Global network marketing nutritional product company Herbalife (
NYSE: HLF,
Stock Forum) has turned in
a record second quarter and raised its earning guidance for 2013 accordingly.
Reporting second quarter net sales of $1.2 billion, reflecting an increase of 18 percent compared to the same time period in 2012, on volume point growth of 14 percent, the company is enjoying a growth spurt. Adjusted net income for the quarter of $150.7 million, or $1.41 per diluted share, compares to the second quarter 2012 net income of $132.0 million and EPS of $1.09, respectively. It was the fifteenth quarter of double digit top-line growth for the company.
Heavy growth in South and Central America (33% yr chg), and China (49% yr chg) led the charge, with North America tracking an 11% volume increase.
The company has approved a $0.30 dividend to shareholders.
But not all news associated with Herbalife is necessarily good: The company continues to be associated with an
insider trading scandal through former accounting provider KPMG, and their network marketing business model continues to provide authorities with reason to probe while major players
hold short positions in the firm.
Bill Ackman of Pershing Square Capital has reportedly taken a $1 billion short position on the stock in anticipation of regulator problems.
In 2004, the company settled with former distributors to the tune of $6 million after they claimed the company was “essentially running a pyramid scheme”, though the company denies such allegations.
-Chris Parry, Stockhouse.com