美国监管机构对康宝莱展开调查

 

The move by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) follows allegations that the company operates a 'pyramid scheme' - making money from recruiting new distributors, rather than sales.

 

Herbalife has denied these allegations and said it would "cooperate fully²" with the FTC inquiry³.

 

Its shares fell by as much as 16%.

 

But they recovered slightly and ended the day down by 7%. 

 

"Herbalife welcomes the inquiry given the tremendous amount of misinformation in the marketplace," the company said in a statement.

 

"We are confident that Herbalife is in compliance⁴ with all applicable laws and regulations."

 

 

The investigation comes just a day after prominent hedge fund manager, William Ackman, renewed his attack on the firm.

 

Mr Ackman has been one of Herbalife's biggest critics and has a $1bn short sale position on the firm's stock - betting that the share price will drop.

 

He first publically accused Herbalife of running a pyramid scheme in 2012.

 

On Tuesday, Mr Ackman accused the company's China business of violating direct-selling laws in the country, something Herbalife denies.

 

China is one of the fastest growing markets for the firm and its sales there rose 65% in 2013.

 

The firm sells a range of nutritional⁶ products across the globe through a network of independent distributors.

 

It reported revenues of $4.8bn in 2013, a jump of 18% from the previous year.

 

The firm's shares have risen by more than 50% over the past 12 months.

 

Herbalife has got the backing of billionaire investors⁷ George Soros and Carl Icahn, who have picked up stakes in the firm.

 

Mr Icahn owns nearly 17% of the Herbalife's shares.

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