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

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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

    • “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. 

  • 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.

    • 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.

    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.

    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.

      September 30, 2019   December 31, 2018
      (Unaudited)    
    ASSETS      
    Current assets:      
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 101,113     $ 132,653  
    Inventories 7,999     12,165  
    Other current assets 6,997     5,369  
    Total current assets 116,109     150,187  
    Property and equipment, net 821     934  
    Operating lease right-of-use assets 3,515     —  
    Goodwill 1,764     1,764  
    Restricted cash 2,881     2,998  
    Deferred tax asset 1,210     1,207  
    Other assets 807     831  
    Total assets $ 127,107     $ 157,921  
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY      
    Current liabilities:      
    Accounts payable $ 627     $ 1,631  
    Accrued commissions 3,798     12,502  
    Other accrued expenses 3,392     6,121  
    Deferred revenue 3,302     6,795  
    Amounts held in eWallets 13,090     14,611  
    Operating lease liabilities 1,689     —  
    Other current liabilities 1,188     1,424  
    Total current liabilities 27,086     43,084  
    Income taxes payable 15,365     16,982  
    Deferred tax liability 186     186  
    Long-term incentive —     7,808  
    Operating lease liabilities 1,903     —  
    Total liabilities 44,540     68,060  
    Stockholders’ equity:      
    Preferred stock —     —  
    Common stock 13     13  
    Additional paid-in capital 86,102     86,415  
    Retained earnings 23,567     44,431  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1,764 )   (1,250 )
    Treasury stock, at cost (25,351 )   (39,748 )
    Total stockholders’ equity 82,567     89,861  
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 127,107     $ 157,921  

      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 sales 4,371     9,926     15,002     30,546  
    Gross profit 12,652     37,117     44,777     119,774  
    Operating expenses:              
    Commissions expense 7,362     22,001     28,258     67,291  
    Selling, general and administrative expenses 6,354     7,269     20,296     24,484  
    Total operating expenses 13,716     29,270     48,554     91,775  
    Income (loss) from operations (1,064 )   7,847     (3,777 )   27,999  
    Other income, net 323     249     1,128     465  
    Income (loss) before income taxes (741 )   8,096     (2,649 )   28,464  
    Income tax provision 502     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:              
    Basic 10,623     11,309     11,010     11,298  
    Diluted 10,623     11,322     11,010     11,307  

      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 amortization 290     332  
    Noncash lease expense 1,336     —  
    Deferred income taxes (3 )   —  
    Changes in assets and liabilities:      
    Inventories 4,104     (2,828 )
    Other current assets (1,674 )   2,548  
    Other assets 2     (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 period 135,651     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     $ —