Nutrisystem Reports 2012 Results

Nutrisystem Reports 2012 Results

Board of Directors declares dividend of 17.5 cents per share

FORT WASHINGTON, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Nutrisystem, Inc. (NAS: NTRI) , a leading provider of weight management products and services, today reported financial results for the year ended December 31, 2012. The company also announced that the Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.175 per share, payable March 25, 2013, to stockholders of record as of March 15, 2013.

The following are financial highlights for the year ended December 31, 2012:

• Revenues were $396.9 million, compared to $401.3 million in 2011.

• One-time charges were $14.9 million for the year, or $9.7 million after tax. The majority of one-time charges were related to the company's management transition and other corporate matters.

• Operating loss for the year was $4.4 million. Excluding one-time charges mentioned above, operating income for the year was $10.6 million.

• Net loss for the year was $2.8 million, or 10 cents per diluted share. Excluding one-time charges mentioned above, net income for the year was $5.5 million or 18 cents per diluted share.

• Adjusted EBITDA excluding one-time charges was $27.3 million. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net loss excluding non-cash employee compensation, other expense, interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, and other charges referenced below in the Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation table.

• Cash, cash equivalents, and short term investments were $19.4 million at December 31, 2012. The company had no outstanding bank debt at year-end under its existing bank facility.

Dawn Zier, President and Chief Executive Officer of Nutrisystem, said, "Since my arrival at Nutrisystem in November, we have conducted a comprehensive review of the company, identifying our strengths while taking a clear-eyed view at our opportunities to improve. It's evident we have a strong brand and a nutritionally-balanced and science-based weight loss program that works. That said, we need to aggressively attract new customers across broader segments to the brand, address a pricing strategy that has relied too heavily on discounting, and offer more flexible and varied program options coupled with new products and services across all phases of a customer's weight loss journey. The first priority in our turnaround plan has been to focus on margin improvement and cash efficiency, because this immediately increases shareholder value and frees up financial resources to reinvest in our business to drive key strategic initiatives. We are already making progress on this front, as we have improved year-over-year gross margins, optimized marketing spend by channel, and reduced operating expenses."

Ms. Zier added, "Re-energizing top-line growth will require the execution of a number of initiatives with varied lead times. Reinvigorating our creative assets, monetizing our customer database, and restoring direct marketing discipline to drive profitable new customer growth, length of stay, reactivation, and revenue per customer are critical to our short-term success. We are also focusing on product and program innovation to be able to offer consumers a more customized and personal approach to weight loss that meets their varied needs. In addition, we are optimistic about our long-term opportunities within the retail and digital space to attract new customers to our brand. We are refining our approach to retail and are encouraged by the results from an ongoing test program launched in January with Walmart, along with our existing Costco and QVC relationships. We are also investing in and developing an online and mobile business that will allow us to expand into the DIY-diet segment, as well as create a strong maintenance and transition component to our existing program, when it launches in 2014. Additionally, we are in the process of upgrading the functionality of our ecommerce platform to improve customer conversion and investing in the tools and resources necessary to realize the potential of our customer database."

David Clark, Chief Financial Officer, added, "Our forecast for 2013 calls for continued revenue pressure, as ongoing consumer response challenges are impeding progress on the top line. However, we expect year-over-year bottom line improvements beginning in the current quarter. Accordingly, we are forecasting a net loss in the range of 3 to 8 cents per diluted share for the first quarter, and net income of 23 to 33 cents per diluted share for the year, before any one-time items. In the first quarter, we expect approximately $2.2 million of one-time severance costs associated with leadership changes and reorganization."

Ms. Zier concluded, "After five years of declining revenues and going into 2013 with some significant headwinds, our turnaround is not going to happen overnight. I am confident in our plans, however, to drive 2013 EBITDA growth, and in our ability to return to revenue growth as we rebuild our core business and new initiatives launch and take hold."

Conference Call and Webcast

Management will host a webcast to discuss fourth quarter and full year 2012 financial results today at 4:30 PM Eastern time. The webcast will include remarks from President and Chief Executive Officer Dawn Zier and Chief Financial Officer David Clark. A webcast of the conference call will be available live on the Investor Relations section of the Nutrisystem website (www.nutrisystem.com) and a replay will be available for 30 days. Interested parties unable to access the conference call via the webcast may dial 719-325-2452 and reference conference 3110645.

Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer

Information provided and statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical, such as first quarter and full year 2013 guidance, management and company transition, and the Company's financial and operational outlook, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements only speak as of the date of this press release and the Company assumes no obligation to update the information included in this press release. Statements made in this press release that are forward-looking in nature may involve risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, including, without limitation, specific factors discussed herein and in other releases and public filings made by the Company (including filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission). Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, expectations may prove to have been materially different from the results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Unless otherwise required by law, the Company also disclaims any obligation to update its view of any such risks or uncertainties or to announce publicly the result of any revisions to the forward-looking statements made in this press release.

About Nutrisystem

Having helped Americans lose millions of pounds for over 40 years, Nutrisystem, Inc. (NAS: NTRI) develops evidence-based programs for healthy weight management, and is the leading provider of home-delivered weight loss meal plans. Nutrisystem offers balanced nutrition in the form of low glycemic index meal plans designed for men and women, including seniors, vegetarians and the Nutrisystem® D® program for people with diabetes or at risk for type 2 diabetes. Nutrisystem® plans include a wide variety of pantry and frozen entrees and snacks to aid in program satisfaction and adherence, as well as transition plans to support long-term success. The Fort Washington, PA-based company also provides weight management support and counseling by trained weight-loss coaches and registered dietitians, as well as through an engaged online community, online tools and trackers, mobile apps, cookbooks and more. Healthcare professionals may learn more about the programs by visiting www.nutrisystem.com/hcp. Nutrisystem® weight loss plans are available directly to consumers through www.nutrisystem.com, by phone (1-800-435-4074) and at select retailers.