Company Snapshot: HDI  Print This Story  Email This Story  Save this Link View PR Newswire's RSS Feed  Blogs Discussing this News Release  Search Blogs that Mention this News Release  Click this link to view linked Bookmarking Services Click this link to view linked Blogging Services


Harley-Davidson Announces 20th Record Year

      Revenue, Earnings and Retail Motorcycle Sales reach all time highs

Select financial data reported in the text of this press release is presented
     on the basis described in the Stock Option Accounting section below.

    MILWAUKEE, Jan. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Harley-Davidson, Inc.
(NYSE: HDI) today announced record revenue and earnings for its fourth quarter
and year ended December 31, 2005.  Revenue for the quarter was $1.34 billion
compared with $1.22 billion in the year-ago quarter, a 9.9 percent increase.
Net income for the quarter was $230.0 million compared to $209.0 million, an
increase of 10.1 percent over 2004.  Fourth quarter diluted earnings per share
(EPS) were 84 cents, an 18.3 percent increase compared with last year's 71
cents.
    Revenue for the full year was $5.34 billion, compared with $5.02 billion
in 2004, a 6.5 percent increase.  Net income for the year was $959.6 million,
a 7.8 percent increase versus last year's $889.8 million, while diluted EPS
for the full year were $3.41, a 13.7 percent increase compared with $3.00 in
2004.
    "Today Harley-Davidson is celebrating an exciting milestone of twenty
consecutive years of record revenue, earnings and retail motorcycle sales,"
said Jim Ziemer, Chief Executive Officer.  "As we reflect on our performance
in 2005, we had many accomplishments.  We shipped 329,000 motorcycles, which
is a 3.7 percent increase over the previous year.  Worldwide retail sales of
Harley-Davidson(R) motorcycles increased 6.2 percent during 2005.  Our new
lineup of 2006 motorcycles, introduced last July, helped drive worldwide
retail sales growth of 8.3 percent in the second half of the year.  During
2005, our international motorcycle sales grew significantly and motorcycle
sales to women continued to increase, demonstrating that our strategies in
these areas are beginning to take hold," said Ziemer.
    "We believe the prospects for retail growth remain strong and support a
wholesale unit growth rate in the range of 5 to 9 percent annually and an
annual EPS growth rate of 11 to 17 percent," said Ziemer.  "Our
Harley-Davidson motorcycle shipment target for 2006 remains in the range of
348,000 to 352,000 units, with planned wholesale shipments of 79,000
motorcycles during the first quarter," he said.

    Motorcycles and Related Products Segment -- Fourth Quarter Results
    Revenue from Harley-Davidson(R) motorcycles was $1.09 billion, an increase
of $95.7 million, or 9.6 percent over the same period last year.  Shipments of
Harley-Davidson motorcycles totaled 87,588 units, an increase of 7,001 units,
or 8.7 percent over last year's fourth quarter.
    Revenue from Parts and Accessories (P&A), which consists of Genuine Motor
Parts and Genuine Motor Accessories, totaled $169.9 million, an increase of
$12.0 million, or 7.6 percent over the year-ago quarter.  Revenue from General
Merchandise, which consists of MotorClothes(TM) apparel and collectibles,
totaled $60.5 million, an increase of $5.6 million, or 10.2 percent.
    Growth rates for P&A and General Merchandise fluctuate from quarter to
quarter.  However, for the long term, the Company expects the growth rate for
P&A revenue to be slightly higher than Harley-Davidson's motorcycle unit
growth rate, and the General Merchandise growth rate is expected to be lower
than the motorcycle unit growth rate.
    Gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2005 was 38.3 percent of revenue,
up from 37.8 percent for the same period in 2004.  Consistent with the higher
gross margin, operating margin increased from 23.0 percent in 2004 to 23.4
percent in 2005.

    Motorcycle Retail Sales Data
    Worldwide retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles increased 3.0
percent for the fourth quarter of 2005 compared to the same period in 2004.
For the full year, worldwide retail sales increased 6.2 percent compared to
2004.
    U.S. retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles increased 0.7 percent in
the fourth quarter and 4.2 percent for the full year.  For the second six
months of the year, U.S. retail sales grew 7.3 percent compared to 1.9 percent
for the first six months of 2005.
    "We are pleased with retail sales growth in the U.S. market during the
second half of the year.  The extensive enhancements made to existing models,
along with several brand new motorcycles for the 2006 model year, are
certainly generating excitement," said Ziemer.
    Internationally, retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles grew 13.0
percent in the fourth quarter and 15.0 percent for the full year compared with
2004.  Total retail sales for 2005 increased in all of the Company's major
international markets.
    Data is listed in the accompanying tables.

    Financial Services Segment
    Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS) reported fourth quarter
operating income of $39.5 million, up 0.7 percent compared to the year-ago
quarter.
    A fourth quarter securitization of $325 million in motorcycle retail loans
resulted in a gain of $4.2 million.  The 1.3 percent gain on the
securitization as a percentage of loans sold is consistent with management's
prior guidance of 1.0 to 1.4 percent.  Gains in the first quarter of 2006 are
also expected to continue in that range.  Given the relatively small
percentage of HDI operating income that is generated by securitization gains,
the Company is not providing guidance for periods beyond the first quarter of
2006.  Income related to securitizations will continue to be reported in the
Company's annual report and SEC filings.
    For the long term, HDFS expects operating income to be slightly higher
than the Company's wholesale unit shipment growth rate.

    Harley-Davidson, Inc. -- Twelve Month Results
    For the fiscal year ended 2005, total Harley-Davidson motorcycle shipments
were 329,017 units compared with 317,289 units in 2004, a 3.7 percent
increase.  Harley-Davidson motorcycle revenue was $4.18 billion, an increase
of $255.3 million, or 6.5 percent.
    P&A revenue totaled $815.7 million, a $34.1 million, or a 4.4 percent
increase, while General Merchandise revenue totaled $247.9 million, a $24.1
million or a 10.8 percent increase, compared with 2004.
    Full year operating income for HDFS was $191.6 million, an increase of
$3.0 million or 1.6 percent compared to 2004.

    Cash Flow -- Twelve Month Results
    As of December 31, 2005, cash and marketable securities were $1.05
billion, down from $1.61 billion at December 31, 2004.  During the year the
Company invested $198.4 million in capital expenditures, repurchased 21.4
million shares of Company stock for $1.05 billion, paid $173.8 million in
dividends and contributed $296.8 million to its retirement plans.

    Stock Option Accounting
    On January 1, 2005, the Company began recognizing expense related to its
employee stock option awards before the required implementation date of the
Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards (SFAS) No. 123 as revised in 2004.  The Company accounted for these
stock options as equity instruments.  However, SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004)
requires that stock options that may be settled for cash instead of stock at
the election of the holder upon the occurrence of a change in control event be
accounted for as a liability regardless of the probability of the change in
control event occurring.
    The Company recently became aware of the applicability of the contingent
cash settlement feature of SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004) to its employee stock
compensation plans.  Had the Company used the liability method to account for
stock option awards during 2005, operating income would have increased by
$37.8 million.  Accordingly, income before accounting changes net of tax would
have been $983.0 million for the year, an increase of $23.4 million compared
to the Company's reported amount of $959.6 million.  In addition, on the
January 1, 2005 adoption date of this accounting method, the Company would
have recorded a cumulative charge to income of $120.9 million or $74.8 million
net of tax for its adoption of the liability method.
    On January 11, 2006, FASB voted to seek public comment on a proposed FASB
Staff Position (FSP) to require companies to classify employee stock options
with contingent cash settlement features as equity awards provided the
contingent event, such as a change in control event, is not considered
probable of occurring.  This classification would be consistent with the
amounts reported with respect to outstanding stock options in connection with
the Company's original adoption of SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004) on January 1,
2005, and in subsequent interim periods.
    The Company believes that the proposed FSP is a strong indication that
classification of its stock option awards as equity instruments will be
appropriate upon finalization of the FSP.  As a result, all financial data
reported in this press release is presented on a U.S. GAAP basis adjusted for
the anticipated ratification of the proposed FSP.  In the event the FSP is not
finalized as expected, the Company will reflect such effects on the year and
the quarters in its annual report and 10-K filing for the year ended December
31, 2005.

    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 motorcycles.
Harley-Davidson Financial Services provides wholesale and retail financing and
insurance programs to Harley-Davidson dealers and their retail 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," "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 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) continue to realize
production efficiencies at its production facilities and effectively manage
operating costs including materials, labor and overhead, (ii) successfully
manage production capacity and production changes, (iii) avoid unexpected
supply chain issues, (iv) provide products, services and experiences that are
successful in the marketplace, (v) develop and implement sales and marketing
plans that retain existing customers and attract new customers in an
increasingly competitive marketplace, (vi) sell all of its motorcycles and
related products and services to its independent dealers and distributors,
(vii) continue to develop the capacity of its distributor and dealer network,
(viii) avoid unexpected changes and prepare for known requirements in
legislative and regulatory environments for its products and operations, (ix)
successfully adjust to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates,
interest rates and commodity prices, (x) adjust to worldwide economic and
political conditions, including changes in fuel prices and interest rates,
(xi) successfully manage the credit quality and recovery rates of HDFS's loan
portfolio, (xii) retain and attract talented employees and (xiii) detect any
defects in our motorcycles to minimize delays in new model launches, recall
campaigns, increased warranty costs or litigation.  In addition, the Company
could experience delays in the operation of manufacturing facilities as a
result of work stoppages, natural causes, terrorism or other factors.
    The Company's ability to sell all of its motorcycles and related products
and services also depends on the ability of the Company's independent dealer
network to sell them to retail customers.  The Company depends on the
capability 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 selling Harley-Davidson motorcycles and related
products and services as a result of weather, economic conditions or other
factors.
    Risk factors are also disclosed in documents previously filed by the
Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                              Harley-Davidson, Inc.
                   Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
                     (In thousands, except per share amounts)

                                 Three Months Ended     Twelve Months Ended
                              (Unaudited) (Unaudited)        (Unaudited)

                                   Dec 31,     Dec 31,     Dec 31,     Dec 31,
                                     2005        2004        2005        2004

     Net revenue               $1,342,335  $1,220,997  $5,342,214  $5,015,190
     Gross profit                 514,510     461,422   2,040,499   1,899,535
     Operating expenses           199,854     180,672     740,634     710,016
     Operating income from
      motorcycles & related
      products                    314,656     280,750   1,299,865   1,189,519

     Financial services income     76,060      66,224     331,618     305,262
     Financial services
      expense                      36,595      27,018     139,998     116,662
     Operating income from
      financial services           39,465      39,206     191,620     188,600

     Corporate expenses             3,473       3,757      21,474      16,628
     Total operating income       350,648     316,199   1,470,011   1,361,491
     Investment income and
      other, net                    6,009       7,775      17,748      17,995
     Income before provision
      for taxes                   356,657     323,974   1,487,759   1,379,486
     Provision for income
      taxes                       126,613     115,012     528,155     489,720
     Net income                $  230,044  $  208,962  $  959,604  $  889,766

    Earnings per common share:
      Basic                         $0.84       $0.71       $3.42       $3.02
      Diluted                       $0.84       $0.71       $3.41       $3.00

    Weighted-average common
     shares:
      Basic                       274,182     294,014     280,303     295,008
      Diluted                     274,837     295,406     281,035     296,852


                              Harley-Davidson, Inc.
                      Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                  (In thousands)

                                                 (Unaudited)
                                                    Dec 31,           Dec 31,
                                                      2005              2004

    ASSETS
    Current assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents                 $  140,975        $  275,159
      Marketable securities                        905,197         1,336,909
      Accounts receivable, net                     122,087           121,333
      Finance receivables, net                   1,641,766         1,624,038
      Inventories                                  221,418           226,893
      Other current assets                         122,319            98,854
    Total current assets                         3,153,762         3,683,186
    Finance receivables, net                       600,831           488,262
    Other long-term assets                       1,509,141         1,311,845

    Total assets                                $5,263,734        $5,483,293

    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Current liabilities:
      Accounts payable & accrued expenses       $  668,139        $  677,255
      Current portion of finance debt              204,973           495,441
    Total current liabilities                      873,112         1,172,696
    Finance debt                                 1,000,000           800,000
    Other long-term liabilities                    246,042           142,278
    Postretirement health care benefits             60,975           149,848
    Shareholders' equity                         3,083,605         3,218,471

    Total liabilities and shareholders'
     equity                                     $5,263,734        $5,483,293


     Note: Certain prior year balances have been reclassified in order to
           conform with the current year presentation.


                              Harley-Davidson, Inc.
                 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                  (In thousands)

                                                    Twelve months ended
                                            (Unaudited)
                                               Dec 31,     Dec 31,     Dec 31,
                                                 2005        2004        2003
    Cash flows from operating activities:
      Net income                           $  959,604  $  889,766  $  760,928
      Adjustments to reconcile net income
       to net cash provided by operating
       activities:
        Depreciation                          205,705     214,112     196,918
        Provision for long-term employee
         benefits                              94,328      62,806      76,422
        Gain on current year
         securitizations                      (46,581)    (58,302)    (82,221)
        Proceeds from securitizations       2,450,920   1,847,895   1,724,060
        Finance receivables (held for sale)
         acquired or originated            (2,447,320) (2,069,713) (1,897,719)
        Finance receivables (held for sale)
         collected                            124,462      84,310     107,510
        Net change in wholesale finance
         receivables                         (161,342)   (154,124)   (154,788)
        Contributions to pension &
         postretirement plans                (296,859)          -    (192,000)
        Tax benefit from the exercise of
         stock options                              -      51,476      13,805
        Other                                  82,678     (11,142)     62,232
        Net changes in current assets and
         current liabilities                   (5,085)    (24,866)    (18,644)
      Total adjustments                           906     (57,548)   (164,425)
    Net cash provided by operating
     activities                               960,510     832,218     596,503

    Cash flows from investing activities:
      Capital expenditures                   (198,389)   (213,550)   (227,230)
      Finance receivables, net               (156,438)   (134,571)    (47,287)
      Collection of retained securitization
       interests                              115,346     125,732     118,113
      Net change in marketable securities     431,075    (349,042)   (393,548)
      Other, net                              (14,497)      1,189       9,690
    Net cash provided by (used in)
     investing activities                     177,097    (570,242)   (540,262)

    Cash flows from financing activities:
      Net increase in finance debt            (80,720)    305,047     224,118
      Dividends                              (173,785)   (119,232)    (58,986)
      Purchase of common stock for
       treasury                            (1,054,615)   (564,132)   (103,880)
      Excess tax benefits from share based
       payments                                 6,065
      Issuance of common stock under
       employee stock plans                    31,264      62,171      19,378
    Net cash used in financing activities  (1,271,791)   (316,146)     80,630

    Net increase in cash and cash
     equivalents                             (134,184)    (54,170)    136,871

    Cash and cash equivalents:
      At beginning of period                  275,159     329,329     192,458
      At end of period                     $  140,975  $  275,159  $  329,329


       Note:  Certain prior year balances have been reclassified in order to
              conform with the current year presentation.


                               Harley-Davidson, Inc.
                           Net Revenue and Motorcycle
                                  Shipment Data
                                (unaudited)

                                   Three Months Ended      Twelve Months Ended
                                   Dec 31,     Dec 31,     Dec 31,     Dec 31,
                                     2005        2004        2005        2004
    NET REVENUE (in thousands)
    Harley-Davidson(R)
     motorcycles               $1,088,286  $  992,611  $4,183,515  $3,928,232
    Buell(R) motorcycles           21,828      15,519      93,069      79,029
    Parts & Accessories           169,859     157,906     815,678     781,621
    General Merchandise            60,486      54,884     247,861     223,712
    Other                           1,876          77       2,091       2,596
                               $1,342,335  $1,220,997  $5,342,214  $5,015,190

    HARLEY-DAVIDSON UNITS
    Motorcycle shipments:
      United States                74,383      68,902     266,507     260,607
      Export                       13,205      11,685      62,510      56,682
    Total                          87,588      80,587     329,017     317,289

    Motorcycle product mix:
      Touring                      29,090      25,052     110,193      93,305
      Custom                       38,233      38,035     148,609     154,163
      Sportster(R)                 20,265      17,500      70,215      69,821
    Total                          87,588      80,587     329,017     317,289

    BUELL UNITS
    Motorcycle shipments:
      Buell                         2,716       2,064      11,166       9,857


                            Retail Sales of Harley-Davidson Motorcycles
                                           Full Year 2005

                                                      2005              2004

    United States                                  253,414           243,160
    Europe*                                         29,482            24,594
    Japan                                           11,420            10,283
    Canada                                          11,660            11,200
    All other markets                               11,193             9,373

    Total Harley-Davidson Sales                    317,169           298,610

    Data Source (subject to update)
    Data source for all 2005 retail sales figures shown above is 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 retail sales

    * Data for Europe include Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France,
      Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden,
      Switzerland, and the United Kingdom

    Only Harley-Davidson(R) motorcycles are included in the Harley-Davidson
    Motorcycle Sales data.


                             Heavyweight (651+ cc) Market Industry Data
                                    Data Through Month Indicated

                                                      2005              2004

    United States (December)                       517,562           494,045
    Europe* (November)                             330,726           332,706

    Data Source (subject to update)
    United States: Motorcycle Industry Council
    Europe: Giral S.A.

    * Data for Europe include Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France,
      Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden,
      Switzerland, and the United Kingdom


SOURCE Harley-Davidson, Inc.




Back to Topback to top

Related links:
  • http://www.harley-davidson.com
    CONTACT:
    Financial Contact - Mark Van Genderen,
    +1-414-343-8002, or Media Contact - Susan Walton,
    +1-414-343-7565, both of Harley-Davidson, Inc.