Schedule 13D
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. ___)*
Natures Sunshine Products, Inc.
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock, no par value
(Title of Class of Securities)
(CUSIP NUMBER)
Phil Frohlich
1924 South Utica, Suite #1120
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104-6429
(918) 747-3412
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to
Receive Notices and Communications)
- with copies to -
Eliot D. Raffkind
Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, L.L.P.
1700 Pacific Avenue, Suite 4100
Dallas, Texas 75201-4618
(214) 969-2800
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box. þ
Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See Rule 13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.
* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting persons initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be filed for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Act) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
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1 |
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NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
PRESCOTT GROUP CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, L.L.C. |
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2 |
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CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
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(a) o |
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(b) o |
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3 |
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SEC USE ONLY |
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4 |
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SOURCE OF FUNDS |
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WC |
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5 |
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CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e) |
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o |
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6 |
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CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION |
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Oklahoma
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7 |
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SOLE VOTING POWER |
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NUMBER OF |
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1,865,383 |
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SHARES |
8 |
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SHARED VOTING POWER |
BENEFICIALLY |
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OWNED BY |
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0 |
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EACH |
9 |
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SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER |
REPORTING |
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PERSON |
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1,865,383 |
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WITH |
10 |
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SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER |
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0 |
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11 |
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AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON |
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1,865,383 |
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12 |
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CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES |
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o
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13 |
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PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) |
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12.0% |
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14 |
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TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON |
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IA |
Page 2 of 12
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1 |
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NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
PRESCOTT GROUP AGGRESSIVE SMALL CAP, L.P. |
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2 |
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CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
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(a) o |
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(b) o |
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3 |
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SEC USE ONLY |
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4 |
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SOURCE OF FUNDS |
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WC |
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5 |
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CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e) |
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o |
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6 |
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CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION |
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Oklahoma
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7 |
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SOLE VOTING POWER |
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NUMBER OF |
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0 |
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SHARES |
8 |
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SHARED VOTING POWER |
BENEFICIALLY |
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OWNED BY |
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1,865,383 |
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EACH |
9 |
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SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER |
REPORTING |
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PERSON |
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0 |
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WITH |
10 |
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SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER |
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1,865,383 |
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11 |
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AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON |
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1,865,383 |
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12 |
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CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES |
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o
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13 |
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PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) |
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12.0% |
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14 |
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TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON |
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PN |
Page 3 of 12
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1 |
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NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
PRESCOTT GROUP AGGRESSIVE SMALL CAP II, L.P. |
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2 |
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CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
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(a) o |
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(b) o |
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3 |
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SEC USE ONLY |
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4 |
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SOURCE OF FUNDS |
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WC |
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5 |
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CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e) |
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o |
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6 |
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CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION |
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Oklahoma
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7 |
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SOLE VOTING POWER |
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NUMBER OF |
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0 |
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SHARES |
8 |
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SHARED VOTING POWER |
BENEFICIALLY |
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OWNED BY |
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1,865,383 |
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EACH |
9 |
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SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER |
REPORTING |
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PERSON |
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0 |
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WITH |
10 |
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SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER |
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1,865,383 |
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11 |
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AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON |
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1,865,383 |
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12 |
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CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES |
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o
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13 |
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PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) |
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12.0% |
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14 |
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TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON |
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PN |
Page 4 of 12
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NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
PHIL FROHLICH |
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2 |
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CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
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(a) o |
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(b) o |
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3 |
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SEC USE ONLY |
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4 |
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SOURCE OF FUNDS |
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PF |
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CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e) |
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o |
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6 |
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CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION |
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U.S. CITIZEN
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7 |
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SOLE VOTING POWER |
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NUMBER OF |
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1,865,383 |
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SHARES |
8 |
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SHARED VOTING POWER |
BENEFICIALLY |
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OWNED BY |
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0 |
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EACH |
9 |
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SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER |
REPORTING |
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PERSON |
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1,865,383 |
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WITH |
10 |
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SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER |
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0 |
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11 |
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AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON |
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1,865,383 |
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12 |
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CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES |
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o
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13 |
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PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) |
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12.0% |
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14 |
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TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON |
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IN |
Page 5 of 12
SCHEDULE 13D
This Schedule 13D (this Schedule 13D) is being filed on behalf of Prescott Group Capital
Management, L.L.C., an Oklahoma limited liability company (Prescott Capital), Prescott Group
Aggressive Small Cap, L.P., an Oklahoma limited partnership (Prescott Small Cap), Prescott Group
Aggressive Small Cap II, L.P., an Oklahoma limited partnership (Prescott Small Cap II and,
together with Prescott Small Cap, the Small Cap Funds), and Mr. Phil Frohlich, the principal of
Prescott Capital, relating to shares of common stock of Natures Sunshine Products, Inc., a Utah
corporation (the Issuer).
This Schedule 13D relates to shares of Common Stock, no par value, of the Issuer (the Common
Stock) purchased by the Small Cap Funds through the account of Prescott Group Aggressive Small Cap
Master Fund, G.P., an Oklahoma general partnership (Prescott Master Fund), of which the Small Cap
Funds are the general partners. Prescott Capital serves as the general partner of the Small Cap
Funds and may direct the Small Cap Funds, the general partners of Prescott Master Fund, to direct
the vote and disposition of the 1,865,383 shares of Common Stock held by the Prescott Master Fund.
As the principal of Prescott Capital, Mr. Frohlich may direct the vote and disposition of the
1,865,383 shares of Common Stock held by Prescott Master Fund. Prescott Capitals, the Small Cap
Funds and Mr. Frohlichs beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock were previously reported
in a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) on October 24,
2008.
Item 1. Security and Issuer
Securities acquired: Shares of Common Stock, no par value (the Common Stock).
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Issuer: |
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Natures Sunshine Products, Inc.
75 East 1700 South
Provo, Utah 84606 |
Item 2. Identity and Background
(a) This Schedule 13D is jointly filed by Prescott Capital, Prescott Small Cap, Prescott
Small Cap II and Phil Frohlich (collectively, the Reporting Persons). Because Phil Frohlich is
the managing member of Prescott Capital, which is the general partner of the Small Cap Funds (with
Phil Frohlich and Prescott Capital hereinafter referred to as the Controlling Persons), the
Controlling Persons may be deemed, pursuant to Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (the Act), to be the beneficial owners of all shares of Common Stock held by the Small
Cap Funds. The Reporting Persons are filing this Schedule 13D jointly, as they may be considered a
group under Section 13(d)(3) of the Act. However, neither the fact of this filing nor anything
contained herein shall be deemed to be an admission by the Reporting Persons that such a group
exists.
(b) The principal place of business for each of the Reporting Persons is 1924 South Utica,
Suite #1120, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74104.
Page 6 of 12
(c) The principal occupation of Phil Frohlich is serving as the managing member of Prescott
Capital. The principal business of Prescott Capital is acting as the general partner of the Small
Cap Funds. The principal business of the Small Cap Funds is investing in securities.
(d) During the last five years, none of the Reporting Persons has been convicted in a
criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors).
(e) During the last five years, none of the Reporting Persons has been a party to a civil
proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such
proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of,
or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any
violation with respect to such laws.
(f) Prescott Capital and the Small Cap Funds are organized under the laws of the State of
Oklahoma. Mr. Frohlich is a citizen of the United States of America.
Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds
As of May 28, 2009, the Small Cap Funds had invested $16,257,706 (inclusive of brokerage
commissions) in shares of Common Stock of the Issuer. The source of these funds was the working
capital of the Small Cap Funds.
Item 4. Purpose of the Transaction
The Small Cap Funds purchased the Common Stock based on the belief that such securities, when
purchased, were undervalued and represented an attractive investment opportunity.
On February 27, 2009, Prescott Master Fund made a written demand, pursuant to Section
16-10a-702(1)(b) of the Utah Revised Business Corporation Act (the URBCA), that the Issuer hold a
special meeting of shareholders, or in lieu thereof an annual meeting of shareholders, for the
purpose of electing a slate of directors proposed by Prescott Master Fund. On March 10, 2009,
Prescott Master Fund made a written demand, pursuant Section 16-10a-1601(3) of the URBCA, that
Prescott Master Fund be allowed to inspect and copy the record of shareholders required to be
maintained by the Issuer pursuant to Section 16-10a-1601(3) of the URBCA. The stated purpose for
such inspection was to solicit proxies from the Issuers shareholders for the purpose of voting on
the election of directors and other matters presented at the meeting of shareholders. Prescott
Master Fund informed the Issuer that on April 3, 2009, it commenced a legal action in the Fourth
Judicial District Court for Utah County, Utah (Prescott Group Aggressive Small Cap Master Fund,
G.P. v. Natures Sunshine Products, Inc., Civil No. 090401518) in order to petition the court to
order an annual meeting of shareholders for the purpose of electing directors of the Issuer. The
complaint was filed with the court, but not served on the Issuer.
Page 7 of 12
On
May 22, 2009, Prescott Master Fund entered into a settlement and voting agreement (the
Prescott Agreement) with the Issuer and Kristine F. Hughes, Eugene L. Hughes and Pauline Hughes
Francis in their capacity as shareholders of the Issuer (collectively, the Hughes
Parties). The Prescott Agreement provides, among other things, that, effective on or about
June 7, 2009, ten days following the date of the mailing of an Information Statement to the
Issuers shareholders pursuant to Section 14(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
and regulations promulgated thereunder, (i) the authorized number of directors of the Issuers
board of directors (the Board) will be increased to eight directors in accordance with Section
3.2 of the Bylaws of the Issuer, (ii) with the exception of Kristine F. Hughes, all of the current
members of the Board will resign as members of the Board, resulting in seven vacancies on the
Board, and (iii) Michael D. Dean, Albert R. Dowden, Douglas Faggioli, Pauline Hughes Francis,
Willem Mesdag, Jeffrey D. Watkins and Candace K. Weir will be appointed to fill such vacancies on
the Board and will serve as directors until the next annual meeting of shareholders at which
directors are elected and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified, unless
they resign, are removed or are otherwise disqualified from serving as a director of the Issuer
(Ms. Francis is currently a director of the Issuer, and her resignation and reappointment are for
the purpose of changing the Board class to which she is assigned). Jeffrey D. Watkins serves as
President of Prescott Capital. In addition, Prescott Master Fund agreed in the Prescott Agreement
to withdraw its written demand that the Issuer hold a shareholder meeting and to dismiss the legal
action against the Issuer.
The Prescott Agreement also provides that, at the next annual meeting of shareholders, the
Issuer will nominate, and Prescott Master Fund and the Hughes Parties will vote all of the shares
of Common Stock beneficially owned by them in favor of, each of Willem Mesdag and Jeffrey D.
Watkins as Class I directors, Michael D. Dean, Douglas Faggioli and Candace K. Weir as Class II
directors and Kristine F. Hughes, Pauline Hughes Francis and Albert R. Dowden as Class III
directors. Prescott Master Fund has delivered its irrevocable proxy to Kristine F. Hughes and
Pauline Hughes Francis to vote the shares of Common Stock it beneficially owns in such manner.
Such voting arrangement and proxy will expire immediately following the next annual meeting of
shareholders or any adjournment or postponement thereof, or December 31, 2009, whichever is
earlier.
Contemporaneously with the Prescott Agreement, the Issuer and the Hughes Parties entered into
voting agreements (the Voting Agreements) with each of Red Mountain Capital Partners II, L.P.,
Red Mountain Capital Partners III, L.P. and Paradigm Capital Management, Inc., each a shareholder
of the Issuer. The Voting Agreements contain the same obligations respecting the reconstitution of
the Issuers Board and voting at the next annual meeting of shareholders as contained in the
Prescott Agreement.
Although the Reporting Persons have no specific plan or proposal to acquire or dispose of the
Common Stock, consistent with their investment purpose, the Reporting Persons at any time and from
time to time may acquire additional shares of Common Stock or dispose of any or all of its shares
of Common Stock depending upon an ongoing evaluation of their investment in the Common Stock,
prevailing market conditions, other investment opportunities, liquidity requirements of the
Reporting Persons and/or other investment considerations.
Page 8 of 12
Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer
The aggregate percentage of shares of Common Stock reported to be owned by the Reporting
Persons is based upon 15,510,159 shares outstanding, which is the total number of shares of Common
Stock outstanding as of December 31, 2008 pursuant to the Issuers Form 10-K/A filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on May 21, 2009.
(a) As of May 28, 2009, the Small Cap Funds beneficially owned 1,865,383 shares of Common
Stock, representing approximately 12.0% of the issued and outstanding Common Stock of the Issuer.
Prescott Capital, as the general partner of the Small Cap Funds, may also be deemed to
beneficially own the 1,865,383 shares of Common Stock held by the Small Cap Funds, representing
approximately 12.0% of the issued and outstanding Common Stock of the Issuer.
In addition, Phil Frohlich, as managing member of Prescott Capital, the general partner of the
Small Cap Funds, may also be deemed to beneficially own the 1,865,383 shares of Common Stock
beneficially owned by the Small Cap Funds.
Prescott Capital and Mr. Frohlich disclaim beneficial ownership of the shares of Common Stock
held by the Small Cap Funds except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein.
(b) Prescott Capital and Phil Frohlich have the sole power to vote and dispose of the shares
of Common Stock owned by the Small Cap Funds reported in this Schedule 13D.
The filing of this Schedule 13D shall not be construed as admission that Prescott Capital or
Mr. Frohlich is for the purposes of Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the Act the beneficial owner of any
of the 1,865,383 shares of Common Stock owned by the Small Cap Funds. Pursuant to Rule 13d-4,
Prescott Capital and Mr. Frohlich disclaim all such beneficial ownership.
(c) The Reporting Persons have had no transactions in the Common Stock during the past sixty
(60) days.
(d) No person other than the Reporting Persons is known to have the right to receive, or the
power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or proceeds from the sale of, the shares of Common
Stock.
(e) Not applicable.
Page 9 of 12
Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to Securities of
the Issuer
Other than the revocable proxies and other arrangements as described herein, there are no
contracts, arrangements, understandings or relationships among the Reporting Persons, or between
the Reporting Persons and any other person, with respect to the securities of the Issuer.
Item 7. Material to be Filed as Exhibits
Exhibit 99.1 |
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Joint Filing Agreement by and among Prescott Capital, the
Small Cap Funds and Mr. Frohlich dated May 28, 2009. |
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Exhibit 99.2 |
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Settlement and Voting Agreement by, between and among the
Issuer, Prescott Master Fund and the Hughes Parties dated May
22, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Issuer
with the Securities Exchange Commission on May 28, 2009). |
Page 10 of 12
Signatures
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of their knowledge and belief, each of the
undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.
Dated: May 28, 2009
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Prescott Group Capital Management, L.L.C. |
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By:
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/s/ Phil Frohlich
Phil Frohlich, Managing Member
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Prescott Group Aggressive Small Cap, L.P. |
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By: Prescott Group Capital Management, L.L.C., its general partner |
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By:
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/s/ Phil Frohlich |
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Phil Frohlich, Managing Member |
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Prescott Group Aggressive Small Cap II, L.P. |
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By: Prescott Group Capital Management, L.L.C., its general partner |
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By:
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/s/ Phil Frohlich |
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Phil Frohlich, Managing Member |
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Phil Frohlich |
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By:
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/s/ Phil Frohlich |
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Phil Frohlich |
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Page 11 of 12
Exhibit Index
Exhibit 99.1 |
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Joint Filing Agreement by and among Prescott Capital, the
Small Cap Funds and Mr. Frohlich dated May 28, 2009. |
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Exhibit 99.2 |
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Settlement and Voting Agreement by, between and among the
Issuer, Prescott Master Fund and the Hughes Parties dated May
22, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Issuer
with the Securities Exchange Commission on May 28, 2009). |
Page 12 of 12