MILWAUKEE, July 24, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE:HOG) today reported second quarter 2018 results and announced it will share details about its accelerated strategy for growth on July 30, 2018.

Second Quarter 2018

• EPS $1.45 ($1.52 excluding manufacturing optimization costs)
• HDFS lower year-over-year provision for credit losses; full-year outlook improved
• Dividend up versus prior year; repurchased 0.9 million shares
• Growth in international retail sales
• Manufacturing optimization initiative on track
• Confirmed full-year shipment guidance
• Strategy announcement set for July 30, 2018

Second quarter 2018 GAAP diluted EPS was $1.45.  Excluding manufacturing optimization costs, diluted EPS was $1.52. Second quarter 2017 GAAP diluted EPS was $1.48. Second quarter 2018 net income was $242.3 million on consolidated revenue of $1.71 billion versus net income of $258.9 million on consolidated revenue of $1.77 billion in the second quarter of 2017.

Harley-Davidson international retail motorcycle sales were up 0.7 percent in the second quarter of 2018 compared to 2017 and U.S. retail sales were down 6.4 percent. Worldwide retail sales decreased 3.6 percent.

"Our results in the second quarter reflect business performance that is in line with our expectations. With the focus of every employee and dealer, we are making progress building the next generation of Harley-Davidson riders in line with our long-term objectives. Our manufacturing optimization, demand-driving investments and commitment to manage supply in line with demand remain on target and continue to strengthen our business," said Matt Levatich, president and chief executive officer, Harley-Davidson, Inc. 

Strategy to Build Riders Globally
On July 30^th, Harley-Davidson will share plans to accelerate its strategy to build the next generation of riders globally. Leveraging core strengths in the business, brand and dealer network, the company intends to invest in opportunities that inspire increased ridership sooner and deliver sustainable growth for the future. Harley-Davidson's strategy supports the company's 2027 objectives to: 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.

Harley-Davidson's accelerated strategy will deliver:

• New products –Keep current riders engaged and inspire a new generation of Harley-Davidson riders
• Broader access – Meet customers where they are and how they want to engage with a multi-channel retail experience
• Stronger dealers – Drive a performance framework to improve our dealer financial strength and the Harley-Davidson customer experience

The company believes its accelerated strategy is in line with and reinforces its objectives to drive revenue growth and expand operating margins. The company expects to fund strategic opportunities while maintaining its current investment and return profile and capital allocation strategy.

"We will take bold actions that better leverage our vast capabilities and competitive firepower –excellence in product development, manufacturing, brand and our great dealer network. We will motivate our existing loyal riders and inspire future riders who are not even thinking about two-wheeled freedom," stated Levatich. "We are tapping into the spirit that drove our founders back in 1903. Our plan will redefine existing boundaries of our brand – reaching more customers through new types of products and channels and doing so in a way that reinforces all we stand for as a brand and as a company. We're out to secure the legacy of Harley-Davidson freedom for the next generations of riders."

Building Riders
As Harley-Davidson continues to build the next generation of riders globally, the company increased its reach and impact during the second quarter through a wide range of efforts including:

• Expanded Hooligan racing at the X Games and brought the first-ever flat track racing event to India
• Improved rate of Riding Academy participants who purchased Harley-Davidson motorcycles
• Drove 4.5 million visits to HD.com, a 29 percent increase
• Delivered 36.7 million social media impressions from #MotorcycleMonday; reached over 6 million Facebook viewers with #freedomstories and #harleyasia
• Garnered 9.8 million social media views of #FindYourFreedom interns content. From 7,500 applications, selected 8 young riders to explore U.S. motorcycle culture on their new Harley-Davidson motorcycles and inspire new riders along the way
• Increased access to Harley-Davidson by adding new international dealers and new apparel and lifestyle boutiques in popular shopping areas

Manufacturing Optimization
To further improve its manufacturing operations and cost structure, in the first quarter of 2018 the company commenced its 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 second quarter 2018, costs related to the manufacturing optimization were $14.8 million and year-to-date were $62.3 million.

The U.S. 601+cc industry was down 6.3 percent in the second quarter compared to 2017. Harley-Davidson's second quarter U.S. market share was 48.4 percent in the U.S. The 601+cc industry in Europe was down 0.8 percent in the second quarter compared to 2017.  Harley-Davidson's second quarter Europe market share was up 0.9 percentage point to 10.4 percent.

Second quarter revenue from the Motorcycles and related products segment (Motorcycles segment) was down versus the prior year. Operating margin as a percent of revenue decreased in the quarter compared to 2017 primarily due to lower shipments, costs associated with our manufacturing optimization initiative and higher operating expenses.

Financial Services segment operating income decreased modestly in the second quarter compared to 2017.

Income Tax Rate
Harley-Davidson's year-to-date effective tax rate was 24.1 percent compared to 34.4 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 cash equivalents were $978.7 million at the end of Q2 2018, compared to $988.5 million in 2017. Harley-Davidson generated $735.9 million of cash from operating activities year-to-date in 2018 compared to $627.1 million in 2017. The company paid a cash dividend of $0.37 per share for the second quarter, an increase of 1.4 percent compared to the prior year. On a discretionary basis, Harley-Davidson repurchased 0.9 million shares of its common stock during the second quarter for $38.2 million. During the quarter, there were approximately 167.2 million weighted-average diluted common shares outstanding.  At the end of the quarter, 23.2 million shares remained on board-approved share repurchase authorizations.

2018 Outlook 
For the full-year 2018, the company continues to expect the following:

• Motorcycle shipments to be approximately 231,000 to 236,000 motorcycles. In the third quarter, the company expects to ship approximately 45,500 to 50,500 motorcycles
• 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 has adjusted its outlook relating to the following and now expects:

• Motorcycles segment operating margin as a percent of revenue to be approximately 9 to 10 percent given the expected impact of tariffs in 2018
• Financial Services segment operating income to be flat to up slightly given strong year-to-date performance

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 second 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/news-and-events/events-and-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 measures included in this press release are diluted EPS excluding manufacturing optimization costs and net income excluding manufacturing optimization costs. 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, strategies, 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) execute its business strategies, including the elements of the strategy for growth that the company will disclose on July 30, 2018, (ii) 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, (iii) execute its strategy of growing ridership, globally, (iv) effectively execute the company's manufacturing optimization initiative within expected costs and timing, (v) successfully adjust to shifting global consumer needs and interests, (vi) develop and introduce products, services and experiences that are successful in the marketplace,  (vii) manage the impact that prices for and supply of used motorcycles may have on its business, including on retail sales of new motorcycles, (viii) balance production volumes for its new motorcycles with consumer demand, (ix) manage risks that arise through expanding international manufacturing, operations and sales, (x) manage through changes in general economic and business conditions, including changing capital, credit and retail markets, and the changing political environment, (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, (xvi) 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, (xvii) retain and attract talented employees, (xviii) prevent a cybersecurity breach involving consumer, employee, dealer, supplier, or company data and respond to evolving regulatory requirements regarding data security, (xix)manage the credit quality, the loan servicing and collection activities, and the recovery rates of HDFS' loan portfolio, (xx) 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, (xxi) manage through the effects inconsistent and unpredictable weather patterns may have on retail sales of motorcycles, (xxii) manage supply chain issues, including quality issues and any unexpected interruptions or price increases caused by raw material shortages or natural disasters, (xxiii) implement and manage enterprise-wide information technology systems, including systems at its manufacturing facilities, (xxiv) manage changes and prepare for requirements in legislative and regulatory environments for its products, services and operations, (xxv) manage its exposure to product liability claims and commercial or contractual disputes, and (xxvi) 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.

The statements in this release relating to the strategy for growth that the company will disclose on July 30, 2018 generally represent only the company's goals, aims and objectives regarding the strategy and potential results from the strategy.  By their nature, the risk and uncertainty associated with these goals, aims, and objectives are greater than those associated with near-term guidance.

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Adoption of New Accounting Standards
On 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.

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SOURCE Harley-Davidson, Inc.