Natural Health Trends Reports Third Quarter 2019 Financial Results


  • Repurchased $2.9 million of common stock
  • Declared a special dividend of $0.40 per share

HONG KONG, Nov. 01, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Natural Health Trends Corp. (NASDAQ: NHTC), a leading direct-selling and e-commerce company that markets premium quality personal care, wellness and “quality of life” products under the NHT Global brand, today announced its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2019.

Third Quarter 2019 Financial Highlights

  • Revenue of $17.0 million decreased 64% compared to $47.0 million in the third quarter of 2018.

  • Gross profit was $12.7 million compared to $37.1 million in the third quarter of 2018. As a percent of total revenue, gross profit was 74% compared to 79% in the third quarter of 2018.

  • Operating loss was $1.1 million compared to operating income of $7.8 million in the third quarter of 2018.

  • Net loss was $1.2 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, compared to net income of $7.6 million, or $0.67 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2018.

  • The number of Active Members1 decreased 13% to 68,150 at September 30, 2019, compared to 78,280 at June 30, 2019, and decreased 30% compared to 97,160 at September 30, 2018.

1    Natural Health Trends defines Active Members as those that have placed at least one product order with the Company during the preceding twelve-month period.

Year-to-Date 2019 Financial Highlights

  • Revenue of $59.8 million decreased 60% compared to $150.3 million in the first nine months of 2018.

  • Gross profit was $44.8 million compared to $119.8 million in the first nine months of 2018. As a percent of total revenue, gross profit was 75% compared to 80% in the first nine months of 2018.

  • Operating loss was $3.8 million compared to operating income of $28.0 million in the first nine months of 2018.

  • Net loss was $2.8 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, compared to net income of $25.5 million, or $2.25 per diluted share, in the first nine months of 2018.

Management Commentary

“The business environment in China continued to present broad challenges during the third quarter,” commented Chris Sharng, President of Natural Health Trends Corp. “In addition, protests in Hong Kong posed new complications. As a result, we suspended company-sponsored meetings in Hong Kong as current conditions are not conducive to hosting visitors.”

Mr. Sharng further commented, “Beyond the elements that are not within our control, we remain pleased with our leaders’ abilities to adapt our business strategy and to continue performing under these circumstances. Subsequent to quarter end, we held a successful event in Macau which was traditionally held during the third quarter. Our fourth quarter order volume trends are already improving following this major event which is a promising development. Lastly, in light of the current business environment, we are implementing cost reduction measures to focus resources on our members and markets. We expect to realize an annualized $5.7 million in savings by the first quarter of 2020.” 

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

  • Net cash used in operating activities was $3.7 million compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $8.8 million in the third quarter of 2018. For the first nine months of 2019, net cash used in operating activities was $18.7 million, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $25.3 million in the first nine months of 2018.

  • Total cash and cash equivalents were $101.1 million as of September 30, 2019, down from $132.7 million as of December 31, 2018.

  • On October 29, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a special cash dividend of $0.40 per share on outstanding common stock. The dividend will be payable on November 29, 2019 to stockholders of record as of November 19, 2019.

  • During the three months ended September 30, 2019, the Company purchased a total of 383,127 shares of its common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $2.9 million, plus transaction costs. As of September 30, 2019, $22.4 million of the stock repurchase program remained available for future purchases, inclusive of related estimated income tax.

Third Quarter 2019 Financial Results Conference Call

Management will host a conference call to discuss the third quarter 2019 financial results today, Friday November 1, 2019 at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The conference call details are as follows:

Date:Friday, November 1, 2019
Time:11:30 a.m. Eastern Time / 8:30 a.m. Pacific Time
Dial-in:1-877-407-0789 (Domestic)
1-201-689-8562 (International)
Conference ID:13695076
Webcast:http://public.viavid.com/index.php?id=136315

For those unable to participate during the live broadcast, a replay of the call will also be available from 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time on November 1, 2019 through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 15, 2019 by dialing 1-844-512-2921 (domestic) and 1-412-317-6671 (international) and referencing the replay pin number: 13695076.

About Natural Health Trends Corp.

Natural Health Trends Corp. (NASDAQ: NHTC) is an international direct-selling and e-commerce company operating through its subsidiaries throughout Asia, the Americas, and Europe.  The Company markets premium quality personal care products under the NHT Global brand.  Additional information can be found on the Company’s website at www.naturalhealthtrendscorp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 -- Forward-looking statements in this press release do not constitute guarantees of future performance.  Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those anticipated.  Such risks and uncertainties include the risks and uncertainties detailed under the caption “Risk Factors” in Natural Health Trends Corp.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 26, 2019 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), as well as in subsequent reports filed this year with the SEC.  The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information contained in this press release or with respect to the announcements described herein.

CONTACTS:

Company Contact:
Scott Davidson
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Natural Health Trends Corp.
Tel (Hong Kong): +852-3107-0800
Tel (U.S.): 310-541-0888
scott.davidson@nhtglobal.com

Investor Contact:
ADDO Investor Relations
Tel: 310-829-5400
investor.relations@nhtglobal.com


NATURAL HEALTH TRENDS CORP.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share data)

 September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018
 (Unaudited)  
ASSETS   
Current assets:   
Cash and cash equivalents$101,113  $132,653 
Inventories7,999  12,165 
Other current assets6,997  5,369 
Total current assets116,109  150,187 
Property and equipment, net821  934 
Operating lease right-of-use assets3,515   
Goodwill1,764  1,764 
Restricted cash2,881  2,998 
Deferred tax asset1,210  1,207 
Other assets807  831 
Total assets$127,107  $157,921 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   
Current liabilities:   
Accounts payable$627  $1,631 
Accrued commissions3,798  12,502 
Other accrued expenses3,392  6,121 
Deferred revenue3,302  6,795 
Amounts held in eWallets13,090  14,611 
Operating lease liabilities1,689   
Other current liabilities1,188  1,424 
Total current liabilities27,086  43,084 
Income taxes payable15,365  16,982 
Deferred tax liability186  186 
Long-term incentive  7,808 
Operating lease liabilities1,903   
Total liabilities44,540  68,060 
Stockholders’ equity:   
Preferred stock   
Common stock13  13 
Additional paid-in capital86,102  86,415 
Retained earnings23,567  44,431 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(1,764) (1,250)
Treasury stock, at cost(25,351) (39,748)
Total stockholders’ equity82,567  89,861 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$127,107  $157,921 



NATURAL HEALTH TRENDS CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands, except per share data)

 Three Months Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2019 2018 2019 2018
Net sales$17,023  $47,043  $59,779  $150,320 
Cost of sales4,371  9,926  15,002  30,546 
Gross profit12,652  37,117  44,777  119,774 
Operating expenses:       
Commissions expense7,362  22,001  28,258  67,291 
Selling, general and administrative expenses6,354  7,269  20,296  24,484 
Total operating expenses13,716  29,270  48,554  91,775 
Income (loss) from operations(1,064) 7,847  (3,777) 27,999 
Other income, net323  249  1,128  465 
Income (loss) before income taxes(741) 8,096  (2,649) 28,464 
Income tax provision502  467  120  2,988 
Net income (loss)$(1,243) $7,629  $(2,769) $25,476 
Net income (loss) per common share:       
Basic$(0.12) $0.67  $(0.25) $2.25 
Diluted$(0.12) $0.67  $(0.25) $2.25 
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:       
Basic10,623  11,309  11,010  11,298 
Diluted10,623  11,322  11,010  11,307 



NATURAL HEALTH TRENDS CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)

 Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2019 2018
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:   
Net income (loss)$(2,769) $25,476 
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:   
Depreciation and amortization290  332 
Noncash lease expense1,336   
Deferred income taxes(3)  
Changes in assets and liabilities:   
Inventories4,104  (2,828)
Other current assets(1,674) 2,548 
Other assets2  (83)
Accounts payable(1,002) 967 
Accrued commissions(8,683) 2,003 
Other accrued expenses(1,779) 314 
Deferred revenue(3,485) 26 
Amounts held in eWallets(1,508) (930)
Operating lease liabilities(1,392)  
Income taxes payable(1,617) (2,201)
Other current liabilities(235) 438 
Long-term incentive(333) (800)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities(18,748) 25,262 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:   
Purchases of property and equipment(181) (176)
Net cash used in investing activities(181) (176)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:   
Repurchase of common stock(9,564)  
Dividends paid(2,736) (27,644)
Net cash used in financing activities(12,300) (27,644)
Effect of exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash(428) (711)
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash(31,657) (3,269)
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period135,651  138,478 
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of period$103,994  $135,209 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF OTHER CASH FLOW INFORMATION:   
Issuance of treasury stock for employee awards, net$8,289  $554 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities$5,058  $