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| XELR.OB > SEC Filings for XELR.OB > Form 10-Q on 13-Nov-2009 | All Recent SEC Filings |
13-Nov-2009
Quarterly Report
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This report contains "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is subject to the safe harbor created by those sections. We intend to identify forward-looking statements in this report by using words such as "believes," "intends," "expects," "may," "will," "should," "plan," "projected," "contemplates," "anticipates," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," "continue," or similar terminology. These statements are based on our beliefs as well as assumptions we made using information currently available to us. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Because these statements reflect our current views concerning future events, these statements involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Actual future results may differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. These risks include changes in demand for our products, changes in the level of operating expenses, our ability to expand our network of distributors, changes in general economic conditions that impact consumer behavior and spending, product supply, the availability, amount, and cost of capital to us and our use of such capital, and other risks discussed in this report. Additional risks that may affect our performance are discussed under "Risk Factors Associated with Our Business" in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this report.
Overview
We are in the business of developing, selling, marketing and distributing nutritional supplement products and functional foods. We market our products primarily through direct selling or network marketing, in which independent distributors sell our products. In addition, we sell our products directly to professional and Olympic athletes and professional sports teams.
Our product line principally consists of Bazi™, a liquid nutrition drink that we introduced in January 2007. In addition, our product line includes a liquid nutritional supplement, three powdered beverages, and 12 individual supplements packaged in our VitaCube® or a box. Our VitaCube® is an easy to use, compartmentalized box with instructions for which supplements to take and the proper times to take them. We also offer a box of supplements with the four daily vitamins conveniently packaged in pillow-packs for each serving.
During the third quarter of 2003, we initiated a transition of our sales and marketing efforts from sales to retail outlets and in-house telemarketing to direct selling through independent distributors and we launched our direct sales program in the second quarter of 2004. As of September 30, 2009 we had 6,406 independent distributors and 4,061 customers (excluding professional athletes and sports teams) who had purchased our products within the prior twelve months.
We maintain an inventory of our products to ensure that we can timely fill our customer orders. During 2007 we entered into a five year manufacturing agreement with Arizona Packaging and Production, who manufacture our flagship product, Bazi™. The terms of the agreement provided that they would be the exclusive manufacturer of this product and also stipulated certain prices, quantities and delivery timelines. As a result the increased sales of Bazi and the manufacturing agreement, the lead time on this product has been reduced to 4 weeks. Our inventory, net of our allowance for obsolescence, was $291,980 at September 30, 2009, an increase from $176,236 at December 31, 2008.
The increase of inventory was a result of the decision to add additional marketing materials, which we launched at our National Distributor event in February 2009, focused around the single product, Bazi™, and the restocking of certain of our legacy products, which have a longer sales cycle than Bazi and its associated sales materials. We believe that the current inventory level is adequate to meet our short-term projected demand, and based on our sales for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, it is appropriately classified as a current asset based on the single product marketing plan which is designed to increase our distributor base and sales.
Since the launch of our liquid dietary supplement, Bazi™ on January 12, 2007, we have seen the demand for all of our legacy products (all products other than Bazi™) decrease as customers favored the convenience and simplicity of Bazi™. In February 2008 we announced our decision to focus our sales and marketing efforts around this single product. In September 2008 we announced the discontinuance of one of our legacy products, the XELR8 SNACK, and in August 2009 we discontinued sales of the XELR8 DRINK product. These did not result in any additional write-offs as the charge was taken in 2007. Our allowance for obsolete inventory decreased from $116,095 at December 31, 2008 to $108,655 at September 30, 2009. We believe our reserve for obsolescence is reasonable because (i) substantially all of our Bazi™ inventory has been recently purchased, and (ii) the shelf life of our legacy products averages three years and Bazi™ is one year.
Our network marketing program is designed to provide an incentive for independent distributors to build, maintain and motivate a sales organization of customers and other independent distributors to enhance earning potential. Our independent distributors are compensated with commissions and bonuses on sales generated through their downline organization. Independent distributors advance in distributor levels as they develop their sales organization and increase their sales volume, which increases their compensation.
We recognize revenue when products are shipped to our customers. Revenue is reduced by product returns at the time we take the product either back into inventory or dispose of it. In addition, we estimate a reserve total for future returns. Cost of our sales consists of expenses directly related to the production and distribution of the products and certain sales materials. Included in the sales and marketing expenses are independent distributor commissions, bonus and incentives along with other general selling expenses. We expect our independent distributor expenses, as a percentage of net revenues, to decrease as existing agreements expire and independent distributors receive less additional incentives and rely on the incentives in our direct sales program. General and administrative expenses include salaries and benefits, rent and building expenses, legal, accounting, telephone and professional fees.
Our revenue will depend on the number and productivity of our independent distributors, who purchase products and sales materials from us for resale to their customers or for personal use. Because we will distribute substantially all of our products through our independent distributors, our failure to retain our existing distributors and recruit additional distributors could have an adverse effect on our revenue. In addition, since we are dependent on a few independent distributors who control a significant number of independent distributors in their down line organization, the loss of any of these significant distributors could likewise have an adverse affect on our revenue, and that impact could be material. We believe that the number of our distributors and customers are an important indicator to monitor. In addition, we will monitor the sales generated per independent distributor as well as the success of our independent distributors in recruiting new independent distributors and customers.
With respect to industry and market factors that may affect us directly, we believe that industry credibility in both direct selling and nutritional supplements are critical elements in whether we can increase revenues and ultimately become profitable. Any adverse developments in either of these two areas, to us or in our industry, could lead to a lower number of our independent distributors and reduced sales and recruiting efforts by existing distributors, as well as a loss or no increase in the number of sports celebrity endorsers of our products. We do not know what industry growth was for 2008, or will be for 2009, nor do we have enough experience in the direct sales channel to determine whether a slower industry growth rate, which occurred for several years leading up to 2003 and which has subsequently been slow, will adversely affect us. Additionally, we believe that the deteriorating economic conditions and tighter credit in the United States that started in the third quarter of 2008 and continues through 2009 has had, and will continue to have, a negative effect on our business and the ability of our independent distributors to recruit other distributors.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates; including those related to collection of receivables, inventory obsolescence, sales returns and non-monetary transactions such as stock and stock options issued for services and beneficial conversion features of notes payable. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements.
Revenue Recognition. In accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin 104 "Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements", revenue is recognized at the point of shipment, at which time title is passed. Net sales include sales of products, sales of marketing tools to independent distributors and freight and handling charges. With the exception of approved professional sports teams, we receive the net sales price from all of our orders in the form of cash or credit card payment prior to shipment. Professional sports teams with approved credit have been extended payment terms of net 30 days.
Allowances for Product Returns. Allowances for product returns are recorded at the time product is shipped. These accruals are based upon the historical return rate since the inception of our network marketing program in the third quarter of 2003, and the specific historical return patterns by product. Our monthly return rate since the third quarter of 2003 has varied from 0.7% to 8.9% of our net sales, and was 2.8% in the quarter ended September 30, 2009.
We offer a 60-day, 100% money back unconditional guarantee to all customers and independent distributors who have never before purchased products from us. As of September 30, 2009, orders shipped that are subject to our 60-day money back guarantee were approximately $285,031. All other product may be returned to us by any customer or independent distributor if it is unopened and undamaged for a 100% sales price refund, less a 10% restocking fee, provided the product is returned within 12 months of purchase and is being sold by us at the time of return. We are not able to estimate the amount of revenue we have recognized that is held by these buyers of product and which is returnable, because it is not possible to determine the amount of product that is unopened and undamaged. Product damaged during shipment is replaced wholly at our cost, which historically has been negligible.
We monitor our return estimate on an ongoing basis and may revise allowances to reflect our experience. Our reserve for product returns at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 was $134,836. To date, product expiration dates have not played any role in product returns, and we anticipate that they may in the future because of the marketing focus on Bazi™, a product that has only a one year shelf life and therefore it is possible for us to have expired product returned to us. To date we have not have any significant returns of expired product.
Inventory Valuation. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market on a first-in first-out basis. A reserve for inventory obsolescence is maintained and is based upon assumptions about current and future product demand, inventory whose shelf life has expired and market conditions. A change in any of these variables may require additional reserves to be taken. We reserved $108,655 for obsolete inventory as of September 30, 2009 and $116,095 as of December 31, 2008.
Stock Based Compensation. Many equity instrument transactions are valued based on pricing models such as Black-Scholes-Merton, which require judgments by us. Values for such transactions can very widely and are often material to the financial statements.
Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted Accounting Standards Codification 718 (the "ASC Topic 718"), formerly Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment ("SFAS 123R"), which requires compensation costs related to share-based transactions, including employee stock options, to be recognized in the financial statements based on fair value. In March 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 ("SAB 107") regarding the SEC's interpretation of ASC Topic 718 and the valuation of share-based payments for public companies. We have applied the provisions of SAB 107 in its adoption of ASC Topic 718. We adopted the provisions of ASC Topic 718 using the modified prospective transition method. In accordance with this transition method, the company's consolidated financial statements for prior periods have not been restated to reflect the impact of ASC Topic 718. Under the modified prospective transition method, share-based compensation expense for the first quarter of 2006 includes compensation expense for all share-based compensation awards granted prior to, but for which the requisite service has not yet been performed as of January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of ASC Topic 718. Share-based compensation expense for all share-based compensation awards granted after January 1, 2006 is based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 718.
Results of Operations
For the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three months September 30, 2008.
The discussion below first presents the results of the quarter ended September 30, 2009 followed by the results of the quarter ended September 30, 2008.
Net Sales. Net sales were $1,639,820, a decrease of 22% compared to $2,109,995 during the comparable quarter in 2008. The decrease in net sales is principally attributable to the decrease in economic activity that began during the quarter ended September 30, 2008, accelerated through the remainder of 2008, and continued through the quarter ended September 30, 2009. As a result, the Company recruited fewer new distributors during the most recent quarter compared to the comparable quarter in the prior year. In addition, the Company experienced a higher level of current distributors leaving the Company during the quarter ended September 30, 2009, which management attributes to financial pressure faced by such distributors due to economic conditions.
The percentage that each product category represented of our net sales is as follows:
Three Months Ended
September 30,
2009 2008
Product Category % of Sales % of Sales
Bazi™ 94 % 93 %
Legacy Products * 2 % 3 %
Other-educational materials, apparel 4 % 4 %
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* Legacy Products include EAT, DRINK, HYDRATE, BUILD and Vitamins and minerals (including SUPPORT).
Gross Profit. Gross profit decreased to $1,265,437 compared to $1,623,927, a decrease of 22%. Gross profit as a percentage of revenue (gross margin) remained at the same level, at 77%. The decrease in the gross profit was a result of lower revenue for the quarter compared with the prior year.
Sales and Marketing Expenses. Sales and marketing expenses decreased to $1,227,758 from $1,355,045, a decrease of 9%. The decrease in sales and marketing expenses is principally the result of the decreased payments to our independent distributors as a result of decreased overall sales, which decrease was offset by higher commissions paid to independent distributor, which increased to 54% of net sales for the current period compared to 42% for the comparable period.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses were $498,119, a decrease of 26% compared to $674,712. The decrease is a result of lower administrative and executive salary expenses as a result of the termination of an executive officer during the quarter ended June 30, 2009, and the restructuring of additional management contracts. The decrease was also a result of the cost savings that the Company made as a result of the delisting of the Company's common stock from the NYSE Alternext Exchange and subsequent listing on the over the counter market.
Net Loss. Our net loss was $470,120, or ($0.03) per share, compared to $408,915, or ($0.03) per share, an increased loss of 15%. The increased net loss is principally the result of lower revenue during the quarter ended September 30, 2009 compared to the comparable quarter in 2008, and increases in commission payments to distributors, which was partially offset by the decrease in salaries and public company expenses during the current quarter compared to the comparable quarter in 2008.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008.
The discussion below first presents the results of the nine months ended September 30, 2009 followed by the results of the nine months ended September 30, 2008.
Net Sales. Net sales were $4,689,524, a decrease of 21% compared to $5,964,194. The decrease in net sales is principally attributable to the decrease in economic activity that began during the quarter ended September 30, 2008, accelerated through the remainder of 2008, and continued through the quarter ended September 30, 2009. As a result, the Company recruited fewer new distributors during the nine month period ended September 30, 2009 compared to the comparable nine month period ended September 30, 2008, which management attributes to financial pressure faced by such distributors due to economic conditions.
The percentage that each product category represented of our net sales is as follows:
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2009 2008
Product Category % of Sales % of Sales
Bazi™ 92 % 92 %
Legacy Products * 2 % 4 %
Other-educational materials, apparel 6 % 4 %
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* Legacy Products include EAT, DRINK, HYDRATE, BUILD and Vitamins and minerals (including SUPPORT).
Gross Profit. Gross profit decreased to $3,563,672 compared to $4,595,066, a decrease of 22%. Gross profit as a percentage of revenue (gross margin) decreased to 76% from 77%. The decrease in the gross margin percentage was principally the result of the increased portion of sales attributable to materials offered to distributors to promote the sale of Bazi, which materials were not offered to distributors in the comparable period in 2008. The materials, consisting of the Empower magazine and DVD, have a significantly lower gross margin as compared to the other products offered by the Company. The decrease in the gross margin was a result of lower revenue during the nine month period ended September 30, 2009 compared with the prior year.
Sales and Marketing Expenses. Sales and marketing expenses decreased to $3,251,816 from $4,059,998, a decrease of 20%. Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of distributor commissions, costs associated with attracting experienced field leaders for our distributor network, events and training for the distributors. The decrease in sales and marketing expenses is a result of the decreased payments to our independent distributors as a result of decreased sales. Commissions paid to independent distributors as a percentage of net sales increased for the current period to 46% compared to the prior period of 43%. The increase in the percent commission paid to distributors was a result of certain changes to the Company's independent distributor compensation plan made during the quarter ended September 30, 2009, which changes were intended to increase sales from the level achieved during the previous quarter. The decrease was also due in part to the payment in the prior year for the termination of a marketing consulting services agreement that the Company entered into in 2003 with an independent consultant.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses were $1,678,822, a decrease of 27% compared to $2,295,770. The decrease is principally the result of the decrease in stock based compensation paid in the nine month period ended September 30, 2009 compared to the comparable period in 2008. In the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company granted warrants to acquire its Common Stock to an investor relations firm. The Company terminated the contract with the investor relations firm in January 2009. The decrease is also a result of termination of an executive officer during the quarter ended June 30, 2009, and the restructuring of additional management contracts. Additionally, the Company was able to reduce the public company expenses as a result of the delisting from the NYSE Alternext Exchange and subsequent listing on the Over the Counter market.
Net Loss. Our net loss was $1,391,631, or ($0.09) per share, compared to $1,771,251, or ($0.11) per share. Our net loss decreased by 21% as the result of lower revenue during the nine month period ended September 30, 2009 compared to the comparable nine month period ended September 30, 2008, and increases in commission payments to distributors, which was partially offset by the decrease in salaries and public company expenses during the nine month period ended September 30, 2009 compared to the comparable period in 2008.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
To date, our operating funds have been provided primarily from sales of our common stock totaling $15,352,624, through December 31, 2008, and to a lesser degree, cash flow provided by the sale of our products.
On February 19, 2008, the Company announced that it had completed the sale of one-half million units in a private placement transaction resulting in gross proceeds of $500,000. On March 6, 2008, the American Stock Exchange approved the issue of the shares.
We used $949,150 of cash for operations in the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $857,219 of cash for operations in the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The use of cash in our operations results from incurring and accruing expenses to suppliers necessary to generate business and service our customers at a time when revenues did not keep pace with expenses. As of September 30, 2009, we had $529,755 in cash and cash equivalents available to fund future operations, and our cash balance is deteriorating. Net working capital decreased from $1,314,831 at December 31, 2008, to $41,353 at September 30, 2009.
Our existing cash resources are currently insufficient to provide for our short term working capital requirements and fund the successful completion of our business plan of sufficiently increasing the number of distributors and revenue, and consequently achieving profitability. As a result, we are currently seeking additional financing to provide for the Company's working capital requirements. Our current plan is to issue promissory notes convertible into shares of our common stock. While the Company is in negotiations with certain existing shareholders to provide for the issuance of such notes, we currently do not have any firm commitments. There can be no assurances that we will be successful in securing such commitments, or that such notes, or other securities issued by the Company to provide for its working capital requirements, will be available on terms and conditions beneficial to the Company. If management is unsuccessful in its plans to issue additional convertible promissory notes or raise additional capital, or otherwise improve its liquidity position, the Company will be required to pursue alternatives to continuing as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or to amounts and classification of liabilities that may be necessary if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.
Customer Concentrations
We had no single customer that accounted for any substantial portion of our revenues. However, we are dependent on a few independent distributors who control a significant number of independent distributors in their down line organization, the loss of any of which could have an adverse affect on our results from operations and financial condition.
Off-Balance Sheet Items
We have no off-balance sheet items as of September 30, 2009.
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