Natural Health Trends Reports First Quarter 2019 Financial Results

HONG KONG, May 07, 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 first quarter ended March 31, 2019.

First Quarter 2019 Financial Highlights

  • Total revenue of $19.3 million decreased 63% compared to $52.4 million in the first quarter of 2018 primarily due to a decline in Greater China revenue.
  • Gross profit was $14.1 million compared to $42.1 million in the first quarter of 2018. As a percent of total revenue, gross profit was 73% compared to 81% in the first quarter of 2018 primarily due to product promotions and higher logistics costs.
  • Operating loss was $2.7 million compared to operating income of $10.0 million in the first quarter of 2018.
  • Net loss was $1.9 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, compared to net income of $8.8 million, or $0.78 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2018.
  • The number of Active Members¹ decreased 11% to 87,340 at March 31, 2019, compared to 97,840 at December 31, 2018, and decreased 8% compared to 95,040 at March 31, 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.

Management Commentary

“As we previously disclosed, in response to the Chinese government’s announcement of its 100-day campaign in January, as was the case with many peer companies, we voluntarily suspended our member activities,” commented Chris Sharng, President of Natural Health Trends Corp. “The suspension covered more than 90% of the number of days in the first quarter, which also included the Chinese New Year holidays. We have made it our priority to fully cooperate with the government and to proactively ensure we continue to conduct our business in compliance with all applicable laws in China. While our financial performance was adversely impacted by this initiative during the quarter, we strongly support the actions taken by the Chinese government to root out bad products and deceptive practices in order to protect Chinese consumers.”

Mr. Sharng further commented, “While the 100-day campaign expired in late April, there has been no official conclusion to end the program. We have great confidence in our ability to navigate the business through uncertain times and to renew growth once the macroclimate improves. While we are cautious as it relates to our overall performance for the remainder of 2019 given the uncertain trade and regulatory environment, we were pleased with the outcome of our successful major event in Hong Kong at the end of March and ongoing support of our market leaders. We were also thrilled to have launched NHT Global in India and remain encouraged by the continued growth we have been experiencing in Latin America, led by Peru.”

Corporate Development

On April 29, 2019, the Company received a letter from the Listing Qualifications Department of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC stating that the Company has regained compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c)(1), which requires timely filing of all required periodic reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The letter was sent to confirm the Company’s compliance with the rule following the April 26, 2019 filing of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

  • Net cash used in operating activities was $11.4 million, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $11.1 million in the first quarter of 2018.
  • Total cash and cash equivalents were $118.7 million as of March 31, 2019, down from $132.7 million as of December 31, 2018.
  • As of March 31, 2019, $32.0 million of the stock repurchase program previously approved on July 28, 2015 and increased on January 13, 2016 remained available for future purchases, inclusive of related estimated income tax.

First Quarter 2019 Financial Results Conference Call

Management will host a conference call to discuss the first quarter 2019 financial results today, Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The conference call details are as follows:

     
Date:   Tuesday, May 7, 2019
Time:   1:30 p.m. Eastern Time / 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time
Dial-in:   1-877-407-0789 (Domestic)
1-201-689-8562 (International)
Conference ID:   13689758
Webcast:   http://public.viavid.com/index.php?id=134051
     

For those unable to participate during the live broadcast, a replay of the call will also be available from 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on May 7, 2019 through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 21, 2019 by dialing 1-844-512-2921 (domestic) and 1-412-317-6671 (international) and referencing the replay pin number: 13689758.

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. 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, except share data)
 
  March 31, 2019   December 31, 2018
  (Unaudited)    
ASSETS      
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents $ 118,699     $ 132,653  
Inventories 12,310     12,165  
Other current assets 6,551     5,369  
Total current assets 137,560     150,187  
Property and equipment, net 888     934  
Operating lease right-of-use assets 4,032      
Goodwill 1,764     1,764  
Restricted cash 3,068     2,998  
Deferred tax asset 1,207     1,207  
Other assets 829     831  
Total assets $ 149,348     $ 157,921  
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY      
Current liabilities:      
Accounts payable $ 1,456     $ 1,631  
Accrued commissions 8,909     12,502  
Other accrued expenses 4,823     6,121  
Deferred revenue 3,754     6,795  
Amounts held in eWallets 14,435     14,611  
Operating lease liabilities 1,762      
Other current liabilities 1,191     1,424  
Total current liabilities 36,330     43,084  
Income taxes payable 16,982     16,982  
Deferred tax liability 186     186  
Long-term incentive 7,650     7,808  
Operating lease liabilities 2,345      
Total liabilities 63,493     68,060  
Stockholders’ equity:      
Preferred stock      
Common stock 13     13  
Additional paid-in capital 86,249     86,415  
Retained earnings 39,772     44,431  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (974 )   (1,250 )
Treasury stock, at cost (39,205 )   (39,748 )
Total stockholders’ equity 85,855     89,861  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 149,348     $ 157,921  


NATURAL HEALTH TRENDS CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
  Three Months Ended March 31,
  2019   2018
Net sales $ 19,328     $ 52,367  
Cost of sales 5,224     10,221  
Gross profit 14,104     42,146  
Operating expenses:      
Commissions expense 9,498     22,980  
Selling, general and administrative expenses 7,315     9,122  
Total operating expenses 16,813     32,102  
Income (loss) from operations (2,709 )   10,044  
Other income, net 432     163  
Income (loss) before income taxes (2,277 )   10,207  
Income tax provision (benefit) (354 )   1,383  
Net income (loss) $ (1,923 )   $ 8,824  
Net income (loss) per common share:      
Basic $ (0.17 )   $ 0.78  
Diluted $ (0.17 )   $ 0.78  
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:      
Basic 11,333     11,286  
Diluted 11,333     11,288  


NATURAL HEALTH TRENDS CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)
 
  Three Months Ended March 31,
  2019   2018
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:      
Net income (loss) $ (1,923 )   $ 8,824  
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:      
Depreciation and amortization 93     131  
Noncash lease expense 447      
Changes in assets and liabilities:      
Inventories (192 )   473  
Other current assets (1,159 )   1,548  
Other assets (2 )   (5 )
Accounts payable (174 )   920  
Accrued commissions (3,575 )   (1,119 )
Other accrued expenses (795 )   1,483  
Deferred revenue (3,030 )   (333 )
Amounts held in eWallets (142 )   (466 )
Operating lease liabilities (499 )    
Other current liabilities (241 )   (3 )
Long-term incentive (158 )   (308 )
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (11,350 )   11,145  
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:      
Purchases of property and equipment (46 )   (17 )
Net cash used in investing activities (46 )   (17 )
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:      
Dividends paid (2,736 )   (1,479 )
Net cash used in financing activities (2,736 )   (1,479 )
Effect of exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 248     247  
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (13,884 )   9,896  
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period 135,651     138,478  
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of period $ 121,767     $ 148,374  
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF OTHER CASH FLOW INFORMATION:      
Issuance of treasury stock for employee awards, net $ 377     $ 554  
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities $ 4,462     $  
               

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

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Source: Natural Health Trends Corp.