Herbalife (HLF 3.26%) has released its Q4 and 2012 results. For the quarter, net sales came in at $1.1 billion, or 20% higher than in the same period of 2011. Net income was $118 million ($1.05 per diluted share), up from Q4 2011's $105 million ($0.86). On average, analysts had expected $1.05 billion in revenue and per-share net profit of $1.03.
For the entirety of fiscal 2012, the firm posted record net sales of $4.1 billion, an 18% increase over 2011's result. Net income landed at $477 million ($4.05 diluted EPS), an improvement over the $413 million ($3.30) of the previous year.
Herbalife, which has been the subject of lasting controversy after high-profile investor Bill Ackman accused it of being a pyramid scheme late in 2012, also raised its forward guidance. It now expects year-on-year growth in net sales of 15%-17% and diluted EPS of $1.03-$1.07 for its current quarter and 12%-14% and $4.45-$4.65, respectively, in fiscal 2013.
Additionally, the firm declared its latest quarterly dividend. It will pay $0.30 per share on March 19 to shareholders of record as of March 5. That amount matches the company's previous disbursement.
