USANA Health Sciences Announces Third Quarter 2009 Financial Results

--Company raises outlook for 2009

USANA Health Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: USNA | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) today announced financial results for its fiscal third quarter, ended October 3, 2009.

Financial Performance

Net sales for the third quarter of 2009 improved to $110.8 million, compared with $107.2 million in the third quarter of the prior year, an increase of 3.3%. The year-over-year increase was due to an overall increase in product sales, driven primarily by an 8.2% increase in the number of active Associates. The negative effect of changes in currency exchange rates, on a year-over-year basis, reduced net sales in the third quarter by approximately $4.1 million. Net earnings for the third quarter were $7.9 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, compared with $8.1 million or $0.50 per diluted share in the third quarter of the prior year. The decrease in net earnings resulted from higher Associate incentives expense, partially offset by lower selling, general and administrative expenses and improved gross profit margins. The increase in earnings per share in third quarter of 2009 was due to a lower number of average shares outstanding.

Dave Wentz, chief executive officer, said, "We are pleased to report another quarter of solid operating results. The two compensation plan enhancements that we introduced last year continue to drive our growth in sales and Associates. We recognize that offering a rewarding compensation plan that attracts and retains talented entrepreneurs is central to our long-term objectives of generating top-line growth and returning value to our shareholders. While Associate incentive expense has initially increased due to our compensation plan enhancements, we expect that it will decrease as a percentage of sales over the next several quarters. Additionally, we will continue to closely manage our SG&A costs and expect further improvements in our gross profit margins."

For the nine months ended October 3, 2009, net sales increased by 0.7% to $320.2 million, compared with $318.0 million for the first nine months of the prior year. This growth in sales was due to an overall increase in product sales, driven by a higher average number of active Associates. This increase was largely offset by the negative effect of changes in currency exchange rates versus the prior year, which reduced net sales by approximately $23.6 million. Excluding the impact of currency fluctuations, net sales for the first nine months of 2009 would have been $343.8 million, a year-over-year increase of 8.1%. Net earnings for the first nine months of 2009 were $23.3 million, or $1.51 per diluted share, compared with net earnings of $25.5 million, or $1.56 per diluted share for the first nine months of the prior year. Unfavorable currency exchange rates and higher Associate incentives expense were the primary cause for lower net earnings and earnings per share. These decreases, however, were partially offset by lower selling, general and administrative expenses and a lower number of average shares outstanding.

Regional Results

During the third quarter of 2009, net sales in North America decreased by 6.7%, or $4.3 million, to $60.3 million, compared with the third quarter of the prior year. This decline was primarily the result of the negative effect of changes in currency exchange rates, which decreased net sales in this region by $2.5 million. Additionally, sales in the U.S. decreased by 5.2% and local currency sales in Canada decreased by 3.8%. In Mexico, however, local currency sales increased by 14.9% compared with the third quarter of 2008. Active Associates in the North America region decreased by 1.0% to 102,000, compared with the third quarter of the prior year.

"North America continues to be the region most affected by the difficult economic conditions," continued Wentz. "Additionally, our third quarter sales tend to be softer in North America, as many of our Associates slow their business activities during the summer vacation months. We continue to implement new initiatives, including targeted marketing campaigns, to keep our customers in this region consistently purchasing our products and our Associates actively building their home-based business."

Net sales in the Asia Pacific region for the third quarter of 2009 increased by 18.5% to $50.5 million, compared with the third quarter of the prior year. Excluding the negative effect of a stronger U.S. dollar, net sales in this region increased during the quarter by 22.3%. This improvement was due to an overall increase in product sales, driven by 19.8% growth in the number of active Associates and, to a lesser extent, higher product prices. Active associates in this region grew to a record 97,000, compared with 81,000 for the third quarter of the prior year. This increase in the number of active Associates was due primarily to double-digit growth in Hong Kong, Malaysia, and South Korea. Additionally, the Company's newest market, the Philippines, added 6,000 Associates.

"Momentum in our Asia Pacific region continues to build with record sales and Associate counts. Our balanced approach of providing best-in-class products, coupled with a rewarding compensation plan, continues to drive our record results in this region. Furthermore, we are pleased with the success of our 17th annual International Convention, which we held in Salt Lake City during August. This exciting event was highlighted by new product announcements and several renowned speakers, including Larry King. In light of our solid operating results and the success of our Convention, we look forward to continued success for the balance of 2009 and anticipate carrying positive momentum into 2010," concluded Wentz.

Outlook

Jeff Yates, chief financial officer, said, "Following another solid quarter, we are raising our financial guidance for 2009. Accordingly, we are projecting consolidated net sales for 2009 to be between $431 million and $434 million. We are also raising our earnings per share guidance for 2009 and now estimate that EPS will be between $2.07 and $2.10."

"We are pleased with the performance of the business in this difficult economic environment and remain confident that our business model and operating efficiencies will give us a distinct advantage in our industry. We are firmly committed to increasing the number of Associates and customers and look forward to completing what we believe will be yet another record year for sales at USANA."

Conference Call

USANA will hold a conference call and webcast to discuss this announcement with investors on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Investors may listen to the call by accessing USANA's website at http://www.usanahealthsciences.com.

About USANA

USANA develops and manufactures high-quality nutritional, personal care and weight management products that are sold directly to Preferred Customers and Associates throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Mexico, Malaysia, the Philippines, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. More information on USANA can be found at http://www.usanahealthsciences.com.

Safe Harbor

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act. Our actual results could differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including global economic conditions generally, reliance upon our network of independent Associates, the governmental regulation of our products, manufacturing and marketing risks, adverse publicity risks, and risks associated with our international expansion. The contents of this release should be considered in conjunction with the risk factors, warnings, and cautionary statements that are contained in our most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

USANA Health Sciences, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
                                                      Quarter Ended
                                                      27-Sept-08(1)       3-Oct-09
Net sales                                             $    107,176        $     110,764
Cost of sales                                              22,228               22,637
                        Gross profit                       84,948               88,127
Operating expenses
            Associate incentives                           44,573               50,799
            Selling, general and administrative            27,621               25,414
                        Earnings from operations           12,754               11,914
Other income (expense)                                     (489    )            110
                        Earnings before income taxes       12,265               12,024
Income taxes                                               4,185                4,112
NET EARNINGS                                          $    8,080          $     7,912
Earnings per share - diluted                          $    0.50           $     0.51
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted              16,133               15,547
(1) All amounts reflective of adjustments made due to the
restatement of previously reported amounts
USANA Health Sciences, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
                                                      As of               As of
                                                      3-Jan-09            3-Oct-09
                                                                          (Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents                             $    13,281         $     13,265
Inventories                                                23,879               25,615
Other current assets                                       15,514               11,465
Total current assets                                       52,674               50,345
Property and equipment, net                                57,369               57,289
Goodwill                                                   5,690                5,690
Other assets                                               6,839                8,150
Total assets                                          $    122,572        $     121,474
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable                                      $    6,879          $     5,628
Other current liabilities                                  47,655               34,259
Total current liabilities                                  54,534               39,887
Line of credit                                34,990       17,000
Other long-term liabilities                   1,212        1,743
Stockholders' equity                          31,836       62,844
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $ 122,572    $ 121,474

  USANA Health Sciences, Inc.
  Sales by Region
  (Unaudited)
  (In thousands)
                          Quarter Ended
                          27-Sep-08             3-Oct-09
  Region
  North America
  United States           $  40,169   37.5  %   $  38,098   34.4  %
  Canada                     18,216   17.0  %      16,661   15.0  %
  Mexico                     6,208    5.8   %      5,535    5.0   %
  North America Total        64,593   60.3  %      60,294   54.4  %
  Asia Pacific
  Southeast Asia/Pacific     23,265   21.7  %      25,227   22.8  %
  East Asia                  15,206   14.2  %      20,262   18.3  %
  North Asia                 4,112    3.8   %      4,981    4.5   %
  Asia Pacific Total         42,583   39.7  %      50,470   45.6  %
  Consolidated            $  107,176  100.0 %   $  110,764  100.0 %
  Active Associates by Region (1)
  (Unaudited)
                          As of
                          27-Sep-08             3-Oct-09
  Region
  North America
  United States              61,000   33.2  %      61,000   30.7  %
  Canada                     28,000   15.2  %      26,000   13.1  %
  Mexico                     14,000   7.6   %      15,000   7.5   %
  North America Total        103,000  56.0  %      102,000  51.3  %
  Asia Pacific
  Southeast Asia/Pacific     42,000   22.8  %      49,000   24.6  %
  East Asia                  32,000   17.4  %      40,000   20.1  %
  North Asia                 7,000    3.8   %      8,000    4.0   %
  Asia Pacific Total         81,000   44.0  %      97,000   48.7  %
  Total                      184,000  100.0 %      199,000  100.0 %
  (1) Associates are independent distributors of our products who also
  purchase our products for their personal use. We only count as
  active those Associates who have purchased product from USANA at any
  time during the most recent three-month period, either for personal
  use or for resale.
  Active Preferred Customers by Region (2)
  (Unaudited)
                          As of
                          27-Sep-08                3-Oct-09
  Region
  North America
  United States                45,000  61.7  %          40,000  58.8  %
  Canada                       16,000  21.9  %          15,000  22.1  %
  Mexico                       3,000   4.1   %          3,000   4.4   %
  North America Total          64,000  87.7  %          58,000  85.3  %
  Asia Pacific
  Southeast Asia/Pacific       8,000   10.9  %          8,000   11.7  %
  East Asia                    1,000   1.4   %          1,000   1.5   %
  North Asia                   -       0.0   %          1,000   1.5   %
  Asia Pacific Total           9,000   12.3  %          10,000  14.7  %
  Total                        73,000  100.0 %          68,000  100.0 %
  (2) Preferred Customers purchase our products strictly for their
  personal use and are not permitted to resell or to distribute the
  products. We only count as active those Preferred Customers who have
  purchased product from USANA at any time during the most recent
  three-month period.

SOURCE: USANA Health Sciences, Inc.

USANA Health Sciences, Inc., Salt Lake City 
Investors contact: 
Patrique Richards 
Investor Relations 
801-954-7961 
investor.relations@us.usana.com 
Media contact: 
Dan Macuga 
Public Relations 
801-954-7280