Nu Skin (NUS) PT Slashed to $22 at Stifel After Miss

Stifel analyst Mark Astrachan reiterated a Sell rating and cut his price target on Nu Skin Enterprises (NYSE: NUS) to $22.00 (from $31.00) following weak Q4 results and outlook.

"The miss resulted from weaker sales growth, flat y/y compared to consensus of approximately 5% growth, worse gross margin, and higher G&A expenses offset by lower selling expenses," the analyst commented.

"... productivity per sales leader declined in all regions except the Americas for the second consecutive quarter," he added. "We find this troubling as it could indicate weakening end-demand for Nu Skin products, share loss to other direct selling companies, and ultimately defections of sales leaders to other direct selling companies with better momentum and/or more effective innovation."

The firm cut 2016-2017 EPS estimates to $2.35 (was $3.11), and $2.50 (was $3.25), respectively, given lower sales growth and higher costs, gross margin and G&A expenses

For an analyst ratings summary and ratings history on Nu Skin Enterprises click here. For more ratings news on Nu Skin Enterprises click here.

Shares of Nu Skin Enterprises closed at $31.21 yesterday.

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