Nu Skin lifts profit and revenue outlooks ahead of ageLOC launch; gives forecasts for 2010

Nu Skin raises 4Q and 2009 profit and sales views

PROVO, Utah — Nu Skin Enterprises Inc. raised its fourth-quarter estimates Tuesday, citing in part better sales of its anti-aging skin care products.

The company said prelaunch activity for its anti-aging ageLOC skin care system is going well, and it expects sales in Japan to improve. The weaker dollar will benefit its sales more than previously expected.

Nu Skin, which also sells nutritional supplements, is now forecasting a profit of 37 cents to 39 cents per share in the fourth quarter, up from 32 cents to 34 cents per share. Both estimates include restructuring charges of a penny per share. Nu Skin raised its revenue outlook to $360 million to $365 million, from $343 million to $348 million.

Thomson Reuters says analysts were expecting a profit of 36 cents per share and $348 million in revenue. The estimates typically exclude charges and one-time items.

For the full year, the company now expects a profit of $1.30 to $1.32 per share, including restructuring costs of 13 cents per share, and $1.31 billion to $1.32 billion in revenue. It had called for a profit of $1.25 to $1.27 per share on revenue of $1.29 billion and $1.30 billion. Results include restructuring charges of 13 cents.

Analysts expected $1.41 per share and sales of $1.3 billion.

In 2010, Nu Skin said its profit will be between $1.60 and $1.70 per share in 2010, on $1.37 billion to $1.4 billion in revenue. Analysts are targeting $1.62 per share and $1.39 billion in revenue.