[motorcycle.com] - Harley-Davidson Q1 Results 2018

[Ninjette Newsbot]

“The business of America is business, and the business of MO is motorcycles.”

– Calvin Coolidge

The long and short of it is revenue’s up 2.7% compared to last year even though we shipped 9.7% fewer motorcycles, while net income is down 6.2% and EPS is down 1.9%. U.S. retail market share is down 0.9% to 50.4% of bikes 601cc and above. More positively, international sales are up slightly, H-D Financial Services are 20.8% due to a decrease in credit losses – and taxes are down 10%! Dig as deep as you dare below.

H-D Press Release:

The Powerpoint presentation (easiest way to digest it all) is*here.

MILWAUKEE,*April 24, 2018*/PRNewswire/ —*Harley-Davidson, Inc.*(NYSE:HOG) today reported first quarter 2018 results and confirmed its 2018 outlook. The company also announced it is accelerating its strategy for growth, anchored by its objective to build the next generation of riders globally.

First Quarter 2018

• EPS of*$1.03*($1.24*excluding manufacturing optimization costs)
• Consolidated revenue up 2.7%
• HDFS operating income up 20.8%, year-over-year credit losses down
• Increased dividend 1.4%, repurchased 1.4 million shares
• Growth in international retail sales
• Manufacturing optimization initiative on-track
• Confirmed full-year shipment guidance
• Strategy enhancement and acceleration planned

First quarter 2018 GAAP diluted EPS was*$1.03.* Excluding manufacturing optimization costs, diluted EPS was*$1.24. First quarter 2017 GAAP diluted EPS was*$1.05. First quarter 2018 net income was*$174.8 million*on consolidated revenue of*$1.54 billion*versus net income of*$186.4 million*on consolidated revenue of*$1.50 billion*in the first quarter of 2017.

Harley-Davidson*international retail motorcycle sales were up 0.2 percent in the first quarter of 2018 compared to 2017 and U.S. retail sales were down 12.0 percent. Worldwide retail sales decreased 7.2 percent.

“We are pleased to deliver revenue growth on the heels of our recent product investments in Softail and Touring. This, plus solid financial services segment performance and strong cash returns during the first quarter underscore our commitment to drive shareholder value,” said*Matt Levatich, president and chief executive officer,*Harley-Davidson, Inc.* “Our international markets returned to retail sales growth supporting our long-term objective to increase international sales to build the next generation of riders globally.”

Strategy to Build Riders Globally*
During the first quarter, the company continued progress on its 2027 objectives: build 2 million new riders in the U.S., grow its international business to 50 percent of annual volume, launch 100 new high impact motorcycles and do so profitably and sustainably.

Considering prolonged softness in the U.S. industry and given what the company believes is untapped potential in international markets and in certain high-growth spaces globally, the company is crafting strategy accelerants to deliver significant value through 2022.*Harley-Davidson*plans to leverage its core business more fully and expand in new directions to accelerate value creation as it pursues its long-term objectives.

“Our view of the highly competitive global motorcycle market is grounded in a realistic assessment of risks, opportunities and capabilities needed to inspire ridership and grow our business.* Our data-driven insights compel us to enhance and accelerate our strategies to ensure we deliver on our long-term objectives as we build the next generation of*Harley-Davidson*riders,” stated Levatich.

The company is currently refining its plans and this summer intends to reveal significant additional steps to improve performance and value creation through 2022.

Building Riders
As*Harley-Davidson*continues to make progress building the next generation of riders, the company increased its reach and impact during the first quarter through a wide range of efforts including:

• Added to the long legacy of its*Sportster motorcycle line*with the introduction of the*Iron 1200 and*Forty-Eight®*Special*models. The latest in a line of 100 high-impact motorcycles the company expects to introduce by 2027, these new Sportsters combine throw-back styling trends from the custom-bike scene with the solid foundation of the Sportster platform and the punchy performance of the Evolution 1200 V-Twin engine. The U.S. MSRP of the new models start at*$9,999*and*$11,299*respectively.
• Continued to grow the appeal of motorcycling by debuting Harley-Davidson Snow Hill Climb at X Games Aspen alongside ski, snowboard and other action-sports competitions.
• Increased brand access by adding new international dealers and new apparel and lifestyle boutiques in popular shopping areas in*China*and*India.
• Welcomed riders and non-riders to celebrate freedom as the company recognizes 115 years of continuous motorcycle manufacturing in 2018. Fans were invited to join the global freedom movement on social media using #HD115 and join celebrations in*Prague*in July*and*Milwaukee*over*Labor Dayweekend.
• Invested in a collaborative agreement with*Alta Motors, an innovator in lightweight electric vehicles, supporting*Harley-Davidson’s*commitment to lead in the electrification of the sport of motorcycling to reach new customers in new spaces.

Manufacturing Optimization*
To further improve its manufacturing operations and cost structure, in the first quarter of 2018 the company commenced its previously announced multi-year manufacturing optimization initiative anchored by the consolidation of its motorcycle assembly plant in*Kansas City, Mo.*into its plant in*York, Pa.*The company continues to expect to incur restructuring and other consolidation costs of*$170 million to $200 million*and capital investment of approximately*$75 million*through 2019 and expects ongoing annual cash savings of*$65 million to $75 million*after 2020. *In the first quarter, costs related to the manufacturing optimization were*$47.6 million.

Harley-Davidson Retail Motorcycle Sales </p>Vehicles1st*Quarter20182017ChangeU.S.29,30933,316(12.0)%EMEA10,86210,1676.8%Asia Pacific6,3296,863(7.8)%Latin America2,5062,3427.0%Canada2,0802,361(11.9)%International Total21,77721,7330.2%Worldwide Total51,08655,049(7.2)%

The U.S. 601+cc industry was down 11.1 percent in the first quarter compared to 2017.*Harley-Davidson’s*first quarter market share was 50.4 percent in the U.S. The 601+cc industry in*Europe*was down 7.3 percent in the first quarter compared to 2017.**Harley-Davidson’s*first quarter market share was up 1.3 percentage points to 10.4 percent in*Europe.

Motorcycles and Related Products Segment Results1st*Quarter20182017ChangeMotorcycle Shipments (vehicles)63,94470,831(9.7)%Revenue**$ in thousands** Motorcycles$1,121,673$1,083,6393.5%** Parts & Accessories$169,075$168,0230.6%** General Merchandise$56,601$55,8361.4%Gross Margin34.7%35.7%(1.0)ptsOperating Income$172,838$236,546(26.9)%Operating Margin12.7%17.8%(5.1)pts

First quarter revenue from motorcycles and related products was up versus the prior year. Operating margin as a percent of revenue decreased in the quarter compared to 2017 primarily due to costs associated with our manufacturing optimization initiative.

Financial Services Segment Results


$ in thousands1st*Quarter20182017ChangeRevenue$178,174$173,2212.9%Operating Income$63,579$52,63620.8%

Financial services operating income increased 20.8 percent in the first quarter compared to 2017.

Income Tax Rate
Harley-Davidson’s*first quarter effective tax rate was 24.1 percent compared to 34.5 percent in 2017. The decreased tax rate was due to the favorable impact of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Other Results*
Cash and marketable securities were*$753.5*million*at the end of Q1 2018, compared to*$844.7 million in 2017. Harley-Davidson*generated*$191.6 million*of cash from operating activities in 2018 compared to*$159.9 million*in 2017. The company paid a cash dividend of*$0.37*per share for the first quarter, an increase of 1.4 percent compared to the prior year. On a discretionary basis, Harley-Davidson*repurchased 1.4 million shares of its common stock during the first quarter for*$65.1 million. During the quarter, there were approximately 169.2 million weighted-average diluted common shares outstanding.* At the end of the quarter, 24.2 million shares remained on board-approved share repurchase authorizations.

2018 Outlook*
The company continues to expect the following for the full-year 2018:

Motorcycle shipments to be approximately 231,000 to 236,000 motorcycles. In the second quarter, the company expects to ship approximately 67,500 to 72,500 motorcycles.

Operating margin as a percent of revenue to be approximately 9.5 to 10.5 percent including manufacturing optimization costs of*$120 million to $140 million.

Capital expenditures of*$250 million to*$270 million*including approximately*$50 million*to support manufacturing optimization.

Effective tax rate of approximately 23.5 to 25.0 percent.

The company now expects*Harley-Davidson Financial Services*operating income to be flat to down modestly.

Company Background*
Harley-Davidson, Inc.*is the parent company of*Harley-Davidson Motor Company*and*Harley-Davidson Financial Services. Since 1903,*Harley-Davidson Motor Company*has fulfilled dreams of personal freedom with custom, cruiser and touring motorcycles, riding experiences and events and a complete line of*Harley-Davidson*motorcycle parts, accessories, general merchandise, riding gear and apparel.*Harley-Davidson Financial Services*provides wholesale and retail financing, insurance, extended service and other protection plans and credit card programs to*Harley-Davidson dealers and riders in the U.S.,*Canada*and other select international markets. For more information, visit*Harley-Davidson’s*Web site at*www.harley-davidson.com.

Webcast Presentation
Harley-Davidson*will discuss first quarter 2018 results on a webcast at*8:00 a.m. CT*today. The webcast login and supporting slides can be accessed at*http://investor.harley-davidson.com/...-presentations. The audio replay will be available by approximately*10:00 a.m. CT.

Non-GAAP Measures
This press release includes financial measures that have not been calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and are therefore referred to as non-GAAP financial measures.* The non-GAAP measures described below are intended to be considered by users as supplemental information to the equivalent GAAP measures, to aid investors in better understanding the Company’s financial results. The Company believes that these non-GAAP measures provide useful perspective on underlying business results and trends, and a means to assess period-over-period results. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP measures may not be the same as similarly titled measures used by other companies due to possible differences in method and in items or events being adjusted.

The non-GAAP measure included in this press release is diluted EPS excluding manufacturing optimization costs which was calculated based on net income excluding manufacturing optimization costs, which is also a non-GAAP measure. Manufacturing optimization costs include restructuring expenses and costs associated with temporary inefficiencies incurred in connection with the manufacturing optimization initiative. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the comparable GAAP measure is included later in this press release.

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,” “plans,” or “estimates” or words of similar meaning. Similarly, statements that describe future plans, objectives, outlooks, targets, guidance 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, unfavorably or favorably, 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 disclaims any 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) develop and execute its business strategy, (ii) execute its strategy of growing ridership, globally, (iii) effectively execute its manufacturing optimization initiative within expected costs and timing, (iv) develop and introduce products, services and experiences that are successful in the marketplace, (v) manage the impact that new or adjusted tariffs may have on the cost of raw materials and components and our ability to sell product internationally, (vi) manage the impact that prices for and supply of used motorcycles may have on its business, including on retail sales of new motorcycles, (vii) balance production volumes for its new motorcycles with consumer demand, including in circumstances where competitors may be supplying new motorcycles to the market in excess of demand at reduced prices, (viii) manage through changes in general economic and business conditions, including changing capital, credit and retail markets, and the changing political environment, (ix)*manage risks that arise through expanding international manufacturing, operations and sales, (x) successfully execute the company’s manufacturing strategy, including its flexible production strategy, (xi) prevent and detect any issues with its motorcycles or any associated manufacturing processes to avoid delays in new model launches, recall campaigns, regulatory agency investigations, increased warranty costs or litigation and adverse effects on its reputation and brand strength, and carry out any product programs or recalls within expected costs and timing, (xii) continue to manage the relationships and agreements that the company has with its labor unions to help drive long-term competitiveness, (xiii) accurately estimate and adjust to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices, (xiv) manage the credit quality, the loan servicing and collection activities, and the recovery rates of HDFS’ loan portfolio, (xv) retain and attract talented employees, (xvi) prevent a cybersecurity breach involving consumer, employee, dealer, supplier, or company data and respond to evolving regulatory requirements regarding data security, (xvii) continue to develop the capabilities of its distributors and dealers and manage the risks that its independent dealers may have difficulty obtaining capital and managing through changing economic conditions and consumer demand, (xviii) adjust to tax reform, healthcare inflation and reform and pension reform, and successfully estimate the impact of any such reform on the company’s business, (xix) manage through the effects inconsistent and unpredictable weather patterns may have on retail sales of motorcycles, (xx) manage supply chain issues, including quality issues and any unexpected interruptions or price increases caused by raw material shortages or natural disasters, (xxi) implement and manage enterprise-wide information technology systems, including systems at its manufacturing facilities, (xxii) manage changes and prepare for requirements in legislative and regulatory environments for its products, services and operations, (xxiii) manage its exposure to product liability claims and commercial or contractual disputes, and (xxiv) successfully access the capital and/or credit markets on terms (including interest rates) that are acceptable to the company and within its expectations.

In addition, the company could experience delays or disruptions in its operations as a result of work stoppages, strikes, natural causes, terrorism or other factors. Other factors are described in risk factors that the company has disclosed in documents previously filed with the*Securities and Exchange Commission.

The company’s ability to sell its motorcycles and related products and services and to meet its financial expectations also depends on the ability of the company’s independent dealers to sell its motorcycles and related products and services to retail customers. The company depends on the capability and financial capacity of its independent dealers and distributors to develop and implement effective retail sales plans to create demand for the motorcycles and related products and services they purchase from the company. In addition, the company’s independent dealers and distributors may experience difficulties in operating their businesses and selling*Harley-Davidson*motorcycles and related products and services as a result of weather, economic conditions or other factors.

(HOG-F)

Harley-Davidson, Inc.Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income(1)(In thousands, except per share amounts)(Unaudited)(Unaudited)Three months endedApril 1,March 26,20182017Motorcycles and related products revenue$ * * *1,363,947$ * * *1,328,711Gross profit473,773474,823Selling, administrative and engineering expense254,093238,277Restructuring expense46,842–* Operating income from motorcycles & related products172,838236,546Financial services revenue178,174173,221Financial services expense114,595120,585* Operating income from financial services63,57952,636Operating income236,417289,182Other income (expense), net2202,296Investment income1,203879Interest expense7,6907,673Income before income taxes230,150284,684Provision for income taxes55,38798,315Net income$ * * * *174,763$ * * * *186,369Earnings per common share:* Basic$ * * * * * * *1.04$ * * * * * * *1.06* Diluted$ * * * * * * *1.03$ * * * * * * *1.05Weighted-average common shares:* Basic168,139176,001* Diluted169,174177,070Cash dividends per common share$ * * * * * *0.370$ * * * * * *0.365

(1)*See note regarding the adoption of new accounting standards below.



Harley-Davidson, Inc.Reconciliation of GAAP amounts to Non-GAAP amounts(In thousands, except per share amounts)(Unaudited)Three months endedApril 1,2018Net income excluding manufacturing optimization costsNet income (GAAP)$ * * * *174,763Restructuring expense and cost of temporary inefficiencies47,574Tax effect of adjusments(1)(11,537)Adjustments net of tax36,037Adjusted net income (Non-GAAP)$ * * * *210,800Diluted earnings per share excluding manufacturing optimization costsDiluted earnings per share (GAAP)$ * * * * * * *1.03Restructuring expense and cost of temporary inefficiencies, per share0.21Adjusted diluted earnings per share (Non-GAAP)$ * * * * * * *1.24Weighted average diluted shares outstanding169,174

(1)*The income tax effect of adjustments has been computed using the company’s effective income tax rate excluding discrete items.



Harley-Davidson, Inc.Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets(1)(In thousands)(Unaudited)(Unaudited)April 1,December 31,March 26,201820172017ASSETSCurrent assets:*** Cash and cash equivalents$ * * * * 753,517$ * * * * 687,521$ * * * * 839,700*** Marketable securities––5,004*** Accounts receivable, net355,107329,986335,578*** Finance receivables, net2,341,9182,105,6622,354,095*** Inventories564,571538,202485,476*** Restricted cash54,56947,51875,705*** Other current assets150,472175,853142,362Total current assets4,220,1543,884,7424,237,920Finance receivables, net4,784,5244,859,4244,792,027Other long-term assets1,272,9431,228,5061,251,908$ * * 10,277,621$ * * *9,972,672$ * *10,281,855LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITYCurrent liabilities:*** Accounts payable & accrued liabilities$ * * * * 885,448$ * * * * 757,419$ * * * * 906,321*** Short-term debt1,036,9761,273,482953,357*** Current portion of long-term debt, net1,872,6791,127,269697,061Total current liabilities3,795,1033,158,1702,556,739Long-term debt, net4,108,5114,587,2585,320,797Pension and postretirement healthcare liabilities167,952173,359223,702Other long-term liabilities210,106209,608187,208Total shareholders’ equity1,995,9491,844,2771,993,409$ * * 10,277,621$ * * *9,972,672$ * *10,281,855

(1)*See note regarding the adoption of new accounting standards below.



Harley-Davidson, Inc.Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows(1)*(In thousands)(Unaudited)(Unaudited)Three months endedApril 1,March 26,20182017Net cash provided by operating activities$ * * * * 191,594$ * * * * 159,939Cash flows from investing activities:* Capital expenditures(28,436)(23,967)* Finance receivables, net11,733(63,538)* Other(4,948)52Net cash used by investing activities(21,651)(87,453)Cash flows from financing activities:* Proceeds from issuance of medium-term notes347,553497,406* Repayments of medium-term notes–(400,000)* Repayments of securitization debt(67,955)(111,359)* Net decrease in credit facilities and unsecured commercial paper(234,145)(101,702)* Borrowings of asset-backed commercial paper35,504305,209* Repayments of asset-backed commercial paper(45,907)(29,383)* Dividends paid(62,731)(64,611)* Purchase of common stock for treasury(72,968)(79,753)* Issuance of common stock under employee stock option plans1,7197,336Net cash (used) provided by financing activities(98,930)23,143Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash2,0347,219Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash$ * * * * * 73,047$ * * * * 102,848Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash:* Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash – beginning of period$ * * * * 746,210$ * * * * 827,131* Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash73,047102,848* Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash – end of period$ * * * * 819,257$ * * * * 929,979Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash to the Consolidated Balance Sheet:Cash and cash equivalents$ * * * * 753,517$ * * * * 839,700Restricted cash54,56975,705Restricted cash included in other long-term assets11,17114,574Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the Statement of Cash Flows$ * * * * 819,257$ * * * * 929,979

(1)*See note regarding the adoption of new accounting standards below.

Adoption of New Accounting StandardsOn January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the following new accounting standards updates (ASUs).ASU 2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with Customers was adopted using the modified retrospective method. As a result, the Company recorded a $6.0 million increase to the opening balance of retained earnings as of January 1, 2018.ASU 2016-18 Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash was adopted on a retrospective basis. As a result, the change in restricted cash has been excluded from financing activities and included in the change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and the prior period has been recast to reflect the new presentation.ASU 2017-07 Compensation – Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost was adopted on a retrospective basis. As a result, the non-service cost components of net periodic benefit cost have been presented in Other income (expense), net and the prior period has been recast to reflect the new presentation.



Motorcycles and Related Products Revenue and*Motorcycle Shipment Data(Unaudited)(Unaudited)Three months endedApril 1,March 26,20182017MOTORCYCLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS REVENUE(1)(in thousands)* Motorcycles$ * * *1,121,673$ * * *1,083,639* Parts & Accessories169,075168,023* General Merchandise56,60155,836* Licensing8,3589,275* Other8,24011,938$ * * *1,363,947$ * * *1,328,711MOTORCYCLE SHIPMENTS:*** United States38,79745,784*** International25,14725,047***** Total63,94470,831MOTORCYCLE PRODUCT MIX:*** Touring30,85729,068*** Cruiser21,55425,154*** Sportster®/ Street11,53316,609***** Total63,94470,831

(1)*In connection with the adoption of ASU 2014-09, the Company has revised its presentation of disaggregated revenue and the prior period has been recast to reflect the new presentation.



Worldwide Retail Sales of Harley-Davidson Motorcycles(1)Three months endedMarch 31,March 31,20182017United States29,30933,316Europe(2)9,7168,984EMEA – Other1,1461,183* Total EMEA10,86210,167Asia Pacific(3)4,4524,897Asia Pacific – Other1,8771,966* Total Asia Pacific6,3296,863Latin America2,5062,342Canada2,0802,361* Total International Retail Sales21,77721,733* Total Worldwide Retail Sales51,08655,049

(1)*Data source for retail sales figures shown above is new sales warranty and registration information provided by Harley-Davidson dealers and compiled by the Company. The Company must rely on information that its dealers supply concerning new retail sales, and the Company does not regularly verify the information that its dealers supply. This information is subject to revision.(2)*Europe data includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.(3)*Asia Pacific data includes Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Korea.



Motorcycle Registration Data(1)Three months endedMarch 31,March 31,20182017United States(2)57,10064,220Europe(3)93,217100,533

(1)*Data includes on-road 601+cc models. On-road 601+cc models include dual purpose models, three-wheeled motorcycles and autocycles.(2)*United States data is derived from information provided by Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC). This third-party data is subject to revision and update.(3)*Europe data includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Industry retail motorcycle registration data includes 601+cc models derived from information provided by Association des Constructeurs Europeens de Motocycles (ACEM), an independent agency. This third-party data is subject to revision and update.



*View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-relea...300635007.html

SOURCE*Harley-Davidson, Inc.

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