Natural Health Trends Reports First Quarter 2017 Financial Results

• Expanded operating income margin to 21.7%
• Increased quarterly dividend 11% to $0.10 per share
• Declared special dividend of $0.35 per share

LOS ANGELES, April 27, 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 quarter ended March 31, 2017.

First Quarter 2017 Financial Highlights

• Total revenue decreased 19% to $59.9 million, compared to $74.3 million in the first quarter of 2016.
  
  
  • Revenue from the Company’s Hong Kong operations, which represented 91% of total revenue, decreased 20% to $54.6 million, compared to $68.2 million in the first quarter of 2016.
    
    
  • Outside of Hong Kong, revenue in China decreased 47% year-over-year and was offset by increases in North America and Europe of 37% and 297% year-over-year, respectively.
    
    
• Operating income decreased 7% to $13.0 million, compared to $14.0 million in the first quarter of 2016. As a percent of total revenue, operating income was 21.7%, compared to 18.8% in the first quarter of 2016.
  
  
• Net income was $10.4 million, or $0.93 per diluted share, compared to $11.3 million, or $0.95 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2016.
  
  
• The number of Active Members¹ decreased 4% to 113,710 at March 31, 2017, compared to 118,960 at December 31, 2016, and decreased 5% compared to 119,800 at March 31, 2016.

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

“Our first quarter 2017 revenue declined year-over-year as we are still working to overcome the slowdown we have been experiencing since the third quarter of 2016,” commented Chris Sharng, President of Natural Health Trends Corp. “We also moved our first half major event from early January in prior years, to March this year, making the year-over-year comparison challenging. In addition, the stronger dollar made our products more expensive for our Chinese consumers. Partially offsetting the factors affecting our top-line was heightened productivity in March, following our successful Ambassador Academy in Macau, which attracted over 6,000 members and guests. We were very pleased with the record turnout after moving the event to after the Chinese New Year, which we believe will improve the member experience longer-term.”

Mr. Sharng further commented, “Our strong balance sheet and working capital management afford us the ability to focus on our growth initiatives while simultaneously returning capital to our valued stockholders. I am pleased to announce our Board of Directors declared a special dividend in the amount of $0.35 per share as well as an 11% increase in our quarterly dividend to $0.10 per share, compared to the prior quarter.  While it will take time for the results of our strategic initiatives to bear fruit, we are confident in our ability to attract, motivate and retain a strong member base as well as to expand our product offering into new geographies and categories.”

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

• Net cash provided by operating activities in the first quarter of 2017 was $13.8 million, consistent with the first quarter of 2016.
   
• On April 24, 2017, the Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.10 per share on outstanding common stock, which represents an 11% 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 May 19, 2017 to stockholders of record as of May 9, 2017. 

First Quarter 2017 Financial Results Conference Call

Management will host a conference call to discuss the first quarter 2017 financial results today, Thursday, April 27, 2017 at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The conference call details are as follows:

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 April 27, 2017 through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 11, 2017 by dialing 1-844-512-2921 (domestic) and 1-412-317-6671 (international) and referencing the replay pin number: 13657892.

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 10, 2017 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.