Natural Health Trends (NHTC) Telefonkonferenz zum 3. Quartal 2026: Umsatz sinkt um 20 %, Verlust verringert sich

Natural Health Trends Corp. (NHTC) meldete für das dritte Quartal 2026 einen Umsatz von 7,6 Millionen US-Dollar, was gegenüber dem Vorquartal unverändert blieb, im Jahresvergleich jedoch einem Rückgang um 20 % entspricht. Kostensenkungen und eine niedrigere Provisionsquote verringerten den Betriebsverlust trotz anhaltender Schwäche in China.

Wichtigste Erkenntnisse

• Der Umsatz im dritten Quartal 2026 lag bei 7,6 Millionen US-Dollar und damit unverändert gegenüber Q2 2026 sowie 20 % unter den 9,5 Millionen US-Dollar in Q3 2025.
• Der Betriebsverlust verringerte sich auf 277.000 US-Dollar nach 643.000 US-Dollar in Q2 2026 und 495.000 US-Dollar im Vorjahreszeitraum.
• Der Nettoverlust verbesserte sich auf 232.000 US-Dollar bzw. 0,03 US-Dollar pro verwässerter Aktie, verglichen mit 451.000 US-Dollar bzw. 0,05 US-Dollar pro Aktie in Q2 2026.
• Die Bruttomarge erreichte 74,2 %, verglichen mit 75,2 % im Vorquartal. Dieser Rückgang war auf den Werbeaktions-Mix zurückzuführen, lag jedoch über den 73,7 % in Q3 2025, was hauptsächlich die Verlagerung der Produktion nach Ostasien widerspiegelt.
• Das Management führte den Umsatzrückgang im Jahresvergleich im Wesentlichen auf zusätzliche Anreize und günstigere Pakete zurück, die vor dem Hintergrund der Konsumzurückhaltung, regulatorischer Unsicherheit in China und des zuvor gemeldeten Fehlverhaltens von Mitgliedern eingeführt wurden.
• Die Zahlungsmittel, Zahlungsmitteläquivalente und Wertpapiere beliefen sich zum 30. September 2026 auf insgesamt 17,6 Millionen US-Dollar, verglichen mit 28,9 Millionen US-Dollar Ende 2025.

Wichtigste Finanzdaten

Geschäfts- und operative Entwicklung

China blieb die größte operative Herausforderung des Unternehmens. Das Management verwies auf Konsumpessimismus, vorsichtiges Ausgaben- und Investitionsverhalten, regulatorische Unsicherheit sowie anhaltende Auswirkungen des zuvor gemdeten Fehlverhaltens von Mitgliedern. Zusätzliche Anreize und günstigere Pakete trugen dazu bei, die Mitgliederzahl zu steigern und den Umsatz gegenüber Q2 zu stabilisieren, machten jedoch den Großteil des Umsatzrückgangs im Jahresvergleich aus.

Ende 2025 eingeleitete Restrukturierungsmaßnahmen reduzierten die Quartalsbetriebsausgaben um fast 500.000 US-Dollar und führten im bisherigen Jahresverlauf zu Einsparungen von 1,1 Millionen US-Dollar. Der Betriebsverlust verbesserte sich folglich um 57 % gegenüber Q2 2026.

Außerhalb von Hongkong und China konnten die Hälfte der Märkte des Unternehmens den Umsatz im Vergleich zum Vorquartal steigern. Natural Health Trends veranstete zudem ein Event zum 25-jährigen Jubiläum in Hongkong, an dem etwa 1.000 Mitglieder und Gäste teilnahmen.

Das Unternehmen führte eine KI-gestützte Marketing- und Kommunikations-App für chinesische Mitglieder ein. Laut Management sind unter anderem eine KI-gestützte Suche und Produktschulungen geplant. Natural Health Trends rechnet außerdem damit, in den kommenden Wochen Move Prime auf den Markt zu bringen, eine Pulver-Getränkemischung für die Gelenkgesundheit mit Zitrusgeschmack, und bereitet für die kommenden Monate ein Produkt der Traditionellen Chinesischen Medizin für China vor.

Das Unternehmen kaufte im dritten Quartal bis Anfang Oktober insgesamt 85.291 Stammaktien für zusammen 84.000 US-Dollar zurück. Der Verwaltungsrat genehmigte in der Folge die Fortführung der Rückkäufe im Rahmen des bestehenden Programms, aus dem noch 15,8 Millionen US-Dollar zur Verfügung stehen.

Risiken und wichtige Beobachtungspunkte

• Das Management identifizierte den Konsumpessimismus und das vorsichtige Kaufverhalten in China als wesentliche Herausforderungen.
• Regulatorische Unsicherheiten in China und die anhaltenden Auswirkungen des Fehlverhaltens von Mitgliedern stellen weiterhin operativen Gegenwind dar.
• Werbeaktionen und günstigere Pakete stützten zwar die Mitgliederzahl und die Umsatzstabilität gegenüber dem Vorquartal, belasteten jedoch den Umsatz im Jahresvergleich und die Bruttomarge gegenüber dem Vorquartal.
• Die Liquidität ging in den ersten neun Monaten des Jahres 2026 aufgrund von Aktienrückkäufen, Dividenden und dem operativen Mittelabfluss zurück.

Vollständiges Transkript der Telefonkonferenz

Vollständiges Transkript der Telefonkonferenz

Ausführungen des Managements

Operator

Good day, and welcome to the Natural Health Trends Corp. Third Quarter 2026 Conference Call. At this time, I would like to turn the conference over to Michelle Glidewell with Natural Health Trends Corp. Please go ahead.

Michelle Glidewell

Thank you, and welcome to Natural Health Trends Third Quarter 2026 Earnings Conference Call. During today's call, there may be statements made relating to the future results of the company that are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements due to the result of certain factors, including those set forth in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

It should also be noted that a replay of today's call can be found on the Investors section of the company's corporate website at naturalhealthtrendscorp.com.

At this time, I'd like to turn the call over to Chris Sharng, President of Natural Health Trends.

Chris Sharng

Thank you, Michelle. Good morning, and thanks to everyone joining us to discuss our third quarter 2026 financial results. Scott Davidson, our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, is also here today. Third quarter net sales were $7.6 million or flat compared to the second quarter this year and were down 20% from $9.5 million when compared to the same quarter last year. Consumer pessimism in our largest and most important market remains one of our biggest challenges. The uncertainty is making people cautious about both spending and investing, and we saw that caution show up in purchasing decisions.

We also continue to see lingering effects from the regulatory uncertainty in China and member misconduct we previously reported. To address this difficult economic environment, we introduced additional incentives and lower-priced packages, which accounted for most of the revenue decline compared to a year ago, but managed to lift the member count and steady the top line compared to the preceding second quarter. Partially offsetting these headwinds, our restructuring initiatives from late last year improved gross margin and cut operating expenses by almost $500,000 this quarter, bringing year-to-date savings to $1.1 million. As such, we were able to reduce our operating loss by 57% compared to the preceding quarter.

During the quarter, we celebrated our 25th anniversary with a landmark event in Hong Kong, bringing together approximately 1,000 members and guests from our international teams. Celebrating this milestone together was a highlight of the quarter, and the event reinforced the strength of our community at a time when engagement matters most. We rolled out an AI-powered marketing and communication app for our Chinese members. This mobile-friendly tool helps facilitate direct communication with additional features to come, including AI-enabled search and product training.

In the coming weeks, we're excited to launch a new joint health supplement called Move Prime, a citrus-flavored powder drink mix designed to support joint comfort and mobility. We're also readying a new traditional Chinese medicine product for our China market and to be introduced in the coming months.

Turning to the rest of our global footprint. They remain an important part of our long-term growth story. Half of our markets outside of Hong Kong and China managed to increase their sales over the second quarter. Going forward, our priorities are straightforward: maintain financial discipline, invest where we can strengthen our competitive position and equip our field with innovative products, better digital tools and meaningful engagement. We believe this positions us to benefit as market conditions improve.

We also continue to return capital to shareholders as the Board has authorized continued repurchases under our existing program with $15.8 million currently remaining available. It reflects our confidence in the business and our commitment to shareholder returns.

With that, I'd like to turn the call over to our CFO, Scott Davidson, to discuss our financial results in greater detail. Scott?

Timothy Davidson

Thank you, Chris. Total revenue for the second quarter (sic) [ third quarter ] of $7.6 million was steady compared to $7.6 million in the second quarter of 2026 and declined 20% compared to $9.5 million in the third quarter of 2025. As Chris mentioned, the operating environment remains challenging in China.

Turning to our cost and operating expenses. We continue to see the impact of strong execution on our previously announced restructuring program reflected in improved margins and reduced operating expenses. Gross profit margin was 74.2%, down from 75.2% in the second quarter of 2026 due to the mix of promotions offered during the third quarter to support our teams and members. However, gross profit margin improved from 73.7% in the third quarter of 2025, largely as a result of our shift to manufacturing in East Asia.

Commissions expense as a percent of total revenue for the second quarter (sic) [ third quarter ] was 35.9%, down from 40.9% reported in each of the second quarter of 2026 and the third quarter last year, primarily due to lower weekly commissions earned following disciplinary action taken against certain members as a result of the previously reported code of conduct matter. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the quarter were $3.2 million, a decrease of $80,000 compared to the second quarter of 2026 and down $433,000 compared to the third quarter a year ago.

Operating loss for the third quarter was $277,000, an improvement compared to $643,000 in the second quarter of 2026 and $495,000 in the third quarter of 2025. Net loss for the third quarter was $232,000 or $0.03 per diluted share, also an improvement compared to $451,000 or $0.05 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2026 and $431,000 or $0.04 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2025.

Now I'll turn to our balance sheet and cash flow. Net cash used in operating activities was $3.3 million during the first 9 months of 2026 compared to $5 million in the first 9 months of 2025. Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were $17.6 million at September 30, down from $28.9 million at December 31, 2025, primarily due to repurchase of shares of common stock, dividends paid and cash used in operations during the first 9 months of 2026.

We repurchased 85,291 shares of our common stock in the open market for an aggregate purchase price of $84,000 during the third quarter through early October. Our Board of Directors has since authorized additional share repurchases under our existing stock repurchase program with $15.8 million remaining available.

Our 25th anniversary celebration in Hong Kong was a great success, and I was inspired by the loyalty and enthusiasm of our members and customers. We remain focused on executing our strategy of launching innovative new products, digital tools that drive engagement and support member training and returning value to our shareholders.

That concludes our prepared remarks. I will now turn the call back over to the operator.

Operator

This does conclude today's call. Thank you for your participation. You may now disconnect.