e10vq
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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
 
 
Form 10-Q
 
 
 
 
     
(Mark One)    
þ
  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2006
OR
o
  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
Commission file number: 1-32381
 
 
 
 
HERBALIFE LTD.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Cayman Islands
  98-0377871
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
c/o Herbalife International, Inc.
1800 Century Park East
Los Angeles, CA 90067
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
 
(310) 410-9600
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
P.O. Box 309GT
Ugland House, South Church Street
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
(Former Address if changed since last report)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes þ     No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer o          Accelerated filer þ          Non-accelerated filer o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o     No þ
 
Number of shares of registrant’s common shares outstanding as of November 7, 2006 was 71,273,602.
 
 


 

 
HERBALIFE LTD.
 
Index to Financial Statements and Exhibits
Filed with the Quarterly Report of the Company on Form 10-Q
For the Three and Nine Months ended September 30, 2006
 
                 
  Financial Statements:   3
  Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets   3
  Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income   4
  Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows   5
  Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements   6
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   18
  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk   35
  Controls and Procedures   38
  Forward Looking Statements   38
 
  Legal Proceedings   39
  Risk Factors   39
  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds   53
  Defaults Upon Senior Securities   53
  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders   53
  Other Information   53
  Exhibits   54
  59
 EXHIBIT 10.71
 EXHIBIT 10.72
 EXHIBIT 10.73
 EXHIBIT 31.1
 EXHIBIT 31.2
 EXHIBIT 32.1


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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
HERBALIFE LTD.
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
                 
    December 31,
    September 30,
 
    2005     2006  
          (Unaudited)  
    (In thousands, except
 
    share amounts)  
 
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 88,248     $ 123,273  
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,678 (2005) and $5,125 (2006)
    37,266       47,932  
Inventories
    109,785       124,230  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    40,667       44,813  
Deferred income taxes
    23,585       35,550  
                 
Total current assets
    299,551       375,798  
                 
Property, at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $30,819 (2005) and $50,312 (2006)
    64,946       94,606  
Deferred compensation plan assets
    13,149       16,758  
Other assets
    7,510       10,714  
Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $3,749 (2005) and $188 (2006)
    3,531       2,089  
Marketing related intangibles
    310,000       310,000  
Product certification, product formulas and other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $17,792 (2005) and $20,117 (2006)
    4,908       2,583  
Goodwill
    134,206       125,096  
                 
TOTAL
  $ 837,801     $ 937,644  
                 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 39,156     $ 41,830  
Royalty overrides
    87,401       108,903  
Accrued compensation
    32,570       42,309  
Accrued expenses
    93,597       102,009  
Current portion of long term debt
    9,816       7,098  
Advance sales deposits
    10,874       7,450  
Income taxes payable
    12,043       21,816  
                 
Total current liabilities
    285,457       331,415  
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Long term debt, net of current portion
    253,276       180,693  
Deferred compensation
    15,145       16,561  
Deferred income taxes
    112,714       102,230  
Other non-current liabilities
    2,321       7,400  
                 
Total liabilities
    668,913       638,299  
                 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
               
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
               
Preference shares, $0.002 par value, 7.5 million shares authorized and unissued
           
Common shares, $0.002 par value, 175 million shares authorized, 69.9 million (2005) and 71.3 million (2006) shares issued and outstanding
    140       142  
Additional paid in capital
    89,508       120,625  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    605       (1,546 )
Retained earnings
    78,635       180,124  
                 
Total shareholders’ equity
    168,888       299,345  
                 
TOTAL
  $ 837,801     $ 937,644  
                 
 
See the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements


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HERBALIFE LTD.
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30, 2005     September 30, 2006     September 30, 2005     September 30, 2006  
    (Unaudited)  
    (In thousands, except per share amounts)  
 
Product sales
  $ 345,761     $ 412,788     $ 997,384     $ 1,209,233  
Handling & freight income
    55,236       63,586       160,340       188,916  
                                 
Net sales
    400,997       476,374       1,157,724       1,398,149  
Cost of sales
    79,482       97,159       232,592       281,165  
                                 
Gross profit
    321,515       379,215       925,132       1,116,984  
Royalty overrides
    138,618       168,658       410,875       501,307  
Selling, general & administrative expenses
    121,584       146,070       349,430       421,995  
                                 
Operating income
    61,313       64,487       164,827       193,682  
Interest expense, net
    7,950       25,869       37,598       36,839  
                                 
Income before income taxes
    53,363       38,618       127,229       156,843  
Income taxes
    26,226       12,151       64,042       55,354  
                                 
NET INCOME
  $ 27,137     $ 26,467     $ 63,187     $ 101,489  
                                 
Earnings per share:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.39     $ 0.37     $ 0.92     $ 1.44  
Diluted
  $ 0.37     $ 0.36     $ 0.87     $ 1.37  
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
    69,077       71,179       68,800       70,593  
Diluted
    73,455       74,257       72,373       74,173  
 
See the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements


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HERBALIFE, LTD.
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
                 
    Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,
    September 30,
 
    2005     2006  
    (Unaudited)  
    (In thousands)  
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net income
  $ 63,187     $ 101,489  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    27,749       21,857  
Stock-based compensation expenses
    2,567       8,340  
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements
          (15,558 )
Amortization of discount and deferred financing costs
    1,098       755  
Deferred income taxes
    6,397       (21,399 )
Unrealized foreign exchange gain
    (2,303 )     (952 )
Write-off of deferred financing costs and unamortized discounts
    5,388       6,621  
Other
    511       284  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Receivables
    (11,185 )     (9,223 )
Inventories
    (17,703 )     (13,045 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    11,102       (4,255 )
Changes in other assets
    7       (2,836 )
Accounts payable
    4,638       821  
Royalty overrides
    (957 )     20,085  
Accrued expenses and accrued compensation
    12,281       20,056  
Advance sales deposits
    8,578       (3,708 )
Income taxes payable
    19,066       34,262  
Deferred compensation liability
    464       1,415  
                 
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
  $ 130,885     $ 145,009  
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Purchases of property
    (21,761 )     (45,526 )
Proceeds from sale of property
    33       63  
Deferred compensation plan assets
    (1,027 )     (3,609 )
Other
          (38 )
                 
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
  $ (22,755 )   $ (49,110 )
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Borrowings from long term debt
    172       215,000  
Principal payments on long term debt
    (91,700 )     (132,020 )
Repurchases of 91/2% Notes and 113/4% Notes
    (110,000 )     (165,137 )
Increase in deferred financing costs
          (2,277 )
Exercise of stock options
    1,599       7,178  
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements
          15,558  
Other
    (374 )      
                 
NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES
  $ (200,303 )   $ (61,698 )
                 
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH
    (4,224 )     824  
                 
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    (96,397 )     35,025  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
    201,577       88,248  
                 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD
  $ 105,180     $ 123,273  
                 
CASH PAID FOR:
               
Interest
  $ 28,003     $ 36,469  
                 
Income taxes
  $ 35,846     $ 42,481  
                 
NON-CASH ACTIVITIES:
               
Accrued capital expenditures
  $ 540     $ 3,569  
                 
 
See the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements


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HERBALIFE LTD.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1.   Organization
 
Herbalife Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted limited liability company (“Herbalife” or the “Company”), incorporated on April 4, 2002, and its direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries, WH Intermediate Holdings Ltd., a Cayman Islands company (“WH Intermediate”), WH Luxembourg Holdings S.à.R.L., a Luxembourg unipersonal limited liability company (“Lux Holdings”), WH Luxembourg CM S.à.R.L., a Luxembourg unipersonal limited liability company, and WH Acquisition Corp., a Nevada corporation (“WH Acquisition”), were formed on behalf of Whitney & Co., LLC (“Whitney”) and Golden Gate Private Equity, Inc. (“Golden Gate”), in order to acquire Herbalife International, Inc., a Nevada corporation, and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Herbalife International”) on July 31, 2002 (the “Acquisition”). Herbalife and its subsidiaries are referred to collectively herein as the Company.
 
IPO Recapitalization
 
On December 16, 2004, Herbalife completed an initial public offering of its common shares (the “IPO”), as part of a series of recapitalization transactions, including:
 
  •  a tender offer for $159.8 million of the outstanding 113/4% senior subordinated notes due 2010 (the “113/4% Notes”), issued by Herbalife International;
 
  •  the replacement of Herbalife International’s existing $205.0 million senior credit facility with a new $225.0 million senior credit facility;
 
  •  the payment of a $139.8 million special cash dividend to the pre-IPO shareholders of Herbalife; and
 
  •  the amendment of Herbalife’s Memorandum and Articles of Association to: (1) effect a 1:2 reverse stock split of Herbalife’s common shares; (2) increase Herbalife’s authorized common shares to 500 million shares; and (3) increase Herbalife’s authorized preference shares to 7.5 million shares, all of which took effect on December 1, 2004.
 
As a planned continuation of the IPO and the recapitalization, Herbalife exercised a contract provision in December 2004 to redeem 40%, or $110.0 million principal value (excluding a premium of $10.5 million), of the 91/2% notes due 2011, (the “91/2% Notes”). After the required notice period, this redemption was completed on February 4, 2005. The redemption premium of $10.5 million and the write-off of deferred financing fees of $3.7 million associated with this redemption are included in interest expense in the first quarter of 2005.
 
In connection with the IPO and the recapitalization, the Company incurred $24.7 million in fees and expenses of which $19.8 million were associated with the IPO (included in equity) and $4.9 million were associated with the establishment of a credit facility, all of which were included in deferred financing cost. This credit facility was fully repaid in the third quarter of 2006 and the associated deferred financing costs were written off. See note 4 for discussion.
 
Secondary Offering
 
On December 19, 2005, Herbalife completed a secondary public offering of 13 million common shares held by certain existing shareholders. The selling shareholders received all net proceeds from the sale of common shares sold in this offering. Accordingly, Herbalife did not receive any proceeds from the sale of common shares.
 
2.   Basis of Presentation
 
The unaudited interim financial information of the Company has been prepared in accordance with Article 10 of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Regulation S-X. Accordingly, it does not include all of the information required by generally accepted accounting principals in the U.S. (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements. The Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 and September 30, 2006 include Herbalife and all of its direct and indirect subsidiaries. In the


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HERBALIFE LTD.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

opinion of management, the accompanying financial information contains all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 and September 30, 2006. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2006.
 
New Accounting Pronouncements
 
Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123R, Share-Based Payment (“SFAS No. 123R”), which generally requires, among other things, that all employee share-based compensation be measured using a fair value method and that the resulting compensation cost be recognized in the financial statements. The Company selected the modified prospective method of adoption. Under this method, compensation expense that the Company recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 included: (a) compensation expense for all share-based payments granted prior to, but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (“SFAS No. 123”), and (b) compensation expense for all share-based payments granted on or after January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123R. Results for prior periods were not restated. See Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements for more details on stock based compensation.
 
In June 2006, Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes was issued in its final version. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. FIN 48 provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. Earlier application of the provisions of FIN 48 is encouraged if the enterprise has not yet issued financial statements, including interim financial statements, in the period FIN 48 is adopted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting FIN 48.
 
In June 2006, the FASB ratified the consensuses of Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 06-3, How Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should Be Presented in the Income Statement (That Is, Gross versus Net Presentation) (“EITF 06-3”). EITF 06-3 clarifies that the scope of this issue includes any tax assessed by a governmental authority that is directly imposed on a revenue-producing transaction between a seller and a customer and indicates that the income statement presentation on either a gross basis or a net basis of the taxes within the scope of the issue is an accounting policy decision that should be disclosed. Furthermore, for taxes reported on a gross basis, an enterprise should disclose the amounts of those taxes in interim and annual financial statements for each period for which an income statement is presented. The consensus is effective, through retrospective application, for periods beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company is currently evaluating the presentation basis to be utilized in accordance with EITF 06-3.
 
In September 2006, the FASB issued No. 157, Fair Value Measurement, (“SFAS No. 157”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The provisions of SFAS No. 157 are effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of adopting SFAS No. 157.
 
In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current year Financial Statements (“SAB 108”), which provides interpretive guidance on how the effects of the carryover or reversal of prior year misstatements should be considered in quantifying a current year misstatement. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2006 and it allows a one-time transitional cumulative effect adjustment to beginning-of-year retained earnings at the first fiscal year ending after November 15, 2006 for errors


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HERBALIFE LTD.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

that were not previously deemed material, but are material under the guidance in SAB 108. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of adopting SAB 108 on its consolidated financial statements.
 
Reclassifications
 
Certain reclassifications were made to the prior period consolidated financial statements to conform to current period presentation.
 
3.   Transactions with related parties
 
In 2004, Whitney acquired a 50 percent indirect ownership interest in Shuster Laboratories, Inc. (“Shuster”), a provider of product testing and formula development for Herbalife. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, total purchases from Shuster were zero and $0.02 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, there were no purchases from Shuster.
 
In 2004, Whitney acquired a 50 percent indirect ownership interest in TBA Entertainment (“TBA”), a provider of creative services to Herbalife. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, payments of $0.02 million and $5.71 million were made to TBA for services relating to the 25th Anniversary Extravaganza, of which the majority were reimbursements of extravaganza expenses paid to third parties. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, payments to TBA were $0.51 million and $0.61 million, respectively.
 
In 2004, Golden Gate acquired a 47 percent ownership interest in Leiner Health Products Inc. (“Leiner”), a nutritional manufacturer and supplier of certain Herbalife products. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, total purchases from Leiner were zero and $0.14 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, there were no purchases from Leiner.
 
In January 2005, Whitney, together with its affiliates, acquired a 77 percent ownership interest in Stauber Performance Ingredients (“Stauber”), a value-added distributor of bulk specialty nutraceutical ingredients. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, total purchases from Stauber were $0.40 million and $0.85 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, total purchases from Stauber were $0.06 million and $0.25 million, respectively.
 
4.   Long Term Debt
 
Long term debt consists of the following:
 
                 
    As of  
    December 31,
    September 30,
 
    2005     2006  
    (In millions)  
 
113/4% Notes
  $ 0.1     $  
Borrowings under Prior Credit Facility (see below)
    89.8        
Borrowings under New Credit Facility (see below)
          180.0  
91/2% Notes, net of unamortized discounts of $3.7 million (2005)
    161.3        
Capital leases
    5.4       6.2  
Other debt
    6.5       1.6  
                 
      263.1       187.8  
Less: current portion
    9.8       7.1  
                 
    $ 253.3     $ 180.7  
                 
 
During 2005 the Company prepaid approximately $109.0 million of its term loan under the $225.0 million senior secured credit facility, originally entered into on December 21, 2004 (the “Prior Credit Facility”), resulting in


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HERBALIFE LTD.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

approximately $2.2 million of additional interest expense from the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs. In March 2006, the Company made a prepayment on its term loan under the Prior Credit Facility of $9.8 million. Consequently, the Company expensed $0.2 million of related unamortized deferred financing costs in the first quarter of 2006.
 
On July 21, 2006, the Company entered into a $300.0 million senior secured credit facility (the “New Credit Facility”) with a syndicate of financial institutions as lenders. The New Credit Facility is comprised of a $200.0 million term loan and a $100.0 million revolving credit facility and replaced the Prior Credit Facility. The new term loan bears interest at LIBOR rate plus a margin of 1.5%, or the base rate plus a margin of 0.50% and matures on July 21, 2013. The new revolver bears interest at LIBOR rate plus a margin of 1.25%, or the base rate plus a margin of 0.25% and is available until July 21, 2012. The Company incurred approximately $2.3 million of debt issuance costs which are being amortized over the term of the debt. The Company is obligated to pay $0.5 million each quarter from December 31, 2006 until June 30, 2013 and the remaining principal on July 21, 2013 for the new term loan. The Company used $65.0 million in available cash and $15.0 million in borrowings under the new revolving credit facility to repay all amounts outstanding under the Prior Credit Facility amounting to $79.6 million. Consequently, the Company expensed $1.7 million of unamortized deferred financing costs related to the Prior Credit Facility. Also in July 2006, the Company redeemed the outstanding $0.1 million aggregate principal amount of its 113/4% Notes.
 
On August 23, 2006, the Company borrowed $200.0 million pursuant to the term loan under the New Credit Facility to repay the borrowings under the new revolver and to fund the redemption of its 91/2% Notes. The total redemption price of the 91/2% Notes was $187.8 million and consisted of $165.0 million aggregate principal amount, $16.6 million purchase premium and $6.2 million accrued interest. The redemption premium of $16.6 million and the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs and discounts of $4.6 million associated with the 91/2% Notes are included in interest expense in the third quarter of 2006.
 
In September 2006, the Company made a prepayment on the term loan under the New Credit Facility of $20.0 million resulting in $0.1 million additional interest expense from the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs.
 
No borrowings were outstanding under the new revolver at September 30, 2006.
 
5.   Contingencies
 
The Company is from time to time engaged in routine litigation. The Company regularly reviews all pending litigation matters in which it is involved and establishes reserves deemed appropriate by management for these litigation matters when a probable loss estimate can be made.
 
Herbalife International and certain of its independent distributors have been named as defendants in a purported class action lawsuit filed February 17, 2005, in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, and served on Herbalife International on March 14, 2005 (Minton v. Herbalife International, et al). The case has been transferred to the Los Angeles County Superior Court. The plaintiff is challenging the marketing practices of certain Herbalife International independent distributors and Herbalife International under various state laws prohibiting “endless chain schemes,” insufficient disclosure in assisted marketing plans, unfair and deceptive business practices, and fraud and deceit. The plaintiff alleges that the Freedom Group system operated by certain independent distributors of Herbalife International products places too much emphasis on recruiting and encourages excessively large purchases of product and promotional materials by distributors. The plaintiff also alleges that Freedom Group pressured distributors to disseminate misleading promotional materials. The plaintiff seeks to hold Herbalife International vicariously liable for the actions of its independent distributors and is seeking damages and injunctive relief. The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses to the suit.
 
Herbalife International and certain of its distributors have been named as defendants in a class action lawsuit filed July 16, 2003, in the Circuit Court of Ohio County in the State of West Virginia (Mey v. Herbalife


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HERBALIFE LTD.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

International, Inc., et al). On April 21, 2006, the court granted plaintiff’s motion for class certification in West Virginia. The complaint alleges that certain telemarketing practices of certain Herbalife International distributors violate the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, or TCPA, and seeks to hold Herbalife International vicariously liable for the practices of these distributors. More specifically, the plaintiffs’ complaint alleges that several of Herbalife International’s distributors used pre-recorded telephone messages and autodialers to contact prospective customers in violation of the TCPA’s prohibition of such practices. Herbalife International’s distributors are independent contractors and if any such distributors in fact violated the TCPA they also violated Herbalife’s policies, which require its distributors to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws. The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses to the suit.
 
As a marketer of dietary and nutritional supplements and other products that are ingested by consumers or applied to their bodies, the Company has been and is currently subjected to various product liability claims. The effects of these claims to date have not been material to the Company, and the reasonably possible range of exposure on currently existing claims is not material to the Company. The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses to the allegations contained in the lawsuits. The Company currently maintain product liability insurance with an annual deductible of $10 million.
 
Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries have been subject to tax audits by governmental authorities in their respective countries. In certain of these tax audits, governmental authorities are proposing that significant amounts of additional taxes and related interest and penalties are due. The Company and its tax advisors believe that there are substantial defenses to their allegations that additional taxes are owed, and the Company is vigorously contesting the additional proposed taxes and related charges.
 
These matters may take several years to resolve, and the Company cannot be sure of their ultimate resolution. However, it is the opinion of management that adverse outcomes, if any, will not likely result in a material effect on the Company’s financial condition and operating results. This opinion is based on the Company’s belief that any losses it suffers would not be material and that it has meritorious defenses. Although the Company has reserved an amount that it believes represents the likely outcome of the resolution of these disputes, if the Company is incorrect in its assessment it may have to record additional expenses.
 
6.   Comprehensive Income
 
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,
    September 30,
    September 30,
    September 30,
 
    2005     2006     2005     2006  
    (In millions)  
 
Net income
  $ 27.1     $ 26.5     $ 63.2     $ 101.5  
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments
  $ 0.4     $ (0.6 )   $ 0.3     $ (0.6 )
Foreign currency translation adjustment
  $ (0.6 )   $ (0.1 )   $ (1.9 )   $ (1.6 )
                                 
Comprehensive income
  $ 26.9     $ 25.8     $ 61.6     $ 99.3  
                                 
 
7.   Segment Information
 
The Company is a network marketing company that sells a wide range of weight management products, nutritional supplements and personal care products within one industry segment as defined under SFAS 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information.” The Company’s products are manufactured by third party providers and then sold to independent distributors who sell Herbalife products to retail consumers or other distributors.


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HERBALIFE LTD.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The Company sells products in 62 countries throughout the world and is organized and managed by geographic unit. The Company elected to aggregate its operating segments into one reporting segment, as management believes that the Company’s operating segments have similar operating characteristics and similar long term operating performance. In making this determination, management believes that the operating segments are similar with regard to the nature of the products sold, the product acquisition process, the types of customers products are sold to, the methods used to distribute the products, and the nature of the regulatory environment.
 
Revenues reflect sales of products to distributors based on the distributors’ geographic location.
 
In July 2006, the Company changed its geographic unit from four to seven units as part of the Company’s on-going realignment for growth efforts. These changes are intended to create growth opportunities for distributors, support faster decision making across the organization due to reduced management layers, and improve the sharing of ideas and tools to accelerate growth in its high potential markets. The Company’s reporting segment’s operating information and sales by product line are as follows:
 
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,
    September 30,
    September 30,
    September 30,
 
    2005     2006     2005     2006  
    (In millions)  
 
Net sales:
                               
United States
  $ 70.7     $ 88.1     $ 215.9     $ 252.3  
Mexico
    61.5       102.1       149.0       278.8  
Others
    268.8       286.2       792.8       867.1  
                                 
Total net sales
  $ 401.0     $ 476.4     $ 1,157.7     $ 1,398.2  
                                 
Operating margin(1):
                               
United States
  $ 32.9       39.9     $ 92.2     $ 105.4  
Mexico
    27.4       43.3       64.8       122.3  
Others
    122.6       127.4       357.2       388.0  
                                 
Total operating margin
  $ 182.9     $ 210.6     $ 514.2     $ 615.7  
                                 
Selling, general and administrative expense
    121.6       146.1       349.4       422.0  
Interest expense, net
    8.0       25.8       37.6       36.9  
                                 
Income before income taxes
    53.3       38.7       127.2       156.8  
Income taxes
    26.2       12.2       64.0       55.3  
                                 
Net income
  $ 27.1     $ 26.5     $ 63.2     $ 101.5  
                                 
Net sales by product line:
                               
Weight management
  $ 167.1     $ 202.1     $ 476.6     $ 591.2  
Inner Nutrition
    176.9       209.9       502.0       617.3  
Outer Nutrition®
    37.0       33.7       123.0       112.9  
Literature, promotional and other(2)
    20.0       30.7       56.1       76.8  
                                 
Total net sales
  $ 401.0     $ 476.4     $ 1,157.7     $ 1,398.2  
                                 
Net sales by geographic unit:
                               
North America(3)
  $ 75.1     $ 92.1     $ 230.1     $ 266.8  
Mexico and Central America
    61.7       103.0       149.7       281.1  
Brazil
    28.9       32.8       76.8       99.4  
South America and Southeast Asia(4)
    37.0       51.6       94.3       142.3  
EMEA(5)
    131.2       127.4       417.6       414.1  
Greater China(6)
    29.2       36.2       82.4       92.5  
North Asia(7)
    37.9       33.3       106.8       102.0  
                                 
Total net sales
  $ 401.0     $ 476.4     $ 1,157.7     $ 1,398.2  
                                 


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HERBALIFE LTD.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 
(1) Operating margin consists of net sales less cost of sales and royalty overrides.
 
(2) Product buybacks and returns in all product categories are included in the literature, promotional and other category.
 
(3) Consists of the U.S., Canada, Jamaica and Dominican Republic.
 
(4) Includes New Zealand and Australia and excludes Brazil, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
 
(5) Consists of Europe, Middle East and Africa.
 
(6) Consists of China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
 
(7) Consists of Japan and Korea.
 
                 
    As of  
    December 31,
    September 30,
 
    2005     2006  
    (In millions)  
 
Total Assets:
               
United States
  $ 520.1     $ 620.7  
Mexico
    52.5       64.5  
Others
    265.2       252.4  
                 
Total assets
  $ 837.8     $ 937.6  
                 
 
8.   Stock Based Compensation
 
The Company has six stock-based compensation plans, the WH Holdings (Cayman Islands) Ltd. Stock Incentive Plan (“Management Plan”), the WH Holdings (Cayman Islands) Ltd. Independent Directors Stock Incentive Plan (“Independent Directors Plan”), the Herbalife Ltd. 2004 Incentive Plan (“2004 Stock Incentive Plan”), the Herbalife Ltd. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (“2005 Stock Incentive Plan”), the Herbalife Ltd. Executive Incentive Plan (“Executive Incentive Plan”) and the Herbalife Ltd. Independent Directors Deferred Compensation and Stock Unit Plan (“Independent Director Stock Unit Plan”). The Management Plan provides for the grant of options to purchase common shares of Herbalife to members of the Company’s management. The Independent Directors Plan provides for the grant of options to purchase common shares of Herbalife to the Company’s independent directors. The 2004 Stock Incentive Plan replaced the Management Plan and the Independent Directors Plan and after the adoption thereof, no additional awards were made under either the Management Plan or the Independent Directors Plan. However, the shares remaining available for issuance under these plans were absorbed by and became available for issuance under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan. The 2005 Stock Incentive Plan authorizes the issuance of 4,000,000 common shares pursuant to awards, plus any shares that remained available for issuance under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan at the time of the adoption of the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan. The terms of the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan are substantially similar to the terms of the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan. The purpose of the Executive Incentive Plan is to govern the award and payment of annual bonuses to certain company executives. The purpose of the Independent Directors Stock Unit Plan is to facilitate equity ownership in the Company by its independent directors through the award of stock units and to allow for deferral by the independent directors of compensation realized in connection with such stock units. The Company’s stock compensation awards outstanding as of September 30, 2006 include stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARS”) and stock units.
 
Prior to January 1, 2006, the Company applied the intrinsic value method as outlined in Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees (“APB 25”), and related interpretations, in accounting for share-based awards made under these plans. Under the intrinsic value method, compensation expense is recorded on the date of grant to the extent that the current market price of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price. On January 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123R. This statement replaces SFAS No. 123 and supersedes APB 25. SFAS No. 123R requires that all share-based compensation be recognized


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HERBALIFE LTD.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

as an expense in the financial statements and that such cost be measured based on the fair value of the awards granted. The Company adopted SFAS No. 123R using the modified prospective transition method which requires the recognition of compensation expense on a prospective basis only. Accordingly, prior period financial statements have not been restated. Under this transition method, stock-based compensation cost for the first three quarters of 2006 include (a) compensation cost for all share-based awards granted prior to, but not yet vested as of, January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS No. 123; and (b) compensation cost for all share-based awards granted subsequent to January 1, 2006 based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123R.
 
SFAS No. 123R also requires the Company to estimate forfeitures in calculating the expense relating to share-based compensation as opposed to recognizing forfeitures as an expense reduction as they occur. The adjustment to apply estimated forfeitures to previously recognized share-based compensation was considered immaterial and as such was not classified as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle.
 
The Company records compensation expense over the requisite service period which is equal to the vesting period. For awards granted prior to January 1, 2006, compensation expense is recognized on a graded-vesting basis over the vesting term. For awards granted on or after January 1, 2006, compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting term. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, stock-based compensation expense was included in Selling, General & Administrative Expenses in the amount of $2.8 million and $8.3 million, respectively, as well as related income tax benefits recognized in earnings in the amount of $1.1 million and $3.3 million, respectively.
 
As of September 30, 2006, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock awards was $28.4 million and the related weighted-average period over which it is expected to be recognized is approximately 2.3 years.
 
As a result of the adoption of SFAS No. 123R, the Company’s net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $1.3 million and $4.1 million lower, respectively, than it would have been under the Company’s previous accounting method for share-based compensation. Basic and diluted net earnings per common share for the three months ended September 30, 2006 were both negatively impacted by the change in accounting method by $0.02 per share. The negative impact on both basic and diluted net earnings per common share for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $0.06 per share. Prior to the Company’s adoption of SFAS No. 123R, benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation costs were reported as operating cash inflows. SFAS No. 123R requires that these excess tax benefits be recorded as a financing cash inflow rather than as a reduction of taxes paid. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, tax benefits of $1.4 million and $15.6 million, respectively, were generated from option exercises.


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HERBALIFE LTD.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provision of SFAS No. 123 to options granted under the Company’s stock-based compensation plans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005. For purposes of this pro forma disclosure, the value of the options is estimated using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model and amortized to expense using a graded vesting schedule with forfeitures recognized as they occur.
 
                 
    Three Months
    Nine Months
 
    Ended     Ended  
    September 30,
    September 30,
 
    2005     2005  
    (In millions)  
 
Net income as reported
  $ 27.1     $ 63.2  
Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net income, net of tax
    0.2       1.5  
Less: Stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based methods for all awards, net of tax
    (1.4 )     (5.3 )
                 
Pro forma net income
  $ 25.9     $ 59.4  
                 
Basic earnings per share
               
As reported
  $ 0.39     $ 0.92  
Pro forma
  $ 0.38     $ 0.86  
Diluted earnings per share
               
As reported
  $ 0.37     $ 0.87  
Pro forma
  $ 0.35     $ 0.82  
 
The Company’s stock-based compensation plans provide for grants of stock options, SARS, restricted stock and stock units (collectively called the “awards”). Stock options typically vest quarterly over a five-year period beginning on the grant date, and certain stock option grants vest over a period of less than five years. SARS vest quarterly over a five-year period beginning on the grant date. The contractual term of stock options and SARS is ten years. Stock unit awards under the 2005 Incentive Plan (“Incentive Plan Stock Units”) vest annually over a three year period which is equal to the contractual term.
 
Stock unit awards under the Independent Directors Stock Unit Plan (“Independent Director Stock Units”) vest at a 25% rate on each of April 15, July 15 and October 15 of the calendar year in which the award is granted and January 15 of the calendar year following the year in which the award is granted. Unless otherwise determined at the time of grant, the value of each stock unit shall be equal to one common share of Herbalife.
 
The fair value of each award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model based on the assumptions in the following tables. The expected term of the award is based on observed historical exercise patterns. Because of the very limited historical data, all groups of employees have been determined to have similar historical exercise patterns for valuation purposes. The expected volatility of stock awards is primarily based upon on the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock and, due to the limited period of public trading data for its common stock, it is also validated against the volatility rates of a peer group of companies. The risk free interest rate is based on the implied yield on a U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issue with a remaining term equal to the expected term of the award. The dividend yield reflects that the Company has not paid


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HERBALIFE LTD.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

any cash dividends since inception. The following table summarizes the weighted average assumptions used in the calculation of fair market value for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2006.
 
                                                                 
                Incentive Plan
    Independent Directors
 
    Stock Options     SARS     Stock Units     Stock Units  
    Three Months
    Three Months
    Three Months
    Three Months
 
    Ended
    Ended
    Ended
    Ended
 
    September 30,     September 30,     September 30,     September 30,  
    2005     2006     2005     2006     2005     2006     2005     2006  
 
Expected volatility
    32.75 %                 38.08 %           37.75 %            
Dividends yield
    zero                   zero             zero              
Expected term
    6.3 years                   6.3 years             2.5 years              
Risk-free interest rate
    4.01 %                 4.70 %           4.71 %            
 
                                                                 
                Incentive Plan
    Independent Directors
 
    Stock Options     SARS     Stock Units     Stock Units  
    Nine Months
    Nine Months
    Nine Months
    Nine Months
 
    Ended
    Ended
    Ended
    Ended
 
    September 30,     September 30,     September 30,     September 30,  
    2005     2006     2005     2006     2005     2006     2005     2006  
 
Expected volatility
    32.75 %     37.03 %           38.43 %           38.40 %           37.29 %
Dividends yield
    zero       zero             zero             zero             zero  
Expected term
    6.3 years       6.3 years             6.3 years             2.5 years             3.0 years  
Risk-free interest rate
    3.91 %     3.94 %           4.59 %           4.10 %           3.56 %
 
The following tables summarize the activity under the stock-based compensation plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2006:
 
                                 
                Weighted
       
          Weighted
    Average
    Aggregate
 
          Average
    Remaining
    Intrinsic
 
Stock Options & SARS
  Shares     Exercise Price     Contractual Term     Value  
    (In thousands)                 (In millions)  
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2005
    10,197     $ 12.30                  
Granted
    1,130       33.78                  
Exercised
    (1,406 )     5.11                  
Forfeited
    (151 )     9.98                  
                                 
Outstanding at September 30, 2006
    9,770     $ 15.86       7.6 years     $ 215.3  
                                 
Exercisable at September 30, 2006
    3,896     $ 12.58       7.6 years     $ 98.6  
                                 
 
                         
          Weighted Average
    Aggregate
 
Incentive Plan and Independent Directors Stock Units
  Shares     Grant Date Fair Value     Fair Value  
    (In thousands)           (In millions)  
 
Outstanding and nonvested at December 31, 2005
        $     $  
Granted
    132.4       33.25       4.4  
Vested
    (9.3 )     32.19       (0.3 )
                         
Outstanding and nonvested at September 30, 2006
    123.1     $ 33.33     $ 4.1  
                         


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HERBALIFE LTD.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The weighted-average grant date per share fair value of stock awards granted during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $18.49 and $17.44, respectively. The total intrinsic value of stock awards exercised during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $3.8 million and $45.0 million, respectively.
 
9.   Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
 
The Company designates certain derivatives as cash flow hedges. The Company engages in a foreign exchange hedging strategy for which the hedged transactions are forecasted foreign currency denominated intercompany transactions. The hedged risk is the variability of the forecasted foreign currency cash flows where the hedging strategy involves the purchase of average rate options. The Company also engages in an interest rate hedging strategy for which the hedged transactions are forecasted interest payments on the Company’s variable rate term loan. The hedged risk is the variability of forecasted interest rate cash flows, where the hedging strategy involves the purchase of interest rate swaps. As of December 31, 2005 and September 30, 2006, the Company did not have any outstanding cash flow hedges on foreign exchange exposure. For the outstanding cash flow hedges on interest rate exposures at December 31, 2005, the maximum length of time over which the Company is hedging these exposures is approximately three years. The interest rate swap outstanding as of December 31, 2005, was accounted for under the shortcut method, as defined by SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Investments and Hedging Activities”, which assumes the hedge to be perfectly effective. Consequently, all changes in the fair value of the derivative are deferred and recorded in other comprehensive income (“OCI”) until the related forecasted transaction is recognized in the consolidated statements of income.
 
On July 21, 2006 the interest rate swap, originally entered into on February 21, 2005, was terminated due to the debt refinancing and income of approximately $0.8 million was recorded as interest income in the Company’s consolidated statements of income for the quarter ended September 30, 2006. On August 23, 2006, the Company entered into a new interest rate swap agreement. The agreement provides for the Company to pay interest for a three-year period at a fixed rate of 5.26% on various notional amounts while receiving interest for the same period at the LIBOR rate on the same notional principal amounts. The swap was entered into as a cash flow hedge against LIBOR interest rate movements on the new term loan. The Company assesses the effectiveness of the hedge based on the hypothetical derivative method. Under the hypothetical derivative method, the cumulative change in fair value of the actual swap is compared to the cumulative change in fair value of a hypothetical swap, which has terms that identically match the critical terms of the hedged transaction. Thus, the hypothetical swap is presumed to perfectly offset the hedged cash flows. The change in fair value of the perfect hypothetical swap will then be regarded as a proxy for the present value of the cumulative change in the expected future cash flows from the hedged transactions. As of September 30, 2006, the hedge relationship qualified as an effective hedge under SFAS No. 133. Consequently, all changes in the fair value of the derivative are deferred and recorded in OCI until the related forecasted transaction is recognized in the consolidated statements of income. The estimated net amount of existing loss expected to be reclassified into earnings over the next three years, which related to cash flow hedge, is $0.6 million.
 
The Company designates certain derivatives as free standing derivatives for which hedge accounting does not apply. The changes in the fair market value of the derivatives are recorded in the Company’s consolidated statements of income. The Company purchases average rate put options, which give the Company the right, but not the obligation, to sell foreign currency at a specified exchange rate (“strike rate”). These contracts provide protection in the event the foreign currency weakens beyond the strike rate. The Company also uses foreign currency forward contracts, which give the Company the obligation to buy or sell foreign currency at a specified time and rate. The contracts are used to protect against changes in the functional currency equivalent value of inter-company or third party nonfunctional currency payables and receivables. The fair values of the option and forward contracts are based on third-party bank quotes. In December 2005, the Company entered into a short term interest rate cap agreement, which was not designated under hedge accounting. The interest rate cap agreement expired in the first quarter of 2006.


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HERBALIFE LTD.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

10.   Subsequent Events
 
In November 2006, the Company announced a realignment of its employee base as part of its realignment for growth plan. Under this plan, the Company expects to incur severance and other employee related costs of approximately $8 to $10 million. Such costs are expected to be recognized within the next twelve months.


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Item 2.   Management’s Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition and Results Of Operations
 
Overview
 
We are a global network marketing company that sells weight management, nutritional supplement and personal care products. We pursue our mission of “changing people’s lives” by providing a financially rewarding business opportunity to distributors and quality products to distributors and customers who seek a healthy lifestyle. We are one of the largest network marketing companies in the world with net sales of approximately $1.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2005. We sell our products in 62 countries through a network of over one million independent distributors, except in China, where we currently use a retail business model with employed sales representatives because of regulatory restrictions on direct selling. We believe the quality of our products and the effectiveness of our distribution network, coupled with geographic expansion, have been the primary reasons for our success throughout our 26-year operating history.
 
We offer products in three principal categories: weight management products, nutritional supplements which we refer to as “Inner Nutrition” and personal care products which we refer to as “Outer Nutrition.®” Our products are often sold in programs, which are comprised of a series of related products designed to simplify weight management and nutrition for our consumers and maximize our distributors’ cross-selling opportunities.
 
Industry-wide factors that affect us and our competitors include the increasing prevalence of obesity and the aging of the worldwide population, which are driving demand for nutrition and wellness-related products and the recruitment and retention of distributors.
 
The opportunities and challenges upon which we are most focused are driving retailing of our product, recruitment and retention of distributors and improving distributor productivity, entering new markets, further penetrating existing markets, pursuing local distributor initiatives, introducing new products, developing niche market segments and further investing in our infrastructure.
 
In July 2006, we changed our geographic unit from four to seven units as part of our on-going realignment for growth efforts. These changes are intended to create growth opportunities for our distributors, to support faster decision making across the organization by reducing the number of management layers, and to improve the sharing of ideas and tools to accelerate growth in our high potential markets. Under the new geographic units we report revenue from:
 
  •  North America, which consists of the U.S., Canada, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic;
 
  •  Mexico and Central America, which consists of Mexico, Costs Rica and Panama;
 
  •  Brazil;
 
  •  South America and Southeast Asia, which includes New Zealand and Australia and excludes Brazil, Taiwan and Hong Kong;
 
  •  EMEA, which consists of Europe, the Middle East and Africa;
 
  •  Greater China, which consists of China, Taiwan and Hong Kong; and
 
  •  North Asia, which consists of Japan and Korea.
 
A key non-financial measure we focus on is Volume Points on a Royalty Basis (hereafter “Volume Points”), which is essentially our weighted unit measure of product sales volume. It is a useful measure for us, as it excludes the impact of foreign currency fluctuations and ignores the differences generated by varying retail pricing across geographic markets. In general, an increase in Volume Points in a particular group or country directionally indicates an increase in local currency net sales.


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Volume Points by Geographic Unit
 
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,
    September 30,
          September 30,
    September 30,
       
    2005     2006     % Change     2005     2006     % Change  
    (Volume points in millions)  
 
North America
    118.3       145.8       23.2 %     356.9       408.2       14.4 %
Mexico & Central America
    100.4       170.2       69.5 %     247.3       467.5       89.0 %
Brazil
    40.5       41.0       1.2 %     115.3       126.3       9.5 %
South America and Southeast Asia
    52.3       73.9       41.3 %     133.0       191.5       44.0 %
EMEA
    140.6       129.7       (7.8 )%     432.8       426.7       (1.4 )%
Greater China
    38.1       40.3       5.8 %     104.7       105.7       1.0 %
North Asia
    33.7       29.6       (12.2 )%     92.4       89.5       (3.1 %)
                                                 
Worldwide
    523.9       630.5       20.3 %     1,482.4       1,815.4       22.5 %
                                                 
 
Another key non-financial measure on which we focus is the number of distributors qualified as supervisors under our compensation system. Distributors qualify for supervisor status based on their Volume Points.
 
Our compensation system requires supervisors to re-qualify annually. The re-qualification period covers the twelve months starting in February and ending the following January. There is significant variation in the number of supervisors from the fourth quarter to the first quarter of any given year due to the timing of the re-qualification process. This fluctuation is normal and consistent, and does not reflect a dramatic underlying change in the business in comparing these two sequential quarters. The growth in the number of supervisors is a general indicator of the level of distributor recruitment, which generally drives net sales in a particular country or group.
 
The following tables show trends in the number of supervisors over the reporting period by geographic unit, and fluctuations within notable countries are discussed below in the appropriate net sales section below where pertinent.
 
Number of Supervisors by Geographic Unit as of Reporting Period
 
                         
    As of September 30,  
    2005     2006     % Change  
 
North America
    57,993       66,640       14.9 %
Mexico & Central America
    33,434       66,097       97.7 %
Brazil
    33,267       38,857       16.8 %
South America and Southeast Asia
    36,409       50,723       39.3 %
EMEA
    86,364       87,762       1.6 %
Greater China
    23,597       28,176       19.4 %
North Asia
    18,967       20,913       10.3 %
                         
Worldwide
    290,031       359,168       23.8 %
                         


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Number of Supervisors by Geographic Unit as of Re-qualification Period
 
                         
    As of February,  
    2005     2006     % Change  
 
North America
    40,818       45,778       12.2 %
Mexico & Central America
    19,045       38,344       101.3 %
Brazil
    21,605       27,318       26.4 %
South America and Southeast Asia
    23,983       30,846       28.6 %
EMEA
    65,104       66,103       1.5 %
Greater China
    16,673       19,447       16.6 %
North Asia
    13,872       15,736       13.4 %
                         
Worldwide
    201,100       243,572       21.1 %
                         
 
For the twelve month re-qualification period ended January 2006, 41.5% of our supervisors re-qualified, up from 39.7% a year ago. The number of supervisors by geographic unit as of the reporting dates will normally be higher than the number of supervisors by geographic unit as of the re-qualification period because supervisors who do not re-qualify during the relevant twelve-month period will be dropped from the rank of supervisor in February. Since supervisors purchase most of our products for resale to other distributors and consumers, comparisons of supervisor totals on a year-to-year, same period basis are good indicators of our recruitment and retention efforts in different geographic units.
 
We provide distributors with products, support material, training, special events and a competitive compensation program. If a distributor wants to pursue the Herbalife business opportunity, the distributor is responsible for growing his or her business and personally pays for the sales activities related to attracting new customers and recruiting distributors by hosting events such as Herbalife Opportunity Meetings or Success Training Seminars; by advertising Herbalife’s products, by purchasing and using promotional materials such as t-shirts, buttons and caps; by utilizing and paying for direct mail and print material such as brochures, flyers, catalogs, business cards, posters and banners and telephone book listings; by purchasing inventory for sale or use as samples; and by training, mentoring and following up, in person or via the phone or internet, with customers and recruits on how to use Herbalife products and/or pursue the Herbalife business opportunity.
 
Presentation
 
“Retail Sales” represent the gross sales amounts on our invoices to distributors before distributor allowances (as defined below). “Net Sales” which reflects distributor allowances and handling and freight income, represent what the Company collects and recognizes as net sales in its financial statements. We discuss Retail Sales because of its fundamental role in our compensation systems, internal controls and operations, including its role as the basis upon which distributor discounts, royalties and bonuses are awarded. In addition, information in daily and monthly reports reviewed by our management relies on Retail Sales data. However, such a measure is not in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the U.S., or GAAP. You should not consider Retail Sales in isolation from, nor is it a substitute for, net sales and other consolidated income or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with GAAP, or as a measure of profitability or liquidity. A reconciliation of net sales to Retail Sales is presented below. “Product sales” represent the actual product purchase prices paid to us by our distributors, after giving effect to distributor discounts referred to as “distributor allowances,” which approximate 50% of retail sales prices. Distributor allowances as a percentage of sales may vary by country depending upon regulatory restrictions that limit or otherwise restrict distributor allowances.
 
Our “gross profit” consists of net sales less “cost of sales,” which represents the prices we pay to our raw material suppliers and manufacturers of our products as well as costs related to product shipments, duties and tariffs, freight expenses relating to shipment of products to distributors and importers and similar expenses.
 
“Royalty Overrides” are our most significant expense and consist of:
 
  •  royalty overrides and production bonuses, which total approximately 15% and 7%, respectively, of the Retail Sales of Weight management, Inner nutrition, Outer nutrition® and promotional products;


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  •  the Mark Hughes Bonus payable to some of our most senior distributors in the aggregate amount of up to 1% of Retail Sales of Weight management, Inner nutrition, Outer nutrition® and promotional products; and
 
  •  other discretionary incentive cash bonuses payable to qualifying distributors.
 
Royalty Overrides are generally earned based on Retail Sales, and approximate, in the aggregate, about 22% of Retail Sales or approximately 35% of our net sales. Royalty Overrides, together with distributor allowances, represent the potential earnings to distributors of up to approximately 73% of Retail Sales. The compensation to distributors is generally for the development, retention and improved productivity of their distributor sales organizations and is paid to several levels of distributors on each sale. Because of local country regulatory constraints, we may be required to modify our typical distributor incentive plans as described above. Because of restrictions on direct selling in China, our full-time employed sales representatives in China are compensated with wages, bonuses and benefits instead of the distributors’ earnings — distributor allowances and royalty overrides. Consequently, the total distributor discount percentage may vary over time. We also offer reduced distributor allowances and pay reduced royalty overrides with respect to certain products worldwide.
 
Our “operating margins” consist of net sales less cost of sales and royalty overrides.
 
“Selling, General & Administrative Expenses” represent our operating expenses, components of which include labor and benefits, sales events, professional fees, travel and entertainment, distributor marketing, occupancy costs, communication costs, bank fees, depreciation and amortization, foreign exchange gains and losses and other miscellaneous operating expenses.
 
Most of our sales to distributors outside the United States are made in the respective local currencies. In preparing our consolidated financial statements, we translate revenues into U.S. dollars using average exchange rates. Additionally, the majority of our purchases from our suppliers are generally made in U.S. dollars. Consequently, a strengthening of the U.S. dollar versus a foreign currency can have a negative impact on our reported sales and operating margins and can generate transaction losses on intercompany transactions. Throughout the last five years, foreign currency exchange rates have fluctuated significantly. From time to time, we enter into foreign exchange forward contracts and option contracts to mitigate our foreign currency exchange risk.
 
Summary Financial Results
 
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, net sales increased by 18.8% and 20.8%, respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2005, primarily due to increases in North America, Mexico and Central America, and Brazil. Net sales in EMEA and North Asia decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 when compared to the same periods of 2005. The overall increase in net sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 reflects the continued sales momentum generated from the successful promotions in 2005 and 2006 and the enthusiasm and unity within our distributor organization.
 
Net income decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2006 to $26.5 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, from $27.1 million or $0.37 per diluted share, for the same period in 2005. Net income includes the impact of $14.3 million recapitalization expenses in connection with the repayment of the $225.0 million senior secured credit facility, originally entered into on December 21, 2004 (the “Prior Credit Facility”) and our 91/2% Notes due 2011 (the “91/2% Notes”) and a $2.7 million additional tax benefit from refinancing transactions in the third quarter of 2006 and a favorable impact of $2.5 million relating to a change in the allowance for uncollectible royalty overrides receivables from distributors in the third quarter of 2005. For the three months ended September 30, 2006 as compared to the same period in 2005, net sales growth and a lower effective tax rate, partially offset by higher labor costs, promotional expenses and professional fees had a net favorable impact to net income. Foreign currencies had an unfavorable impact of $0.1 million on net results for the three months ended September 30, 2006.
 
Net income increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 to $101.5 million, or $1.37 per diluted share, from $63.2 million or $0.87 per diluted share, for the same period in 2005. Net income includes the impact of a $3.7 million tax benefit resulting from an international income tax settlement in the first quarter of 2006, $14.3 million recapitalization expenses incurred in connection with the repayment of our Prior Credit Facility and our 91/2% Notes and a $2.7 million additional tax benefit from refinancing transactions, in the third quarter of 2006, and $14.2 million of recapitalization expenses incurred in the first quarter of 2005 associated with the $110.0 million


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clawback of our 91/2% Notes and a favorable impact of $2.5 million relating to a change in the allowance for uncollectible royalty overrides receivables from distributors in the third quarter of 2005. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006 as compared to the same period in 2005, net sales growth, lower interest expense and a lower effective tax rate, partially offset by higher labor costs, promotional expenses and professional fees, had a net favorable impact to net income. Foreign currencies had a favorable impact of $2.6 million on net results for the nine months ended September 30, 2006.
 
Results of Operations
 
Our results of operations for the periods described below are not necessarily indicative of results of operations for future periods, which depend upon numerous factors, including our ability to recruit and retain new distributors, open new markets and further penetrate existing markets and introduce new products and develop niche market segments.
 
The following table sets forth selected results of our operations expressed as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated.
 
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,
    September 30,
    September 30,
    September 30,
 
    2005     2006     2005     2006  
 
Operations:
                               
Net sales
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
Cost of sales
    19.8       20.4       20.1       20.1  
                                 
Gross profit
    80.2       79.6       79.9       79.9  
Royalty overrides
    34.6       35.4       35.5       35.9  
Selling, general & administrative expenses
    30.3       30.7       30.2       30.2  
                                 
Operating income
    15.3       13.5       14.2       13.8  
Interest expense
    2.0       5.4       3.2       2.6  
                                 
Income before income taxes
    13.3       8.1       11.0       11.2  
Income taxes
    6.5       2.6       5.5       4.0  
                                 
Net income
    6.8       5.5       5.5       7.2  
                                 
 
Net Sales
 
The following chart reconciles Retail Sales to net sales:
 
Sales by Geographic Unit
 
                                                                                         
    Three Months Ended September 30,  
    2005     2006  
                      Handling
                            Handling
          Change
 
    Gross
    Distributor
    Product
    & Freight
    Net
    Gross
    Distributor
    Product
    & Freight
    Net
    in Net
 
    Sales     Allowance     Sales     Income     Sales     Sales     Allowance     Sales     Income     Sales     Sales  
    (In millions)  
 
North America
  $ 120.9     $ (57.7 )   $ 63.2     $ 11.9     $ 75.1     $ 148.0     $ (70.5 )   $ 77.5     $ 14.6     $ 92.1       22.6 %
Mexico and Central America
  $ 103.5     $ (50.1 )   $ 53.4     $ 8.3     $ 61.7       173.5       (84.4 )     89.1       13.9       103.0       66.9 %
Brazil
    47.9       (22.9 )     25.0       3.9       28.9       53.8       (25.7 )     28.1       4.7       32.8       13.5 %
South America and Southeast Asia
    60.9       (28.6 )     32.3       4.7       37.0       88.3       (42.1 )     46.2       5.4       51.6       39.5 %
EMEA
    214.1       (101.7 )     112.4       18.8       131.2       209.0       (99.9 )     109.1       18.3       127.4       (2.9 )%
Greater China
    50.5       (24.7 )     25.8       3.4       29.2       54.8       (21.5 )     33.3       2.9       36.2       24.0 %
North Asia
    61.8       (28.2 )     33.6       4.3       37.9       53.5       (24.0 )     29.5       3.8       33.3       (12.1 %)
                                                                                         
Total
  $ 659.6     $ (313.9 )   $ 345.7     $ 55.3     $ 401.0     $ 780.9     $ (368.1 )   $ 412.8     $ 63.6     $ 476.4       18.8 %
                                                                                         
 


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    Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2005     2006  
                      Handling
                            Handling
          Change
 
    Gross
    Distributor
    Product
    & Freight
    Net
    Gross
    Distributor
    Product
    & Freight
    Net
    in Net
 
    Sales     Allowance     Sales     Income     Sales     Sales     Allowance     Sales     Income     Sales     Sales  
    (In millions)  
 
North America
  $ 370.8     $ (177.2 )   $ 193.6     $ 36.5     $ 230.1     $ 429.1     $ (204.7 )   $ 224.4     $ 42.4     $ 266.8       15.9 %
Mexico & Central America
  $ 251.1     $ (121.6 )   $ 129.5     $ 20.2     $ 149.7       473.1       (229.8 )     243.3       37.8       281.1       87.8 %
Brazil
    127.2       (60.8 )     66.4       10.4       76.8       164.1       (78.5 )     85.6       13.8       99.4       29.4 %
South America and Southeast Asia
    155.6       (72.5 )     83.1       11.2       94.3       245.2       (118.1 )     127.1       15.2       142.3       50.9 %
EMEA
    682.0       (324.8 )     357.2       60.4       417.6       681.1       (326.9 )     354.2       59.9       414.1       (0.8 )%
Greater China
    142.7       (69.9 )     72.8       9.6       82.4       145.2       (61.0 )     84.2       8.3       92.5       12.3 %
North Asia
    175.2       (80.5 )     94.7       12.1       106.8       165.3       (74.9 )     90.4       11.6       102.0       (4.5 %)
                                                                                         
Total
  $ 1,904.6     $ (907.3 )   $ 997.3     $ 160.4     $ 1,157.7     $ 2,303.1     $ (1,093.9 )   $ 1,209.2     $ 189.0     $ 1,398.2       20.8 %
                                                                                         
 
Changes in net sales are directly associated with the recruiting, retention and retailing of our distributor force, the quality and completeness of the product offerings that the distributor force has to sell and the number of countries in which we operate. Management’s role, both in-country and at the corporate level is to provide distributors with a competitive and broad product line, encourage strong teamwork and leadership among the Chairman’s Club and President’s Team distributors and offer leading edge business tools to make doing business with Herbalife simple. Management uses our marketing program coupled with educational and motivational tools to incentivize distributors to drive recruiting, retention and retailing which in turn affect net sales. Such tools include corporate sales events — Extravaganzas and World Team Schools — where large groups of distributors gather, thus allowing them to network with other distributors, learn recruiting, retention and retailing techniques from our leading distributors and become more familiar with how to market and sell our products and business opportunities. Accordingly, management believes that these development and motivation programs can increase the productivity of the supervisor network. The expenses for such programs are included in Selling, General & Administrative expenses. Sales are driven by several factors including the number and productivity of distributor leaders who continually build, educate and motivate their respective distribution and sales organizations. We also use product event and non-event promotions to motivate distributors to increase recruiting, retention and retailing activities. These promotions have ranged from our 2005 Worldwide Cup promotion to vacations or other qualifying events for distributors that meet certain selling and recruiting goals. The costs of these promotions are included in Selling, General & Administrative expenses.
 
The factors described above have driven growth in our business. The following net sales by geographic unit discussion provides further details regarding some of the above factors and describes unique growth factors specific to certain groups, including major countries within such groups. The Company believes that the correct foundation, coupled with ongoing training and promotional initiatives is required to increase recruiting and retention of distributors and retailing of our products. The correct foundation includes strong country management that works closely with the distributor leadership, a broad product line that appeals to local consumer needs, a favorable regulatory environment, a scalable and stable technology platform and an attractive marketing plan. Initiatives such as Success Training Seminars, World Team Schools, Promotional Events and regional Extravaganzas are integral components of developing a highly motivated and educated distributor sales organization that will work toward increasing the recruitment and retention of distributors.
 
Our strategy will continue to include generating and maintaining growth within existing markets and increased focus on the support and acculturation of successful distributor daily methods of operations (“DMOs”). We expect to increase spending in Selling, General & Administrative expenses to maintain or stimulate sales growth, while making strategic investments in new initiatives. In addition, new ideas are being generated in our regional markets, either by distributors, country management or corporate management. Examples are the Nutrition Clubs in Mexico, the Total Plan in Brazil and GenerationH, or “GenH” in the U.S., each as described below in the net sales discussion below. Management’s strategy is to review the feasibility of expanding successful country initiatives throughout a region and/or globally where appropriate and financially support the expansion of these initiatives.

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North America
 
Net sales in North America increased $17.0 million and $36.7 million, or 22.6% and 15.9%, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, as compared to the same periods of 2005. In local currency, net sales increased by 22.5% and 15.5%, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, as compared to the same periods of 2005. The fluctuation of foreign currency rates had a favorable impact of $0.2 million and $0.9 million, respectively on net sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006. The overall increase in net sales in North America was a result of net sales growth in the U.S. of $17.4 million and $36.3 million or 24.7% and 16.8% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, as compared to the same periods of 2005.
 
Net sales in the U.S. increased as a result of a number of factors, including strong supervisor growth, up 16.1% at September 30, 2006, as compared to September 30, 2005; the establishment of a dedicated U.S. country management team; continued branding efforts such as sponsorship of the AVP Volleyball Tour, the Bay to Breakers Run, the 2006 Amgen Tour of California bicycle race and the 2006 Nautica Triathlon; and various new promotions including the 2006 Active World Team promotion and the 2006 President Team Challenge. To further support the retailing and recruiting efforts of our distributors, we plan to open a new sales centers in the U.S. during the fourth quarter of 2006 and, in particular, to stimulate sales within the vicinity of the new sales centers. Additionally, in July 2006 at our North American Extravaganza, we introduced a water mixable version of our top selling Formula 1 shake, a reformulated version of our Garden 7tm product and NouriFusion in individual use packets.
 
We believe that 2006 sales in North America should continue its positive year over year growth primarily as a result of the expected continuation of the strong momentum in key markets, the rapid success and expansion of the Nutrition Club DMO and increased distribution focus on providing samples of product in individual use packets.
 
Mexico and Central America
 
Net sales in Mexico and Central America for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, increased $41.3 million and $131.4 million, or 66.9% and 87.8%, respectively, as compared to the same periods of 2005. In local currency, net sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, increased by 70.5% and 87.7%, respectively, as compared to the same periods of 2005. The fluctuation of foreign currency rates had an unfavorable impact of $2.3 million on net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and a favorable impact of $0.2 million on net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. The overall increase was a result of net sales growth in Mexico of $40.6 million and $129.8 million or 66.0% and 87.1% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, as compared to the same periods of 2005.
 
The net sales growth trend in Mexico reflects strong supervisor growth, up 97.9% at September 30, 2006, as compared to September 30, 2005, and the continued expansion of our Nutrition Clubs. We estimate that distributors are operating approximately 36,000 Nutrition Clubs in Mexico. During the first nine months of 2006 we opened an additional sales center in Mexico City, held a Presidents Team Tour attended by approximately 9,000 distributors, hosted the Mexico Extravaganza in Mexico City, which was attended by over 11,000 distributors and held two Active Supervisor Schools, which approximately 4,300 distributors attended. Additionally, we relocated our Mexico headquarters and main warehouse in Guadalajara and plan to open a new sales center in the Mexico City area to better support our expansion efforts.
 
We believe that the 2006 sales in Mexico and Central America should continue its positive year over year growth primarily as a result of the strong supervisor growth, increased development of products, literature and promotions to support and leverage the success of the Nutrition Clubs and building upon the momentum within our distributor organization. As sales have continued to increase primarily in Mexico, resulting in a corresponding higher sales base, the rate of increase in net sales, when measured as a percent of net sales for the corresponding quarter last year, has declined for Mexico and Central America. This trend is expected to continue in the fourth quarter of 2006.


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Brazil
 
Net sales in Brazil increased $3.9 million and $22.6 million, or 13.5% and 29.4%, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, as compared to the same periods of 2005. In local currency, net sales increased by 5.2% and 13.3%, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, as compared to the same periods of 2005. The fluctuation of foreign currency rates had a favorable impact of $2.4 million and $12.5 million on net sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively.
 
The net sales growth trend in Brazil is a result of strong supervisor growth, up 16.8% at September 30, 2006, as compared to September 30, 2005, strong distributor leadership, a highly effective country management team and the introduction of a new distributor promotion launched in the third quarter of 2006. In addition, expansion of the Total Plan lead generation method and the introduction of the Nutrition Club concept in this market have been key catalysts for growth. During the year we held a World Team School attended by over 4,500 distributors and launched the NouriFusion basic line in individual use packets.
 
We believe the 2006 sales in Brazil should continue its positive year over year growth primarily as a result of the increase in the Nutrition Club DMOs and plans to refine our product portfolio to help us compete more aggressively in the personal care industry by leveraging our product knowledge and the Total Plan. Although net sales in Brazil is expected to increase in 2006 on a year over year basis and we expect fourth quarter net sales to be slightly higher than in the fourth quarter of 2005, we have experienced a leveling sales in the last nine months.
 
South America and Southeast Asia
 
Net sales in South America and Southeast Asia increased $14.6 million and $48.0 million, or 39.5% and 50.9%, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, as compared to the same periods of 2005. In local currency, net sales increased 37.6% and 50.6%, respectively for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, as compared to the same periods of 2005. The fluctuation of foreign currency rates had a $0.6 million and $0.4 million favorable impact, respectively on net sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006. The overall increase was attributable mainly to net sales increases in Colombia, Argentina, Venezuela and Bolivia and the opening of Malaysia in February 2006 as a new market. During the quarter ended September 30, 2006, we held an extravaganza for the region in Bangkok, Thailand, which was attended by over 15,000 distributors from 13 countries.
 
Colombia, Argentina, Venezuela and Bolivia experienced sales increases of 80.3%, 54.5%, 71.9% and 63.4%, respectively, for the quarter ended September 30, 2006. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, Colombia, Argentina, Venezuela and Bolivia experienced continued sales increases of 214.4%, 78.2%, 43.6% and 123.1%, respectively. This growth was the result of positive momentum from the local events, including Millionaires’ Retreats held in Panama and Pucon, Chile, sponsored activities such as the Bogota, Colombia Marathon during the third quarter of 2006.
 
We opened our Malaysia market in February 2006. Over 10,000 people attended the various opening events. Net sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 were $7.8 million and $19.1 million, respectively. During the quarter ended September 30, 2006, several workshops and trainings were conducted to support the continued growth of sales in Malaysia.
 
We believe the 2006 sales in South America and Southeast Asia should continue its positive year over year growth primarily as a result of the opening of Peru and the ability to respond more quickly to challenges as a result of the realignment.
 
EMEA
 
EMEA net sales decreased $3.8 million and $3.5 million, or 2.9% and 0.8%, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, as compared to the same periods of 2005. In local currency, net sales decreased 5.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2006, as compared to the same period of 2005 and increased 1.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, as compared to the same period of 2005. The fluctuation of foreign currency rates had a favorable impact on net sales of $3.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and an unfavorable impact on net sales of $7.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Portugal,


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France and Spain continue to grow and experienced sales increases of 32.5%, 13.2% and 15.6%, respectively, while Germany and the Netherlands experienced decreases in net sales of 25.7% and 21.2%, respectively for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, as compared to the same period of 2005. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, Portugal, France, and Spain sales increased 36.1%, 26.2%, and 13.1%, respectively, while Germany and the Netherlands experienced decreased net sales of 20.4% and 22.1%, respectively. During the first quarter of 2006 we relocated our call centers to Italy, France and the Netherlands in an effort to improve service and support to distributors who previously were serviced out of the United Kingdom. During this process we also opened our first sales center in the Netherlands. Additionally, during the third quarter an Extravaganza was held in Athens, Greece and was attended by over 15,000 distributors from over 40 countries.
 
The net sales increases in Portugal, France, and Spain continued, primarily due to a well balanced performance across distributor retailing, recruiting and retention efforts, a united distributor leadership working closely with the local management, and a program focus on the Total Plan. In addition, there has been an increasing emphasis on good health and nutrition in France, which is supported and promoted by local nutritionists. Two Nutrition Advisory Board members were appointed in France and Spain during the third quarter of 2006.
 
The decline in Germany was primarily driven by a decrease in supervisors, down 22.4% at September 30, 2006, as compared to September 30, 2005. In Germany, a recently constituted strategy group has focused on turnaround initiatives, both in business activity as well as brand building. Significant distributor training has been undertaken, concentrating on long term customers, Nutrition Clubs and wellness coaching. In addition, improved distributor communications has been a key focus and new online tools are being provided.
 
The net sales decline in the Netherlands was primarily driven by lower recruiting of new distributors. A reconstituted distributor strategy group, working closely with regional management is focused on initiatives to reverse that trend. These included a National Supervisor recruitment drive, the launch of Liftofftm in June 2006, a highly successful Spring Spectacular event and the appointment of a member of the Global Nutritional Advisory Board.
 
While progress is being made, the turnaround is expected to be slow in Germany and the Netherlands and net sales for 2006 are expected to be below the level of 2005 for these countries.
 
We expect 2006 net sales in EMEA to be slightly lower when compared to 2005 and measured in US dollars, while flat when measured in local currency. We have identified several high-potential markets for which we are developing strategic plans to grow sales in these emerging markets. We plan to continue to support these markets through our global and local branding initiatives. This includes sponsoring the London Triathlon, the Italian Beach Volleyball Championship, the Nice Ironman Triathlon and the Madrid Triathlon, which are intended to continually improve our corporate and brand reputation in the market. We are also enhancing distributor communication processes and training, and, in addition, we have the introduction of some new products into the region, most notably Liftofftm. Liftofftm was introduced in ten markets in the EMEA group in the third quarter of 2006, and is scheduled for launch during the fourth quarter of 2006 in several additional markets.
 
Greater China
 
Greater China net sales increased $7.0 million and $10.1 million, or 24.0% and 12.3%, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, as compared to the same periods of 2005. In local currency, net sales increased 24.2% and 13.0%, respectively for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, as compared to the same periods of 2005. The fluctuation of foreign currency rates had an unfavorable impact of $0.1 million and $0.7 million, respectively, on net sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006. The overall increase in net sales was attributable mainly to an increase in China, while Taiwan and Hong Kong continued to experience a decline in sales.
 
Net sales in China increased by $10.9 million to $11.6 million and by $20.5 million to $21.9 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, as compared to the same periods of 2005. Since March of 2005 we have opened 33 retail stores in 20 provinces throughout China. During the fourth quarter of 2006, we plan to hold a World Team School and open an additional 9 stores.


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Net sales in Taiwan decreased $2.2 million and $6.7 million, or 9.3% and 9.8%, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, as compared to the same periods of 2005. In local currency, net sales in Taiwan decreased 7.9% and 7.9%, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, as compared to the same periods of 2005. The fluctuation of foreign currency rates had an unfavorable impact on net sales of $0.3 million and $1.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively. The decrease in net sales was primarily attributable to the focus of local distributor leadership and some of their key members, whose attention was temporarily shifted, in net sales on the opening of Malaysia and the emerging business opportunity in China. During the fourth quarter of 2006, we plan to hold a World Training School and as well as a special training event in November.
 
Net sales in Hong Kong decreased $1.7 million and $3.8 million, or 38.8% and 29.4%, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, as compared to the same periods of 2005. The decline in net sales is primarily the result of a decrease in supervisors, down 22.2% at September 30, 2006, as compared to September 30, 2005.
 
We believe the 2006 sales in Greater China should continue its positive year over year growth primarily as a result of the continued expansion of our retail presence and continued efforts to enhance our product portfolio.
 
North Asia
 
North Asia net sales decreased $4.6 million and $4.8 million, or 12.1% and 4.5%, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, as compared to the same periods of 2005. In local currency, net sales decreased 13.1% and 2.5% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, as compared to the same periods of 2005. The fluctuation of foreign currency rates had a favorable impact of $0.3 million and an unfavorable impact of $2.2 million on net sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively. The decrease was mainly attributable to Japan.
 
Net sales in Japan decreased $5.8 million and $11.8 million, or 24.3% and 16.5%, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, as compared to the same periods of 2005. In spite of the decrease in net sales, the number of new distributors and the supervisor retention rate are improving when compared to the same periods last year. The improved retention rate was caused by an increase in the number of distributors taking advantage of the modified re-qualification criteria. We believe the modified re-qualification criteria will lead to increased future sales. During the three months ended September 30, 2006, NouriFusiontm skin whitening foundation was launched, and a new Nutrition Center showroom and sales center, which will operate seven days a week, were opened in Osaka and a recruiting promotion was launched. During the fourth quarter of 2006, we will be launching several new products and promotions, which are expected to generate excitement among our distributors.
 
We believe the 2006 sales in North Asia should remain flat year over year. We plan to remain focused on reinvigorating our distributor leadership and exporting successful DMOs into this market.
 
Sales by Product Category
 
                                                                                         
    Three Months Ended September 30,  
    2005     2006  
                      Handling
                            Handling
             
    Retail
    Distributor
    Product
    & Freight
    Net
    Retail
    Distributor
    Product
    & Freight
    Net
    %Change in
 
    Sales     Allowance     Sales     Income     Sales     Sales     Allowance     Sales     Income     Sales     Net Sales  
    (In millions)  
 
Weight Management
  $ 282.4     $ (139.0 )   $ 143.4     $ 23.7     $ 167.1     $ 344.6     $ (170.6 )   $ 174.0     $ 28.1     $ 202.1       20.9 %
Inner Nutrition
    299.0       (147.2 )     151.8       25.1       176.9       358.0       (177.2 )     180.8       29.1       209.9       18.7 %
Outer Nutrition®
    62.8       (31.0 )     31.8       5.2       37.0       57.5       (28.5 )     29.0       4.7       33.7       (8.9 )%
Literature, Promotional and Other
    15.4       3.3       18.7       1.3       20.0       20.8       8.2       29.0       1.7       30.7       53.5 %
                                                                                         
Total
  $ 659.6     $ (313.9 )   $ 345.7     $ 55.3     $ 401.0     $ 780.9     $ (368.1 )   $ 412.8     $ 63.6     $ 476.4       18.8 %
                                                                                         
 


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    Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2005     2006  
                      Handling
                            Handling
             
    Retail
    Distributor
    Product
    & Freight
    Net
    Retail
    Distributor
    Product
    & Freight
    Net
    %Change in
 
    Sales     Allowance     Sales     Income     Sales     Sales     Allowance     Sales     Income     Sales     Net Sales  
    (In millions)  
 
Weight Management
  $ 805.2     $ (396.5 )   $ 408.7     $ 67.9     $ 476.6     $ 1,003.4     $ (494.6 )   $ 508.8     $ 82.4     $ 591.2       24.0 %
Inner Nutrition
    848.2       (417.7 )     430.5       71.5       502.0       1,047.8       (516.4 )     531.4       85.9       617.3       23.0 %
Outer Nutrition®
    208.1       (102.5 )     105.6       17.4       123.0       191.7       (94.5 )     97.2       15.7       112.9       (8.2 )%
Literature, Promotional and Other
    43.1       9.4       52.5       3.6       56.1       60.2       11.6       71.8       5.0       76.8       36.9 %
                                                                                         
Total
  $ 1,904.6     $ (907.3 )   $ 997.3     $ 160.4     $ 1,157.7     $ 2,303.1     $ (1,093.9 )   $ 1,209.2     $ 189.0     $ 1,398.2       20.8 %
                                                                                         
 
Our increased emphasis on the science of weight management and nutrition during the recent years, illustrated by our assembly of the Scientific Advisory Board and the Medical Advisory Board, has resulted in product introductions such as Niteworkstm,, Garden 7tm and Formula I Instant Nutritional Snack Mix and the introduction of ShapeWorkstm, a personalized meal replacement program. Due to the launch of these new products together with the continued positive sales momentum discussed above, net sales of weight management products and inner nutrition products increased at a higher rate than net sales of outer nutrition® products. We expect shifts within these categories from time to time as we launch new products.
 
Gross Profit
 
Gross profit was $379.2 million and $1,117.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, as compared to $321.5 million and $925.1 million in the same periods of 2005. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit for the three months ended September 30, 2006 decreased slightly from 80.2% to 79.6%, as compared to the same period of 2005. The gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 remained flat at approximately 79.9% of net sales, as compared to the same period of 2005. Generally, gross profit percentages do not vary significantly as a percentage of net sales other than due to product and country mix, currency fluctuations, importation cost and provisions for slow moving and obsolete inventory. Additionally, we believe that we have the ability to mitigate price increases by raising the prices of our products or shifting product sourcing to alternative manufacturers.
 
Royalty Overrides
 
Royalty Overrides as a percentage of net sales were 35.4% and 35.9% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, as compared to 34.6% and 35.5% in the same periods of 2005. The increase for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, as compared to the same periods of 2005, was primarily due to a favorable pre-tax impact of $4.0 million relating to a change in the allowance for uncollectible royalty overrides receivables from distributors in the third quarter of 2005. Generally, this ratio varies slightly from period to period due to changes in the mix of products and countries because full Royalty Overrides are not paid on certain products or in certain countries. Due to the structure of our global compensation plan, we do not expect to see significant fluctuations in Royalty Overrides as a percentage of net sales.
 
Selling, General & Administrative Expenses
 
Selling, General & Administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales were 30.7% and 30.2% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, as compared to 30.3% and 30.2% in the same periods of 2005. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, Selling, General & Administrative expenses increased $24.5 million and $72.6 million to $146.1 million and $422.0 million, respectively, as compared to the same periods of 2005. The unfavorable impact of foreign currency fluctuations was $1.8 million and $2.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively.
 
The increases in Selling, General, & Administrative expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 included $10.5 million and $32.6 million in higher salaries and benefits, due primarily to normal merit increases, higher employee bonuses, higher stock based compensation expenses, and increases related to the strengthening of the management team regionally and in the U.S; higher compensation costs associated with

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employee sales representatives in China; $3.6 million and $12.8 million in higher professional fees primarily associated with our technology infrastructure and legal expenses; and $4.0 million and $8.5 million in higher occupancy expenses due to new facilities, respectively.
 
We expect 2006 Selling, General & Administrative expenses to increase over 2005 levels, reflecting general salary merit increases and the ongoing investments in our five key strategies — distributor, direct-to-consumer, product development, China, and infrastructure.
 
Net Interest Expense
 
Net interest expense was $25.9 million and $36.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, as compared to $8.0 million and $37.6 million for the same periods of 2005. Interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2006 includes recapitalization expenses of $22.9 million due to the repayment of our Prior Credit Facility of $79.6 million in July 2006 and the redemption of the $165.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 91/2% Notes due 2011 in August 2006. The recapitalization expenses include $1.7 million of write-off of unamortized deferred financing cost for the Prior Credit Facility, $16.6 million of purchase premium and $4.6 million of write-off of discount and deferred financing cost in respect of our 91/2% Notes. The Company entered into a new credit agreement in July 2006 which provides for a term loan of $200.0 million and a revolving credit facility of $100.0 million (the “New Credit Facility”). In August 2006, the Company borrowed $200.0 million of term loan under the New Credit Facility, and in September 2006, we prepaid $20.0 million of the term loan borrowing, resulting in approximately $0.1 million additional interest expense from the write-off of deferred financing fees.
 
Income Taxes
 
Income taxes were $12.2 million and $55.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 respectively, as compared to $26.2 million and $64.0 million in the same periods of 2005. As a percentage of pre-tax income, the effective income tax rate was 31.5% and 35.3% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, as compared to 49.1% and 50.3% in the same periods of 2005. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 as compared to 2005 was caused primarily by higher pre-tax income in lower taxed jurisdictions and the impact of recapitalization charges in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 as well as the settlement of an international tax audit and the additional tax benefit from refinancing transactions in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006. Excluding the effect of the settlement related to the international tax audit and the tax benefit of the bond redemption, the effective tax rate would have been approximately 37.5% and 39.1% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively.
 
Foreign Currency Fluctuations
 
Currency fluctuations had an unfavorable impact of $0.1 million and a favorable impact of $2.6 million on net results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, when compared to what current year net results would have been using last year’s foreign exchange rates. For the three months ended September 30, 2006, the regional effects of currency fluctuations were zero impact in North America, an unfavorable impact of $0.7 million in Mexico and Central America, a favorable impact of $0.6 million in Brazil, a favorable impact of $0.2 million in South America and Southeast Asia, a favorable impact of $0.4 million in EMEA, an unfavorable impact of $0.1 million in Greater China and an unfavorable impact of $0.5 million in North Asia. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the regional effects of currency fluctuation were a favorable impact of $0.3 million in North America, a favorable impact of $0.4 million in Mexico and Central America, a favorable impact of $2.6 million in Brazil, a favorable impact of $0.3 million in South America and Southeast Asia, an unfavorable impact of $0.9 million in EMEA, an unfavorable impact of $0.4 million in Greater China and a favorable impact of $0.3 million in North Asia.


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Net Results
 
Net income decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2006 to $26.5 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, from $27.1 million or $0.37 per diluted share, for the same period in 2005. Net income includes the impact of $14.3 million recapitalization expenses in connection with the repayment to the Prior Credit Facility and our 91/2% Notes and a $2.7 million additional tax benefit from refinancing transactions in the third quarter of 2006 and a favorable impact of $2.5 million relating to a change in the allowance for uncollectible royalty overrides receivables from distributors in the third quarter of 2005. For the three months ended September 30, 2006 as compared to the same period in 2005, net sales growth and a lower effective tax rate, partially offset by higher labor costs, promotional expenses and professional fees, had a net favorable impact to net income. Foreign currencies had an unfavorable impact of $0.1 million on net results for the three months ended September 30, 2006.
 
Net income increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 to $101.5 million, or $1.37 per diluted share, from $63.2 million or $0.87 per diluted share, for the same period in 2005. Net income includes the impact of a $3.7 million tax benefit resulting from an international income tax settlement in the first quarter of 2006, $14.3 million recapitalization expenses incurred in connection with the repayment of our Prior Credit Facility and our 91/2% Notes and a $2.7 million additional tax benefit from refinancing transactions in the third quarter of 2006, and $14.2 million of recapitalization expenses incurred in the first quarter of 2005 associated with the $110.0 million clawback of our 91/2% Notes and a favorable impact of $2.5 million relating to a change in the allowance for uncollectible royalty overrides receivables from distributors in the third quarter of 2005. For the nine months ended September 30, 3006 as compared to the same period in 2005, net sales growth, lower interest expense and a lower effective tax rate, partially offset by higher labor costs, promotional expenses and professional fees, had a net favorable impact to net income. Foreign currencies had a favorable impact of $2.6 million on net results for the nine months ended September 30, 2006.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
We have historically met our working capital and capital expenditure requirements, including funding for expansion of operations, through net cash flows provided by operating activities. Our principal source of liquidity is our operating cash flows. Variations in sales of our products would directly affect the availability of funds. There are no material restrictions on the ability to transfer and remit funds among our international affiliated companies.
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we generated $145.0 million from operating cash flows, as compared to $130.9 million in the same period of 2005. The increase in cash generated from operations reflected an increase in net income of $38.3 million, which was primarily driven by a 20.8% growth in net sales, partially offset by higher royalty overrides and selling, general & administrative expenses.
 
Capital expenditures, including capital leases, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 were $23.5 million and $49.1 million, respectively, as compared to $9.5 million and $22.3 million, for the same periods in 2005. We expect to incur capital expenditures of approximately $55 million in 2006. The majority of these expenditures represent investments in management information systems, the development of the Company’s direct-to-consumer platform, the expansion of our facilities in China and for the build-out and construction of new U.S. facilities.
 
2005 and 2006 are investment years for us in China as we expand our business there. The operating loss in China for 2005 was $2.2 million and we currently anticipate funding an operating loss of less than $1.0 million in 2006, in addition to total capital expenditures and working capital of up to $4.0 million for the planned build-out of retail stores, our offices and the expansion of the capabilities of our manufacturing facility. In 2005, we invested approximately $4.5 million in capital expenditures in China.
 
In February 2005, we redeemed a $110 million principal amount, excluding discounts, or 40% of our 91/2% Notes for the cash amount of $124.1 million, including a premium of $10.5 million and accrued interest of $3.6 million. Interest expense in 2005 includes the redemption amount of $14.2 million, which represents $10.5 million of premium and $3.7 million of write-off of deferred financing cost and discount. In August 2006, we redeemed the $165.0 million principal amount of our 91/2% Notes for a total amount of $187.8 million, including a premium of $16.6 million and accrued interest of $6.2 million. Interest expense in the third quarter of


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2006 includes the call premium of $16.6 million and $4.6 million of write-off of discounts and deferred financing costs.
 
Our Prior Credit Facility consisted of a senior secured revolving credit facility with total availability of up to $25.0 million and a senior secured term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $200.0 million. In July 2006, we prepaid all amounts outstanding under the Prior Credit Facility amounting to $79.6 million. Interest expense in the third quarter of 2006 includes $1.7 million of write-off of deferred financing cost.
 
In July 2006, we entered into the New Credit Facility, a $300.0 million senior secured credit facility, with a syndicate of financial institutions as lenders. The New Credit Facility replaced the Prior Credit Facility. The New Credit Facility provides for a $200.0 million term loan and a revolving credit facility of $100.0 million. The term loan matures on July 21, 2013 and the revolving credit facility is available until July 21, 2012. The term loan bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.5%, and the revolver bears interest at LIBOR rate plus a margin of 1.25%. The Company is obligated to pay $0.5 million of the term loan every quarter from December 31, 2006 until June 30, 2013 and the remaining principal on July 21, 2013. In September 2006, the Company made a prepayment of the new term loan borrowings of $20.0 million resulting in $0.1 million additional interest expense from write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs.
 
In July 2006, we redeemed the outstanding $0.1 million principal balance of the 113/4% Notes due 2010.
 
The following summarizes our contractual obligations including interest at September 30, 2006 and the effect such obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods:
 
                                                         
    Payments Due by Period  
                                        2011 &
 
    Total     2006     2007     2008     2009     2010     Thereafter  
    (In millions)  
 
Senior secured term loan
  $ 262.3     $ 3.7     $ 14.5     $ 14.3     $ 14.2     $ 14.0     $ 201.6  
Capital leases
    6.4       1.4       3.1       1.2       0.7              
Other debt
    1.6       0.7       0.9                          
Operating leases
    91.8       5.2       16.0       11.7       10.0       8.9       40.0  
                                                         
Total
  $ 362.1     $ 11.0     $ 34.5     $ 27.2     $ 24.9     $ 22.9     $ 241.6  
                                                         
 
As of September 30, 2006, we had positive working capital of $44.4 million. Cash and cash equivalents were $123.3 million at September 30, 2006, compared to $88.2 million at December 31, 2005.
 
We expect that cash and funds provided from operations and available borrowings under our existing revolving credit facility will provide sufficient working capital to operate our business, to make expected capital expenditures and to meet foreseeable liquidity requirements. There can be no assurance, however, that our business will service our debt, or fund our other liquidity needs.
 
The majority of our purchases from suppliers are generally made in U.S. dollars while sales to Herbalife distributors generally are made in local currencies. Consequently, strengthening of the U.S. dollar versus a foreign currency can have a negative impact on operating margins and can generate transaction losses on intercompany transactions. For discussion of our foreign exchange contracts and other hedging arrangements, see the quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risks described below.
 
Subsequent Events
 
In November 2006, we announced a realignment of our employee base as part of our realignment for growth plan. Under this plan, we expect to incur employee related costs of approximately $8 to $10 million. Such costs are expected to be recognized within the next twelve months.


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Contingencies
 
We are from time to time engaged in routine litigation. We regularly review all pending litigation matters in which we are involved and establish reserves deemed appropriate by management for these litigation matters when a probable loss estimate can be made.
 
Herbalife International and certain of its independent distributors have been named as defendants in a purported class action lawsuit filed February 17, 2005, in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, and served on Herbalife International on March 14, 2005 (Minton v. Herbalife International, et al). The case has been transferred to the Los Angeles County Superior Court. The plaintiff is challenging the marketing practices of certain Herbalife International independent distributors and Herbalife International under various state laws prohibiting “endless chain schemes,” insufficient disclosure in assisted marketing plans, unfair and deceptive business practices, and fraud and deceit. The plaintiff alleges that the Freedom Group system operated by certain independent distributors of Herbalife International products places too much emphasis on recruiting and encourages excessively large purchases of product and promotional materials by distributors. The plaintiff also alleges that Freedom Group pressured distributors to disseminate misleading promotional materials. The plaintiff seeks to hold Herbalife International vicariously liable for the actions of its independent distributors and is seeking damages and injunctive relief. We believe that we have meritorious defenses to the suit.
 
Herbalife International and certain of its distributors have been named as defendants in a class action lawsuit filed July 16, 2003, in the Circuit Court of Ohio County in the State of West Virginia (Mey v. Herbalife International, Inc., et al). On April 21, 2006, the court granted plaintiff’s motion for class certification in West Virginia. The complaint alleges that certain telemarketing practices of certain Herbalife International distributors violate the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, or TCPA, and seeks to hold Herbalife International vicariously liable for the practices of these distributors. More specifically, the plaintiffs’ complaint alleges that several of Herbalife International’s distributors used pre-recorded telephone messages and autodialers to contact prospective customers in violation of the TCPA’s prohibition of such practices. Herbalife International’s distributors are independent contractors and if any such distributors in fact violated the TCPA they also violated Herbalife’s policies, which require our distributors to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws. We believe that we have meritorious defenses to the suit.
 
As a marketer of dietary and nutritional supplements and other products that are ingested by consumers or applied to their bodies, we have been and are currently subjected to various product liability claims. The effects of these claims to date have not been material to us, and the reasonably possible range of exposure on currently existing claims is not material to us. We believe that we have meritorious defenses to the allegations contained in the lawsuits. We currently maintain product liability insurance with an annual deductible of $10 million.
 
Certain of our subsidiaries have been subject to tax audits by governmental authorities in their respective countries. In certain of these tax audits, governmental authorities are proposing that significant amounts of additional taxes and related interest and penalties are due. We and our tax advisors believe that there are substantial defenses to their allegations that additional taxes are owed, and we are vigorously contesting the additional proposed taxes and related charges.
 
These matters may take several years to resolve, and we cannot be sure of their ultimate resolution. However, it is the opinion of management that adverse outcomes, if any, will not likely result in a material effect on our financial condition and operating results. This opinion is based on our belief that any losses we suffer would not be material and that we have meritorious defenses. Although we have reserved an amount that we believe represents the likely outcome of the resolution of these disputes, if we are incorrect in our assessment we may have to record additional expenses.
 
Critical Accounting Policies
 
Our Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the year. Actual results could differ from those estimates. We consider the following policies to be most critical in understanding the judgments that are


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involved in preparing the consolidated financial statements and the uncertainties that could impact our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
 
We are a network marketing company that sells a wide range of weight management products, nutritional supplements and personal care products within one industry segment as defined under SFAS 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information. Our products are manufactured by third party providers and then sold to independent distributors who sell Herbalife products to retail consumers or other distributors.
 
We sell products in 62 countries throughout the world which are organized and managed by geographic region. In the first quarter of 2003, we elected to aggregate our operating segments into one reporting segment, as management believes that our operating segments have similar operating characteristics and similar long term operating performance. In making this determination, management believes that the operating segments are similar in the nature of the products sold, the product acquisition process, the types of customers products are sold to, the methods used to distribute the products and the nature of the regulatory environment.
 
Revenue is recognized when products are shipped and title passes to the independent distributor or importer. Amounts billed for freight and handling costs are included in net sales. We generally receive the net sales price in cash or through credit card payments at the point of sale. Related royalty overrides and allowances for product returns are recorded when the merchandise is shipped.
 
Allowances for product returns primarily in connection with our buyback program are provided at the time the product is shipped. This accrual is based upon historic return rates for each country, which vary from zero to approximately 5.0% of retail sales, and the relevant return pattern, which reflects anticipated returns to be received over a period of up to 12 months following the original sale. Historically, product returns and buybacks have not been significant. Product returns and buybacks were approximately 1.2%, 1.0% and 1.0%, 1.0%, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2006, respectively. No material changes in estimates have been recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2006.
 
We record reserves against our inventory to provide for estimated obsolete or unsalable inventory based on assumptions about future demand for our products and market conditions. If future demand and market conditions are less favorable than management’s assumptions, additional reserves could be required. Likewise, favorable future demand and market conditions could positively impact future operating results if previously reserved for inventory is sold. We reserved for obsolete and slow moving inventory totaling $8.0 million and $9.8 million as of December 31, 2005 and September 30, 2006, respectively.
 
In accordance with SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, long-lived assets, such as property, plant, and equipment, and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Assets to be disposed of would be separately presented in the balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated. The assets and liabilities of a disposed group classified as held for sale would be presented separately in the appropriate asset and liability sections of the balance sheet.
 
Goodwill and other intangibles not subject to amortization are tested annually for impairment and are tested for impairment more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the asset’s fair value. This determination is made at the reporting unit level and consists of two steps. First, the Company determines the fair value of a reporting unit and compares it to its carrying amount. Second, if the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized for any excess of the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill and other intangibles over the implied fair value. The implied fair value is determined by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation, in accordance with SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations. The residual fair value after this allocation is the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill and other intangibles. As of September 30, 2006, we had goodwill of approximately $125.1 million, and marketing


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franchise of $310.0 million. Goodwill was reduced in the first three quarters of 2006 by approximately $4.7 million, $2.0 million and $2.4 million, respectively, due primarily to the effect of the settlement of an international tax audit related to the pre-acquisition period, the use of net operating losses and the reduction of certain pre-acquisition income tax reserves.
 
Contingencies are accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies (“SFAS No. 5”). SFAS No. 5 requires that we record an estimated loss from a loss contingency when information available prior to issuance of our financial statements indicates that it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred at the date of the financial statements and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Accounting for contingencies such as legal and income tax matters requires us to use judgment. Many of these legal and tax contingencies can take years to be resolved. Generally, as the time period increases over which the uncertainties are resolved, the likelihood of changes to the estimate of the ultimate outcome increases.
 
Deferred income tax assets have been established for net operating loss carryforwards of certain foreign subsidiaries and have been reduced by a valuation allowance to reflect them at amounts estimated to be ultimately recognized. The net operating loss carryforwards expire in varying amounts over a future period of time. Realization of the income tax carryforwards is dependent on generating sufficient taxable income prior to expiration of the carryforwards. Although realization is not assured, we believe it is more likely than not that the net carrying value of the income tax carryforwards will be realized. The amount of the income tax carryforwards that is considered realizable, however, could change if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period are adjusted.
 
We account for stock-based compensation in accordance with SFAS No. 123R, Share-Based Payment (“SFAS No. 123R”). Under the fair value recognition provisions of this statement, share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized as expense over the vesting period. Determining the fair value of share-based awards at the grant date requires judgment, including estimating our stock price volatility and employee stock award exercise behaviors. Our expected volatility is primarily based upon the historical volatility of Herbalife’s common stock and, due to the limited period of public trading data for its common stock, it is also validated against the volatility of a company peer group. The expected life of awards is based on observed historical exercise patterns, which can vary over time. As stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, the amount of expense has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. SFAS No. 123R requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Forfeitures were estimated based on historical experience.
 
New Accounting Pronouncements
 
Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123R, which generally requires, among other things, that all employee share-based compensation be measured using a fair value method and that the resulting compensation cost be recognized in the financial statements. We selected the modified prospective method of adoption. Under this method, compensation expense that we recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 included: (a) compensation expense for all share-based payments granted prior to, but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, and (b) compensation expense for all share-based payments granted on or after January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123R. Results for prior periods were not restated. See Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements for more details on stock based compensation.
 
In June 2006, FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“FIN 48”) was issued in its final version. The Interpretation clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. FIN 48 provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. Earlier application of the provisions of FIN 48 is encouraged if the enterprise has not yet issued financial statements, including interim financial statements, in the period FIN 48 is adopted. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting FIN 48.


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In June 2006, the FASB ratified the consensuses of Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 06-3, How Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should Be Presented in the Income Statement (That Is, Gross versus Net Presentation) (“EITF 06-3”). EITF 06-3 clarifies that the scope of this issue includes any tax assessed by a governmental authority that is directly imposed on a revenue-producing transaction between a seller and a customer and indicates that the income statement presentation on either a gross basis or a net basis of the taxes within the scope of the issue is an accounting policy decision that should be disclosed. Furthermore, for taxes reported on a gross basis, an enterprise should disclose the amounts of those taxes in interim and annual financial statements for each period for which an income statement is presented. The consensus is effective, through retrospective application, for periods beginning after December 15, 2006. We are currently evaluating the presentation basis to be utilized in accordance with EITF 06-3.
 
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurement, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The provisions of SFAS No. 157 are effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, of adopting SFAS No. 157.
 
In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current year Financial Statements (“SAB 108”), which provides interpretive guidance on how the effects of the carryover or reversal of prior year misstatements should be considered in quantifying a current year misstatement. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2006 and it allows a one-time transitional cumulative effect adjustment to beginning-of-year retained earnings at the first fiscal year ending after November 15, 2006 for errors that were not previously deemed material, but are material under the guidance in SAB 108. We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, of adopting SAB 108 on our consolidated financial statements.
 
Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
We are exposed to market risks, which arise during the normal course of business from changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. On a selected basis, we use derivative financial instruments to manage or hedge these risks. All hedging transactions are authorized and executed pursuant to written guidelines and procedures.
 
We have adopted SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. SFAS No. 133, as amended and interpreted, established accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities. All derivatives, whether designated in hedging relationships or not, are required to be recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. If the derivative is designated as a fair-value hedge, the changes in the fair value of the derivative and the underlying hedged item are recognized concurrently in earnings. If the derivative is designated as a cash-flow hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded in other comprehensive income (“OCI”) and are recognized in the statement of operations when the hedged item affects earnings. SFAS No. 133 defined new requirements for designation and documentation of hedging relationships as well as ongoing effectiveness assessments in order to use hedge accounting. For a derivative that does not qualify as a hedge, changes in fair value are recognized concurrently in earnings.
 
A discussion of our primary market risk exposures and derivatives is presented below.
 
Foreign Exchange Risk
 
We enter into foreign exchange derivatives in the ordinary course of business primarily to reduce exposure to currency fluctuations attributable to inter-company transactions and translation of local currency revenue. Most of these foreign exchange contracts are designated as free standing derivatives for which hedge accounting does not apply.
 
We purchase average rate put options, which give us the right, but not the obligation, to sell foreign currency at a specified exchange rate (“strike rate”). These contracts provide protection in the event that the foreign currency weakens beyond the option strike rate.


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The following table provides information about the details of our option contracts:
 
                                 
          Average
    Fair
    Maturity
 
Foreign Currency
  Coverage     Strike Price     Value    
Date
 
    (In millions)           (In millions)        
 
Purchase Puts (Company may sell peso/buy USD)
                               
Mexican peso
  $ 18.5       10.69 — 10.94     $ 0.4       Oct-Dec 2006  
                                 
    $ 18.5             $ 0.4          
                                 
Purchase Puts (Company may sell real/buy USD)
                               
Brazilian real
  $ 5.0       2.28 — 2.37     $ 0.0       Oct-Dec 2006  
                                 
    $ 5.0             $ 0.0          
                                 
Purchase Puts (Company may sell won/buy USD)
                               
Korean won
  $ 3.8       980.75 — 992.25     $ 0.0       Oct-Dec 2006  
                                 
    $ 3.8             $ 0.0          
                                 
Purchase Puts (Company may sell pounds/buy USD)
                               
British pound
  $ 3.0       1.89 — 1.91     $ 0.1       Oct-Dec 2006  
                                 
    $ 3.0             $ 0.1          
                                 
Purchase Puts (Company may sell rand/buy USD)
                               
South African rand
  $ 0.3       6.10 — 6.10     $ 0.1       Oct-Dec 2006  
                                 
    $ 0.3             $ 0.1          
                                 
Purchase Puts (Company may sell Taiwan dollar/buy USD)
                               
Taiwan Dollar
  $ 3.0       30.98 — 31.25     $ 0.2       Oct-Dec 2006  
                                 
    $ 3.0             $ 0.2          
                                 
Purchase Puts (Company may sell Euro/buy USD)
                               
Euro
  $ 4.5       1.29 — 1.30     $ 0.1       Oct-Dec 2006  
                                 
    $ 4.5             $ 0.1          
                                 
 
Foreign exchange forward contracts are used to hedge advances between subsidiaries. The objective of these contracts is to neutralize the impact of foreign currency movements on the subsidiary’s operating results. The fair value of forward contracts is based on third-party bank quotes.


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The following table provides information about the details of our forward contracts:
 
                                         
    Contract
    Forward
    Maturity
    Contract
    Fair
 
Foreign Currency
  Date     Position     Date     Rate     Value  
          (In millions)                 (In millions)  
 
At September 30, 2006
                                       
Buy SEK sell USD
    09/29/06     $ 2.5       10/31/06       7.28     $ 2.5  
Buy EUR sell USD
    09/29/06     $ 1.0       10/31/06       1.27     $ 1.0  
Buy GBP sell USD
    09/29/06     $ 3.4       10/31/06       1.88     $ 3.4  
Buy USD sell TRY
    09/29/06     $ 2.3       10/31/06       1.53     $ 2.3  
Buy USD sell KRW
    09/27/06     $ 7.4       10/31/06       943.40     $ 7.4  
Buy YEN sell USD
    09/28/06     $ 5.0       10/31/06       117.33     $ 5.0  
Buy KRW sell USD
    09/27/06     $ 3.0       10/31/06       943.40     $ 3.0  
Buy INR sell USD
    09/27/06     $ 5.3       10/31/06       45.96     $ 5.3  
Buy EUR sell USD
    09/29/06     $ 20.5       10/31/06       1.27     $ 20.5  
Buy USD sell EUR
    09/28/06     $ 34.1       10/31/06       1.27     $ 34.0  
Buy USD sell EUR
    09/29/06     $ 33.3       10/31/06       1.27     $ 33.3  
Buy EUR sell USD
    09/28/06     $ 18.2       10/31/06       1.27     $ 18.1  
Buy NZD sell EUR
    09/29/06     $ 0.7       10/31/06       1.94     $ 0.7  
Buy TWD sell EUR
    09/27/06     $ 4.9       10/31/06       41.78     $ 4.9  
Buy NOK sell EUR
    09/29/06     $ 1.7       10/31/06       8.20     $ 1.7  
Buy DKK sell EUR
    09/29/06     $ 1.4       10/31/06       7.46     $ 1.4  
Buy PLN sell EUR
    09/29/06     $ 0.8       10/31/06       3.99     $ 0.8  
Buy USD sell EUR
    09/29/06     $ 0.8       10/31/06       1.27     $ 0.8  
Buy EUR sell HUF
    09/29/06     $ 0.1       10/31/06       274.18     $ 0.1  
Buy EUR sell SEK
    09/29/06     $ 0.6       10/31/06       9.25     $ 0.6  
Buy YEN sell CHF
    09/29/06     $ 17.6       10/31/06       94.40     $ 17.6  
Buy EUR sell GBP
    09/29/06     $ 0.9       10/31/06       0.68     $ 0.9  
 
All our foreign subsidiaries, excluding those operating in hyper-inflationary environments, designate their local currencies as their functional currency. At September 30, 2006, the total amount of our foreign subsidiary cash was $105.1 million, of which $8.7 million was invested in U.S. dollars.
 
Interest Rate Risk
 
On July 21, 2006, the interest rate swap associated with the Prior Credit Facility, originally entered into on February 21, 2005, was terminated due to the debt refinancing and income of $0.8 million was recorded in interest income in our consolidated statements of income for the quarter ended September 30, 2006. On August 23, we entered into a new interest rate swap agreement. This agreement provides for us to pay interest for a three-year period at a fixed rate of 5.26% on initial notional principal amount of $180.0 million while receiving interest for the same period at the LIBOR rate on the same notional principal amount. Subsequently, the notional amount will be reduced by $20 million in the second, third and fourth quarters of each year commencing January 1, 2007, throughout the term of the swap. The swap has been entered into as a cash flow hedge against LIBOR interest rate movements on new term loan totaling $200.0 million at LIBOR plus 1.50%, thereby fixing our effective rate on the notional amount at 6.76%. At September 30, 2006, the Company recorded the interest rate swap as a liability at fair value of $0.6 million with the offsetting amount recorded in other comprehensive income (“OCI”).
 
As of September 30, 2006, the aggregate annual maturities of the term loan obtained in July 2006 are: 2006-$0.5 million; 2007-$2.0 million; 2008-$2.0 million; 2009-$2.0 million; 2010-$2.0 million; and $171.5 million thereafter. The fair value of this loan approximates its carrying value of $180.0 million as of September 30, 2006. The term loan bears a variable interest rate, and on September 30, 2006 the average interest rate was 6.86%.


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Under the Company’s new term loan in effect as of September 30, 2006, we are obligated to enter into (for a minimum of three years) an interest rate hedge for up to 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the new term loan. On August 23, 2006, we entered into an interest rate swap, as discussed above, to fulfill this obligation.
 
Item 4.   Controls And Procedures
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.  Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.
 
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.  There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
This document contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. All statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements” for purposes of federal and state securities laws, including any projections of earnings, revenue or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning proposed new services or developments; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; any statements of belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Forward-looking statements may include the words “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “intend,” “continue,” “believe,” “expect” or “anticipate” and other similar words.
 
Although we believe that the expectations reflected in any of our forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in any of our forward-looking statements. Our future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to change and to inherent risks and uncertainties, such as those disclosed in this document. Important factors that could cause our actual results, performance and achievements, or industry results to differ materially from estimates or projections contained in our forward-looking statements include, among others, the following:
 
  •  our relationships with, and our ability to influence the actions of, our distributors;
 
  •  adverse publicity associated with our products or network marketing organization;
 
  •  uncertainties relating to interpretation and enforcement of recently enacted legislation in China governing direct selling;
 
  •  adverse changes in the Chinese economy, Chinese legal system or Chinese governmental policies;
 
  •  risk of improper action by our employees or international distributors in violation of applicable law;
 
  •  changing consumer preferences and demands;
 
  •  the competitive nature of our business;
 
  •  regulatory matters governing our products, including potential governmental or regulatory actions concerning the safety or efficacy of our products, and our network marketing program, including the direct selling market within which we operate;
 
  •  risks associated with operating internationally, including foreign exchange risks;
 
  •  our dependence on increased penetration of existing markets;
 
  •  contractual limitations on our ability to expand our business;


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  •  our reliance on our information technology infrastructure and outside manufacturers;
 
  •  the sufficiency of trademarks and other intellectual property rights;
 
  •  product concentration;
 
  •  our reliance on our management team;
 
  •  uncertainties relating to the application of transfer pricing, duties and similar tax regulations;
 
  •  taxation relating to our distributors; and
 
  •  product liability claims.
 
Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements are set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including under the heading “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and in our Financial Statements and the related notes.
 
Forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q speak only as of the date hereof, and forward looking statements in documents attached are incorporated by reference and speak only as of the date of those documents. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or release any revisions to any forward-looking statement or to report any events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.
 
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
See discussion under Note 5 in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this report.
 
Item 1.a   RISK FACTORS
 
Our failure to establish and maintain distributor relationships for any reason could negatively impact sales of our products and harm our financial condition and operating results.
 
We distribute our products exclusively through over one million independent distributors, and we depend upon them directly for substantially all of our sales. To increase our revenue, we must increase the number of, or the productivity of, our distributors. Accordingly, our success depends in significant part upon our ability to recruit, retain and motivate a large base of distributors. There is a high rate of turnover among our distributors, a characteristic of the network marketing business. The loss of a significant number of distributors for any reason could negatively impact sales of our products and could impair our ability to attract new distributors. In our efforts to attract and retain distributors, we compete with other network marketing organizations, including those in the weight management product, dietary and nutritional supplement and personal care and cosmetic product industries. Our operating results could be harmed if our existing and new business opportunities and products do not generate sufficient interest to retain existing distributors and attract new distributors.
 
In light of the high year-over-year rate of turnover in our distributor base, we have our supervisors re-qualify annually in order to help us maintain a more accurate count of their numbers. For the latest twelve month re-qualification period ending January 2006, 41.5% of our supervisors re-qualified. Distributors who purchase our product for personal consumption or for short-term income goals may stay with us for several months to one year. Supervisors who have committed time and effort to build a sales organization will generally stay for longer periods. Distributors have highly variable levels of training, skills and capabilities. The turnover rate of our distributors, and our operating results, can be adversely impacted if we, and our senior distributor leadership, do not provide the necessary mentoring, training and business support tools for new distributors to become successful sales people in a short period of time.


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We estimate that, of our over one million independent distributors, we had approximately 244,000 supervisors after re-qualifications for the twelve months period ended January 2006. These supervisors, together with their downline sales organizations, account for substantially all of our revenues. Our distributors, including our supervisors, may voluntarily terminate their distributor agreements with us at any time. The loss of a group of leading supervisors, together with their downline sales organizations, or the loss of a significant number of distributors for any reason, could negatively impact sales of our products, impair our ability to attract new distributors and harm our financial condition and operating results.
 
Since we cannot exert the same level of influence or control over our independent distributors as we could were they our own employees, our distributors could fail to comply with our distributor policies and procedures, which could result in claims against us that could harm our financial condition and operating results.
 
Our distributors are independent contractors and, accordingly, we are not in a position to directly provide the same direction, motivation and oversight as we would if distributors were our own employees. As a result, there can be no assurance that our distributors will participate in our marketing strategies or plans, accept our introduction of new products, or comply with our distributor policies and procedures.
 
Extensive federal, state and local laws regulate our business, our products and our network marketing program. Because we have expanded into foreign countries, our policies and procedures for our independent distributors differ due to the different legal requirements of each country in which we do business. While we have implemented distributor policies and procedures designed to govern distributor conduct and to protect the goodwill associated with Herbalife trademarks and tradenames, it can be difficult to enforce these policies and procedures because of the large number of distributors and their independent status. Violations by our independent distributors of applicable law or of our policies and procedures in dealing with customers could reflect negatively on our products and operations and harm our business reputation. In addition, it is possible that a court could hold us civilly or criminally accountable based on vicarious liability because of the actions of our independent distributors. If any of these events occur, the value of an investment in our common shares could be impaired. For example, in Mey v. Herbalife International, et al, the plaintiff seeks to hold the Company vicariously liable for actions of certain of its distributors, each of whom is an independent contractor. While the Company vigorously denies such distributors were acting as agents of the Company, and although the court specifically did not rule on the question of vicarious liability, on April 21, 2006 it did grant the plaintiff’s motion to certify the case as a class action. We believe that we have meritorious defenses and will continue to vigorously defend this lawsuit.
 
Adverse publicity associated with our products, ingredients or network marketing program, or those of similar companies, could harm our financial condition and operating results.
 
The size of our distribution force and the results of our operations may be significantly affected by the public’s perception of our Company and similar companies. This perception is dependent upon opinions concerning:
 
  •  the safety and quality of our products and ingredients;
 
  •  the safety and quality of similar products and ingredients distributed by other companies;
 
  •  our distributors;
 
  •  our network marketing program; and
 
  •  the direct selling business generally.
 
Adverse publicity concerning any actual or purported failure of our Company or our independent distributors to comply with applicable laws and regulations regarding product claims and advertising, good manufacturing practices, the regulation of our network marketing program, the licensing of our products for sale in our target markets or other aspects of our business, whether or not resulting in enforcement actions or the imposition of penalties, could have an adverse effect on the goodwill of our Company and could negatively affect our ability to attract, motivate and retain distributors, which would negatively impact our ability to generate revenue. We cannot


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ensure that all distributors will comply with applicable legal requirements relating to the advertising, labeling, licensing or distribution of our products.
 
In addition, our distributors’ and consumers’ perception of the safety and quality of our products and ingredients as well as similar products and ingredients distributed by other companies can be significantly influenced by national media attention, publicized scientific research or findings, widespread product liability claims and other publicity concerning our products or ingredients or similar products and ingredients distributed by other companies. Adverse publicity, whether or not accurate or resulting from consumers’ use or misuse of our products, that associates consumption of our products or ingredients or any similar products or ingredients with illness or other adverse effects, questions the benefits of our or similar products or claims that any such products are ineffective, inappropriately labeled or have inaccurate instructions as to their use, could negatively impact our reputation or the market demand for our products.
 
Adverse publicity relating to us, our products or our operations, including our network marketing program or the attractiveness or viability of the financial opportunities provided thereby, has had, and could again have, a negative effect on our ability to attract, motivate and retain distributors. In the mid-1980’s, our products and marketing program became the subject of regulatory scrutiny in the United States, resulting in large part from claims and representations made about our products by our independent distributors, including impermissible therapeutic claims. The resulting adverse publicity caused a rapid, substantial loss of distributors in the United States and a corresponding reduction in sales beginning in 1985. We expect that negative publicity will, from time to time, continue to negatively impact our business in particular markets.
 
Our failure to appropriately respond to changing consumer preferences and demand for new products or product enhancements could significantly harm our distributor and customer relationships and product sales and harm our financial condition and operating results and cause the loss or reduction in the value of your investment in our common shares.
 
Our business is subject to changing consumer trends and preferences, especially with respect to weight management products. Our continued success depends in part on our ability to anticipate and respond to these changes, and we may not respond in a timely or commercially appropriate manner to such changes. Furthermore, the nutritional supplement industry is characterized by rapid and frequent changes in demand for products and new product introductions and enhancements. Our failure to accurately predict these trends could negatively impact consumer opinion of our products, which in turn could harm our customer and distributor relationships and cause the loss of sales. The success of our new product offerings and enhancements depends upon a number of factors, including our ability to:
 
  •  accurately anticipate customer needs;
 
  •  innovate and develop new products or product enhancements that meet these needs;
 
  •  successfully commercialize new products or product enhancements in a timely manner;
 
  •  price our products competitively;
 
  •  manufacture and deliver our products in sufficient volumes and in a timely manner; and
 
  •  differentiate our product offerings from those of our competitors.
 
If we do not introduce new products or make enhancements to meet the changing needs of our customers in a timely manner, some of our products could be rendered obsolete, which could negatively impact our revenues, financial condition and operating results.
 
Due to the high level of competition in our industry, we might fail to retain our customers and distributors, which would harm our financial condition and operating results.
 
The business of marketing weight management and nutrition products is highly competitive and sensitive to the introduction of new products or weight management plans, including various prescription drugs, which may rapidly capture a significant share of the market. These market segments include numerous manufacturers,


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distributors, marketers, retailers and physicians that actively compete for the business of consumers both in the United States and abroad. In addition, we anticipate that we will be subject to increasing competition in the future from sellers that utilize electronic commerce. Some of these competitors have longer operating histories, significantly greater financial, technical, product development, marketing and sales resources, greater name recognition, larger established customer bases and better-developed distribution channels than we do. Our present or future competitors may be able to develop products that are comparable or superior to those we offer, adapt more quickly than we do to new technologies, evolving industry trends and standards or customer requirements, or devote greater resources to the development, promotion and sale of their products than we do. For example, if our competitors develop other diet or weight loss treatments that prove to be more effective than our products, demand for our products could be reduced. Accordingly, we may not be able to compete effectively in our markets and competition may intensify.
 
We are also subject to significant competition for the recruitment of distributors from other network marketing organizations, including those that market weight management products, dietary and nutritional supplements and personal care products as well as other types of products. We compete for global customers and distributors with regard to weight management, nutritional supplement and personal care products. Our competitors include both direct selling companies such as NuSkin Enterprises, Nature’s Sunshine, Alticor/Amway, Melaleuca, Avon Products, Oriflame and Mary Kay, as well as retail establishments such as Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, General Nutrition Centers, Wal-Mart and retail pharmacies. In addition, because the industry in which we operate is not particularly capital intensive or otherwise subject to high barriers to entry, it is relatively easy for new competitors to emerge who will compete with us for our distributors and customers. In addition, the fact that our distributors may easily enter and exit our network marketing program contributes to the level of competition that we face. For example, a distributor can enter or exit our network marketing system with relative ease at any time without facing a significant investment or loss of capital because (1) we have a low upfront financial cost (generally $50 to $75) to become a Herbalife distributor, (2) we do not require any specific amount of time to work as a distributor, (3) we do not insist on any special training to be a distributor and (4) we do not prohibit a new distributor from working with another company. Our ability to remain competitive therefore depends, in significant part, on our success in recruiting and retaining distributors through an attractive compensation plan, the maintenance of an attractive product portfolio and other incentives. We cannot ensure that our programs for recruitment and retention of distributors will be successful, and if they are not, our financial condition and operating results would be harmed.
 
We are affected by extensive laws, governmental regulations, administrative determinations, court decisions and similar constraints both domestically and abroad and our failure or our distributors’ failure to comply with these restraints could lead to the imposition of significant penalties or claims, which could harm our financial condition and operating results.
 
In both domestic and foreign markets, the formulation, manufacturing, packaging, labeling, distribution, importation, exportation, licensing, sale and storage of our products are affected by extensive laws, governmental regulations, administrative determinations, court decisions and similar constraints. Such laws, regulations and other constraints may exist at the federal, state or local levels in the United States and at all levels of government in foreign jurisdictions. There can be no assurance that we or our distributors are in compliance with all of these regulations. Our failure or our distributors’ failure to comply with these regulations or new regulations could lead to the imposition of significant penalties or claims and could negatively impact our business. In addition, the adoption of new regulations or changes in the interpretations of existing regulations may result in significant compliance costs or discontinuation of product sales and may negatively impact the marketing of our products, resulting in significant loss of sales revenues.
 
On April 12, 2006 the Federal Trade Commission issued a notice of proposed rulemaking which, if implemented, will regulate all sellers of “business opportunities” in the United States. The proposed rule would, among other things, require all sellers of business opportunities, which would likely include the Company, to (i) implement a seven day waiting period before entering into an agreement with a prospective business opportunity purchaser, (ii) provide all prospective business opportunity purchasers with substantial information in writing at the beginning of the waiting period regarding the business opportunity, including information relating to: representations made as to the earnings experience of other business opportunity purchasers, the names and telephone


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numbers of recent purchasers in their geographic area, cancellation or refund policies and requests within the prior two years, certain legal actions against the company, its affiliated companies and company officers, directors, sales managers and certain others. The Company, other direct selling companies, the Direct Selling Association, and other interested parties have filed over 17,000 comments with the FTC that are publicly available regarding the proposed rule through the FTC’s website at http://www.ftc.gov/os/comments/businessopprule/index.htm. The Company, the DSA, other direct selling companies, and other interested parties also filed “rebuttal” comments with the FTC in September, 2006. Based on information currently available, we anticipate that the final rule may require several years to become final and effective, and may differ substantially from the rule as originally proposed. Nevertheless the proposed rule, if implemented in its original form, would negatively impact our U.S. business.
 
Governmental regulations in countries where we plan to commence or expand operations may prevent or delay entry into those markets. In addition, our ability to sustain satisfactory levels of sales in our markets is dependent in significant part on our ability to introduce additional products into such markets. However, governmental regulations in our markets, both domestic and international, can delay or prevent the introduction, or require the reformulation or withdrawal, of certain of our products. For example, during the third quarter of 1995, we received inquiries from certain governmental agencies within Germany and Portugal regarding our product, Thermojetics® Instant Herbal Beverage, relating to the caffeine content of the product and the status of the product as an “instant tea,” which was disfavored by regulators, versus a “beverage.” Although we initially suspended the product sale in Germany and Portugal at the request of the regulators, we successfully reintroduced it once regulatory issues were satisfactorily resolved. Any such regulatory action, whether or not it results in a final determination adverse to us, could create negative publicity, with detrimental effects on the motivation and recruitment of distributors and, consequently, on sales.
 
On March 7, 2003, the FDA proposed a new regulation to require current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) affecting the manufacture, packing, and holding of dietary supplements. The proposed regulation would establish standards to ensure that dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are not adulterated with contaminants or impurities, and are labeled to accurately reflect the active ingredients and other ingredients in the products. It also includes proposed requirements for designing and constructing physical plants, establishing quality control procedures, and testing manufactured dietary ingredients and dietary supplements, as well as proposed requirements for maintaining records and for handling consumer complaints related to cGMPs. We are evaluating this proposal with respect to its potential impact upon the various contract manufacturers that we use to manufacture our products, some of whom might not meet the new standards. It is important to note that the proposed regulation, in an effort to limit disruption, includes a three-year phase-in for small businesses of any final regulation that is issued. At such time as the FDA issues the final cGMP regulation we expect that some of our smaller contract manufacturers will not be fully impacted by the proposed regulation for up to three years. However, the proposed regulation can be expected to result in additional costs and possibly the need to seek alternate suppliers.
 
Our network marketing program could be found to be not in compliance with current or newly adopted laws or regulations in one or more markets, which could prevent us from conducting our business in these markets and harm our financial condition and operating results.
 
Our network marketing program is subject to a number of federal and state regulations administered by the Federal Trade Commission and various state agencies in the United States as well as regulations on direct selling in foreign markets administered by foreign agencies. We are subject to the risk that, in one or more markets, our network marketing program could be found not to be in compliance with applicable law or regulations. Regulations applicable to network marketing organizations generally are directed at preventing fraudulent or deceptive schemes, often referred to as “pyramid” or “chain sales” schemes, by ensuring that product sales ultimately are made to consumers and that advancement within an organization is based on sales of the organization’s products rather than investments in the organization or other non-retail sales-related criteria. The regulatory requirements concerning network marketing programs do not include “bright line” rules and are inherently fact-based, and thus, even in jurisdictions where we believe that our network marketing program is in full compliance with applicable laws or regulations governing network marketing systems, we are subject to the risk that these laws or regulations or the enforcement or interpretation of these laws and regulations by governmental agencies or courts can change. The


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failure of our network marketing program to comply with current or newly adopted regulations could negatively impact our business in a particular market or in general.
 
We are also subject to the risk of private party challenges to the legality of our network marketing program. The multi-level marketing programs of other companies have been successfully challenged in the past, and in a current lawsuit, allegations have been made challenging the legality of our network marketing program in Belgium. Test Ankoop-Test Achat, a Belgian consumer protection organization, sued Herbalife International Belgium, S.V., or HIB, on August 26, 2004, alleging that HIB violated Article 84 of the Belgian Fair Trade Practices Act by engaging in pyramid selling, i.e., establishing a network of professional or non-professional sales people who hope to make a profit more through the expansion of that network rather than through the sale of products to end-consumers. The plaintiff is seeking a payment of €25,000 (equal to approximately $32,000 as of September 30, 2006) per purported violation as well as costs of the trial. For the year ended December 31, 2005, our net sales in Belgium were approximately $15.9 million. Currently, the lawsuit is in the pleading stage. The plaintiffs filed their initial brief on September 27, 2005. We filed a reply brief on May 9, 2006. There is no date yet for the oral hearings. An adverse judicial determination with respect to our network marketing program, or in proceedings not involving us directly but which challenge the legality of multi-level marketing systems, in Belgium or in any other market in which we operate, could negatively impact our business.
 
A substantial portion of our business is conducted in foreign markets, exposing us to the risks of trade or foreign exchange restrictions, increased tariffs, foreign currency fluctuations and similar risks associated with foreign operations.
 
Approximately 82% of our net sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, were generated outside the United States, exposing our business to risks associated with foreign operations. For example, a foreign government may impose trade or foreign exchange restrictions or increased tariffs, which could negatively impact our operations. We are also exposed to risks associated with foreign currency fluctuations. For instance, purchases from suppliers are generally made in U.S. dollars while sales to distributors are generally made in local currencies. Accordingly, strengthening of the U.S. dollar versus a foreign currency could have a negative impact on us. Although we engage in transactions to protect against risks associated with foreign currency fluctuations, we cannot be certain any hedging activity will effectively reduce our exchange rate exposure. Our operations in some markets also may be adversely affected by political, economic and social instability in foreign countries. As we continue to focus on expanding our existing international operations, these and other risks associated with international operations may increase, which could harm our financial condition and operating results.
 
Our expansion in China is subject to general, as well as industry-specific, economic, political and legal developments in China, and requires that we utilize a different business model from that we use elsewhere in the world.
 
Our expansion of operations into China is subject to risks and uncertainties related to general economic, political and legal developments in China, among other things. The Chinese government exercises significant control over the Chinese economy, including but not limited to controlling capital investments, allocating resources, setting monetary policy, controlling foreign exchange and monitoring foreign exchange rates, implementing and overseeing tax regulations and providing preferential treatment to certain industry segments or companies. Accordingly, any adverse change in the Chinese economy, the Chinese legal system or Chinese governmental, economic or other policies could have a material adverse effect on our business in China.
 
In August 2005, China published regulations governing direct selling (effective December 1, 2005) and prohibiting pyramid promotional schemes (effective November 1, 2005) and a number of administrative methods and proclamations were issued in September 2005 and in September 2006. These regulations will require us to use a business model different from that which we offer in other markets. To allow us to operate under these regulations, we have created and introduced a model specifically for China. In China, we have Company-operated retail stores that sell through employed sales management personnel to customers and preferred customers. We provide training and certification procedures for sales personnel in China. We also have non-employee sales representatives who sell through our retail stores. These features are not common to the business model we employ elsewhere in the world. The direct selling regulations require us to apply for various approvals to conduct a direct selling enterprise in


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China. While direct selling licenses are centrally issued, such licenses are generally valid only in the jurisdictions within which related approvals have been obtained. Such approvals are generally awarded on local and provincial bases, and the approval process requires involvement with multiple ministries at each level. Our participation and conduct during the approval process is guided not only by distinct Chinese practices and customs, but by the applicable laws of the other jurisdictions in which we operate our business, including the U.S., and our internal code of ethics. Furthermore, we rely on certain key personnel in China to assist us during the approval process, and the loss of any such key personnel could delay or hinder our ability to obtain licenses or related approvals. As such, there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain direct-selling licenses, or obtain related approvals from any or all of the localities or provinces in China that are important to our business. Our inability to obtain or renew any or all of the licenses or related approvals that are required for us to operate in China would negatively impact our business.
 
Additionally, although certain regulations have been published, others are pending, and there is uncertainty regarding the interpretation and enforcement of such regulations. The regulatory environment in China is evolving, and officials in the Chinese government often exercise discretion in deciding how to interpret and apply regulations. As such, we have worked closely with governmental agencies and advisors in interpreting both the existing regulations and the new regulations. However, we cannot be certain that our business model will be deemed by national or local Chinese regulatory authorities to be compliant with these or other more general regulations. In the past, the Chinese government has rigorously monitored the direct selling market in China, and has taken serious action against companies that the government believed were engaging in activities they regarded to be in violation of applicable law, including shutting down their businesses and imposing substantial fines. As a result, there can be no guarantee that the Chinese government’s interpretation and application of the existing and new regulations will not negatively impact our business in China, result in regulatory investigations or lead to fines or penalties.
 
Chinese regulations prevent persons who are not Chinese nationals from engaging in direct selling in China. We cannot guarantee that any of our distributors living outside of China or any of our independent sales representatives or employed sales management personnel in China will not engage in activities that violate our policies in this market and therefore result in regulatory action and adverse publicity.
 
As we expand operations in China, we anticipate that certain distributors will switch their focus from their home markets to that of China. As a result, we may see reduced distributor focus in Hong Kong, Taiwan and possibly other of our markets as Chinese nationals that are distributors shift their attention to China, and a resultant reduction in distributor growth, leadership and revenue in these other countries.
 
If our operations in China are successful, we may experience rapid growth in China, and there can be no assurances that we will be able to successfully manage rapid expansion of manufacturing operations and a rapidly growing and dynamic sales force. There also can be no assurances that we will not experience difficulties in dealing with or taking employment related actions (such as hiring, terminations and salary administration, including social benefit payments) with respect to our employed sales representatives, particularly given the highly regulated nature of the employment relationship in China. If we are unable to effectively manage such growth and expansion of our retail stores, manufacturing operations or our employees, our government relations may be compromised and our operations in China may be harmed.
 
Our China business model, particularly with regard to sales management responsibilities and remuneration, differs from our traditional business model. There is a risk that such changes and transitions may not be understood by our distributors or employees, may be viewed negatively by our distributors or employees, or may not be correctly utilized by our distributors or employees. If that is the case, our business could be negatively impacted.
 
If we fail to further penetrate existing markets or successfully expand our business into new markets, then the growth in sales of our products, along with our operating results, could be negatively impacted and investors could lose all or part of their investment in our common shares.
 
The success of our business is to a large extent contingent on our ability to continue to grow by entering new markets and further penetrating existing markets. Our ability to further penetrate existing markets in which we compete or to successfully expand our business into additional countries in Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, South


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America or elsewhere, to the extent we believe that we have identified attractive geographic expansion opportunities in the future, is subject to numerous factors, many of which are out of our control.
 
In addition, government regulations in both our domestic and international markets can delay or prevent the introduction, or require the reformulation or withdrawal, of some of our products, which could negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. Also, our ability to increase market penetration in certain countries may be limited by the finite number of persons in a given country inclined to pursue a direct selling business opportunity. Moreover, our growth will depend upon improved training and other activities that enhance distributor retention in our markets. While we have recently experienced significant growth in certain of our international markets, such as Mexico, we cannot assure you that such growth levels will continue in the immediate or long term future. Furthermore, our efforts to support growth in such international markets could be hampered to the extent that our infrastructure in such markets is deficient when compared to our more developed markets, such as the U.S. Therefore, we cannot assure you that our general efforts to increase our market penetration and distributor retention in existing markets will be successful. Thus, if we are unable to continue to expand into new markets or further penetrate existing markets, our operating results would suffer and the market value of our common shares could decline.
 
Our contractual obligation to sell our products only through our Herbalife distributor network and to refrain from changing certain aspects of our marketing plan may limit our growth.
 
In connection with the Acquisition, we entered into an agreement with our distributors that provided assurances that the change in ownership of our Company would not negatively affect certain aspects of their business. Through this agreement, we have committed to our distributors that we will not sell Herbalife products through any distribution channel other than our network of independent Herbalife distributors. Thus, we are contractually prohibited from expanding our business by selling Herbalife products through other distribution channels that may be available to our competitors, such as over the internet, through wholesale sales, by establishing retail stores or through mail order systems. Since this is an ongoing or open-ended commitment, there can be no assurance that we will be able to take advantage of innovative new distribution channels that are developed in the future.
 
In addition, our agreement with our distributors provides that we will not change certain aspects of our marketing plan without the consent of a specified percentage of our distributors. For example, our agreement with our distributors provides that we may increase, but not decrease, the discount percentages available to our distributors for the purchase of products or the applicable royalty override percentages, including roll-ups, and production and other bonus percentages available to our distributors at various qualification levels within our distributor hierarchy. We may not modify the eligibility or qualification criteria for these discounts, royalty overrides and production and other bonuses unless we do so in a manner to make eligibility and/or qualification easier than under the applicable criteria in effect as of the date of the agreement. Our agreement with our distributors further provides that we may not vary the criteria for qualification for each distributor tier within our distributor hierarchy, unless we do so in such a way so as to make qualification easier.
 
Although we reserved the right to make these changes to our marketing plan without the consent of our distributors in the event that changes are required by applicable law or are necessary in our reasonable business judgment to account for specific local market or currency conditions to achieve a reasonable profit on operations, there can be no assurance that our agreement with our distributors will not restrict our ability to adapt our marketing plan to the evolving requirements of the markets in which we operate. As a result, our growth, and the potential of growth in the value of your investment in our common shares, may be limited.
 
We depend on the integrity and reliability of our information technology infrastructure, and any related inadequacies may result in substantial interruptions to our business.
 
Our ability to timely provide products to our distributors and their customers, and services to our distributors, depends on the integrity of our information technology system, which we are in the process of upgrading, including the reliability of software and services supplied by our vendors. We are implementing an Oracle enterprise-wide technology solution, a scalable and stable open architecture platform, to enhance our and our distributors’ efficiency


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and productivity. In addition, we are upgrading our internet-based marketing and distributor services platform, MyHerbalife.com.
 
The most important aspect of our information technology infrastructure is the system through which we record and track distributor sales, volume points, royalty overrides, bonuses and other incentives. We have encountered, and may encounter in the future, errors in our software or our enterprise network, or inadequacies in the software and services supplied by our vendors, although to date none of these errors or inadequacies has had a meaningful negative impact on our business. Any such errors or inadequacies that we may encounter in the future may result in substantial interruptions to our services and may damage our relationships with, or cause us to lose, our distributors if the errors or inadequacies impair our ability to track sales and pay royalty overrides, bonuses and other incentives, which would harm our financial condition and operating results. Such errors may be expensive or difficult to correct in a timely manner, and we may have little or no control over whether any inadequacies in software or services supplied to us by third parties are corrected, if at all.
 
Since we rely on independent third parties for the manufacture and supply of our products, if these third parties fail to reliably supply products to us at required levels of quality, then our financial condition and operating results would be harmed.
 
All of our products are manufactured by outside companies, except for a small amount of products manufactured in our own manufacturing facility in China. We cannot assure you that our outside manufacturers will continue to reliably supply products to us at the levels of quality, or the quantities, we require, especially after the FDA imposes cGMP regulations.
 
Our supply contracts generally have a two-year term. Except for force majeure events, such as natural disasters and other acts of God, and non-performance by Herbalife, our manufacturers generally cannot unilaterally terminate these contracts. These contracts can generally be extended by us at the end of the relevant time period and we have exercised this right in the past. Globally we have over 40 suppliers of our products. For our major products, we have both primary and secondary suppliers. Our major suppliers include Nature’s Bounty for protein powders, Fine Foods (Italy) for protein powders and nutritional supplements, PharmaChem Labs for teas and Niteworkstm and JB Labs for fiber. In the event any of our third-party manufacturers were to become unable or unwilling to continue to provide us with products in required volumes and at suitable quality levels, we would be required to identify and obtain acceptable replacement manufacturing sources. There is no assurance that we would be able to obtain alternative manufacturing sources on a timely basis. An extended interruption in the supply of products would result in the loss of sales. In addition, any actual or perceived degradation of product quality as a result of reliance on third party manufacturers may have an adverse effect on sales or result in increased product returns and buybacks.
 
If we fail to protect our trademarks and tradenames, then our ability to compete could be negatively affected, which would harm our financial condition and operating results.
 
The market for our products depends to a significant extent upon the goodwill associated with our trademark and tradenames. We own, or have licenses to use, the material trademark and trade name rights used in connection with the packaging, marketing and distribution of our products in the markets where those products are sold. Therefore, trademark and trade name protection is important to our business. Although most of our trademarks are registered in the United States and in certain foreign countries in which we operate, we may not be successful in asserting trademark or trade name protection. In addition, the laws of certain foreign countries may not protect our intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States. The loss or infringement of our trademarks or tradenames could impair the goodwill associated with our brands and harm our reputation, which would harm our financial condition and operating results.
 
Unlike in most of the other markets in which we operate, limited protection of intellectual property is available under Chinese law. Accordingly, we face an increased risk in China that unauthorized parties may attempt to copy or otherwise obtain or use our trademarks, copyrights, product formulations or other intellectual property. Further, since Chinese commercial law is relatively undeveloped, we may have limited legal recourse in the event we


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encounter significant difficulties with intellectual property theft or infringement. As a result, we cannot assure you that we will be able to adequately protect our product formulations or other intellectual property.
 
If our distributors fail to comply with labeling laws, then our financial condition and operating results would be harmed.
 
Although the physical labeling of our products is not within the control of our independent distributors, our distributors must nevertheless advertise our products in compliance with the extensive regulations that exist in certain jurisdictions, such as the United States, which considers product advertising to be labeling for regulatory purposes.
 
Our products are sold principally as foods, dietary supplements and cosmetics and are subject to rigorous FDA and related legal regimens limiting the types of therapeutic claims that can be made for our products. The treatment or cure of disease, for example, is not a permitted claim for these products. While we train and attempt to monitor our distributors’ marketing materials, we cannot ensure that all such materials comply with bans on therapeutic claims. If our distributors fail to comply with these restrictions, then we and our distributors could be subjected to claims, financial penalties, mandatory product recalls or relabeling requirements, which could harm our financial condition and operating results. Although we expect that our responsibility for the actions of our independent distributors in such an instance would be dependent on a determination that we either controlled or condoned a noncompliant advertising practice, there can be no assurance that we could not be held vicariously responsible for the actions of our independent distributors.
 
If our intellectual property is not adequate to provide us with a competitive advantage or to prevent competitors from replicating our products, or if we infringe the intellectual property rights of others, then our financial condition and operating results would be harmed.
 
Our future success and ability to compete depend upon our ability to timely produce innovative products and product enhancements that motivate our distributors and customers, which we attempt to protect under a combination of copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions. However, our products are generally not patented domestically or abroad, and the legal protections afforded by our common law and contractual proprietary rights in our products provide only limited protection and may be time-consuming and expensive to enforce and/or maintain. Further, despite our efforts, we may be unable to prevent third parties from infringing upon or misappropriating our proprietary rights or from independently developing non-infringing products that are competitive with, equivalent to and/or superior to our products.
 
Additionally, third parties may claim that products we have independently developed infringe upon their intellectual property rights. For example, in two related lawsuits that are currently pending in California, Unither Pharma, Inc. and others are alleging that sales by Herbalife International of (1) its Niteworkstm and Prelox Blue products and (2) its former products Woman’s Advantage with DHEA and Optimum Performance infringe on patents that are licensed to or owned by those parties, and are seeking unspecified damages, attorneys’ fees and injunctive relief from the Company. Although we believe that we have meritorious defenses to, and are vigorously defending against, these allegations, there can be no assurance that one or more of our products will not be found to infringe upon the intellectual property rights of these parties or others.
 
Monitoring infringement and/or misappropriation of intellectual property can be difficult and expensive, and we may not be able to detect any infringement or misappropriation of our proprietary rights. Even if we do detect infringement or misappropriation of our proprietary rights, litigation to enforce these rights could cause us to divert financial and other resources away from our business operations. Further, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect our proprietary rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States.
 
Since one of our products constitutes a significant portion of our retail sales, significant decreases in consumer demand for this product or our failure to produce a suitable replacement should we cease offering it would harm our financial condition and operating results.
 
Our Formula 1 meal replacement product constitutes a significant portion of our sales, accounting for approximately 27%, 22%, and 23% of retail sales for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003,


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respectively. If consumer demand for this product decreases significantly or we cease offering this product without a suitable replacement, then our financial condition and operating results would be harmed.
 
If we lose the services of members of our senior management team, then our financial condition and operating results would be harmed.
 
We depend on the continued services of our Chief Executive Officer, Michael O. Johnson, and our current senior management team and the relationships that they have developed with our senior distributor leadership, especially in light of the high level of turnover in our former senior management team, and the resulting need to reestablish good working relationships with our senior distributor leadership, after the death of our founder in May of 2000. Although we have entered into employment agreements with many members of our senior management team, and do not believe that any of them are planning to leave or retire in the near term, we cannot assure you that our senior managers will remain with us. The loss or departure of any member of our senior management team could negatively impact our distributor relations and operating results. If any of these executives do not remain with us, our business could suffer. The loss of key personnel, including our regional managers in Mexico and Central America, Greater China, Brazil, North America, South America and Southeast Asia, EMEA, and North Asia, could negatively impact our ability to implement our business strategy, and our continued success will also be dependent on our ability to retain existing, and attract additional, qualified personnel to meet our needs. We currently do not maintain “key person” life insurance with respect to our senior management team.
 
The covenants in our existing indebtedness limit our discretion with respect to certain business matters, which could limit our ability to pursue certain strategic objectives and in turn harm our financial condition and operating results.
 
Our credit facility contains numerous financial and operating covenants that restrict our and our subsidiaries’ ability to, among other things:
 
  •  pay dividends, redeem share capital or capital stock and make other restricted payments and investments;
 
  •  incur additional debt or issue preferred shares;
 
  •  allow the imposition of dividend or other distribution restrictions on our subsidiaries;
 
  •  create liens on our and our subsidiaries’ assets;
 
  •  engage in transactions with affiliates;
 
  •  guarantee other indebtedness; and
 
  •  merge, consolidate or sell all or substantially all of our assets and the assets of our subsidiaries.
 
In addition, our credit facility requires us to meet certain financial ratios and financial conditions. Our ability to comply with these covenants may be affected by events beyond our control, including prevailing economic, financial and industry conditions. Failure to comply with these covenants could result in a default causing all amounts to become due and payable under our credit facility, which is secured by substantially all of our assets, which the lenders thereunder could proceed to foreclose against.
 
If we do not comply with transfer pricing, customs duties, and similar regulations, then we may be subjected to additional taxes, duties, interest, and penalties in material amounts, which could harm our financial condition and operating results.
 
As a multinational corporation, in many countries including the United States, we are subject to transfer pricing and other tax regulations designed to ensure that our intercompany transactions are consummated at prices that have not been manipulated to produce a desired tax result, that appropriate levels of income are reported as earned by our United States or local entities, and that we are taxed appropriately on such transactions. In addition, our operations are subject to regulations designed to ensure that appropriate levels of customs duties are assessed on the importation of our products. We are currently subject to pending or proposed audits that are at various levels of review, assessment or appeal in a number of jurisdictions involving transfer pricing issues, income taxes, customs


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duties, value added taxes, withholding taxes, sales and use and other taxes and related interest and penalties in material amounts. In some circumstances, additional taxes, interest and penalties have been assessed and we will be required to pay the assessments or litigate to reverse the assessments. We have reserved in the consolidated financial statements an amount that we believe represents the most likely outcome of the resolution of these disputes, but if we are incorrect in our assessment we may have to pay the full amount asserted. Ultimate resolution of these matters may take several years, and the outcome is uncertain. If the United States Internal Revenue Service or the taxing authorities of any other jurisdiction were to successfully challenge our transfer pricing practices or our positions regarding the payment of income taxes, customs duties, value added taxes, withholding taxes, sales and use, and other taxes, we could become subject to higher taxes and our earnings would be adversely affected.
 
We may be held responsible for certain taxes or assessments relating to the activities of our distributors, which could harm our financial condition and operating results.
 
Our distributors are subject to taxation, and in some instances, legislation or governmental agencies impose an obligation on us to collect taxes, such as value added taxes, and to maintain appropriate records. In addition, we are subject to the risk in some jurisdictions of being responsible for social security and similar taxes with respect to our distributors. In the event that local laws and regulations or the interpretation of local laws and regulations change to require us to treat our independent distributors as employees, or that our distributors are deemed by local regulatory authorities in one or more of the jurisdictions in which we operate to be our employees rather than independent contractors under existing laws and interpretations, we may be held responsible for social security and related taxes in those jurisdictions, plus any related assessments and penalties, which could harm our financial condition and operating results.
 
We may incur material product liability claims, which could increase our costs and harm our financial condition and operating results.
 
Our products consist of herbs, vitamins and minerals and other ingredients that are classified as foods or dietary supplements and are not subject to pre-market regulatory approval in the United States. Our products could contain contaminated substances, and some of our products contain innovative ingredients that do not have long histories of human consumption. We generally do not conduct or sponsor clinical studies for our products and previously unknown adverse reactions resulting from human consumption of these ingredients could occur. As a marketer of dietary and nutritional supplements and other products that are ingested by consumers or applied to their bodies, we have been, and may again be, subjected to various product liability claims, including that the products contain contaminants, the products include inadequate instructions as to their uses, or the products include inadequate warnings concerning side effects and interactions with other substances. It is possible that widespread product liability claims could increase our costs, and adversely affect our revenues and operating income. Moreover, liability claims arising from a serious adverse event may increase our costs through higher insurance premiums and deductibles, and may make it more difficult to secure adequate insurance coverage in the future. In addition, our product liability insurance may fail to cover future product liability claims, thereby requiring us to pay substantial monetary damages and adversely affecting our business. Finally, given the higher level of self-insured retentions that we have accepted under our current product liability insurance policies, which are as high as approximately $10 million, in certain cases we may be subject to the full amount of liability associated with any injuries, which could be substantial.
 
Several years ago, a number of states restricted the sale of dietary supplements containing botanical sources of ephedrine alkaloids and on February 6, 2004 the FDA banned the use of such ephedrine alkaloids. Until late 2002 we had sold Thermojetics® original green herbal tablets, Thermojetics® green herbal tablets and Thermojetics® gold herbal tablets, all of which contained ephedrine alkaloids. Accordingly, we run the risk of product liability claims related to the ingestion of ephedrine alkaloids contained in those products. Currently, we have been named as a defendant in product liability lawsuits seeking to link the ingestion of certain of the aforementioned products to subsequent alleged medical problems suffered by plaintiffs. Although we believe that we have meritorious defenses to the allegations contained in these lawsuits, and are vigorously defending these claims, there can be no assurance that we will prevail in our defense of any or all of these matters.


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A few of our shareholders collectively exert significant influence over us and have the power to cause the approval or rejection of all shareholder actions and may take actions that conflict with your interests.
 
As of February 1, 2006, affiliates of Whitney & Co., LLC and Golden Gate Capital own approximately 41.5% of the voting power of our share capital. Accordingly, Whitney & Co., LLC and Golden Gate Capital collectively will have the power to exert significant influence over us and the approval or rejection of any matter on which the shareholders may vote, including the election of directors, amendment of our memorandum and articles of association and approval of significant corporate transactions as well as our management and policies. This influence over corporate actions may also delay, deter or prevent transactions that would result in a change of control. Moreover, Whitney & Co., LLC and Golden Gate Capital may have interests that conflict with yours.
 
We are subject to, among other things, requirements regarding the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. In connection with these requirements, we conduct regular audits of our business and operations. Our failure to identify or correct deficiencies and areas of weakness in the course of these audits could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
 
We are required to comply with various corporate governance and financial reporting requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as new rules and regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the New York Stock Exchange. In particular, we are required to include management and auditor reports on the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting as part of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We expect to continue to spend significant amounts of time and money on compliance with these rules. Our failure to correct any noted weaknesses in internal controls over financial reporting could result in the disclosure of material weaknesses which could have a material adverse effect upon the market value of our stock.
 
On a regular and on-going basis, we conduct audits through our internal audit department of various aspects of our business and operations. These internal audits are conducted to insure compliance with our policies and to strengthen our operations and related internal controls. The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors regularly reviews the results of these internal audits and, when appropriate, suggests remedial measures and actions to correct noted deficiencies or strengthen areas of weakness. There can be no assurance that these internal audits will uncover all material deficiencies or areas of weakness in our operations or internal controls. If left undetected and uncorrected, such deficiencies and weaknesses could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
 
From time to time, the results of these internal audits may necessitate that we conduct further investigations into aspects of our business or operations. At the time of the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, one such investigation was pending. This investigation concerns certain activities related to one of our foreign subsidiaries and related matters, and may involve violations of applicable law. The then pending review of this investigation necessitated our filing of a request for extension on Form 12b-25 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. While we currently believe the likelihood is remote that the results of this investigation will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations, no such assurances can be given at this time. In addition, our business practices and operations may periodically be investigated by one or more of the many governmental authorities with jurisdiction over our worldwide operations. In the event that these investigations produce unfavorable results, we may be subjected to fines, penalties or loss of licenses or permits needed to operate in certain jurisdictions, any one of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
 
Holders of our common shares may face difficulties in protecting their interests because we are incorporated under Cayman Islands law.
 
Our corporate affairs are governed by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, and by the Companies Law (2004 Revision) and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as under statutes or judicial precedent in existence in jurisdictions in the United States. Therefore, shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions by our management, directors or controlling


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shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a jurisdiction in the United States, due to the comparatively less developed nature of Cayman Islands law in this area.
 
Unlike many jurisdictions in the United States, Cayman Islands law does not specifically provide for shareholder appraisal rights on a merger or consolidation of a company. This may make it more difficult for shareholders to assess the value of any consideration they may receive in a merger or consolidation or to require that the offer give shareholders additional consideration if they believe the consideration offered is insufficient.
 
Shareholders of Cayman Islands exempted companies such as ourselves have no general rights under Cayman Islands law to inspect corporate records and accounts or to obtain copies of lists of our shareholders. Our directors have discretion under our articles of association to determine whether or not, and under what conditions, our corporate records may be inspected by our shareholders, but are not obliged to make them available to our shareholders. This may make it more difficult for you to obtain the information needed to establish any facts necessary for a shareholder motion or to solicit proxies from other shareholders in connection with a proxy contest.
 
Subject to limited exceptions, under Cayman Islands law, a minority shareholder may not bring a derivative action against the board of directors. Maples and Calder, our Cayman Islands counsel, has informed us that they are not aware of any reported class action or derivative action having been brought in a Cayman Islands court.
 
Provisions of our articles of association and Cayman Islands corporate law may impede a takeover or make it more difficult for shareholders to change the direction or management of the Company, which could adversely affect the value of our common shares and provide shareholders with less input into the management of the Company than they might otherwise have.
 
Our articles of association permit our board of directors to issue preference shares from time to time, with such rights and preferences as they consider appropriate. Our board of directors could authorize the issuance of preference shares with terms and conditions and under circumstances that could have an effect of discouraging a takeover or other transaction.
 
In addition, our articles of association contain certain other provisions which could have an effect of discouraging a takeover or other transaction or preventing or making it more difficult for shareholders to change the direction or management of our Company, including a classified board, the inability of shareholders to act by written consent, a limitation on the ability of shareholders to call special meetings of shareholders and advance notice provisions. As a result, our shareholders may have less input into the management of our Company than they might otherwise have if these provisions were not included in our articles of association.
 
Unlike many jurisdictions in the United States, Cayman Islands law does not provide for mergers as that expression is understood under corporate law in the United States. However, Cayman Islands law does have statutory provisions that provide for the reconstruction and amalgamation of companies, which are commonly referred to in the Cayman Islands as “schemes of arrangement.” The procedural and legal requirements necessary to consummate these transactions are more rigorous and take longer to complete than the procedures typically required to consummate a merger in the United States. Under Cayman Islands law and practice, a scheme of arrangement in relation to a solvent Cayman Islands company must be approved at a shareholders’ meeting by each class of shareholders, in each case, by a majority of the number of holders of each class of a company’s shares that are present and voting (either in person or by proxy) at such a meeting, which holders must also represent 75% in value of such class issued that are present and voting (either in person or by proxy) at such meeting (excluding the shares owned by the parties to the scheme of arrangement).
 
The convening of these meetings and the terms of the amalgamation must also be sanctioned by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. Although there is no requirement to seek the consent of the creditors of the parties involved in the scheme of arrangement, the Grand Court typically seeks to ensure that the creditors have consented to the transfer of their liabilities to the surviving entity or that the scheme of arrangement does not otherwise have a material adverse effect on the creditors’ interests. Furthermore, the Grand Court will only approve a scheme of arrangement if it is satisfied that:
 
  •  the statutory provisions as to majority vote have been complied with;


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  •  the shareholders have been fairly represented at the meeting in question;
 
  •  the scheme of arrangement is such as a businessman would reasonably approve; and
 
  •  the scheme or arrangement is not one that would more properly be sanctioned under some other provision of the Companies Law.
 
There is uncertainty as to shareholders’ ability to enforce certain foreign civil liabilities in the Cayman Islands.
 
We are incorporated as an exempted company with limited liability under the laws of the Cayman Islands. A material portion of our assets are located outside of the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for our shareholders to enforce judgments against us or judgments obtained in U.S. courts predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or any state of the United States.
 
We have been advised by our Cayman Islands counsel, Maples and Calder, that although there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, the courts of the Cayman Islands will — based on the principle that a judgment by a competent foreign court imposes upon the judgment debtor an obligation to pay the sum for which judgment has been given — recognize and enforce a foreign judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction if such judgment is final, for a liquidated sum, not in respect of taxes or a fine or penalty, is not inconsistent with a Cayman Islands judgment in respect of the same matters, and was not obtained in a manner, and is not of a kind, the enforcement of which is contrary to the public policy of the Cayman Islands. There is doubt, however, as to whether the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands will (a) recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or any state of the United States, or (b) in original actions brought in the Cayman Islands, impose liabilities predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or any state of the United States, on the grounds that such provisions are penal in nature.
 
The Grand Court of the Cayman Islands may stay proceedings if concurrent proceedings are being brought elsewhere.
 
Item 2.   UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
 
None.
 
Item 3.   DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
 
None.
 
Item 4.   SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
 
None.
 
Item 5.   OTHER INFORMATION
 
(a) None.
 
(b) None.


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Item 6.   EXHIBITS
 
(a) Exhibit Index:
 
EXHIBIT INDEX
 
             
Exhibit
       
Number
 
Description
 
Reference
 
  2 .1   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated April 10, 2002, by and among Herbalife International, Inc., WH Holdings (Cayman Islands) Ltd. and WH Acquisition Corp.   (a)
  3 .1   Form of Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of Herbalife Ltd.   (d)
  4 .1   Indenture, dated as of June 27, 2002 between WH Acquisition Corp., WH Intermediate Holdings Ltd., WH Luxembourg Holdings SàRL, WH Luxembourg Intermediate Holdings SàRL, WH Luxembourg CM SàRL and The Bank of New York as Trustee governing 113/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2010   (a)
  4 .2   Indenture, dated as of March 8, 2004 between WH Holdings (Cayman Islands) Ltd., WH Capital Corporation and The Bank of New York as trustee governing 91/2% Notes due 2011   (a)
  4 .3   Form of Share Certificate   (d)
  9 .1   Shareholders’ Agreement dated as of July 31, 2002, by and among WH Holdings (Cayman Islands) Ltd., Whitney V, L.P., Whitney Strategic Partners V, L.P., WH Investments Ltd., CCG Investments (BVI), L.P., CCG Associates-QP, LLC, CCG Associates-AI, LLC, CCG Investment Fund-AI, L.P., CCG AV, LLC-Series C, CCG AV, LLC-Series E, and certain other persons   (a)
  10 .1   Form of Indemnity Agreement between Herbalife International Inc. and certain officers and directors of Herbalife International Inc.   (a)
  10 .2   Office lease agreement between Herbalife International of America Inc. and State Teacher’s Retirement System, dated July 11, 1995   (a)
  10 .3#   Herbalife International of America, Inc.’s Senior Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, effectivex January 1, 1996, as amended   (a)
  10 .4#   Herbalife International of America, Inc.’s Management Deferred Compensation Plan, effective January 1, 1996, as amended   (a)
  10 .5   Master Trust Agreement between Herbalife International of America, Inc. and Imperial Trust Company, Inc., effective January 1, 1996   (a)
  10 .6#   Herbalife International Inc. 401K Profit Sharing Plan and Trust, as amended   (a)
  10 .7   Trust Agreement for Herbalife 2001 Executive Retention Plan, effective March 15, 2001   (a)
  10 .8#   Herbalife 2001 Executive Retention Plan, effective March 15, 2001   (a)
  10 .9#   Separation Agreement and General Release, dated as of May 17, 2002, between Robert Sandler and Herbalife International, Inc. and Herbalife International of America, Inc. and Clarification   (a)
  10 .10   Agreement for Retention of Legal Services, dated as of May 20, 2002, by and among Herbalife International, Inc., Herbalife International of America, Inc. and Robert A. Sandler   (a)
  10 .11   Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 21, 2002, by and among WH Acquisition Corp., Herbalife International, Inc., WH Intermediate Holdings Ltd., WH Luxembourg Holdings SàRL, WH Luxembourg Intermediate Holdings SàRL, WH Luxembourg CM SàRL and UBS Warburg LLC   (a)
  10 .12   Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June 27, 2002, by and among WH Acquisition Corp., WH Intermediate Holdings Ltd., WH Luxembourg Holdings SàRL, WH Luxembourg Intermediate Holdings SàRL, WH Luxembourg CM SàRL and UBS Warburg LLC   (a)
  10 .13   Notice to Distributors regarding Amendment to Agreements of Distributorship, dated as of July 18, 2002 between Herbalife International, Inc. and each Herbalife Distributor   (a)
  10 .14   Indemnity Agreement dated as of July 31, 2002, by and among WH Holdings (Cayman Islands) Ltd., WH Acquisition Corp., Whitney & Co., LLC, Whitney V, L.P., Whitney Strategic Partners V, L.P., GGC Administration, L.L.C., Golden Gate Private Equity, Inc., CCG Investments (BVI), L.P., CCG Associates-AI, LLC, CCG Investment Fund-AI, LP, CCG AV, LLC-Series C, CCG AV, LLC-Series C, CCG AV, LLC-Series E, CCG Associates-QP, LLC and WH Investments Ltd.   (a)


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Exhibit
       
Number
 
Description
 
Reference
 
  10 .15#   Independent Director’s Stock Option Plan of WH Holdings (Cayman Islands) Ltd.   (a)
  10 .16#   Employment Agreement, dated as of March 10, 2003 between Brian Kane and Herbalife International, Inc. and Herbalife International of America, Inc.   (a)
  10 .17#   Employment Agreement dated as of March 10, 2003 between Carol Hannah and Herbalife International, Inc. and Herbalife International of America, Inc.   (a)
  10 .18#   Non-Statutory Stock Option Agreement, dated as of March 10, 2003 between WH Holdings (Cayman Islands) Ltd. and Brian Kane   (a)
  10 .19#   Non-Statutory Stock Option Agreement, dated as of March 10, 2003 between WH Holdings (Cayman Islands) Ltd. and Carol Hannah   (a)
  10 .20#   WH Holdings (Cayman Islands) Ltd. Stock Incentive Plan, as restated, dated as of November 5, 2003   (a)
  10 .21#   Side Letter Agreement dated as of March 10, 2003 by and among WH Holdings (Cayman Islands) Ltd., Brian Kane and Carol Hannah and the Shareholders listed therein   (a)
  10 .22#   Employment Agreement dated as of April 3, 2003 between Michael O. Johnson and Herbalife International, Inc. and Herbalife International of America, Inc.   (a)
  10 .23#   Non-Statutory Stock Option Agreement, dated as of April 3, 2003 between WH Holdings (Cayman Islands) Ltd. and Michael O. Johnson   (a)
  10 .24#   Side Letter Agreement dated as of April 3, 2003 by and among WH Holdings (Cayman Islands) Ltd., Michael O. Johnson and the Shareholders listed therein   (a)
  10 .25#   Employment Agreement dated as of July 14, 2003 between Matt Wisk and Herbalife International of America, Inc.    (a)
  10 .26#   Employment Agreement dated as of July 31, 2003 between Gregory L. Probert and Herbalife International of America, Inc.   (a)
  10 .27#   Employment Agreement dated October 6, 2003 between Brett R. Chapman and Herbalife International of America, Inc.    (a)
  10 .28#   Form of Non-Statutory Stock Option Agreement (Non-Executive Agreement)   (a)
  10 .29#   Form of Non-Statutory Stock Option Agreement (Executive Agreement)   (a)
  10 .30   Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 8, 2004, by and among WH Holdings (Cayman Islands) Ltd., WH Capital Corporation and UBS Securities, LLC   (a)
  10 .31   Indemnity Agreement, dated as of February 9, 2004, among WH Capital Corporation and Gregory Probert   (a)
  10 .32   Indemnity Agreement, dated as of February 9, 2004, among WH Capital Corporation and Brett R. Chapman   (a)
  10 .33   Stock Subscription Agreement of WH Capital Corporation, dated as of February 9, 2004, between WH Capital Corporation and WH Holdings (Cayman Islands) Ltd.    (a)
  10 .34   First Amendment to Amended and Restated WH Holdings (Cayman Islands) Ltd. Stock Incentive Plan, dated November 5, 2003   (a)
  10 .35#   Separation Agreement and General Release dated May 1, 2004, among Herbalife International, Inc., Herbalife International of America, Inc. and Carol Hannah   (a)
  10 .36#   Consulting Agreement dated May 1, 2004 among Herbalife International of America, Inc. and Carol Hannah   (a)
  10 .37#   Employment Agreement dated June 1, 2004 among Herbalife International of America, Inc. and Richard Goudis   (a)
  10 .38   Purchase Agreement, dated March 3, 2004, by and among WH Holdings (Cayman Islands) Ltd., WH Capital Corporation and UBS Securities LLC   (a)
  10 .39   Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2002, by and among WH Holdings (Cayman Islands) Ltd., Whitney V, L.P., Whitney Strategic Partners V, L.P., WH Investments Ltd., CCG Investments (BVI), L.P., CCG Associates-QP, LLC, CCG Associates-AI, LLC, CCG Investment Fund-AI, L.P., CCG AV, LLC-Series C and CCG AV, LLC-Series E.   (b)

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Exhibit
       
Number
 
Description
 
Reference
 
  10 .40   Share Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2002, by and among WH Holdings (Cayman Islands) Ltd., Whitney Strategic Partners V, L.P., WH Investments Ltd., Whitney V, L.P., CCG Investments (BVI), L.P., CCG Associates-QP, LLC, CCG Associates-AI, LLC, CCG Investment Fund-AI, LP, CCG AV, LLC-Series C and CCG AV, LLC-Series E.   (b)
  10 .41   Form of Indemnification Agreement between Herbalife Ltd. and the directors and certain officers of Herbalife Ltd.   (c)
  10 .42#   Herbalife Ltd. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan   (c)
  10 .43   Termination Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2004, between Herbalife Ltd., Herbalife International, Inc. and Whitney & Co., LLC.   (d)
  10 .44   Termination Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2004, between Herbalife Ltd., Herbalife International Inc. and GGC Administration, L.L.C.   (d)
  10 .45   Termination Agreement, dated as of December 13, 2004, by and among Herbalife Ltd., Whitney V, L.P., Whitney Strategic Partners V, L.P., CCG Investments (BVI), L.P., CCG Associates-QP, LLC, CCG Associates-AI, LLC, CCG Investment Fund-AI, LP, CCG AV, LLC-Series C, CCG AV, LLC-Series E and CCG CI, LLC.   (d)
  10 .46   Indemnification Agreement, dated as of December 13, 2004, by and among Herbalife Ltd., Herbalife International, Inc., Whitney V, L.P., Whitney Strategic Partners V, L.P., CCG Investments (BVI), L.P., CCG Associates-QP, LLC, CCG Associates-AI, LLC, CCG Investment Fund-AI, LP, CCG AV, LLC-Series C, CCG AV, LLC-Series E, CCG CI, LLC and GGC Administration, LLC.   (d)
  10 .47#   Amendment No. 1 to Herbalife Ltd. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan   (e)
  10 .48#   Form of Stock Bonus Award Agreement   (e)
  10 .49#   Contract for Services of a Consultant between Herbalife International Luxembourg S.á.R.L. and Brian Kane dated as of October 18, 2004   (f)
  10 .50#   Compromise Agreement between Herbalife International Luxembourg S.á.R.L. and Brian Kane dated as of October 18, 2004   (f)
  10 .51   Credit Agreement, dated as of December 21, 2004, by and among Herbalife International Inc., Herbalife Ltd., WH Intermediate Holdings Ltd., HBL Ltd., WH Luxembourg Holdings S.á.R.L., HLF Luxembourg Holdings, S.á.R.L., WH Capital Corporation, WH Luxembourg Intermediate Holdings S.á.R.L. and the Subsidiary Guarantors party hereto, and certain lenders and agents named therein.   (g)
  10 .52   Security Agreement, dated as of December 21, 2004, by and among Herbalife International, Inc., Herbalife Ltd., WH Intermediate Holdings Ltd., HBL Ltd., WH Luxembourg Holdings S.á.R.L., HLF Luxembourg Holdings, S.á.R.L., WH Capital Corporation, WH Luxembourg Intermediate Holdings S.á.R.L., and the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto in favor of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, as Collateral Agent.   (g)
  10 .53   First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of April 12, 2005, by and among Herbalife International Inc., Herbalife Ltd., WH Intermediate Holdings Ltd., HBL Ltd., WH Luxembourg Holdings S.á.R.L., HLF Luxembourg Holdings, S.á.R.L., WH Capital Corporation, WH Luxembourg Intermediate Holdings S.á.R.L. and the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto, and certain lenders and agents named therein.   (g)
  10 .54#   Employment Agreement Effective as of January 1, 2005 between Herbalife Ltd. and Henry Burdick   (h)
  10 .55#   Form of 2004 Herbalife Ltd. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan Stock Option Agreement   (i)
  10 .56#   Form of 2004 Herbalife Ltd. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan Non-Employee Director Stock Option Agreement   (i)
  10 .57   Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of August 19, 2005, by and among Herbalife International, Inc., Herbalife Ltd., WH Intermediate Holdings Ltd., HBL Ltd., WH Luxembourg Holdings S.á.R.L., HLF Luxembourg Holdings, S.á.R.L., WH Capital Corporation, WH Luxembourg Intermediate Holdings S.á.R.L. and the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto, and certain lenders and agents named therein.   (i)

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Exhibit
       
Number
 
Description
 
Reference
 
  10 .58   Service Agreement by and between Herbalife Europe Limited and Wynne Roberts ESQ, dated as of September 6, 2005.   (k)
  10 .59#   Amendment to employment agreement between Michael O. Johnson and Herbalife International, Inc. and Herbalife International of America, Inc., dated May 15, 2005.   (l)
  10 .60#   Herbalife Ltd. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan   (m)
  10 .61#   Herbalife Ltd. Independent Directors Deferred Compensation and Stock Unit Plan   (n)
  10 .62#   Herbalife Ltd. Independent Directors Deferred Compensation and Stock Unit Plan Independent Directors Stock Unit Award Agreement   (n)
  10 .63#   Form of Herbalife Ltd. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan Stock Unit Award Agreement   (o)
  10 .64#   Form of Herbalife Ltd. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan Stock Appreciation Right Award Agreement   (o)
  10 .65#   Form of Herbalife Ltd. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan Stock Unit Award Agreement applicable to Mr. Michael O. Johnson   (p)
  10 .66#   Form of Herbalife Ltd. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan Stock Appreciation Right Award Agreement applicable to Mr. Michael O. Johnson   (p)
  10 .67#   Amendment to Herbalife Ltd. Independent Directors Deferred Compensation and Stock Unit Plan   (q)
  10 .68#   Form of Herbalife Ltd. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan Stock Unit Award Agreement applicable to Messrs. Gregory Probert, Brett R. Chapman and Richard Goudis   (r)
  10 .69#   Form of Herbalife Ltd. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan Stock Appreciation Right Award Agreement applicable to Messrs. Gregory Probert, Brett R. Chapman and Richard Goudis   (r)
  10 .70#   Amended and restated employment agreement effective April 17, 2006 between Herbalife International of America, Inc. and Paul Noack   (s)
  10 .71   Form of Credit Agreement, dated as of July 21, 2006, by and among Herbalife International Inc., Herbalife Ltd., WH Intermediate Holdings Ltd., HBL Ltd., WH Luxembourg Holdings S.á.R.L., Herbalife International Luxembourg S.á.R.L., HLF Luxembourg Holdings, S.á.R.L., WH Capital Corporation, WH Luxembourg Intermediate Holdings S.á.R.L., HV Holdings Ltd., Herbalife Distribution Ltd., Herbalife Luxembourg Distribution S.á.R.L., and the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto, and certain lenders and agents named therein.   *
  10 .72   Form of Security Agreement, dated as of July 21, 2006, by and among Herbalife International, Inc., Herbalife Ltd., WH Intermediate Holdings Ltd., HBL Ltd., WH Luxembourg Holdings S.á.R.L., Herbalife International Luxembourg S.á.R.L. HLF Luxembourg Holdings, S.á.R.L., WH Capital Corporation, WH Luxembourg Intermediate Holdings S.á.R.L., HV Holdings Ltd., Herbalife Distribution Ltd., Herbalife Luxembourg Distribution S.á.R.L., and the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto in favor of Merrill Lynch Capital Corporation, as Collateral Agent.   *
  10 .73#   Amended and Restated Independent Directors Deferred Compensation and Stock Unit Plan   *
  31 .1   Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer   *
  31 .2   Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer   *
  32 .1   Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer   *
 
 
Filed herewith.
 
# Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
 
(a) Previously filed on October 1, 2004 as an Exhibit to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-119485) and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
(b) Previously filed on November 9, 2004 as an Exhibit to Amendment No. 2 to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-119485) and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
(c) Previously filed on December 2, 2004 as an Exhibit to Amendment No. 4 to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-119485) and is incorporated herein by reference.

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(d) Previously filed on December 14, 2004 as an Exhibit to Amendment No. 5 to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-119485) and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
(e) Previously filed on February 17, 2005 as an Exhibit to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-122871) and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
(f) Previously filed on March 14, 2005 as an Exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
(g) Previously filed on May 9, 2005 as an Exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
(h) Previously filed on May 13, 2005 as an Exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
(i) Previously filed on June 14, 2005 as an Exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
(j) Previously filed on August 23, 2005 as an Exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
(k) Previously filed on September 23, 2005 as an Exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
(l) Previously filed on August 3, 2005 as an Exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
(m) Previously filed on November 22, 2005 as an Exhibit to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
(n) Previously filed on February 28, 2006 as an Exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
(o) Previously filed on March 29, 2006 as an Exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
(p) Previously filed on March 29, 2006 as an Exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
(q) Previously filed on March 30, 2006 as an Exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
(r) Previously filed on March 31, 2006 as an Exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
(s) Previously filed on May 3, 2006 as an Exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 and is incorporated herein by reference.


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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
HERBALIFE LTD.
(Registrant)
 
  By: 
/s/  Richard Goudis
Richard Goudis
Chief Financial Officer
 
Date: November 13, 2006


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