expected to rise 8.6-9.6% compared with the previous projection of 6-9%. Further, adjusted earnings for 2018 estimated in the range of $2.74–$2.84 per share compared with the prior outlook of $2.60–$2.80. This includes a negative impact of about 7 cents from adverse currency movements.
Adjusted effective tax rate for 2018 is expected between 25.2% and 27.2%.
Capital expenditure is now envisioned in a band of $85-$95 million, down from $100-$120 million projected earlier.
Q4 Guidance
For fourth-quarter 2018, Herbalife expects net sales growth in the range of 6.5-10.5%, including adverse impact of roughly 500 bps from currency headwinds. Volumes are expected to rise in a range of 8-12%.
Adjusted effective tax rate for the fourth quarter is expected to be 30-40%.
Additionally, the company expects adjusted earnings per share (EPS) in the range of 50-60 cents. This includes a negative impact of about 8 cents from adverse currency movements.
Foot Locker, Inc (FL - Free Report) , with long-term EPS growth rate of 6.4%, also carries a Zacks Rank #2.
Fossil Group, Inc (FOSL - Free Report) , also with a Zacks Rank #2, delivered positive earnings surprises in the past four quarters.
3 Medical Stocks to Buy Now
The greatest discovery in this century of biology is now at the flashpoint between theory and realization. Billions of dollars in research have poured into it. Companies are already generating revenue, and cures for a variety of deadly diseases are in the pipeline.
So are big potential profits for early investors. Zacks has released an updated Special Report that explains this breakthrough and names the best 3 stocks to ride it.
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Herbalife (HLF) Q3 Earnings Top Estimates, Volumes Up Y/Y
Herbalife Nutrition Ltd. (HLF - Free Report) posted third-quarter 2018 results, with the top and the bottom line improving year over year and beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the fourth consecutive time. Further, the company sustained its strong volume points surge. This encouraged management to raise volumes outlook and increase earnings view for 2018.
We note that, Herbalife’s strong record helped the Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock rally almost 54.4% in the past year compared with the industry’s 8.7% rise.
A Closer Look at Q3 Performance
Adjusted earnings of 74 cents per share came ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 66 cents and surged 80.5% year over year. Also, the figure surpassed the company’s projected range. The upside can be attributed to upbeat sales and improved gross margin. Adjusted effective tax rate came in at 32.2%, which was in line with management’s expectations.
Net sales of $1,242.8 million advanced nearly 14.5% year over year and surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,226 million. The top line was backed by sales growth in five out six regions. Moreover, the quarterly results benefited from strong volume point advancement.
Herbalife LTD. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Herbalife LTD. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Herbalife LTD. Quote
Notably, volume points advanced 15% to 1,506.9 million, exceeding management’s projections. This marks the second highest volume points achieved by the company, following second-quarter 2018 as well as highest year-on-year volume points growth since 2012. Additionally, volumes depicted double-digit growth in four of the top five markets, for the second consecutive period.
Regionally, volumes surged 19% in the United States, courtesy of favorable trends in the previous quarters. Volumes in North America as a whole increased 18.3%. In China, Herbalife’s volumes jumped 19.6%, owing to gains from the future star promotion. Volumes increased 9.2% in Mexico. In Asia-Pacific, volumes advanced 24.3% marking an all-time record-high performance. The Asia-Pacific region depicted improvements in 12 out of 15 markets, led by India. Further, the EMEA region witnessed its 34th straight quarter of volume point improvement, with a gain of 17.1%. However, in South & Central America volumes declined 8%.
Gross profit came in at $1,024.7 million, up 17.8% from the prior-year quarter’s figure. Moreover, gross margin expanded nearly 230 basis points (bps) to 82.5%, courtesy of higher retail pricing as well as favorable cost-changes in self-manufacturing and sourcing. These were countered by currency headwinds. Further, operating income during the quarter came in at $187.3 million, depicting growth of 57% from the prior-year quarter’s tally.
Other Financial Updates
Herbalife ended the quarter with cash of $1,110.5 million and long-term debt (net of current portion) of $1,774.4 million. Total shareholders’ deficit amounted to $761.1 million as of Sep 30, 2018.
Further, the company generated cash flow from operating activities of approximately $509.7 million during the first nine months of 2018.
The company announced a five-year share repurchase plan worth $1.5 billion.
Outlook
Management raised earnings and volumes outlook for 2018 along with updating sales view. Consequently, the company anticipates net sales in 2018 to advance 9.9-10.9% compared with the previous range of 8.3-12.3%. The revised sales view includes adverse currency impacts of approximately 70 bps.
Meanwhile, volumes are expected to rise 8.6-9.6% compared with the previous projection of 6-9%. Further, adjusted earnings for 2018 estimated in the range of $2.74–$2.84 per share compared with the prior outlook of $2.60–$2.80. This includes a negative impact of about 7 cents from adverse currency movements.
Adjusted effective tax rate for 2018 is expected between 25.2% and 27.2%.
Capital expenditure is now envisioned in a band of $85-$95 million, down from $100-$120 million projected earlier.
Q4 Guidance
For fourth-quarter 2018, Herbalife expects net sales growth in the range of 6.5-10.5%, including adverse impact of roughly 500 bps from currency headwinds. Volumes are expected to rise in a range of 8-12%.
Adjusted effective tax rate for the fourth quarter is expected to be 30-40%.
Additionally, the company expects adjusted earnings per share (EPS) in the range of 50-60 cents. This includes a negative impact of about 8 cents from adverse currency movements.
Check These Solid Retail Picks
Burlington Stores (BURL - Free Report) , a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock, delivered positive earnings surprises in the past four quarters. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Foot Locker, Inc (FL - Free Report) , with long-term EPS growth rate of 6.4%, also carries a Zacks Rank #2.
Fossil Group, Inc (FOSL - Free Report) , also with a Zacks Rank #2, delivered positive earnings surprises in the past four quarters.
3 Medical Stocks to Buy Now
The greatest discovery in this century of biology is now at the flashpoint between theory and realization. Billions of dollars in research have poured into it. Companies are already generating revenue, and cures for a variety of deadly diseases are in the pipeline.
So are big potential profits for early investors. Zacks has released an updated Special Report that explains this breakthrough and names the best 3 stocks to ride it.
See them today for free >>