Company Description

Nu Skin Enterprises is a $1 billion direct selling company that markets and distributes premium quality personal care, nutrition and technology products through a global network of more than 750,000 active independent distributors and preferred customers. The company operates three core brands, Nu Skin, Pharmanex, and Big Planet.

The Nu Skin brand has a line of more than 100 premium skin treatment and other personal care products. With a team of more than 100 in-house scientists, Pharmanex uses a pharmaceutical approach that is setting the standard for the dietary supplement industry. Big Planet brings the benefits of technology to everyone with innovative products like Maxvault, a line of products that provide the easiest way to preserve, organize, share, and enjoy your photos and home movies.

Nu Skin Enterprises operates in 48 international markets across the Americas, the Asia Pacific region and Europe, with more than 75 percent of revenue coming from Asia.

Bullish Forecasts

The company recently hiked its earnings outlook and analysts followed suit. Nu Skin sees fourth-quarter earnings ranging between 38 and 40 cents. Analysts polled by Zacks are calling for 40 cents, up from last month’s 35 cents.

For 2009, Nu Skin’s outlook ranges between $1.43 and $1.45 per share. The Zacks Consensus Estimate stands at $1.45, an increase from the previous month’s $1.40.

For the following year, Nu Skin’s guidance ranges between $1.60 and $1.70 per share. The Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.70 is above the month-prior $1.61.

Strong Momentum

Shares of NUS continue to outpace the market, trading near a 52-week high. During the past year, NUS has more than tripled the market’s return. In the last 3 months alone, shares surged by more than 50%, while the S&P 500 was up barely 10%.

Rewarding Shareholders

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend of $0.115 per share, which will be paid out on December 9 to shareholders of record as of November 27.

Nu Skin offers an industry-leading dividend yield of 1.7%.

A Record Quarter

The company saw record results for the third quarter. Earnings per share of 41 cents topped the previous year’s 26 cents and matched the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Revenue was a record $334.2 million, an increase of 8% year-over-year.

Alex Kolb is the Growth & Income Stock Strategist for Zacks.com. He also writes the popular daily commentary column for the ZacksElite.com service.

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(NUS) Nu Skin Enterprises – Strong Momentum – Bullish Forecasts

Company Description

Nu Skin Enterprises is a $1 billion direct selling company that markets and distributes premium quality personal care, nutrition and technology products through a global network of more than 750,000 active independent distributors and preferred customers. The company operates three core brands, Nu Skin, Pharmanex, and Big Planet.

The Nu Skin brand has a line of more than 100 premium skin treatment and other personal care products. With a team of more than 100 in-house scientists, Pharmanex uses a pharmaceutical approach that is setting the standard for the dietary supplement industry. Big Planet brings the benefits of technology to everyone with innovative products like Maxvault, a line of products that provide the easiest way to preserve, organize, share, and enjoy your photos and home movies.

Nu Skin Enterprises operates in 48 international markets across the Americas, the Asia Pacific region and Europe, with more than 75 percent of revenue coming from Asia.

A Record Quarter and Bullish Forecasts

The company recently posted record results for the third quarter. Earnings per share of 41 cents topped the previous year’s 26 cents and matched the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Revenue was a record $334.2 million, an increase of 8% year-over-year.

Nu Skin boosted its annual earnings guidance to $1.38 to $1.40 per share. The company sees fourth-quarter earnings coming in 32 to 34 cents per share.

Analysts polled by Zacks are calling for 2009 earnings of $1.41 per share, a penny higher than last week and above last month’s $1.28.

For the fourth quarter, the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 36 cents per share is up a penny from last week and 5 cents above last month’s projection.

Outstanding Fundamentals

Nu Skin’s return on equity (ROE) of 25% dwarfs the industry average of 6%. The company’s net profit margin of 6% tops the industry average of 3%. Nu Skin pays an industry -leading dividend yield of 2%.

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(NUS) Nu Skin Enterprises – ROE of 25% Dwarfs the Industry Average of 6%

The most accurate full-year projection stands higher at $2.20 per share.

For the following year, analysts are calling for earnings of $2.37 per share, above last month’s $2.35.

The most accurate estimate is more bullish at $2.43 per share.

In early June, the company reported sales for the month of May and reiterated its outlook for the second quarter.

Same-store sales grew 5% on a year-over-year basis. Total sales jumped 4% to $1.49 billion.

The TJX Companies also noted that it continues to see earnings coming in between 43 cents and 49 cents per share for the second quarter.

Analysts are forecasting second-quarter earnings of 49 cents, up from last month’s 48 cents and the 2 months-ago estimates of 41 cents.

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(TJX) The TJX Companies, Inc. – Growth And Income – Zacks Rank Buy

Company Description

Nu Skin Enterprises is a $1 billion direct selling company that markets and distributes premium quality personal care, nutrition and technology products through a global network of more than 750,000 active independent distributors and preferred customers. The company operates three core brands, Nu Skin, Pharmanex, and Big Planet.

The Nu Skin brand has a line of more than 100 premium skin treatment and other personal care products. With a team of more than 100 in-house scientists, Pharmanex uses a pharmaceutical approach that is setting the standard for the dietary supplement industry. Big Planet brings the benefits of technology to everyone with innovative products like Maxvault, a line of products that provide the easiest way to preserve, organize, share, and enjoy your photos and home movies.

Nu Skin Enterprises operates in 48 international markets across the Americas, the Asia Pacific region and Europe, with more than 75 percent of revenue coming from Asia.

Solid Income

The company recently declared a quarterly dividend of $0.115 per share, noting that it is payable on June 25 to shareholders of record on June 15. The company is yielding an industry-leading 3%.

Strong Earnings

Nu Skin posted first-quarter earnings of 28 cents per share, excluding an item. The result exceeded analysts’ estimates by 17%.

Management said the company continues to produce growth in a difficult economic climate.

“Our personal care business generated solid revenue growth of 19 percent in the quarter, driven by the continued success of the Nu Skin Galvanic Spa System. In addition, our restructuring efforts over the past three years are increasing profitability, as demonstrated by a significant improvement in first-quarter operating margin when excluding restructuring charges,” said Truman Hunt, president and chief executive officer.

Bullish Forecasts

The company sees second-quarter earnings ranging between 29 to 31 cents per share. For the year, Nu Skin’s earnings guidance ranges between $1.12 and $1.20 per share.
Brokerage analysts upped their second-quarter projections to 30 cents per share from the 2 months-ago level of 29 cents. Analysts’ full-year forecasts of $1.17 per share are above the 2 months-ago level of $1.13.

Outstanding Fundamentals

Nu Skin’s return on equity (ROE) of 22% dwarfs the industry average of 5%. The company’s net profit margin of 5.1% tops the industry average of 1.4%.

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(NUS) Nu Skin Enterprises – Growth And Income – Zacks Rank Buy

The Street Remains Bullish

Wall Street Analysts remain upbeat on the company’s earnings prospects. First-quarter earnings estimates of 22 cents per share are above 2 months-ago forecasts of 17 cents. For the fiscal year ending March 2010, forecasts of 89 cents were increased from the 2 months-ago level of 75 cents.

Favorable Industry Comparisons Includes a Robust Dividend Yield

Xilinx’s return on equity (ROE) of 21% squashes the industry average of 0.4%. The company net profit margin of 21% stacks up well against a negative industry net margin.

Xlinix is taking care of shareholders with an industry-leading dividend yield of 3%. The company declared a quarterly dividend of 14 cents per share as it announced its fourth quarter, noting that the dividend is payable on June 3 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 13.

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(XLNX) Xilinx Inc. – Growth And Income – Zacks Rank Buy

Company Description
Nu Skin Enterprises is a $1 billion direct selling company that markets and distributes premium quality personal care, nutrition and technology products through a global network of more than 750,000 active independent distributors and preferred customers. The company operates three core brands, Nu Skin, Pharmanex, and Big Planet.

The Nu Skin brand has a line of more than 100 premium skin treatment and other personal care products. With a team of more than 100 in-house scientists, Pharmanex uses a pharmaceutical approach that is setting the standard for the dietary supplement industry. Big Planet brings the benefits of technology to everyone with innovative products like Maxvault, a line of products that provide the easiest way to preserve, organize, share, and enjoy your photos and home movies.

Nu Skin Enterprises operates in 48 international markets across the Americas, the Asia Pacific region and Europe, with more than 75 percent of revenue coming from Asia.

A Solid Quarter

The company recently posted first-quarter earnings of 28 cents per share, excluding an item. The result exceeded analysts’ estimates by 17%.

Management said the company continues to produce growth in a difficult economic climate.

“Our personal care business generated solid revenue growth of 19 percent in the quarter, driven by the continued success of the Nu Skin Galvanic Spa System. In addition, our restructuring efforts over the past three years are increasing profitability, as demonstrated by a significant improvement in first-quarter operating margin when excluding restructuring charges,” said Truman Hunt, president and chief executive officer.

Upbeat Estimates

The company sees second-quarter earnings ranging between 29 to 31 cents per share. For the year, Nu Skin’s earnings guidance ranges between $1.12 and $1.20 per share.

Brokerage analysts upped their second-quarter projections to 30 cents per share from last month’s 29 cents. Analysts’ full-year forecasts of $1.16 per share are above the previous month’s $1.13.

Outstanding Fundamentals

Nu Skin’s return on equity (ROE) of 22% dwarfs the industry average of 5%. The company’s net profit margin of 5.1% tops the industry average of 1.4%. NUS also rewards shareholders with an industry-leading dividend yield of 3.4%.

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(NUS) Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. – Growth And Income – Zacks Rank Buy

Company Description

Nu Skin Enterprises is a direct selling business with three brands including Nu Skin personal skin care line, Pharmanex and Big Planet. The company operates in 48 markets around the globe and has 750,000 independent sales representatives.

The Nu Skin segment specializes in anti-aging products including the Galvanic Spa System II. Pharmanex manufactures weight loss products, nutritional supplements as well as the nutrition beverage g3.

The Big Planet segment offers the Photomax product line which allows customers to store and organize electronic pictures and memories.

Skin Products Sparkle in the First Quarter

Despite a consumer that is seemingly reluctant to open his/her wallet, Nu Skin reported first quarter results on Apr 30 that surprised on estimates by 4 cents, or 16.67%. Excluding items, earnings per share were 28 cents compared to 21 cents in the year ago period.

Total revenue fell 1% to $296.2 million from $298.1 million, but increased 4% when adjusted for currency fluctuations. The Nu Skin segment was the big winner, as revenue grew 19% based on strong sales of the Galvanic Spa System.

“Going forward, we will continue to fuel the success of our Nu Skin Galvanic Spa System and look forward to building on our revolutionary ageLOC anti-aging platform at our 25th Anniversary convention in the fourth quarter of this year,” said Truman Hunt, CEO.

2009 Outlook

Sales in Europe were especially healthy in the first quarter, gaining 17% year-over-year. The company intends to move forward with its international diversification strategy and will begin initial marketing efforts in Columbia and Turkey during the second quarter.

For the second quarter, the company forecasts EPS in the range of 29 to 31 cents.

For the full-year, guidance was in the range of $1.12 to $1.20, excluding 14 cents in restructuring charges.

Consensus Estimates Rise

Given the first quarter surprise and guidance range, covering analysts have been busy raising estimates in the last week. Second quarter consensus is at 30 cents.

Full year consensus estimates jumped 3 cents to $1.16, in the middle of the company’s guidance range.

Value Fundamentals

Nu Skin Enterprises is a Zacks #1 Rank (strong buy) stock. It is trading with a forward P/E of 10.5. Its price-to-book ratio is 2.8. The company also has a stellar 5-year average return on equity (ROE) of 21.70%.

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(NUS) Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. – Value – Zacks Rank Buy