Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE:HLF) released the earnings results from its latest quarter, posting adjusted earnings of $1.28 per share—a 28% increase—on revenue of $1.27 billion. Analysts had been expecting the company to report earnings of $1.25 per share on revenue of $1.25 billion for the most recently completed quarter.
The company which Bill Ackman has been trying to take out for more than a year continues to surprise and impress Wall Street
Breaking down Herbalife’s results
Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE:HLF)s reported earnings per share for the quarter were $1.15, a 15% increase year over year. The company also reported record sales of $4.8 billion for the 2013 fiscal year, which is an 18% increase on a 13% volume growth year over year.
“Herbalife delivered another year of record financial performance achieved through the consistent execution of key strategies to expand daily consumption of our products,” said Michael O. Johnson, Herbalife’s chairman and CEO in a statement. “The global obesity epidemic continues to expand around the world, having an adverse impact on community health. Our independent Members are uniquely positioned, with education, coaching, and nutritious, industry-leading products to help their customers live healthier lives.”
Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE:HLF) also reported an annual sales leader retention rate of about 51.8% and generated about $773 million in operating cash flow during the 2013 fiscal year. In addition, it recorded 13% worldwide volume growth for the fourth quarter.
Herbalife raises earnings guidance, approves dividend
The nutritional supplements company also raised its earnings per share guidance for the 2014 fiscal year. It expects earnings to be between $5.85 and $6.05 per share after the recent share purchases and transactions it completed. The company is referring to the convertible notes it issued earlier this month.
In addition, Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE:HLF)’s board of directors has approved a quarterly dividend of 30 cents per share. That dividend will be payable on March 18 to shareholders of record as of March 4. In all of 2013, the company paid $123.1 million in dividends and bought back $297.4 million worth of its shares under its repurchase authorization.
