Harley-Davidson Q2 results show continued improvement in key areas

Harley-Davidson Inc. reported second-quarter 2010 income from continuing operations of $139.3 million, or $0.59 per share, compared to income of $33.4 million and earnings per share of $0.14 from continuing operations in the year-ago quarter. Second-quarter 2010 results include operating income from Financial Services of $60.8 million. Revenue from Motorcycles and Related Products was $1.14 billion in the second quarter.

Worldwide retail sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles decreased 5.5 percent in the quarter compared to the second quarter of 2009, a sequential moderation in the rate of decline from the prior four quarters. In the U.S., retail new Harley-Davidson motorcycle sales were down 8.4 percent and in international markets, retail sales were largely flat, down 0.2 percent compared to last year's second quarter.

For the first six months of 2010, Harley-Davidson income from continuing operations was $208.0 million, or $0.89 per share, a 28.9 percent increase from the year-ago period.

"Harley-Davidson is making steady progress at executing its strategy to deliver results through focus," said Keith Wandell, president and chief executive officer of Harley-Davidson Inc. "We are seeing the benefits of our restructuring and continuous improvement activities reflected in our earnings performance.

"We are pleased with the continued moderation in the rate of decline of retail new Harley-Davidson motorcycle sales again in the second quarter. At the same time, we continue to believe conditions will remain challenging this year for new motorcycle purchases and we will manage the business based on that expectation, with a continued strong focus on managing supply in line with demand," Wandell said.

"Despite the decline in second-quarter retail motorcycle sales, we believe interest in the Harley-Davidson brand remains strong among riders of all generations. In fact, Harley-Davidson is the U.S. market share leader of on-road motorcycles among young adults. We will continue to focus our resources on expanding the global reach of the brand and developing new products that will reach even more riders going forward," Wandell said. "I would like to thank our employees for their continued hard work and support of our strategy."

Harley-Davidson Motorcycles and Related Products Segment
Second-Quarter Segment Results: Revenue from Harley-Davidson motorcycles during the second quarter of 2010 of $831.6 million was up 2.8 percent compared to the year-ago period. In line with guidance, the company shipped 59,046 Harley-Davidson motorcycles to dealers and distributors worldwide during the quarter, compared to shipments of 58,179 motorcycles in the second quarter of 2009.

Revenue from Parts and Accessories totaled $231.8 million during the quarter, up 0.2 percent, and revenue from General Merchandise, which includes MotorClothes apparel, was $67.4 million, down 3.2 percent compared to the year-ago period.

Gross margin was 35.0 percent in the second quarter, compared to 34.1 percent in the year-ago period.  Second-quarter operating margin decreased to 13.9 percent from 15.3 percent in the second quarter of 2009.

Six-Month Segment Results: Through the first six months of 2010, shipments of Harley-Davidson motorcycles were 112,720 units, a 15.2 percent decrease compared to last year's 132,849 units for the period. Revenue from Harley-Davidson motorcycles through six months was $1.64 billion, a 9.8 percent decrease compared to the year-ago period. Six-month P&A revenue was $380.9 million, a 5.0 percent decrease from the first half of 2009. General Merchandise revenue was $133.6 million, a 7.7 percent decrease compared to the same period in 2009. Gross margin through six months was 

35.7 percent and operating margin was 13.1 percent, compared to 35.7 percent and 16.8 percent respectively in last year's first half.

Retail Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Sales
During the second quarter of 2010, dealer retail sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles decreased 5.5 percent worldwide, 8.4 percent in the U.S. and 0.2 percent in international markets, compared to the prior-year quarter. Second-quarter retail results reflect a sequential moderation in the rate of decline from the prior four quarters, although the basis for comparison has decreased over that period. Industry-wide U.S. heavyweight motorcycle (651cc-plus) retail unit sales decreased 10.1 percent in the second quarter compared to the year-ago period.

Through six months, worldwide retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles decreased 10.7 percent compared to the prior-year period. U.S. retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles decreased 15.3 percent for the first half of the year while the U.S. heavyweight market segment was down 14.7 percent for the same period, compared to the year-ago period. In international markets, retail sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles decreased 1.1 percent for the first six months of 2010 compared to 2009.

Second-quarter-and first-half data are listed in the accompanying tables.

Guidance
The company reiterated its expectation to ship 201,000 to 212,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles to dealers and distributors worldwide in 2010, a reduction of five to ten percent from 2009. In the third quarter of 2010, the company expects to ship 53,000 to 58,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Harley-Davidson now expects gross margin to be between 32.5 percent and 34.0 percent for the full year, versus the prior estimate of 32.0 percent to 33.5 percent. The company continues to expect full-year capital expenditures of between $235 million and $255 million, including $95 million to $110 million to support restructuring activities.  

Financial Services Segment
Second-quarter operating income from Financial Services was $60.8 million, compared to an operating loss of $90.5 million in the year-ago quarter. Last year's second-quarter results were affected by two non-recurring, non-cash charges totaling $101.1 million to establish a credit loss provision related to the reclassification of motorcycle loan receivables and to write off all HDFS goodwill. Through six months, operating income from Financial Services was $87.5 million, compared to an operating loss of $79.3 million in the first half of 2009.

Restructuring Update
The company continues to expect previously announced restructuring activities begun in 2009 to result in total one-time charges of $430 million to $460 million into 2012, including charges of $175 million to $195 million in 2010. In 2010, the company continues to expect savings of $135 million to $155 million from previously announced restructuring activities, increasing to expected annual ongoing savings of approximately $240 million to $260 million upon completion of these restructuring activities.

The company and the unions representing its Wisconsin production employees are scheduled to begin negotiations this week on new labor agreements that would take effect upon the expiration of the current contracts in April 2012. Through the negotiation of new agreements, the company seeks to close large cost gaps in its Milwaukee-area and Tomahawk production operations and improve flexibility to meet seasonal and other customer-driven production needs. If Harley-Davidson is unable to achieve those objectives through agreement with the unions by mid-September 2010, the company has said it will move Wisconsin production operations to another U.S. location. The financial effects of a decision on Wisconsin production operations are not included in the restructuring costs and savings delineated above. The company will provide updated cost and savings information at such time as it discloses a final decision on the Wisconsin operations. The company will retain corporate headquarters, product development and the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, regardless of the outcome of its decision on production operations.