CORONA, Calif., May 7, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hansen Natural Corporation (Nasdaq:HANS) today reported financial results, including increases in sales and profits, for the first quarter ended March 31, 2009.
Gross sales for the 2009 first quarter increased 14.3 percent to $278.9 million from $244.0 million in the same period last year. Net sales for the first three months of 2009 increased 15.1 percent to $244.2 million from $212.2 million in the same period last year. Both gross and net sales for the 2008 first quarter were impacted by purchases made by customers in the 2007 fourth quarter in advance of the price increase effective January 1, 2008, for Monster Energy(r) brand energy drinks in 16-ounce cans and for the Java Monster(tm) line of non-carbonated dairy based coffee drinks. The Company estimates that approximately eight to nine percent of 2008 first quarter gross and net sales were reduced by such purchases made by customers in advance of such price increase.
Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 53.3 percent for the three months ended March 31, 2009, compared with 49.4 percent for the comparable 2008 first quarter.
Operating expenses for the 2009 first quarter increased to $64.4 million from $61.9 million in the same quarter last year.
Distribution costs as a percentage of net sales were 4.5 percent for the 2009 first quarter, compared with 5.7 percent in the same quarter last year.
Selling expenses as a percentage of net sales for the 2009 first quarter were 12.5 percent, compared with 14.9 percent in the same quarter a year ago. Decreases in merchandise display costs and in-store-demo costs contributed to the decrease in selling expenses over the prior year. However, sponsorship expenditures were higher than in the comparable quarter last year.
General and administrative expenses for the 2009 first quarter were $23.0 million (including $1.1 million in termination obligations to prior distributors), compared with $18.3 million for the corresponding quarter last year. Termination obligations to prior distributors were minimal in the first quarter of 2008. Stock based compensation (a non-cash item) was $2.7 million in the first quarter of 2009, compared with $2.1 million in the corresponding prior year period.
Operating income for the 2009 first quarter increased 53.6 percent to $65.8 million from $42.8 million in the 2008 comparable quarter.
Other (expense)/income includes an other than temporary write-down of $3.5 million in the carrying value of auction rate securities in the first quarter of 2009.
Net income for the 2009 first quarter increased 44.3 percent to $41.6 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, compared with $28.8 million, or $0.29 per diluted share in the same quarter last year.
Net sales for the Company's DSD segment were $222.5 million for the 2009 first quarter, an increase of approximately 17.3 percent from $189.7 million for the same period in 2008. As noted above, both gross and net sales for the 2008 first quarter were impacted by the announcement in the fourth quarter of 2007 of a price increase for Monster Energy(r) brand energy drinks in 16-ounce cans and for the Java Monster(tm) line of non-carbonated dairy based coffee drinks, effective January 1, 2008.
Gross sales to customers outside the United States, after the inclusion of sales to certain military customers, were $35.3 million in the 2009 first quarter, compared with $20.1 million in the corresponding quarter in 2008.
Rodney C. Sacks, chairman and chief executive officer, attributed the record revenues to sustained strong sales of Monster Energy(r) drinks, which continue to grow in excess of the category and achieve further gains in market share.
"We remain pleased with the continued strong performance of the Monster Energy(r) brand in the current challenging economic environment. We continue to believe that the moderating growth in the energy drink segment appears, in part, to be due to the existing macro economic environment as well as the resulting decline in discretionary spending," added Sacks.
Sacks said that Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. ("CCE"), other Coca-Cola bottlers and select Anheuser-Busch distributors to whom the Monster Energy(r) brand was transitioned during the fourth quarter of 2008 were, in the main, now performing satisfactorily, following the disruptions that occurred during the transitional period. He added that the Company was now beginning to realize the benefits of the new distribution arrangements. Sacks said that the transition to CCE in Canada in January 2009 has been challenging, but "we are optimistic that we will start to see improved results in this market during the current quarter."
Sacks also indicated that international distribution of Monster Energy(r) brand energy drinks is proceeding satisfactorily. "Our new distributor in Mexico is performing remarkably well and the Monster Energy(r) brand is rapidly gaining momentum and additional distribution in this market," Sacks said.
The new distribution arrangements with CCE in France, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg and Monaco are progressing well and the results achieved in Continental Europe are encouraging. Distribution performance in the United Kingdom in the first quarter was disappointing, although there are signs of improvement with CCE in that country. "Our distributor in Ireland has not met our expectations and we are reviewing our options. Sales of Monster Energy(r) in Sweden are progressing well," noted Sacks.
The Company has recently entered into new distribution agreements with Schweppes Australia Pty Ltd. for distribution of Monster Energy(r) brand energy drinks in Australia; Neill Cropper & Co., Ltd. for New Zealand; Luigi Biscaldi Import-Export S.r.l. for Italy; and Osborne S.A. for Spain in place of its existing distributor.
The Company is planning to launch certain new products in the current quarter, including Monster(r) Import(tm) in resealable 18.6-ounce aluminum cans and Hammer X-Presso Monster(tm) in 6.8-ounce aluminum cans. The Company is planning to introduce other new products in the Monster Energy(r) line later this year.
Auction Rate Securities
During the three-months ended March 31, 2009, the Company redeemed $10.5 million of its auction rate securities at par. At March 31, 2009 the Company held auction rate securities with a face value of $102.0 million ($112.5 million at December 31, 2008). The Company determined that a cumulative impairment of $15.5 million had occurred at March 31, 2009, ($14.9 million as of December 31, 2008), of which $11.5 million was deemed temporary and $4.0 million was deemed other than temporary. As a result, included as a component of other comprehensive loss is $6.9 million, net of taxes as of March 31, 2009. Included in other (expense)/income is an other-than-temporary impairment of $3.5 million for the three-months ended March 31, 2009. The auction rate securities will continue to accrue interest at their contractual rates until their respective auctions succeed or they are redeemed.
Investor Conference Call
The Company will host an investor conference call today, May 7, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time). The conference call will be open to all interested investors through a live audio web broadcast via the internet at www.hansens.com and www.opencompany.info. For those who are not able to listen to the live broadcast, the call will be archived for approximately one year on both websites.
Hansen Natural Corporation
Based in Corona, California, Hansen Natural Corporation markets and distributes Hansen's(r) natural sodas, sparkling beverages, apple juice and juice blends, fruit juice smoothies, multi-vitamin juice drinks in aseptic packaging, iced teas, energy drinks, Junior Juice(r) juices and water beverages, Blue Sky(r) brand beverages, Monster Energy(r) brand energy drinks, Monster Hitman(tm) energy shooters, Java Monster(tm) brand non-carbonated dairy based coffee drinks, Lost(r) Energy(tm) brand energy drinks and Rumba(r), Samba and Tango brand energy juices. For more information visit www.hansens.com and www.monsterenergy.com.
Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Measures
Gross sales, although used internally by management as an indicator of operating performance, should not be considered as an alternative to net sales, which is determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"), and should not be used alone as an indicator of operating performance in place of net sales. Additionally, gross sales may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies as gross sales has been defined by our internal reporting requirements. However, gross sales is used by management to monitor operating performance including sales performance of particular products, salesperson performance, product growth or declines and our overall performance. The use of gross sales allows evaluation of sales performance before the effect of any promotional items, which can mask certain performance issues. Management believes the presentation of gross sales allows a more comprehensive presentation of our operating performance. Gross sales may not be realized in the form of cash receipts as promotional payments and allowances may be deducted from payments received from customers.
Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements made in this announcement may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, regarding the expectations of management with respect to our future operating results and other future events including revenues and profitability. Management cautions that these statements are based on management's current knowledge and expectations and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of the control of the Company, that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from the statements made herein. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: actual performance of the parties under the new distribution agreements; potential disruptions arising out of the transition of certain territories to new distributors; changes in sales levels by existing distributors; unanticipated costs incurred in connection with the termination of existing distribution agreements or the transition to new distributors; changes in consumer preferences; changes in demand due to economic conditions; activities and strategies of competitors, including the introduction of new products and competitive pricing and/or marketing of similar products; changes in the price and/or availability of raw materials; other supply issues, including the availability of products and/or suitable production facilities; product distribution and placement decisions by retailers; political, legislative or other governmental actions or events in one or more regions in which we operate. For a more detailed discussion of these and other risks that could affect our operating results, see the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
HANSEN NATURAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND OTHER INFORMATION
FOR THE THREE-MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2009 AND 2008
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts) (Unaudited)
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Three-Months Ended
March 31,
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2009 2008
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Gross sales, net of discounts and returns* $ 278,854 $ 243,999
Less: Promotional and other allowances** 34,648 31,821
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Net sales 244,206 212,178
Cost of sales 114,027 107,459
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Gross profit 130,179 104,719
Gross profit margin as a percentage of net sales 53.3% 49.4%
Operating expenses 64,402 61,891
Operating expenses as a percentage of net sales 26.4% 29.2%
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Operating income 65,777 42,828
Operating income as a percentage of net sales 26.9% 20.2%
Other (expense) income:
Interest and other income, net 1,016 3,626
Other-than-temporary impairment of investments (3,539) --
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Total other (expense) income (2,523) 3,626
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Income before provision for income taxes 63,254 46,454
Provision for income taxes 21,689 17,643
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Net income $ 41,565 $ 28,811
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Net income as a percentage of net sales 17.0% 13.6%
Net income per common share:
Basic $ 0.46 $ 0.31
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Diluted $ 0.44 $ 0.29
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Weighted average number of shares of common
stock and common stock equivalents:
Basic 90,433 93,314
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Diluted 95,316 99,007
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Case sales (in thousands)
(in 192-ounce case equivalents) 23,468 22,274
Average net sales price per case $ 10.41 $ 9.53
* Gross sales, although used internally by management as an indicator of operating performance, should not be considered as an alternative to net sales, which is determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"), and should not be used alone as an indicator of operating performance in place of net sales. Additionally, gross sales may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies as gross sales has been defined by our internal reporting requirements. However, gross sales are used by management to monitor operating performance including sales performance of particular products, salesperson performance, product growth or declines and our overall performance. The use of gross sales allows evaluation of sales performance before the effect of any promotional items, which can mask certain performance issues. Management believes the presentation of gross sales allows a more comprehensive presentation of our operating performance. Gross sales may not be realized in the form of cash receipts as promotional payments and allowances may be deducted from payments received from customers.
** Although the expenditures described in this line item are determined in accordance with GAAP and meet GAAP requirements, the disclosure thereof does not conform with GAAP presentation requirements. Additionally, the presentation of promotional and other allowances may not be comparable to similar items presented by other companies. The presentation of promotional and other allowances facilitates an evaluation of the impact thereof on the determination of net sales and illustrates the spending levels incurred to secure such sales. Promotional and other allowances constitute a material portion of our marketing activities.
HANSEN NATURAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF MARCH 31, 2009 AND DECEMBER 31, 2008
(In Thousands, Except Par Value) (Unaudited)
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March 31, Dec. 31,
2009 2008
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ASSETS
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CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 279,123 $ 256,801
Short-term investments 4,975 29,145
Trade accounts receivable, net 95,739 45,233
Distributor receivables 24,365 90,722
Inventories 110,101 116,326
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 8,990 8,379
Prepaid income taxes -- 4,977
Deferred income taxes 9,741 9,741
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Total current assets 533,034 561,324
INVESTMENTS 86,539 89,567
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net 17,677 14,389
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES 64,583 65,748
INTANGIBLES, net 28,993 28,365
OTHER ASSETS 1,864 2,444
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$ 732,690 $ 761,837
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LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
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CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable $ 55,784 $ 64,787
Accrued liabilities 26,096 12,524
Accrued distributor terminations 11,925 102,282
Accrued compensation 3,169 6,782
Current portion of debt 1,149 959
Income taxes payable 10,847 --
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Total current liabilities 108,970 187,334
DEFERRED REVENUE 138,373 138,187
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock - $0.005 par value; 120,000 shares
authorized; 97,097 shares issued and 90,574
outstanding as of March 31, 2009; 96,851
shares issued and 90,328 outstanding as
of December 31, 2008 485 484
Additional paid-in capital 122,060 117,106
Retained earnings 503,245 461,680
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (8,314) (10,825)
Common stock in treasury, at cost; 6,523 shares
as of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008,
respectively (132,129) (132,129)
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Total stockholders' equity 485,347 436,316
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$ 732,690 $ 761,837
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