Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q10-Q

(Mark One)

þ

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017

OR
2022

or

o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ______ to _______

Commission File Number: 001-36849

NATURAL HEALTH TRENDS CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

59-2705336

Delaware59-2705336

(State or other jurisdiction of

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

Identification No.)

609 Deep Valley Drive
Suite 395
Rolling Hills Estates, California 90274

Units 1205-07, 12F

Mira Place Tower A

132 Nathan Road

,

Tsimshatsui

Kowloon

, Hong Kong

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (310) 541-0888

+852-3107-0800

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share

NHTC

The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one): 

Large accelerated filero

Accelerated filerþ

Non-accelerated filero

Smaller reporting companyo

 

Emerging growth companyo

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o No þ

At October 27, 2017,July 29, 2022, the number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock was 11,341,89011,422,539 shares.



NATURAL HEALTH TRENDS CORP.

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

September

June 30, 2017

2022

INDEX 

Page

Page




FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, in particular “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). When used in this report, the words or phrases “will likely result,” “expect,” “intend,” “will continue,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “believe” and similar expressions are intended to identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Exchange Act. These statements represent our expectations or beliefs concerning, among other things, future revenue, earnings, growth strategies, new products and initiatives, future operations and operating results, and future business and market opportunities.

Forward-looking statements in this report speak only as of the date hereof, and forward-looking statements in documents incorporated by reference speak only as of the date of those documents. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. We caution and advise readers that these statements are based on certain assumptions that may not be realized and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations and beliefs contained herein.

For a summary of certain risks related to our business, see “Item“Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, which includes the following:

We could be adversely affected by management changes or an inability to attract and retain key management, directors and consultants;

Because our Hong Kong operations account for a substantial portion of our overall business, and substantially all of our Hong Kong business is derived from the sale of products to members in China, any material adverse change in our business relating to either Hong Kong or China would likely have a material adverse impact on our overall business;

Epidemics, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, or natural disasters, terrorist attacks or acts of war may seriously harm our business;

Our Hong Kong operations are being adversely affected by recent political and social developments in Hong Kong, and the negative impact on our operations and financial performance could continue or intensify;

We experienced negative operating cash flows during the year ended December 31, 2019, and only modest positive operating cash flows during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. Unless our operating cash flows improve, this negative financial performance could have a material adverse effect on our business and our stock price;
Adverse publicity associated with our products, ingredients or network marketing program, or those of similar companies, could harm our financial condition and operating results;

We are subject to risks relating to product concentration and lack of revenue diversification;

The high level of competition in our industry could adversely affect our business;

Failure of new products to gain member and market acceptance could harm our business;

We rely on a limited number of independent third parties to manufacture and supply our products on a timely basis;

Growth may be impeded by the political and economic risks of entering and operating in foreign markets;
Failure to maintain effective internal controls in accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 could negatively impact our business and the market price of our common stock;
We could be adversely affected by management changes or an inability to attract and retain key management, directors and consultants;
Our recent loss of a significant number of members is adversely affecting our business, and if we cannot stabilize or increase the number of members our business could be further negatively impacted;
Although virtually all of our members are independent contractors, improper member actions that violate laws or regulations could harm our business;
An increase in the amount of compensation paid to members would reduce profitability;

We may be held responsible for certain taxes or assessments relating to the activities of our members and service providers, which could harm our financial condition and operating results;
Our business in China is subject to compliance with a myriad of applicable laws and regulations, and any actual or alleged violations of those laws or government actions otherwise directed at us could have a material adverse impact on our business and the value of our company;
Changes in government trade and economic policies, including the imposition or threatened imposition of tariffs and other restrictive trade policies, and ongoing political and economic disputes between the United States and other jurisdictions, particularly China, may have a negative effect on global economic conditions and our business, financial results and financial condition;

Direct-selling laws and regulations may prohibit or severely restrict our direct sales efforts and cause our revenue and profitability to decline, and regulators could adopt new regulations that harm our business;

Our business is subject to a variety of laws, regulations and other obligations regarding privacy, data protection and information security. Any actual or perceived failure by us or our third-party vendors to comply with such laws, regulations or other obligations could materially adversely affect our business;

Challenges by third parties to the legality of our business operations could harm our business;

We have in the past been involved in, and may in the future face, lawsuits, claims, and governmental proceedings and inquiries that could harm our business;

Currency exchange rate fluctuations could lower our revenue and net income;

Changes in tax or duty laws, and unanticipated tax or duty liabilities, could adversely affect our net income;

Transfer pricing regulations affect our business and results of operations;

Our products and related activities are subject to extensive government regulation, which could delay, limit or prevent the sale of some of our products in some markets;

New regulations governing the marketing and sale of nutritional supplements could harm our business;

Regulations governing the production and marketing of our personal care products could harm our business;

If we are found not to be in compliance with good manufacturing practices our operations could be harmed;

Failure to comply with domestic and foreign laws and regulations governing product claims and advertising could harm our business;

We are subject to anti-bribery laws, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act;

We do not have a comprehensive product liability insurance program and product liability claims could hurt our business;


Our operations in China are subject to compliance with a myriad of applicable laws and regulations, and any actual or alleged violations of those laws or government actions otherwise directed at us could have a material adverse impact on our business and the value of our company;
Our failure to maintain and expand our member relationships could adversely affect our business;
We are currently being sued in three lawsuits alleging, among other things, that we made materially false and misleading statements regarding the legality of our business operations in China;
We are currently involved in, and may in the future face, litigation claims and governmental proceedings and inquiries that could harm our business;
Although our members are independent contractors, improper member actions that violate laws or regulations could harm our business;
Direct-selling laws and regulations may prohibit or severely restrict our direct sales efforts and cause our revenue and profitability to decline, and regulators could adopt new regulations that harm our business;
The high level of competition in our industry could adversely affect our business;
Challenges by third parties to the legality of our business operations could harm our business;
An increase in the amount of compensation paid to members would reduce profitability;
Currency exchange rate fluctuations could lower our revenue and net income;
Changes in tax or duty laws, and unanticipated tax or duty liabilities, could adversely affect our net income;
Transfer pricing regulations affect our business and results of operations;
Our products and related activities are subject to extensive government regulation, which could delay, limit or prevent the sale of some of our products in some markets;
Failure of new products to gain member and market acceptance could harm our business;
New regulations governing the marketing and sale of nutritional supplements could harm our business;
Regulations governing the production and marketing of our personal care products could harm our business;
If we are found not to be in compliance with good manufacturing practices our operations could be harmed;


Failure to comply with domestic and foreign laws and regulations governing product claims and advertising could harm our business;
Adverse publicity associated with our products, ingredients or network marketing program, or those of similar companies, could harm our financial condition and operating results;
We are subject to risks relating to product concentration and lack of revenue diversification;
We rely on a limited number of independent third parties to manufacture and supply our products;
Growth may be impeded by the political and economic risks of entering and operating foreign markets;
We may be held responsible for certain taxes or assessments relating to the activities of our members, which could harm our financial condition and operating results;
We may be unable to protect or use our intellectual property rights;
We do not have a comprehensive product liability insurance program and product liability claims could hurt our business;
Our internal controls and accounting methods may require modification;
If we fail to achieve and maintain an effective system of internal controls in the future, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud. As a result, investors may lose confidence in our financial reporting;
We rely on and are subject to risks associated with our reliance upon information technology systems;
System failures and attacks could harm our business;
Terrorist attacks, cyber-attacks, acts of war, epidemics or other communicable diseases or any other natural disasters may seriously harm our business;
Because our systems, software and data reside on third-party servers, our access could be temporarily or permanently interrupted;
We may experience substantial negative cash flows, which may have a significant adverse effect on our business and could threaten our solvency;
If we experience negative cash flows, we may need to seek additional debt or equity financing, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all. If available, it could have a highly dilutive effect on the holdings of existing stockholders;
Disappointing quarterly revenue or operating results could cause the price of our common stock to fall;
Our common stock is particularly subject to volatility because of the industry in which we operate;
Our common stock continues to experience wide fluctuations in trading volumes and prices. This may make it more difficult for holders of our common stock to sell shares when they want and at prices they find attractive; and
Future sales by us or our existing stockholders could depress the market price of our common stock.

We may be unable to protect or use our intellectual property rights;

We rely on and are subject to risks associated with our reliance upon information technology systems;

System disruptions or failures, cybersecurity risks, and compromises of data, or the failure to comply with related laws and regulations, could harm our business;

Our systems, software and data reside on third-party servers, exposing us to risks that disruption or intrusion of those servers could temporarily or permanently interrupt our access and damage our business;

Our common stock is particularly subject to volatility because of the industry and markets in which we operate; and

Our common stock continues to experience wide fluctuations in trading volumes and prices. This may make it more difficult for holders of our common stock to sell shares when they want and at prices they find attractive.

Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements are set forth in this report, including under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and in our financial statements and the related notes.




PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NATURAL HEALTH TRENDS CORP.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share data)Thousands, Except Share Data)

  

June 30, 2022

  

December 31, 2021

 
  

(Unaudited)

     

ASSETS

        

Current assets:

        

Cash and cash equivalents

 $75,633  $83,843 

Inventories

  5,193   5,257 

Other current assets

  3,408   4,369 

Total current assets

  84,234   93,469 

Property and equipment, net

  430   463 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

  2,460   3,021 

Restricted cash

  78   522 

Deferred tax asset

  289   309 

Other assets

  541   571 

Total assets

 $88,032  $98,355 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

        

Current liabilities:

        

Accounts payable

 $758  $761 

Income taxes payable

  2,987   1,345 

Accrued commissions

  3,096   3,636 

Other accrued expenses

  1,789   1,933 

Deferred revenue

  6,692   8,536 

Amounts held in eWallets

  5,441   6,341 

Operating lease liabilities

  1,131   1,239 

Other current liabilities

  850   865 

Total current liabilities

  22,744   24,656 

Income taxes payable

  9,098   12,130 

Deferred tax liability

  153   153 

Operating lease liabilities

  1,489   1,928 

Total liabilities

  33,484   38,867 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)

          

Stockholders’ equity:

        

Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding

  0   0 

Common stock, $0.001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 12,979,414 shares issued at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021

  13   13 

Additional paid-in capital

  86,102   86,102 

Accumulated deficit

  (4,723)  (231)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

  (940)  (492)

Treasury stock, at cost; 1,556,875 shares at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021

  (25,904)  (25,904)

Total stockholders’ equity

  54,548   59,488 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 $88,032  $98,355 
 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
 (Unaudited)  
ASSETS   
Current assets:   
Cash and cash equivalents$126,953
 $125,921
Inventories10,632
 11,257
Other current assets2,961
 4,066
Total current assets140,546
 141,244
Property and equipment, net1,225
 1,388
Goodwill1,764
 1,764
Restricted cash3,092
 2,963
Other assets772
 692
Total assets$147,399
 $148,051
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   
Current liabilities:   
Accounts payable$1,023
 $2,145
Income taxes payable1,064
 663
Accrued commissions10,443
 13,611
Other accrued expenses8,545
 14,989
Deferred revenue3,568
 4,948
Amounts held in eWallets16,178
 19,165
Other current liabilities1,705
 1,633
Total current liabilities42,526
 57,154
Deferred tax liability285
 268
Long-term incentive6,730
 8,190
Total liabilities49,541
 65,612
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)

 

Stockholders’ equity:   
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding
 
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 12,979,414 shares issued at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 201613
 13
Additional paid-in capital86,674
 86,574
Retained earnings52,457
 38,548
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(716) (807)
Treasury stock, at cost; 1,637,524 and 1,692,218 shares at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively(40,570) (41,889)
Total stockholders’ equity97,858
 82,439
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$147,399
 $148,051

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

1


NATURAL HEALTH TRENDS CORP. 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

(In thousands, except per share data)Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

  

Three Months Ended June 30,

  

Six Months Ended June 30,

 
  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

 

Net sales

 $13,360  $16,152  $24,906  $29,621 

Cost of sales

  3,392   3,934   6,300   7,189 

Gross profit

  9,968   12,218   18,606   22,432 

Operating expenses:

                

Commissions expense

  5,767   6,927   10,507   12,441 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

  3,986   4,906   8,267   9,386 

Total operating expenses

  9,753   11,833   18,774   21,827 

Income (loss) from operations

  215   385   (168)  605 

Other income (expense), net

  175   (59)  285   (39)

Income before income taxes

  390   326   117   566 

Income tax provision

  207   97   39   184 

Net income

 $183  $229  $78  $382 

Net income per common share:

                

Basic

 $0.02  $0.02  $0.01  $0.03 

Diluted

 $0.02  $0.02  $0.01  $0.03 

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

                

Basic

  11,346   10,968   11,300   10,921 

Diluted

  11,424   11,424   11,424   11,424 
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Net sales$40,132
 $70,679
 $151,471
 $225,416
Cost of sales8,183
 13,627
 29,221
 42,966
Gross profit31,949
 57,052
 122,250
 182,450
Operating expenses:       
Commissions expense15,802
 30,578
 63,842
 103,547
Selling, general and administrative expenses7,495
 11,170
 23,621
 34,505
Depreciation and amortization138
 96
 414
 276
Total operating expenses23,435
 41,844
 87,877
 138,328
Income from operations8,514
 15,208
 34,373
 44,122
Other (expense) income, net(12) 48
 224
 40
Income before income taxes8,502
 15,256
 34,597
 44,162
Income tax provision1,164
 2,699
 6,531
 8,124
Net income$7,338
 $12,557
 $28,066
 $36,038
Net income per common share:       
Basic$0.65
 $1.12
 $2.50
 $3.15
Diluted$0.65
 $1.12
 $2.49
 $3.14
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:       
Basic11,258
 11,209
 11,244
 11,437
Diluted11,276
 11,232
 11,269
 11,463
Cash dividends declared per common share$0.36
 $0.07
 $1.25
 $0.18

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 


NATURAL HEALTH TRENDS CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED)

(In thousands)Thousands)

  

Three Months Ended June 30,

  

Six Months Ended June 30,

 
  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

 

Net income

 $183  $229  $78  $382 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

                

Foreign currency translation adjustment

  (256)  96   (461)  (86)

Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities

  36   16   13   9 

Comprehensive income (loss)

 $(37) $341  $(370) $305 
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Net income$7,338
 $12,557
 $28,066
 $36,038
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:       
Foreign currency translation adjustment196
 (54) 359
 (329)
Release of cumulative translation adjustment
 
 (258) 132
Net change in foreign currency translation adjustment196
 (54) 101
 (197)
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities(5) (11) (10) (4)
Comprehensive income$7,529
 $12,492
 $28,157
 $35,837

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 


NATURAL HEALTH TRENDS CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWSSTOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

(In thousands)Thousands, Except Share Data)

Six months ended June 30, 2022

                          

Accumulated

             
                  

Additional

      

Other

             
  

Preferred Stock

  

Common Stock

  

Paid-In

  

Accumulated

  

Comprehensive

  

Treasury Stock

     
  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Capital

  

Deficit

  

Loss

  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Total

 
                                         

BALANCE, December 31, 2021

  0  $0   12,979,414  $13  $86,102  $(231) $(492)  (1,556,875) $(25,904) $59,488 

Net loss

     0      0   0   (105)  0      0   (105)

Dividends declared, $0.20/share

     0      0   0   (2,285)  0      0   (2,285)

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     0      0   0   0   (205)     0   (205)

Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities

     0      0   0   0   (23)     0   (23)

BALANCE, March 31, 2022

  0   0   12,979,414   13   86,102   (2,621)  (720)  (1,556,875)  (25,904)  56,870 

Net income

     0      0   0   183   0      0   183 

Dividends declared, $0.20/share

     0      0   0   (2,285)  0      0   (2,285)

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     0      0   0   0   (256)     0   (256)

Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities

     0      0   0   0   36      0   36 

BALANCE, June 30, 2022

  0  $0   12,979,414  $13  $86,102  $(4,723) $(940)  (1,556,875) $(25,904) $54,548 

Six months ended June 30, 2021

                          

Accumulated

             
                  

Additional

      

Other

             
  

Preferred Stock

  

Common Stock

  

Paid-In

  

Retained

  

Comprehensive

  

Treasury Stock

     
  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Capital

  

Earnings

  

Loss

  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Total

 

BALANCE, December 31, 2020

  0  $0   12,979,414  $13  $86,102  $7,822  $(336)  (1,556,875) $(25,904) $67,697 

Net income

     0      0   0   153   0      0   153 

Dividends declared, $0.20/share

     0      0   0   (2,285)  0      0   (2,285)

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     0      0   0   0   (182)     0   (182)

Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities

     0      0   0   0   (7)     0   (7)

BALANCE, March 31, 2021

  0   0   12,979,414   13   86,102   5,690   (525)  (1,556,875)  (25,904)  65,376 

Net income

     0      0   0   229   0      0   229 

Dividends declared, $0.20/share

     0      0   0   (2,285)  0       0   (2,285)

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     0      0   0   0   96      0   96 

Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities

     0      0   0   0   16      0   16 

BALANCE, June 30, 2021

  0  $0   12,979,414  $13  $86,102  $3,634  $(413)  (1,556,875) $(25,904) $63,432 
 Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2017 2016
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:   
Net income$28,066
 $36,038
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:   
Depreciation and amortization414
 276
Stock-based compensation26
 94
Cumulative translation adjustment realized in net income(258) 132
Changes in assets and liabilities:   
Inventories590
 (4,382)
Other current assets1,164
 (1,244)
Other assets(61) (91)
Accounts payable(1,121) 252
Income taxes payable392
 278
Accrued commissions(3,143) (1,045)
Other accrued expenses(5,064) 3,459
Deferred revenue(1,364) 222
Amounts held in eWallets(2,856) 3,098
Other current liabilities51
 26
Long-term incentive(1,498) (825)
Net cash provided by operating activities15,338
 36,288
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:   
Purchases of property and equipment(238) (679)
Net cash used in investing activities(238) (679)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:   
Repurchase of common stock
 (23,704)
Dividends paid(14,157) (2,049)
Net cash used in financing activities(14,157) (25,753)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents89
 (270)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents1,032
 9,586
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period125,921
 104,914
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period$126,953
 $114,500
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF OTHER CASH FLOW INFORMATION:   
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds$5,690
 $7,994
Issuance of treasury stock for employee awards, net$1,393
 $1,741

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

4


NATURAL HEALTH TRENDS CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(In Thousands)

  

Six Months Ended June 30,

 
  

2022

  

2021

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

        

Net income

 $78  $382 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

        

Depreciation and amortization

  106   156 

Noncash lease expense

  599   594 

Deferred income taxes

  12   24 

Changes in assets and liabilities:

        

Inventories

  7   53 

Other current assets

  1,002   (117)

Other assets

  1   65 

Accounts payable

  2   446 

Income taxes payable

  (1,390)  (1,376)

Accrued commissions

  (531)  (37)

Other accrued expenses

  (132)  (66)

Deferred revenue

  (1,788)  2,629 

Amounts held in eWallets

  (862)  (1,186)

Operating lease liabilities

  (600)  (629)

Other current liabilities

  (4)  (390)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

  (3,500)  548 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

        

Purchases of property and equipment

  (78)  (147)

Net cash used in investing activities

  (78)  (147)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

        

Dividends paid

  (4,570)  (4,570)

Net cash used in financing activities

  (4,570)  (4,570)

Effect of exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

  (506)  (86)

Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

  (8,654)  (4,255)

CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period

  84,365   92,892 

CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of period

 $75,711  $88,637 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF OTHER CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

        

Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities

 $77  $400 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

NATURAL HEALTH TRENDS CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)


1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND CONSOLIDATION


Nature of Operations

Natural Health Trends Corp. (the “Company”), a Delaware corporation (whether or not including its subsidiaries, the “Company”), is an international direct-selling and e-commerce company headquartered in Rolling Hills Estates, California.company. Subsidiaries controlled by the Company sell personal care, wellness, and “quality of life” products under the “NHT Global” brand.

The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries have an active physical presence in the following markets: the Americas, which consists of the United States, Canada, Cayman Islands, Mexico and Peru; Greater China, which consists of Hong Kong, Taiwan and China; Southeast Asia, which consists of Malaysia, Singapore Malaysia and Vietnam;Thailand; South Korea; Japan; India; and Europe. The Company also operates in Russia and Kazakhstan through an engagement with a local service provider.


Basis of Presentation

The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q10-Q and Rule 10-0110-01 of Regulation S-X.S-X. As a result, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s financial information for the interim periods presented. The results of operations of any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the fiscal year. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s 20162021 Annual Report on Form 10-K10-K filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 10, 2017.


February 25, 2022.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.


2. ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In November 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows - Restricted Cash, that requires amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The new standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, that simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The new standard was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those annual years, and early adoption was permitted. The Company adopted this guidance as of the quarter ended March 31, 2017. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases, that requires organizations that lease assets, referred to as “lessees”, to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases with lease terms of more than 12 months. ASU 2016-02 will also require disclosures to help investors and other financial statement users better understand the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases and will include qualitative and quantitative requirements. The new standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those annual years, and early application is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.


In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. Under this guidance, entities are required to present deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. This guidance was effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. Entities were permitted to adopt this guidance either prospectively or retrospectively. The Company elected to early adopt this guidance prospectively as of the quarter ended December 31, 2016.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Inventory: Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. Under this guidance, inventory not measured using either the last in, first out (LIFO) or the retail inventory method are to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. 

Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable cost of completion, disposal, and transportation.  The new standard was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this guidance as of the quarter ended March 31, 2017. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.


In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue From Contracts With Customers, that outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. ASU 2014-09 is based on the principle that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.  It also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to fulfill a contract.  Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach for the adoption of the new standard.  In July 2015, the FASB approved the deferral of the effective date for annual reporting periods that begin after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Other recently issued accounting pronouncements did not or are not believed by management to have a material impact on the Company’s present or future financial statements.

3. NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE

Income Per Common Share

Diluted net income per common share is determined using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, adjusted for the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents. The dilutive effect of non-vested restricted stock is reflected by application of the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, the amount of compensation cost for future service that the Company has not yet recognized, and the amount of tax benefit that would be recorded in additional paid-in capital when the award becomes deductible areif any, is assumed to be used to repurchase shares.


The following tables illustratetable illustrates the computation of basic and diluted net income per common share for the periods indicated (in thousands, except per share data):

  

Three Months Ended June 30,

 
  

2022

  

2021

 
  

Income (Numerator)

  

Shares (Denominator)

  

Per Share Amount

  

Income (Numerator)

  

Shares (Denominator)

  

Per Share Amount

 

Basic net income per common share:

                        

Net income available to common stockholders

 $183   11,346  $0.02  $229   10,968  $0.02 

Effect of dilutive securities:

                        

Non-vested restricted stock

  0   78       0   456     

Diluted net income per common share:

                        

Net income available to common stockholders plus assumed conversions

 $183   11,424  $0.02  $229   11,424  $0.02 

  

Six Months Ended June 30,

 
  

2022

  

2021

 
  

Income (Numerator)

  

Shares (Denominator)

  

Per Share Amount

  

Income (Numerator)

  

Shares (Denominator)

  

Per Share Amount

 

Basic net income per common share:

                        

Net income available to common stockholders

 $78   11,300  $0.01  $382   10,921  $0.03 

Effect of dilutive securities:

                        

Non-vested restricted stock

  0   124       0   503     

Diluted net income per common share:

                        

Net income available to common stockholders plus assumed conversions

 $78   11,424  $0.01  $382   11,424  $0.03 

6
 Three Months Ended September 30,
 2017 2016
 
Income
(Numerator)
 
Shares
(Denominator)
 Per Share Amount 
Income
(Numerator)
 
Shares
(Denominator)
 Per Share Amount
Basic net income per common share:           
Net income available to common stockholders$7,338
 11,258
 $0.65
 $12,557
 11,209
 $1.12
Effect of dilutive securities:           
Non-vested restricted stock
 18
  
 
 23
  
Diluted net income per common share:           
Net income available to common stockholders plus assumed conversions$7,338
 11,276
 $0.65
 $12,557
 11,232
 $1.12




 Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2017 2016
 
Income
(Numerator)
 
Shares
(Denominator)
 Per Share Amount 
Income
(Numerator)
 
Shares
(Denominator)
 Per Share Amount
Basic net income per common share:           
Net income available to common stockholders$28,066
 11,244
 $2.50
 $36,038
 11,437
 $3.15
Effect of dilutive securities:           
Non-vested restricted stock
 25
  
 
 26
  
Diluted net income per common share:           
Net income available to common stockholders plus assumed conversions$28,066
 11,269
 $2.49
 $36,038
 11,463
 $3.14


Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13,Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which introduced an expected credit loss model for the impairment of financial assets measured at amortized cost basis and added Topic 326 to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”). In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-11,Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses. The amendments to ASU 2019-11 clarify, correct and make improvements to Topic 326. ASU 2016-13 as well as the updates in ASU 2019-11 are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2022, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

Other recently issued accounting pronouncements did not or are not believed by management to have a material impact on the Company’s present or future financial statements.

4.

2. REVENUE

Revenue Recognition

All revenue is recognized when the performance obligations under a contract, including any product vouchers sold on a stand-alone basis in Hong Kong, are satisfied. Product sales are recognized when the products are shipped and title passes to independent members. Product sales to members are made pursuant to a member agreement that provides for transfer of both title and risk of loss upon the Company’s delivery to the carrier that completes delivery to the members, which is commonly referred to as “F.O.B. Shipping Point.” The Company’s sales arrangements do not contain right of inspection or customer acceptance provisions other than general rights of return. These contracts are generally short-term in nature.

Actual product returns are recorded as a reduction to net sales. The Company estimates and accrues a reserve for product returns based on its return policies and historical experience. The reserve is based upon the return policy of each country, which varies from 14 days to one year, and their historical return rates, which range from 1% to 8% of sales.  Sales returns were 1% of sales for each of the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021No material changes in estimates have been recognized during the periods presented. See Note 3 for additional information.

The Company has elected to account for shipping and handling activities performed after title has passed to members as a fulfillment cost, and accrues for the costs of shipping and handling if revenue is recognized before the contractually obligated shipping and handling activities occurs. Shipping charges billed to members are included in net sales. Costs associated with shipments are included in cost of sales. Event and training revenue is deferred and recognized as the event or training occurs. Costs of events and member training are included within selling, general and administrative expenses.

Various taxes on the sale of products to members are collected by the Company as an agent and remitted to the respective taxing authority. These taxes are presented on a net basis and recorded as a liability until remitted to the respective taxing authority.

Deferred Revenue

The Company primarily receives payment by credit card at the time members place orders. Amounts received for unshipped product orders and unredeemed product vouchers are considered a contract liability and are recorded as deferred revenue. The decrease in deferred revenue from December 31, 2021 to June 30, 2022 is primarily due to $5.3 million of revenue recognized during the six��months ended June 30, 2022 that was included in deferred revenue as of December 31,2021 offset by $3.5 million of cash received for unshipped product orders and unredeemed vouchers during the six months ended June 30, 2022. See Note 3 for additional information.

Disaggregation of Revenue

The Company sells products to a member network that operates in a seamless manner from market to market, except for the Chinese market where it sells to consumers through an e-commerce retail platform and the Russia and Kazakhstan market where the Company operates through an engagement of a third-party service provider. See Note 11 for revenue by market information.

7

The Company’s net sales by product and service are as follows (in thousands):

  

Three Months Ended June 30,

  

Six Months Ended June 30,

 
  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

 

Product sales

 $12,033  $14,565  $22,355  $26,596 

Administrative fees, freight and other

  1,373   1,699   2,630   3,253 

Less: sales returns

  (46)  (112)  (79)  (228)

Total net sales

 $13,360  $16,152  $24,906  $29,621 

Concentration

NaN single market other than Hong Kong had net sales greater than 10% of total net sales. Sales are made to the Company’s members and 0 single customer accounted for 10% or more of net sales for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021. However, the Company’s business model can result in a concentration of sales to several different members and their network of members. Although no single member accounted for 10% or more of net sales, the loss of a key member or that member’s network could have an adverse effect on the Company’s net sales and financial results.

Arrangements with Multiple Performance Obligations

The Company’s contracts with customers may include multiple performance obligations. For such arrangements, the Company allocates revenues to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. The Company generally determines standalone selling prices based on the prices charged for individual products to similar customers.

Practical Expedients

The Company generally expenses sales commissions when incurred because the amortization period would have been one year or less. These costs are recorded in commissions expense.

The Company does not provide certain disclosures about unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with an original expected length of one year or less.

8

3. BALANCE SHEET COMPONENTS


The components of certain balance sheet amounts are as follows (in thousands):

  

June 30, 2022

  

December 31, 2021

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash:

        

Cash

 $15,046  $17,281 

Cash equivalents

  60,587   66,562 
   75,633   83,843 

Restricted cash

  78   522 
  $75,711  $84,365 

Inventories:

        

Finished goods

 $4,309  $4,476 

Raw materials

  952   873 

Reserve for obsolescence

  (68)  (92)
  $5,193  $5,257 

Other accrued expenses:

        

Sales returns

 $92  $137 

Employee-related expense

  742   988 

Warehousing, inventory-related and other

  955   808 
  $1,789  $1,933 

Deferred revenue:

        

Unshipped product and unredeemed product vouchers

 $4,772  $6,525 

Auto ship advances

  1,832   1,901 

Other

  88   110 
  $6,692  $8,536 

 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
Cash and cash equivalents:   
Cash$53,536
 $52,453
Cash equivalents73,417
 73,468
 $126,953
 $125,921
Other accrued expenses:   
Sales returns$574
 $1,632
Employee-related6,236
 10,541
Warehousing, inventory-related and other1,735
 2,816
 $8,545
 $14,989


5.

4. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS


As of SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2022, cash and cash equivalents include the Company’s investments in money market funds, government and municipal debt securities, comprising municipal notes and bonds and corporate debt money market funds and time deposits.securities. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased and have insignificant interest rate risk to be cash equivalents.  Debt securities classified as cash equivalents are required to be accounted for in accordance with the FASB ASC 320,Investments - Debt and Equity Securities. As such, the Company determined its investments in debt securities held at SeptemberJune 30, 20172022 should be classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported in accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity. The cost of debt securities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and discounts to maturity. This amortization is included in other income.income (expense). Realized gains and losses, as well as interest income, are also included in other income.income (expense). The fair values of securities are based on quoted market prices.


prices to the extent available or alternative pricing sources and models utilizing market observable inputs.

The carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents and accounts payable, approximate fair value because of their short maturities. The carrying amount of the noncurrent restricted cash approximates fair value since, absent the restrictions, the underlying assets would be included in cash and cash equivalents. The Company’s cash equivalents are valued based on level 1 inputs which consist of quoted prices in active markets.

Accounting standards permit companies, at their option, to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value.  The Company has elected to not fair value existing eligible items.

9




Available-for-sale investments

Investments by significant category included in cash equivalents at the end of each period were as follows (in thousands):

 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
 Adjusted Cost 
Gross Unrealized Gains
(Losses)
 Fair Value Adjusted Cost Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value
Municipal bonds and notes$2,751
 $1
 $2,752
 $43,490
 $
 $43,490
Corporate debt securities24,194
 (13) 24,181
 1,673
 (2) 1,671
Financial institution instruments46,484
 
 46,484
 28,307
 
 28,307
Total available-for-sale investments$73,429
 $(12) $73,417
 $73,470
 $(2) $73,468

   

June 30, 2022

  

December 31, 2021

 
 

Fair Value Level1

 

Adjusted Cost

  

Gross Unrealized Losses

  

Fair Value

  

Adjusted Cost

  

Gross Unrealized Losses

  

Fair Value

 

Money market funds

Level 1 $28,282  $0  $28,282  $20,711  $0  $20,711 

Government and municipal debt securities

Level 2

  29,814   (4)  29,810   14,006   (2)  14,004 

Corporate debt securities

Level 2

  2,496   (1)  2,495   31,863   (16)  31,847 

Total investments

 $60,592  $(5) $60,587  $66,580  $(18) $66,562 


1FASB Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements, establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires the use of observable market data, when available, and prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value in the following categories:

Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2: Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

 
Financial institution instruments include instruments issued or managed by financial institutions such as money market fund deposits

5. LEASES

The Company leases 7,300 square feet of office space in Hong Kong and time deposits.


6. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Dividends
The following table summarizes the Company’s cash dividend activity4,900 square feet of office space in Rolling Hills Estates, California for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands, except per share data):
Declaration Date Per Share Amount Record Date Payment Date
July 31, 2017 (special) $0.25
 $2,833
 August 21, 2017 August 31, 2017
July 31, 2017 0.11
 1,246
 August 21, 2017 August 31, 2017
April 24, 2017 (special) 0.35
 3,964
 May 9, 2017 May 19, 2017
April 24, 2017 0.10
 1,133
 May 9, 2017 May 19, 2017
January 24, 2017 (special) 0.35
 3,962
 February 21, 2017 March 3, 2017
January 24, 2017 0.09
 1,019
 February 21, 2017 March 3, 2017
  $1.25
 $14,157
    


Declaration and payment of any future dividends on shares of common stock will be at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors.

Stock Repurchases

On January 12, 2016, the Board of Directors authorized an increase to the Company’s stock repurchase program first approved on July 28, 2015 from $15.0 million to $70.0 million. Repurchases are expected to be executed to the extent that the Company’s earnings and cash-on-hand allow, and will be made in accordance with all applicable securities laws and regulations, including Rule 10b-18 of the Exchange Act. For all or a portion of the authorized repurchase amount, its corporate staff.  In June 2020, the Company may enter into one or more plans that are compliantextended the Rolling Hills Estates office lease for an additional five years with Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act that are designed to facilitate these purchases. The stock repurchase program does not require the Company to acquire a specific number of shares, and may be suspended from time to time or discontinued. As of term now expiring in September 30, 2017, $32.0 million of the $70.0 million stock repurchase program approved on 2030.  Effective July 28, 2015 and increased on January 12, 2016 remained available for future purchases, inclusive of related estimated income tax.

Restricted Stock

Stock-based compensation expense totaled $8,600 and $10,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $25,900 and $94,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. During March 2016, 1, 2020, the Company modified the vesting featureterms of its largest Hong Kong office lease resulting in a lease extension through June 2023.  To help further develop the market for its products in North America, the Company leases 1,600 square feet of retail space in each of Rowland Heights, California and Richmond, British Columbia and 2,000 square feet of retail space in Metuchen, New Jersey. The Rowland Heights, Richmond and Metuchen locations have terms expiring in November 2025, February 2024 and December 2028, respectively.

The Company leases 7 branch offices throughout China, and additional office space in Peru, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, India and the Cayman Islands. The Company also leases a factory in Zhongshan, China. The Company contracts with third parties for fulfillment and distribution operations in all of its international markets. None of the Company’s third party logistics contracts contain a lease as the Company does not have the right to access the warehouses or move its inventories at will.

The components of lease cost were as follows (in thousands):

  

Three Months Ended June 30,

  

Six Months Ended June 30,

 
  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

 

Operating leases

 $328  $340  $662  $658 

Short-term leases

  42   41   88   89 

Total lease cost

 $370  $381  $750  $747 

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating leases liabilities was $315,000 and $344,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and $637,000 and $702,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

The weighted-average remaining lease term and discount rate related to operating leases as of June 30, 2022 were as follows:

Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years)

5.2

Weighted-average discount rate

3.3%

10

As most of our leases do not provide an award granted to a director who decided to not stand for re-electionimplicit rate, the Company used its incremental borrowing rate, or the rate of each of its subsidiaries if available, based on the information available at the Company’s 2016lease commencement date to determine the present value of lease payments.

The annual meetingscheduled lease payments of stockholders. our operating lease liabilities as of June 30, 2022 were as follows (in thousands):

Remainder of 2022

 $628 

2023

  705 

2024

  281 

2025

  261 

2026

  201 

Thereafter

  789 

Total lease payments

  2,865 

Less: imputed interest

  (245)

Present value of lease liabilities

 $2,620 

For all asset classes, the Company elected not to recognize assets or liabilities at the acquisition date for leases that, at the acquisition date, have a remaining lease term of 12 months or less. Additionally, for all asset classes, the Company choose not to separate nonlease components from lease components and instead account for the combined lease and nonlease components associated with that lease component as a single lease component.

6. INCOME TAXES

The modificationeffective income tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 includes an estimate for the Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”) inclusion. As of June 30, 2022, the Company does not have a valuation allowance against its U.S. deferred tax assets. The Company analyzed all sources of available income and determined that they are more likely than not to realize the tax benefits of their deferred assets. As of June 30, 2022, the Company has a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets in certain foreign jurisdictions with an overall net operating loss. The valuation allowance will be reduced at such time as management believes it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized. Any reductions in the valuation allowance will reduce future income tax provision.

As of June 30, 2022, the Company no longer has U.S. federal net operating losses due to its filing in December 2021 to carry back $603,000 of losses generated in the tax year ended December 31, 2020 to offset taxable income from the tax year ended December 31, 2016. The Company has post-apportioned U.S. state net operating loss carryforwards of $427,000 that begin expiring in 2039. At June 30, 2022, the Company has foreign net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $1.9 million in various jurisdictions with various expirations.

As of June 30,2022, income taxes payable for the repatriation tax on the deemed repatriation of deferred foreign income required by the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”), enacted on December 22, 2017 by the U.S. government, totaled $12.1 million, of which $9.1 million is reflected as a noncurrent liability.

As a result of capital return activities, the Company determined that a portion of its current undistributed foreign earnings is no longer deemed reinvested indefinitely by its non-U.S. subsidiaries. For state income tax purposes, the Company will continue to periodically reassess the needs of its foreign subsidiaries and update its indefinite reinvestment assertion as necessary. To the extent that additional foreign earnings are not deemed permanently reinvested, the Company expects to recognize additional income tax provision at the applicable state corporate income tax rate(s). As of June 30, 2022, the Company has not recorded a state deferred tax liability for earnings that the Company plans to repatriate out of accumulated earnings in future periods because all earnings as of June 30, 2022 have already been repatriated. Due to the Tax Act, repatriation from foreign subsidiaries will be offset with a dividends received deduction, resulting in little to no impact on federal tax expense. All undistributed earnings in excess of 50% of current earnings on an annual basis are intended to be reinvested indefinitely as of June 30, 2022.

11

The Company and its subsidiaries file tax returns in the United States, California, New Jersey, Texas and various foreign jurisdictions. During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company was notified that it was selected for audit of the award resulted2016 tax year by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”). The audit was subsequently expanded to also include the 2017,2018 and 2019 tax years. On October 12, 2021, the Company received notification from the IRS that it had completed the audit process for all tax years with no changes made to the Company's previously reported tax. The Company is no longer subject to state income tax examinations for years prior to 2017. The Company is not aware of any other jurisdictions that are currently examining any income tax returns of the Company.

7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company has employment agreements with certain members of its management team that can be terminated by either the employee or the Company upon four weeks’ notice.  The employment agreements entered into with the management team contain provisions that guarantee the payment of specified amounts in an additional $64,000the event of a change in stock-based compensation expensecontrol (together with a termination without cause), as defined, or if the employee is otherwise terminated without cause, as defined, or terminates employment for the three months ended March 31, 2016.good reason, as defined.




8. STOCK-BASED INCENTIVE PLANS

Restricted Stock

At the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders held on April 7, 2016, the Company’s stockholders approved the Natural Health Trends Corp. 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2016“2016 Plan”) to replace its 2007 Equity Incentive Plan. The 2016 Plan allows for the grant of various equity awards including incentive stock options, non-statutory options, stock, stock units, stock appreciation rights and other similar equity-based awards to the Company’s employees, officers, non-employee directors, contractors, consultants and advisors of the Company. Up to 2,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (subject to adjustment under certain circumstances) may be issued pursuant to awards granted. At SeptemberJune 30, 2017, 2,393,8732022, 1,219,583 shares remained available for issuance under the 2016 Plan.


On January 24, 2017, the Company granted 56,260 shares of restricted common stock under the 2016 Plan to certain employees for the purpose of further aligning their interest with those of its stockholders and settling fiscal 2016 performance incentives totaling $1.4 million. The shares vest on a quarterly basis over three years and are subject to forfeiture in the event of the employee’s termination of service to the Company under specified circumstances.

The following table summarizes the Company’s restricted stock activity under the 2016 Plan:

 Shares Wtd. Avg. Price at Date of Issuance
Nonvested at December 31, 201638,256
 $34.13
Granted56,260
 25.44
Vested(26,502) 29.58
Forfeited(1,148) 28.55
Nonvested at September 30, 201766,866
 28.72


The following table summarizes

  

Shares

  

Wtd. Avg. Price at Date of Issuance

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2021

  186,245  $7.08 

Vested

  (186,245) $7.08 

Nonvested at June 30, 2022

  0  $0 

Phantom Equity

On March 15, 2021, the Company’s other restrictedBoard of Directors approved and adopted a Phantom Equity Plan (the “Phantom Plan”). Under the terms of the Phantom Plan, the Compensation Committee may grant to the Company’s employees, officers, directors, contractors, consultants, or advisors awards of phantom shares entitling grantees the right to receive a cash payment equal to the fair market value of an equal number of shares of the Company’s common stock activity:

upon the close of a vesting period, subject to any maximum payment value that the Compensation Committee may set. The vesting of phantom shares is subject to such vesting conditions as the Compensation Committee may specify in a grantee’s award agreement. Grantees of phantom shares shall not by virtue of their receipt of phantom shares have any ownership rights in shares of the Company’s common stock. The Phantom Plan shall continue for a period of ten years, after which no further phantom shares may be awarded (although any phantom shares awarded prior to the expiration of such 10-year period shall be unaffected by the termination of the Phantom Plan).

Also on March 15, 2021, awards for 223,307 phantom shares were granted to the Company’s employees and its non-employee directors.  The phantom shares vest in eight equal three-month vesting increments, subject to the satisfaction of both a time-based vesting condition and a performance vesting condition. These vesting conditions were deemed satisfied on the grant date for the initial vesting increment. In order for the time-based vesting condition to be satisfied for each vesting period, the grantee must remain continuously employed by, or be otherwise continuously providing services to, the Company through the end of the vesting period, and in order for the performance vesting condition to be satisfied for each vesting period, the performance criteria designated by the Compensation Committee must be satisfied. The initial performance vesting condition to be applied to measure performance for the period between March 15, 2021 and June 15, 2021 was designated by the Compensation Committee on or before April 14, 2021, and will apply to all future performance periods unless the Compensation Committee elects to change the performance vesting condition on a prospective basis. Future changes to the performance vesting condition shall be made on or before the fifteenth day of any future performance period. If either vesting condition is not satisfied for a vesting date, then the phantom shares scheduled to vest on such date will be forfeited. These phantom shares are subject to a maximum payment value of $12.00 per phantom share. An additional award with similar vesting conditions for 9,074 phantom shares was granted on May 14, 2021 to the Company's new non-employee director, while unvested 9,074 phantom shares granted to the Company's departing non-employee director were forfeited on or about the same date. On May 23, 2022, the Compensation Committee determined to amend the outstanding awards to provide that the performance criteria shall be deemed satisfied for the three-month performance period relating to the June 15, 2022 vesting date. In making its determination, the Compensation Committee noted that the fact that the performance criteria were not achieved for the relevant performance period was due to extraordinary business circumstances in China that were clearly beyond the Company’s control.

The phantom share awards are accounted for as liabilities in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718,Compensation Stock Compensation since they require cash settlement. The grant date of each vesting increment will be established when the Company and the grantees reach a mutual understanding of the key terms and conditions of an award, which is the date upon which each performance vesting condition is communicated to the grantees. Compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service period if it is probable that the performance vesting condition will be achieved. The fair value of the liability incurred is remeasured at the end of each reporting period with any changes in fair value recognized as compensation expense over the requisite service period.

Awards totaling 27,913 phantom shares vested during each of the three months ended June 30,2022 and 2021, resulting in compensation expense of $153,000 and $205,000 during the three months ended June 30,2022 and 2021, respectively, related to their cash settlement. Awards totaling 55,826 phantom shares vested during each of the six months ended June 30,2022 and 2021, resulting in compensation expense of $349,000 and $393,000 during the six months ended June 30,2022 and 2021, respectively, related to their cash settlement.

 Shares Wtd. Avg. Price at Date of Issuance
Nonvested at December 31, 201622,348
 $12.15
Granted
 
Vested(16,455) 12.15
Forfeited(418) 12.28
Nonvested at September 30, 20175,475
 12.15
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9. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Dividends

The Company declared and paid cash dividends of $0.20 per common share during each of the firsttwo quarters of 2022 and 2021, totaling $4.6 million each quarter. Declaration and payment of any future dividends on shares of common stock will be at the sole discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors.

Stock Repurchases

On January 12, 2016, the Board of Directors authorized an increase to the Company’s stock repurchase program first approved on July 28, 2015 from $15.0 million to $70.0 million. Any repurchases will be made in accordance with all applicable securities laws and regulations, including Rule 10b-18 of the Exchange Act. For all or a portion of the authorized repurchase amount, the Company may enter into one or more plans that are compliant with Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act that are designed to facilitate these purchases. The stock repurchase program does not require the Company to acquire a specific number of shares, and may be suspended from time to time or discontinued. As of SeptemberJune 30, 2017, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense2022, $21.9 million of the $70.0 million stock repurchase program remained available for future purchases, inclusive of related to non-vested restricted stock was $8,400, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.2 years.


estimated income tax.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the first ninesix months of 20172022 were as follows (in thousands):

  Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments  Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-For-Sale Investments  

Total

 

Balance, December 31, 2021

 $(474) $(18) $(492)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

  (461)  13   (448)

Balance, June 30, 2022

 $(935) $(5) $(940)

 Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Unrealized Losses on Available-For-Sale Investments Total
Balance, December 31, 2016$(805) $(2) $(807)
Other comprehensive income (loss)359
 (10) 349
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss(258) 
 (258)
Balance, September 30, 2017$(704) $(12) $(716)




7. INCOME TAXES

As a result of capital return activities approved by the Board of Directors during the first quarter of 2016 and anticipated future capital return activities, the Company determined that a portion of its current undistributed foreign earnings are no longer deemed reinvested indefinitely by its non-U.S. subsidiaries. The Company will continue to periodically reassess the needs of its foreign subsidiaries and update its indefinite reinvestment assertion as necessary. To the extent that additional foreign earnings are not deemed permanently reinvested, the Company expects to recognize additional income tax provision at the applicable U.S. corporate tax rate. As of September 30, 2017, the Company has accrued tax liabilities for earnings that the Company plans to repatriate out of accumulated earnings in future periods. All undistributed earnings in excess of 50% of current earnings on an annual basis are intended to be reinvested indefinitely as of September 30, 2017.

The Company and its subsidiaries file tax returns in the United States, California and Texas and various foreign jurisdictions. For federal income tax purposes, fiscal years 2007 through 2016 remain open for examination by tax authorities as a result of net operating loss carryovers from older years being used to offset income in recent tax years.

10. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Company is no longer subjecta party to state income tax examinations for years prior to 2011. No jurisdictions are currently examining any income tax returns of the Company or its subsidiaries.


8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Securities Class Action

In January 2016, two putative securities class action complaints were filed against the Company and its top executives in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. On March 29, 2016, the Court consolidated these actions under the caption Ford v. Natural Health Trends Corp., Case No. 2:16-cv-00255-TJH-AFMx, appointed two Lead Plaintiffs, Mahn Dao and Juan Wang, and appointed the Rosen Law Firm and Levi & Korsinsky LLP as co-Lead Counsel for the purported class. Plaintiffs filed a consolidated complaint on April 29, 2016. The consolidated complaint purports to assert claims on behalf of all persons who purchased or otherwise acquired our common stock between March 6, 2015 and March 15, 2016 under (i) Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder against the Company and Chris T. Sharng, Timothy S. Davidson and George K. Broady (together, the “Individual Defendants”), and (ii) Section 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against the Individual Defendants. The consolidated complaint alleges, inter alia, that the Company made materially false and misleading statements regarding the legality of its business operations in China, including running an allegedly illegal multilevel marketing business. The consolidated complaint seeks an indeterminate amount of damages, plus interest and costs. The Company moved to dismiss the consolidated complaint on June 15, 2016. After full briefing and a hearing, the Court denied defendants’ motion to dismiss on December 5, 2016. On February 17, 2017, the Company filed an answer to the consolidated complaint. On April 14, 2017, the Court entered an order setting case management deadlines for the case, which included the conclusion of fact discovery in May 2018 and a final pretrial conference in August 2018. On July 10, 2017, the Court entered a stipulation between the parties, postponing all deadlines and staying the case for thirty days to allow the parties to engage in settlement discussions. On July 17, 2017, the parties reached an agreement in principle to settle the action. On July 18, 2017, the parties jointly filed a stipulation and proposed order with the Court, seeking to extend the stay for approximately sixty days to allow them an opportunity to negotiate the terms of a written settlement agreement and prepare and file the documentation necessary to obtain Court approval of the settlement. The Court entered the requested order on July 25, 2017, effecting a further stay of the case until September 25, 2017. The proposed class-wide settlement in the amount of $1.75 million was submitted to the Court for preliminary approval on October 3, 2017, but no hearing date has yet been set. If approved, the proposed settlement will be fully funded by the Company’s insurers. Defendants continue to believe that these claims are without merit and intend to vigorously defend against them if a settlement is not finalized and approved by the Court.



Shareholder Derivative Claims

In February 2016, a purported shareholder derivative complaint was filed in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles: Zhou v. Sharng. In March 2016, a purported shareholder derivative complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California: Kleinfeldt v. Sharng (collectively the “Derivative Complaints”). The Derivative Complaints purport to assert claims for breach of fiduciary duties, unjust enrichment, abuse of control, gross mismanagement and corporate waste against certain of the Company’s officers and directors. The Derivative Complaints also purport to assert fiduciary duty claims based on alleged insider selling and conspiring to enter into several stock repurchase agreements, which allegedly harmed the Company and its assets. The Derivative Complaints allege, inter alia, that the Company made materially false and misleading statements regarding the legality of its business operations in China, including running an allegedly illegal multi-level marketing business, and that certain officers and directors sold common stock on the basis of this allegedly material, adverse non-public information. The Derivative Complaints seek an indeterminate amount of damages, plus interest and costs, as well as various equitable remedies. On February 1, 2017, pursuant to a stipulation among the parties, the Los Angeles Superior Court entered a stay of the Zhou action pending conclusion of the related federal class action in the United States District Court for the Central District of California: Ford v. Natural Health Trends Corp. A nearly identical stipulated stay was entered in the Kleinfeldt case on February 28, 2017. The Company believes that these claims are without merit and intends to vigorously defend against them.

The consolidated class action (if a settlement is not finalized and approved by the Court) and the Derivative Complaints, or others filed alleging similar facts, could result in monetary or other penalties that may materially affect the Company’s operating results and financial condition.

9. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

On April 29, 2015, the Company entered into a Royalty Agreement and License with Broady Health Sciences, L.L.C., a Texas limited liability company, (“BHS”) regarding the manufacture and sale of a product called SootheReStor™. George K. Broady, a former director of the Company and beneficial owner of more than 5% of its outstanding common stock, is an indirect owner of BHS. TheBrunde E. Broady, a director of the Company began selling this product inand daughter of Mr. Broady, is the fourth quarter of 2012 with the permissionPresident and Chief Executive Officer of BHS. Under thethis agreement (as amended), the Company agreed to pay BHS a royalty of 2.5% of sales revenue in return for the right to manufacture (or have manufactured), market, import, export and sell this product worldwide. Royalties expense recognized for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were $100 and $700, respectively, and $1,300 and $2,700 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company is not required to purchase any product under the agreement, and the agreement may be terminated at any timebased on 120 days’ notice. Otherwise, the agreement terminates March 31, 2020.

In February 2013, the Company entered into a Royalty Agreement and License with BHS regarding the manufacture and sale of a product called ReStor™.  Under the agreement, the Company agreed to pay BHS a royalty of 2.5% of sales revenueprice per unit in return for the right to manufacture (or have manufactured), market, import, export and sell this product worldwide with certain rights being exclusive outsideby or through multi-level marketing or network marketing. The Company recognized royalties of $13,000 and $11,000 during the United States. On April 29, 2015, the Company and BHS amended the Royalty Agreement and License to change the royalty to a price per unit instead of 2.5% of sales revenue. Such provision was effective retroactively to January 1, 2015. Such royalties were $61,000 and $106,000 for the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172022 and 2016,2021, respectively, and $238,000$26,000 and $386,000 for$19,000 during the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172022 and 2016, respectively.2021, respectively, under this agreement. The Company is not required to purchase any product under the agreement, and the agreement may be terminated at any time on 120 days’ notice or, under certain circumstances with no notice. The agreement terminates March 31, 2025, after which it shall be automatically renewed for successive one-year terms unless notice is given by either party at least 90 days in advance of the expiration of the then-current term.

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11.SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company sells products to a member network that operates in a seamless manner from market to market, except for the China market where it sells to some consumers through an e-commerce platform, and the Russia and Kazakhstan market where the Company’s engagement of a third-party service provider results in a different economic structure than its other markets. Otherwise, the agreement terminates March 31, 2020.Company believes that all of its other operating segments have similar economic characteristics and are similar in the nature of the products sold, the product acquisition process, the types of customers products are sold to, the methods used to distribute the products, and the nature of the regulatory environment. Therefore, the Company aggregates its other operating segments (including its Hong Kong operating segment) into a single reporting segment (the “Primary Reporting Segment”).

The Company reviews its net sales and operating income (loss) by operating segment, and reviews its assets and capital expenditures on a consolidated basis and not by operating segment. As such, net sales and operating income (loss) are presented by reportable segment and assets and capital expenditures by operating segment are not presented. Segment operating income is adjusted for certain direct costs and commission allocation.

The Company’s operating information by geographic area are as follows (in thousands):

  

Three Months Ended June 30,

  

Six Months Ended June 30,

 
  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

 

Net sales:

                

Primary Reporting Segment

 $12,770  $15,333  $23,647  $28,103 

China

  486   587   967   1,095 

Russia and Kazakhstan

  104   232   292   423 

Total net sales

 $13,360  $16,152  $24,906  $29,621 
                 

Income (loss) from operations:

                

Primary Reporting Segment

 $2,242  $2,546  $4,157  $5,245 

China

  (23)  53   (15)  46 

Russia and Kazakhstan

  (49)  (58)  (96)  (106)

Income from operations for reportable segments, net

  2,170   2,541   4,046   5,185 

Unallocated corporate expenses

  (1,955)  (2,156)  (4,214)  (4,580)

Other income (expense), net

  175   (59)  285   (39)

Income before income taxes

 $390  $326  $117  $566 

The Company’s net sales by geographic area are as follows (in thousands):

  

Three Months Ended June 30,

  

Six Months Ended June 30,

 
  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

 

Net sales from external customers:

     ��          

United States

 $272  $328  $528  $639 

Canada

  164   170   301   341 

Peru

  327   628   809   1,144 

Hong Kong1

  10,716   12,704   19,492   23,026 

China

  486   587   967   1,095 

Taiwan

  624   715   1,193   1,406 

Japan

  136   187   371   336 

Malaysia and Singapore

  95   131   220   206 

Russia and Kazakhstan

  104   232   292   423 

Europe

  304   261   505   611 

Other foreign countries

  132   209   228   394 

Total net sales

 $13,360  $16,152  $24,906  $29,621 


1Substantially all of our Hong Kong revenues are derived from the sale of products that are delivered to members in China. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in this report and in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

14


10.

12.SUBSEQUENT EVENT

On October 30, 2017, August 1, 2022, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.12 and a special cash dividend of $0.15$0.20 on each share of common stock outstanding. Such dividends areThe dividend will be payable on November 24, 2017 August 26, 2022 to stockholders of record on November 14, 2017. DeclarationAugust 16, 2022. The declaration and payment of any future dividends on shares of common stock will be at the sole discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors.

15




Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Business Overview

We are an international direct-selling and e-commerce company. Subsidiaries controlled by us sell personal care, wellness, and “quality of life” products under the “NHT Global” brand. Our wholly-owned subsidiaries have an active physical presence in the following markets: the Americas, which consists of the United States, Canada, Cayman Islands, Mexico and Peru; Greater China, which consists of Hong Kong, Taiwan and China; Southeast Asia, which consists of Malaysia, Singapore Malaysia and Vietnam;Thailand; South Korea; Japan; India; and Europe. We also operate through an engagement of a third-party service provider in Russia and Kazakhstan.

Our member network operates in a seamless manner from market to market, except for our China market where we sell to consumersKazakhstan through an e-commerce platform, and our Russia and Kazakhstan market where our engagement ofwith a third-partylocal service provider results in a different economic structure than in our other markets. Otherwise, we believe that all of our other operating segments are similar in the nature of the products sold, the product acquisition process, the types of customers products are sold to, the methods used to distribute the products, and the nature of the regulatory environment. There is no separate segment manager who is held accountable by our chief operating decision-makers, or anyone else, for operations, operating results and planning for the China market or the Russia and Kazakhstan market on a stand-alone basis, and neither market is material for the periods presented. As such, we consider ourselves to be in a single reporting segment and operating unit structure. 
provider.

As of SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2022, we were conducting business through 99,69043,020 active members, compared to 107,290 three months ago45,760 at December 31, 2021 and 122,900 a year ago.46,860 at June 30, 2021. We consider a member “active” if they have placed at least one product order with us during the preceding year. Our priority is to focus our resources in our most promising markets, which we consider to be Greater China and countries where our existing members have the connections to recruit prospects and sell our products, such as Southeast Asia. We have also invested some resources in MexicoAsia, India, South America and Peru this year.

Europe.

We generate approximately 97%94% of our net sales from subsidiaries located outside the Americas, with sales of our Hong Kong subsidiary representing 87%80% of net sales in the latest fiscal quarter. Because of the size of our foreign operations, operating results can be impacted negatively or positively by factors such as foreign currency fluctuations, and economic, political and business conditions around the world. In addition, our business is subject to various laws and regulations, in particular, regulations related to direct selling activities that create uncertain risks for our business, including improper claims or activities by our members and our potential inability to obtain necessary product registrations. We continually evaluate our business for compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and this process can and has resulted in the identification of certain matters of potential noncompliance, which we work to satisfactorily address. For further information regarding some of the risks associated with the conduct of our business in China and Hong Kong, see generally in “Part I, Item 1A,“Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016,2021, and more specifically under the captions “Risk Factors - Because“Epidemics, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, or natural disasters, terrorist attacks or acts of war...”, “Because our Hong Kong operations account for a substantial portion of our overall business...”, “Our Hong Kong operations are being adversely affected by recent political and “Risk Factors - Our operationssocial developments in Hong Kong...”, and “Our business in China areis subject to compliance with a myriad of applicable laws and regulations...”.

China has been and continues to be our most important business development project. We operate an e-commerce direct selling modelplatform in Hong Kong that generates revenue derived from the sale of products to members in Hong Kong and elsewhere, including China. Substantially all of our Hong Kong revenues are derived from the sale of products that are delivered to members in China. Through a separate Chinese entity, we operate an e-commerce retail platform in China. We believe that neither of these activities requiresrequire a direct selling license in China, which we do not currently hold. We have previously sought to obtainsubmitted a direct selling license, and in August 2015 initiated the process for submitting a new preliminary application for a direct selling license in China.China in August 2015, but in 2019 a Chinese governmental authority recommended that we withdraw our application. We understand that the governmental authorities recommended that other companies with pending direct selling license applications also withdraw their applications. We applied to withdraw our application in November 2019, and the governmental authorities approved the withdrawal of our application shortly thereafter. In connection with the withdrawal of our application, we received a refund in March 2020 of a consumer protection fund deposit of CNY 20 million ($2.9 million) that we made upon the submission of our application. We expect to reapply for a direct selling license in China when we believe that circumstances are again ripe for doing so. If we are ultimately able to obtain a direct selling license in China, we believe that the incentives inherent in the direct selling model in China would incrementally benefit our existing business. We do not expect that any increased sales in China derived from obtaining a direct selling license would initially be material and, in any event may be partially offset by the higher fixed costs associated with the establishment and maintenance of required service centers, branch offices, manufacturing facilities, certification programs and other legal requirements. We are unable to predict whether and when we will be successful in obtaining a direct selling license to operate in China, and if we are successful, when we will be permitted to conduct direct selling operations and whether such operations would be profitable.

In January 2019 the Chinese government announced a 100-day campaign focused on companies involved in the sale of food, equipment, daily necessities, small home electrical appliances and services that are claimed to promote health. The Chinese government ministries in charge of this campaign indicated that they are targeting illegal practices in the industry, particularly the manufacture and sale of counterfeit and substandard products, and false advertising and misleading claims as to the health benefits of products and services. It is understood that the campaign is specifically focused on the business practices of direct selling companies. During the campaign, we understand that the government is not issuing any additional direct selling licenses, is not issuing certifications of quality or other approvals of various healthcare products, and is reviewing its regulatory oversight of the industry. Since it was implemented, the campaign and associated negative media coverage have had a significant adverse impact on our business, as consumers have widely curtailed their purchases within the affected industries. We, like some of our peers, voluntarily decided in January 2019 to temporarily suspend our member activities, such as product roadshows, product trainings and larger company-sponsored events, in China. We did this because we learned that the 100-day campaign was announced in broad outlines by the central government, and the interpretation and enforcement of the campaign was delegated to the provincial and local governments. We consider it a top priority for our business to develop an understanding of and cooperate with all levels and jurisdictions of the government agencies, and did not want to run the risk of being inadvertently entangled in government enforcement actions as the provincial and local governments formulate and implement their interpretive guidance and rule-making. Although we have recently been able to relax some restrictions on member activities in certain markets, it may again in the future be necessary or advisable to suspend member activities or take similar actions from time to time, and such periods of reduced activity may have a material adverse effect on our business.

Although the 100-day campaign was due to expire on or about April 18, 2019, we are not aware of any information indicating that the campaign has formally concluded. However, on August 27, 2019, the Chinese government announced that it would conduct a “look-back review” to evaluate the 100-day campaign. As part of this review, we understand that various Chinese governmental agencies formed a working group to assess the 100-day campaign, particularly focusing on the health market and its supervision in certain provinces. We understand that during September 2019 the working group evaluated the performance and results of a number of organizations and governmental departments in these provinces and made recommendations for various improvements. It was noted that each province had opened a number of investigative cases, had successfully closed numerous cases, and had imposed various fines and penalties. We understand that the look-back review continued after September 2019, and we are not aware that this review has been completed. As a result, the business environment in China for health product companies continues to be challenging, which has been exacerbated by negative social media sentiment expressed for these types of companies. We believe that the campaign, as well as its extension and aftermath (including the look-back review), will continue to negatively impact our business in China in the near-term, but will ultimately benefit us and Chinese consumers in the long-term as purveyors of substandard products are driven from the market.

In late 2019 or early 2020 an outbreak of COVID-19 was first identified in China and subsequently spread around the world. On March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic. The outbreak caused the Chinese government to implement powerful measures to control the virus, such as requiring businesses to close throughout various areas of China and restricting public gatherings and certain travel within the country. We have significant business in China and in 2021 generated approximately 78% of our revenue in Hong Kong, substantially all of which was derived from the sale of products to members in China. The Chinese government continues to adjust the restrictive measures that it imposes to control COVID-19 based on then-current local circumstances, as have the governments of the other countries in which we operate. The scope and impact of the pandemic and related control measures are uncertain, but we have taken steps to adapt some of our marketing programs, such as relying on certainproduct promotions and webcast training, to overcome the physical restrictions imposed in response to the pandemic. We have also canceled or rescheduled a number of in-person member events over the course of the pandemic. The ultimate severity of the impact on us of the COVID-19 pandemic will depend on future developments, including the duration and spread of the virus, and related control measures, which we are unable to accurately predict.

The business disruptions wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic have materially negatively impacted our financial results throughout 2020, 2021, and the first six months of 2022, and we expect that our financial results for the near-term may be adversely affected. Of particular note, the spread of the Omicron variant in Hong Kong and China, along with the imposition of strong government control measures, significantly disrupted our operations and negatively affected our results of operations in the first half of 2022. During the first half of the year, our third-party logistics providers experienced substantial difficulties importing and distributing our products in China. However, by early June 2022 the Chinese government began relaxing some of its more stringent policies and we found that the difficulties encountered by our third-party logistics providers were largely resolved by the end of the month. This improved state of affairs nevertheless remains fragile, as many restrictions continue in effect and the potential for more disruptive measures remains. The restrictions imposed to control the spread of COVID-19 have also severely impacted our ability to interact with our members, and the second quarter of 2022 marked the fourth consecutive quarter that we have been unable to sponsor any in-person member events in China, Macau or Hong Kong. In addition, restrictions on mobility in China are negatively impacting the ability of our members to interact with each other and their customers. We will continue to assess the financial and operational impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including its impact on the operations of our third-party providers. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors - Epidemics, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, or natural disasters, terrorist attacks or acts of war…” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Recent political and social developments in Hong Kong, along with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related government control measures, are also adversely affecting our Hong Kong operations and led us in 2020 to cease sponsoring member meetings and events in Hong Kong. Inasmuch as member meetings and events located in Hong Kong have in the past served as an important component of our product marketing and distribution efforts, we believe that this action has negatively affected our operations and financial performance. If current conditions continue or further deteriorate, we anticipate that our business, financial condition and results of operations will be adversely affected. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors - Our Hong Kong operations are being adversely affected by recent political and social developments in Hong Kong...” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.


17


Income Statement Presentation

Our Hong Kong net sales (substantially all of which were derived from products shipped to members residing in China) for the first six months of 2022 were lower than the comparable period in 2021. The decline in net sales during the first six months of 2022 resulted in a loss from operations for the period, as well as negative cash flows from operations. We anticipate that our financial performance for the near-term will continue to be adversely impacted.

 

Statement of Operations Presentation

We mainly derive revenue from sales of products. Substantially all of our product sales are to independent members at published wholesale prices. Product sales are recordedrecognized when the products are shipped and title passes to independent members, which generally is upon our delivery to the carrier that completes delivery to the members. We estimate and accrue a reserve for product returns based on our return policies and historical experience. Enrollment package revenue, including any nonrefundable set-up fees, is deferred and recognized over the term of the arrangement, generally twelve months. We bill members for shipping charges and recognize the freight revenue in net sales. We have elected to account for shipping and handling activities performed after title has passed to members as a fulfillment cost, and accrue for the costs of shipping and handling if revenue is recognized before the contractually obligated shipping and handling activities occurs. Event and training revenue is deferred and recognized as the event or training occurs.

Cost of sales consists primarily of products purchased from third-party manufacturers, freight cost for transporting products to our foreign subsidiaries and shipping products to members, import duties, packing materials, product royalties, costs of promotional materials sold to our members at or near cost, and provisions for slow moving or obsolete inventories. Cost of sales also includes purchasing costs, receiving costs, inspection costs and warehousing costs.

Member commissionsare our most significant expense and are classified as an operating expense. Under our compensation plan, members are paid weekly commissions by our subsidiary in which they are enrolled, generally in their home country currency, for product purchases by their down-line member network across all geographic markets. Our China subsidiary maintains an e-commerce retail platform and does not pay any commissions.commissions, although our Chinese members may participate in our compensation plan through our other subsidiaries. This “seamless” compensation plan enables a member located in one country to enroll other members located in other countries where we are authorized to conduct our business. Currently, there are basically two ways in which our members can earn income:

through commissions paid on product purchases made by their down-line members; and
through retail markups on sales of products purchased by members at wholesale prices (in the majority of our markets, sales are for personal consumption only and income may not be earned through retail mark-ups on sales in that market).

through commissions paid on the accumulated bonus volume from product purchases made by their down-line members and customers; and

through retail profits on sales of products purchased by members at wholesale prices and resold at retail prices (for purchasers in some of our smaller markets and purchasers from our China subsidiary, sales are for personal consumption only and income may not be earned through retail profits).

Each of our products is designated a specified number of bonus volume points. Commissions are based on total personal and group bonus volume points per weekly sales period. Bonus volume points are essentially a percentage of a product’s wholesale price. As the member’s business expands from successfully enrolling other members who in turn expand their own businesses by selling product to other members, the member receives higher commissions from purchases made by an expanding down-line network. In some of our markets, to be eligible to receive commissions, a member may be required to make nominal monthly or other periodic purchases of our products. Certain of our subsidiaries do not require these nominal purchases for a member to be eligible to receive commissions. In determining commissions, the number of levels of down-line members included within the member’s commissionable group increases as the number of memberships directly below the member increases.

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Under our current compensation plan, certain of our commission payouts may be limited to a hard cap dollar amount per week or a specific percentage of total product sales. In some markets, commissions may be further limited. In some markets, we also pay certain bonuses on purchases by up to three generations of personally enrolledsponsored members, as well as bonuses on commissions earned by up to threeseven generations of personally enrolledsponsored members. Members can also earn additional income, trips and other prizes in specific time-limited promotions and contests we hold from time to time. Member commissions are dependent on the sales mix and, for the first ninesix months of 20172022 and 2016,2021, represented 42% and 46%, respectively, of net sales. Occasionally, we make modifications and enhancements to our compensation plan to help motivate members, which can have an impact on member commissions. We may also enter into performance-based agreements for business or market development, which couldcan result in additional compensation to specific members.

Selling, general and administrative expenses consist of administrative compensation and benefits, (including stock-based compensation), travel, credit card fees and assessments, professional fees, certain occupancy costs, and other corporate administrative expenses.expenses (including stock-based compensation). In addition, this category includes selling, marketing, and promotion expenses (including the costs of member training events and conventions)conventions that are designed to increase both product awareness and member recruitment). Because our various member conventions are not always held at the same time each year, interim period comparisons will be impacted accordingly.


The functional currency of our international subsidiaries is generally their local currency. Local currency assets and liabilities are translated at the rates of exchange on the balance sheet date, and local currency revenues and expenses are translated at average rates of exchange during the period. Equity accounts are translated at historical rates. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded directly into accumulated other comprehensive income.



stockholders’ equity.

Sales by our foreign subsidiaries are generally transacted in the respective local currencies and are translated into U.S. dollars using average rates of exchange for each monthly accounting period to which they relate. Most of our product purchases from third-party manufacturers are transacted in U.S. dollars. Consequently, our sales and net earnings are affected by changes in currency exchange rates, with sales and earnings generally increasing with a weakening U.S. dollar and decreasing with a strengthening U.S. dollar, see “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” and more specifically under the caption “Foreign Currency Exchange Risk” for further information.dollar.

 

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth our operating results as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated.

  

Three Months Ended June 30,

  

Six Months Ended June 30,

 
  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

 

Net sales

  100.0%  100.0%  100.0%  100.0%

Cost of sales

  25.4   24.3   25.3   24.3 

Gross profit

  74.6   75.7   74.7   75.7 

Operating expenses:

                

Commissions expense

  43.2   42.9   42.2   42.0 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

  29.8   30.4   33.2   31.7 

Total operating expenses

  73.0   73.3   75.4   73.7 

Income (loss) from operations

  1.6   2.4   (0.7)  2.0 

Other income (expense), net

  1.3   (0.4)  1.2   (0.1)

Income before income taxes

  2.9   2.0   0.5   1.9 

Income tax provision

  1.5   0.6   0.2   0.6 

Net income

  1.4%  1.4%  0.3%  1.3%

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 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Net sales100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Cost of sales20.4
 19.3
 19.3
 19.1
Gross profit79.6
 80.7
 80.7
 80.9
Operating expenses:       
Commissions expense39.4
 43.3
 42.1
 45.9
Selling, general and administrative expenses18.7
 15.8
 15.6
 15.3
Depreciation and amortization0.3
 0.1
 0.3
 0.1
Total operating expenses58.4
 59.2
 58.0
 61.3
Income from operations21.2
 21.5
 22.7
 19.6
Other (expense) income, net
 0.1
 0.1
 
Income before income taxes21.2
 21.6
 22.8
 19.6
Income tax provision2.9
 3.8
 4.3
 3.6
Net income18.3% 17.8% 18.5% 16.0%

NetSales

The following table sets forth revenue by market for the periods indicated (in thousands):

 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Americas$1,239
 3.1% $1,345
 1.9% $4,340
 2.9% $4,403
 2.0%
Hong Kong1
35,049
 87.3
 65,904
 93.3
 135,304
 89.3
 207,410
 92.0
China1,731
 4.3
 1,354
 1.9
 4,732
 3.1
 7,169
 3.2
Taiwan1,229
 3.1
 1,329
 1.9
 4,116
 2.7
 4,453
 2.0
South Korea128
 0.3
 152
 0.2
 379
 0.3
 544
 0.2
Japan29
 0.1
 24
 
 89
 0.1
 60
 
Singapore40
 0.1
 57
 0.1
 124
 0.1
 99
 
Russia and Kazakhstan209
 0.5
 203
 0.3
 655
 0.4
 630
 0.3
Europe478
 1.2
 311
 0.4
 1,732
 1.1
 648
 0.3
Total$40,132
 100.0% $70,679
 100.0% $151,471
 100.0% $225,416
 100.0%

  

Three Months Ended June 30,

  

Six Months Ended June 30,

 
  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

 

Americas1

 $763   5.7% $1,126   7.0% $1,638   6.5% $2,124   7.2%

Hong Kong2

  10,716   80.2   12,704   78.7   19,492   78.3   23,026   77.7 

China

  486   3.6   587   3.6   967   3.9   1,095   3.7 

Taiwan

  624   4.7   715   4.4   1,193   4.8   1,406   4.8 

South Korea

  46   0.4   83   0.5   92   0.4   151   0.5 

Japan

  136   1.0   187   1.2   371   1.5   336   1.1 

Malaysia and Singapore

  95   0.7   131   0.8   220   0.9   206   0.7 

Russia and Kazakhstan

  104   0.8   232   1.4   292   1.2   423   1.4 

Europe

  304   2.3   261   1.6   505   2.0   611   2.1 

India

  86   0.6   126   0.8   136   0.5   243   0.8 

Total

 $13,360   100.0% $16,152   100.0% $24,906   100.0% $29,621   100.0%

1United States, Canada, Mexico and Peru

2Substantially all of our Hong Kong revenues are derived from the sale of products that are delivered to members in China. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in this report and in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Net sales were $40.1$13.4 million for the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172022 compared with $70.7$16.2 million for the comparable period a year ago, a decrease of $30.6$2.8 million, or 43%17%. Hong Kong net sales, substantially all of which were derived from the sale of products shipped to members residing in China, decreased $30.9$2.0 million, or 47%16%, over the comparablecomparable period a year ago. The sales decrease was primarily attributable to the slowdown we have been experiencing in our Asian markets since the third quarter of 2016. In addition, Hong Kong experienced a decrease of 26,200 active members, or 23%, from September 30, 2016 to September 30, 2017, which contributed toWe believe that the decrease in productHong Kong net sales volume.




was primarily due to the spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant in Hong Kong and China, along with the imposition of strong government control measures during most of the quarter ended June 30, 2022 as the restrictions severely impacted our ability to interact with our members and the ability of our members to interact with each other and their customers. OutsideThe decrease in Hong Kong net sales was also due to the recognition of lower administrative fees in the current-year quarter, as compared to the prior year quarter. We believe that our Hong Kong net sales will continue to be negatively impacted by scattered outbreaks of COVID-19 in China and the Chinese government's imposition of related measures to control the virus, including further restrictions on business activities, public gatherings and travel. Outside of our Hong Kong business, net sales increased $308,000,decreased $804,000, or 6%23%, over the comparable three monththree-month period a year ago, driven by a 54% increaseago. We believe that this decrease is also largely attributable to the spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant and the imposition of control measures in Europe and a 28% increase in our China e-commerce business. The $377,000 net sales increase in our China e-commerce business was primarily the resultvarious markets outside of increased sales of our China.Home and Wellness product lines.

Net sales were $151.5$24.9 million for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172022 compared with $225.4$29.6 million for the comparable period a year ago, a decrease of $73.9$4.7 million, or 33%.16%, due to substantially the same factors that adversely affected Hong Kong net sales substantially all of which were shipped to members residing in China, decreased $72.1 million, or 35%, overfor the comparable period a year ago. Hong Kong experienced a decrease of 26,200 active members, or 23%, from Septemberthree months ended June 30, 2016 to September 30, 2017, which contributed to the decrease in product sales volume.

2022. Outside of our Hong Kong business, net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 decreased $1.8$1.2 million, or 10%18%, over the comparable nine monthsix-month period a year ago, driven by a 34% decrease in our China e-commerce business, offset by a 167% increase in net sales in Europe. The $2.4 million net sales decrease in our China e-commerce business was primarily the result of decreased sales of our Home product line.

ago. As of SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2022, deferred revenue was $3.6$6.7 million, which primarily consisted of $1.7$4.8 million pertaining to unshipped product orders $1.4and unredeemed product vouchers, as well as $1.8 million pertaining toin auto ship advances and $399,000 pertaining to unamortized enrollment package revenue.
advances.

Gross Profit

Gross profit was 79.6%74.6% of net sales for the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172022 compared with 80.7%75.7% of net sales for the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2016. The gross profit margin percentage decrease was due to lower event revenue.


Gross profit was 80.7%2021, and 74.7% of net sales for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172022 compared with 80.9%75.7% of net sales for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2016.The2021. Excluding the impact of decreased administrative fee revenue referred to above, gross profit margin percentage decrease was primarily decreased for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2022 due to the impact of relatively fixed costs on a lower event revenue, offset by lower logistics costs.

level of net sales.

Commissions

Expense

Commissions were 39.4%43.2% of net sales for the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2022 compared with 43.3%42.9% of net sales for the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2016. The decrease2021, and 42.2% of net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared with 42.0% of net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2021. Excluding the impact of decreased administrative fee revenue referred to above, commissions as a percentage of net sales for the three and six month periodperiods ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172022 was primarily duerelatively consistent as compared to less cost incurred for our third quarter incentive trip than expected and recognized during the qualification periodcomparable periods in 2016. Excluding this benefit, commissions as a percentage of net sales for the third quarter of 2017 would have been consistent with the second quarter of 2017.


Commissions were 42.1% of net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared with 45.9% of net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The decrease as a percentage of net sales for the nine month period ended September 30, 2017 primarily resulted from lower estimated costs for on-going cash and other incentive programs.
prior year.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $7.5of $4.0 million for the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172022 compared with $11.2$4.9 million in the same period a year ago. For the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2022, selling, general and administrative expenses were $23.6$8.3 million compared with $34.5$9.4 million for the comparable period a year ago. Selling,The decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by 33% and 32%, respectively, duringfor the three and ninesix month periods mainly due to decreases in employee-related costs and event costs, as well as a decrease in credit card fees and assessments due to lower net sales, partially offset by an increase in professional feesended June 30, 2022 as compared to the same periodcomparable periods in the prior year.year is primarily due to lower event costs as we held a major event in June 2021, as well as lower professional and credit card fees.

20




Income Taxes

An income tax provision of $1.2 million$207,000 and $2.7 million$97,000 was recognized during the three month periodsmonths ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172022 and 2016, respectively,2021, respectively. An income tax provision of $39,000 and $6.5 million and $8.1 million$184,000 was recognized during the nine month periodssix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172022 and 2016,2021, respectively. The effective tax rate for the nine month periodsix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017 is2022 was relatively consistent withas compared to the comparable prior quarters; however, the effective tax rate for the three month period ended September 30, 2017 is less than prior quarters due to a true-up of foreign tax credits generated for the tax years ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2016.year rate.


As a result of capital return activities approved by the Board of Directors during the first quarter of 2016 and anticipated future capital return activities, we determined that a portion of our undistributed foreign earnings were no longer deemed reinvested indefinitely by our non-U.S. subsidiaries. We will continue to periodically reassess the needs of our foreign subsidiaries and update our indefinite reinvestment assertion as necessary. To the extent that additional foreign earnings are not deemed permanently reinvested, we expect to recognize additional income tax provision at the applicable U.S. corporate tax rate.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2022, our cash and cash equivalents totaled $127.0$75.6 million. Total cash and cash equivalents increaseddecreased by $1.0$8.2 million from December 31, 20162021 to SeptemberJune 30, 2017.2022, primarily due to cash used in operating activities and the dividends paid during the first six months of 2022. We consider all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, when purchased, to be cash equivalents. As of SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2022, we had $73.4$60.6 million in available-for-sale investments classified as cash equivalents. In addition, cash and cash equivalents included $121.2 million held in bank accounts overseas, which included $6.9$4.0 million held in banks located within China subject to foreign currency controls.


As of SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2022, the ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 3.303.7 to 1.001.0 and we had $98.0$61.5 million of working capital. Working capital as of SeptemberJune 30, 2017 increased $13.92022 decreased $7.3 million compared to our working capital as of December 31, 2016, due primarily to our proactive expense management efforts designed to better align our cost structure with the challenging environment that we encountered during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

2021.

Cash provided byused in operations was $15.3$3.5 million for the first ninesix months of 20172022, compared with $36.3 millioncash provided by operations of $548,000 in the comparable period of 2016. 2021. The decrease in operating cash flows resulted primarily from the decreasereduction in product orders andreceived in comparison to the impact of our members’ utilization of our eWallet functionality, offset by a reductioncomparable period in inventories and inventory-related deposits.

the prior year.

Cash flows used in investing activities totaled $238,000$78,000 and $147,000 during the first ninesix months of 20172022 and consisted primarily of capitalizable software development costs and buildout costs for our expansion into Peru and Vietnam. Cash flows used in investing activities totaled $679,000 during the first nine months of 2016 and consisted primarily of software development costs of $518,000 for our Oracle ERP upgrade and enhancement of our back office software platform.

2021, respectively.

Cash flows used in financing activities during the first ninesix months of 20172022 and 2021 consisted solely of the followingquarterly dividend payments (in thousands, exceptof $0.20 per common share, amounts):

Declaration Date Per Share Amount Record Date Payment Date
July 31, 2017 (special) $0.25
 $2,833
 August 21, 2017 August 31, 2017
July 31, 2017 0.11
 1,246
 August 21, 2017 August 31, 2017
April 24, 2017 (special) 0.35
 3,964
 May 9, 2017 May 19, 2017
April 24, 2017 0.10
 1,133
 May 9, 2017 May 19, 2017
January 24, 2017 (special) 0.35
 3,962
 February 21, 2017 March 3, 2017
January 24, 2017 0.09
 1,019
 February 21, 2017 March 3, 2017
  $1.25
 $14,157
    

On Octobertotaling $4.6 million in each period. Subsequent to June 30, 2017,2022, on August 1, 2022, the Board of Directors declared aanother quarterly cash dividend of $0.12 and a special cash dividend of $0.15$0.20 on each share of common stock outstanding. Such dividends areThe dividend will be payable on November 24, 2017August 26, 2022 to stockholders of record on November 14, 2017. Declaration and paymentAugust 16, 2022. We expect to continue paying a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 on each share of common stock outstanding for the foreseeable future. However, any future cash dividends on shares of common stock will be at the sole discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors, and will depend on our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and other factors considered relevant by the Board of Directors.



Cash flows used

On January 12, 2016, the Board of Directors authorized an increase to the Company’s stock repurchase program first approved on July 28, 2015 from $15.0 million to $70.0 million. Any repurchases will be made in financing activities duringaccordance with all applicable securities laws and regulations, including Rule 10b-18 of the first nine monthsExchange Act. For all or a portion of 2016 totaled $25.8the authorized repurchase amount, the Company may enter into one or more plans that are compliant with Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act that are designed to facilitate these purchases. The stock repurchase program does not require the Company to acquire a specific number of shares, and may be suspended from time to time or discontinued. As of June 30, 2022, $21.9 million and consisted of $23.7the $70.0 million in stock repurchases and $2.1 million in cash dividends.


repurchase program remained available for future purchases, inclusive of related estimated income tax.

We believe that our existing internal liquidity, supported by cash on hand and cash flows from operations, should be adequate to fund normal business operations and address our financial commitments for the foreseeable future.

We do not have any significant unused sources of liquid assets. If necessary, we may attempt to generate more funding from the capital markets, but currently we do not believe that will be necessary.

21

Our priority is to focus our resources on investing in our most important markets, which we consider to be Greater China and countries where our existing members may have the connections to recruit prospects and sell our products, such as Southeast Asia.Asia, India, South America and Europe. We will continue to invest in our Mainland China entity for such purposes as establishing China-based manufacturing capabilities, increasing public awareness of our brand and our products, sourcing more Chinese-made products, building a chain of service stations, opening additional Healthy Lifestyle Centers or branch offices, adding local staffing and other requirements for a prospective China direct selling license application. We also have invested some resources in Mexico and Peru.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

A summary of our significant accounting policies is provided in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 10, 2017.February 25, 2022. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. The process of determining significant estimates is fact specific and takes into account historical experience and current and expected economic conditions. To the extent that there are material differences between the estimates and actual results, future results of operations will be affected.

Critical accounting policies and estimates are defined as both those that are material to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and as those that require management’s most subjective judgments.  Management believes our critical accounting policies and estimates are those related to revenue recognition, as well as those used in the determination of liabilities related to sales returns, member commissions and income taxes.

Revenue Recognition. All revenue is recognized when the performance obligations under a contract, including product vouchers sold on a stand-alone basis in Hong Kong, are satisfied. Product sales are recorded when the products are shipped and title passes to independent members. Product sales to members are made pursuant to a member agreement that provides for transfer of both title and risk of loss upon our delivery to the carrier that completes delivery to the members, which is commonly referred to as “F.O.B. Shipping Point.” We primarily receive payment by credit card at the time members place orders. Our sales arrangements do not contain right of inspection or customer acceptance provisions other than general rights of return. Amounts received for unshipped product orders and unredeemed product vouchers are recorded as deferred revenue. Such amounts totaled $1.7$4.8 million and $2.2$6.5 million at SeptemberJune 30, 20172022 and December 31, 2016,2021, respectively. Shipping charges billed to members are included in net sales. Costs associated with shipments are included in cost of sales. Event and training revenue is deferred and recognized as the event or training occurs.


Enrollment package revenue, including any nonrefundable set-up fees, is deferred and recognized over the term of the arrangement, generally twelve months. Enrollment packages provide members access to both a personalized marketing website and a business management system. No upfront costs are deferred as the amount is nominal. At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, enrollment package revenue totaling $399,000 and $430,000 was deferred, respectively. Although we have no immediate plans to significantly change the terms or conditions of enrollment packages, any changes in the future could result in additional revenue deferrals or could cause us to recognize the deferred revenue over a longer period of time.

Additionally, deferred revenue includes advances for auto ship orders. In certain markets, when a member’s cumulative commission income reaches a certain threshold, a percentage of the member’s weekly commission is held back as an advance and applied to an auto ship order once the accumulated amount of the advances is sufficient to pay for the pre-selected auto ship package of the member.  Such advances were $1.4$1.8 million and $2.3$1.9 million at SeptemberJune 30, 20172022 and December 31, 2016,2021, respectively.


Allowance for Sales Returns. An allowance for sales returns is provided during the period the product is shipped.  The allowance is based upon the return policy of each country, which varies from 14 days to one year, and their historical return rates, which range from 1% to 7% of sales.  Sales returns were 1% of sales for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.  The allowance for sales returns was $574,000 and $1.6 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.  No material changes in estimates have been recognized during the periods presented.


Commissions.

Commissions Expense. Independent members earn commissions based on total personal and group bonus volume points per weekly sales period.  Each of our products are designated a specified number of bonus volume points, which is essentially a percentage of the product’s wholesale price.  We accrue commissions when earned and as the related revenue is recognized and pay commissions on product sales generally two weeks following the end of the weekly sales period.

Independent members may also earn incentives based on meeting certain qualifications during a designated incentive period, which may range from several weeks to up to a year.  For each individual incentive, we estimate the total number of qualifiers as well as the expected per qualifier cost and accrue all costs associated with incentives throughout the qualification period. We regularly review and update, if necessary, the estimates of both qualifiers and cost as more information is obtained during the qualification period. Any resulting change in total cost is recognized over the remaining qualification period. Long-term promotions and incentives (lasting up to one year) can, in particular, result in uncertain ultimate cost. Accrued commissions, including the estimated cost of our international recognition incentive program and other supplemental programs, totaled $10.4$3.1 million and $13.6$3.6 million at SeptemberJune 30, 20172022 and December 31, 2016,2021, respectively.

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Income Taxes.Deferred income taxes are recognized for differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities at enacted statutory rates for the years in which the temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. We evaluate the probability of realizing the future benefits of any of our deferred tax assets and record a valuation allowance when we believe a portion or all of our deferred tax assets may not be realized. Deferred tax expense or benefit is a result of changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Based on the technical merits of our tax position, tax benefits may be recognized if we determine it is more likely than not that our position will be sustained on examination by tax authorities. The complex nature of these estimates requires us to anticipate the likely application of tax law and make judgments on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized prior to the completion and filing of tax returns for such periods. As of SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2022, we do not have a valuation allowance against our U.S. deferred tax assets. We maintain a valuation allowance in certain foreign jurisdictions with an overall tax loss. The valuation allowance will be reduced at such time as management believes it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized. Any reductions in the valuation allowance will reduce future income tax provision.


Provision for income taxes depends on the statutory tax rates in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. An income tax provision of $1.2 million and $2.7 million was recognized during the three month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $6.5 million and $8.1 million was recognized during the nine month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. As a result of capital return activities, we determined that a portion of our current undistributed foreign earnings are no longer deemed reinvested indefinitely by our non-U.S. subsidiaries. WeThe U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”), enacted on December 22, 2017 by the U.S. government, required a one-time repatriation tax on certain un-repatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries at a rate of 15.5% tax on post-1986 foreign earnings held in cash and an 8% rate on all other post-1986 earnings. Due to the adoption of a territorial tax regime, any foreign source portion of a qualified dividend received by a 10% U.S. corporate shareholder is exempt from U.S. federal tax, therefore resulting in any future repatriation having a minimal effect on our effective tax rate. For state income tax purposes, we will continue to periodically reassess the needs of our foreign subsidiaries and update our indefinite reinvestment assertion as necessary. To the extent that additional foreign earnings are not deemed permanently reinvested, we expect to recognize additional income tax provision at the applicable U.S. state corporate tax rate.rate(s). As of SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2022, we have accruednot recorded a state deferred tax liabilitiesliability for earnings that we plan to repatriate outbe repatriated in the future because the portion of accumulatedall earnings in future periods.which are no longer deemed reinvested indefinitely as of June 30, 2022 have already been repatriated. All undistributed earnings in excess of 50% of current earnings on an annual basis are intended to be reinvested indefinitely as of SeptemberJune 30, 2017.


2022.

The U.S. Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act was enacted on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act was enacted to provide tax relief to companies impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to other broad changes, the CARES Act allows for a 5-year carryback period for net operating losses arising in tax years beginning after 2017 and before 2021, effectively taking advantage of differences in tax rate as a result of enactment of the Tax Act. We booked a tax benefit of $84,000 during 2021 due to the net operating loss generated in the tax year ended December 31, 2020 for the rate differential resulting from the carryback.

The Company has analyzed the recently finalized U.S. tax regulations published by the U.S. Treasury and Internal Revenue Service on January 4, 2022. These regulations overhaul various components of the foreign tax credit regime including the determination of creditable foreign taxes and limit the amount of foreign taxes that are creditable against U.S. income taxes. While these regulations are generally effective on March 7, 2022, some provisions are retroactive and may limit the Company’s ability to claim credits on certain foreign taxes. Although the Company is still analyzing the full impact of the new regulations, the Company does not expect a material impact to the Company’s financial statements as a result of these final regulations.

We estimate what our effective tax rate will be for the full fiscal year at each interim reporting period and record a quarterly tax provision based on that estimated effective tax rate. Throughout the year that estimated rate may change based on variations in our business, changes in our corporate structure, changes in the geographic mix and amount of income, applicable tax laws and regulations, communications with tax authorities, as well as our estimated and actual level of annual pre-tax income. We adjust our income tax provision in the reporting period in which the change in our estimated rate occurs so that the year-to-date provision is consistent with the anticipated annual tax rate. The Company’s effective tax rate projected for the year ending December 31, 2022 differs from its actual tax rate for the nine month periodyear ended September 30, 2017 is consistent with prior quarters; however,December 31, 2021 primarily as a result of an anticipated reduction in income in our foreign operations during the effective tax rate for the three month period ended September 30, 2017 is less than prior quarters due to a true-up of foreign tax credits generated for the tax yearsyear ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2016.

2022.

 



Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We have operations both internationally and within the United States, and we are exposed to market risks in the ordinary course of our business. These risks include primarily interest rate, foreign exchange and inflation risks.

Interest Rate Fluctuation Risk

Our cash and cash equivalents consist of cash, available-for-sale securities, comprising municipal notes, bonds and corporate debt, money market funds and time deposits. The primary objective of our investment in available-for-sale securities is to preserve principal while maximizing income without significantly increasing risk. Because our cash and cash equivalents have a relatively short maturity, our portfolio’s fair value is relatively insensitive to interest rate changes. In future periods, we will continue to evaluate our investment policy relative to our overall objectives.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

We have foreign currency risks related to our revenue and expenses denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Our most significant foreign exchange exposure, the Hong Kong dollar, is for now pegged to the U.S. dollar. Our foreign currency exchange rate exposure to South Korean won, Taiwan dollar, Japanese yen, Chinese yuan, Russian ruble, Kazakhstani tenge, Singaporean dollar, Malaysian ringgit, Vietnamese dong, Canadian dollar, Mexican peso, Peruvian sol and European euro represented approximately 9% and 7% of our revenue during each of the nine month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. We have experienced and will continue to experience fluctuations in our net income as a result of transaction gains and losses related to translating certain balances denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.

Our foreign currency exchange rate exposure may increase in the near future as we develop opportunities in Southeast Asia, Canada, Central America, South America and Europe. Additionally, our foreign currency exchange rate exposure would significantly increase if the Hong Kong dollar were no longer pegged to the U.S. dollar. We also experience indirect exchange rate exposure to the Chinese yuan, which affects our Chinese members’ purchasing power. Given our inability to predict the degree of exchange rate fluctuations, we cannot estimate the effect these fluctuations may have upon future reported results, product pricing or our overall financial condition. Further, to date we have not attempted to reduce our exposure to short-term exchange rate fluctuations by using foreign currency exchange contracts.

Inflation Risk

We do not believe that inflation has had a material effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. If our costs were to become subject to significant inflationary pressures, we might not be able to fully offset such higher costs through price increases. Our inability or failure to do so could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Not applicable under smaller reporting company disclosure rules.

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Management, with the participation of the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of SeptemberJune 30, 2017.2022. The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on this evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that as of September 30, 2017, the Company’sour disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

effective as of June 30, 2022.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172022 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Securities Class Action
In January 2016, two putative securities class action complaints were filed against us and our top executives in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. On March 29, 2016, the Court consolidated these actions under the caption Ford v. Natural Health Trends Corp., Case No. 2:16-cv-00255-TJH-AFMx, appointed two Lead Plaintiffs, Mahn Dao and Juan Wang, and appointed the Rosen Law Firm and Levi & Korsinsky LLP as co-Lead Counsel for the purported class. Plaintiffs filed a consolidated complaint on April 29, 2016. The consolidated complaint purports to assert claims on behalf of all persons who purchased or otherwise acquired our common stock between March 6, 2015 and March 15, 2016 under (i) Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder against Natural Health Trends Corp., and Chris T. Sharng, Timothy S. Davidson and George K. Broady (together, the “Individual Defendants”), and (ii) Section 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against the Individual Defendants. The consolidated complaint alleges, inter alia, that we made materially false and misleading statements regarding the legality of our business operations in China, including running an allegedly illegal multilevel marketing business. The consolidated complaint seeks an indeterminate amount of damages, plus interest and costs. We moved to dismiss the consolidated complaint on June 15, 2016. After full briefing and a hearing, the Court denied defendants’ motion to dismiss on December 5, 2016. On February 17, 2017, we filed an answer to the consolidated complaint. On April 14, 2017, the Court entered an order setting case management deadlines for the case, which included the conclusion of fact discovery in May 2018 and a final pretrial conference in August 2018. On July 10, 2017, the Court entered a stipulation between the parties, postponing all deadlines and staying the case for thirty days to allow the parties to engage in settlement discussions. On July 17, 2017, the parties reached an agreement in principle to settle the action. On July 18, 2017, the parties jointly filed a stipulation and proposed order with the Court, seeking to extend the stay for approximately sixty days to allow them an opportunity to negotiate the terms of a written settlement agreement and prepare and file the documentation necessary to obtain Court approval of the settlement. The Court entered the requested order on July 25, 2017, effecting a further stay of the case until September 25, 2017.  The proposed class-wide settlement of $1.75 million was submitted to the Court for preliminary approval on October 3, 2017, but no hearing date has yet been set. If approved, the proposed settlement will be fully funded by our insurers. Defendants continue to believe that these claims are without merit and intend to vigorously defend against them if a settlement is not finalized and approved by the Court.

Shareholder Derivative Claims

In February 2016, a purported shareholder derivative complaint was filed in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles: Zhou v. Sharng. In March 2016, a purported shareholder derivative complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California: Kleinfeldt v. Sharng (collectively the “Derivative Complaints”). The Derivative Complaints purport to assert claims for breach of fiduciary duties, unjust enrichment, abuse of control, gross mismanagement and corporate waste against certain of our officers and directors. The Derivative Complaints also purport to assert fiduciary duty claims based on alleged insider selling and conspiring to enter into several stock repurchase agreements, which allegedly harmed us and our assets. The Derivative Complaints allege, inter alia, that we made materially false and misleading statements regarding the legality of our business operations in China, including running an allegedly illegal multi-level marketing business, and that certain officers and directors sold common stock on the basis of this allegedly material, adverse non-public information. The Derivative Complaints seek an indeterminate amount of damages, plus interest and costs, as well as various equitable remedies. On February 1, 2017, pursuant to a stipulation among the parties, the Los Angeles Superior Court entered a stay of the Zhou action pending conclusion of the related federal class action in the United States District Court for the Central District of California: Ford v. Natural Health Trends Corp. A nearly identical stipulated stay was entered in the Kleinfeldt case on February 28, 2017. We believe that these claims are without merit and intend to vigorously defend against them.

The consolidated class action (if a settlement is not finalized and approved by the Court) and the Derivative Complaints, or others filed alleging similar facts, could result in monetary or other penalties that may materially affect our operating results and financial condition.

None.



Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

Our operations and financial results are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including those described in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016,2021, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and the trading price of our common stock. There have been no material changes to our risk factors since our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

2021.

Item 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.


Item 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

Item 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

Item 6. EXHIBITS

Exhibit

Number

Exhibit Description

Exhibit
Number
+10.1
 
Exhibit Description
First Amendment (Summary) to Form of Phantom Share Agreement under the Phantom Equity Plan (summary incorporated by reference to Item 5.02 of Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 25, 2022)

31.1

31.1

Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2

Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1

Certifications of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.INS 

101.INS

Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document

101.SCH

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

101.CAL

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation

101.DEF

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition

101.LAB

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels

101.PRE

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation

104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
+ Management contract or compensatory plan

24



SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

NATURAL HEALTH TRENDS CORP.

Date: November 1, 2017August 3, 2022

/s/ Timothy S. Davidson

Timothy S. Davidson

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

25



EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit

Number

Exhibit Description

Exhibit
Number
+10.1
 Exhibit DescriptionFirst Amendment (Summary) to Form of Phantom Share Agreement under the Phantom Equity Plan (summary incorporated by reference to Item 5.02 of Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 25, 2022)

31.1

31.1

31.2

32.1

101.INS 

101.INS

Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document

101.SCH

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

101.CAL

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation

101.DEF

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition

101.LAB

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels

101.PRE

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation

104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
+ Management contract or compensatory plan

23
26