News

Strong Second-Quarter Gains For Harley-Davidson

A look at the Motor Company by the numbers

July 23, 2014

For those of you who not only ride Harley-Davidson but are also interested in the business end of the company, dealers worldwide sold 90,218 new Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the second quarter of 2014 compared to 90,193 motorcycles in the year-ago quarter. In the U.S., dealers sold 58,225 new Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the quarter, compared to sales of 58,241 motorcycles in the year-ago period. As a result, the Motor Company’s second-quarter 2014 earnings per share of $1.62 grew 33.9 percent on higher motorcycle shipments and continued improvement in operating efficiencies compared to last year. H-D believes its second-quarter U.S. retail sales were adversely affected by prolonged poor weather across parts of the U.S. and soft Sportster motorcycle sales ahead of the highly anticipated arrival of Street motorcycles in dealer showrooms.

In international markets, dealers sold 31,993 new Harley-Davidson motorcycles during the second quarter, compared to 31,952 motorcycles in the year-ago period, with sales up 7.0 percent in the EMEA Region and 1.5 percent in the Asia Pacific Region, and down 10.4 percent in the Latin America Region and 18.0 percent in Canada.

“U.S. retail Harley-Davidson sales fell short of our expectations in the second quarter,” said Wandell. “Because we are committed to managing supply in line with demand, we are reducing our full-year shipment plan and now expect shipment growth of approximately 3-1/2 to 5-1/2 percent over last year.” The Company previously had forecast full-year shipment growth of approximately 7 to 9 percent.

“We believe the underlying demand fundamentals of the business remain intact,” said Wandell. “We continue to see a strong response to the new Rushmore models as well as great interest in the Harley-Davidson StreetTM 750 and 500, which began to hit dealer showrooms in late June.”

Through the first six months of 2014, dealers sold 147,633 new Harley-Davidson motorcycles worldwide, compared to 144,447 motorcycles in the year-ago period, with retail unit sales up 1.1 percent in the U.S., 10.1 percent in the Asia Pacific Region and 7.5 percent in the EMEA Region, and down 2.1 percent in the Latin America Region and 13.5 percent in Canada, compared to the year-ago period.

Second-Quarter Results: Operating income from motorcycles and related products grew 32.3 percent to $473.3 million, compared to operating income of $357.7 million in the year-ago period.Operating income in the quarter benefited from higher motorcycle shipments and higher gross margin compared to the prior-year period.
Revenue from motorcycles grew 16.2 percent to $1.48 billion, compared to revenue of $1.27 billion in the year-ago period. The Company shipped 92,217 motorcycles to dealers and distributors worldwide during the quarter, in line with guidance and a 9.0 percent increase compared to shipments of 84,606 motorcycles in the year-ago period.
Revenue from motorcycle parts and accessories was $271.6 million during the quarter, up 0.7 percent, and revenue from general merchandise, which includes MotorClothes® apparel and accessories, was $76.4 million, down 6.5 percent, compared to the year-ago period.
Gross margin was 39.5 percent in the second quarter of 2014, compared to 36.9 percent in the second quarter of 2013. Second-quarter operating margin from motorcycles and related products was 25.8 percent, compared to operating margin of 21.9 percent in last year's second quarter.
Six-Month Results: Through six months the Company shipped 172,899 motorcycles to dealers and distributors worldwide, an 8.2 percent increase compared to the year-ago period. Six-month revenue from motorcycles grew 14.7 percent to $2.79 billion, revenue from parts and accessories increased 3.5 percent to $469.7 million and revenue from general merchandise decreased 8.7 percent to $140.5 million, compared to the first six months of 2013. Gross margin through six months was 38.6 percent and operating margin was 24.1 percent, compared to 36.8 percent and 20.8 percent respectively in the year-ago period.

Cash and marketable securities totaled $1.06 billion at the end of the second quarter, compared to $1.43 billion at the end of last year’s second quarter. During the first six months of 2014, Harley-Davidson generated cash from operating activities of $570.6 million, compared to $389.7 million in the year-ago period. On a discretionary basis, the Company repurchased 1.9 million shares of Harley-Davidson, Inc. common stock during the second quarter of 2014 at a cost of $135.7 million. In the second quarter of 2014, there were approximately 219.2 million weighted-average diluted common shares outstanding. At the end of the second quarter of 2014, 26.6 million shares remained on board-approved share-repurchase authorizations.