NATURE'S SUNSHINE PRODUCTS News

Natures Sunshine Products Reports First Quarter Financial Results

Press Release | 5/8/2012

Reinstatement of Quarterly Cash Dividend:

The Company's Board of Directors authorized a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per share, or $0.20 per share on an annual basis, payable on May 29, 2012 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 18, 2012. The Company suspended its dividend to shareholders on August 10, 2009, having previously paid a dividend every quarter since 1988. Michael Dean, Chief Executive Officer, stated: "We are pleased with the stability of our revenue, the improvement in our cash flow and the restoration of our strong balance sheet. These factors, combined with our growth prospects, have positioned us to reinstate the dividend to our shareholders on the occasion of Nature's Sunshine's 40th anniversary."

For the First Quarter of 2012:

-- Net sales were $92.9 million, compared with $92.8 million in the same quarter a year ago. -- As of March 31, 2012, active Managers worldwide were 29,800, a decrease of 1.7 percent from March 31, 2011, while active Distributors and customers worldwide were 675,400, a decrease of 3.0 percent from the end of the quarter a year ago. -- Operating income was $9.2 million, compared with $7.6 million in the same quarter a year ago, an increase of 20.4 percent. -- Adjusted EBITDA, defined here as net income before taxes, depreciation and amortization, and other income, adjusted to exclude share-based compensation expense, was $10.9 million, compared with $8.8 million in the same quarter a year ago, an increase of 24.3 percent. -- Net income was $7.2 million, compared with $6.6 million in the same quarter a year ago, an increase of 9.2 percent. -- Basic and diluted net income per share was $0.46 compared to $0.43 for the same quarter a year ago. -- As of March 31, 2012, shareholders' equity was $95.8 million, compared to $87.4 million on December 31, 2011, an increase of 9.6 percent.

Synergy Worldwide Results for the First Quarter:

-- Net sales were $23.3 million, compared with $20.7 million in the same quarter a year ago, an increase of 13.0 percent. In local currencies, net sales increased 15.5 percent. Active Managers within Synergy Worldwide totaled approximately 3,000 and 2,600 at March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Active Distributors and customers within Synergy Worldwide totaled approximately 97,200 and 81,600 at March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Synergy Worldwide is more network-marketing oriented, and the increase in net sales was primarily due to strong recruiting and retention of Managers and Distributors in our Korean and European markets. -- Operating income was $1.7 million, compared with $1.8 million for the same quarter in the prior year, a decrease of 8.8 percent. This decrease was primarily due to unusually high product returns during the quarter related to a specific promotion which contributed significantly to reduced net sales revenue in Japan. The products returns were not related to product quality.

Natures Sunshine Products Announces Annual Meeting Date

Press Release | 5/4/2012

The Company further announced that the deadline for the receipt of shareholder proposals for inclusion in the Company's proxy statement, and for nominations for directors, for the 2012 Annual Meeting is June 4, 2012. In order to be brought before the 2012 Annual Meeting, any such proposals must be received by the Corporate Secretary at the Company's principal executive offices no later than that date. Such proposals must comply in all respects with the requirements contained in the Company's bylaws and in Rule 14a-8 under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to be considered a proper proposal or nomination.

Natures Sunshine in List of Top 5 Stocks Purchased by Insiders

Npros.com | 9/26/2011

Natures Sunshine Gets Ex Herbalife Board Member

Press Release | 6/20/2011

"We are excited to welcome Greg Probert to our Board of Directors and to his role as Executive Vice Chairman," said Kristine F. Hughes, Nature's Sunshine Chairman and a founder of the Company. "Greg brings tremendous experience in the direct selling industry. He has broad marketing and operational expertise that we know will serve our Board and benefit the Company and its shareholders." Michael Dean, Nature's Sunshine's President and CEO, added: "As a consultant, Greg's input has already proven valuable to the Company and we look forward to his expanded role as both executive and director."

Mr. Probert has served as a consultant in the direct selling industry since May 2008, including consulting with Nature's Sunshine since October 2010. At Nature's Sunshine, Mr. Probert has focused on the U.S. Sales division and participated in the Brilliant Body Brilliant Business initiative. Prior to his consulting work, Mr. Probert was the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer for Penta Water Company from December 2008 to March 2010. He also served as the President and Chief Operating Officer of Herbalife International from August 2003 to April 2008. Previously, Mr. Probert acted as the Chief Executive Officer of DMX Music and held significant management positions at iMovieStudio, PlanetLingo and served in various positions at the Walt Disney Company, including Executive Vice President of Worldwide Home Entertainment. Mr. Probert received his B.A. from the University of Southern California in 1979.

Natures Sunshine Under Heavy Scrutiny

Forbes | 7/16/2007

The company acknowledged Thursday that it had received a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission subpoena for internal documents relating to operations in 32 other countries. The U.S. Department of Justice has requested the same documents, the company said.

Nature's Sunshine has failed to file quarterly or annual financial reports since 2005 and blames the resignation of auditor KPMG for the omission. KPMG has said it resigned because company executives failed to take its advice.