NBTY Credits Wholesale Business for Increased Sales

NBTY Credits Wholesale Business for Increased Sales

BOHEMIA, N.Y.--In its second quarter (2Q02), endedMarch 31 and reported April 22, NBTY Inc. (NASDAQ:NBTY) increased earnings by 42percent due to improved sales in core products and good response to new productintroductions and promotions.

Net sales for the quarter were up 11.9 percent to $251.5million, while gross margin for the period decreased slightly to 55.1 percent ofsales from 56.5 percent logged in the same period last year. Costs--including$12.7 million in catalog printing, postage and promotion--increased to $99.4million for 2Q02, compared to $94.0 million in 2Q01. Net income rose 42.2percent to $25.6 million, or $.39 per share earned, compared to the same quarterlast year, which posted $17.9 million, or $.27 per share earned.

During the quarter, the company's Nature's Bounty wholesalebusiness experienced increased sales of 51 percent to $72 million. NBTY creditsthis boost to greater sales of core products and strong sales response to newproduct introductions and promotions.

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