Document
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549 
_________________________________________________________________
 
FORM 10-Q
 
(Mark One)
 
ý      QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2016
 
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: 001-34483

logoa02.jpg 
 
NATURE’S SUNSHINE PRODUCTS, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Utah
 
87-0327982
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(IRS Employer
incorporation or organization)
 
Identification No.)
 
2500 West Executive Parkway, Suite 100
Lehi, Utah 84043
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
 
(801) 341-7900
(Registrant’s telephone number including area code)
 
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  ý  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 (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes  ý  No  o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one).
 
Large accelerated filer  o
 
Accelerated filer  x
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer  o
 
Smaller reporting company  o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  Yes  o  No  ý.
 
The number of shares of Common Stock, no par value, outstanding on October 28, 2016, was 18,754,314 shares.
 


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NATURE’S SUNSHINE PRODUCTS, INC.
FORM 10-Q
 
For the Quarter Ended September 30, 2016
 
Table of Contents
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
Certain information included or incorporated herein by reference in this report may be deemed to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the Company's objectives, plans and strategies. All statements (other than statements of historical fact) that address activities, events or developments that the Company intends, expects, projects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These statements are often characterized by terminology such as “believe,” “hope,” “may,” “anticipate,” “should,” “intend,” “plan,” “will,” “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “positioned,” “strategy” and similar expressions, and are based on assumptions and assessments made by management in light of their experience and their perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. For example, information appearing under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” includes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results, developments and business decisions to differ materially from forward-looking statements are more fully described in this report, including the risks set forth under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A, and in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, but include the following:

any negative consequences resulting from the economy, including the availability of liquidity to the Company, its independent distributors and its suppliers or the willingness of its customers to purchase products;
its relationship with, and its inability to influence the actions of, its independent distributors, and other third parties with whom it does business;
improper activity by its employees or independent distributors;
negative publicity related to its products, ingredients, or direct selling organization and the nutritional supplement industry;
changing consumer preferences and demands;
its reliance upon, or the loss or departure of any member of, its senior management team which could negatively impact its distributor relations and operating results;
increased state and federal regulatory scrutiny of the nutritional supplement industry, including, but not limited to targeting of ingredients, testing methodology and product claims;
the competitive nature of its business and the nutritional supplement industry;
regulatory matters governing its products, ingredients, the nutritional supplement industry, its direct selling program, or the direct selling market in which it operates;
legal challenges to its direct selling program or to the classification of its independent distributors;
a recent settlement between the Federal Trade Commission and a multilevel marketing company that may have implications for the direct selling industry and the Company;
risks associated with operating internationally and the effect of economic factors, including foreign exchange, inflation, disruptions or conflicts with the its third party importers, governmental sanctions, ongoing Ukraine and Russia political conflict, pricing and currency devaluation risks, especially in countries such as Ukraine, Russia and Belarus;
uncertainties relating to the application of transfer pricing, duties, value-added taxes, and other tax regulations, and changes thereto;
its dependence on increased penetration of existing markets;
cyber security threats and exposure to data loss;
its reliance on its information technology infrastructure;
the sufficiency of trademarks and other intellectual property rights;
changes in tax laws, treaties or regulations, or their interpretation;
taxation relating to its independent distributors;
product liability claims;
the full implementation of its joint venture for operations in China with Fosun Industrial Co., Ltd., as well as the legal complexities, unique regulatory environment and challenges of doing business in China generally;
its inability to register products for sale in Mainland China and difficulty or increased cost of importing products into Mainland China;
managing rapid growth in China; and
the slowing of the Chinese economy.
 
All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report and are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements included in or incorporated by reference into this report. Except as is required by law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to publicly release any revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events after the

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date of this report.  Throughout this report, Nature’s Sunshine Products, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, are referred to as “the Company.”

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PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
NATURE’S SUNSHINE PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
September 30,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
Assets
 

 
 

Current assets:
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
$
40,443

 
$
41,420

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $190 and $190, respectively
7,216

 
7,700

Investments available for sale
1,791

 
1,772

Inventories
48,918

 
38,495

Deferred income tax assets
4,795

 
5,021

Prepaid expenses and other
7,038

 
7,110

Total current assets
110,201

 
101,518

 
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment, net
72,921

 
68,728

Investment securities - trading
1,379

 
1,044

Intangible assets, net
490

 
559

Deferred income tax assets
17,439

 
17,339

Other assets
12,469

 
11,332

 
$
214,899

 
$
200,520

 
 
 
 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
 

 
 

Current liabilities:
 

 
 

Accounts payable
$
7,111

 
$
6,341

Accrued volume incentives and service fees
17,895

 
14,913

Accrued liabilities
23,670

 
23,726

Deferred revenue
3,313

 
4,160

Revolving credit facility payable
9,007

 
2,696

Income taxes payable
1,641

 
1,300

Total current liabilities
62,637

 
53,136

 
 
 
 
Liability related to unrecognized tax benefits
6,094

 
7,809

Deferred compensation payable
1,379

 
1,044

Other liabilities
2,380

 
2,266

Total liabilities
72,490

 
64,255

 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies


 


 
 
 
 
Shareholders’ equity:
 

 
 

Common stock, no par value, 50,000 shares authorized, 18,754 and 18,588 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
129,041

 
126,670

Retained earnings
21,248

 
18,088

Noncontrolling interests
2,055

 
2,750

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(9,935
)
 
(11,243
)
Total shareholders’ equity
142,409

 
136,265

 
$
214,899

 
$
200,520

 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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NATURE’S SUNSHINE PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Amounts in thousands, except per share information)
(Unaudited) 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
2016
 
2015
Net sales revenue
$
85,441

 
$
79,586

Cost of sales
(21,512
)
 
(20,643
)
Gross profit
63,929

 
58,943

 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 

 
 

Volume incentives
29,684

 
28,690

Selling, general and administrative
29,187

 
27,115

Operating income
5,058

 
3,138

Other income (loss), net
20

 
(247
)
Income before provision for income taxes
5,078

 
2,891

Provision for income taxes
1,136

 
1,284

Net income from continuing operations
3,942

 
1,607

Income from discontinued operations

 
804

Net income
3,942

 
2,411

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
(213
)
 
(355
)
Net income attributable to common shareholders
$
4,155

 
$
2,766

 
 
 
 
Basic and diluted net income per common share
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share attributable to common shareholders:
 

 
 

Net income from continuing operations
$
0.22

 
$
0.09

Income from discontinued operations
$

 
$
0.04

Net income attributable to common shareholders
$
0.22

 
$
0.15

 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share attributable to common shareholders:
 

 
 

Net income from continuing operations
$
0.22

 
$
0.08

Income from discontinued operations
$

 
$
0.04

Net income attributable to common shareholders
$
0.22

 
$
0.15

 
 
 
 
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding
18,751

 
18,688

Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding
19,255

 
19,117

 
 
 
 
Dividends declared per common share
$
0.10

 
$
0.10

 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


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NATURE’S SUNSHINE PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Amounts in thousands, except per share information)
(Unaudited) 
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2016
 
2015
Net sales revenue
$
257,209

 
$
244,711

Cost of sales
(66,610
)
 
(63,592
)
Gross profit
190,599

 
181,119

 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 

 
 

Volume incentives
90,352

 
88,630

Selling, general and administrative
88,821

 
80,837

Operating income
11,426

 
11,652

Other income (loss), net
957

 
(567
)
Income before provision for income taxes
12,383

 
11,085

Provision for income taxes
4,286

 
2,880

Net income from continuing operations
8,097

 
8,205

Income from discontinued operations

 
2,116

Net income
8,097

 
10,321

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
(695
)
 
(673
)
Net income attributable to common shareholders
$
8,792

 
$
10,994

 
 
 
 
Basic and diluted net income per common share
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share attributable to common shareholders:
 

 
 

Net income from continuing operations
$
0.47

 
$
0.44

Income from discontinued operations
$

 
$
0.11

Net income attributable to common shareholders
$
0.47

 
$
0.59

 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share attributable to common shareholders:
 

 
 

Net income from continuing operations
$
0.46

 
$
0.43

Income from discontinued operations
$

 
$
0.11

Net income attributable to common shareholders
$
0.46

 
$
0.57

 
 
 
 
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding
18,723

 
18,678

Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding
18,995

 
19,193

 
 
 
 
Dividends declared per common share
$
0.30

 
$
0.30


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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NATURE’S SUNSHINE PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited) 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
2016
 
2015
Net income
$
3,942

 
$
2,411

Foreign currency translation gain (net of tax)
833

 
631

Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities (net of tax)
(3
)
 
3

Total comprehensive income
$
4,772

 
$
3,045

 
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2016
 
2015
Net income
$
8,097

 
$
10,321

Foreign currency translation gain (net of tax)
1,296

 
485

Reclassification of net realized gains on marketable securities in net income (net of tax)

 
(294
)
Net unrealized gains on investment securities (net of tax)
12

 
32

Total comprehensive income
$
9,405

 
$
10,544

 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
NATURE’S SUNSHINE PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited) 
 
Common Stock
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Noncontrolling
Interests
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Total
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
 
Balance at January 1, 2016
18,588

 
$
126,670

 
$
18,088

 
$
2,750

 
$
(11,243
)
 
$
136,265

Share-based compensation expense

 
2,412

 

 

 

 
2,412

Shares issued from the exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units, net of shares exchanged for withholding tax
166

 
(41
)
 

 

 

 
(41
)
Cash dividends ($0.30 per share)

 

 
(5,632
)
 

 

 
(5,632
)
Net income

 

 
8,792

 
(695
)
 

 
8,097

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 
1,308

 
1,308

Balance at September 30, 2016
18,754

 
$
129,041

 
$
21,248

 
$
2,055

 
$
(9,935
)
 
$
142,409

 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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NATURE’S SUNSHINE PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited) 
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2016
 
2015
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 

 
 

Net income
$
8,097

 
$
10,321

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 

 
 

Provision for doubtful accounts
270

 
21

Depreciation and amortization
3,610

 
3,325

Share-based compensation expense
2,412

 
3,276

Loss (gain) on sale of property and equipment
145

 
(982
)
Deferred income taxes
311

 
(137
)
Purchase of trading investment securities
(340
)
 
(205
)
Proceeds from sale of trading investment securities
84

 
212

Realized and unrealized gains on investments
(96
)
 
(435
)
Foreign exchange (gains) losses
(501
)
 
2,021

Changes in assets and liabilities:
 

 
 

Accounts receivable
409

 
(708
)
Inventories
(9,875
)
 
56

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
102

 
373

Other assets
(771
)
 
(3,184
)
Accounts payable
328

 
1,051

Accrued volume incentives and service fees
2,721

 
(228
)
Accrued liabilities
301

 
(3,975
)
Deferred revenue
(847
)
 
(1,085
)
Income taxes payable
111

 
(1,718
)
Liability related to unrecognized tax benefits
(1,744
)
 
225

Deferred compensation payable
335

 
(46
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
5,062

 
8,178

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 

 
 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment
(7,929
)
 
(17,532
)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

 
1,374

Proceeds from sale/maturities of investments available for sale

 
810

Net cash used in investing activities
(7,929
)
 
(15,348
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 

 
 

Payments of cash dividends
(5,632
)
 
(5,620
)
Net borrowings on revolving credit facility
6,311

 
1,199

Net proceeds from the exercise of stock options
128

 
3,804

Payment of withholding taxes related to the vesting of restricted stock units
(169
)
 

Repurchase of common stock

 
(6,126
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
638

 
(6,743
)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents
1,252

 
(904
)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(977
)
 
(14,817
)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period
41,420

 
58,699

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
$
40,443

 
$
43,882

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
 

 
 

Cash paid for income taxes
$
4,704

 
$
8,669

Cash paid for interest
187

 
98

 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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NATURE’S SUNSHINE PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
(1)    Basis of Presentation
 
Nature’s Sunshine Products, Inc., together with its subsidiaries (hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Company”), is a natural health and wellness company primarily engaged in the manufacturing and direct selling of nutritional and personal care products. The Company is a Utah corporation with its principal place of business in Lehi, Utah, and sells its products to a sales force of independent distributors who use the products themselves or resell them to other independent distributors or consumers. The formulation, manufacturing, packaging, labeling, advertising, distribution and sale of each of the Company’s major product groups are subject to regulation by one or more governmental agencies.
 
The Company markets its products in Australia, Austria, Belarus, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The Company also markets its products through a wholesale model to Australia, Brazil, Chile, Israel, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom.
 
Principles of Consolidation
 
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals), considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial information as of September 30, 2016, and for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.  The results of operations of any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016.
 
It is suggested that these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.
 
Restructuring Related Activities

During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company announced a restructuring plan that has been substantially completed. Of the $3.3 million of non-recurring restructuring costs incurred during the year ended December 31, 2015, $0.1 million of other exit costs remained payable as of September 30, 2016, and $0.6 million of severance costs and $0.2 million of other exit costs remained payable as of December 31, 2015. There were $0 and $2.4 million of restructuring costs incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Noncontrolling Interests

Noncontrolling interest decreased as a result of the net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interests by $0.7 million and $0.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, noncontrolling interests were $2.1 million and $2.8 million, respectively.

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). This update requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods and services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. As such, this update affects an entity that either enters into contracts with customers or transfers goods and services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards. This update will supersede the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance, and creates Topic 606.  In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers-Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net), which further clarifies the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations contained in ASU 2014-09. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers-Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, which further clarifies the implementation guidance relating to identifying performance obligations and the licensing implementation guidance. These standards, pursuant to ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers-Deferral of the Effective Date issued by the FASB in August 2015, will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2018.  The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, consolidated financial statements and footnote disclosures.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements: "Going Concern" (Subtopic 205-40). The purpose of this ASU is to incorporate into U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("U.S. GAAP") management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued, and to provide related footnote disclosures. This update is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early application is permitted. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, consolidated financial statements and footnote disclosures.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. This update specifies that inventory should be subsequently measured at the lower of cost or net realizable value, which is the ordinary selling price less any completion, transportation and disposal costs. However, the ASU does not apply to inventory measured using the last-in-first-out or retail methods. This update is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Adoption of the ASU is prospective. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, consolidated financial statements and footnote disclosures.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. This guidance requires that entities with a classified statement of financial position present all deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent. This update is effective for annual and interim periods for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, which will require the Company to adopt the new guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2017. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued and may be applied on either a prospective or retrospective basis. Other than the netting of current and long-term deferred tax assets and liabilities in the non-current section of the balance sheet and footnote disclosures, the adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations and consolidated financial statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. This update amends the guidance in U.S. GAAP on the classification and measurement of financial instruments. Although the ASU retains many current requirements, it significantly revises an entity’s accounting related to (1) the classification and measurement of investments in equity securities and (2) the presentation of certain fair value changes for financial liabilities measured at fair value. The ASU also amends certain disclosure requirements associated with the fair value of financial instruments. This update is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, consolidated financial statements and footnote disclosures.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842): Accounting for Leases. This update specifies that lessees should recognize assets and liabilities arising from all leases, except for leases with a lease term of 12 months or less. The recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee will largely remain unchanged and continue to depend on its classification as a finance or operating lease. For public companies, the ASU will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations; however, it is expected to gross-up the consolidated balance sheet as a result of recognizing a lease asset along with a similar lease liability.


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In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The amendments are effective for public companies for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted. Several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions are simplified, including: (a) income tax consequences; (b) classification of awards as either equity or liabilities; and (c) classification on the statement of cash flows. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption on its financial statements.
 
(2)                     Discontinued Operations
 
In November 2014, the Company ceased its operations in Venezuela due to the difficulties and uncertainties related to import controls, difficulties associated with repatriating cash and high inflation. This market was part of the Company’s NSP Americas segment and all of the income from discontinued operations is attributable to the common shareholders of the Company.
 
The following table summarizes the operating results of the Company’s discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
September 30,
2016
 
September 30,
2015
Net sales revenue
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
Income before income tax provision
$

 
$
2,604

Income tax provision

 
488

Income from discontinued operations
$

 
$
2,116

 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company received $1.3 million in net proceeds from the sales of its fixed assets in Venezuela, which is included in the Company's results from discontinued operations. Also during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company released $0.8 million in accrued liabilities, net of tax, related to prior sales and use taxes as well as other litigation in Brazil, which is included in the results from discontinued operations. The Company ceased its operations in Brazil in 2010.
 
(3)                     Inventories
 
The composition of inventories is as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
September 30,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
Raw materials
$
16,547

 
$
13,351

Work in progress
1,163

 
789

Finished goods
31,208

 
24,355

Total inventory
$
48,918

 
$
38,495


(4)                     Investments
 
The amortized cost and estimated fair values of available-for-sale securities by balance sheet classification are as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
As of September 30, 2016
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
U.S. government securities funds
$
1,794

 
$

 
$
(3
)
 
$
1,791

Total short-term investment securities
$
1,794

 
$

 
$
(3
)
 
$
1,791

 

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As of December 31, 2015
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
U.S. government securities funds
$
1,794

 
$

 
$
(22
)
 
$
1,772

Total short-term investment securities
$
1,794

 
$

 
$
(22
)
 
$
1,772

 

There were no proceeds from the sales of available-for-sale securities during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.
 
The Company’s trading securities portfolio totaled $1.4 million at September 30, 2016, and $1.0 million at December 31, 2015, and generated gains of $78,000 and losses of $37,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
 
As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company had an unrealized loss of $3,000 and $22,000, respectively, in its U.S. government securities funds. There were no securities that were in a loss position for more than 12 months.
 
(5)                     Revolving Credit Facility
 
The Company’s revolving credit facility agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., permits the Company to borrow up to $25.0 million through September 1, 2017, bearing interest at LIBOR plus 1.25 percent (1.75 percent as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015). The Company must pay an annual commitment fee of 0.25 percent on the unused portion of the commitment. The revolving credit facility matures on September 1, 2017. The Company settles its net borrowings under the revolving credit facility daily, and as a result, has classified its outstanding borrowings as current on its condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2016. At September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the outstanding balance under the revolving credit facility was $9.0 million and $2.7 million, respectively.
 
The revolving credit facility agreement contains restrictions on leverage, minimum net income and consecutive quarterly net losses. In addition, the agreement restricts capital expenditures, lease expenditures, other indebtedness, liens on assets, guaranties, loans and advances and the merger, consolidation and the transfer of assets except in the ordinary course of business. The Company was in compliance with these debt covenants as of September 30, 2016.
 
(6)                     Net Income Per Share
 
Basic net income per common share (“Basic EPS”), is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per common share (“Diluted EPS”) reflects the potential dilution that could occur if stock options or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock. The computation of Diluted EPS does not assume exercise or conversion of securities that would have an anti-dilutive effect on net income per common share.


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Following is a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of Basic EPS to the numerator and denominator of Diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (dollar and share amounts in thousands, except for per share information): 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Net income attributable to common shareholders:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net income from continued operations
$
4,155

 
$
1,962

 
$
8,792

 
$
8,878

Income from discontinued operations
$

 
$
804

 
$

 
$
2,116

Net income
$
4,155

 
$
2,766

 
$
8,792

 
$
10,994

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic weighted average shares outstanding
18,751

 
18,688

 
18,723

 
18,678

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share attributable to common shareholders:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net income from continued operations
$
0.22

 
$
0.09

 
$
0.47

 
$
0.44

Income from discontinued operations
$

 
$
0.04

 
$

 
$
0.11

Net income
$
0.22

 
$
0.15

 
$
0.47

 
$
0.59

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted shares outstanding
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Basic weighted-average shares outstanding
18,751

 
18,688

 
18,723

 
18,678

Stock-based awards
504

 
429

 
272

 
515

Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding
19,255

 
19,117

 
18,995

 
19,193

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share attributable to common shareholders:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net income from continued operations
$
0.22

 
$
0.08

 
$
0.46

 
$
0.43

Income from discontinued operations
$

 
$
0.04

 
$

 
$
0.11

Net income
$
0.22

 
$
0.15

 
$
0.46

 
$
0.57

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Potentially dilutive shares excluded from diluted-per-share amounts:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Stock options
240

 
348

 
240

 
348

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Potentially anti-dilutive shares excluded from diluted-per-share amounts:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Stock options
663

 
752

 
1,440

 
613

 
Potentially dilutive shares excluded from diluted-per-share amounts include performance-based options to purchase shares of common stock for which certain earnings metrics have not been achieved. Potentially anti-dilutive shares excluded from diluted-per-share amounts include both non-qualified stock options and unearned performance-based options to purchase shares of common stock with exercise prices greater than the weighted-average share price during the period and shares that would be anti-dilutive to the computation of diluted net income per share for each of the years presented.
 
(7)                    Capital Transactions
 
Dividends
 
The declaration of future dividends is subject to the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors and will depend upon various factors, including the Company’s earnings, financial condition, restrictions imposed by any indebtedness that may be outstanding, cash requirements, future prospects and other factors deemed relevant by the Company's Board of Directors.
 
On February 25, 2016, the Company announced a cash dividend of $0.10 per common share in an aggregate amount of $1.9 million, which was paid on March 22, 2016, to shareholders of record as of March 11, 2016. On May 10, 2016, the Company announced a cash dividend of $0.10 per common share in an aggregate amount of $1.9 million, which was paid on

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June 6, 2016, to shareholders of record as of May 25, 2016. On August 8, 2016, the Company announced a cash dividend of $0.10 per common share in an aggregate amount of $1.9 million, which was paid on September 2, 2016, to shareholders of record as of August 23, 2016.
 
Share Repurchase Program
 
In November 2014, the Board of Directors authorized a $20.0 million share repurchase program beginning January 1, 2015. Such purchases may be made in the open market, through block trades, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The timing and amount of any shares repurchased will be determined based on the Company’s evaluation of market conditions and other factors and the program may be discontinued or suspended at any time. At September 30, 2016, the remaining balance available for repurchases under the program was $13.4 million. There were no repurchases of common shares by the Company during the nine months ended September 30, 2016.
 
Share-Based Compensation
 
During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company’s shareholders adopted and approved the Nature’s Sunshine Products, Inc. 2012 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2012 Incentive Plan”).  The 2012 Incentive Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, dividend equivalent rights, performance awards, stock awards and other stock-based awards.  The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has authority and discretion to determine the type of award, as well as the amount, terms and conditions of each award under the 2012 Incentive Plan, subject to the limitations of the 2012 Incentive Plan. A total of 1,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock were originally authorized for the granting of awards under the 2012 Incentive Plan. In 2015, the Company’s shareholders approved an amendment to the 2012 Incentive Plan, to increase the number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance by 1,500,000 shares. The number of shares available for awards, as well as the terms of outstanding awards, are subject to adjustment as provided in the 2012 Incentive Plan for stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations and other similar events.
 
The Company also maintains a stock incentive plan, which was approved by shareholders in 2009 (the “2009 Incentive Plan”). The 2009 Incentive Plan also provided for the grant of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, dividend equivalent rights, performance awards, stock awards and other stock-based awards.  Under the 2012 Incentive Plan, any shares subject to award, or awards forfeited or reacquired by the Company issued under the 2009 Incentive Plan are available for award up to a maximum of 400,000 shares.
 
Stock Options
 
The Company’s outstanding stock options include time-based stock options, which vest over differing periods ranging from the date of issuance up to 48 months from the option grant date; performance-based stock options, which have already vested upon achieving operating income margins of six, eight and ten percent as reported in four of five consecutive quarters over the term of the options; performance-based stock options, which vest upon achieving cumulative annual net sales revenue growth targets over a rolling two-year period, subject to the Company maintaining at least an eight percent operating income margin during the applicable period; and performance-based stock options, which vest upon achieving annual net sales targets over a rolling one-year period.
 
Stock option activity for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2016, is as follows (amounts in thousands, except per share information):
 
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted Average
Exercise
Price Per Share
Options outstanding at December 31, 2015
1,683

 
$
12.21

Granted

 

Forfeited or canceled
(59
)
 
11.77

Exercised
(32
)
 
3.99

Options outstanding at September 30, 2016
1,592

 
12.40

 
Share-based compensation expense from time-based stock options for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, was approximately $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively. Share-based compensation expense from time-based stock options for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, was approximately $0.6 million and $1.2

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million, respectively. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to the grants described above was $0.5 million and $1.1 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2016, the remaining compensation cost is expected to be recognized over the weighted-average period of approximately 1.2 years.
 
The Company has not recognized any share-based compensation expense related to the net sales revenue performance-based stock options for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015. Should the Company attain all of the net sales revenue metrics related to the net sales revenue performance-based stock option grants, the Company would recognize up to $0.4 million of potential share-based compensation expense.
 
At September 30, 2016, the aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding stock options to purchase 1,592,000 shares of common stock, exercisable stock options to purchase 1,135,000 shares of common stock and stock options to purchase 377,000 shares of common stock that are expected to vest was $5.4 million, $4.4 million and $0.9 million, respectively. At December 31, 2015, the aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding options to purchase 1,683,000 shares of common stock, the exercisable options to purchase 958,000 shares of common stock, and options to purchase 588,000 shares of common stock expected to vest was $0.9 million, $0.9 million and $0, respectively.

For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company issued 32,000 and 399,000 shares of common stock upon the exercise of stock options at an average exercise price of $3.99 and $9.79 per share, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic values of options exercised during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, was $0.2 million and $1.4 million, respectively. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized $0.1 million and $0.5 million of tax benefits from the exercise of stock options during the period, respectively.
 
Restricted Stock Units
 
The Company’s outstanding restricted stock units ("RSUs") include time-based RSUs, which vest over differing periods ranging from 12 months up to 48 months from the RSU grant date. RSUs granted to the Board of Directors contain a restriction period in which the shares are not issued until two years after vesting. At September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, there were 44,000 and 60,000, respectively, vested RSUs that have been granted to the Board of Directors that have vested but remain subject to the two-year restriction period.
 
RSU activity for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2016, is as follows (amounts in thousands, except per share information):
 
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Restricted Stock Units outstanding at December 31, 2015
744

 
$
12.48

Granted
246

 
9.33

Forfeited
(10
)
 
11.73

Issued
(154
)
 
13.05

Restricted Stock Units outstanding at September 30, 2016
826

 
11.46

 
During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2016, the Company granted 246,000 RSUs under the 2012 Incentive Plan to the Company’s Board of Directors, executive officers and other employees, which are composed of both time-based RSUs and net sales and operating income and earnings-per-share performance-based RSUs. The time-based RSUs were issued with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $9.73 per share and vest in annual installments over a three-year period from the grant date or according to the restrictions for the Board of Directors noted above. The net sales and operating income and earnings-per-share performance-based RSUs were issued with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $8.16 per share and vest upon achieving both (i) net sales and operating income targets over a three-year period from the grant date and (ii) earnings-per-share targets over a six-year period from the grant date.
 
RSUs are valued at market value on the date of grant, which is the grant date share price discounted for expected dividend payments during the vesting period. 
 
Share-based compensation expense for RSUs for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, was approximately $0.6 million and $0.8 million, respectively. Share-based compensation expense from RSUs for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, was approximately $1.8 million and $2.1 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to the grants

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described above, excluding incentive awards discussed below, was $2.3 million and $2.5 million, respectively. The remaining compensation expense is expected to be recognized over the weighted average period of approximately 1.5 years.
 
The Company has not recognized any share-based compensation expense related to the net sales revenue and earnings-per-share performance-based RSUs for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.  Should the Company attain all of the net sales revenue metrics related to the net sales revenue performance-based stock option grants, the Company would recognize up to $3.3 million of potential share-based compensation expense.
 
The number of shares issued upon vesting of RSUs granted pursuant to the Company's share-based compensation plans is net of the minimum statutory withholding requirements that the Company pays on behalf of its employees, which was 20,000 shares for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2016. Although shares withheld are not issued, they are treated as common share repurchases for accounting purposes, as they reduce the number of shares that would have been issued upon vesting. These shares do not count against the authorized capacity under the repurchase program described above. 

(8)                     Segment Information
 
The Company has four business segments. These business segments are components of the Company for which separate information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief executive officer in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing relative performance.
 
The Company's four business segments are divided based on the different characteristics of their distributor bases, selling and distributor compensation plans and product formulations, as well as the internal organization of its officers and their responsibilities and business operations.  Three business segments operate under the Nature’s Sunshine Products brand (NSP Americas; NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe; and China and New Markets). The Company’s China and New Markets segment anticipates deploying a multi-channel go-to-market strategy that offers select Nature’s Sunshine branded products through a direct selling model across China as well as through e-commerce channels.  The time to market will be dependent upon regulatory processes including product registration, permit and license approvals. The China and New Markets segment also includes the Company’s wholesale business, in which the Company sells its products to various locally managed entities independent of the Company that have distribution rights for the relevant market. The fourth business segment operates under the Synergy® WorldWide brand.


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Reportable business segment information is as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Net sales revenue:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

NSP Americas
$
43,260

 
$
44,483

 
$
133,168

 
$
136,043

NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe
6,421

 
6,321

 
19,042

 
20,579

Synergy WorldWide
31,331

 
27,797

 
94,192

 
85,045

China and New Markets
4,429

 
985

 
10,807

 
3,044

Total net sales revenue
85,441

 
79,586

 
257,209

 
244,711

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contribution margin (1):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

NSP Americas
19,057

 
18,685

 
57,077

 
57,232

NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe
2,231

 
2,287

 
6,477

 
7,197

Synergy WorldWide
9,556

 
8,809

 
28,740

 
26,677

China and New Markets
3,401

 
472

 
7,953

 
1,383

Total contribution margin
34,245

 
30,253

 
100,247

 
92,489

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative (2)
29,187

 
27,115

 
88,821

 
80,837

Operating income
5,058

 
3,138

 
11,426

 
11,652

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other income (expense), net
20

 
(247
)
 
957

 
(567
)
Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes
$
5,078

 
$
2,891

 
$
12,383

 
$
11,085

_________________________________________

(1)   Contribution margin consists of net sales revenue less cost of sales and volume incentives expense. For the China and New Markets segment, contribution margin does not include service fees related to pre-opening product sales through Hong Kong.

(2)  Service fees in the China and New Markets segment related to pre-opening product sales through Hong Kong totaled $1.5 million and $3.4 million for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016, respectively, compared to $0 for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015. These service fees are included in the Company's selling, general and administrative expenses.

From an individual country perspective, only the United States and South Korea comprise 10 percent or more of consolidated net sales revenue for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Net sales revenue:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

United States
$
36,473

 
$
36,603

 
$
112,366

 
$
112,179

South Korea
14,083

 
12,191

 
42,754

 
36,341

Other
34,885

 
30,792

 
102,089

 
96,191

 
$
85,441

 
$
79,586

 
$
257,209

 
$
244,711

 

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Revenue generated by each of the Company’s product lines is set forth below (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
NSP Americas:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

General health
$
19,063

 
$
20,119

 
$
58,914

 
$
59,607

Immune
4,599

 
5,095

 
13,913

 
16,350

Cardiovascular
3,193

 
3,026

 
9,723

 
9,670

Digestive
11,684

 
12,521

 
36,608

 
39,149

Personal care
1,925

 
952

 
5,708

 
2,792

Weight management
2,796

 
2,770

 
8,302

 
8,475

 
43,260

 
44,483

 
133,168

 
136,043

NSP Russia, Eastern and Central Europe:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

General health
$
2,732

 
$
2,532

 
$
7,956

 
$
8,210

Immune
650

 
770

 
2,047

 
2,446

Cardiovascular
538

 
391

 
1,508

 
1,290

Digestive
1,741

 
1,829

 
5,269

 
5,651

Personal care
517

 
563

 
1,619

 
2,072

Weight management
243

 
236

 
643

 
910

 
6,421

 
6,321

 
19,042

 
20,579

Synergy WorldWide:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

General health
$
8,711

 
$
8,006

 
$
27,045

 
$
23,353

Immune
205

 
91

 
455

 
368

Cardiovascular
13,188

 
11,831

 
39,386

 
36,898

Digestive
3,383

 
2,485

 
9,312

 
7,153

Personal care
1,838

 
1,784

 
5,725

 
5,346

Weight management
4,006

 
3,600

 
12,269

 
11,927

 
31,331

 
27,797

 
94,192

 
85,045

China and New Markets:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

General health
$
575

 
$
471

 
$
2,583

 
$
1,428

Immune
206

 
123

 
553

 
384

Cardiovascular
948

 
70

 
2,471

 
224

Digestive
2,118

 
240

 
3,640

 
755

Personal care
189

 
24

 
650

 
70

Weight management
393

 
57

 
910

 
183

 
4,429

 
985

 
10,807

 
3,044

 
$
85,441

 
$
79,586

 
$
257,209

 
$
244,711


Beginning in 2016, for the Synergy WorldWide segment, the Company changed its allocation of products sold within promotional product kits from the category associated with the predominant product, to each individual product being included in its respective category. Prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation.


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From an individual country perspective, only the United States comprised 10 percent or more of consolidated property, plant and equipment as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
September 30,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
Property, plant and equipment:
 

 
 

United States
$
70,420

 
$
66,044

Other
2,501

 
2,684

Total property, plant and equipment
$
72,921

 
$
68,728

 
(9)              Income Taxes
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company’s provision for income taxes, as a percentage of income before income taxes was 22.4 percent and 44.4 percent, respectively, compared with a U.S. federal statutory rate of 35.0 percent. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company’s provision for income taxes, as a percentage of income before income taxes was 34.6 percent and 26.0 percent, respectively, compared with a U.S. federal statutory rate of 35.0 percent.
 
The difference between the effective tax rate and the U.S. federal statutory tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2016, was attributed to foreign tax credit benefits and a decrease in tax liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions, partially offset by the impact of current year losses that will not provide tax benefit.
 
The difference between the effective tax rate and the U.S. federal statutory tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, was attributed to foreign tax credit benefits and a decrease in tax liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions, offset by the impact of current year losses that will not provide tax benefit.

The difference between the effective tax rate and the U.S. federal statutory tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2015, was primarily attributed to current year foreign losses that presently do not provide future tax benefits, partially offset by adjustments to the valuation allowance on U.S. foreign tax credits.

The difference between the effective tax rate and the U.S. federal statutory tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, was primarily attributed to the valuation allowances on U.S. foreign tax credits and on U.S. capital loss carryforwards, partially offset by the impact of current year losses that presently do not provide a future tax benefit.

Changes to the effective rate due to dividends received from foreign subsidiaries and the impact of foreign tax credits are expected to be recurring. Depending on various factors, changes from the foregoing items may be favorable or unfavorable in a particular period.
 
The Company’s U.S. federal income tax returns for 2013 through 2015 are open to examination for federal tax purposes. The Company has several foreign tax jurisdictions that have open tax years from 2009 through 2015.
 
As of September 30, 2016, the company had accrued $6.1 million related to unrecognized tax positions, compared with $7.8 million as of December 31, 2015. This net decrease was primarily attributed to changes in contingencies related to international tax.
 
Interim income taxes are based on an estimated annualized effective tax rate applied to the respective quarterly periods, adjusted for discrete tax items in the period in which they occur. Although the Company believes its tax estimates are reasonable, the Company can make no assurance that the final tax outcome of these matters will not be different from that which it has reflected in its historical income tax provisions and accruals.  Such differences could have a material impact on the Company’s income tax provision and operating results in the period in which the Company makes such determination.
 
(10)              Commitments and Contingencies
 
Legal Proceedings
 
The Company is party to various legal proceedings. Management cannot predict the ultimate outcome of these proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, or their resulting effect on the Company’s business, financial position, results of

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operations or cash flows as litigation and related matters are subject to inherent uncertainties, and unfavorable rulings could occur. Were an unfavorable outcome to occur, there exists the possibility of a material adverse impact on the business, financial position, results of operations, or cash flows for the period in which the ruling occurs and/or future periods. The Company maintains product liability, general liability and excess liability insurance coverage. However, no assurances can be given that such insurance will continue to be available at an acceptable cost to the Company, that such coverage will be sufficient to cover one or more large claims, or that the insurers will not successfully disclaim coverage as to a pending or future claim.
 
Non-Income Tax Contingencies
 
The Company has reserved for certain state sales and use tax and foreign non-income tax contingencies based on the likelihood of an obligation in accordance with accounting guidance for probable loss contingencies. Loss contingency provisions are recorded for probable losses at management’s best estimate of a loss, or when a best estimate cannot be made, a minimum loss contingency amount is recorded. The Company provides provisions for potential payments of tax to various tax authorities for contingencies related to non-income tax matters, including value-added taxes and sales tax. The Company provides provisions for U.S. state sales taxes in each of the states where the Company has nexus. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, accrued liabilities were $0.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively, related to non-income tax contingencies. While management believes that the assumptions and estimates used to determine this liability are reasonable, the ultimate outcome of those matters cannot presently be determined. The Company believes future payments related to these matters could range from $0 to approximately $4.2 million.
 
Other Litigation
 
The Company is party to various other legal proceedings in several foreign jurisdictions related to value-added tax assessments and other civil litigation.  While there is a reasonable possibility that a loss may be incurred, either the losses are not considered to be probable or the Company cannot at this time estimate the loss, if any; therefore, no provision for losses has been provided.  The Company believes future payments related to these matters could range from $0 to approximately $0.2 million.
 
(11)              Fair Value Measurements
 
The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that could be received upon the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Financial assets are marked to bid prices and financial liabilities are marked to offer prices. Fair value measurements do not include transaction costs. A fair value hierarchy is used to prioritize the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values of each financial instrument. Categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The fair value hierarchy is defined into the following three 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.
 
The following table presents the Company’s hierarchy for its assets, measured at fair value on a recurring basis, as of September 30, 2016 (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
 
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 
Total
Investments available-for-sale
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. government security funds
$
1,791

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,791

Trading Investment securities
1,379

 

 

 
1,379

Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
$
3,170

 
$

 
$

 
$
3,170

 

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The following table presents the Company’s hierarchy for its assets, measured at fair value on a recurring basis, as of December 31, 2015 (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
 
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 
Total
Investments available-for-sale
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. government security funds
$
1,772

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,772

Trading Investment securities
1,044

 

 

 
1,044

Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
$
2,816

 
$

 
$

 
$
2,816

 
Investments available-for-sale — The majority of the Company’s investment portfolio consists of U.S. government security funds. The Level 1 securities are valued using quoted prices for identical assets in active markets including equity securities and U.S. government treasuries. 
 
Trading Investment securities — The Company’s trading portfolio consists of various marketable securities that are valued using quoted prices in active markets.
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, and for the year ended December 31, 2015, there were no fair value measurements using significant other observable inputs (Level 2) or significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).
 
The carrying amounts reflected on the condensed consolidated balance sheet for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and the revolving credit facility payable approximate fair value due to their short-term nature. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company did not have any re-measurements of non-financial assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis subsequent to their initial recognition.

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Item 2.                            MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in this report, as well as the consolidated financial statements, the notes thereto, and management’s discussion and analysis included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, and its Reports on Form 8-K filed since the date of such Form 10-K.
 
OVERVIEW
 
Nature’s Sunshine Products, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, is a natural health and wellness company primarily engaged in the manufacturing and direct selling of nutritional and personal care products. The Company is a Utah corporation with its principal place of business in Lehi, Utah, and sells its products to customers and to a sales force of independent distributors who use the products themselves or resell them to consumers. The formulation, manufacturing, packaging, labeling, advertising, distribution and sale of each of the Company's major product groups are subject to regulation by one or more governmental agencies.
 
The Company has four business segments that are divided based on the different characteristics of their Distributor bases, selling and Distributor compensation plans and product formulations, as well as the internal organization of its officers and their responsibilities and business operations.  Three business segments operate under the Nature’s Sunshine Products brand (NSP Americas; NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe; and China and New Markets). The Company’s China and New Markets segment anticipates deploying a multi-channel go-to-market strategy that offers select Nature’s Sunshine branded products through a direct selling model across China as well as through e-commerce channels.  The time to market will be dependent upon regulatory processes including product registration, permit and license approvals. The China and New Markets segment also includes the Company’s wholesale business, in which the Company sells its products to various locally managed entities independent of the Company that have distribution rights for the relevant market. All of the net sales revenue to date in the China and New Markets segment is through the Company’s wholesale business to foreign markets, and beginning in the second quarter of 2016, pre-opening product sales through Hong Kong. The fourth business segment operates under the Synergy® WorldWide brand.

 The Company markets its products in Australia, Austria, Belarus, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States. The Company markets its products through a wholesale model to Australia, Brazil, Chile, Israel, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom.
 
In the third quarter of 2016, the Company experienced an increase in its consolidated net sales of 7.4 percent (an increase of 6.1 percent in local currencies), compared to the same period in 2015. NSP Americas net sales decreased approximately 2.7 percent (or 2.1 percent in local currencies), compared to the same period in 2015. NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe net sales increased approximately 1.6 percent compared to the same period in 2015. China and New Markets net sales increased 349.6 percent compared to the same period in 2015 as a result of the pre-opening product sales through Hong Kong as the Company prepares its broader Greater China business initiatives. Synergy WorldWide net sales increased approximately 12.7 percent (or 7.7 percent in local currencies) compared to the same period in 2015. During the quarter, the NSP Americas segment experienced net sales growth in local currencies in the United States and Canada. NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe experienced similar net sales growth in local currencies. The Synergy Worldwide segment experienced net sales growth in local currencies in Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Europe. These increases were offset by declines in local currencies sales in the NSP Americas segment in Latin America, and in the Synergy Worldwide segment in North America. Changes in the local currencies of the Company's foreign markets as compared to the U.S. dollar resulted in a favorable increase of $1.0 million, or 1.3 percent increase of its net sales during the quarter.
 
Although sales increased during the quarter, the Company expects that sales in NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe will continue to be affected by political unrest in Ukraine and Russia, sanctions against Russia and the significant impact of currency devaluation. The Company remains strongly supportive and engaged with its independent Distributors in the region, and believes its solid foundation and strong relationships in the region will allow it to return to consistent growth when the political situation and currency values stabilize.


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Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $2.1 million in the third quarter of 2016 compared to the same period in 2015. Over the same period, selling, general and administrative costs as a percentage of net sales revenue for 2016, increased to 34.2 percent from 34.1 percent in 2015. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses for the three-month period ended September 30, 2016, was primarily related to payment of $1.5 million of independent service fees related to the Company's pre-opening product sales through Hong Kong, increased investment of $0.5 million in China and increased non-capitalizable internal labor costs of $0.5 million related to the Oracle ERP implementation project, partially offset by $0.3 million reduction related to prior year non-recurring restructuring charges.
 
The Company distributes products to consumers through a sales force comprised of independent distributors, some of whom also consume the Company's products. Typically a person who joins the Company's independent sales force begins as a distributor. A distributor may earn Manager status by attaining certain product sales levels. On a worldwide basis, active Managers were approximately 13,200 and 13,000, and active Distributors and customers were approximately 244,500 and 256,800, at September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, in part due to declines in the NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe segment as well as the Latin markets in the NSP Americas segment.
 
Net sales revenue represents net sales including shipping and handling revenues offset by volume rebates given to independent distributors and customers. Volume rebates as a percentage of retail sales may vary by country depending upon regulatory restrictions that limit or otherwise restrict rebates. The Company also offers reduced volume rebates with respect to certain products and promotions worldwide. For pre-opening product sales through Hong Kong, the Company pays independent service fees, which are included in the Company's selling, general and administrative expenses.
 
The Company's gross profit consists of net sales less cost of sales, which represents manufacturing costs, the price it pays to its raw material suppliers and manufacturers of its products, duties and tariffs, as well as shipping and handling costs related to product shipments and distribution to its independent distributors and customers.
 
Volume incentives are a significant part of the Company's direct sales marketing program, and represent commission payments made to independent distributors. These payments are designed to provide incentives for reaching higher sales levels. Volume incentives vary slightly, on a percentage basis, by product due to pricing policies and commission plans in place in the various countries.
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses represent operating expenses, components of which include labor and benefits, sales events, professional fees, travel and entertainment, marketing, occupancy costs, communication costs, bank fees, depreciation and amortization, independent service fees related to pre-opening product sales through Hong Kong and other miscellaneous operating expenses.

 Most of the Company's sales to independent distributors and customers outside the United States are made in the local currency of the independent distributor or customer. In preparing the financial statements, the Company translates revenue into U.S. dollars using average exchange rates for the periods reported. Additionally, the majority of the Company's purchases from its suppliers generally are made in U.S. dollars. Consequently, a strengthening of the U.S. dollar versus a foreign currency can have a negative impact on reported sales and contribution margins and can generate transaction losses on intercompany transactions.


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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
The following table summarizes the Company's unaudited consolidated operating results from continuing operations in U.S. dollars and as a percentage of net sales revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2016
 
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2015
 
Change
 
Total
dollars
 
Percent of
net sales
 
Total
dollars
 
Percent of
net sales
 
Total
dollars
 
Percentage 
Net sales revenue
$
85,441

 
100.0
 %
 
$
79,586

 
100.0
 %
 
$
5,855

 
7.4
 %
Cost of sales
(21,512
)
 
(25.2
)
 
(20,643
)
 
(25.9
)
 
(869
)
 
(4.2
)
 
63,929

 
74.8

 
58,943

 
74.1

 
4,986

 
8.5

Volume incentives
29,684

 
34.7

 
28,690

 
36.0

 
994

 
3.5

SG&A expenses
29,187

 
34.2

 
27,115

 
34.1

 
2,072

 
7.6

Operating income
5,058

 
5.9

 
3,138

 
3.9

 
1,920

 
61.2

Other income (loss), net
20

 

 
(247
)
 
(0.3
)
 
267

 
108.1

Income from continuing operations before income taxes
5,078

 
5.9

 
2,891

 
3.6

 
2,187

 
75.6

Provision for income taxes
1,136

 
1.3

 
1,284

 
1.6

 
(148
)
 
(11.5
)
Net income from continuing operations
$
3,942

 
4.6
 %
 
$
1,607

 
2.0
 %
 
$
2,335

 
145.3
 %

The following table summarizes the Company's unaudited consolidated operating results from continuing operations in U.S. dollars and as a percentage of net sales revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2016
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2015
 
Change
 
Total
dollars
 
Percent of
net sales
 
Total
dollars
 
Percent of
net sales
 
Total
dollars
 
Percentage 
Net sales revenue
$
257,209

 
100.0
 %
 
$
244,711

 
100.0
 %
 
$
12,498

 
5.1
 %
Cost of sales
(66,610
)
 
(25.9
)
 
(63,592
)
 
(26.0
)
 
(3,018
)
 
(4.7
)
 
190,599

 
74.1

 
181,119

 
74.0

 
9,480

 
5.2

Volume incentives
90,352

 
35.1

 
88,630

 
36.2

 
1,722

 
1.9

SG&A expenses
88,821

 
34.5

 
80,837

 
33.0

 
7,984

 
9.9

Operating income
11,426

 
4.4

 
11,652

 
4.8

 
(226
)
 
(1.9
)
Other income (loss), net
957

 
0.4

 
(567
)
 
(0.2
)
 
1,524

 
268.8

Income from continuing operations before income taxes
12,383

 
4.8

 
11,085

 
4.5

 
1,298

 
11.7

Provision for income taxes
4,286

 
1.7

 
2,880

 
1.2

 
1,406

 
48.8

Net income from continuing operations
$
8,097

 
3.1
 %
 
$
8,205

 
3.4
 %
 
$
(108
)
 
(1.3
)%

 Net Sales Revenue
 
The Company’s international operations have provided, and are expected to continue to provide, a significant portion of its total net sales. As a result, total net sales will continue to be affected by fluctuations in the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies. In order to provide a framework for assessing how its underlying businesses performed excluding the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, in addition to comparing the percent change in net sales from one period to another in U.S. dollars, the Company compares the percentage change in net sales from one period to another period by excluding the effects of foreign currency exchange as shown below. Net sales excluding the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations is not a U.S. GAAP financial measure. Net sales in local currency removes from net sales in U.S. dollars the impact of changes in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the functional currencies of its foreign subsidiaries, by translating the current period net sales into U.S. dollars using the same foreign currency exchange rates that were used to translate the net sales for the previous

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comparable period. The Company believes presenting the impact of foreign currency fluctuations is useful to investors because it allows a more meaningful comparison of net sales of its foreign operations from period to period. However, net sales excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to net sales in U.S. dollar measures that reflect current period exchange rates, or to other financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Throughout the last five years, foreign currency exchange rates have fluctuated significantly. See Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

The following table summarizes the changes in net sales revenue by operating segment with a reconciliation to net sales revenue excluding the impact of currency fluctuations for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
Net Sales Revenue by Operating Segment
 
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2016
 
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2015
 
Percent
Change
 
Impact of
Currency
Exchange
 
Percent
Change
Excluding
Impact of
Currency
NSP Americas:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

NSP North America
$
36,479

 
$
36,371

 
0.3
 %
 
$
17

 
0.3
 %
NSP Latin America
6,781

 
8,112

 
(16.4
)
 
(328
)
 
(12.4
)
 
43,260

 
44,483

 
(2.7
)
 
(311
)
 
(2.1
)
NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe
6,421

 
6,321

 
1.6

 
(32
)
 
2.1

Synergy WorldWide:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Synergy Asia Pacific
22,637

 
18,915

 
19.7

 
1,363

 
12.5

Synergy Europe
6,107

 
6,071

 
0.6

 
20

 
0.3

Synergy North America
2,587

 
2,811

 
(8.0
)
 

 
(8.0
)
 
31,331

 
27,797

 
12.7

 
1,383

 
7.7

China and New Markets
4,429

 
985

 
349.6

 

 
349.6

 
$
85,441

 
$
79,586

 
7.4
 %
 
$
1,040

 
6.1
 %

The following table summarizes the changes in net sales revenue by operating segment with a reconciliation to net sales revenue excluding the impact of currency fluctuations for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
Net Sales Revenue by Operating Segment
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2016
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2015
 
Percent
Change
 
Impact of
Currency
Exchange
 
Percent
Change
Excluding
Impact of
Currency
NSP Americas:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

NSP North America
$
112,224

 
$
111,361

 
0.8
 %
 
$
(406
)
 
1.1
 %
NSP Latin America
20,944

 
24,682

 
(15.1
)
 
(1,439
)
 
(9.3
)
 
133,168

 
136,043

 
(2.1
)
 
(1,845
)
 
(0.8
)
NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe
19,042

 
20,579

 
(7.5
)
 
(125
)
 
(6.9
)
Synergy WorldWide:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Synergy Asia Pacific
66,850

 
56,378

 
18.6

 
(774
)
 
19.9

Synergy Europe
19,101

 
19,469

 
(1.9
)
 
13

 
(2.0
)
Synergy North America
8,241

 
9,198

 
(10.4
)
 

 
(10.4
)
 
94,192

 
85,045

 
10.8

 
(761
)
 
11.7

China and New Markets
10,807

 
3,044

 
255.0

 

 
255.0

 
$
257,209

 
$
244,711

 
5.1
 %
 
$
(2,731
)
 
6.2
 %
 

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Consolidated net sales revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, was $85.4 million and $257.2 million, respectively, compared to $79.6 million and $244.7 million for the same periods in 2015, which are increases of approximately 7.4 percent and 5.1 percent, respectively. The increase was principally related to increases in the Synergy WorldWide and China and New Markets segments. Synergy WorldWide increased $3.5 million and $9.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2015. China and New Markets increased $3.4 million and $7.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2015. The three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 were impacted by a favorable $1.0 million and an unfavorable $2.7 million in foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, respectively. Excluding the impacts of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, consolidated net sales revenue increased by 6.1 percent and 6.2 percent from the same periods in 2015.
 
NSP Americas
 
Net sales revenue from the Company's NSP Americas segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, was $43.3 million and $133.2 million, respectively, compared to $44.5 million and $136.0 million for the same periods in 2015, or decreases of 2.7 percent and 2.1 percent, respectively. In local currency, net sales decreased 2.1 percent and 0.8 percent, compared to the same three and nine month periods in 2015, respectively. Fluctuations in foreign exchange rates had a $0.3 million and $1.8 million unfavorable impact on net sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. Active Managers within NSP Americas totaled approximately 6,500 and 6,800 at September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Active Distributors and customers within NSP Americas totaled approximately 125,900 and 136,900 at September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The number of independent Managers, Distributors and customers decreased primarily due attrition as well as fewer new Distributors and customers joining the Company in its Latin American markets. Independent Managers and active independent Distributors and customers were down 7.9 percent, compared to the prior year. The active independent Managers category includes independent Managers under the Company's various compensation plans that have achieved and maintained certain product sales levels. As such, all independent Managers are considered to be active independent Managers. The active independent Distributors and customers category includes independent Distributors and customers who have purchased products directly from the Company for resale and/or personal consumption during the previous three months.
 
Notable activity in the following markets contributed to the results of NSP Americas:
 
In the United States, net sales revenue increased approximately $0.1 million and $1.1 million, or 0.2 percent and 1.1 percent, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, compared to the same period in 2015. This market has experienced year-over-year growth for nine consecutive quarters in part due to the implementation of new sales programs. More specifically, it has experienced increased adoption of retail sales tools and the IN.FORM business model, which is a group-focused weight management program incorporating a habit of healthy eating, daily activity and consumption of the Company's products.

In Canada, net sales revenues increased approximately $27,000 and decreased $0.3 million, or increased 1.1 percent and decreased 3.3 percent, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, compared to the same period in 2015. In local currency, net sales increased 0.5 percent and 1.5 percent compared to the same periods in 2015, which is the ninth consecutive quarter of growth year over year. The Company believes increased momentum in this market has been a result of the increased adoption of the IN.FORM business model and the introduction of nine new products.

In Latin America, net sales revenues decreased approximately $1.3 million and $3.7 million, or 16.4 percent and 15.1 percent, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2015. In local currency, net sales revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, decreased 12.4 percent and 9.3 percent, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2015. Currency devaluation had a $0.3 million and $1.4 million unfavorable impact on net sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. Net sales revenue in Latin America continues to be negatively impacted by changing regulations for product registration that affect the Company's ability to sell some of its products in certain countries in Latin America. To address this, the Company continues to emphasize the IN.FORM business model, which includes products the Company anticipates will be acceptable for registration under the changing product registration requirements in Latin America.

 NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe
 
Net sales revenue related to NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe markets (primarily Russia, Ukraine, Poland, and Belarus), for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, was $6.4 million and $19.0 million, respectively, compared to $6.3 million and $20.6 million for the same periods in 2015, or an increase of 1.6 percent and a decrease of 7.5 percent, respectively. Active independent Managers within NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe totaled approximately 2,600 and

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2,700 at September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Active independent Distributors and customers within NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe totaled approximately 60,600 and 66,500 at September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Net sales and the number of independent Managers, Distributors and customers buying and distributing the Company's products continue to struggle primarily as a result of the current political uncertainty in Ukraine and across the region, and the market decline in the value of the Ukrainian hryvnia and Russian ruble against the U.S. dollar. Although changes in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and Ukrainian hryvnia do not result in currency fluctuations within the financial statements, the Company’s products in Ukraine and Russia are priced in local currencies pegged to current U.S. dollar exchange rates and therefore become more expensive when the local currency declines in value relative to the U.S. dollar. The Company remains strongly supportive of and engaged with its independent distributors in the region, and are supporting their activity with additional promotions and training. However, at this time, the Company expects that sales in its NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe segment will continue to be significantly affected by the political unrest in Ukraine and Russia, sanctions in Russia and the impact of currency devaluation. The Company continues to evaluate various options to keep the distributor base engaged. The Company believes that its strong partnership with its local partner will provide a solid foundation to reignite growth once the political and economic conditions stabilize.
 
Synergy WorldWide
 
Synergy WorldWide reported net sales revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, of $31.3 million and $94.2 million, respectively, compared to $27.8 million and $85.0 million for the same periods in 2015, or increases of 12.7 percent and 10.8 percent, respectively. This increase was primarily due to sales growth in the segment's Asia Pacific and Europe regions, partially offset by sales declines in North America. The three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 were impacted by a favorable $1.4 million and an unfavorable $0.8 million in foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, respectively. In local currency, net sales revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 in Synergy WorldWide would have increased by 7.7 percent and 11.7 percent from the same periods in 2015. Active independent Managers within Synergy WorldWide totaled approximately 4,100 and 3,500 at September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Active independent Distributors and customers within Synergy WorldWide totaled approximately 55,600 and 53,400 at September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Synergy WorldWide’s business model is operating under a traditional direct selling method.
 
Notable activity in the following markets contributed to the results of Synergy WorldWide:
 
In South Korea, net sales revenue increased $1.9 million and $6.4 million, or 15.5 percent and 17.6 percent, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2015. In local currency, net sales revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, increased 10.7 percent and 21.8 percent compared to the same periods in 2015. The increase in local currency net sales was primarily due to launching new distributor acquisition programs, including a new home health party program and improvements in the rank advancement and recognition programs.
 
In Japan, net sales revenue increased $0.7 million and $2.6 million, or 22.4 percent and 29.4 percent, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2015. In local currency, net sales revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, increased 2.2 percent and 15.9 percent, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2015. The Company continues to see growth due to the introduction of new products and the implementation of programs to stimulate activity, including the adoption of Korea's distributor recognition program, which had a positive impact on sales volume in this market in the nine months ended September 30, 2016.
 
In Europe, net sales revenue increased $36,000 and decreased $0.4 million, or increased 0.6 percent and decreased 1.9 percent, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2015. Fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, had minimal impacts on net sales revenue during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. In local currency, net sales revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, increased 0.3 percent and decreased 2.0 percent compared to the same periods in 2015. Net sales revenue in Europe during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, was negatively impacted by residual sales in the prior year periods tied to the launch of the Company's weight management product plan that did not recur during the same periods this year. This quarter represents the first quarter of year-over-year sales growth in local currency after four quarters of decline.

In North America, net sales revenue decreased approximately $0.2 million and $1.0 million, or 8.0 percent and 10.4 percent, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2015. The decline in net sales revenue is primarily driven by the enrollment of fewer new Distributors and attraction of fewer customers. Growth initiatives have been developed and implemented to more effectively attract new Distributors and provide improved training and motivation.
 

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China and New Markets
 
China and New Markets had net sales revenue from wholesale activities and pre-opening product sales through Hong Kong for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, of $4.4 million and $10.8 million, respectively, compared to $1.0 million and $3.0 million for the same periods in 2015, increases of 349.6 percent and 255.0 percent. The net sales increase is the result of the pre-opening product sales through Hong Kong. All sales in 2015 related to sales from the wholesale division.
   
Further information related to NSP Americas, NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe, Synergy WorldWide, and China and New Markets business segments is set forth in Note 8 to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part 1, Item 1 of this report.
 
Cost of Sales
 
Cost of sales as a percent of net sales revenue decreased to 25.2 percent and 25.9 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, compared to 25.9 percent and 26.0 percent for the same periods in 2015. The decrease in the cost of sale percentage for the three month period is primarily due to increased production volumes and change in market mix.
 
Volume Incentives
 
Volume incentives as a percent of net sales revenue decreased to 34.7 percent and 35.1 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, compared to 36.0 percent and 36.2 percent in 2015. The decrease in volume incentives as a percent of net sales for the period is primarily due to changes in segment market mix such as the sales growth in China and New Markets related to pre-opening product sales through Hong Kong, for which no volume incentives are paid.
 
Selling, General and Administrative
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by approximately $2.1 million and $8.0 million to $29.2 million and $88.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2015. Selling, general and administrative expenses were 34.2 percent and 34.5 percent of net sales revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, compared to 34.1 percent and 33.0 percent for the same periods in 2015. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, as compared to the same periods in 2015, was primarily related to:

$1.5 million and $3.4 million of independent service fees, respectively, related to the Company's pre-opening product sales through Hong Kong incurred during the periods;
$0.5 million and $2.7 million of increased investment in China during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively; and
$0.5 million and $2.2 million of increased non-capitalizable internal labor costs related to the Oracle ERP implementation project incurred during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.
The increase in SG&A was partially offset by reduction of $0.3 million and $2.4 million related to prior year non-recurring restructuring charges for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.
 
Other Income (Expense), Net
 
Other income (expense) net, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, increased $0.3 million and $1.5 million to $20,000 and $1.0 million, respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2015. The change in other income was primarily due to changes in foreign exchange gains and losses.
 
Income Taxes
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company’s provision for income taxes, as a percentage of income before income taxes was 22.4 percent and 44.4 percent, respectively, compared with a U.S. federal statutory rate of 35.0 percent. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company’s provision for income taxes, as a percentage of income before income taxes was 34.6 percent and 26.0 percent, respectively, compared with a U.S. federal statutory rate of 35.0 percent.
 

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The difference between the effective tax rate and the U.S. federal statutory tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2016, was attributed to foreign tax credit benefits and a decrease in tax liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions, partially offset by the impact of current year losses that will not provide tax benefit.
 
The difference between the effective tax rate and the U.S. federal statutory tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, was attributed to foreign tax credit benefits and a decrease in tax liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions, offset by the impact of current year losses that will not provide tax benefit.

The difference between the effective tax rate and the U.S. federal statutory tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2015, was primarily attributed to current year foreign losses that presently do not provide future tax benefits, partially offset by adjustments to the valuation allowance on U.S. foreign tax credits.

The difference between the effective tax rate and the U.S. federal statutory tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, was primarily attributed to the valuation allowances on U.S. foreign tax credits and on U.S. capital loss carryforwards, partially offset by the impact of current year losses that presently do not provide a future tax benefit.

Changes to the effective rate due to dividends received from foreign subsidiaries and the impact of foreign tax credits are expected to be recurring. Depending on various factors, changes from the foregoing items may be favorable or unfavorable in a particular period.
 
The Company’s U.S. federal income tax returns for 2013 through 2015 are open to examination for federal tax purposes. The Company has several foreign tax jurisdictions that have open tax years from 2009 through 2015.
 
As of September 30, 2016, the company had accrued $6.1 million related to unrecognized tax positions, compared with $7.8 million as of December 31, 2015. This net decrease was primarily attributed to changes in contingencies related to international tax.
 
Interim income taxes are based on an estimated annualized effective tax rate applied to the respective quarterly periods, adjusted for discrete tax items in the period in which they occur. Although the Company believes its tax estimates are reasonable, the Company can make no assurance that the final tax outcome of these matters will not be different from that which it has reflected in its historical income tax provisions and accruals.  Such differences could have a material impact on the Company’s income tax provision and operating results in the period in which the Company makes such determination.
 
Product Categories
 
The Company’s line of over 700 products includes several different product classifications, such as immune, cardiovascular, digestive, personal care, weight management and other general health products. The Company purchases herbs and other raw materials in bulk and, after rigorous quality control testing, it formulates, encapsulates, tablets or concentrates them, labels and packages them for shipment. Most products are manufactured at the Company's facility in Spanish Fork, Utah. Contract manufacturers produce some of its products in accordance with its exacting specifications and standards. The Company has implemented stringent quality control procedures to verify that its contract manufacturers have complied with its specifications and standards.

Presented below are the U.S. dollar amounts and associated revenue percentages from the sale of general health, immune, cardiovascular, digestive, personal care and weight management products for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, by business segment.
 

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Table of Contents

Three Months Ended September 30,
2016
 
2015
NSP Americas:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

General health
$
19,063

 
44.1
%
 
$
20,119

 
45.2
%
Immune
4,599

 
10.6

 
5,095

 
11.5

Cardiovascular
3,193

 
7.4

 
3,026

 
6.8

Digestive
11,684

 
27.0

 
12,521

 
28.1

Personal care
1,925

 
4.4

 
952

 
2.1

Weight management
2,796

 
6.5

 
2,770

 
6.2

Total NSP Americas
43,260

 
100.0

 
44,483

 
100.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

General health
$
2,732

 
42.5
%
 
$
2,532

 
40.1
%
Immune
650

 
10.1

 
770

 
12.2

Cardiovascular
538

 
8.4

 
391

 
6.2

Digestive
1,741

 
27.1

 
1,829

 
28.9

Personal care
517

 
8.1

 
563

 
8.9

Weight management
243

 
3.8

 
236

 
3.7

Total NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe
6,421

 
100.0

 
6,321

 
100.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Synergy WorldWide:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

General health
$
8,711

 
27.8
%
 
$
8,006

 
28.8
%
Immune
205

 
0.7

 
91

 
0.3

Cardiovascular
13,188

 
42.1

 
11,831

 
42.6

Digestive
3,383

 
10.8

 
2,485

 
8.9

Personal care
1,838

 
5.9

 
1,784

 
6.4

Weight management
4,006

 
12.8

 
3,600

 
13.0

Total Synergy WorldWide
31,331

 
100.0

 
27,797

 
100.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China and New Markets:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

General health
$
575

 
13.0
%
 
$
471

 
47.8
%
Immune
206

 
4.7

 
123

 
12.5

Cardiovascular
948

 
21.4

 
70

 
7.1

Digestive
2,118

 
47.8

 
240

 
24.4

Personal care
189

 
4.3

 
24

 
2.4

Weight management
393

 
8.9

 
57

 
5.8

Total China and New Markets
4,429

 
100.0

 
985

 
100.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

General health
$
31,081

 
36.4
%
 
$
31,128

 
39.1
%
Immune
5,660

 
6.6

 
6,079

 
7.6

Cardiovascular
17,867

 
20.9

 
15,318

 
19.2

Digestive
18,926

 
22.2

 
17,075

 
21.5

Personal care
4,469

 
5.2

 
3,323

 
4.2

Weight management
7,438

 
8.7

 
6,663

 
8.4

Total Consolidated
$
85,441

 
100.0
%
 
$
79,586

 
100.0
%

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Table of Contents

Nine Months Ended September 30,
2016
 
2015
NSP Americas:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

General health
$
58,914

 
44.2
%
 
$
59,607

 
43.8
%
Immune
13,913

 
10.4

 
16,350

 
12.0

Cardiovascular
9,723

 
7.3

 
9,670

 
7.1

Digestive
36,608

 
27.5

 
39,149

 
28.8

Personal care
5,708

 
4.3

 
2,792

 
2.1

Weight management
8,302

 
6.2

 
8,475

 
6.2

Total NSP Americas
133,168

 
100.0

 
136,043

 
100.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

General health
$
7,956

 
41.8
%
 
$
8,210

 
39.9
%
Immune
2,047

 
10.7

 
2,446

 
11.9

Cardiovascular
1,508

 
7.9

 
1,290

 
6.3

Digestive
5,269

 
27.7

 
5,651

 
27.5

Personal care
1,619

 
8.5

 
2,072

 
10.1

Weight management
643

 
3.4

 
910

 
4.4

Total NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe
19,042

 
100.0

 
20,579

 
100.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Synergy WorldWide:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

General health
$
27,045

 
28.7
%
 
$
23,353

 
27.5
%
Immune
455

 
0.5

 
368

 
0.4

Cardiovascular
39,386

 
41.8

 
36,898

 
43.4

Digestive
9,312

 
9.9

 
7,153

 
8.4

Personal care
5,725

 
6.1

 
5,346

 
6.3

Weight management
12,269

 
13.0

 
11,927

 
14.0

Total Synergy WorldWide
94,192

 
100.0

 
85,045

 
100.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China and New Markets:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

General health
$
2,583

 
23.9
%
 
$
1,428

 
46.9
%
Immune
553

 
5.1

 
384

 
12.6

Cardiovascular
2,471

 
22.9

 
224

 
7.4

Digestive
3,640

 
33.7

 
755

 
24.8

Personal care
650

 
6.0

 
70

 
2.3

Weight management
910

 
8.4

 
183

 
6.0

Total China and New Markets
10,807

 
100.0

 
3,044

 
100.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

General health
$
96,498

 
37.5
%
 
$
92,598

 
37.8
%
Immune
16,968

 
6.6

 
19,548

 
8.0

Cardiovascular
53,088

 
20.6

 
48,082

 
19.6

Digestive
54,829

 
21.3

 
52,708

 
21.5

Personal care
13,702

 
5.3

 
10,280

 
4.2

Weight management
22,124

 
8.6

 
21,495

 
8.8

Total Consolidated
$
257,209

 
100.0
%
 
$
244,711

 
100.0
%


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Table of Contents



The following table summarizes the Company's product lines by category:
 
Category
 
Description
 
Selected Representative Products
General health
 
The Company distributes a wide selection of general health products. The general health line is a combination of assorted health products related to blood sugar support, bone health, cellular health, cognitive function, joint health, mood, sexual health, sleep, sports and energy, and vision.

 
NSP Americas; NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe; China and New Markets: Anxiouslesstm, CurcuminBP, Everflex®, Ionic Minerals, Mind-Max, Nutri-Calm®, Perfect Eyes®, Skeletal Strength®, Super Supplemental Vitamin and Mineral, Super Trio, Thai-Go®, Vitamin B-Complex and Vitamin D3

Synergy WorldWide:
Core Greens®, Mistica®, Noni Plus, NutriBurst, Spirulina
 
 
 
 
 
Immune
 
The Company distributes immune products. The immune line has been designed to offer products that support and strengthen the human immune system.

 
NSP Americas; NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe; China and New Markets: Elderberry D3fense, Immune Stimulator and Silver Shield

Synergy WorldWide:
BodyGuard, Colostrum
 
 
 
 
 
Cardiovascular
 
The Company distributes cardiovascular products. The cardiovascular line has been designed to offer products that combine a variety of superior heart health ingredients to give the cardiovascular system optimum support.
 
NSP Americas; NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe; China and New Markets: CardioxLDL, Blood Pressurex, Co-Q10, Flax Seed Oil, Mega-Chel®, Red Yeast Rice, Super Omega-3 EPA and the IN.FORM Program

Synergy WorldWide:
e9, ProArgi-9 Plus®
 
 
 
 
 
Digestive
 
The Company distributes digestive products. The digestive line has been designed to offer products that regulate intestinal and digestive functions in support of the human digestive system.

 
NSP Americas; NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe; China and New Markets: Bifidophilus Flora Force®, CleanStart®, Food Enzymes, LBS II®, Liquid Chlorophyll, Proactazyme®, Probiotic Eleven® and the IN.FORM Purify Drink

Synergy WorldWide:
Detox Plus, Liquid Chlorophyll
 
 
 
 
 
Personal care
 
The Company distributes a variety of personal care products for external use, including oils and lotions, aloe vera gel, herbal shampoo, herbal skin treatment, toothpaste and skin cleanser.

 
NSP Americas; NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe; China and New Markets: EverFlex® Cream, HSN-W®, Pau-D Arco Lotion, Tei-Fu® Lotion, Vari-Gone® and Natria Eye Concentrate

Synergy WorldWide:
Elemence Repair Complex, TriAction Bright Renewal Serum, Elemence Hydrating Toner, 5 in 1
Shampoo
 
 
 
 
 
Weight management
 
The Company distributes a variety of weight management products. The weight management line has been designed to simplify the weight management process by providing healthy meal replacements and products that increase caloric burn rate.
 
NSP Americas; NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe; China and New Markets: Fat Grabbers®, Garcinia Combination, Love and Peas, Nutri-Burn®, SmartMeal, Stixated™, Ultra Therm™ and the IN.FORM Program

Synergy WorldWide:
Double Burn, SLMSmart™


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Table of Contents

Distribution and Marketing
 
The Company’s independent distributors, also known as Managers and Distributors, market its products to customers through direct selling techniques and sponsor other independent distributors who also market the Company's products to customers. The Company seeks to motivate and provide incentives to its independent distributors by offering high quality products and providing its independent distributors with product support, training seminars, sales conventions, travel programs and financial incentives.

The Company’s products sold in the United States are shipped directly from its manufacturing and warehouse facilities located in Spanish Fork, Utah, as well as from its regional warehouses located in Georgia, Ohio and Texas. Many of the Company's international operations maintain warehouse facilities with inventory to supply their independent distributors and customers. However, in foreign markets where it does not maintain warehouse facilities, it has contracted with third-parties to distribute its products and provide support services to its independent sales force of independent distributors.

As of September 30, 2016, the Company had approximately 244,500 "active independent Distributors and customers" (as defined below). A person who joins the Company’s independent sales force begins as an independent distributor. Many independent distributors sell the Company’s products on a part-time basis to friends or associates or use the products themselves. An independent distributor may earn Manager status by attaining certain product sales levels. As of September 30, 2016, the Company had approximately 13,200 "active independent Managers" (as defined below) worldwide. In many of the Company's markets, its independent Managers and Distributors are primarily retailers of the Company's products, including practitioners, proprietors of retail stores and other health and wellness specialists.

In the United States, the Company generally sells its products on a cash or credit card basis. From time to time, the Company's U.S. operations extend short-term credit associated with product promotions. For certain of its international operations, the Company uses independent distribution centers and offers credit terms that are generally consistent with industry standards within each respective country.
 
The Company pays sales commissions, or “volume incentives” to its Managers and Distributors based upon the amount of their sales group product purchases. These volume incentives are recorded as an expense in the year earned. The amounts of volume incentives that the Company expensed during the quarters ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, are set forth in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this report. In addition to the opportunity to receive volume incentives, Managers who attain certain levels of monthly product sales are eligible for additional incentive programs including automobile allowances, sales convention privileges and travel awards.
 
Distributor Information
 
The Company's revenue is highly dependent upon the number and productivity of its independent Managers and Distributors. Growth in sales volume requires an increase in the productivity and/or growth in the total number of independent Managers and Distributors.
 
Within the Company, there are a number of different distributor compensation plans and qualifications, which generate active independent Managers and Distributors with different sales values in the different business segments.  Within the NSP Americas and NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe segments, the declines in active independent Managers and Distributors have resulted in declines in sales revenues.  Within Synergy WorldWide, the sales qualifications required for active independent Managers and Distributors varies by market according to local economic factors.  As sales grow in markets with higher qualification values, and decline in those with lower qualification values, the resultant mix change influences the active independent Manager and Distributor counts. As a result, from time-to-time, changes in overall active independent Manager and Distributor counts may not be indicative of actual sales trends for the segment.

The following table provides information concerning the number of total independent Managers, Distributors and customers by segment, as of the dates indicated:
 

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Table of Contents

Total Managers, Distributors and Customers by Segment as of September 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
Distributors
& Customers
 
Managers
 
Distributors
& Customers
 
Managers
NSP Americas
275,200

 
6,500

 
289,500

 
6,800

NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe
145,000

 
2,600

 
179,300

 
2,700

Synergy WorldWide
126,500

 
4,100

 
122,200

 
3,500

China and New Markets
3,100

 

 

 

 
549,800

 
13,200

 
591,000

 
13,000

 
“Total Managers” includes independent Managers under the Company's various compensation plans that have achieved and maintained specified and personal groups sale volumes as of the date indicated. To maintain Manager status, an individual must continue to meet certain product sales volume levels. As such, all Managers are considered to be “Active Managers”.
 
“Total Distributors and customers” includes the Company's independent Distributors and customers who have purchased products directly from the Company for resale and/or personal consumption during the previous twelve months ended as of the date indicated. This includes independent Manager, Distributor and customer accounts that may have become inactive since such respective dates.
 
The following table provides information concerning the number of active Distributors and customers by segment, as of the dates indicated:
 
Active Distributors and Customers by Segment as of September 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
Distributors
& Customers
 
Managers
 
Distributors
& Customers
 
Managers
NSP Americas
125,900

 
6,500

 
136,900

 
6,800

NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe
60,600

 
2,600

 
66,500

 
2,700

Synergy WorldWide
55,600

 
4,100

 
53,400

 
3,500

China and New Markets
2,400

 

 

 

 
244,500

 
13,200

 
256,800

 
13,000

 
“Active Distributors and customers” includes the Company's independent Distributors and customers who have purchased products directly from the Company for resale and/or personal consumption during the previous three months ended as of the date indicated.
 
The following tables provide information concerning the number of new independent Managers, Distributors and customers by segment, for the periods indicated:
 
New Managers, Distributors and Customers by Segment for the Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
New Distributors
& Customers
 
New Managers
 
New Distributors
& Customers
 
New Managers
NSP Americas
28,500

 
800

 
33,200

 
800

NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe
10,700

 
100

 
10,600

 
100

Synergy WorldWide
18,600

 
900

 
17,000

 
600

China and New Markets
2,000

 

 

 

 
59,800

 
1,800

 
60,800

 
1,500

 

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“New Managers” includes independent Managers under the Company's various compensation plans that first achieved the rank of Manager during the previous three months ended as of the date indicated.

“New Distributors and Customers” include the Company's independent Distributors and customers who have made their initial product purchase directly from the Company for resale and/or personal consumption during the previous three months ended as of the date indicated.
 
The following tables provide information concerning the number of new Managers, Distributors and customers by segment, for the periods indicated:
 
New Managers, Distributors and Customers by Segment for the Twelve Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
New Distributors
& Customers
 
New Managers
 
New Distributors
& Customers
 
New Managers
NSP Americas
120,200

 
2,900

 
129,000

 
3,000

NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe
45,300

 
600

 
50,100

 
800

Synergy WorldWide
78,000

 
2,800

 
72,500

 
2,000

China and New Markets
3,100

 

 

 

 
246,600

 
6,300

 
251,600

 
5,800

 
“New Managers” includes independent Managers under the Company's various compensation plans that first achieved the rank of Manager during the previous twelve months ended as of the date indicated.
 
“New Distributors and Customers” include the Company's independent Distributors and customers who have made their initial product purchase directly from the Company for resale and/or personal consumption during the previous twelve months ended as of the date indicated.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
The Company's principal use of cash is to pay for operating expenses, including volume incentives, inventory and raw material purchases, capital assets and funding of international expansion. As of September 30, 2016, working capital was $47.6 million, compared to $48.4 million as of December 31, 2015.  At September 30, 2016, the Company had $40.4 million in cash and cash equivalents, of which $36.9 million was held in foreign markets and may be subject to various withholding taxes and other restrictions related to repatriation before becoming available to be used along with the normal cash flows from operations to fund any unanticipated shortfalls in future cash flows.
 
The Company's net consolidated cash inflows (outflows) are as follows (in thousands):
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2016
 
2015
Operating activities
$
5,062

 
$
8,178

Investing activities
(7,929
)
 
(15,348
)
Financing activities
638

 
(6,743
)
 
Operating Activities
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, operating activities provided cash in the amount of $5.1 million, compared to $8.2 million for the same period in 2015. Operating cash flows decreased primarily due to the timing of payments and receipts for inventories, liability related to unrecognized tax positions, the effects of foreign exchange as well as the decline in net income between periods, and were partially offset by the timing of payments and receipts for accrued volume incentives, accrued liabilities, deferred revenue, income taxes payable, and other assets.


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Table of Contents

Investing Activities
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, investing activities used cash in the amount of $7.9 million, compared to $15.3 million for the same period in 2015. Capital expenditures related to the purchase of equipment, computer systems and software for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, were $7.9 million and $17.5 million, respectively. In 2013, the Company began to significantly reinvest in its information technology systems. Included within this plan is an Oracle ERP implementation program to provide the Company with a single integrated software solution that will integrate the Company’s business process on a worldwide basis. The Company anticipates completion of this project by early 2017.

Financing Activities
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, financing activities provided cash in the amount of $0.6 million, compared to using $6.7 million of cash for the same period in 2015. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company used cash to pay dividends in an aggregate amount of $5.6 million and $5.6 million, respectively.
 
In November 2014, the Board of Directors authorized a $20.0 million share repurchase program beginning January 1, 2015. Such purchases may be made in the open market, through block trades, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The timing and amount of any shares repurchased will be determined based on the Company’s evaluation of market conditions and other factors and the program may be discontinued or suspended at any time. The Company will fund future dividends and the share repurchase program through available cash on hand, future cash flows from operations and borrowings under its revolving credit facility. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2016, there were no shares repurchased by the Company under the share repurchase program. At September 30, 2016, the remaining balance available for repurchases under the program was $13.4 million.
 
The Company has a revolving credit facility agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. with a borrowing limit of $25.0 million that matures September 1, 2017. The Company pays interest at LIBOR plus 1.25 percent on any borrowings on the facility (1.75 percent as of September 30, 2016). The Company must pay an annual commitment fee of 0.25 percent on the unused portion of the commitment. The Company has $16.0 million of unused capacity, under the revolving credit facility as of September 30, 2016, which will allow the Company to continue making long-term investments in its sales, marketing, science and product development initiatives and overall operations, as well as pursue strategic opportunities as they may arise. At September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company had a balance of $9.0 million and $2.7 million, respectively, under the revolving credit facility. The increase in the use of the revolving credit facility related to the large build-up of inventory in preparation for operations in China as well as the transition to Oracle.
 
The revolving credit agreement contains restrictions on leverage, minimum net income and consecutive quarterly net losses. In addition, the agreement restricts capital expenditures, lease expenditures, other indebtedness, liens on assets, guaranties, loans and advances, and the merger, consolidation and the transfer of assets except in the ordinary course of business.  As of September 30, 2016, the Company was in compliance with these debt covenants.
 
The Company believes that cash generated from operations, along with available cash and cash equivalents, will be sufficient to fund its normal operating needs; including dividends, share repurchases, and capital expenditures, as well as potential business development activity and to meet debt obligations as they become due for the next 12 months, as well as for the foreseeable future. However, among other things, a prolonged economic downturn, a decrease in demand for the Company's products, an unfavorable settlement of its unrecognized tax positions or non-income tax contingencies could adversely affect the Company's long-term liquidity.
 
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
 
The Company's unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and form the basis for the following discussion and analysis on critical accounting policies and estimates. The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On a regular basis, the Company evaluates its estimates and assumptions. It bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ from these estimates and those differences could have a material effect on the Company's financial position and results of operations. Management has discussed the development, selection and disclosure of these estimates with the Board of Directors and its Audit Committee.
 

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A summary of the Company's significant accounting policies is provided in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. The Company believes the critical accounting policies and estimates described below reflect the more significant estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements. The impact and any associated risks on its business that are related to these policies are also discussed throughout this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” where such policies affect reported and expected financial results.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
Net sales revenue and related volume incentive expenses are recorded when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, collectability is reasonably assured, the amount is fixed and determinable, and title and risk of loss have passed. The amount of the volume incentive is determined based upon the amount of qualifying purchases in a given month. Amounts received for undelivered merchandise are recorded as deferred revenue.

From time to time, the Company’s U.S. operations extend short-term credit associated with product promotions. In addition, for certain of the Company’s international operations, the Company offers credit terms consistent with industry standards within the country of operation. Payments to independent Managers and Distributors for sales incentives or rebates are recorded as a reduction of revenue. Payments for sales incentives and rebates are calculated monthly based upon qualifying sales. Membership fees are deferred and amortized as revenue over the life of the membership, primarily one year.
 
A reserve for product returns is recorded based upon historical experience.  The Company allows independent Managers or Distributors to return the unused portion of products within ninety days of purchase if they are not satisfied with the product.  In some of the Company’s markets, the requirements to return product are more restrictive.
 
Accounts Receivable Allowances
 
Accounts receivable have been reduced by an allowance for amounts that may be uncollectible in the future. This estimated allowance is based primarily on the aging category, historical trends and management’s evaluation of the financial condition of the customer. This reserve is adjusted periodically as information about specific accounts becomes available.
 
Investments
 
The Company’s available-for-sale investment portfolio is recorded at fair value and consists of various securities such as state and municipal obligations, U.S. government security funds, short-term deposits and various equity securities. These investments are valued using (a) quoted prices for identical assets in active markets or (b) from significant inputs that are observable or can be derived from or corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the asset. The Company’s trading portfolio is recorded at fair value and consists of various marketable securities that are valued using quoted prices in active markets.

For equity securities, when assessing whether a decline in fair value below the Company’s cost basis is other-than-temporary, the Company considers the fair market value of the security, the length of time and extent to which market value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer as well as specific events or circumstances that may influence the operations of the issuer, and the Company’s intent and ability to hold the investment for a sufficient time in order to enable recovery of the cost. New information and the passage of time can change these judgments. Where the Company has determined that it lacks the intent and ability to hold an equity security to its expected recovery, the security’s decline in fair value is deemed to be other-than-temporary and is recorded within earnings as an impairment loss.
 
Inventories
 
Inventories are stated at the lower-of-cost-or-market, using the first-in, first-out method. The components of inventory cost include raw materials, labor and overhead. To estimate any necessary obsolescence or lower-of-cost-or-market adjustments, various assumptions are made in regard to excess or slow-moving inventories, non-conforming inventories, expiration dates, current and future product demand, production planning and market conditions.
 
Self-Insurance Liabilities
 
Similar to other manufacturers and distributors of products that are ingested, the Company faces an inherent risk of exposure to product liability claims in the event that, among other things, the use of its products results in injury. The Company has a wholly-owned captive insurance company to provide it with product liability insurance coverage. The Company has

38

Table of Contents

accrued an amount that it believes is sufficient to cover probable and reasonably estimable liabilities related to product liability claims based on the Company’s history of such claims. However, there can be no assurance that these estimates will prove to be sufficient, nor can there be any assurance that the ultimate outcome of any litigation for product liability will not have a material negative impact on the Company’s business prospects, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
The Company self-insures for certain employee medical benefits. The recorded liabilities for self-insured risks are calculated using actuarial methods and are not discounted. The liabilities include amounts for actual claims and claims incurred but not reported. Actual experience, including claim frequency and severity as well as health care inflation, could result in actual liabilities being more or less than the amounts currently recorded.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
 
The Company reviews its long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment and intangible assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. It may use an estimate of future undiscounted net cash flows of the related assets or groups of assets over their remaining lives in measuring whether the assets are recoverable. An impairment loss is calculated by determining the difference between the carrying values and the fair values of these assets. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company received $0 and $1.3 million, respectively, in net proceeds from the sales of its fixed assets in Venezuela, which is included in the Company's results from discontinued operations.

Incentive Trip Accrual
 
The Company accrues for expenses associated with its direct sales program, which rewards independent Managers and Distributors with paid attendance for incentive trips, including Company conventions and meetings. Expenses associated with incentive trips are accrued over qualification periods as they are earned. It specifically analyzes incentive trip accruals based on historical and current sales trends as well as contractual obligations when evaluating the adequacy of the incentive trip accrual. Actual results could generate liabilities more or less than the amounts recorded.
  
Contingencies
 
The Company is involved in certain legal proceedings. When a loss is considered probable in connection with litigation or non-income tax contingencies and when such loss can be reasonably estimated with a range, it records its best estimate within the range related to the contingency. If there is no best estimate, it records the minimum of the range. As additional information becomes available, it assesses the potential liability related to the contingency and revises the estimates. Revision in estimates of the potential liabilities could materially affect its results of operations in the period of adjustment. The Company's contingencies are discussed in further detail in Note 10, “Commitments and Contingencies”, to the Notes of its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, of Item 1, Part 1 of this report.
 
Income Taxes
 
The Company’s income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities and contingent reserves reflect management’s best assessment of estimated future taxes to be paid. It is subject to income taxes in both the United States and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgments and estimates are required in determining the Company’s consolidated income tax expense.

Deferred income taxes arise from temporary differences between the tax and financial statement recognition of revenue and expense. In evaluating the Company’s ability to recover its deferred tax assets, management considers all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent financial operations. In projecting future taxable income, the Company develops assumptions including the amount of future state, federal and foreign pretax operating income, the reversal of temporary differences, and the implementation of feasible and prudent tax planning strategies. These assumptions require significant judgment about the forecasts of future taxable income, and are consistent with the plans and estimates that the Company is using to manage the underlying businesses. Valuation allowances are recorded as reserves against net deferred tax assets by the Company when it is determined that net deferred tax assets are not likely to be realized in the foreseeable future.
 
Changes in tax laws and rates could also affect recorded deferred tax assets and liabilities in the future. Management is not aware of any such changes that would have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
 

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Table of Contents

The calculation of the Company’s tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws and regulations in a multitude of jurisdictions across its global operations. Income tax positions must meet a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold to be recognized.

Share-Based Compensation
 
The Company recognizes all share-based payments to Directors and employees, including grants of stock options and restricted stock units, to be recognized in the statement of operations based on their grant-date fair values. It records compensation expense, net of an estimated forfeiture rate, over the vesting period of the stock options based on the fair value of the stock options on the date of grant. The estimated forfeiture rate is based upon historical experience.


Item 3            QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
The Company conducts business in several countries and intends to continue to grow its international operations. Net sales revenue, operating income and net income are affected by fluctuations in currency exchange rates, interest rates and other uncertainties inherent in doing business and selling product in more than one currency. In addition, its operations are exposed to risks associated with changes in social, political and economic conditions inherent in international operations, including changes in the laws and policies that govern international investment in countries where it has operations, as well as, to a lesser extent, changes in U.S. laws and regulations relating to international trade and investment.
 
Foreign Currency Risk
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, approximately 56.3 percent of the Company's net sales revenue and approximately 55.3 percent of its operating expenses were realized outside of the United States. Inventory purchases are transacted primarily in U.S. dollars from vendors located in the United States. The local currency of each international subsidiary is generally the functional currency. The Company conducts business in multiple currencies with exchange rates that are not on a one-to-one relationship with the U.S. dollar. All revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates for the periods reported. Therefore, the Company's operating results will be positively or negatively affected by a weakening or strengthening of the U.S. dollar in relation to another fluctuating currency. Given the uncertainty and diversity of exchange rate fluctuations, the Company cannot estimate the effect of these fluctuations on its future business, product pricing, results of operations or financial condition, but it has provided consolidated sensitivity analyses below of functional currency/reporting currency exchange rate risks. Changes in various currency exchange rates affect the relative prices at which it sells its products. The Company regularly monitors its foreign currency risks and periodically takes measures to reduce the risk of foreign exchange rate fluctuations on its operating results. The Company does not use derivative instruments for hedging, trading or speculating on foreign exchange rate fluctuations. Additional discussion of the impact on the effect of currency fluctuations has been included in "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included in Part I, Item 2 of this report.

The following table sets forth a composite sensitivity analysis of the Company’s net sales revenue, costs and expenses and operating income in connection with the strengthening of the U.S. dollar (its reporting currency) by 10%, 15%, and 25% against every other fluctuating functional currency in which it conducts business. The Company notes that its individual net sales revenue, cost and expense components and its operating income were equally sensitive to increases in the strength of the U.S. dollar against every other fluctuating currency in which it conducts business.
 

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Table of Contents

Exchange rate sensitivity for the three months ended September 30, 2016 (dollar amounts in thousands)
 
 
 
 
With Strengthening of U.S. Dollar by:
 
 
 
10%
 
15%
 
25%
 
 
 
($)
 
(%)
 
($)
 
(%)
 
($)
 
(%)
Net sales revenue
$
85,441

 
(3,654
)
 
(4.3
)%
 
$
(5,243
)
 
(6.1
)%
 
$
(8,039
)
 
(9.4
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost and expenses
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Cost of sales
21,512

 
(1,090
)
 
(5.1
)
 
(1,564
)
 
(7.3
)
 
(2,397
)
 
(11.1
)
Volume incentives
29,684

 
(1,274
)
 
(4.3
)
 
(1,828
)
 
(6.2
)
 
(2,803
)
 
(9.4
)
Selling, general and administrative
29,187

 
(1,117
)
 
(3.8
)
 
(1,603
)
 
(5.5
)
 
(2,458
)
 
(8.4
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
$
5,058

 
$
(173
)
 
(3.4
)%
 
$
(248
)
 
(4.9
)%
 
$
(381
)
 
(7.5
)%

Exchange rate sensitivity for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 (dollar amounts in thousands)
 
 
 
 
With Strengthening of U.S. Dollar by:
 
 
 
10%
 
15%
 
25%
 
 
 
($)
 
(%)
 
($)
 
(%)
 
($)
 
(%)
Net sales revenue
$
257,209

 
(10,742
)
 
(4.2
)%
 
$
(15,413
)
 
(6.0
)%
 
$
(23,633
)
 
(9.2
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost and expenses
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Cost of sales
66,610

 
(3,271
)
 
(4.9
)
 
(4,693
)
 
(7.0
)
 
(7,195
)
 
(10.8
)
Volume incentives
90,352

 
(3,846
)
 
(4.3
)
 
(5,519
)
 
(6.1
)
 
(8,462
)
 
(9.4
)
Selling, general and administrative
88,821

 
(3,067
)
 
(3.5
)
 
(4,401
)
 
(5.0
)
 
(6,748
)
 
(7.6
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
$
11,426

 
$
(558
)
 
(4.9
)%
 
$
(800
)
 
(7.0
)%
 
$
(1,228
)
 
(10.7
)%

 Certain of the Company’s operations, including Russia and Ukraine, are served by a U.S. subsidiary through third-party entities, for which all business is conducted in U.S. dollars. Although changes in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the Russian ruble or the Ukrainian hryvnia do not result in currency fluctuations within its financial statements, a weakening or strengthening of the U.S. dollar in relation to these other currencies can significantly affect the prices of its products and the purchasing power of its independent Managers, Distributors and customers within these markets. As a result of the current tension between Russia and Ukraine, economic pressures resulting from lower oil prices, and resultant government sanctions, the Russian ruble and the Ukrainian hryvnia have weakened significantly against the U.S. dollar, impacting net sales in this market. Should the conflict continue to escalate, exchanges rates for the Russian ruble and the Ukrainian hryvnia could weaken further against the U.S. dollar, further impacting net sales in these markets.

The following table sets forth a composite sensitivity analysis of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities by those balance sheet line items that are subject to exchange rate risk, together with the total gain or loss from the strengthening of the U.S. dollar in relation to its various fluctuating functional currencies. The sensitivity of its financial assets and liabilities, taken by balance sheet line items, is somewhat less than the sensitivity of its operating income to increases in the strength of the U.S. dollar in relation to other fluctuating currencies in which it conducts business.
 

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Table of Contents

Exchange rate sensitivity of the Balance Sheet financial instruments as of September 30, 2016 (dollar amounts in thousands)
 
 
 
 
With Strengthening of U.S. Dollar by:
 
 
 
10%
 
15%
 
25%
 
 
 
($)
 
(%)
 
($)
 
(%)
 
($)
 
(%)
Financial Instruments Included in Current Assets Subject to Exchange Rate Risk
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
$
40,443

 
$
(3,072
)
 
(7.6
)%
 
$
(4,408
)
 
(10.9
)%
 
$
(6,759
)
 
(16.7
)%
Accounts receivable, net
7,216

 
(183
)
 
(2.5
)
 
(263
)
 
(3.6
)
 
(403
)
 
(5.6
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Instruments Included in Current Liabilities Subject to Exchange Rate Risk
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Accounts payable
7,111

 
(73
)
 
(1.0
)
 
(104
)
 
(1.5
)
 
(160
)
 
(2.3
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Financial Instruments Subject to Exchange Rate Risk
$
40,548

 
$
(3,182
)
 
(7.8
)%
 
$
(4,567
)
 
(11.3
)%
 
$
(7,002
)
 
(17.3
)%
 
The following table sets forth the local currencies other than the U.S. dollar in which the Company’s assets that are subject to exchange rate risk were denominated as of September 30, 2016, and exceeded $1 million upon translation into U.S. dollars. None of its liabilities that are denominated in a local currency other than the U.S. dollar and that are subject to exchange rate risk exceeded $1 million upon translation into U.S. dollars. The Company uses the spot exchange rate for translating balance sheet items from local currencies into its reporting currency. The respective spot exchange rate for each such local currency meeting the foregoing thresholds is provided in the table as well.
 
Translation of Balance Sheet Amounts Denominated in Local Currency as of September 30, 2016 (dollar amounts in thousands)
 
 
 
Translated into U.S.
Dollars
 
At Spot Exchange Rate
per One U.S. Dollar as
of September 30, 2016
Cash and cash equivalents
 
 

 
 

South Korea (Won)
 
$
8,903

 
1,096.6

China (Yuan Renminbi)
 
6,177

 
6.7

Hong Kong (Dollar)
 
4,012

 
7.8

Japan (Yen)
 
3,993

 
100.6

European Markets (Euro)
 
1,832

 
0.9

Thailand (Baht)
 
1,418

 
34.6

Canada (Dollar)
 
1,395

 
1.3

Other
 
6,067

 
Varies

Total foreign denominated cash and cash equivalents
 
33,797

 
 

U.S. dollars held by foreign subsidiaries
 
3,109

 
 

Total cash and cash equivalents held by foreign subsidiaries
 
$
36,906

 
 

 
Finally, the following table sets forth the annual weighted average of fluctuating currency exchange rates of each of the local currencies per one U.S. dollar for each of the local currencies in which annualized net sales revenue would exceed $10.0 million during any of the two periods presented. The Company uses the annual average exchange rate for translating items from the statement of operations from local currencies into the Company’s reporting currency.
 

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Table of Contents

Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2016
 
2015
Canada (Dollar)
 
1.3

 
1.2

European Markets (Euro)
 
0.9

 
0.9

Japan (Yen)
 
108.3

 
120.2

South Korea (Won)
 
1,162.6

 
1,100.6

 
The local currency of the foreign subsidiaries is used as the functional currency, except for subsidiaries operating in highly inflationary economies or where the Company’s operations are served by a U.S. based subsidiary (for example, Russia and Ukraine). The financial statements of foreign subsidiaries, where the local currency is the functional currency, are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at year-end for assets and liabilities and average exchange rates during each year for the results of operations. Adjustments resulting from translation of financial statements are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in other income (expense) in the Company's consolidated statements of operations.

Interest Rate Risk
 
The primary objectives of the Company's investment activities are to preserve principal while maximizing yields without significantly increasing risk. These objectives are accomplished by purchasing investment grade securities. On September 30, 2016, the Company had investments of $1.8 million. A hypothetical 1.0 percent change in interest rates would not have had a material effect on the Company's liquidity, financial position or results of operations.


Item 4.         CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in rules and forms adopted by the SEC, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. The Company’s management, under the supervision and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2016. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that its disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2016, at the reasonable assurance level.
 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2016, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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Table of Contents

PART II OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.                     LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
The Company is party to various legal proceedings. Management cannot predict the ultimate outcome of these proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, or their resulting effect on the Company’s business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows as litigation and related matters are subject to inherent uncertainties, and unfavorable rulings could occur. Were an unfavorable outcome to occur, there exists the possibility of a material adverse impact on the business, financial position, results of operations, or cash flows for the period in which the ruling occurs and/or future periods.
 
Item 1A.            RISK FACTORS
 
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the risks discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 2015 fiscal year and in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed during the current fiscal year, which could materially affect the Company's business or consolidated financial statements, results of operations, and cash flows. Additional risks not currently known, or risks that are currently believed to be not material, may also impair business operations. During the three months ended September 30, 2016, there were no material changes to the Company's risk factors set forth in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 2015 fiscal year and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

Item 2.                     UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
 
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
In November 2014, the Board of Directors authorized a $20.0 million share repurchase program beginning January 1, 2015. Such purchases may be made in the open market, through block trades, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The timing and amount of any shares repurchased will be determined based on the Company’s evaluation of market conditions and other factors and the program may be discontinued or suspended at any time. There were no shares repurchased by the Company during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016. At September 30, 2016, the remaining balance available for repurchases under the program was $13.4 million.
 
 
Item 3.                     DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
 
None.
 
Item 4.                     MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.
 
Item 5.                     OTHER INFORMATION
 
None.

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Table of Contents

Item 6.                     EXHIBITS
 
a)             Index to Exhibits
 
Item No.
 
Exhibit
3.1(1)
 
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended
3.3(2)
 
Amended and Restated Bylaws
31.1(3)
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer under SEC Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
31.2(3)
 
Certificate of Co-Chief Financial Officer under SEC Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
31.3(3)
 
Certificate of Co-Chief Financial Officer under SEC Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
32.1(3)
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
32.2(3)
 
Certification of Co-Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
32.3(3)
 
Certification of Co-Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
_________________________________________

(1)    Previously filed with the SEC on March 14, 2016, as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
(2)    Previously filed with the SEC on November 3, 2016, as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
(3)    Filed currently herewith.

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Table of Contents

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.
 
Nature's Sunshine Products, Inc.
 
 
 
Date:
November 9, 2016
/s/ Gregory L. Probert
 
 
Gregory L. Probert,
 
 
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
November 9, 2016
/s/ Joseph W. Baty
 
 
Joseph W. Baty,
 
 
Executive Vice President, Co-Chief Financial Officer and Co-Treasurer
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
November 9, 2016
/s/ Stephen M. Bunker
 
 
Stephen M. Bunker,
 
 
Executive Vice President, Co-Chief Financial Officer and Co-Treasurer

46