BeautiControl owned by Tupperware Brandsfrom Hoover's
PR Newswire
PR Newswire
Tupperware Brands Reports Fourth-Quarter Sales Up 19% GAAP Diluted E.P.S. up 35% Tupperware Segments' Sales Grow 18% and Beauty Segments' Sales Grow 19%; Fourth Quarter Active Representatives Increase 8%; Fourth Quarter GAAP Earnings of $0.88 per Diluted Share
ORLANDO, Fla.-- Tupperware Brands Corporation (NYSE: TUP) today reported that fourth-quarter 2007 sales grew 19% year over year (11% in local currency) to $577 million with strong growth in all 5 segments ranging from 6% to 18% in local currency. Rick Goings Chairman and CEO of Tupperware Brands commented, "We are encouraged with the progress we made in the fourth quarter and the full year in further refining and implementing our strategies, which are working and delivering the positive results we expected to support long term growth. This came through in the fourth quarter with our high-teen year-over-year sales increase and our 35% increase in GAAP diluted earnings per share. Our sales and profit were both well ahead of our October outlook."
"As we look ahead to 2008, we're planning to capitalize on our year end sales force size advantage of 15% to further grow our businesses, and expect to be in our long-term outlook range for local currency sales growth of 5 to 7% per year. This includes high single, to low double-digit, growth from the 40% to 45% of our businesses that operate in emerging markets and, on average, a low single digit growth rate from the remainder of our businesses that operate in established markets."
"We expect to grow net income even more with higher profit from the segments and lower interest expense, as we benefit from the credit agreement we closed at the end of the third quarter, partially offset by a higher but still very favorable income tax rate in the 23% range." "Included in our 2008 outlook is continued investment to implement our strategies as we further develop our branded portfolio of direct selling companies, working to continue to innovate with our demonstrable product lines, our contemporized selling situations and the right sales force compensation plan in each market."
Excluding certain adjustment items, fourth-quarter earnings per share rose to 93 cents from 74 cents in 2006, or 26%. Stronger foreign currencies had a 10 cent positive impact on the year-over-year comparison. Profit from the segments rose 29%, interest expense was lower by over $3 million, reflecting lower borrowings along with a benefit from the new credit agreement entered into in September, and unallocated expenses rose by $5 million, largely reflecting higher expenses associated with management incentive programs. The quarter's effective tax rate rose to 17% this year from 10% last year (see detail in Non-GAAP Financial Measures Reconciliation Schedule).
As of the end of the fourth quarter net debt was down to $593 million, a reduction of $88 million from $681 million at the end of 2006. Net cash provided by operating activities, net of investing activities, for the full year was $152 million, ahead of October guidance of $100 to $110 million. Tupperware Brands will conduct a conference call tomorrow, Wednesday, January 30, at 10:00 am Eastern time. The conference call will be webcast and archived, along with a copy of this news release on www.tupperwarebrands.com.
Fourth Quarter Segment Highlights*
Tupperware Segments
In Europe, fourth quarter sales rose by 19% (6% in local currency) over the prior year. The positive sales force trends continued in the emerging markets leading to 22% growth in local currency coming most notably in Russia, Turkey and South Africa. Established markets grew 1% in local currency with Germany achieving a 3% sales increase, following double-digit declines in each of the first three quarters. The total sales force size advantage for the whole segment at the end of the year was 21%. The average active sales force increased 8%. Segment profit increased 33% (18% in local currency) reflecting a greater than 2 point higher return on sales from improved value chains in several of the markets in Western Europe and higher manufacturing volume.
Asia Pacific achieved a 24% (16% in local currency) sales increase with emerging markets up 30% in local currency and established markets up 9% led by Australia. The number of active sellers was up 11% led by Indonesia, Australia and Korea. Operating profit increased 48% (36% in local currency) and reflected a 3.7 pp improvement in return on sales. This primarily reflected a higher share of sales from Australia, with its high return on sales, and more efficient expense management by Tupperware Japan, as well as 0.8 pp from lower purchase accounting amortization.
In Tupperware North America, 12% (11% in local currency) higher sales, reflected increases in all three markets, the United States, Canada and Mexico. Although there was a drag in the last 2 and 1/2 weeks of December in light of the warehouse fire in the main U.S. warehouse, Tupperware United States and Canada still achieved a 12% local currency sales increase in the quarter. The total sales force size for the whole segment was down at the end of the year, reflecting a decrease in Mexico as the United States had a higher sales force count. Active sellers in the segment were down slightly. There was a 4.5 pp improvement in return on sales that brought the segment's profit up over 100%, mainly reflecting an improved cost structure in the United States.
Beauty Segments
In the Beauty North America segment, the 13% (12% in local currency) sales increase reflected double-digit increases by both units, Fuller Mexico and BeautiControl North America. Both units also had double-digit total sales force size advantages as of the end of the year, with the segment up 13%. The active sales force was up 10%. Segment profit was up 9% (8% in local currency), reflecting a lower return on sales, principally from gross margin investment at BeautiControl to sell through inventories and higher distribution costs that were about offset by lower purchase accounting amortization.
The Beauty Other segment achieved a 30% (18% in local currency) sales increase, reflecting higher sales forces and sales throughout Central and South America, most notably in Venezuela and Brazil. Fuller Philippines also had a double digit sales increase. The Nutrimetics units were down as a group, with the largest Nutrimetics market, Australia, down just slightly, reflecting an improved trend from earlier in the year. The total sales force in the segment was up 12% and the active sales force was up 8% in the quarter. There was a loss of $0.1 million that included $1.2 million of purchase accounting amortization. Excluding purchase accounting amortization from both years, profit increased reflecting improved results in the Philippines, Venezuela and Brazil.
Full-Year Results
For full-year 2007, total company sales grew 14% (9% in local currency), to a record $2.0 billion versus $1.7 billion in 2006. The Tupperware brand segments grew by 14% (8% in local currency) and the Beauty brand segments by 12% (10% in local currency). The businesses operating in emerging markets had sales growth of 21% (18% in local currency) and the remaining businesses that operate in established markets had growth of 8% (2% in local currency). Active sellers grew 5% for the year. Profit from the operating segments rose 33% (26% in local currency), 9 points of which was from lower purchase accounting amortization. Diluted earnings per share was $1.87, up 21% (8% in local currency). Excluding certain adjustment items, full year 2007 diluted earnings per share was $2.25, up 26% (14% in local currency).
2008 Outlook
Full year 2008 sales are expected to increase 8 to 10% (5 to 7% in local currency) and GAAP diluted earnings per share is expected to be $2.37 to $2.47, including a 10 to 12 cent benefit versus 2007 from stronger foreign currencies. After adjustments full-year diluted earnings per share is expected to be $2.50 to $2.60 up 6% to 10% in local currency (see detail in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures Outlook Reconciliation schedule).
Sales in local currency in the Tupperware brand segments are expected to increase in the mid-single-digit range and in the Beauty brand segments are expected to increase in the high-single-digit range. Excluding certain adjustment items, profit in the segments is expected to grow in line, to slightly above the rate of sales, except in Beauty Other where there was a loss of $3 million in 2007 and a small profit is expected in 2008.
Unallocated corporate costs in 2008 are expected to be about even with 2007's $44 million; interest expense is expected to be $33 to $34 million, versus $49 million in 2007, which included $10 million of expense associated with implementing the new credit agreement; and the income tax rate is expected to be about 23%, compared with 17% in 2007 on a GAAP basis and 18% excluding certain items.
First Quarter 2008 Outlook
First quarter sales are expected to increase 13 to 15% (5 to 7% in local currency) and diluted earnings per share is expected to be 50 to 55 cents versus 32 cents last year. Excluding certain adjustment items diluted earnings per share is expected to be 44 to 49 cents versus 36 cents last year. This includes a 5 to 7 cents benefit versus 2006 from stronger foreign currencies and a lower effective tax rate.
Rick Goings, Chairman and CEO of Tupperware Brands commented, "Many analysts and investors are concerned about the weakness of the U.S. dollar and the U.S. economy. Upwards of 84% of our sales and even more of our profit come from international markets. This means that our profit rises on dollar weakness, and while we could see some impact from lower consumer spending in the United States, the impact would be less than for many other companies given the size of our businesses here. To date we have not seen issues in our Tupperware United States or BeautiControl businesses related to the consumer spending environment."
Tupperware Brands Corporation is a portfolio of global direct selling companies, selling premium innovative products across multiple brands and categories through an independent sales force of 2.1 million. Product brands and categories include design-centric preparation, storage and serving solutions for the kitchen and home through the Tupperware brand and beauty and personal care products for consumers through the Avroy Shlain, BeautiControl, Fuller, NaturCare, Nutrimetics, Nuvo and Swissgarde brands.
The Company's stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: TUP). Statements contained in this release, which are not historical fact and use predictive words such as "outlook" or "target" are forward-looking statements. These statements involve risks and uncertainties which include recruiting and activity of the Company's independent sales forces, the success of new product introductions and promotional programs, the ability to obtain all government approvals on land sales, the success of buyers in attracting tenants for commercial developments, the effects of economic and political conditions generally and foreign exchange risk in particular and other risks detailed in the Company's most recent periodic report as filed in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company does not intend to regularly update forward-looking information.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Company has utilized non-GAAP financial measures in this release, which are provided to assist readers' understanding of the Company's results of operations. The adjustment items materially impact the comparability of the Company's results of operations. The adjusted information is intended to be more indicative of Tupperware Brands' primary operations, and to assist readers in evaluating performance and analyzing trends across periods.
The non-GAAP financial measures exclude gains from the sale of property, plant and equipment and insurance recoveries; re-engineering costs; purchase accounting intangible asset amortization; purchase accounting intangible asset and goodwill impairment costs; and costs associated with terminating the Company's previous credit agreement. While the Company is engaged in a multi- year program to sell land adjacent to its Orlando, Florida headquarters, and also disposes of other excess land and facilities periodically, these activities are not part of the Company's primary business operation. Additionally, gains recognized in any given period are not indicative of gains which may be recognized in any particular future period. For this reason, these gains are excluded as indicated. Further, the Company excludes significant charges related to casualty losses caused by significant weather events, fires or similar circumstances. It also excludes any related gains resulting from the settlement of associated insurance claims. While these types of events can and do recur periodically, they are excluded from indicated financial information due to their distinction from ongoing business operations, inherent volatility and impact on the comparability of earnings across quarters. Also, the Company periodically records exit costs as defined under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 146, "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities" and other amounts related to rationalizing manufacturing and other re-engineering activities, and believes these amounts are similarly volatile and impact the comparability of earnings across quarters. Therefore, they are also excluded from indicated financial information to provide what the Company believes represents a more useful measure for analysis and predictive purposes.
The Company has also elected to present financial measures excluding the impact of amortizing the purchase accounting write-up of the carrying value of depreciable assets and certain definite-lived intangible assets, primarily the value of independent sales forces, recorded in connection with the Company's December 2005 acquisition of the direct selling businesses of Sara Lee Corporation. The amortization expense related to these assets will continue for several years; however, based on the Company's current estimates, this amortization will decline significantly as the years progress. Similarly in connection with its annual evaluation of the carrying value of acquired intangible assets and goodwill, the Company has recognized an impairment charge in 2007. The Company believes that both of these types of non-cash charges will not be representative in any single year of amounts recorded in prior years or expected to be recorded in future years. Therefore, they are excluded from indicated financial information to also provide a more useful measure for analysis and predictive purposes.
Finally, in 2007, the Company entered into a new credit agreement, which triggered the non-cash write off of previously deferred debt costs and costs associated with the settlement of floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps that were hedging the borrowings under the previous agreement. These costs are also not expected to be incurred in most reporting periods and for comparison purposes have also been excluded from the indicated financial information.
"As we look ahead to 2008, we're planning to capitalize on our year end sales force size advantage of 15% to further grow our businesses, and expect to be in our long-term outlook range for local currency sales growth of 5 to 7% per year. This includes high single, to low double-digit, growth from the 40% to 45% of our businesses that operate in emerging markets and, on average, a low single digit growth rate from the remainder of our businesses that operate in established markets."
"We expect to grow net income even more with higher profit from the segments and lower interest expense, as we benefit from the credit agreement we closed at the end of the third quarter, partially offset by a higher but still very favorable income tax rate in the 23% range." "Included in our 2008 outlook is continued investment to implement our strategies as we further develop our branded portfolio of direct selling companies, working to continue to innovate with our demonstrable product lines, our contemporized selling situations and the right sales force compensation plan in each market."
Excluding certain adjustment items, fourth-quarter earnings per share rose to 93 cents from 74 cents in 2006, or 26%. Stronger foreign currencies had a 10 cent positive impact on the year-over-year comparison. Profit from the segments rose 29%, interest expense was lower by over $3 million, reflecting lower borrowings along with a benefit from the new credit agreement entered into in September, and unallocated expenses rose by $5 million, largely reflecting higher expenses associated with management incentive programs. The quarter's effective tax rate rose to 17% this year from 10% last year (see detail in Non-GAAP Financial Measures Reconciliation Schedule).
As of the end of the fourth quarter net debt was down to $593 million, a reduction of $88 million from $681 million at the end of 2006. Net cash provided by operating activities, net of investing activities, for the full year was $152 million, ahead of October guidance of $100 to $110 million. Tupperware Brands will conduct a conference call tomorrow, Wednesday, January 30, at 10:00 am Eastern time. The conference call will be webcast and archived, along with a copy of this news release on www.tupperwarebrands.com.
Fourth Quarter Segment Highlights*
Tupperware Segments
In Europe, fourth quarter sales rose by 19% (6% in local currency) over the prior year. The positive sales force trends continued in the emerging markets leading to 22% growth in local currency coming most notably in Russia, Turkey and South Africa. Established markets grew 1% in local currency with Germany achieving a 3% sales increase, following double-digit declines in each of the first three quarters. The total sales force size advantage for the whole segment at the end of the year was 21%. The average active sales force increased 8%. Segment profit increased 33% (18% in local currency) reflecting a greater than 2 point higher return on sales from improved value chains in several of the markets in Western Europe and higher manufacturing volume.
Asia Pacific achieved a 24% (16% in local currency) sales increase with emerging markets up 30% in local currency and established markets up 9% led by Australia. The number of active sellers was up 11% led by Indonesia, Australia and Korea. Operating profit increased 48% (36% in local currency) and reflected a 3.7 pp improvement in return on sales. This primarily reflected a higher share of sales from Australia, with its high return on sales, and more efficient expense management by Tupperware Japan, as well as 0.8 pp from lower purchase accounting amortization.
In Tupperware North America, 12% (11% in local currency) higher sales, reflected increases in all three markets, the United States, Canada and Mexico. Although there was a drag in the last 2 and 1/2 weeks of December in light of the warehouse fire in the main U.S. warehouse, Tupperware United States and Canada still achieved a 12% local currency sales increase in the quarter. The total sales force size for the whole segment was down at the end of the year, reflecting a decrease in Mexico as the United States had a higher sales force count. Active sellers in the segment were down slightly. There was a 4.5 pp improvement in return on sales that brought the segment's profit up over 100%, mainly reflecting an improved cost structure in the United States.
Beauty Segments
In the Beauty North America segment, the 13% (12% in local currency) sales increase reflected double-digit increases by both units, Fuller Mexico and BeautiControl North America. Both units also had double-digit total sales force size advantages as of the end of the year, with the segment up 13%. The active sales force was up 10%. Segment profit was up 9% (8% in local currency), reflecting a lower return on sales, principally from gross margin investment at BeautiControl to sell through inventories and higher distribution costs that were about offset by lower purchase accounting amortization.
The Beauty Other segment achieved a 30% (18% in local currency) sales increase, reflecting higher sales forces and sales throughout Central and South America, most notably in Venezuela and Brazil. Fuller Philippines also had a double digit sales increase. The Nutrimetics units were down as a group, with the largest Nutrimetics market, Australia, down just slightly, reflecting an improved trend from earlier in the year. The total sales force in the segment was up 12% and the active sales force was up 8% in the quarter. There was a loss of $0.1 million that included $1.2 million of purchase accounting amortization. Excluding purchase accounting amortization from both years, profit increased reflecting improved results in the Philippines, Venezuela and Brazil.
Full-Year Results
For full-year 2007, total company sales grew 14% (9% in local currency), to a record $2.0 billion versus $1.7 billion in 2006. The Tupperware brand segments grew by 14% (8% in local currency) and the Beauty brand segments by 12% (10% in local currency). The businesses operating in emerging markets had sales growth of 21% (18% in local currency) and the remaining businesses that operate in established markets had growth of 8% (2% in local currency). Active sellers grew 5% for the year. Profit from the operating segments rose 33% (26% in local currency), 9 points of which was from lower purchase accounting amortization. Diluted earnings per share was $1.87, up 21% (8% in local currency). Excluding certain adjustment items, full year 2007 diluted earnings per share was $2.25, up 26% (14% in local currency).
2008 Outlook
Full year 2008 sales are expected to increase 8 to 10% (5 to 7% in local currency) and GAAP diluted earnings per share is expected to be $2.37 to $2.47, including a 10 to 12 cent benefit versus 2007 from stronger foreign currencies. After adjustments full-year diluted earnings per share is expected to be $2.50 to $2.60 up 6% to 10% in local currency (see detail in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures Outlook Reconciliation schedule).
Sales in local currency in the Tupperware brand segments are expected to increase in the mid-single-digit range and in the Beauty brand segments are expected to increase in the high-single-digit range. Excluding certain adjustment items, profit in the segments is expected to grow in line, to slightly above the rate of sales, except in Beauty Other where there was a loss of $3 million in 2007 and a small profit is expected in 2008.
Unallocated corporate costs in 2008 are expected to be about even with 2007's $44 million; interest expense is expected to be $33 to $34 million, versus $49 million in 2007, which included $10 million of expense associated with implementing the new credit agreement; and the income tax rate is expected to be about 23%, compared with 17% in 2007 on a GAAP basis and 18% excluding certain items.
First Quarter 2008 Outlook
First quarter sales are expected to increase 13 to 15% (5 to 7% in local currency) and diluted earnings per share is expected to be 50 to 55 cents versus 32 cents last year. Excluding certain adjustment items diluted earnings per share is expected to be 44 to 49 cents versus 36 cents last year. This includes a 5 to 7 cents benefit versus 2006 from stronger foreign currencies and a lower effective tax rate.
Rick Goings, Chairman and CEO of Tupperware Brands commented, "Many analysts and investors are concerned about the weakness of the U.S. dollar and the U.S. economy. Upwards of 84% of our sales and even more of our profit come from international markets. This means that our profit rises on dollar weakness, and while we could see some impact from lower consumer spending in the United States, the impact would be less than for many other companies given the size of our businesses here. To date we have not seen issues in our Tupperware United States or BeautiControl businesses related to the consumer spending environment."
Tupperware Brands Corporation is a portfolio of global direct selling companies, selling premium innovative products across multiple brands and categories through an independent sales force of 2.1 million. Product brands and categories include design-centric preparation, storage and serving solutions for the kitchen and home through the Tupperware brand and beauty and personal care products for consumers through the Avroy Shlain, BeautiControl, Fuller, NaturCare, Nutrimetics, Nuvo and Swissgarde brands.
The Company's stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: TUP). Statements contained in this release, which are not historical fact and use predictive words such as "outlook" or "target" are forward-looking statements. These statements involve risks and uncertainties which include recruiting and activity of the Company's independent sales forces, the success of new product introductions and promotional programs, the ability to obtain all government approvals on land sales, the success of buyers in attracting tenants for commercial developments, the effects of economic and political conditions generally and foreign exchange risk in particular and other risks detailed in the Company's most recent periodic report as filed in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company does not intend to regularly update forward-looking information.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Company has utilized non-GAAP financial measures in this release, which are provided to assist readers' understanding of the Company's results of operations. The adjustment items materially impact the comparability of the Company's results of operations. The adjusted information is intended to be more indicative of Tupperware Brands' primary operations, and to assist readers in evaluating performance and analyzing trends across periods.
The non-GAAP financial measures exclude gains from the sale of property, plant and equipment and insurance recoveries; re-engineering costs; purchase accounting intangible asset amortization; purchase accounting intangible asset and goodwill impairment costs; and costs associated with terminating the Company's previous credit agreement. While the Company is engaged in a multi- year program to sell land adjacent to its Orlando, Florida headquarters, and also disposes of other excess land and facilities periodically, these activities are not part of the Company's primary business operation. Additionally, gains recognized in any given period are not indicative of gains which may be recognized in any particular future period. For this reason, these gains are excluded as indicated. Further, the Company excludes significant charges related to casualty losses caused by significant weather events, fires or similar circumstances. It also excludes any related gains resulting from the settlement of associated insurance claims. While these types of events can and do recur periodically, they are excluded from indicated financial information due to their distinction from ongoing business operations, inherent volatility and impact on the comparability of earnings across quarters. Also, the Company periodically records exit costs as defined under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 146, "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities" and other amounts related to rationalizing manufacturing and other re-engineering activities, and believes these amounts are similarly volatile and impact the comparability of earnings across quarters. Therefore, they are also excluded from indicated financial information to provide what the Company believes represents a more useful measure for analysis and predictive purposes.
The Company has also elected to present financial measures excluding the impact of amortizing the purchase accounting write-up of the carrying value of depreciable assets and certain definite-lived intangible assets, primarily the value of independent sales forces, recorded in connection with the Company's December 2005 acquisition of the direct selling businesses of Sara Lee Corporation. The amortization expense related to these assets will continue for several years; however, based on the Company's current estimates, this amortization will decline significantly as the years progress. Similarly in connection with its annual evaluation of the carrying value of acquired intangible assets and goodwill, the Company has recognized an impairment charge in 2007. The Company believes that both of these types of non-cash charges will not be representative in any single year of amounts recorded in prior years or expected to be recorded in future years. Therefore, they are excluded from indicated financial information to also provide a more useful measure for analysis and predictive purposes.
Finally, in 2007, the Company entered into a new credit agreement, which triggered the non-cash write off of previously deferred debt costs and costs associated with the settlement of floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps that were hedging the borrowings under the previous agreement. These costs are also not expected to be incurred in most reporting periods and for comparison purposes have also been excluded from the indicated financial information.
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