Natures Sunshine Reports Second Quarter 2009 Results
PROVO, Utah, Aug 10, 2009
Nature's Sunshine Products, Inc. (OTC:NATR), a leading manufacturer and marketer of encapsulated herbs and vitamins, today reported financial operating results for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2009.
The Company also announced today that its Board of Directors has suspended payment of quarterly cash dividends. The suspension of cash dividends will preserve approximately $3.1 million of annual cash flow in the Company's United States operations following a period of exceptional legal and accounting expenses.
The Company further announced that the 2009 annual meeting of shareholders will be held on Friday, November 6, 2009 at the Company's principal executive offices located at 75 East 1700 South, Provo, Utah. Shareholders of record as of the close of business on October 2, 2009 will be entitled to vote at the meeting. The exact time and other details of the meeting will be announced in the definitive proxy statement, which the Company expects to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and send to shareholders of record in October 2009.
Financial Performance
For the second quarter of 2009, the Company reported net income of $1.5 million, on net sales revenue of $84.1 million, compared with a net loss of $0.7 million on net sales revenue of $95.9 million in the second quarter of the prior year. The second quarter results compare to a net loss of $1.5 million on net sales revenue of $83.2 million in the first quarter of 2009 and reflect a substantially lower effective tax rate. Net income per diluted share for the quarter amounted to $0.10, compared to a net loss of $0.05 a year ago. The slight increase in quarter over quarter net sales revenues primarily reflects improved United States activity during the quarter, although overall the Company's results continued to be negatively impacted by the slow economic climate and the continuing impact of exchange rate fluctuations in many of the Company's foreign markets.
Reflecting these same factors, for the six months ended June 30, 2009, net income amounted to $0.1 million and net sales revenues totaled $167.3 million, compared with a net loss of $1.1 million and net sales revenues of $192.4 million, respectively, for the first six months of the previous year. Net income per diluted share for the six month period equaled $0.00, compared with a net loss per share of $0.07 a year ago.
"Our results for the quarter reflected significant challenges resulting from a strengthened U.S. dollar and a weak global economy, although domestically we saw some improvement, including most notably an increase in the number of active managers," said Douglas Faggioli, President and CEO. "In addition, as evidenced by recent events, we have made meaningful progress in putting the legal and regulatory challenges of the past few years behind us. Management, together with our recently expanded Board of Directors, the majority of whom are independent directors, can more effectively focus our attention on building the business and resuming the growth that has characterized Nature's Sunshine for most of its 37 years."
"The response to our forthcoming annual National Convention for managers this coming August has been very positive. We are introducing 16 exciting new products at the convention. Healthcare remains a major issue in the United States and around the world, and with individuals concerned more than ever about their well being, the market for Nature's Sunshine quality herbal products, vitamins and supplements continues to be highly favorable."
Operating Results
Operating income for the second quarter totaled $2.1 million, a decline from $3.4 million in the second quarter of 2008 primarily as a result of reduced net sales. Operating income for the second quarter improved significantly over the operating loss of $2.8 million in the first quarter of this year.
Cost of goods sold, as a percentag