Is the Public Market for Natural Products and Dietary Supplements Rebounding? Berkeley Conference to Address Growth, Financial and Market Issues

Business Wire, May 18, 1999

BOULDER, Colo.--(BW HealthWire)--May 18, 1999--

The dark skies that have been clouding the picture for investors in natural and organic products and dietary supplements stocks may be parting.

Stung by lower stock prices and reduced market caps since the overall market correction of August 1998, the public market for these companies appears to be rebounding.

Within the last 30 days, the Natural Business Composite Index(TM) (NBCI), composed of 69 publicly traded companies doing business in the sector, has risen by 10.6 points, or 15 percent. This is the first significant increase in the Index since August 1998, when the NBCI lost nearly 31 percent of its value.

Additionally, the first sizable public offering since the 1998 adjustment was announced on Friday, when Nu Skin Enterprises (NUS) filed with the SEC for a secondary offering of $200 million. Only one successful industry offering has taken place since August 1998, when Delicious Brands (DBSI) completed a $12 million IPO in November.

The prospects for future growth of both public and privately held companies in the sector will be among the topics discussed at the third Natural Business Financial, Investment and Market Trends Conference, June 7-8 at the Claremont Resort in Berkeley, Calif. The conference is produced by Natural Business Communications in Boulder, Colo., publisher of Natural Business, the leading journal of business, financial and investment news for the category. The NBCI is a proprietary index of and is trademarked by Natural Business Communications.

Sponsors of the event include six leading investment banks, nine venture capital and investment banking service companies and three manufacturing companies, all with a significant interest in the sector. More than 40 leaders from the financial community and industry will speak.

Additionally, 15 of the industry's top public and private companies are scheduled to present at the conference, including: Wild Oats Market (OATS), Celestial Seasonings (CTEA), AMBI Inc. (AMBI), Pure World (PURW), USANA (USNA), Balance Bar (BBAR), Horizon Organic (HCOW), Odwalla (ODWA), Hansen Naturals (HANS), SafeScience (SAFS), Seventh Generation (SVNG), Hauser (HAUS), Monterey Pasta (PSTA), SoBe Beverages, and enutrition.com.

Patron sponsors of the event include Boston-based investment banker Adams, Harkness & Hill; dietary supplements and nutraceuticals manufacturer AMBI Inc.; and Nature's Equity Inc., a New York-based investment banking and business development firm.

Corporate sponsors include investment bankers Hambrecht & Quist, Hanifen Imhoff, Lehman Brothers, Nationsbanc Montgomery Securities, and U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray; venture firms Boulder Ventures, Condor Ventures, First Chicago Equity Capital, Health Business Partners, Monterey Bay Food Group, Natural Bridge, North Castle Partners, and T.R. Winston & Co.; and manufacturers Celestial Seasonings, Pure World and SafeScience.

The conference is targeted toward executives, marketers, analysts, investment bankers, financial services providers and institutional and private-equity investors with interests in the natural and organic products markets.

For complete programming and registration information, call 303/442-8983, email info@naturalbiz.com or visit www.naturalbiz.com.

Early registration closes May 21.