OWINGS MILLS, Md., Aug. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Medifast, Inc. (NYSE: MED), a leading United States manufacturer and provider of clinically proven weight-loss products and programs, today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2014.

http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnvar/20120613/NE24271LOGO-b

"We are pleased with our ability to deliver second quarter earnings results ahead of our guidance," said Michael C. MacDonald, Medifast's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We continue to be diligent in managing our business in order to maximize our long-term profitability. Our team remains intently focused on executing our strategic objectives, including health coach expansion and product innovation, to enable us to achieve another successful year for Medifast."

Second Quarter 2014 Results

Operating income was $7.4 million, or 9.2% as a percent of net revenue, compared to $10.6 million or 11.0% as a percent of net revenue in the second quarter of 2013.

Net income was $5.7 million, or $0.44 per diluted share compared to net income of $7.1 million, or $0.51 per diluted share for the second quarter of 2013.

For the second quarter ended June 30, 2014, Medifast net revenue decreased 17% to $80.9 million from net revenue of $97.1 million in the second quarter of 2013. Revenue in the direct sales channel, Take Shape for Life, decreased 12% to $54.1 million in the second quarter of 2014 compared to $61.4 million in the same period last year. The decrease in revenue for Take Shape for Life was driven by a decline in the number of health coaches along with lower revenue per health coach. The Company ended the second quarter with approximately 10,800 active health coaches and the average revenue per health coach per month for the quarter was $1,566 compared to $1,692 in the second quarter of 2013.

The Company's Medifast Direct channel revenue decreased 29% to $15.2 million, compared to $21.5 million in the second quarter of 2013. New customer acquisition has been challenging as the Company works to balance marketing investment and media mix to effectively drive customer conversion. Spending efficiency in the quarter was strong and the Company will invest additional dollars into marketing throughout the remainder of the year, as compared to the second half of 2013, while continuing to focus on efficient management of those investments.

In the second quarter, the Medifast Weight Control Centers and Wholesale Physicians channel revenue decreased 18% to $11.6 million, compared to $14.2 million in the same period last year. The Company remained focused on profitability improvement by creating operational efficiencies, optimizing staffing levels, and managing expenses. As of June 30, 2014 Medifast had 51 corporate-owned and 73 franchise centers. Going forward, the Company will continue to focus on transitioning the majority of the remaining corporate-owned centers to the franchise model.

Gross profit for the second quarter of 2014 decreased 17% to $60.4 million, compared to $72.9 million in the second quarter of 2013. The Company's gross profit margin decreased 50 basis points to 74.6% in the second quarter versus 75.1% in the second quarter of 2013. The decrease in gross profit margin was primarily due to decreased manufacturing volume and the shift in sales channel revenue mix.

Sales and marketing expense decreased by $1.3 million in the second quarter of 2014 compared to second quarter of 2013. This decrease is the result of lower advertising spending in the second quarter of 2014 as compared to the second quarter of 2013. In the second quarter of 2014, the Company's revenue to spend ratio was 12.2-to-1 versus 12.1-to-1 in the second quarter of 2013. The Company continues to focus on efficiency improvements and balancing sales and marketing expense in an effort to drive profitability.

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $9.3 million to $53.0 million compared to $62.3 million in the second quarter of 2013. As a percentage of revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses increased 130 basis points to 65.5% versus 64.2% in the second quarter of 2013.

The Company had an effective tax rate of 34.1% compared to 35.0% in the second quarter of 2013.

Balance Sheet

The Company's balance sheet remains strong with stockholders' equity of $97.5 million and working capital of approximately $66.2 million as of June 30, 2014. Cash, cash equivalents, and investment securities for the second quarter of 2014 increased $0.8 million to $68.6 million compared to $67.8 million at December 31, 2013. The Company repurchased 451,000 shares of common stock for $14.2 million during the second quarter as part of its current share repurchase authorization. The Company remains free of interest bearing debt.

Outlook

The Company expects third quarter 2014 net revenue to be in the range of approximately $75 to $78 million. Earnings per diluted share are expected to be in the range of $0.35 to $0.37 based on a 34% effective tax rate. For fiscal year 2014, the Company now expects full year revenue to be in the range of $320 to $330 million and full year earnings per diluted share in the range of $1.80 to $1.85. The Company anticipates a full year tax rate of approximately 33% to 34% in 2014.

Conference Call Information

The conference call is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. ET on August 7, 2014. The call will be broadcast live over the Internet hosted at the Investor Relations section of Medifast's website at www.MedifastNow.com, and will be archived online through August 21, 2014. In addition, listeners may dial (877) 705-6003.

A telephonic playback will be available from 7:30 p.m. ET, August 7, 2014, through August 21, 2014. Participants can dial (877) 870-5176 to hear the playback and enter pass code 13587227.

About Medifast

Medifast (NYSE: MED) is the leading easy-to-use, clinically proven weight-loss program. The company sells its products and programs via four unique distribution channels: 1) the Web and national call centers, 2) the Take Shape for Life personal coaching division, 3) Medifast Weight Control Centers, and 4) a national network of physicians. Medifast was founded in 1980 and is located in Owings Mills, Maryland. For more information, log onto www.MedifastNow.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Please Note: This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by use of phrases or terminology such as "intend" or other similar words or the negative of such terminology. Similarly, descriptions of Medifast's objectives, strategies, plans, goals or targets contained herein are also considered forward-looking statements. Medifast believes this release should be read in conjunction with all of its filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and cautions its readers that these forward-looking statements are subject to certain events, risks, uncertainties, and other factors. Some of these factors include, among others, Medifast's inability to attract and retain independent Health Coaches and Members, stability in the pricing of print, TV and Direct Mail marketing initiatives affecting the cost to acquire customers, increases in competition, litigation, regulatory changes, and its planned growth into new domestic and international markets and new channels of distribution. Although Medifast believes that the expectations, statements, and assumptions reflected in these forward- looking statements are reasonable, it cautions readers to always consider all of the risk factors and any other cautionary statements carefully in evaluating each forward-looking statement in this release, as well as those set forth in its latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and other filings filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including its current reports on Form 8-K. All of the forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date of this release.

MED-F




                                                                                                                   MEDIFAST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                                                                                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


                                                                                                                                                                    (Unaudited)                                   (Audited)

                                                                                                                                                                   June 30, 2014                              December 31, 2013
                                                                                                                                                                   -------------                              -----------------


    ASSETS

    Current assets:

    Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                                                     $32,019,000                                    $36,382,000

    Accounts receivable-net of allowance for sales returns and doubtful accounts

     of $547,000 and $647,000 at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively                                                                                                  1,693,000                                      1,246,000

    Inventory                                                                                                                                                                         17,579,000                                     18,059,000

    Investment securities                                                                                                                                                           36,552,000                                     31,420,000

    Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                                                                                                                       2,351,000                                      2,890,000

    Deferred tax assets                                                                                                                                                              2,062,000                                      1,957,000
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   ---------

         Total current assets                                                                                                                                                       92,256,000                                     91,954,000
                                                                                                                                                                                    ----------                                     ----------


    Property, plant and equipment - net                                                                                                                                            37,080,000                                     40,336,000

    Other assets                                                                                                                                                                       400,000                                        360,000
                                                                                                                                                                                       -------                                        -------


                           TOTAL ASSETS                                                                                                               $129,736,000                               $132,650,000
                                                                                                                                                      ============                               ============


    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

    Current liabilities:

    Accounts payable and accrued expenses                                                                                                                                         $25,209,000                                    $26,780,000

    Income taxes payable                                                                                                                                                               575,000                                         99,000

    Current maturities of capital leases                                                                                                                                              227,000                                        222,000
                                                                                                                                                                                      -------                                        -------

         Total current liabilities                                                                                                                                                 26,011,000                                     27,101,000


    Other liabilities:

    Capital leases, net of current portion                                                                                                                                            359,000                                        474,000

    Deferred tax liabilities                                                                                                                                                         5,859,000                                      6,659,000

         Total liabilities                                                                                                                                                          32,229,000                                     34,234,000
                                                                                                                                                                                    ----------                                     ----------


    Stockholders' Equity:

    Preferred stock, $.001 par value (1,500,000 authorized, no shares issued and outstanding)                                                                                               -                                             -

    Common stock; par value $.001 per share; 20,000,000 shares authorized;

          13,176,018 and 13,143,309 issued at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively;

          12,718,351 and 13,115,642 issued and outstanding at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively                                                                        13,000                                         13,000

    Additional paid-in capital                                                                                                                                                       1,446,000                                              -

    Accumulated other comprehensive income                                                                                                                                            887,000                                        703,000

    Retained earnings                                                                                                                                                              109,387,000                                     97,700,000

    Less: cost of 451,000 and 0 shares of common stock in treasury                                                                                                               (14,226,000)                                             -

    Total stockholders' equity                                                                                                                                                     97,507,000                                     98,416,000
                                                                                                                                                                                   ----------                                     ----------


    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                                                                                                                   $129,736,000                                   $132,650,000
                                                                                                                                                                                 ============                                   ============

                                                MEDIFAST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                          CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

                                                          (Unaudited)


                                                         Three Months Ended June 30,              Six Months Ended June 30,

                                                                      2014                   2013                  2014             2013
                                                                      ----                   ----                  ----             ----


    Revenue                                                    $80,883,000            $97,072,000          $167,412,000     $193,115,000

    Cost of sales                                               20,523,000             24,142,000            43,118,000       47,776,000
                                                                ----------             ----------            ----------       ----------

    Gross Profit                                                60,360,000             72,930,000           124,294,000      145,339,000


    Selling, general, and administrative                        52,948,000             62,289,000           108,186,000      126,120,000
                                                                ----------             ----------           -----------      -----------


    Income from operations                                       7,412,000             10,641,000            16,108,000       19,219,000
                                                                 ---------             ----------            ----------       ----------


    Other income

    Interest and dividend income, net                              170,000                 98,000               296,000          150,000

    Other income                                                 1,103,000                139,000             1,287,000          219,000

                                                                 1,273,000                237,000             1,583,000          369,000
                                                                 ---------                -------             ---------          -------


    Income before income taxes                                   8,685,000             10,878,000            17,691,000       19,588,000

    Provision for income taxes                                   2,965,000              3,805,000             6,004,000        6,582,000
                                                                 ---------              ---------             ---------        ---------


    Net income                                                  $5,720,000             $7,073,000           $11,687,000      $13,006,000
                                                                ==========             ==========           ===========      ===========


    Basic earnings per share                                         $0.44                  $0.51                 $0.89            $0.94
                                                                     =====                  =====                 =====            =====

    Diluted earnings per share                                       $0.44                  $0.51                 $0.89            $0.93
                                                                     =====                  =====                 =====            =====


    Weighted average shares outstanding -

         Basic                                                  13,050,346             13,863,043            13,111,348       13,836,087
                                                                ==========             ==========            ==========       ==========

         Diluted                                                13,149,414             13,963,057            13,200,207       13,995,171
                                                                ==========             ==========            ==========       ==========

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120613/NE24271LOGO-b

SOURCE Medifast, Inc.