More Record Earnings, Revenues For Harley-Davidson

More Record Earnings, Revenues For Harley-Davidson

© 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Categories:

From a press release issued by Harley-Davidson:

Harley-Davidson’s Second Century Momentum Builds With Another Record Quarter

Milwaukee, Wis., July 14, 2004 — Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE: HDI) today announced record revenue and earnings for its second quarter ended June 27, 2004. Revenue for the quarter was $1.33 billion compared with $1.22 billion in the year-ago quarter, an 8.9 percent increase. Second quarter diluted earnings per share (EPS) were 83 cents, a 25.8 percent increase compared with last year’s 66 cents.

“We are pleased to report another excellent quarter for Harley-Davidson,” said Jeffrey L. Bleustein, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc. “The record results we have delivered through the first six months of this year are in line with the Company’s previously stated long-term direction of sustainable growth.”

U.S. retail sales of Harley-Davidson® motorcycles were 18.8 percent ahead of last year for the quarter and up 16.5 percent for the first six months. “Our dealers report that floor traffic is brisk, driven by keen interest in the entire Harley-Davidson experience and in particular, the Sportster® motorcycle family which was completely redesigned for the 2004 model year. The redesign, which was intended to broaden the appeal of that product line, is clearly achieving its purpose. Tomorrow we will bring even more excitement to our customers when the 2005 model year motorcycles and related new products will be unveiled to our worldwide dealer network at our summer dealer meeting in San Diego,” said Bleustein.

Motorcycles and Related Products Segment – Second Quarter Results
Second quarter revenue from Harley-Davidson motorcycles was $1.02 billion, an increase of 6.8 percent over last year. Worldwide shipments of Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the second quarter totaled 82,034 units, up 6,009 units or 7.9 percent over last year. The Company’s shipment target remains 317,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles for 2004.

Second quarter revenue from Parts and Accessories (P&A), which consists of Genuine Motor Parts and Genuine Motor Accessories, totaled $230.1 million, a 12.7 percent increase or $25.9 million more than the year-ago quarter. Over the long term, the Company expects P&A revenue to grow at a rate slightly faster than the motorcycle unit growth rate.

Second quarter revenue from General Merchandise, which consists of MotorClothes® apparel and collectibles, totaled $53.1 million, up 21.5 percent or $9.4 million over the same period last year. Over the long term, the Company expects General Merchandise to grow at a rate lower than the motorcycle unit growth rate.

Second quarter gross margin for the Motorcycles and Related Products Segment was 37.9 percent of revenue compared to 36.4 percent in the second quarter of last year. Favorable gross margin was primarily impacted by plant efficiencies, including those that generally occur at the end of the model year. Some of these efficiencies are not expected to be maintained in the second half of the year due to new model year startup.

Operating margin increased from 21.9 percent in 2003 to 25.2 percent in 2004 due primarily to higher gross margin and a change in the timing of marketing related costs in 2003 when compared with 2004. In 2003, operating expenses were higher in the first half of the year to support the 100th Anniversary activities and programs. In 2004, operating expenses will be higher in the second half of the year, which is more typical of the Company’s operations.

Motorcycle Retail Data – Six Month Results
Retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the United States were up 16.5 percent, or nearly 20,000 units for the period January through June 2004, when compared to the same period last year. Harley-Davidson retail sales were up approximately 100 units in Europe or 0.7 percent and down approximately 380 units in Japan or 7.3 percent, respectively, when compared with 2003. Harley-Davidson retail sales changes in Europe and Japan are generally tracking with motorcycle sales in the heavyweight markets in those locations.

Financial Services Segment – Second Quarter Results
Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. (HDFS) reported second quarter operating income of $49.0 million, up $4.5 million or 10.2 percent from the year-ago quarter. The Company’s second quarter securitization of $626 million in motorcycle retail loans resulted in a gain of $19.3 million, which compares to a securitization of $425 million and a gain of $22.2 million during the second quarter of 2003. The gain as a percentage of the amount of loans securitized was lower when compared with last year’s gain due to the costs of a new enhanced dealer participation program and rising market interest rates. Based on the current competitive market and interest rate environment, the Company believes the full impact of these changes will result in future securitization gains in the range of 2.0 to 2.5 percent.

Annualized credit losses on a managed portfolio basis as of the end of the second quarter were lower at 0.63 percent in 2004, down from 0.75 percent in 2003.

Over the long term, the Company expects the HDFS growth rate to be slightly higher than the Company’s motorcycle unit growth rate.

Share Repurchase
During the quarter, the Company repurchased approximately 1.3 million shares of its common stock. This brings share repurchases to 9.1 million shares on a year-to-date basis.

Cash Flow – Six Month Results
During the first six months, operations generated cash of $609 million. The Company invested $64 million in capital expenditures, paid dividends of $53 million and repurchased shares at a cost of $474 million.

Harley-Davidson, Inc. – Six Month Results
For the six month period, revenue was $2.49 billion compared with $2.33 billion, a 6.9 percent increase over the year ago period. Diluted earnings per share were $1.52, compared with $1.28, an increase of 18.8 percent compared to the same period last year.

Through the first six months of this year, shipments of Harley-Davidson motorcycle units were 156,124, a 6.5 percent increase over last year’s 146,633. Harley-Davidson motorcycle revenue was $1.94 billion, a 5.8 percent increase over $1.83 billion in revenue in 2003. P&A revenue totaled $399.3 million, a 9.7 percent increase over last year’s $364.0 million. General Merchandise revenue totaled $107.5 million, a 7.3 percent increase compared with $100.1 million during the same period in 2003.

During the same period, HDFS operating income was $99.3 million, a 13.1 percent increase over last year’s $87.8 million during the first six months.

Company Background
Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company for the group of companies doing business as Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Buell Motorcycle Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services. Harley-Davidson Motor Company, the only major U.S.-based motorcycle manufacturer, produces heavyweight motorcycles and offers a complete line of motorcycle parts, accessories, apparel, and general merchandise. Buell Motorcycle Company produces sport and sport-touring motorcycles. Harley-Davidson Financial Services provides wholesale and retail financing and insurance programs to Harley-Davidson dealers and customers.

Forward-Looking Statements
The Company intends that certain matters discussed in this release are “forward-looking statements” intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified as such because the context of the statement will include words such as the Company “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects” or “estimates” or words of similar meaning. Similarly, statements that describe future plans, objectives, outlooks, targets or goals are also forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated as of the date of this release. Certain of such risks and uncertainties are described below. Shareholders, potential investors, and other readers are urged to consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements and cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this release are only made as of the date of this release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

The Company’s ability to meet the targets and expectations noted depends upon, among other factors, the Company’s ability to (i) continue to realize production efficiencies at its production facilities through the implementation of innovative manufacturing techniques and other means, (ii) successfully implement production capacity increases in its facilities, (iii) successfully introduce new products and services, (iv) avoid unexpected P&A /general merchandise supplier backorders, (v) sell all of the Harley-Davidson motorcycles it plans to produce, (vi) continue to develop the capacity of its distributor and dealer network, (vii) avoid unexpected changes in the regulatory environment for its products, (viii) successfully adjust to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, (ix) successfully adjust to interest rate fluctuations, and (x) successfully manage changes in the credit quality of HDFS’s loan portfolio.

In addition, the Company could experience delays in the operation of manufacturing facilities as a result of work stoppages, difficulty with suppliers, natural causes, terrorism or other factors. Risk factors are also disclosed in documents previously filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Latest Posts

Hanging With Hayden Gillim, In The April Issue

Featured In the April 2024 issue of Roadracing World:  ...

AHRMA: Race Results From Buttonwillow Raceway Park

Here are complete race results from the 2024 Bridgestone...

Podcast: ChampSchool’s Ienatsch Talks About Motorcycle Rider Training

Yamaha Champions Riding School Founder and Chief Instructor Nick...

Beeler Named CEO Of Krämer Motorcycles USA

Krämer Motorcycles USA Announces Jensen Beeler as Its New...

ASRA Announces More 2024 Schedule Changes

New Round added to the Overall Schedule VIR Virginia International...