Natural Health Trends Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2016 Financial Results

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  • Record quarterly operating income increased 44% year-over-year to $20.0 million
  • Active Members1 increased 9% year-over-year to 118,960
  • Increased quarterly dividend 13% to $0.09 per share
  • Declared special dividend of $0.35 per share

LOS ANGELES , Feb. 08, 2017 (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 fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2016.

Fourth Quarter 2016 Financial Highlights

  • Total revenue decreased 15% to $62.3 million, compared to $73.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2015.

    • Revenue from the Company’s Hong Kong operations, which represented 90% of total revenue, decreased 17% to $56.1 million, compared to $67.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2015.

    • Revenue outside of Hong Kong increased 5% to $6.2 million, compared to $5.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2015.

  • Operating income increased 44% to $20.0 million, compared to $13.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2015.

  • Net income was $19.0 million, or $1.70 per diluted share, compared to $13.7 million, or $1.13 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2015.

  • The number of Active Members1 decreased 3% to 118,960 at December 31, 2016, compared to 122,900 at September 30, 2016, and increased 9% compared to 109,360 at December 31, 2015.

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.

Full Year 2016 Financial Highlights

  • Total revenue increased 9% to $287.7 million, compared to $264.9 million for the full year of 2015.
     
  • Operating income increased 34% to $64.1 million, compared to $47.9 million for the full year of 2015.
     
  • Recognized income tax provision of $9.0 million primarily due to the expected partial repatriation of overseas profits, an increase of $8.4 million compared to the full year of 2015.
     
  • Net income was $55.1 million, or $4.83 per diluted share, compared to $47.2 million, or $3.82 per diluted share, for the full year of 2015.

Management Commentary

“2016 was a tremendous year for Natural Health Trends and reflected solid progress on our strategic plan despite some external challenges we experienced throughout the year,” commented Chris Sharng, President of Natural Health Trends Corp. “Specifically, the fourth quarter reflected a continuation of some of the challenges we discussed in the prior quarter, including a slowdown in Hangzhou, one of our top three markets, after the G20 summit was held in that city last September. Local members in the affected metropolitan area were unable to organize activities and events for weeks, which are key to their effectiveness.  In addition, the Chinese yuan depreciated by 7% against the Hong Kong dollar which effectively increased the price of our products for our members residing in mainland China. We expect the first quarter will also present a difficult year-over-year comparison as we plan to launch various new products at our first-half event, the re-branded Ambassador Academy, in March versus in January last year.”

Mr. Sharng further commented, “We increased our full year 2016 revenue by 9% over 2015. We are working to strengthen growth through increased leader training and motivation while expanding our reach by geography and products. These efforts will be supported by technological advancements to enhance overall member communication and productivity. Further, due to the flexibility we have built into many of our promotions and incentive programs, we were able to generate record operating profit for the fourth quarter of 2016.  I’m also very pleased we will once again be declaring a special dividend in the amount of $0.35 per share as well as increasing our regular quarterly dividend to $0.09 per share. Our ability to return capital to our stockholders is due to our robust operating cash flow driven by effective management of our working capital which has kept our balance sheet strong. We look forward to a bright future for Natural Health Trends.”

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

  • Net cash provided by operating activities in the fourth quarter of 2016 was $16.9 million, compared to $16.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2015. For the full year of 2016, net cash provided by operating activities was $53.2 million, compared to $81.3 million for the full year of 2015.
     
  • On January 24, 2017, the Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.09 per share on outstanding common stock, which represents a 13% increase over the prior quarter dividend, and a special cash dividend of $0.35 per share on outstanding common stock. The dividends will be payable on March 3, 2017 to stockholders of record as of February 21, 2017. 
     
  • For the full year of 2016, the Company repurchased $23.7 million of its common stock under its existing $70.0 million stock repurchase program. At December 31, 2016, approximately $32.0 million remained available for repurchases, inclusive of related estimated income tax.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2016 Financial Results Conference Call

Management will host a conference call to discuss the fourth quarter and full year 2016 financial results today, Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The conference call details are as follows:

Date: Wednesday, February 8, 2017
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:     13652401
Webcast: http://public.viavid.com/index.php?id=122399 

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 February 8, 2017 through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on February 22, 2017 by dialing 1-844-512-2921 (domestic) and 1-412-317-6671 (international) and referencing the replay pin number: 13652401.

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, North America, 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 March 4, 2016 with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information contained in this press release or with respect to the announcements described herein.

 
NATURAL HEALTH TRENDS CORP.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
 
  December 31, 2016   December 31, 2015
  (Unaudited)    
ASSETS      
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents $ 125,921     $ 104,914  
Inventories, net 11,257     10,455  
Other current assets 4,066     2,343  
Total current assets 141,244     117,712  
Property and equipment, net 1,388     894  
Goodwill 1,764     1,764  
Restricted cash 2,963     3,166  
Other assets 692     616  
Total assets $ 148,051     $ 124,152  
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
Current liabilities:      
Accounts payable $ 2,145     $ 2,862  
Income taxes payable 663     379  
Accrued commissions 13,611     19,634  
Other accrued expenses 14,989     16,703  
Deferred revenue 4,948     4,011  
Amounts held in eWallets 19,165     16,414  
Other current liabilities 1,633     1,510  
Total current liabilities 57,154     61,513  
Deferred tax liability 268     60  
Long-term incentive 8,190     5,770  
Total liabilities 65,612     67,343  
Commitments and contingencies      
Stockholders’ equity:      
Preferred stock —     —  
Common stock 13     13  
Additional paid-in capital 86,574     85,963  
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) 38,548     (9,647 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (807 )   (101 )
Treasury stock, at cost (41,889 )   (19,419 )
Total stockholders’ equity 82,439     56,809  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 148,051     $ 124,152  
               


 
NATURAL HEALTH TRENDS CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
  Three Months Ended
December 31,		   Year Ended December 31,
  2016   2015   2016   2015
  (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)     
Net sales $   62,312     $   73,656     $ 287,728     $ 264,860  
Cost of sales 11,937     15,073     54,903     54,098  
Gross profit 50,375     58,583     232,825     210,762  
Operating expenses:              
Commissions expense 21,503     33,155     125,050     126,598  
Selling, general and administrative expenses 8,740     11,453     43,245     36,024  
Depreciation and amortization 118     82     394     263  
Total operating expenses 30,361     44,690     168,689     162,885  
Income from operations 20,014     13,893     64,136     47,877  
Other income (expense), net (99 )   28     (59 )   (84 )
Income before income taxes 19,915     13,921     64,077     47,793  
Income tax provision 867     222     8,991     552  
Net income $ 19,048     $ 13,699     $ 55,086     $ 47,241  
Income per common share:              
Basic $ 1.70     $ 1.13     $ 4.84     $ 3.84  
Diluted $ 1.70     $ 1.13     $ 4.83     $ 3.82  
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:                
Basic 11,219     12,118     11,382     12,302  
Diluted 11,234     12,159     11,407     12,372  
Cash dividends declared per common share $ 0.43     $ 0.05     $ 0.61     $ 0.14  
                               


 
NATURAL HEALTH TRENDS CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
 
  Year Ended December 31,
  2016   2015
  (Unaudited)    
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:      
Net income $ 55,086     $ 47,241  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:        
Depreciation and amortization 394     263  
Stock-based compensation 104     86  
Cumulative translation adjustment realized in net income 132     (82 )
Deferred income taxes 217     (15 )
Changes in assets and liabilities:      
Inventories, net (851 )   (6,762 )
Other current assets (1,681 )   (1,025 )
Other assets (90 )   (267 )
Accounts payable (714 )   637  
Income taxes payable 303     (115 )
Accrued commissions (6,031 )   10,840  
Other accrued expenses 51     10,714  
Deferred revenue 947     1,331  
Amounts held in eWallets 2,752     14,350  
Other current liabilities 135     25  
Long-term incentive 2,420     4,105  
Net cash provided by operating activities 53,174     81,326  
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:      
Purchases of property and equipment, net (905 )   (710 )
Increase in restricted cash —     (3,028 )
Net cash used in investing activities (905 )   (3,738 )
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:      
Proceeds from exercise of warrants —     309  
Repurchase of common stock (23,704 )   (16,071 )
Dividends paid (6,891 )   (1,709 )
Net cash used in financing activities (30,595 )   (17,471 )
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents (667 )   (19 )
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 21,007     60,098  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period 104,914     44,816  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period $ 125,921     $ 104,914  
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF OTHER CASH FLOW INFORMATION:      
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds $ 8,791     $ 707  
Issuance of treasury stock 1,741     666  

 

CONTACTS:

Company Contact:
Scott Davidson
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Natural Health Trends Corp.
Tel: 310-541-0888
scott.davidson@nhtglobal.com

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

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Source: Natural Health Trends Corp.

Released February 8, 2017