UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 9, 2006

 

Hansen Natural Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

   
   
  0-18761
  39-1679918  
  (Commission File Number)
  (IRS Employer Identification No.)  

 

1010 Railroad Street

Corona, California 92882

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

(951) 739 - 6200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 


Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

 

On October 31, 2006, Hansen Natural Corporation (the "Company") disclosed the receipt of a letter from the Staff of the Pacific Regional Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC Letter") requesting that the Company voluntarily produce certain documents and information relating to the Company's filing of SEC Forms 4 and the Company's stock option grant practices from January 1, 1996, to the present. On November 6, 2006, the Company announced that it had appointed a special committee (the "Special Committee") to undertake a special investigation of certain option grants. The Special Committee has retained independent counsel to conduct the investigation. In light of these developments, the Company currently is not in a position to complete the preparation of the financial statements and certain related information required to be included in the Form 10-Q. The Company intends to file the Form 10-Q as soon as practicable after the completion of the investigation by the Special Committee. This will likely not occur until after the fifth calendar day following the prescribed due date of the Form 10-Q.

 

Pending the conclusion of the investigation, the Company has determined to report selected financial information only for the third quarter and nine-months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 respectively. Such information is set forth in a press release publicly disseminated by the Company today and attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto. The Company will hold the investor conference call scheduled for today at 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time as previously reported.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits

 

The following exhibit is furnished herewith:

 

Exhibit 99.1 Press Release dated November 9, 2006.

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 hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

Hansen Natural Corporation

 

 

Date: November 9, 2006

/s/ Hilton H. Schlosberg

-------------------------------

Hilton H. Schlosberg

Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors,

President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONTACTS:

Rodney C. Sacks

 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

(951) 739-6200

 

Hilton H. Schlosberg

 

Vice Chairman

 

(951) 739-6200

 

 

Roger S. Pondel

 

PondelWilkinson Inc.

 

(310) 279-5980

 

 

HANSEN NATURAL REPORTS RECORD THIRD QUARTER SALES

AND PRELIMINARY SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

Corona, CA – November 9, 2006 – Hansen Natural Corporation (NASDAQ:HANS) today reported record sales for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2006.

Gross sales for the third quarter increased 61.8% to $204.5 million from $126.4 million a year earlier. Net sales for the third quarter increased 69.3% to $178.5 million from $105.4 million a year ago.

Gross sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 rose 73.7% to $524.4 million from $301.8 million a year earlier. Net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 were up 81.1% to $454.3 million from $250.9 million a year earlier.

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales for the third quarter decreased to 51.6% from 52.5% for the comparable 2005 quarter, largely due to increased inbound freight costs, changes in product mix, and increases in certain raw material costs. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 decreased slightly to 52.0% from 52.1% a year ago.

Operating expenses, excluding stock based compensation, as a percentage of net sales for the third quarter decreased to 19.3% from 20.6% for the comparable 2005 quarter. Operating expenses, excluding stock based compensation, as a percentage of net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 decreased to 20.7% from 22.7% a year ago.

 

(more)

Hansen Natural Corporation

 

On October 31, 2006, the Company announced that it had received a letter from the Securities and Exchange Commission requesting that the Company voluntarily produce certain documents and information relating to the Company’s filing of SEC Forms 4 and the Company’s stock option grant practices from January 1, 1996 to the present. On November 6, 2006, the Company announced that it had appointed a special committee to undertake a special investigation of certain option grants. The special committee has retained independent counsel to conduct the investigation. Pending the conclusion of the investigation, the Company has determined to report selected financial information only for the third quarter and nine-months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

Rodney C. Sacks, chairman and chief executive officer, said the record revenues reflected continued strong sales of Monster Energy® brand energy drinks, as well as the introduction of Ace™ Energy energy drinks and the expansion of distribution of Joker Mad Energy™ energy drinks. “While the energy category continues to show strong growth over the prior year, the growth of Monster continues to outpace all of its major competitors. Monster gained both increased distribution and market share during the quarter,” Sacks said. He also noted that the implementation of the distribution arrangements with selected Anheuser-Busch wholesalers is progressing well.

The increase in net sales for the 2006 third quarter was also attributable, to a lesser extent, to increases in sales by volume, primarily of teas, lemonades and juice cocktails. The increase in net sales was partially offset by lower sales by volume of Hansen’s® energy drinks, Smoothies in cans and Energade®.

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments increased from $73.5 million to $120.4 million, after the purchase of 1 million shares of the Company’s common stock at an average price of $27.70 per share.

Inventories were increased to meet forecasted demand due to the new distribution arrangements.

In light of the investigation discussed above, the Company is not in a position to complete the preparation of the financial statements and certain related information required to be included in Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006. The Company intends to file Form 10-Q as soon as practicable after the completion of the investigation by the Special Committee.

The Company will host an investor conference call on November 9, 2006 at 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time (2:30 p.m. Eastern Time). The conference call will be open to all interested investors through a live audio web broadcast via the internet at www.hansens.com and www.earnings.com. For those who are not able to listen to the live broadcast, the call will be archived for approximately one year on both websites.

Hansen Natural Corporation

 

Hansen Natural Corporation markets and distributes Hansen’s® Natural Sodas, Signature Sodas, fruit juice Smoothies, Energy drinks, Energade® energy sports drinks, E20 Energy Water®, Sparkling Lemonades and Orangeades, multi-vitamin juice drinks in aseptic packaging, Junior Juice® juice, iced teas, lemonades and juice cocktails, apple juice and juice blends, Blue Sky® brand beverages, Monster Energy® brand energy drinks, Lost® Energy™ brand energy drinks, Joker Mad Energy™, Unbound® Energy and Ace™ Energy brand energy drinks, Rumba™ brand energy juice, and Fizzit™ brand powdered drink mixes. Hansen’s can be found on the Web at www.hansens.com.

 

Gross sales, although used internally by management as an indicator of operating performance, should not be considered as an alternative to net sales, which is determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (" GAAP"), and should not be used alone as an indicator of operating performance in place of net sales. Additionally, gross sales may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies as gross sales has been defined by the Company’s internal reporting requirements.

Certain statements made in this announcement may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, regarding the expectations of management with respect to revenues and profitability. Management cautions that these statements are qualified by their terms or important factors, many of which are outside of the control of the Company, that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from the statements made herein, including, but not limited to, the following: changes in consumer preferences; changes in demand that are weather related, particularly in areas outside of California; competitive pricing and/or marketing pressures; activities and strategies of competitors; changes in the price and/or availability of raw materials for the Company’s products; the availability of production and/or suitable facilities; the marketing efforts of the distributors of the Company’s products, most of which distribute products that are competitive with the products of the Company; the introduction of new products, as well as unilateral decisions that may be made by grocery and/or convenience chain stores, specialty chain stores, club stores and other customers to discontinue carrying all or any of the Company’s products that they are carrying at any time; and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. The Company assures no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

 

# # #

 

(tables below)

HANSEN NATURAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

PRELIMINARY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Note 1)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006 and 2005

(In Thousands)(Unaudited)

(Not presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GROSS SALES*

 

$

204,477

 

$

126,384

 

$

524,427

 

$

301,846

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LESS: Promotional and other allowances**

 

 

25,980

 

 

20,963

 

 

70,147

 

 

50,970

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET SALES

 

 

178,497

 

 

105,421

 

 

454,280

 

 

250,876

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COST OF SALES

 

 

86,463

 

 

50,078

 

 

218,258

 

 

120,276

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GROSS PROFIT

 

 

92,034

 

 

55,343

 

 

236,022

 

 

130,600

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling and distribution

 

 

28,763

 

 

14,450

 

 

70,692

 

 

36,120

General and administrative, less stock based compensation

 

 

5,600

 

 

7,318

 

 

23,445

 

 

20,826

Stock based compensation (Note 1)

 

 

1,852

 

 

-

 

 

5,485

 

 

-

Total operating expenses (Note 1)

 

 

36,215

 

 

21,768

 

 

99,622

 

 

56,946

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INTEREST ON INVESTMENTS

 

 

1,047

 

 

323

 

 

2,620

 

 

695

 

Note 1 – Stock based compensation expense for three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and for prior periods could be subject to significant adjustments as a result of the Company’s internal investigation of certain stock option grants, which is in its preliminary stage and is currently ongoing. Consequently, the Company cannot, at this time, reasonably estimate the amount of any such change, the resulting tax and accounting impact, or which periods may require restatement, if any.

 

*Gross sales, although used internally by management as an indicator of operating performance, should not be considered as an alternative to net sales, which is determined in accordance with GAAP, and should not be used alone as an indicator of operating performance in place of net sales. Additionally, gross sales may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies as gross sales has been defined by the Company’s internal reporting requirements.

 

**Although the expenditures described in this line item are determined in accordance with GAAP and meet GAAP requirements, the disclosure thereof does not conform with GAAP presentation requirements. Additionally, the presentation of promotional and other allowances may not be comparable to similar items presented by other companies. The presentation of promotional and other allowances facilitates an evaluation of the impact thereof on the determination of net sales and illustrates the spending levels incurred to secure such sales. Promotional and other allowances constitute a material portion of the marketing activities of the Company.

HANSEN NATURAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

PRELIMINARY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Note 1)

As of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005

(In Thousands)(Unaudited)

(Not presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles)

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

2006

 

2005

SELECTED ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

37,710

 

$

61,654

Restricted cash

 

 

6,224

 

 

-

Short-term investments

 

 

82,699

 

 

11,861

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

68,917

 

 

28,752

Inventories

 

 

80,683

 

 

31,400

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net

 

 

5,975

 

 

3,743

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INTANGIBLE AND OTHER ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trademarks, net

 

 

20,208

 

 

19,103

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SELECTED LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

63,550

 

$

26,614

Accrued compensation

 

 

2,602

 

 

3,346

Amounts payable - Distributors

 

 

6,224

 

 

-

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

496

 

 

515

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LONG-TERM DEBT, less current portion

 

 

5

 

 

10

 

Note 1 – Stock based compensation expense for three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and for prior periods could be subject to significant adjustments as a result of the Company’s internal investigation of certain stock option grants, which is in its preliminary stage and is currently ongoing. Consequently, the Company cannot, at this time, reasonably estimate the amount of any such change, the resulting tax and accounting impact, or which periods may require restatement, if any.