• | Fourth Quarter net sales of $84.0 million was up 4.9% year-over-year |
• | Net loss of $6.7 million from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders, or $0.35 per common share during the fourth quarter |
• | Fourth quarter Adjusted EBITDA of $0.6 million |
• | Board of Directors approved a $0.10 per share quarterly cash dividend |
• | Net sales of $84.0 million increased 4.9% compared to $80.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2015. On a local currency basis, net sales increased 4.6% as compared to the fourth quarter of 2015. Synergy Asia Pacific delivered 13.7% growth (11.1% in local currency) in net sales as compared to the fourth quarter of 2015. The quarter included incremental net sales of $2.3 million related to China pre-opening product sales through Hong Kong. Net sales were positively impacted by $0.3 million of favorable foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, offset by a $0.4 million decline in net sales in the NSP Americas segment from Latin America. |
• | Net loss from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders was $6.7 million, or $0.35 per common share, compared to net income from continuing operations of $3.7 million, or $0.19 per diluted common share, in the fourth quarter of 2015. The net loss was primarily driven by activities and items related to China. These included incremental infrastructure related expenses that contributed $1.9 million to the operating loss and the recognition of $1.7 million in inventory obsolescence reserves associated with delay and uncertainty surrounding a direct selling launch in China. Primarily related to unfavorable financial results and uncertainty in China, the Company also recorded $3.4 million in non-cash deferred tax asset valuation allowances during the quarter. Additionally, the Company recorded a $1.8 million foreign exchange loss during the quarter. |
• | The Company's net loss in China attributable to common shareholders, including expenses associated with infrastructure and inventory obsolescence reserves during the fourth quarter, was approximately $0.15 per share. The impact of the non-cash deferred tax valuation allowance contributed an additional $0.18 per share loss during the quarter. |
• | Adjusted EBITDA was $0.6 million, compared to $4.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2015. Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, is defined here as net income/loss from continuing operations before income taxes, depreciation, amortization, share-based compensation expense and other income/loss. |
• | Net sales of $341.2 million increased 5.1%, compared to $324.7 million in 2015. On a local currency basis, net sales increased 5.8% compared to 2015. Net sales growth, adjusted for foreign currency fluctuations, was largely driven by a $13.4 million, or 17.6% increase in the Synergy Asia Pacific region and an incremental net sales increase of $10.4 million related to China pre-opening sales through Hong Kong, when compared to 2015. Net sales were negatively impacted by a $2.7 million decline in NSP America sales from Latin America and a $1.3 million decline in net sales in the NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe segment. Additionally, net sales were negatively impacted by $2.4 million of unfavorable foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. |
• | Net income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders was $2.1 million, or $0.11 per diluted common share, compared to $14.7 million, or $0.66 per diluted common share, in 2015. Earnings per diluted common share for 2016 were impacted by several factors primarily relating to China. These included net infrastructure related expenses of $5.2 million and recognition of $1.7 million in inventory obsolescence reserves associated with delay and uncertainty surrounding a direct selling launch in China. Primarily related to unfavorable financial results and uncertainty in China, the Company also recorded $3.4 million in non-cash deferred tax asset valuation allowances during the year. Additionally, the Company recorded a $1.3 million foreign exchange loss during the year. |
• | The Company's net loss in China attributable to common shareholders, including expenses associated with infrastructure and inventory obsolescence reserves during the year, was approximately $0.29 per diluted share. The impact of the non-cash deferred tax valuation allowance contributed an additional $0.18 per diluted share loss during the year. |
• | Adjusted EBITDA was $18.1 million compared to $22.9 million in 2015. |
Net Sales by Operating Segment | ||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended December 31, 2016 | Three Months Ended December 31, 2015 | Percent Change | Impact of Currency Exchange | Percent Change Excluding Impact of Currency | ||||||||||||||||
NSP Americas: | ||||||||||||||||||||
NSP North America | $ | 35,824 | $ | 35,656 | 0.5 | % | $ | (8 | ) | 0.5 | % | |||||||||
NSP Latin America | 6,930 | 7,452 | (7.0 | ) | % | (109 | ) | (5.5 | ) | % | ||||||||||
42,754 | 43,108 | (0.8 | ) | % | (117 | ) | (0.5 | ) | % | |||||||||||
NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe | $ | 6,929 | $ | 6,829 | 1.5 | % | $ | (42 | ) | 2.1 | % | |||||||||
Synergy WorldWide: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Synergy Asia Pacific | 22,844 | 20,100 | 13.7 | % | 506 | 11.1 | % | |||||||||||||
Synergy Europe | 5,227 | 6,359 | (17.8 | ) | % | (93 | ) | (16.3 | ) | % | ||||||||||
Synergy North America | 2,530 | 2,577 | (1.8 | ) | % | — | (1.8 | ) | % | |||||||||||
30,601 | 29,036 | 5.4 | % | 413 | 4.0 | % | ||||||||||||||
China and New Markets | $ | 3,666 | $ | 1,021 | 259.1 | % | $ | — | 259.1 | % | ||||||||||
$ | 83,950 | $ | 79,994 | 4.9 | % | $ | 254 | 4.6 | % |
Net Sales by Operating Segment | ||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | Percent Change | Impact of Currency Exchange | Percent Change Excluding Impact of Currency | ||||||||||||||||
NSP Americas: | ||||||||||||||||||||
NSP North America | $ | 148,048 | $ | 147,017 | 0.7 | % | $ | (404 | ) | ) | 1.0 | % | ||||||||
NSP Latin America | 27,874 | 32,134 | (13.3 | ) | % | (1,550 | ) | ) | (8.4 | ) | % | |||||||||
175,922 | 179,151 | (1.8 | ) | % | (1,954 | ) | ) | (0.7 | ) | % | ||||||||||
NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe | $ | 25,971 | $ | 27,408 | (5.2 | ) | % | $ | (163 | ) | ) | (4.6 | ) | % | ||||||
Synergy WorldWide: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Synergy Asia Pacific | 89,694 | 76,479 | 17.3 | % | (229 | ) | ) | 17.6 | % | |||||||||||
Synergy Europe | 24,328 | 25,829 | (5.8 | ) | % | (68 | ) | ) | (5.5 | ) | % | |||||||||
Synergy North America | 10,771 | 11,773 | (8.5 | ) | % | — | (8.5 | ) | % | |||||||||||
124,793 | 114,081 | 9.4 | % | (297 | ) | ) | 9.7 | % | ||||||||||||
China and New Markets | $ | 14,473 | $ | 4,065 | 256.0 | % | $ | — | 256.0 | % | ||||||||||
$ | 341,159 | $ | 324,705 | 5.1 | % | $ | (2,414 | ) | ) | 5.8 | % |
2016 | 2015 | ||||||||||||||
Distributors & Customers | Managers | Distributors & Customers | Managers | ||||||||||||
NSP Americas | 121,200 | 6,400 | 131,600 | 6,500 | |||||||||||
NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe | 66,700 | 2,800 | 72,000 | 2,800 | |||||||||||
Synergy WorldWide | 53,600 | 3,700 | 60,800 | 3,400 | |||||||||||
China and New Markets | 2,100 | — | — | — | |||||||||||
Total | 243,600 | 12,900 | 264,400 | 12,700 |
(1) | Active Distributors and customers include Nature’s Sunshine Products’ independent Distributors and customers who have purchased products directly from the Company for resale and/or personal consumption during the previous three months ended as of the date indicated. Total Manager, Distributors and Customers, which includes those who have made a purchase in the last twelve months, was 550,000 as of December 31, 2016. |
• | Net cash provided by operating activities was $3.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to $10.2 million provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2015. |
• | Total assets on December 31, 2016 were $205.6 million, compared to $200.5 million on December 31, 2015. |
• | The Company’s Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per share, payable on April 3, 2017, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 22, 2017. Dividend payments were $7.5 million during 2016. |
• | changes in laws and regulations, or their interpretation, applicable to direct selling or the nutritional supplement industry may prohibit or restrict the Company's ability to sell its products in some markets or require the Company to make changes to its business model in some markets; |
• | legal challenges to its direct selling program or to the classification of its independent distributors; |
• | complex legal and regulatory requirements in China, including the failure to obtain the necessary approvals and licenses to engage in direct sales activities in China; |
• | extensive government regulations to which its products, business practices and manufacturing activities are subject; |
• | impact of anti-bribery laws, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act; |
• | the full implementation of its joint venture for operations in China with Fosun Industrial Co., Ltd.; |
• | registration of products for sale in China, or difficulty or increased cost of importing products into China; |
• | its ability to attract and retain independent distributors; |
• | the effect of fluctuating foreign exchange rates; |
• | negative consequences resulting from difficult economic conditions, including the availability of liquidity or the willingness of its customers to purchase products; |
• | geopolitical issues and conflicts; |
• | restrictions on the repatriation of money; |
• | uncertainties relating to the application of transfer pricing, duties, value-added taxes, and other tax regulations, and changes thereto; |
• | changes in tax laws, treaties or regulations, or their interpretation; |
• | taxation relating to its independent distributors; |
• | high levels of inflation in one or more of the countries in which the Company operates; |
• | cyber security threats and exposure to data loss; |
• | reliance on information technology infrastructure; |
• | liabilities and obligations arising from improper activity by its agents, employees or independent distributors; |
• | its relationship with, and its inability to influence the actions of, its independent distributors, and other third parties with whom it does business; |
• | its reliance upon, or the loss or departure of any member of, its senior management team; |
• | challenges in managing rapid growth in China; |
• | the slowing of the Chinese economy; |
• | negative effects from its independent distributor promotions or compensation plans; |
• | risks associated with the manufacturing of the Company's products; |
• | availability and integrity of raw materials; |
• | obsolescence of product inventory; |
• | changing consumer preferences and demands; |
• | the competitive nature of its business and the nutritional supplement industry; |
• | negative publicity related to its products, ingredients, or direct selling organization and the nutritional supplement industry; |
• | product liability claims; |
• | the sufficiency of trademarks and other intellectual property rights; and |
• | reliance on third-parties to distribute its products and provide support services to independent distributors. |
Three Months Ended December 31, | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||
Net sales | $ | 83,950 | $ | 79,994 | ||||||
Cost of sales | (24,327 | ) | (21,753 | ) | ||||||
Gross profit | 59,623 | 58,241 | ||||||||
Operating expenses: | ||||||||||
Volume incentives | 29,558 | 29,156 | ||||||||
Selling, general and administrative | 31,452 | 26,865 | ||||||||
Operating income (loss) | (1,387 | ) | 2,220 | |||||||
Other expense: | (1,730 | ) | (25 | ) | ||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income taxes | (3,117 | ) | 2,195 | |||||||
Provision (benefit) for income taxes | 4,305 | (1,140 | ) | |||||||
Net income (loss) | (7,422 | ) | 3,335 | |||||||
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | (769 | ) | (358 | ) | ||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders | $ | (6,653 | ) | $ | 3,693 | |||||
Basic and diluted net income per common share | ||||||||||
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders: | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders | $ | (0.35 | ) | $ | 0.20 | |||||
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders: | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders | $ | (0.35 | ) | $ | 0.19 | |||||
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding | 18,755 | 18,591 | ||||||||
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding | 18,755 | 19,023 | ||||||||
Dividends declared per common share | $ | 0.10 | $ | 0.10 |
Year Ended December 31, | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||
Net sales | $ | 341,159 | $ | 324,705 | ||||||
Cost of sales | (90,937 | ) | (85,345 | ) | ||||||
Gross profit | 250,222 | 239,360 | ||||||||
Operating expenses: | ||||||||||
Volume incentives | 119,910 | 117,786 | ||||||||
Selling, general and administrative | 120,273 | 107,702 | ||||||||
Operating income | 10,039 | 13,872 | ||||||||
Other expense | (773 | ) | (592 | ) | ||||||
Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes | 9,266 | 13,280 | ||||||||
Provision for income taxes | 8,591 | 1,740 | ||||||||
Net income from continuing operations | 675 | 11,540 | ||||||||
Income from discontinued operations | — | 2,116 | ||||||||
Net income | 675 | 13,656 | ||||||||
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | (1,464 | ) | (1,031 | ) | ||||||
Net income attributable to common shareholders | $ | 2,139 | $ | 14,687 | ||||||
Basic and diluted net income per common share | ||||||||||
Basic earnings per share attributable to common shareholders: | ||||||||||
Net income from continuing operations | $ | 0.11 | $ | 0.67 | ||||||
Income from discontinued operations | $ | — | $ | 0.11 | ||||||
Net income attributable to common shareholders | $ | 0.11 | $ | 0.79 | ||||||
Diluted earnings per share attributable to common shareholders: | ||||||||||
Net income from continuing operations | $ | 0.11 | $ | 0.66 | ||||||
Income from discontinued operations | $ | — | $ | 0.11 | ||||||
Net income attributable to common shareholders | $ | 0.11 | $ | 0.77 | ||||||
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding | 18,731 | 18,656 | ||||||||
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding | 19,056 | 19,177 | ||||||||
Dividends declared per common share | $ | 0.40 | $ | 0.40 |
As of December 31, | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||
Assets | ||||||||||
Current assets: | ||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 32,284 | $ | 41,420 | ||||||
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $205 and $190, respectively | 7,738 | 7,700 | ||||||||
Investments available for sale | 1,776 | 1,772 | ||||||||
Assets held for sale | 521 | — | ||||||||
Inventories | 47,597 | 38,495 | ||||||||
Deferred income tax assets | 5,620 | 5,021 | ||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other | 4,585 | 7,110 | ||||||||
Total current assets | 100,121 | 101,518 | ||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | 73,272 | 68,728 | ||||||||
Investment securities - trading | 1,391 | 1,044 | ||||||||
Intangible assets, net | 976 | 559 | ||||||||
Deferred income tax assets | 15,970 | 17,339 | ||||||||
Other assets | 13,840 | 11,332 | ||||||||
$ | 205,570 | $ | 200,520 | |||||||
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity | ||||||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 5,305 | $ | 6,341 | ||||||
Accrued volume incentives and service fees | 16,264 | 14,913 | ||||||||
Accrued liabilities | 24,400 | 23,726 | ||||||||
Deferred revenue | 3,672 | 4,160 | ||||||||
Revolving credit facility | 9,919 | 2,696 | ||||||||
Income taxes payable | 3,475 | 1,300 | ||||||||
Total current liabilities | 63,035 | 53,136 | ||||||||
Liability related to unrecognized tax benefits | 6,755 | 7,809 | ||||||||
Deferred compensation payable | 1,391 | 1,044 | ||||||||
Other liabilities | 1,991 | 2,266 | ||||||||
Total liabilities | 73,172 | 64,255 | ||||||||
Shareholders’ equity: | ||||||||||
Common stock, no par value; 50,000 shares authorized, 18,757 and 18,588 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2016, and 2015, respectively | 129,654 | 126,670 | ||||||||
Retained earnings | 12,718 | 18,088 | ||||||||
Noncontrolling interests | 1,286 | 2,750 | ||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (11,260 | ) | (11,243 | ) | ||||||
Total shareholders’ equity | 132,398 | 136,265 | ||||||||
$ | 205,570 | $ | 200,520 |
Year Ended December 31, | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||||
Net income | $ | 675 | $ | 13,656 | ||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||||||||||
Impairment of property, plant and equipment, net | 221 | — | ||||||||
Provision for doubtful accounts | 305 | 21 | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 4,808 | 4,525 | ||||||||
Share-based compensation expense | 3,217 | 4,485 | ||||||||
(Gain) loss on sale of property and equipment | 149 | (2,703 | ) | |||||||
Deferred income taxes | 766 | (3,373 | ) | |||||||
Purchase of trading investment securities | (429 | ) | (252 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from sale of trading investment securities | 147 | 239 | ||||||||
Realized and unrealized gains on investments | (63 | ) | (470 | ) | ||||||
Foreign exchange losses | 1,348 | 1,948 | ||||||||
Changes in assets and liabilities: | ||||||||||
Accounts receivable | (343 | ) | (1,091 | ) | ||||||
Inventories | (9,569 | ) | 933 | |||||||
Prepaid expenses and other | 2,442 | 636 | ||||||||
Other assets | (3,025 | ) | (4,010 | ) | ||||||
Accounts payable | (935 | ) | 593 | |||||||
Accrued volume incentives and service fees | 1,477 | (1,427 | ) | |||||||
Accrued liabilities | 1,519 | (3,451 | ) | |||||||
Deferred revenue | (488 | ) | (557 | ) | ||||||
Income taxes payable | 1,924 | (914 | ) | |||||||
Liability related to unrecognized tax positions | (1,076 | ) | 1,368 | |||||||
Deferred compensation payable | 347 | 6 | ||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 3,417 | 10,162 | ||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||||
Purchases of property, plant and equipment | (11,028 | ) | (22,527 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment | — | 3,128 | ||||||||
Purchases of investments available for sale | — | (3 | ) | |||||||
Proceeds from sale/maturities of investments available for sale | 5 | 810 | ||||||||
Purchase of intangible assets | (509 | ) | — | |||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (11,532 | ) | (18,592 | ) | ||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||||
Payments of cash dividends | (7,509 | ) | (7,490 | ) | ||||||
Net borrowings on revolving credit facility | 7,223 | 2,696 | ||||||||
Proceeds from exercise of stock options | — | 3,861 | ||||||||
Repurchase of common stock | — | (6,645 | ) | |||||||
Net cash used in financing activities | (286 | ) | (7,578 | ) | ||||||
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents | (735 | ) | (1,271 | ) | ||||||
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | (9,136 | ) | (17,279 | ) | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year | 41,420 | 58,699 | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year | $ | 32,284 | $ | 41,420 |
Three Months Ended December 31, | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||
Net income (loss) from continuing operations | $ | (7,422 | ) | $ | 3,335 | |||||
Adjustments: | ||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 1,198 | 1,200 | ||||||||
Share-based compensation expense | 805 | 1,209 | ||||||||
Other loss, net* | 1,730 | 25 | ||||||||
Provision (benefit) for income taxes | 4,305 | (1,140 | ) | |||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 616 | $ | 4,629 |
Year Ended December 31, | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||
Net income from continuing operations | $ | 675 | $ | 11,540 | ||||||
Adjustments: | ||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 4,808 | 4,525 | ||||||||
Share-based compensation expense | 3,217 | 4,485 | ||||||||
Other loss, net* | 773 | 592 | ||||||||
Provision for income taxes | 8,591 | 1,740 | ||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 18,064 | $ | 22,882 |