Herbalife's $5B revenue growth gets a boost from Ronaldo and India's booming demand

Herbalife has reported steady revenue growth for the second year running, driven by strong demand in India and Latin America. The company also unveiled new products and expanded its digital health platform, Protocol, with plans to launch personalised supplements in the U.S. by late 2026.

Meanwhile, football star Cristiano Ronaldo has taken a 10% stake in the platform's software arm, boosting Herbalife's digital push and brand visibility.

Herbalife's full-year results showed net sales of over $5 billion, a near 1% increase from the previous year. Adjusted EBITDA reached $658 million, with a 13.1% margin—both figures growing for the second consecutive year. The company also cut its debt, repaying $30 million in the last quarter and $283 million over the year, lowering its leverage ratio from 3.9 to 2.8 times.

New products launched in 2025 included Multi Burn, HL Skin, and Life.io Baseline. More expansions are planned for 2026, alongside the rollout of the Protocol platform's beta 2.0 in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Commercialisation in the U.S. is set for July, with personalised supplement offerings expected by year-end.

The company's growth, however, has not been uniform. Over the past two years, Herbalife's revenue in China dropped by over 40%, from $250 million to below $150 million. Stricter regulations on multi-level marketing, government crackdowns, and declining consumer trust contributed to the decline. Meanwhile, markets like India, Indonesia, Thailand, and the U.S. saw stable or rising sales, with India growing by 10%.

To strengthen its digital strategy, Herbalife partnered with Cristiano Ronaldo, who acquired a 10% equity stake in HBL Protocol Software for $7.5 million. The deal includes sponsorship and promotional services to expand the Protocol platform's reach. The company also plans targeted acquisitions to further boost visibility.

Looking ahead, Herbalife's 2026 guidance forecasts low- to mid-single-digit revenue growth. The tax outlook remains stable, and the focus stays on product innovation and digital expansion.

Herbalife's latest results highlight a mix of growth and challenges. While markets like India and Latin America perform strongly, China's regulatory pressures have cut deeply into sales. With new products, debt reduction, and Ronaldo's involvement in the Protocol platform, the company aims to maintain momentum in 2026.