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


  • 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.

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, net11,257  10,455 
Other current assets4,066  2,343 
Total current assets141,244  117,712 
Property and equipment, net1,388  894 
Goodwill1,764  1,764 
Restricted cash2,963  3,166 
Other assets692  616 
Total assets$148,051  $124,152 
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY       
Current liabilities:   
Accounts payable$2,145  $2,862 
Income taxes payable663  379 
Accrued commissions13,611  19,634 
Other accrued expenses14,989  16,703 
Deferred revenue4,948  4,011 
Amounts held in eWallets19,165  16,414 
Other current liabilities1,633  1,510 
Total current liabilities57,154  61,513 
Deferred tax liability268  60 
Long-term incentive8,190  5,770 
Total liabilities65,612  67,343 
Commitments and contingencies   
Stockholders’ equity:   
Preferred stock   
Common stock13  13 
Additional paid-in capital86,574  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’ equity82,439  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 sales11,937  15,073  54,903  54,098 
Gross profit50,375  58,583  232,825  210,762 
Operating expenses:       
Commissions expense21,503  33,155  125,050  126,598 
Selling, general and administrative expenses8,740  11,453  43,245  36,024 
Depreciation and amortization118  82  394  263 
Total operating expenses30,361  44,690  168,689  162,885 
Income from operations20,014  13,893  64,136  47,877 
Other income (expense), net(99) 28  (59) (84)
Income before income taxes19,915  13,921  64,077  47,793 
Income tax provision867  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:         
Basic11,219  12,118  11,382  12,302 
Diluted11,234  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 amortization394  263 
Stock-based compensation104  86 
Cumulative translation adjustment realized in net income132  (82)
Deferred income taxes217  (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 payable303  (115)
Accrued commissions(6,031) 10,840 
Other accrued expenses51  10,714 
Deferred revenue947  1,331 
Amounts held in eWallets2,752  14,350 
Other current liabilities135  25 
Long-term incentive2,420  4,105 
Net cash provided by operating activities53,174  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 equivalents21,007  60,098 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period104,914  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 stock1,741  666 

 


            

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