Nature’s Sunshine Products Reports Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results


  • Third quarter net sales decreased 0.5 percent year-over-year to $88.8 million
  • Net Income of $1.5 million attributable to common shareholders, $0.08 per diluted common share during the third quarter
  • Third quarter Adjusted EBITDA of $6.1 million

LEHI, Utah, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nature’s Sunshine Products, Inc. (NASDAQ: NATR), a leading natural health and wellness company engaged in the manufacture and direct selling of nutritional and personal care products, today reported its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018.

Management Commentary

“We continued to enjoy positive sales trends in China, Synergy Asia and Russia, Central and Eastern Europe. However, this growth was offset by declines in NSP America and Synergy Europe and Americas during the third quarter, which contributed to the modest decline in consolidated net sales,” stated Terrence Moorehead, Chief Executive Officer. “We remain pleased with the market development in China and sales momentum in Korea continues to drive Synergy Asia. In NSP Americas, where our model is more mature and grounded in retailing, sales moderation largely reflects ongoing distributor attrition and the less vibrant nutritional supplement retailing environment in the United States. Looking forward, my initial priorities are to evaluate our opportunities to further build the business while driving profitable growth and shareholder value.”

Third Quarter 2018 Financial Highlights

  
 Net Sales by Operating Segment
 Three Months Ended
September 30, 2018
 Three Months Ended
September 30, 2017
 Percent
Change
 Impact of
Currency
Exchange
 Percent
Change
Excluding
Impact of
Currency
NSP Americas:         
NSP North America$32,908  $34,896  (5.7)%  $(119)  (5.4)%
NSP Latin America5,604  6,405  (12.5)%  (122)  (10.6)%
 38,512  41,301  (6.8)%  (241)  (6.2)%
          
NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe 8,841   7,681  15.1%   (21)  15.4%
          
Synergy WorldWide:         
Synergy Asia Pacific27,086  25,829  4.9%  192  4.1%
Synergy Europe4,742  5,924  (20.0)%  (87)  (18.5)%
Synergy North America2,669  2,717  (1.8)%    (1.8)%
 34,497  34,470  0.1%  105  (0.2)%
          
NSP China 6,978   5,849  19.3%   24  18.9%
          
 $88,828  $89,301  (0.5)%  $(133)  (0.4)%
                 

Net sales of $88.8 million decreased 0.5 percent compared to $89.3 million in the third quarter of 2017. On a local currency basis, net sales decreased 0.4 percent compared to 2017. The decline was primarily related to $2.8 million decline in net sales in NSP Americas and a $1.2 million decline in Synergy Europe, partially offset by growth in Synergy Asia Pacific, NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe and NSP China. Net sales were also negatively impacted by $0.1 million of unfavorable foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

Gross margin, as a percentage of net sales, increased to 73.9 percent from 73.7 percent in the third quarter of 2017. The increase in gross margin as compared to the prior year was primarily driven by changes in market mix.

Volume incentives, as a percentage of net sales, decreased to 34.3 percent from 34.4 percent in the third quarter of 2017. The decrease in volume incentives as a percent of net sales is primarily due to changes in market mix, reflecting growth in markets where volume incentives as a percentage of net sales are lower than the consolidated average, partially offset by growth in NSP China where sales commissions to independent service providers are included in selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”).

SG&A expenses decreased by approximately $1.3 million to $31.6 million for the third quarter of 2018. The decrease in SG&A expenses is primarily due to the gain from the sale of land during the quarter, which were partially offset by an increase in independent service fees in China and other employee related benefits. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses were 35.6 percent, compared to 36.9 percent for the same period in 2017.

Operating income in the third quarter of 2018 was $3.5 million, or 4.0 percent as a percentage of net sales, as compared to $2.2 million, or 2.4 percent as a percentage of net sales in the third quarter of 2017.

Other income (loss), net, in the third quarter of 2018 was a loss of $0.4 million compared to income of $0.2 million in the third quarter of 2017. The effective income tax rate was 57.6 percent in the third quarter of 2018 compared to 0% percent in the third quarter of 2017.

Net income attributable to common shareholders was $1.5 million, or $0.08 per diluted common share, compared to $2.4 million, or $0.13 per diluted common share, in 2017. The net loss attributable to NSP China was $0.8 million, or $0.04 per diluted common share for the quarter, compared to $0.5 million, or $0.03 per diluted common share for the third quarter of 2017.

Adjusted EBITDA was $6.1 million, compared to $4.7 million in 2017. Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, is defined here as net income/loss from continuing operations before taxes, depreciation, amortization and other income/loss adjusted to exclude share-based compensation expense. A reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA is provided in the attached financial tables.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Financial Highlights

  
 Net Sales by Operating Segment
 Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2018
 Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2017
 Percent
Change
 Impact of
Currency
Exchange
 Percent
Change
Excluding
Impact of
Currency
NSP Americas:         
NSP North America$101,431  $106,132  (4.4)%  $121  (4.5)% 
NSP Latin America17,338  19,235  (9.9)%  (83)  (9.4)% 
 118,769  125,367
  (5.3)%  38  (5.3)% 
          
NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe 27,799   23,286  19.4%   300  18.1% 
          
Synergy WorldWide:         
Synergy Asia Pacific79,760  65,881  21.1%  2,854  16.7% 
Synergy Europe15,505  17,946  (13.6)%  1,064  (19.5)% 
Synergy North America7,769  8,319  (6.6)%    (6.6)% 
 103,034  92,146  11.8%  3,918  7.6% 
          
NSP China 17,834   12,944  37.8%   688  32.5% 
          
 $267,436  $253,743  5.4%  $4,944  3.4% 
                  

Net sales increased 5.4 percent to $267.4 million compared to $253.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017. On a local currency basis, net sales increased 3.4 percent compared to 2017. Growth was primarily related to continued growth in Synergy Asia Pacific, NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe and NSP China, offset by a $6.6 million decline in nets sales in NSP Americas and a $2.4 million decline in Synergy Europe. Net sales were also positively impacted by $4.9 million of favorable foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

Gross margin, as a percentage of net sales, was 73.8 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Volume incentives, as a percentage of net sales, increased to 34.9 percent from 34.7 percent in the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The increase in volume incentives as a percent of net sales is primarily due to changes in market mix, reflecting growth in markets where volume incentives as a percentage of net sales are higher than the consolidated average, partially offset by growth in NSP China where sales commissions to independent service providers are included in SG&A expenses.

SG&A expenses increased by approximately $2.2 million to $97.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The increase in SG&A expenses is primarily due to transition costs related to the announced retirement of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, the timing of accrued employee benefits, the increase in independent service fees from the Company’s growth in China and increased depreciation related to the Company’s Oracle ERP system implemented in April 2017, which were partially offset by gains on the sales of a Company building and land. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses were 36.4 percent, compared to 37.5 percent for the same period in 2017.

Operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $6.6 million or 2.5 percent as a percentage of net sales, as compared to operating income of $4.2 million or 1.7 percent as a percentage of net sales, in the same period in 2017.

Other income (loss), net, in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was a loss of $1.4 million compared to income of $1.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The effective income tax rate was 68.8 percent in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 38.2 percent for the same period in 2017.

Net income attributable to common shareholders was $2.1 million, or $0.11 per diluted common share, compared to $4.4 million, or $0.23 per diluted common share, in 2017. The net loss attributable to NSP China was $2.3 million, or $0.12 per diluted common share for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to $3.1 million, or $0.16 per diluted common share for the same period in 2017.

Adjusted EBITDA was $15.4 million, compared to $12.2 million in 2017. Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, is defined here as net income from continuing operations before taxes, depreciation, amortization and other income/loss adjusted to exclude share-based compensation expense. A reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA is provided in the attached financial tables.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

Net cash provided by operating activities was $14.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to $8.0 million for the prior year period. Capital expenditures during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 totaled $4.0 million compared to $3.9 million in the same period 2017. The Company ended the second quarter of 2018 with cash and cash equivalents of $47.9 million.

Active Distributors and Customers by Segment (1)

     
  2018 2017
  Distributors
& Customers
 Managers Distributors
& Customers
 Managers
NSP Americas 99,600 5,600 107,300 5,900
NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe 67,100 3,100 61,000 2,900
Synergy WorldWide 47,300 3,500 45,100 4,600
Total 214,000 12,200 213,400 13,400
  1. Active Distributors and customers include Nature’s Sunshine Products’ independent Distributors and customers who have purchased products directly from the Company for resale and/or personal consumption during the previous three months ended as of the date indicated. Total Manager, Distributors and Customers, which includes those who have made a purchase in the last twelve months, was approximately 492,000 as of September 30, 2018.

In China, the Company does not sell its products through Managers and Distributors, but rather through independent service providers who are compensated for marketing, sales support, and other services.

Conference Call

Nature’s Sunshine Products will host a conference call to discuss its second quarter 2018 results on Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at 5:30 PM Eastern Time. The toll-free dial-in number for callers in the U.S. and Canada is 1-888-394-8218, conference ID: 7831806. International callers can dial 1-323-701-0225, conference ID: 7831806. A replay will be available from November 7, 2018 at 8:30 PM Eastern Time through November 21, 2018 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time by dialing 1-844-512-2921 (U.S. and Canada) or 1-412-317-6671 (International), replay PIN: 7831806. The call will also be webcast live and will be available on the Investors section of Nature’s Sunshine Products’ website at www.naturessunshine.com for 90 days.

About Nature’s Sunshine Products

Nature’s Sunshine Products (NASDAQ: NATR), a leading natural health and wellness company, markets and distributes nutritional and personal care products through a global direct sales force of approximately 492,000 independent Managers, Distributors and Customers in more than 40 countries. Nature’s Sunshine manufactures most of its products through its own state-of-the-art facilities to ensure its products continue to set the standard for the highest quality, safety and efficacy on the market today. The Company has four reportable business segments that are divided based on the characteristics of their Distributor base, similarities in compensation plans, as well as the internal organization of NSP’s officers and their responsibilities (NSP Americas; NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe; Synergy WorldWide; and NSP China). The Company also supports health and wellness for children around the world through its partnership with the Sunshine Heroes Foundation. Additional information about the Company can be obtained at its website, www.naturessunshine.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the Company’s future business expectations, which are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the Company’s objectives, plans, strategies and financial results. All statements (other than statements of historical fact) that address activities, events or developments that the Company intends, expects, projects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These statements are often characterized by terminology such as “believe,” “hope,” “may,” “anticipate,” “should,” “intend,” “plan,” “will,” “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “positioned,” “strategy” and similar expressions, and are based on assumptions and assessments made by management in light of their experience and their perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the following.

  • changes in laws and regulations, or their interpretation, applicable to direct selling or the nutritional supplement industry may prohibit or restrict the Company's ability to sell its products in some markets or require the Company to make changes to its business model in some markets;
  • extensive government regulations to which the Company's products, business practices and manufacturing activities are subject;
  • legal challenges to the Company's direct selling program or to the classification of its independent distributors;
  • the effect of complex legal and regulatory requirements, particularly in China and South Korea;
  • impact of anti-bribery laws, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act;
  • the Company’s ability to attract and retain independent distributors;
  • the loss of one or more key independent distributors who have a significant sales network;
  • the full implementation of the Company’s joint venture for operations in China with Fosun Industrial Co., Ltd.;
  • registration of products for sale in foreign markets, or difficulty or increased cost of importing products into foreign markets;
  • cyber security threats and exposure to data loss;
  • reliance on information technology infrastructure;
  • the effect of fluctuating foreign exchange rates;
  • liabilities and obligations arising from improper activity by the Company’s independent distributors;
  • failure of the Company’s independent distributors to comply with advertising laws;
  • changes to the Company’s independent distributor compensation plans;
  • geopolitical issues and conflicts;
  • negative consequences resulting from difficult economic conditions, including the availability of liquidity or the willingness of the Company’s customers to purchase products;
  • risks associated with the manufacturing of the Company's products;
  • uncertainties relating to the application of transfer pricing, duties, value-added taxes, and other tax regulations, and changes thereto;
  • changes in tax laws, treaties or regulations, or their interpretation, including the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act;
  • the availability and integrity of raw materials;
  • the competitive nature of the Company’s business and the nutritional supplement industry;
  • negative publicity related to its products, ingredients, or direct selling organization and the nutritional supplement industry;
  • product liability claims;
  • the sufficiency of trademarks and other intellectual property rights;
  • reliance on third-parties to distribute its products and provide support services to independent distributors; and
  • actions on trade relations by the U.S. and foreign governments.

These and other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from predicted results are more fully detailed under the caption “Risk Factors” in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports filed on Forms 10-Q.

All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements included in or incorporated by reference into this press release. Except as is required by law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to publicly release any revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events after the date of this press release.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company has included information which has not been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), such as information concerning Adjusted EBITDA and net sales excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange fluctuations. Management utilizes the non-GAAP measure Adjusted EBITDA in the evaluation of its operations and believes that this measure is a useful indicator of the Company’s ability to fund its business. This non-GAAP financial measure should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, U.S. GAAP net income as an indicator of the Company’s operating performance. Moreover, Adjusted EBITDA, as presented by the Company, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

In addition, the Company believes presenting the impact of foreign currency fluctuations is useful to investors because it allows a more meaningful comparison of net sales of its foreign operations from period to period. Net sales excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to net sales in U.S. dollar measures that reflect current period exchange rates, or to other financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Other companies may use the same or similarly named measures, but exclude different items, which may not provide investors with a comparable view of Nature’s Sunshine Products’ performance in relation to other companies. The Company has included a reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA, the most comparable GAAP measure, in the attached financial tables.

           

NATURE’S SUNSHINE PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Amounts in thousands, except per share information)
(Unaudited)

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  2018 2017
Net sales $88,828  $89,301 
Cost of sales (23,161)  (23,505) 
Gross profit 65,667  65,796 
     
Operating expenses:    
Volume incentives 30,511  30,716 
Selling, general and administrative 31,643  32,926 
Operating income 3,513  2,154 
Other income (loss), net (353)  193 
Income before provision (benefit) for income taxes 3,160  2,347 
Provision (benefit) for income taxes 1,821  (1) 
Net income 1,339  2,348 
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (158)  (95) 
Net income attributable to common shareholders $1,497  $2,443 
     
Basic and diluted net income per common share:    
     
Basic earnings per share attributable to common shareholders $0.08  $0.13 
     
Diluted earnings per share attributable to common shareholders $0.08  $0.13 
     
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding 19,164  18,897 
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding 19,382  19,286 
       

NATURE’S SUNSHINE PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Amounts in thousands, except per share information)
(Unaudited)

  Nine Months Ended
September  30,
  2018 2017
Net sales $267,436  $253,743 
Cost of sales (70,152)  (66,430) 
Gross profit 197,284  187,313 
     
Operating expenses:    
Volume incentives 93,365  87,987 
Selling, general and administrative 97,339  95,098 
Operating income 6,580  4,228 
Other income (loss), net (1,420)  1,909 
Income before provision for income taxes 5,160  6,137 
Provision for income taxes 3,550  2,346 
Net income 1,610  3,791 
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (452)  (625) 
Net income attributable to common shareholders $2,062  $4,416 
     
Basic and diluted net income per common share:    
     
Basic earnings per share attributable to common shareholders $0.11  $0.23 
     
Diluted earnings per share attributable to common shareholders $0.11  $0.23 
     
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding 19,094  18,873 
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding 19,406  19,265 
       

NATURE’S SUNSHINE PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
Assets   
Current assets:   
Cash and cash equivalents$47,859  $42,910 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $523 and $395, respectively8,106  8,888 
Assets held for sale  998 
Inventories43,041  44,047 
Prepaid expenses and other5,978  5,666 
Total current assets104,984  102,509 
      
Property, plant and equipment, net65,531  69,106 
Investment securities - trading1,602  1,980 
Intangible assets, net740  709 
Deferred income tax assets7,584  8,283 
Other assets11,086  12,608 
 $191,527  $195,195 
    
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity   
Current liabilities:   
Accounts payable$4,240  $4,215 
Accrued volume incentives and service fees18,628  18,774 
Accrued liabilities32,801  24,980 
Deferred revenue2,014  3,348 
Income taxes payable1,754  1,834 
Related party note payable1,523  506 
Total current liabilities60,960  53,657 
      
Long-term debt and revolving credit facility1,836  13,181 
Liability related to unrecognized tax benefits2,192  4,633 
Deferred compensation payable1,602  1,980 
Long-term deferred income tax liabilities763  770 
Other liabilities688  1,242 
Total liabilities68,041  75,463 
    
Shareholders’ equity:   
Common stock, no par value; 50,000 shares authorized, 19,204 and 18,919 shares issued and outstanding, respectively133,069  131,525 
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)844  (2,072) 
Noncontrolling interest (deficit)(41)  411 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(10,386)  (10,132) 
Total shareholders’ equity123,486  119,732 
 $191,527  $195,195 
        
        

NATURE’S SUNSHINE PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)

  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  2018 2017
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:    
Net income $1,610   $3,791 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:    
Provision for (recovery of) doubtful accounts 155   (22) 
Depreciation and amortization 7,313   6,036 
Share-based compensation expense 1,458   1,904 
Gain on sale of property and equipment (4,000)    
Deferred income taxes 650   245 
Purchase of trading investment securities (128)   (450) 
Proceeds from sale of trading investment securities 610   102 
Realized and unrealized gains on investments (80)   (145) 
Foreign exchange (gains) losses 1,250   (2,089) 
Changes in assets and liabilities:    
Accounts receivable 467   (3,115) 
Inventories 462   (616) 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (420)   (573) 
Other assets 897   799 
Accounts payable 88   (422) 
Accrued volume incentives and service fees 169   4,240 
Accrued liabilities 7,949   (621) 
Deferred revenue (1,334)   1,118 
Income taxes payable (32)   (847) 
Liability related to unrecognized tax positions (2,501)   (1,815) 
Deferred compensation payable (378)   516 
   Net cash provided by operating activities 14,205   8,036 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:    
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (3,959)   (3,889) 
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 5,072   522 
Proceeds from sale/maturities of investments available for sale    1,776 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 1,113   (1,591) 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:    
Payments of cash dividends    (1,848) 
Principal payments on new revolving credit facility (56,853)    
Borrowings on new revolving credit facility 45,508   19,184 
Net borrowings on previous revolving credit facility    (9,996) 
Proceeds from related party borrowings 1,000   500 
Net proceeds from exercise of stock options 664   104 
Payment of withholding taxes related to the vesting of restricted stock units (578)   (512) 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (10,259)   7,423 
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents (110)   1,540 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 4,949   15,408 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period 42,910   32,284 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period $47,859   $47,692 
 
 

NATURE’S SUNSHINE PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO ADJUSTED EBITDA
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)

  Three Months Ended
September  30,
  2018 2017
     
Net income $1,339  $2,348 
Adjustments:    
Depreciation and amortization 2,301  2,451 
Share-based compensation expense 334  142 
Other (income) loss, net* 353  (193) 
Provision (benefit) for income taxes 1,821  (1) 
Adjusted EBITDA $6,148  $4,747 
         
         

NATURE’S SUNSHINE PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO ADJUSTED EBITDA
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)

  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  2018 2017
     
Net income $1,610  $3,791 
Adjustments:    
Depreciation and amortization 7,313  6,036 
Share-based compensation expense 1,458  1,904 
Other (income) loss, net* 1,420  (1,909) 
Provision for income taxes 3,550  2,346 
Adjusted EBITDA $15,351  $12,168 
         

* Other (income) loss, net is primarily comprised of foreign exchange gains and losses, interest income, and interest expense.

Contact:

Scott Van Winkle                                
Managing Director, ICR                                
(617) 956-6736
scott.vanwinkle@icrinc.com