Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended July 4, 2009

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to             

Commission File No. 001-16769

 

 

WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Virginia   11-6040273

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

11 Madison Avenue, 17th Floor, New York, New York 10010

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 589-2700

 

 

 

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, 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  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ¨    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large Accelerated Filer   x    Accelerated Filer   ¨
Non-Accelerated Filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller Reporting Company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

The number of shares of common stock outstanding as of July 31, 2009 was 77,008,539.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

          Page No.
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION   
Item 1.    Financial Statements   
   Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets at July 4, 2009 and January 3, 2009    2
   Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended July 4, 2009 and June 28, 2008    3
   Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations for the six months ended July 4, 2009 and June 28, 2008    4
   Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Changes in Total Deficit for the six months ended July 4, 2009 and for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2009    5
   Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended July 4, 2009 and June 28, 2008    6
   Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements    7
Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements    19
Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    20
Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    34
Item 4.    Controls and Procedures    34
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION   
Item 1.    Legal Proceedings    35
Item 1A.    Risk Factors    36
Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    36
Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities    36
Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    37
Item 5.    Other Information    37
Item 6.    Exhibits    37
Signatures   
Exhibit Index   


Table of Contents

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AT

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

 

     July 4,
2009
    January 3,
2009
 

ASSETS

    

CURRENT ASSETS

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 53,216      $ 47,322   

Receivables, net

     40,282        37,850   

Inventories, net

     28,193        40,121   

Prepaid income taxes

     13,494        29,782   

Deferred income taxes

     24,235        32,331   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     38,032        37,635   
                

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

     197,452        225,041   

Property and equipment, net

     37,281        37,508   

Franchise rights acquired

     748,918        743,572   

Goodwill

     51,333        51,296   

Trademarks and other intangible assets, net

     34,543        33,531   

Deferred income taxes

     4,524        8,105   

Deferred financing costs and other noncurrent assets

     11,509        7,699   
                

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 1,085,560      $ 1,106,752   
                

LIABILITIES AND TOTAL DEFICIT

    

CURRENT LIABILITIES

    

Portion of long-term debt due within one year

   $ 188,750      $ 162,500   

Accounts payable

     22,097        33,151   

Dividend payable

     13,730        13,876   

Derivative payable

     53,557        61,532   

U.K. VAT liability

     41,382        42,905   

Accrued liabilities

     95,491        107,031   

Income taxes payable

     8,766        14,083   

Deferred revenue

     83,462        60,046   
                

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

     507,235        495,124   

Long-term debt

     1,341,500        1,485,000   

Deferred income taxes

     17,749        2,685   

Other

     11,862        10,932   
                

TOTAL LIABILITIES

     1,878,346        1,993,741   

TOTAL DEFICIT

    

Dividend to Artal Luxembourg S.A.

     (304,835     (304,835

Common stock, $0 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; 111,988 shares issued

     —          —     

Treasury stock, at cost, 34,984 shares at July 4, 2009 and 35,067 shares at January 3, 2009

     (1,684,491     (1,684,828

Retained earnings

     1,212,106        1,131,080   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (17,300     (28,933
                

TOTAL WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. DEFICIT

     (794,520     (887,516

Noncontrolling interest

     1,734        527   
                

TOTAL DEFICIT

     (792,786     (886,989
                

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND TOTAL DEFICIT

   $ 1,085,560      $ 1,106,752   
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

 

     Three Months Ended  
     July 4,
2009
    June 28,
2008
 
      

Meeting fees, net

   $ 216,010      $ 224,868   

Product sales and other, net

     106,268        125,780   

Internet revenues

     50,248        49,366   
                

Revenues, net

     372,526        400,014   

Cost of meetings, products and other

     156,358        180,783   

Cost of Internet revenues

     8,699        9,170   
                

Cost of revenues

     165,057        189,953   
                

Gross profit

     207,469        210,061   

Marketing expenses

     53,179        59,574   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     42,950        49,214   
                

Operating income

     111,340        101,273   

Interest expense

     16,957        21,561   

Other income, net

     (479     (20
                

Income before income taxes

     94,862        79,732   

Provision for income taxes

     36,901        33,372   
                

Net income

     57,961        46,360   

Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest

     801        278   
                

Net income attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.

   $ 58,762      $ 46,638   
                

Earnings per share attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.

    

Basic

   $ 0.76      $ 0.59   
                

Diluted

   $ 0.76      $ 0.59   
                

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

    

Basic

     77,000        78,840   
                

Diluted

     77,094        79,127   
                

Dividends declared per common share

   $ 0.18      $ 0.18   
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

 

     Six Months Ended  
     July 4,
2009
   June 28,
2008
 
       

Meeting fees, net

   $ 441,943    $ 480,366   

Product sales and other, net

     222,500      261,775   

Internet revenues

     98,661      94,900   
               

Revenues, net

     763,104      837,041   

Cost of meetings, products and other

     325,245      363,304   

Cost of Internet revenues

     18,217      17,781   
               

Cost of revenues

     343,462      381,085   
               

Gross profit

     419,642      455,956   

Marketing expenses

     127,738      146,625   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     86,719      92,046   
               

Operating income

     205,185      217,285   

Interest expense

     33,698      46,878   

Other expense/(income), net

     25      (2,455
               

Income before income taxes

     171,462      172,862   

Provision for income taxes

     66,696      69,501   
               

Net income

     104,766      103,361   

Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest

     1,302      644   
               

Net income attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.

   $ 106,068    $ 104,005   
               

Earnings per share attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.

     

Basic

   $ 1.38    $ 1.31   
               

Diluted

   $ 1.38    $ 1.31   
               

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

     

Basic

     76,989      79,154   
               

Diluted

     77,075      79,453   
               

Dividends declared per common share

   $ 0.35    $ 0.35   
               

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN TOTAL DEFICIT

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

 

    Weight Watchers International, Inc.              
                        Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
    Dividend
to Artal
Luxembourg,
S.A.
    Retained
Earnings
    Noncontrolling
Interest
       
                                   
    Common Stock   Treasury Stock                
    Shares   Amount   Shares     Amount             Total  

Balance at December 29, 2007

  111,988   $ —     32,578      $ (1,570,054   $ (1,654   $ (304,835   $ 950,213      $ —        $ (926,330

Investment by the noncontrolling interest

                  2,511        2,511   

Comprehensive income/(loss):

                 

Net income/(loss)

                204,331        (1,984     202,347   

Translation adjustment, net of taxes of $3,028

            (4,949           (4,949

Change in fair value of derivatives accounted for as hedges, net of taxes of $14,278

            (22,330           (22,330
                             

Total comprehensive income/(loss)

                  (1,984     175,068   
                             

Issuance of treasury stock under stock plans

      (297     1,199            6,302          7,501   

Tax benefit of restricted stock units vested and stock options exercised

                13,621          13,621   

Cash dividends declared

                (54,689       (54,689

Purchase of treasury stock

      2,786        (115,973             (115,973

Compensation expense on share-based awards

                11,302          11,302   
                                                               

Balance at January 3, 2009

  111,988   $ —     35,067      $ (1,684,828   $ (28,933   $ (304,835   $ 1,131,080      $ 527      $ (886,989

Investment by the noncontrolling interest

                  2,509        2,509   

Comprehensive income/(loss):

                 

Net income/(loss)

                106,068        (1,302     104,766   

Translation adjustment, net of taxes of ($621)

            978              978   

Change in fair value of derivatives accounted for as hedges, net of taxes of ($6,813)

            10,655              10,655   
                             

Total comprehensive income/(loss)

                  (1,302     116,399   
                             

Issuance of treasury stock under stock plans

      (83     337            (1,451       (1,114

Tax shortfall of restricted stock units vested and stock options exercised

                (992       (992

Cash dividends declared

                (26,970       (26,970

Compensation expense on share-based awards

                4,371          4,371   
                                                               

Balance at July 4, 2009

  111,988   $ —     34,984      $ (1,684,491   $ (17,300   $ (304,835   $ 1,212,106      $ 1,734      $ (792,786
                                                               

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

 

     Six Months Ended  
     July 4,
2009
    June 28,
2008
 
      

Cash provided by operating activities

   $ 162,209      $ 177,951   
                

Investing activities:

    

Capital expenditures

     (6,590     (8,635

Capitalized software expenditures

     (2,391     (3,046

Website development expenditures

     (4,429     (2,662

Cash paid for acquisitions

     —          (39,660

Other items, net

     (230     127   
                

Cash used for investing activities

     (13,640     (53,876
                

Financing activities:

    

Payments of long-term debt

     (117,250     (17,625

Proceeds from stock options exercised

     18        6,018   

Repurchase of treasury stock

     —          (53,463

Payment of dividends

     (27,116     (27,855

Deferred financing costs

     (4,043     —     

Investment and advances from noncontrolling interest

     2,631        1,332   
                

Cash used for financing activities

     (145,760     (91,593
                

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash/cash equivalents and other

     3,085        2,137   
                

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     5,894        34,619   

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     47,322        39,823   
                

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 53,216      $ 74,442   
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

 

1. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Weight Watchers International, Inc., and all of its subsidiaries. The term “Company” as used throughout these notes is used to indicate Weight Watchers International, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries. The term “WWI” as used throughout these notes is used to indicate Weight Watchers International, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries other than WeightWatchers.com, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries. The term “WW.com” as used throughout these notes is used to indicate WeightWatchers.com, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries.

As further discussed in Note 4, effective with its formation in February 2008, the Company consolidates the financial statements of its joint venture entity, Weight Watchers Danone China Limited, and its subsidiaries (the “China Joint Venture”).

The Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an amendment of ARB No. 51” (“SFAS 160”) on January 4, 2009. This Statement establishes accounting and reporting standards for noncontrolling interests, previously referred to as minority interests. In accordance with the provisions of this Statement, the financial statements for the comparable prior periods as shown in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q have been restated to conform to the presentation requirements of SFAS 160.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and include amounts that are based on management’s best estimates and judgments. While all available information has been considered, actual amounts could differ from those estimates. The consolidated financial statements are unaudited but, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments including those of a normal recurring nature necessary for a fair statement of the interim results presented.

These statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2008, which includes additional information about the Company, its results of operations, its financial position and its cash flows.

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued SFAS No. 168, “The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles-a replacement of FASB No. 162” (the “Codification”). The Codification will become the single source of authoritative U.S. GAAP recognized by the FASB to be applied by non-governmental agencies. The Codification will supersede then-existing accounting and reporting standards such as FASB Statements, FASB Staff Positions and Emerging Issues Task Force Abstracts. The Codification is effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ended after September 15, 2009. The Codification will only impact the Company’s financial statement reference disclosures in future filings, and does not change its application of U.S. GAAP.

In May 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 165, “Subsequent Events” (“SFAS 165”). SFAS 165 sets forth general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. SFAS 165 is effective for the second quarter of 2009 and did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In that regard, the Company performed an evaluation of subsequent events through August 13, 2009, the date the financial statements were issued.

 

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

 

For a discussion of the Company’s other significant accounting policies, see “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2008.

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

 

3. Acquisitions

The acquisitions of certain franchisees have been accounted for under the purchase method of accounting and, accordingly, their earnings have been included in the consolidated operating results of the Company since their dates of acquisition. Details of these franchise acquisitions are outlined below.

On January 31, 2008, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of its Palm Beach, Florida franchisee, Weight Watchers of Palm Beach County, Inc., for a net purchase price of $12,936 plus assumed liabilities and transaction costs of $319. The total purchase price has been allocated to franchise rights acquired ($12,693), inventory ($113), fixed assets ($299) and other current assets ($150).

On June 13, 2008, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of its Wichita, Kansas franchisee, Weight Watchers of Greater Wichita, Inc., for a net purchase price of $5,734. The total purchase price has been allocated to franchise rights acquired ($5,676) and prepaid expenses ($58).

On June 19, 2008, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of two of its franchisees, Weight Watchers of Syracuse, Inc. and Dieters of the Southern Tier, Inc., for a combined net purchase price of $20,935, plus assumed liabilities and transaction costs of $164. The total purchase price has been allocated to franchise rights acquired ($20,948), fixed assets ($36), inventory ($56) and prepaid expenses ($59).

The effects of these franchise acquisitions, individually or in the aggregate, were not material to the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or operating cash flows in any of the periods presented.

The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 141 (Revised 2007), “Business Combinations” on January 4, 2009, the first day of fiscal 2009. This Statement establishes principles and requirements for how the acquirer (a) recognizes and measures the identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree; (b) recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired; and (c) determines what information to disclose. The Company will apply the provisions of this Statement for business combinations with an acquisition date on or after January 4, 2009.

 

4. China Joint Venture

On February 5, 2008, Weight Watchers Asia Holdings Ltd. (“Weight Watchers Asia”), a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and Danone Dairy Asia, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Groupe DANONE S.A., entered into a joint venture agreement to establish a weight management business in the People’s Republic of China. Pursuant to the terms of the joint venture agreement, Weight Watchers Asia and Danone Dairy Asia own 51% and 49%, respectively, of the China Joint Venture.

 

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

 

Because the Company has a direct controlling financial interest in the China Joint Venture, it began to consolidate this entity in the first quarter of fiscal 2008 under the provisions of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, “Consolidated Financial Statements.”

 

5. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

For the six months ended July 4, 2009, the change in goodwill is due to foreign currency fluctuations. The Company’s goodwill by reportable segment at July 4, 2009 was $25,133 related to its WWI segment and $26,200 related to its WW.com segment. Franchise rights acquired are due to acquisitions of the Company’s franchised territories. For the six months ended July 4, 2009, the change in franchise rights acquired is due to foreign currency fluctuations.

Aggregate amortization expense for finite-lived intangible assets was recorded in the amounts of $3,383 and $6,461 for the three and six months ended July 4, 2009, respectively. Aggregate amortization expense for finite-lived intangible assets was recorded in the amounts of $2,671 and $5,158 for the three and six months ended June 28, 2008, respectively.

The carrying amount of finite-lived intangible assets as of July 4, 2009 and January 3, 2009 was as follows:

 

     July 4, 2009    January 3, 2009
     Gross
Carrying
Amount
   Accumulated
Amortization
   Gross
Carrying
Amount
   Accumulated
Amortization

Deferred software costs

   $ 43,615    $ 22,003    $ 39,027    $ 17,408

Trademarks

     9,381      8,408      9,287      8,233

Website development costs

     27,304      16,311      25,847      15,995

Other

     5,742      4,777      5,741      4,735
                           
   $ 86,042    $ 51,499    $ 79,902    $ 46,371
                           

Estimated amortization expense of existing finite-lived intangible assets for the next five fiscal years is as follows:

 

Remainder of fiscal 2009

   $ 7,007

Fiscal 2010

   $ 11,866

Fiscal 2011

   $ 9,267

Fiscal 2012

   $ 3,663

Fiscal 2013

   $ 1,233

During the second quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company performed an interim impairment test of its goodwill and franchise rights acquired balances. The results of this interim impairment test indicated that no impairment existed.

 

6. Long-Term Debt

The Company’s credit agreement consists of a term loan facility consisting of two tranche A facilities, or Term Loan A and Additional Term Loan A, and a tranche B facility, or Term Loan B, in an

 

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

 

aggregate original principal amount of $1,550,000 and a revolving credit facility, or the Revolver, in the amount of up to $500,000. The term loan facility and the Revolver are referred to in these notes collectively as the “WWI Credit Facility.” At July 4, 2009, the Company had $1,530,250 outstanding under the WWI Credit Facility with an additional $372,091 of availability under the Revolver.

At July 4, 2009, the Term Loan A, Additional Term Loan A and the Revolver bore interest at a rate equal to LIBOR plus 1.0% per annum or, at the Company’s option, the alternate base rate (as defined in the WWI Credit Facility agreements). At July 4, 2009, the Term Loan B bore interest at a rate equal to LIBOR plus 1.5% per annum or, at the Company’s option, the alternate base rate (as defined in the WWI Credit Facility agreements). In addition to paying interest on outstanding principal under the WWI Credit Facility, the Company is required to pay a commitment fee to the lenders under the Revolver with respect to the unused commitments at a rate equal to 0.20% per annum at July 4, 2009.

The WWI Credit Facility contains customary covenants including covenants that, in certain circumstances, restrict the Company’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends on and redeem capital stock, make other payments, including investments, sell its assets and enter into consolidations, mergers and transfers of all or substantially all of its assets. The WWI Credit Facility also requires the Company to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy certain financial condition tests. At July 4, 2009, the Company was in compliance with all of the required financial ratios and also met all of the financial condition tests and expects to continue to do so for the foreseeable future. The WWI Credit Facility contains customary events of default. Upon the occurrence of an event of default under the WWI Credit Facility, the lenders thereunder may cease making loans and declare amounts outstanding to be immediately due and payable. The WWI Credit Facility is guaranteed by certain of the Company’s existing and future subsidiaries. Substantially all the assets of the Company collateralize the WWI Credit Facility.

On June 26, 2009, the Company amended the WWI Credit Facility to allow it to make loan modification offers to all lenders of any tranche of term loans or revolving loans to extend the maturity date of such loans and/or reduce or eliminate the scheduled amortization. Any such loan modifications would be effective only with respect to such tranche of term loans or revolving loans and only with respect to those lenders that accept the Company’s offer. Loan modification offers may be accompanied by increased pricing and/or fees payable to accepting lenders. This amendment also provides for up to an additional $200,000 of incremental term loan financing through the creation of a new tranche of term loans, provided that the aggregate principal amount of such new term loans cannot exceed the amount then outstanding under the Company’s existing revolving credit facility. In addition, the proceeds from such new tranche of term loans must be used solely to repay certain outstanding revolving loans and permanently reduce the commitments of certain revolving lenders. In connection with this amendment, the Company incurred fees of approximately $4,043 during the second quarter of fiscal 2009.

On March 20, 2008, Standard & Poor’s affirmed its “BB+” rating on the WWI Credit Facility. On March 30, 2009, Moody’s affirmed its “Ba1” rating for the WWI Credit Facility.

 

7. Treasury Stock

On October 9, 2003, the Company, at the direction of its Board of Directors, authorized a program to repurchase up to $250,000 of the Company’s outstanding common stock. On each of June 13, 2005 and May 25, 2006, the Company, at the direction of its Board of Directors, authorized adding $250,000 to this program. The repurchase program allows for shares to be purchased from time to time in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. No shares will be purchased from Artal Group S.A. (together with its parents and subsidiaries, “Artal”) under the program.

 

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

 

During the six months ended July 4, 2009, the Company repurchased no shares of its common stock. During the six months ended June 28, 2008, the Company purchased 1,193 shares of its common stock at a total cost of $53,463.

 

8. Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) are calculated utilizing the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods presented. Diluted EPS are calculated utilizing the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods presented adjusted for the effect of dilutive common stock equivalents.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted EPS:

 

     Three Months Ended    Six Months Ended
     July 4,
2009
   June 28,
2008
   July 4,
2009
   June 28,
2008

Numerator:

           

Net income attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.

   $ 58,762    $ 46,638    $ 106,068    $ 104,005
                           

Denominator:

           

Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding

     77,000      78,840      76,989      79,154

Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents

     94      287      86      299
                           

Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding

     77,094      79,127      77,075      79,453
                           

EPS attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.:

           

Basic

   $ 0.76    $ 0.59    $ 1.38    $ 1.31

Diluted

   $ 0.76    $ 0.59    $ 1.38    $ 1.31

The number of anti-dilutive common stock equivalents excluded from the calculation of weighted average shares for diluted EPS was 2,520 and 1,662 for the three months ended July 4, 2009 and June 28, 2008, respectively, and 2,365 and 1,491 for the six months ended July 4, 2009 and June 28, 2008, respectively.

 

9. Stock Plans

On May 6, 2008, May 12, 2004 and December 16, 1999, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2008 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2008 Plan”), the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2004 Plan”) and the 1999 Stock Purchase and Option Plan (the “1999 Plan” and together with the 2008 Plan and the 2004 Plan, the “Stock Plans”), respectively. These Stock Plans are designed to promote the long-term financial interests and growth of the Company by attracting, motivating and retaining employees with the ability to contribute to the success of the business and aligning compensation for the Company’s employees over a multi-year period directly with the interests of the shareholders of the Company. The Company’s Board of Directors or a committee thereof administers the Stock Plans.

 

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

 

On March 27, 2009, the Company granted 458 non-qualified stock options and 71 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to certain employees. The options and RSUs will vest on the third anniversary of the date of grant and the options will expire 10 years from the date of grant. The options and RSUs had an aggregate estimated grant-date fair value of $2,403 and $1,245, respectively.

 

10. Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the three and six months ended July 4, 2009 was 38.9%. The effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 28, 2008 was 41.9% and 40.2%, respectively. For the three and six months ended July 4, 2009, the primary differences between the U.S. federal statutory rate and the Company’s effective tax rate were state income taxes and increases in valuation allowances, offset by lower statutory rates in certain foreign jurisdictions. For the three and six months ended June 28, 2008, the primary differences between the U.S. federal statutory rate and the Company’s effective tax rate were state income taxes, increases in valuation allowances and the U.K. VAT adjustment, which caused a shift in the mix of earnings.

 

11. Legal

U.K. VAT Matter

In July 2006, the Company filed an amended notice of appeal with the U.K. VAT and Duties Tribunal, or VAT Tribunal, appealing a ruling by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, or HMRC, that from April 1, 2005 Weight Watchers meeting fees in the United Kingdom should be fully subject to 17.5% standard rated value added tax, or VAT. For over a decade prior to April 1, 2005, HMRC had determined that Weight Watchers meeting fees in the United Kingdom were only partially subject to 17.5% VAT. In March 2007, the VAT Tribunal ruled that Weight Watchers meetings in the United Kingdom should only be partially subject to 17.5% VAT. The VAT Tribunal’s ruling was appealed by HMRC to the High Court of Justice Chancery Division, or the High Court, in May 2007, and in January 2008 the High Court denied HMRC’s appeal in part and allowed HMRC’s appeal in part. In April 2008, the Company filed an appeal to the Court of Appeal in part against the High Court’s ruling and HMRC also filed an appeal to the Court of Appeal in part against the High Court’s ruling. In June 2008, the Court of Appeal issued a ruling that Weight Watchers meeting fees in the United Kingdom were fully subject to 17.5% VAT, thus reversing in its entirety the VAT Tribunal’s 2007 decision in the Company’s favor. In July 2008, the Company sought permission from the U.K. House of Lords to appeal the Court of Appeal’s ruling, which permission was denied in January 2009.

In light of the Court of Appeal’s ruling that Weight Watchers meeting fees in the United Kingdom were fully subject to 17.5% VAT and in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies” (“SFAS 5”), the Company recorded a charge of approximately $32,500 as an offset to revenue in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 for U.K. VAT liability (including interest) in excess of reserves previously recorded. Beginning in the third quarter of fiscal 2008, in accordance with SFAS 5, the Company recorded as an offset to revenue VAT charges associated with U.K. meeting fees as earned, consistent with the Court of Appeal’s ruling.

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

 

However, with respect to U.K. VAT owed for the period prior to July 1, 2005, HMRC has failed to raise a notice of assessment within the statutory three-year time period. In addition, although HMRC raised notices of assessment against the Company with respect to U.K. VAT due for the periods July 1, 2005 to September 30, 2005 and October 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005, the Company has asserted that these notices of assessment are invalid and should not have been raised on the grounds that they had been raised outside the relevant statutory time limits. HMRC indicated in November 2008 that it agreed with the Company’s assertion that the notice of assessment for the period July 1, 2005 to September 30, 2005 was invalid, and, in February 2009, confirmed that this notice had been formally withdrawn. As a result of the expiration of the statutory time period with respect to U.K. VAT owed prior to October 1, 2005, the Company recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 as a benefit to revenue for the periods prior to October 1, 2005 an amount of approximately $9,200 as an offset against reserves previously recorded including in part the charge recorded against revenue in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 for U.K. VAT liability. In March 2009 and in June 2009, HMRC raised notices of assessment against the Company in respect of U.K. VAT due for the periods January 1, 2006 to March 31, 2006 and April 1, 2006 to June 30, 2006, respectively, which the Company similarly believes were raised outside the relevant statutory time limits. The Company intends to vigorously challenge any amount of U.K. VAT that HMRC claims to be owed by it for any period between October 1, 2005 and June 30, 2006. Accordingly, the Company filed notices of appeal with the VAT Tribunal against the U.K. VAT assessments issued for the periods October 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005, January 1, 2006 to March 31, 2006 and April 1, 2006 to June 30, 2006 in March 2009, April 2009 and July 2009, respectively.

U.K. Self-Employment Matter

In July 2007, HMRC issued to the Company notices of determination and decisions that, for the period April 2001 to April 2007, its leaders and certain other service providers should have been classified as employees for tax purposes and, as such, it should have withheld tax from the leaders and certain other service providers pursuant to the “Pay As You Earn,” or PAYE, and national insurance contributions, or NIC, collection rules and remitted such amounts to HMRC. HMRC also issued a claim to the Company in October 2008 in respect of NIC which corresponds to the prior notices of assessment with respect to PAYE previously raised by HMRC. As of July 4, 2009, the assessment associated with the notices of determination and decisions and the claim in respect of NIC was approximately $26,400. It is the Company’s view that the U.K. leaders and other service providers identified by HMRC in its notices and in its claim are self-employed and no withholding by the Company was required. Accordingly, the Company intends to vigorously pursue an appeal of the notices of determination and decisions and the corresponding claim in respect of NIC.

In September 2007, the Company appealed HMRC’s notices as to these classifications and against any amount of PAYE and NIC liability claimed to be owed by it and, in July 2008, filed this appeal with the U.K. Special Commissioners. The Company’s appeal was heard in June 2009 and is scheduled to continue in October 2009, to consider further evidence and closing submissions from both parties. Although there can be no assurances, the Company believes, based in part upon advice of legal counsel, it will ultimately prevail in its appeal and thus, in accordance with SFAS 5, has not formed the conclusion at this time that it is probable that a loss has been incurred. Accordingly, in accordance with SFAS 5, the Company has not recorded any reserves with respect to this matter. However, as there is a possibility of a loss, the Company believes as of July 4, 2009 that the estimated range of possible loss associated with the notices of determination and decisions and the claim in respect of NIC was between $0 and approximately $26,400; the upper end of this range represents the total amount that HMRC has assessed against the Company as of such date for PAYE and NIC. In addition, although the Company has not yet been assessed by HMRC for any period after April 2007, if the Company was unsuccessful in its appeal, the Company believes it has an additional estimated range of possible loss associated with the notices of determination and decision and the claim in respect of NIC for the period from April 2007 to the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2009 of between $0 and approximately $9,800; the upper end of this range was determined following the methodology utilized by HMRC in its notices of determination and

 

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

 

decisions. If the Company’s appeal is unsuccessful, it is possible that the Company’s cash flows and results of operations in a particular fiscal quarter may be adversely affected by this matter. However, it is the opinion of management that the disposition of this matter will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition or ongoing results of operations or cash flows.

Other Litigation Matters

Due to the nature of its activities, the Company is also, at times, subject to pending and threatened legal actions that arise out of the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, based in part upon advice of legal counsel, the disposition of all such matters is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

 

12. Derivative Instruments and Hedging

The Company is exposed to certain risks related to its ongoing business operations, primarily interest rate risk and foreign currency risk. The primary risk managed by using derivative instruments is interest rate risk. Interest rate swaps are entered into to hedge a portion of the cash flow exposure associated with the Company’s variable-rate borrowings. The Company does not use any derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS 133”) requires companies to recognize the fair value of all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet. In accordance with SFAS 133, the Company has designated and accounted for interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges of its variable-rate borrowings. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income/(loss) and reclassified into earnings in the periods during which the hedged transactions affect earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in current earnings.

The fair value of the Company’s interest rate swaps is reported in the derivative payable and prepaid expenses balances on its balance sheet. See Note 13 for a further discussion regarding the fair value of the Company’s interest rate swaps. The net effect of the interest payable and receivable under the Company’s interest rate swaps is included in interest expense on the statement of operations.

As of July 4, 2009 and June 28, 2008, the Company had in effect an interest rate swap with a notional amount of $900,000. In addition, in January 2009, the Company entered into a forward-starting interest rate swap with an effective date of January 4, 2010 and a termination date of January 27, 2014. During the term of this forward-starting interest rate swap, the notional amount will fluctuate. The initial notional amount is $425,000 and the highest notional amount will be $755,000.

The Company is hedging forecasted transactions for periods not exceeding the next five years. At July 4, 2009, given the current configuration of its debt, the Company estimates that no derivative gains or losses reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss will be reclassified to the statement of operations within the next twelve months.

As of July 4, 2009, cumulative losses for qualifying hedges were reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in the amount of $26,670 ($43,724 before taxes). As of June 28, 2008, cumulative losses for qualifying hedges were reported as a component of accumulated other

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

 

comprehensive loss in the amount of $15,492 ($25,400 before taxes). For the three and six months ended July 4, 2009 and June 28, 2008, there were no fair value adjustments recorded in the statement of operations since all hedges were considered qualifying.

 

13. Fair Value Measurements

On December 30, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of FASB Statement No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”) which establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. SFAS 157 also establishes a fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

 

   

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

   

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

 

   

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The fair values for the Company’s derivative financial instruments are determined using observable current market information such as the prevailing LIBOR interest rate and LIBOR yield curve rates and include consideration of counterparty credit risk. See Note 12 for disclosures related to derivative financial instruments.

The following table presents the aggregate fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments.

 

          Fair Value Measurements Using:
     Total
Fair
Value
   Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)

Interest rate swap asset at July 4, 2009

   $ 9,299    —      $ 9,299    —  

Interest rate swap asset at January 3, 2009

   $ —      —      $ —      —  

Interest rate swap liability at July 4, 2009

   $ 53,557    —      $ 53,557    —  

Interest rate swap liability at January 3, 2009

   $ 61,532    —      $ 61,532    —  

On February 12, 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position No. FAS 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157,” which delayed the effective date of SFAS 157 to fiscal 2009 for all non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on at least an annual basis. The Company adopted this Staff Position beginning December 30, 2007 and began to apply the provisions of SFAS 157 to goodwill and other intangible assets on the first day of fiscal 2009.

 

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

On April 9, 2009, the FASB issued Staff Position (“FSP”) No. FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments.” This FSP requires disclosures about the fair value of financial instruments for annual and interim reporting periods. This FSP also amends APB Opinion No. 28, “Interim Financial Reporting,” to require those disclosures in summarized financial information at interim reporting periods. This FSP is effective for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009.

The Company’s significant financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, long-term debt and interest rate swap agreements.

In evaluating the fair value of cash equivalents, the Company generally uses quoted market prices of the same or similar instruments or calculates an estimated fair value on a discounted cash flow basis using the rates available for instruments with the same remaining maturities. As of July 4, 2009, the fair value of the Company’s cash equivalents approximated their recorded value.

The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt is determined by utilizing average bid prices on or near the end of each fiscal quarter. As of July 4, 2009, the fair value of the Company’s long-term debt was approximately $1,424,091.

 

14. Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income includes net income, the effects of foreign currency translation and changes in the fair value of derivative instruments. Comprehensive income is as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended    Six Months Ended  
     July 4,
2009
   June 28,
2008
   July 4,
2009
   June 28,
2008
 

Net income

   $ 57,961    $ 46,360    $ 104,766    $ 103,361   

Other comprehensive income/(loss):

           

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax

     2,069      1,044      978      (175

Current period changes in fair value of derivatives, net of tax

     6,560      16,605      10,655      (499
                             

Total other comprehensive income/(loss)

     8,629      17,649      11,633      (674
                             

Comprehensive income

     66,590      64,009      116,399      102,687   

Comprehensive loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest

     801      278      1,302      644   
                             

Comprehensive income attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.

   $ 67,391    $ 64,287    $ 117,701    $ 103,331   
                             

 

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

 

15. Segment Data

The Company has two reportable segments: WWI and WW.com. The WWI business has multiple operating segments which have been aggregated into one reportable segment. WWI and WW.com are two separate and distinct businesses for which discrete financial information is available. This discrete financial information is maintained and managed separately and is reviewed regularly by the chief operating decision maker. All intercompany activity is eliminated in consolidation.

Information about the Company’s reportable segments is as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended July 4, 2009  
     WWI    WW.com    Intercompany
Eliminations
    Consolidated  

Revenues from external customers

   $ 321,796    $ 50,730    $ —        $ 372,526   

Intercompany revenue

     4,781      —        (4,781     —     
                              

Total revenue

     326,577      50,730      (4,781     372,526   
                              

Depreciation and amortization

     5,885      1,368      —          7,253   
                              

Operating income

     95,587      15,753      —          111,340   
                        

Interest expense

             16,957   

Other income, net

             (479

Provision for taxes

             36,901   
                

Net income

           $ 57,961   
                

Total assets

   $ 1,212,349    $ 170,367    $ (297,156   $ 1,085,560   
                              
     Three Months Ended June 28, 2008  
     WWI    WW.com    Intercompany
Eliminations
    Consolidated  

Revenues from external customers

   $ 349,949    $ 50,065    $ —        $ 400,014   

Intercompany revenue

     4,705      —        (4,705     —     
                              

Total revenue

     354,654      50,065      (4,705     400,014   
                              

Depreciation and amortization

     3,342      2,931      —          6,273   
                              

Operating income

     82,823      18,450      —          101,273   
                        

Interest expense

             21,561   

Other income, net

             (20

Provision for taxes

             33,372   
                

Net income

           $ 46,360   
                

Total assets

   $ 1,267,211    $ 134,226    $ (294,307   $ 1,107,130   
                              

 

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WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

 

     Six Months Ended July 4, 2009  
     WWI    WW.com    Intercompany
Eliminations
    Consolidated  

Revenues from external customers

   $ 663,223    $ 99,881    $ —        $ 763,104   

Intercompany revenue

     9,362      —        (9,362     —     
                              

Total revenue

     672,585      99,881      (9,362     763,104   
                              

Depreciation and amortization

     11,438      2,594      —          14,032   
                              

Operating income

     179,177      26,008      —          205,185   
                        

Interest expense

             33,698   

Other expense, net

             25   

Provision for taxes

             66,696   
                

Net income

           $ 104,766   
                

Total assets

   $ 1,212,349    $ 170,367    $ (297,156   $ 1,085,560   
                              
     Six Months Ended June 28, 2008  
     WWI    WW.com    Intercompany
Eliminations
    Consolidated  

Revenues from external customers

   $ 740,453    $ 96,588    $ —        $ 837,041   

Intercompany revenue

     9,057      105      (9,162     —     
                              

Total revenue

     749,510      96,693      (9,162     837,041   
                              

Depreciation and amortization

     8,265      4,386      —          12,651   
                              

Operating income

     188,555      28,730      —          217,285   
                        

Interest expense

             46,878   

Other income, net

             (2,455

Provision for taxes

             69,501   
                

Net income

           $ 103,361   
                

Total assets

   $ 1,267,211    $ 134,226    $ (294,307   $ 1,107,130   
                              

 

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CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Except for historical information contained herein, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes “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, or the Exchange Act, including, in particular, the statements about our plans, strategies and prospects under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” We have generally used the words “may,” “will,” “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “plan,” “intend” and similar expressions in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, among other things:

 

   

competition from other weight management industry participants or the development of more effective or more favorably perceived weight management methods;

 

   

our ability to continue to develop innovative new services and products and enhance our existing services and products, or the failure of our services and products to continue to appeal to the market;

 

   

the effectiveness of our marketing and advertising programs;

 

   

the impact on the Weight Watchers brand of actions taken by our franchisees and licensees;

 

   

risks and uncertainties associated with our international operations, including economic, political and social risks and foreign currency risks;

 

   

our ability to successfully make acquisitions or enter into joint ventures, including our ability to successfully integrate, operate or realize the projected benefits of such businesses;

 

   

uncertainties related to a downturn in general economic conditions or consumer confidence;

 

   

the seasonal nature of our business;

 

   

the impact of events that discourage people from gathering with others;

 

   

our ability to enforce our intellectual property rights both domestically and internationally, as well as the impact of our involvement in any claims related to intellectual property rights;

 

   

uncertainties regarding the satisfactory operation of our information technology or systems;

 

   

risks associated with unauthorized penetration of our information security;

 

   

the impact of disputes with our franchise operators;

 

   

the impact of existing and future laws and regulations;

 

   

the impact of our debt service obligations and restrictive debt covenants;

 

   

the possibility that the interests of our majority owner will conflict with other holders of our common stock; and

 

   

other risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. You should understand that many important factors, including those discussed herein, could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or suggested in any forward-looking statement. Except as required by law, we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect new information or events or circumstances that occur after the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or otherwise.

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Weight Watchers International, Inc. is a Virginia corporation with its principal executive offices in New York, New York. In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q unless the context indicates otherwise: “we”, “us”, “our” and the “Company” refer to Weight Watchers International, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries consolidated for purposes of its financial statements, including WeightWatchers.com, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries; “Weight Watchers International” and “WWI” refer to Weight Watchers International, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries other than WeightWatchers.com, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries; “WW.com” refers to WeightWatchers.com, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries; “NACO” refers to our North American Company-owned meeting operations; and “China Joint Venture” refers to Weight Watchers Danone China Limited and all of its subsidiaries.

Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to December 31st and consists of either 52- or 53-week periods. In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q:

 

   

“fiscal 2006” refers to our fiscal year ended December 30, 2006;

 

   

“fiscal 2007” refers to our fiscal year ended December 29, 2007;

 

   

“fiscal 2008” refers to our fiscal year ended January 3, 2009;

 

   

“fiscal 2009” refers to our fiscal year ended January 2, 2010;

 

   

“fiscal 2010” refers to our fiscal year ended January 1, 2011;

 

   

“fiscal 2011” refers to our fiscal year ended December 31, 2011;

 

   

“fiscal 2012” refers to our fiscal year ended December 29, 2012; and

 

   

“fiscal 2013” refers to our fiscal year ended December 28, 2013.

The following terms used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are our trademarks: Weight Watchers® and WeightWatchers.com®.

You should read the following discussion in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2008 that includes additional information about us, our results of operations, our financial position and our cash flows, and with our unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (collectively, the “Consolidated Financial Statements”).

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

To supplement the Company’s consolidated statements of operations presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP, the Company has disclosed non-GAAP measures of operating results that exclude or adjust certain items. Net revenues, operating income, net income, diluted earnings per share and other GAAP measures are discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as reported (on a GAAP basis), excluding the impact of the previously disclosed cost savings initiatives from our fiscal 2009 results, and adjusting the fiscal 2008 results to exclude the impact of the previously reported adverse U.K. VAT ruling. Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information to investors regarding the performance of the Company’s business and are useful for period-over-period comparisons of the performance of the Company’s business. While the Company believes that these financial measures are useful in evaluating

 

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the Company’s business, this information should be considered as supplemental in nature and is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures may not be the same as similarly entitled measures reported by other companies. See “Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended July 4, 2009 Compared to the Three Months Ended June 28, 2008” and “Results of Operations for the Six Months Ended July 4, 2009 Compared to the Six Months Ended June 28, 2008” below for a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures excluding the impact of the cost savings initiatives from our fiscal 2009 results and excluding the impact of the adverse U.K. VAT ruling for certain prior periods from our fiscal 2008 results to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.

USE OF CONSTANT CURRENCY

As exchange rates are an important factor in understanding period-to-period comparisons, we believe the presentation of results on a constant currency basis in addition to reported results helps improve investors’ ability to understand our operating results and evaluate our performance in comparison to prior periods. Constant currency information compares results between periods as if exchange rates had remained constant period-over-period. We use results on a constant currency basis as one measure to evaluate our performance. In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we calculate constant currency by calculating current-year results using prior-year foreign currency exchange rates. We generally refer to such amounts calculated on a constant currency basis as excluding or adjusting for the impact of foreign currency. These results should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, results reported in accordance with GAAP. Results on a constant currency basis, as we present them, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies and are not measures of performance presented in accordance with GAAP.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

For a discussion of the critical accounting policies affecting us, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2008. Our critical accounting policies have not changed since the end of fiscal 2008.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JULY 4, 2009 COMPARED TO THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 28, 2008

For the second quarter of fiscal 2009, our reported revenues were $372.5 million, a decrease of $27.5 million, or 6.9%, as compared to the prior year period. Net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 on an as reported basis was $58.8 million, an increase of $12.2 million, or 26.2%, from $46.6 million for the prior year period.

The table below shows our consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended July 4, 2009 versus the three months ended June 28, 2008 on both a GAAP basis and an adjusted basis to further the understanding of our financial results. See discussion of “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above. In adjusting the statements of operations, we have reflected the impact of two factors: first, in the second quarter of fiscal 2008, we recorded a $30.3 million offset to revenue, which represented the portion of the previously reported adverse U.K. VAT ruling pertaining to periods prior to the second quarter of fiscal 2008; and second, in the second quarter of fiscal 2009, we recorded $2.0 million of restructuring charges associated with the cost savings initiatives previously announced in the first quarter of fiscal 2009. The “As Adjusted” amounts in the table below eliminate these items from both years.

 

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     (In millions, except per share amounts)
     Three Months Ended July 4, 2009     Three Months Ended June 28, 2008
     As
Reported
    Impact of
Restructuring
    As
Adjusted (1)
    As
Reported
   Impact of
U.K. VAT
Ruling
   As
Adjusted (1)

Revenues, net

   $ 372.5      $ —        $ 372.5      $ 400.0    $ 30.3    $ 430.3

Cost of revenues

     165.0        —          165.0        190.0      —        190.0
                                            

Gross profit

     207.5        —          207.5        210.0      30.3      240.3

Marketing expenses

     53.2        —          53.2        59.5      —        59.5

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     43.0        (2.0     41.0        49.2      —        49.2
                                            

Operating income

     111.3        2.0        113.3        101.3      30.3      131.6

Interest expense

     16.9        —          16.9        21.6      —        21.6

Other income, net

     (0.5     —          (0.5     —        —        —  
                                            

Income before income taxes

     94.9        2.0        96.9        79.7      30.3      110.0

Provision for income taxes

     36.9        0.8        37.7        33.4      9.7      43.1
                                            

Net income

     58.0        1.2        59.2        46.3      20.6      66.9

Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest

     0.8        —          0.8        0.3      —        0.3
                                            

Net income attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.

   $ 58.8      $ 1.2      $ 60.0      $ 46.6    $ 20.6    $ 67.2
                                            

Weighted average diluted shares outstanding

     77.1        77.1        77.1        79.1      79.1      79.1
                                            

Diluted EPS attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.

   $ 0.76      $ 0.02      $ 0.78      $ 0.59    $ 0.26    $ 0.85
                                            

 

(1) With respect to the above table, “As Adjusted” is a non-GAAP financial measure that adjusts the consolidated statements of operations to exclude the impact of restructuring charges from the results of operations for the three months ended July 4, 2009 and exclude the impact of the U.K. VAT ruling pertaining to periods prior to the second quarter of fiscal 2008 from the results of operations for the three months ended June 28, 2008. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above for an explanation of our use of non-GAAP financial measures.

After adjusting our fiscal 2008 second quarter revenues for the U.K. VAT ruling, fiscal 2009 second quarter revenues of $372.5 million declined 13.4% compared to $430.3 million in the comparable period of fiscal 2008. The largest component of the decline in revenues in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period was the unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates, which reduced our revenues by $27.5 million, or 6.4%, accounting for approximately half of the revenue decline. In the second quarter of fiscal 2009, the average exchange rate from the British pound to the U.S. dollar dropped by 20.5% versus the prior year period, from 1.970 to 1.567, and the average exchange rate from the Euro to the U.S. dollar dropped by 12.3% versus the prior year period, from 1.562 to 1.369.

Net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 of $58.8 million, including restructuring charges of $1.2 million net of tax, increased $12.2 million, or 26.2%, from $46.6 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2008, which included a $20.6 million negative impact from the U.K. VAT ruling net of tax.

Diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 were $0.76, an increase of 28.8% from the second quarter of fiscal 2008 diluted earnings per share of $0.59. When we adjust the second quarter of fiscal 2009 for the $0.02 associated with the restructuring charges and the second quarter of fiscal 2008 for the $0.26 associated with the U.K. VAT ruling, diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 were $0.78 versus $0.85 for second quarter of fiscal 2008. After taking into account the negative impact of foreign currency exchange rates which reduced earnings by $0.06 per share, diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 were close to last year’s level, at $0.84 versus $0.85.

 

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Components of Revenue and Volumes

For the second quarter of fiscal 2009, global meeting fees were $216.0 million, a decrease of $8.9 million, or 4.0%, from the prior year period. After adjusting the second quarter of fiscal 2008 global meeting fees for the U.K. VAT ruling, global meeting fees for the second quarter of fiscal 2008 were $255.2 million. On a constant currency basis, fiscal 2009 second quarter global meeting fees as compared to the prior year period as adjusted for the U.K. VAT ruling decreased $23.8 million, or 9.3%.

Global meeting paid weeks were 23.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 versus 24.5 million in the prior year period, a 5.8% decline, while global attendance declined 12.3% to 14.5 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 versus 16.6 million in the prior year period. The timing of Easter in fiscal 2009 as compared to fiscal 2008 impacted attendance and paid weeks volumes. The week leading into Easter, which is typically a slow week for the meeting business, was in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 versus in the first quarter of fiscal 2008, resulting in a decline in attendance in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period. The estimated impact on attendance volume of this timing shift as well as a shift into the second quarter of fiscal 2009 of the July 4th holiday (which fell in the third quarter of fiscal 2008) was approximately 3.3 percentage points of global decline. Adjusting for these timing shifts, global attendance in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 was 9.0% below the prior year period. Declining volume trends in the midst of difficult economic conditions worldwide led to a decline in global meeting fees in the second quarter of fiscal 2009, but the increased acceptance of Monthly Pass in our international markets mitigated part of this revenue decline. We now have Monthly Pass outside the United States, in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia, each of which launched in the third quarter of fiscal 2007, and in France, which launched during the second quarter of fiscal 2008. The average meeting fee per attendee in the second quarter of fiscal 2009, which increased 9.5% versus the prior year period on an as reported basis, increased 3.4% excluding the negative impact of foreign currency and adjusting fiscal 2008 for the U.K. VAT ruling.

In NACO, meeting fees for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 were $145.0 million, down $24.2 million, or 14.3%, from $169.2 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2008. Attendances of 8.5 million and paid weeks of 14.6 million declined versus the prior year period, down 14.3% and 10.9%, respectively. Without the benefit of prior year acquisitions, NACO attendances and paid weeks for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 were down approximately 15.8% and 11.8%, respectively. As a result of economic conditions, it is generally acknowledged that consumers have significantly reduced their discretionary spending. We believe this has had the impact of deferring weight loss efforts on the part of some consumers, particularly potential new members, whose decision to spend on any new service or product is likely to be highly scrutinized in this environment.

Our international meeting fees were $71.0 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2009, an increase of $15.3 million, or 27.5%, from the prior year period. After adjusting second quarter of fiscal 2008 for the U.K. VAT ruling, international meeting fees in the quarter were $86.0 million. Compared to the adjusted 2008 amount, second quarter of fiscal 2009 international meeting fees were 17.4% below the prior year period and international meeting fees per attendee declined 9.1%. On a constant currency basis, fiscal 2009 second quarter international meeting fees decreased $0.7 million, or 0.8%, from the prior year period as adjusted for the U.K. VAT ruling. Monthly Pass in the United Kingdom, Germany and France enabled meeting fee per attendee growth in constant currency in our international meeting business in the second quarter of fiscal 2009, which mitigated the impact of an overall international attendance decline of 9.2% in the quarter versus the prior year period. Monthly Pass was a primary driver of a 4.7% increase in total paid weeks in our international meeting business in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period, with paid weeks in the United Kingdom up 6.9%.

Global product sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 were $82.1 million, down $15.8 million, or 16.1%, from $97.9 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2008. Global in-meeting product sales per attendee on an as reported basis declined 3.2% in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year

 

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period. On a constant currency basis, global in-meeting product sales per attendee increased 6.9% in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period. In NACO, following a first quarter where in-meeting product sales per attendee declined versus the prior year period by 8.8%, product sales per attendee in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 increased 4.3% versus the prior year period. As a result of lower attendances, NACO’s total second quarter fiscal 2009 product sales of $43.5 million declined versus the prior year period by 11.8%, or $5.8 million. International in-meeting product sales per attendee declined 11.0% on an as reported basis in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period. However, despite the unfavorable economic conditions in many of the international countries in which we operate, in-meeting product sales per attendee for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 in our international business grew 7.2% on a constant currency basis versus the prior year period. International product sales in total were $38.6 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2009. On a constant currency basis, international product sales in total for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 were down 4.5% as a result of lower attendances.

Internet revenues, which include subscription revenue from sales of WeightWatchers Online and WeightWatchers eTools as well as Internet advertising revenue, grew $0.8 million, or 1.6%, to $50.2 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 from $49.4 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2008. On a constant currency basis, Internet revenues rose 5.7% in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period. Online signup growth decelerated in the United States in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period, reflecting both the impact of low consumer confidence and higher online signup growth in the prior year period. Online signup growth in most of our other countries, particularly France and the Netherlands which launched in the first quarter of fiscal 2008, was strong. End-of-period active Weight Watchers Online subscribers increased 7.9%, from 781,000 at June 28, 2008 to 843,000 at July 4, 2009.

Other revenue, comprised primarily of licensing revenues and revenues from our publications, was $20.7 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2009, a decrease of $2.6 million, or 11.2%, from $23.3 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2008. Excluding the negative impact of foreign currency, other revenues were comparable to the prior year period. Our global licensing revenues in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 decreased 6.9% and, on a constant currency basis, increased 2.6% versus the prior year period. Weak economic conditions in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 resulted in a decline in our licensing business across most of our countries with the exception of North America and the United Kingdom.

Franchise royalties for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 were $2.3 million in the United States and $1.2 million internationally, totaling $3.5 million. Total franchise royalties were 22.9% lower in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period, or 18.7% lower in constant currency. Excluding lost commissions resulting from franchise acquisitions which occurred during fiscal 2008, franchise royalties for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 declined 15.6% on a constant currency basis, with demonstrable impact from the weakened U.S. economy.

Expenses and Margins

Cost of revenues was $165.0 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2009, a decrease of $25.0 million, or 13.2%, from $190.0 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2008. Gross profit margin was 55.7% in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 as compared to 52.5% in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 which was lowered by 340 basis points as a result of the inclusion of the prior periods’ negative impact of the U.K. VAT ruling. Excluding the negative impact of the U.K. VAT ruling, gross margin for the second quarter of fiscal 2008 was 55.9%, 20 basis points above the 55.7% second quarter fiscal 2009 gross margin. This decline in the gross margin for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 resulted from a combination of lower attendance per meeting and in-meeting product promotions, mainly in NACO, which was partially offset by gross margin expansion in WW.com and the positive impact of Monthly Pass on meeting revenue per attendee.

 

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Marketing expenses for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 decreased $6.3 million, or 10.6%, to $53.2 million, from $59.5 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2008. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, marketing expenses decreased $2.8 million, or 4.7%, in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period. Easter, which is traditionally the kick-off of our spring advertising campaigns around the world, was two weeks later in fiscal 2009 versus fiscal 2008 and resulted in a shift of approximately $5.5 million of advertising expenses into the second quarter of fiscal 2009 when compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2008. This increase in marketing expenses was offset by a combination of advertising rate efficiencies and a decline in marketing spend in some of our European countries. Marketing expenses as a percentage of revenues increased to 14.3% in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 as compared to 13.8% in the prior year period with revenues adjusted for the impact of U.K. VAT ruling.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $43.0 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2009, including $2.0 million associated with restructuring charges. Excluding restructuring charges, selling, general and administrative expenses were $41.0 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 versus $49.2 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2008, a decrease of $8.2 million, or 16.7%, or 11.0% on a constant currency basis. Our selling, general and administrative expenses were 12.3% of revenues for the second quarter of fiscal 2008 on an as reported basis. Excluding the negative impact of foreign currency and restructuring charges from our second quarter of fiscal 2009 results, and the impact of the U.K. VAT ruling from revenues for the second quarter of fiscal 2008, selling, general and administrative expenses were 11.0% of revenues in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 versus 11.4% in the prior year period. Our restructuring and other cost saving efforts have begun to benefit the Company in the second quarter and will continue throughout the year. Versus prior year, selling, general and administrative expenses posted increases in the areas of depreciation associated with our systems infrastructure upgrades, which began in 2007, and investment in our China Joint Venture.

Our operating income for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 was $111.3 million, an increase of $10.0 million, or 9.9%, from the prior year period. Excluding the impact of restructuring charges from the second quarter of fiscal 2009, and after adjusting the second quarter of fiscal 2008 for the U.K. VAT ruling, our operating income for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 declined by $18.3 million, or 13.8%, from $131.6 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 to $113.3 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2009. On a constant currency basis, fiscal 2009 second quarter operating income as adjusted for restructuring charges decreased $11.2 million, or 8.5%, versus the prior year period as adjusted for the U.K. VAT ruling. Our reported operating income margin for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 was 29.9%, as compared to 25.3% in the second quarter of fiscal 2008. Excluding the restructuring charges and adjusting second quarter fiscal 2008 for the U.K. VAT ruling, our adjusted operating income margin decreased 20 basis points from 30.6% in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 to 30.4% in the second quarter of fiscal 2009.

Interest expense was $16.9 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2009, a decrease of $4.7 million, or 21.8%, from $21.6 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2008. We benefited from lower LIBOR during the second quarter of fiscal 2009 which resulted in a 101 basis point reduction in our average effective interest rate, down from 5.19% in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 to 4.18% in the second quarter of fiscal 2009. During the second quarter of fiscal 2009, we repaid $38.6 million of our debt outstanding and at the end of second quarter of fiscal 2009 we had $1.530 billion debt outstanding as compared to $1.648 billion at the end of fiscal 2008.

For the second quarter of fiscal 2009, we reported other income of $0.5 million resulting from the impact of foreign currency exchange rates on intercompany transactions.

The effective tax rate on our results for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 was 38.9% versus 41.9% in the second quarter of fiscal 2008. The second quarter fiscal 2008 tax rate was inflated as a result of a change in the geographic mix of our income as a consequence of the $30.3 million offset to revenue for prior periods recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 related to the negative U.K. VAT ruling. For the full fiscal year 2008, the effective tax rate was 39.5%.

 

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JULY 4, 2009 COMPARED TO THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 28, 2008

For the first half of fiscal 2009, our reported revenues were $763.1 million, a decrease of $73.9 million, or 8.8%, as compared to the prior year period. Net income for the first half of fiscal 2009 on an as reported basis was $106.1 million, an increase of $2.1 million, or 2.0%, from $104.0 million for the prior year period.

The table below shows our consolidated statements of operations for the six months ended July 4, 2009 versus the six months ended June 28, 2008 on both a GAAP basis and an adjusted basis to further the understanding of our financial results. See discussion of “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above. In adjusting the statements of operations, we have reflected the impact of two factors: first, in the first half of fiscal 2008, we recorded a $27.9 million offset to revenue, which represented the portion of the previously reported adverse U.K. VAT ruling pertaining to periods prior to the first half of fiscal 2008; and second, in the first half of fiscal 2009, we recorded $5.1 million of restructuring charges associated with the cost savings initiatives previously announced in the first quarter of fiscal 2009. The “As Adjusted” amounts in the table below eliminate these items from both years.

 

     (In millions, except per share amounts)  
     Six Months Ended July 4, 2009    Six Months Ended June 28, 2008  
     As
Reported
   Impact of
Restructuring
    As
Adjusted (1)
   As
Reported
    Impact of
U.K. VAT
Ruling
   As
Adjusted (1)
 

Revenues, net

   $ 763.1    $ —        $ 763.1    $ 837.0      $ 27.9    $ 864.9   

Cost of revenues

     343.5      —          343.5      381.1        —        381.1   
                                             

Gross profit

     419.6      —          419.6      455.9        27.9      483.8   

Marketing expenses

     127.7      —          127.7      146.6        —        146.6   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     86.7      (5.1     81.6      92.0        —        92.0   
                                             

Operating income

     205.2      5.1        210.3      217.3        27.9      245.2   

Interest expense

     33.7      —          33.7      46.9        —        46.9   

Other income, net

     —        —          —        (2.5     —        (2.5
                                             

Income before income taxes

     171.5      5.1        176.6      172.9        27.9      200.8   

Provision for income taxes

     66.7      2.0        68.7      69.5        9.0      78.5   
                                             

Net income

     104.8      3.1        107.9      103.4        18.9      122.3   

Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest

     1.3      —          1.3      0.6        —        0.6   
                                             

Net income attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.

   $ 106.1    $ 3.1      $ 109.2    $ 104.0      $ 18.9    $ 122.9   
                                             

Weighted average diluted shares outstanding

     77.1      77.1        77.1      79.5        79.5      79.5   
                                             

Diluted EPS attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.

   $ 1.38    $ 0.04      $ 1.42    $ 1.31      $ 0.24    $ 1.55   
                                             

 

(1) With respect to the above table, “As Adjusted” is a non-GAAP financial measure that adjusts the consolidated statements of operations to exclude the impact of restructuring charges from the results of operations for the six months ended July 4, 2009 and exclude the impact of the U.K. VAT ruling pertaining to periods prior to fiscal 2008 from the results of operations for the six months ended June 28, 2008. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above for an explanation of our use of non-GAAP financial measures.

After adjusting our first half of fiscal 2008 revenues for the U.K. VAT ruling, fiscal 2009 first half revenues of $763.1 million declined 11.8% compared to $864.9 million in the comparable period of fiscal 2008. The largest component of the decline in revenues in the first half of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period was the unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates, which reduced our revenues by $62.9 million, or 7.3%. In the first half of fiscal 2009, the average exchange rate from the British pound to the U.S. dollar dropped by 24.0% versus the prior year period, from 1.975 to 1.502, and the average exchange rate from the Euro to the U.S. dollar dropped by 12.7% versus the prior year period, from 1.531 to 1.337.

 

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Net income for the first half of fiscal 2009 of $106.1 million increased $2.1 million, or 2.0%, from $104.0 million for the first half of fiscal 2008. Net income in the first half of fiscal 2009 was reduced by $3.1 million of after-tax restructuring charges. Net income for the first half of fiscal 2008 was reduced by $18.9 million of after-tax charges related to the U.K. VAT ruling.

Diluted earnings per share for the first half of fiscal 2009 were $1.38, including a $0.04 negative impact of restructuring charges, an increase of 5.3% from diluted earnings per share of $1.31 for the first half of fiscal 2008, which included $0.24 of negative impact of the U.K. VAT ruling. When we adjust the first half of fiscal 2009 for the $0.04 associated with the restructuring charges and the first half of fiscal 2008 for the $0.24 associated with the U.K. VAT ruling, diluted earnings per share for the first half of fiscal 2009 were $1.42 versus $1.55 for first half of fiscal 2008. After taking into account the negative impact of foreign currency exchange rates, which reduced 2009 earnings by a further $0.11 per share, diluted earnings per share for the first half of fiscal 2009 were $1.53, down just $0.02 from $1.55 for the first half of fiscal 2008.

Components of Revenue and Volumes

For the first half of fiscal 2009, global meeting fees were $442.0 million, a decrease of $38.4 million, or 8.0%, from the prior year period. After adjusting the first half of fiscal 2008 global meeting fees for the U.K. VAT ruling, global meeting fees for the first half of fiscal 2008 were $508.3 million. On a constant currency basis, fiscal 2009 first half global meeting fees as compared to the prior year period as adjusted for the U.K. VAT ruling decreased $31.4 million, or 6.2%.

Global meeting paid weeks were 46.9 million in the first half of fiscal 2009 versus 48.7 million in the prior year period, a 3.8% decline, while global attendance declined 8.4% to 31.2 million in the first half of fiscal 2009 versus 34.1 million in the prior year period. Declining volume trends in the midst of difficult economic conditions worldwide led to a decline in global meeting fees in the first half of fiscal 2009, but the increased acceptance of Monthly Pass in our international markets mitigated part of this revenue decline. We now have Monthly Pass outside the United States, in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia, each of which launched in the third quarter of fiscal 2007, and in France, which launched during the second quarter of fiscal 2008. The average meeting fee per attendee in the first half of fiscal 2009, which increased 0.4% versus the prior year period on an as reported basis, increased 2.4% excluding the negative impact of foreign currency and adjusting fiscal 2008 for the U.K. VAT ruling.

In NACO, meeting fees for the first half of fiscal 2009 were $301.0 million, down $34.5 million, or 10.3%, from $335.5 million for the first half of fiscal 2008. Attendances of 18.5 million and paid weeks of 29.8 million declined at a similar rate versus the prior year period, down 9.7% and 8.3%, respectively. Without the benefit of prior year acquisitions, NACO attendances and paid weeks for the first half of fiscal 2009 were down approximately 11.4% and 9.3%, respectively. As a result of economic conditions, it is generally acknowledged that consumers have significantly reduced their discretionary spending. We believe this has had the impact of deferring weight loss efforts on the part of some consumers, particularly potential new members, whose decision to spend on any new service or product is likely to be highly scrutinized in this environment.

Our international meeting fees were $141.0 million for the first half of fiscal 2009, a decrease of $3.9 million, or 2.7%, from the prior year period. After adjusting the first half of fiscal 2008 international meeting fees for the U.K. VAT ruling, international meeting fees for the first half of fiscal 2008 were $172.8 million. Compared to this adjusted 2008 amount, first half fiscal 2009 international meeting fees were 18.4% below the prior year period and international meeting fees per attendee declined 12.9%. On a constant currency basis, fiscal 2009 first half international meeting fees increased $0.2 million, or 0.1%,

 

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from the prior year period as adjusted for the U.K. VAT ruling. Monthly Pass in the United Kingdom, Germany and France enabled constant currency meeting fee revenue stability in the first half of fiscal 2009, despite the overall international attendance decline of 6.4% in the period versus the prior year period. Monthly Pass was a primary driver of a 5.1% increase in total paid weeks in our international meeting business in the first half of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period, with paid weeks in the United Kingdom up 7.5% and in Continental Europe up 3.4% versus the prior year period.

Global product sales for the first half of fiscal 2009 were $174.7 million, down $33.3 million, or 16.0%, from $208.0 million in the first half of fiscal 2008. Global in-meeting product sales per attendee on an as reported basis declined 7.1% in the first half of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period. On a constant currency basis, global in-meeting product sales per attendee, which grew substantially through much of last year, increased 3.7% in the first half of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period, driven primarily by our international business. In NACO, product sales declined 13.5%, or $14.5 million, in the first half of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period, to $92.6 million, primarily due to lower attendance and a shift in product mix away from our higher priced enrollment products. Despite the unfavorable economic conditions in many of the international countries in which we operate, international in-meeting product sales per attendee in the first half of fiscal 2009, which declined by 11.8% on an as reported basis versus the prior year period, grew 8.4% on a constant currency basis, with particular strength in the United Kingdom. In the United Kingdom, in-meeting product sales per attendee for the first half of fiscal 2009, which decreased 12.8% versus the prior year period on an as reported basis, increased 15.0% on a constant currency basis. International product sales in total were $82.1 million in the first half of fiscal 2009. On a constant currency basis, international product sales for the first half of 2009 were down 0.2% versus the prior year period.

Internet revenues, which include subscription revenue from sales of Weight Watchers Online and Weight Watchers eTools as well as Internet advertising revenue, grew $3.8 million, or 4.0%, to $98.7 million for the first half of fiscal 2009 from $94.9 million for the first half of fiscal 2008. On a constant currency basis, Internet revenues rose 8.3% in the first half of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period. Online signup growth decelerated in the United States in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period, reflecting both the impact of low consumer confidence in 2009 and higher online signup growth in the prior year period. Online signup growth in most of our other countries, particularly France and the Netherlands which launched in the first quarter of fiscal 2008, was strong. End-of-period active Weight Watchers Online subscribers increased 7.9%, from 781,000 at June 28, 2008 to 843,000 at July 4, 2009.

Other revenue, comprised primarily of licensing revenues and revenues from our publications, was $40.1 million for the first half of fiscal 2009, a decrease of $3.9 million, or 8.9%, from $44.0 million in the first half of fiscal 2008. Excluding the negative impact of foreign currency, other revenue increased $0.4 million in the first half of fiscal 2009 versus the prior period. Despite weak economic conditions in the first half of fiscal 2009, our global licensing revenues, which decreased 7.3% on an as reported basis, increased 3.8% on a constant currency basis versus the prior year period. This increase was driven in part by strong growth in licensing revenues in the United Kingdom, which posted higher royalties across many of its licenses, and in the United States, from licenses as well as endorsements.

Franchise royalties for the first half of fiscal 2009 were $5.0 million in the United States and $2.6 million internationally, totaling $7.6 million. Total franchise royalties were 21.6% lower in the first half of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period, or 17.0% lower in constant currency. Excluding lost commissions resulting from franchise acquisitions which occurred during fiscal 2008, franchise royalties for the first half of fiscal 2008 declined 12.9% on a constant currency basis, with demonstrable impact from the weakened U.S. economy.

 

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Expenses and Margins

Cost of revenues was $343.5 million for the first half of fiscal 2009, a decrease of $37.6 million, or 9.9%, from $381.1 million for the first half of fiscal 2008. Gross profit margin was 55.0% in the first half of fiscal 2009, an increase of 50 basis points from the first half of fiscal 2008. The impact of the U.K. VAT ruling on the first half of fiscal 2008 revenues lowered the gross margin for that period by 140 basis points. Excluding the negative impact of the U.K. VAT ruling from the first half of fiscal 2008, gross margin was 55.9%, 90 basis points above the first half of fiscal 2009 gross margin. The primary factor for the decline in gross margin for the first half of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period was lower attendance per meeting, partially a result of keeping meetings open for service reasons. In-meeting product promotions also put pressure on gross margin.

Marketing expenses for the first half of fiscal 2009 decreased $18.9 million, or 12.9%, to $127.7 million, from $146.6 million for the first half of fiscal 2008. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, marketing expenses decreased $8.5 million, or 5.8%, in the first half of fiscal 2009 versus the prior year period, the result of a combination of advertising rate efficiencies and lower marketing spend across our geographies. Marketing expenses as a percentage of revenues declined to 16.7% in the first half of fiscal 2009 as compared to 17.5% in the prior year period.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $86.7 million for the first half of fiscal 2009 versus $92.0 million for the first half of fiscal 2008, a decrease of $5.3 million, or 5.8%. Our selling, general and administrative expenses in the first half of fiscal 2009 include $5.1 million of restructuring charges associated with our cost savings initiatives and also include a $6.5 million benefit from foreign currency translation. Excluding the restructuring charges and the benefit from foreign currency translation, selling, general and administrative expenses were $88.1 million for the first half of fiscal 2009, a decrease of $3.9 million, or 4.3%, from the prior year period, reflecting cost savings from restructuring and other initiatives that have begun to benefit the Company in the second quarter of fiscal 2009. Selling, general and administrative expenses declined despite higher investment with respect to our China Joint Venture and increased depreciation resulting from our information technology investments. On a reported basis, our selling, general and administrative expenses were 11.4% of revenues for the first half of fiscal 2009. Excluding the negative impact of foreign currency and restructuring charges from our first half of fiscal 2009 results and excluding the impact of the U.K. VAT ruling from our first half of fiscal 2008 results, selling, general and administrative expenses were 10.7% of revenues in the first half of fiscal 2009 versus 10.6% in the prior year period.

Our operating income for the first half of fiscal 2009 was $205.2 million, a decrease of $12.1 million, or 5.6%, from the prior year period due mainly to volume declines. Excluding the impact of restructuring charges from the first half of fiscal 2009, and after adjusting the first half of fiscal 2008 for the U.K. VAT ruling, our operating income for the first half of fiscal 2009 declined by $34.9 million, or 14.2%, from $245.2 million in the first half of fiscal 2008 to $210.3 million in the first half of fiscal 2009. On a constant currency basis, first half fiscal 2009 operating income as adjusted for restructuring charges decreased $21.8 million, or 8.9%, versus the prior year period as adjusted for the U.K. VAT ruling. Our operating income margin for the first half of fiscal 2009 on a reported basis was 26.9%, an increase of 90 basis points from 26.0% for the first half of fiscal 2008. Excluding the restructuring charges in the first half of fiscal 2009 and adjusting the second quarter of fiscal 2008 for the U.K. VAT ruling, our adjusted operating income margin declined 80 basis points from 28.4% in the first half of fiscal 2008 to 27.6% in the first half of fiscal 2009 due primarily to gross margin decline.

Interest expense was $33.7 million for the first half of fiscal 2009, a decrease of $13.2 million, or 28.1%, from $46.9 million in the first half of fiscal 2008. Mainly as a result of lower market rates, our average effective interest rate declined 149 basis points, down from 5.60% in the first half of fiscal 2008 to 4.11% in the first half of fiscal 2009. In addition to the reduction in LIBOR, the first half of fiscal 2009 average effective interest rate declined as a result of a 25 basis point drop in our interest rate spread over LIBOR for the Term Loan A, Additional Term Loan A and Revolver (See “Liquidity and Capital Resources—Long-Term Debt” for additional details), which took effect at the end of

 

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February 2008 when our net debt to EBITDA ratio dropped below 3.5 times. We made debt payments of $117.3 million in the first half of fiscal 2009 reducing our debt outstanding under our credit facility at the end of the first half of fiscal 2009 to $1.530 billion as compared to $1.648 billion at the end of fiscal 2008.

We reported other income of $2.5 million, in the first half of fiscal 2008 primarily resulting from the impact of foreign currency exchange rates on intercompany transactions.

The effective tax rate on our results for the first half of fiscal 2009 was 38.9% versus 40.2% in the first half of fiscal 2008. First half fiscal 2008 tax rate was inflated as a result of a change in the geographic mix of our income as a consequence of the $27.9 million offset to revenue for prior periods recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 related to the negative U.K. VAT ruling. For the full fiscal year 2008, the effective tax rate was 39.5%.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Sources and Uses of Cash

For the six months ended July 4, 2009, cash and cash equivalents were $53.2 million, an increase of $5.9 million from the end of fiscal 2008. Cash flows provided by operating activities were $162.2 million, exceeding the period’s $106.1 million net income by $56.1 million. The excess of cash over net income arose from changes in our working capital, as described below under “Balance Sheet”, and differences between book and cash taxes. Net cash used for investing and financing activities combined totaled $159.4 million. Investing activities, consisting primarily of capital spending, utilized $13.6 million. Net cash used for financing activities totaled $145.8 million, including dividend payments of $27.1 million and long-term debt payments of $117.3 million.

For the six months ended June 28, 2008, cash and cash equivalents were $74.4 million, an increase of $34.6 million from the end of fiscal 2007. Cash flows provided by operating activities were $178.0 million, exceeding the period’s $104.0 million net income by $74.0 million. The excess of cash over net income arose from changes in our working capital and differences between book and cash taxes. Funds used for investing and financing activities combined totaled $145.4 million. Investing activities utilized $53.9 million, including $39.7 million for franchise acquisitions and $14.3 million for capital spending. Cash used for financing activities totaled $91.5 million, including $53.5 million used to repurchase 1.2 million shares of our common stock, dividend payments of $27.9 million and long-term debt payments of $17.6 million.

Balance Sheet

Comparing our balance sheet at July 4, 2009 with that at January 3, 2009, our cash balance increased by $5.9 million. Our working capital deficit at July 4, 2009 was $309.8 million, including $53.2 million of cash (as noted above), as compared to $270.1 million at January 3, 2009, including $47.3 million of cash. Excluding the change in cash, the working capital deficit increased by $45.6 million during the first half of fiscal 2009.

Of the $45.6 million increase in negative working capital, approximately $26.3 million represented increases in the current portion of our long-term debt, $24.4 million was due to lower prepaid and deferred income taxes, and $13.7 million related to operational items. Partially offsetting this increase in negative working capital was a decrease of approximately $17.3 million due to changes in the fair value of our interest rate swaps resulting from fluctuations in the interest rate yield curve, and a $1.5 million decrease in the U.K. VAT liability. The $13.7 million net increase in negative working capital related to operational items is consistent with the normal seasonality of our business and includes $23.4 million of higher deferred revenue for member prepayments associated with our commitment plans and an $11.9 million lower inventory balance, partially offset by $19.2 million lower net payables and accrued expenses and a $2.4 million increase in the receivables balance.

 

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Long-Term Debt

As of July 4, 2009, our credit facility consisted of a term loan facility consisting of two tranche A facilities, or Term Loan A and Additional Term Loan A, and a tranche B facility, or Term Loan B, in an aggregate original principal amount of $1,550.0 million and a revolving credit facility, or the Revolver, in the amount of up to $500.0 million, collectively, the WWI Credit Facility. At July 4, 2009, we had $1,530.3 million outstanding under the WWI Credit Facility with an additional $372.1 million of availability under the Revolver.

At July 4, 2009 and January 3, 2009, our debt consisted entirely of variable-rate instruments. Interest rate swaps are entered into to hedge a portion of the cash flow exposure associated with our variable-rate borrowings. The average interest rate on our debt was approximately 1.7% and 4.7% per annum at July 4, 2009 and January 3, 2009, respectively.

The following schedule sets forth our long-term debt obligations and interest rates at July 4, 2009:

Long-Term Debt

At July 4, 2009

(Balances in millions)

 

     Balance    Interest
Rate
 

Revolver due 2011

   $ 124.0    1.36

Term Loan A due 2011

     271.3    1.31

Additional Term Loan A due 2013

     647.5    1.63

Term Loan B due 2014

     487.5    1.97
         

Total Debt

     1,530.3   

Less Current Portion

     188.8   
         

Total Long-Term Debt

   $ 1,341.5   
         

At July 4, 2009, the Term Loan A, Additional Term Loan A and the Revolver bore interest at a rate equal to LIBOR plus 1.0% per annum or, at our option, the alternate base rate (as defined in the WWI Credit Facility agreements). At July 4, 2009, the Term Loan B bore interest at a rate equal to LIBOR plus 1.5% per annum or, at our option, the alternate base rate (as defined in the WWI Credit Facility agreements). In addition to paying interest on outstanding principal under the WWI Credit Facility, we are required to pay a commitment fee to the lenders under the Revolver with respect to the unused commitments at a rate equal to 0.20% per year at July 4, 2009.

The WWI Credit Facility contains customary covenants, including covenants that, in certain circumstances, restrict our ability to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends on and redeem capital stock, make other payments, including investments, sell our assets and enter into consolidations, mergers and transfers of all or substantially all of our assets. The WWI Credit Facility also requires us to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy financial condition tests. At July 4, 2009, we were in compliance with all of the required financial ratios and also met all of the financial condition tests and we expect to continue to do so for the foreseeable future. The WWI Credit Facility contains customary events of default. Upon the occurrence of an event of default under the WWI Credit Facility, the lenders thereunder may cease making loans and declare amounts outstanding to be immediately due and payable. The WWI Credit Facility is guaranteed by certain of our existing and future subsidiaries. Substantially all of our assets collateralize the WWI Credit Facility.

 

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On June 26, 2009, we amended the WWI Credit Facility to allow us to make loan modification offers to all lenders of any tranche of term loans or revolving loans to extend the maturity date of such loans and/or reduce or eliminate the scheduled amortization. Any such loan modifications would be effective only with respect to such tranche of term loans or revolving loans and only with respect to those lenders that accept our offer. Loan modification offers may be accompanied by increased pricing and/or fees payable to accepting lenders. This amendment also provides for up to an additional $200.0 million of incremental term loan financing through the creation of a new tranche of term loans, provided that the aggregate principal amount of such new term loans cannot exceed the amount then outstanding under our existing revolving credit facility. In addition, the proceeds from such new tranche of term loans must be used solely to repay certain outstanding revolving loans and permanently reduce the commitments of certain revolving lenders. In connection with this amendment, we incurred fees of approximately $4.0 million during the second quarter of fiscal 2009.

On March 20, 2008, Standard & Poor’s affirmed its “BB+” rating on the WWI Credit Facility. On March 30, 2009, Moody’s affirmed its “Ba1” rating for the WWI Credit Facility.

The following schedule sets forth our year-by-year debt obligations:

Total Debt Obligation

(Including Current Portion)

As of July 4, 2009

(in millions)

 

Remainder of fiscal 2009

   $ 81.3

Fiscal 2010

     215.0

Fiscal 2011

     479.0

Fiscal 2012

     229.0

Fiscal 2013

     61.0

Thereafter

     465.0
      

Total

   $ 1,530.3
      

We currently plan to meet our long-term debt obligations by using cash flows provided by operating activities and opportunistically using other means to repay or refinance our obligations as we determine appropriate. We believe that cash flows from operating activities, together with borrowings available under our Revolver, will be sufficient for the next 12 months to fund currently anticipated capital expenditure requirements, debt service requirements and working capital requirements.

Dividends

We have issued a quarterly cash dividend of $0.175 per share of our common stock every quarter beginning with the first quarter of fiscal 2006. Prior to these dividends, we had not declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock since our acquisition by Artal Group S.A. and its parents and subsidiaries, or Artal, in 1999.

Any decision to declare and pay dividends in the future will be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors, after taking into account our financial results, capital requirements and other factors it may deem relevant. Our Board of Directors may decide at any time to increase or decrease the amount of dividends or discontinue the payment of dividends based on these factors. The WWI Credit Facility also contains restrictions on our ability to pay dividends on our common stock.

The WWI Credit Facility provides that we are permitted to pay dividends and extraordinary dividends so long as we are not in default under the WWI Credit Facility agreements. However, payment of extraordinary dividends shall not exceed $150.0 million in any fiscal year if net debt to EBITDA (as defined in the WWI Credit Facility agreements) is greater than 3.75:1 and investment grade rating date (as defined in the WWI Credit Facility agreements) has not occurred. We do not expect this restriction to impair our ability to pay dividends, but it could do so.

 

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Stock Transactions

On October 9, 2003, our Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase up to $250.0 million of our outstanding common stock. On each of June 13, 2005 and May 25, 2006, our Board of Directors authorized adding $250.0 million to this program. No shares will be purchased from Artal under the program. We repurchased no shares of our common stock during the three months ended July 4, 2009.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET TRANSACTIONS

As part of our ongoing business, we do not participate in transactions that generate relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities.

SEASONALITY

Our business is seasonal, with revenues generally decreasing at year end and during the summer months. Our advertising schedule supports the three key enrollment-generating seasons of the year: winter, spring and fall, with winter having the highest concentration of advertising spending. The timing of certain holidays, particularly Easter, which precedes the spring marketing campaign and occurs between March 22 and April 25, may affect our results of operations and the year-to-year comparability of our results. For example, in fiscal 2009, Easter fell on April 12, which means that our spring marketing campaign began in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 as opposed to the campaign beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2008. Our operating income for the first half of the year is generally the strongest. While WW.com experiences similar seasonality in terms of new subscriber signups, its revenue tends to be less seasonal because it amortizes subscription revenue over the related subscription period.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

Corporate information and our press releases, Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments thereto, are available on our website at www.weightwatchersinternational.com as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (i.e., generally the same day as the filing). Moreover, we also make available at that site the Section 16 reports filed electronically by our officers, directors and 10 percent shareholders. Usually these are publicly accessible no later than the business day following the filing. We use our website at www.weightwatchersinternational.com as a channel of distribution of material Company information. Financial and other material information regarding Weight Watchers International is routinely posted on and accessible at our website. Our website and the information posted on it or connected to it shall not be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference.

 

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The market risk disclosures appearing in “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2008 have not materially changed from January 3, 2009.

Based on the amount of our variable rate debt and interest swap agreements as of July 4, 2009, a hypothetical 50 basis point increase or decrease in interest rates on our variable debt would increase or decrease our annual interest expense by approximately $3.2 million.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation and subject to the foregoing, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the design and operation of our disclosure controls are effective at the reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

U.K. VAT Matter

In July 2006, we filed an amended notice of appeal with the U.K. VAT and Duties Tribunal, or VAT Tribunal, appealing a ruling by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, or HMRC, that from April 1, 2005 Weight Watchers meeting fees in the United Kingdom should be fully subject to 17.5% standard rated value added tax, or VAT. For over a decade prior to April 1, 2005, HMRC had determined that Weight Watchers meeting fees in the United Kingdom were only partially subject to 17.5% VAT. In March 2007, the VAT Tribunal ruled that Weight Watchers meetings in the United Kingdom should only be partially subject to 17.5% VAT. The VAT Tribunal’s ruling was appealed by HMRC to the High Court of Justice Chancery Division, or the High Court, in May 2007, and in January 2008 the High Court denied HMRC’s appeal in part and allowed HMRC’s appeal in part. In April 2008, we filed an appeal to the Court of Appeal in part against the High Court’s ruling and HMRC also filed an appeal to the Court of Appeal in part against the High Court’s ruling. In June 2008, the Court of Appeal issued a ruling that Weight Watchers meeting fees in the United Kingdom were fully subject to 17.5% VAT, thus reversing in its entirety the VAT Tribunal’s 2007 decision in our favor. In July 2008, we sought permission from the U.K. House of Lords to appeal the Court of Appeal’s ruling, which permission was denied in January 2009.

In light of the Court of Appeal’s ruling that Weight Watchers meeting fees in the United Kingdom were fully subject to 17.5% VAT and in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies” (“SFAS 5”), we recorded a charge of approximately $32.5 million as an offset to revenue in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 for U.K. VAT liability (including interest) in excess of reserves previously recorded. Beginning in the third quarter of fiscal 2008, in accordance with SFAS 5, we recorded as an offset to revenue VAT charges associated with U.K. meeting fees as earned, consistent with the Court of Appeal’s ruling.

However, with respect to U.K. VAT owed for the period prior to July 1, 2005, HMRC has failed to raise a notice of assessment within the statutory three-year time period. In addition, although HMRC raised notices of assessment against us with respect to U.K. VAT due for the periods July 1, 2005 to September 30, 2005 and October 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005, we have asserted that these notices of assessment are invalid and should not have been raised on the grounds that they had been raised outside the relevant statutory time limits. HMRC indicated in November 2008 that it agreed with our assertion that the notice of assessment for the period July 1, 2005 to September 30, 2005 was invalid, and, in February 2009, confirmed that this notice had been formally withdrawn. As a result of the expiration of the statutory time period with respect to U.K. VAT owed prior to October 1, 2005, we recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 as a benefit to revenue for the periods prior to October 1, 2005 an amount of approximately $9.2 million as an offset against reserves previously recorded including in part the charge recorded against revenue in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 for U.K. VAT liability. In March 2009 and in June 2009, HMRC raised notices of assessment against us in respect of U.K. VAT due for the periods January 1, 2006 to March 31, 2006 and April 1, 2006 to June 30, 2006, respectively, which we similarly believe were raised outside the relevant statutory time limits. We intend to vigorously challenge any amount of U.K. VAT that HMRC claims to be owed by us for any period between October 1, 2005 and June 30, 2006. Accordingly, we filed notices of appeal with the VAT Tribunal against the U.K. VAT assessments issued for the periods October 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005, January 1, 2006 to March 31, 2006 and April 1, 2006 to June 30, 2006 in March 2009, April 2009 and July 2009, respectively.

U.K. Self-Employment Matter

In July 2007, HMRC issued to us notices of determination and decisions that, for the period April 2001 to April 2007, our leaders and certain other service providers should have been classified as employees for tax purposes and, as such, it should have withheld tax from the leaders and certain other service providers pursuant to the “Pay As You Earn,” or PAYE, and national insurance contributions, or NIC, collection rules and remitted such amounts to HMRC. HMRC also issued a claim to us in October

 

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2008 in respect of NIC which corresponds to the prior notices of assessment with respect to PAYE previously raised by HMRC. As of July 4, 2009, the assessment associated with the notices of determination and decisions and the claim in respect of NIC was approximately $26.4 million. It is our view that the U.K. leaders and other service providers identified by HMRC in its notices and in its claim are self-employed and no withholding by us was required. Accordingly, we intend to vigorously pursue an appeal of the notices of determination and decisions and the corresponding claim in respect of NIC.

In September 2007, we appealed HMRC’s notices as to these classifications and against any amount of PAYE and NIC liability claimed to be owed by it and, in July 2008, filed this appeal with the U.K. Special Commissioners. Our appeal was heard in June 2009 and is scheduled to continue in October 2009, to consider further evidence and closing submissions from both parties. Although there can be no assurances, we believe, based in part upon advice of legal counsel, we will ultimately prevail in our appeal and thus, in accordance with SFAS 5, have not formed the conclusion at this time that it is probable that a loss has been incurred. Accordingly, in accordance with SFAS 5, we have not recorded any reserves with respect to this matter. However, as there is a possibility of a loss, we believe as of July 4, 2009 that the estimated range of possible loss associated with the notices of determination and decisions and the claim in respect of NIC was between $0 and approximately $26.4 million; the upper end of this range represents the total amount that HMRC has assessed against us as of such date for PAYE and NIC. In addition, although we have not yet been assessed by HMRC for any period after April 2007, if we were unsuccessful in our appeal, we believe we have an additional estimated range of possible loss associated with the notices of determination and decision and the claim in respect of NIC for the period from April 2007 to the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2009 of between $0 and approximately $9.8 million; the upper end of this range was determined following the methodology utilized by HMRC in its notices of determination and decisions. If our appeal is unsuccessful, it is possible that our cash flows and results of operations in a particular fiscal quarter may be adversely affected by this matter. However, it is the opinion of management that the disposition of this matter will not have a material effect on our financial condition or ongoing results of operations or cash flows.

Other Litigation Matters

Due to the nature of our activities, we are also, at times, subject to pending and threatened legal actions that arise out of the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, based in part upon advice of legal counsel, the disposition of all such matters is not expected to have a material effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes in the risk factors from those detailed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2008.

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Nothing to report under this item.

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

Nothing to report under this item.

 

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ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

The Company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders was held on Monday, May 11, 2009 in New York, New York, at which time the following matters were submitted to a vote of the shareholders:

 

(a) Votes regarding the election of three Class II Directors for a term expiring in 2012 were as follows:

 

            Class II Directors

        (term expiring in 2012)

   For    Withheld     

Marsha Johnson Evans

   66,790,944    8,134,927   

Sacha Lainovic

   62,176,869    12,749,002   

Christopher J. Sobecki

   62,174,211    12,751,660   

Additional Directors, whose terms of office as Directors continued after the meeting, are as follows:

 

            Class III Directors

        (term expiring in 2010)

         

Philippe J. Amouyal

     

David P. Kirchhoff

     

Kimberly Roy Tofalli

     

            Class I Directors

        (term expiring in 2011)

         

Raymond Debbane

     

John F. Bard

     

Jonas M. Fajgenbaum

     

 

(b) Votes regarding ratification of the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for fiscal 2009 were as follows:

 

   

For

  Against   Abstentions   Broker Non-votes    
  74,663,918   257,589   4,364   N/A  

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

Nothing to report under this item.

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit 10.1    Second Amendment, dated as of June 26, 2009, to the Sixth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 8, 2006, among Weight Watchers International, Inc., as borrower, the lenders party thereto, and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as the administrative agent (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed on July 1, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference).
Exhibit 31.1    Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 31.2    Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 32.1    Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
Exhibit 32.2    Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

 

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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.

 

    WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Date: August 13, 2009     By:  

/s/ DAVID P. KIRCHHOFF

      David P. Kirchhoff
      President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
      (Principal Executive Officer)
Date: August 13, 2009     By:  

/s/ ANN M. SARDINI

      Ann M. Sardini
      Chief Financial Officer
      (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)


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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

Exhibit 10.1    Second Amendment, dated as of June 26, 2009, to the Sixth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 8, 2006, among Weight Watchers International, Inc., as borrower, the lenders party thereto, and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as the administrative agent (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed on July 1, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference).
Exhibit 31.1    Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 31.2    Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 32.1    Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
Exhibit 32.2    Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.