Reliv International Reports First-Quarter Financial Results for 2018

CHESTERFIELD, Mo., May 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reliv International, Inc. (NASDAQ:RELV), a maker of nutritional supplements that promote optimal health, today reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2018.

First-Quarter Results

Reliv reported net sales of $10.0 million for the first quarter of 2018 compared with net sales of $12.8 million in the first quarter of 2017.  Net sales in the United States decreased to $7.7 million in the first quarter of 2018, which represented a 25.2 percent decline in net sales when compared to the prior-year quarter.  In the first quarter of 2017, Reliv launched the Fit3 line of products in the United States.  Net sales in Reliv’s foreign markets decreased 7.4 percent in the first quarter of 2018 compared with the prior-year first quarter.  Net sales in Europe and Asia decreased by 3.0 and 7.8 percent, respectively, in the first quarter of 2018, along with decreases in other regions. 

Reliv reported a net loss for the first quarter of 2018 of $238,000 (loss per diluted share of $0.13) compared to net income of $524,000 (income per diluted share of $0.28) in the first quarter of 2017.  The loss from operations for the first quarter of 2018 was $224,000 compared to income from operations of $517,000 in the same period in 2017.  Results from operations were primarily impacted by the decline in net sales and gross margin, partially offset by a reduction in selling, general and administrative (“SGA”) expenses in the quarter.  SGA expenses decreased from $4.9 million in the first quarter of 2017 to $4.5 million in the first quarter of 2018.

“Our sales comparisons for the first quarter of 2018 were a challenge compared to the prior year that included the launch of the Fit3 line,” said Ryan A. Montgomery, President.  “Clearly, we have work to do in revitalizing the sales in the United States and in other markets around the Reliv world.  That work has been underway, highlighted by some key announcements at our Reliv Live event in Anaheim.”

At its regional spring distributor conference in Anaheim, Reliv unveiled its newest technology and tools designed to give Reliv independent distributors an edge. First, the company launched the Reliv Mobile App, which gives distributors a fast and easy way to recruit and run their business on the go. A whole host of new video content is featured in the app to assist distributors in sharing the Reliv product line and business opportunity. In addition, the company revealed its newest business opportunity presentation – a more engaging, concise and video-centric model designed to give distributors an easier way to present the Reliv opportunity and product line.

Also, Reliv formally introduced its newest core nutrition product – Reliv Now^® with Whey. Formulated using the same optimal blend of vitamins, minerals and herbs of Reliv Now^® with Soy, this newest product gives consumers an additional protein source to make Reliv more competitive with its offerings in the marketplace. Distributors now have a simplified approach to product positioning with Step 1: Core Nutrition and Step 2: Customizing nutrition with Targeted Solutions.

Reliv is continuing additional distributor/customer recruitment programs such as free ground shipping for new distributors reaching the Quick Start and Master Affiliate business levels, a 20 percent discount on autoship orders placed by Preferred Customers, and its product credit incentive, “3 & Free”, to distributors for having three new Preferred Customers with a minimum order amount.

“These initiatives, along with other coming programs and promotions, will be the springboard of our growth strategy for 2018,” commented Montgomery. 

Reliv had cash and cash equivalents of $3.7 million as of March 31, 2018, compared to $3.3 million as of December 31, 2017.  Net cash generated from operating activities was $500,000 in the first quarter of 2018.

As of March 31, 2018, Reliv had 32,100 distributors and preferred customers – a decrease of 13.9 percent from March 31, 2017 – of which 3,140 are Master Affiliate level and above.  The number of Master Affiliates decreased by 12.5 percent compared to the year-ago total.  Master Affiliate is the level at which distributors are eligible to earn generation royalties.

About Reliv International, Inc.

Reliv International, based in Chesterfield, MO, produces nutritional supplements that promote optimal nutrition. Reliv supplements address core nutrition and targeted solutions. Reliv is the exclusive provider of LunaRich® products, which optimize levels of lunasin, a soy peptide that works at the epigenetic level to promote optimal health. The company sells its products through an international network marketing system of independent distributors in 15 countries. Learn more about Reliv at reliv.com, or on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Statements made in this news release that are not historical facts are “forward-looking” statements (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements containing words such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue” or similar expressions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ are identified in the public filings made by Reliv with the Securities and Exchange Commission. More information on factors that could affect Reliv’s business and financial results are included in its public filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, copies of which are available on the Company’s web site, reliv.com.

--FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS FOLLOW –

Reliv International, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
	March 31			December 31
		2018			2017
	(Unaudited)			(Audited)
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	3,676,840		$	3,272,788
Accounts receivable, less allowances of
$25,400 in 2018 and $26,300 in 2017		137,843			29,760
Accounts and note due from employees and distributors		136,726			138,497
Inventories		4,177,253			4,555,485
Other current assets		715,957			399,154
Total current assets		8,844,619			8,395,684
Other assets		6,929,172			7,003,073
Net property, plant and equipment		5,547,851			5,677,239
Total Assets	$	21,321,642		$	21,075,996
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	4,134,391		$	3,212,634
Current portion of long-term debt		2,937,101			3,045,421
Other noncurrent liabilities		458,674			453,354
Stockholders' equity		13,791,476			14,364,587
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	21,321,642		$	21,075,996
Consolidated Statements of Operations
	Three months ended March 31
		2018			2017
	(Unaudited)			(Unaudited)
Product sales	$	9,391,381		$	11,835,116
Handling & freight income		611,858			942,666
Net Sales		10,003,239			12,777,782
Costs and expenses:
Cost of products sold		2,349,742			2,835,525
Distributor royalties and commissions		3,391,745			4,498,553
Selling, general and administrative		4,485,895			4,926,279
Total Costs and Expenses		10,227,382			12,260,357
Income (loss) from operations		(224,143	)		517,425
Other income (expense):
Interest income		23,952			25,526
Interest expense		(31,565	)		(24,841	)
Other income		10,451			32,683
Income (loss) before income taxes		(221,305	)		550,793
Provision for income taxes		17,000			27,000
Net income (loss)	$	(238,305	)	$	523,793
Earnings (loss) per common share - Basic	$	(0.13	)	$	0.28
Weighted average shares		1,845,000			1,845,000
Earnings (loss) per common share - Diluted	$	(0.13	)	$	0.28
Weighted average shares		1,845,000			1,846,000

 

Reliv International, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Net sales by Market
(in thousands)	Three months ended March 31,										Change from
		2018					2017				prior year
	Amount		% of Net Sales			Amount		% of Net Sales			Amount			%
United States	$	7,670	76.7	%		$	10,259	80.3	%		$	(2,589	)	-25.2	%
Australia/New Zealand		232	2.3	%			260	2.0	%			(28	)	-10.8	%
Canada		242	2.4	%			264	2.1	%			(22	)	-8.3	%
Mexico		107	1.1	%			157	1.2	%			(50	)	-31.8	%
Europe		1,165	11.6	%			1,201	9.4	%			(36	)	-3.0	%
Asia		587	5.9	%			637	5.0	%			(50	)	-7.8	%
Consolidated Total	$	10,003	100.0	%		$	12,778	100.0	%		$	(2,775	)	-21.7	%
The following table sets forth, as of March 31, 2018 and 2017, the number of our Active Distributors/Preferred Customers and Master Affiliates and above.  The total number of active distributors includes Master Affiliates and above. We define an active distributor as one that enrolls as a distributor or renews his or her distributorship during the prior twelve months.  Master Affiliates and above are distributors that have attained the highest level of discount and are eligible for royalties generated by Master Affiliate groups in their downline organization.  Preferred Customers represent approximately 4,780 and 5,200 of the Active Distributor count as of March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Active Distributors/Preferred Customers and Master Affiliates and Above by Market
	As of 3/31/2018					As of 3/31/2017					Change in %
	Active Distributors and Preferred Customers		Master Affiliates and Above			Active Distributors and Preferred Customers		Master Affiliates and Above			Active Distributors and Preferred Customers			Master Affiliates and Above
United States		21,800	2,240				26,110	2,610				-16.5	%	-14.2	%
Australia/New Zealand		1,070	80				1,440	110				-25.7	%	-27.3	%
Canada		630	80				780	90				-19.2	%	-11.1	%
Mexico		660	60				880	60				-25.0	%	0.0	%
Europe		3,630	350				4,620	410				-21.4	%	-14.6	%
Asia		4,310	330				3,450	310				24.9	%	6.5	%
Consolidated Total		32,100	3,140				37,280	3,590				-13.9	%	-12.5	%

For more information, contact:

Steve Albright
Chief Financial Officer
(636) 733-1305