Nutrastar Releases Record Third Quarter 2013 Results

HARBIN, China, Nov. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Nutrastar International Inc. (OTCQB: NUIN; "Nutrastar" or the "Company"), a leading producer and supplier of premium branded consumer products, including commercially cultivated Cordyceps Militaris ("Cordyceps"), health beverages and organic and specialty foods, today announced its financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 Financial Highlights

• Net revenue increased 44.4% to $10.94 million, up from $7.57 million in the three months ended September 30, 2012.
• Gross profit increased 46% to $8.78 million, up from $6.01 million in the comparable third quarter 2012
• Gross margin was 80.3% compared with 79.4% in the third quarter 2012.
• Net income was $5.78 million, up 54.4% from $3.74 million recorded in Q3 2012.
• Basic and diluted EPS were $0.36 and $0.34, respectively, with 15.92 million basic and 17.06 million diluted shares outstanding.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 Financial Highlights

• Net revenue increased 23.5% to $30.22 million, compared to $24.47 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012.
• Gross profit increased 26.3% to $23.56 million, up from $18.66 million in the comparable 2012 nine month period.
• Gross margin was 78.0%, compared to 76.3% in the first nine months of 2012.
• Net income was $15.16 million, up 30.7% from $11.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012.
• Basic and diluted EPS were $0.94 and $0.89, respectively, with 15.88 million basic and 17.02 million diluted shares outstanding.

Management Commentary

"In the three and nine months ended September 20, 2013, our numbers reflected continued and significant growth in sales, gross profit, and income. Gross margin further improved to 80.3% in the third quarter thanks to our increased capacity as well as an attractive product mix comprised mainly of our high margin commercially cultivated Cordyceps. Cordyceps, functional health beverage and organic specialty food sales specifically were up 48.5%, 39.7% and 5.9%, respectively, in the third quarter of 2013 versus the comparable 2012 quarter. Increases in sales this quarter came from increased capacity as well as company-led marketing initiatives," stated, Ms. Lianyun Han, CEO of Nutrastar.

Ms. Han continued, "With the production means necessary to expand our market, we are focused on further extending our brand awareness and product offering to better and more comprehensively serve our customers. Prior launched marketing campaigns are working to promote the health benefits of our premium consumer products, especially our on-the-go functional health beverage and instant soluble drink. We also began testing sales of our instant soluble drink at the Bao Feng specialty drug store in Harbin for an initial trial period of up to six months that began this month. Bao Feng is a direct consumer specialty drug store that has approximately 1,000 stores nationwide. Depending on how sales do in the trial store, this may or may not be a channel  for us moving forward. On the new product front, we have started developing Cordyceps capsules and tablets, designed to complement our current premium consumer product offering and cater to our everyday customer looking for an on-the-go health supplement similar to other vitamin-type supplements. It's estimated that the product development process for both capsules and tablets will take approximately 12 – 18 months to complete."

In closing, Ms. Han stated, "With consumer demand for our premium products remaining strong and persistent, particularly among the wealthier and aging population, we are quite confident in our ability to meet our full year revenue guidance and continue to grow thereafter. We look forward to updating our shareholders and the investment community on our progress in these areas and more in the time ahead."

Request for Call with Management

Investors are invited to schedule a call with Nutrastar's management team. For those investors who are interested in speaking with management, please contact American Capital Ventures at +1-305-918-7000 to schedule.

For more information regarding Nutrastar's financial performance during the quarter ended September 30, 2013, please refer to the Quarterly Report Form 10-Q to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about November 13, 2013.

About Nutrastar International Inc.

Nutrastar is a China based leading producer and supplier of premium branded consumer products including commercially cultivated Cordyceps Militaris, functional health beverages as well as specialty and organic foods. Cordyceps Militaris is one of the most highly regarded herbal nutrients in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The Company is headquartered in Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang Province, with 330 employees, including 21 in R&D, and 149 in sales and marketing. The products of Nutrastar are sold throughout China via a sales and distribution network that covers more than 10 provinces. More information may be found at http://www.nutrastarintl.com/ or e-mail: [email protected]

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Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" relating to the business of Nutrastar International Inc., its subsidiaries and other affiliate companies.  All statements, other than statements of historical fact included herein are "forward-looking statements" including statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts.  These forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects" or similar expressions.  These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, product and service demand and acceptance, changes in technology, economic conditions, the impact of competition and pricing, government regulation, and other risks contained in reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors.  You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Other than as required under the securities laws, the Company does not assume a duty to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

For more information, please contact:
 

Howard Gostfrand
American Capital Ventures
Tel:  +1-305-918-7000
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Nutrastar International Inc.