HARLEY-DAVIDSON ANNOUNCES RECORD FOURTH QUARTER AND 19TH CONSECUTIVE RECORD YEAR
Milwaukee, WI (January 20, 2005) - Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE: HDI) today announced record revenue and earnings
for its fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2004. Revenue for the quarter
was $1.22 billion compared with $1.16 billion in the year-ago quarter, a 5.4 percent
increase. Net income for the quarter was $209.0 million compared to $182.4 million,
an increase of 14.5 percent over 2003. Fourth quarter diluted earnings per share
(EPS) was 71 cents, an 18.3 percent increase compared with last year’s 60
cents.
Revenue for the full year was $5.02 billion, compared with $4.62 billion in 2003,
an 8.5 percent increase. Net income for the year was $889.8 million, a 16.9 percent
increase versus last year’s $760.9 million, while diluted EPS for the full
year was $3.00, a 20.0 percent increase compared with $2.50 in 2003.
“Once again Harley-Davidson achieved record revenue and earnings, making
2004 the nineteenth consecutive record year for the Company,” said Jeffrey
L. Bleustein, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We focused on exceeding
the impressive results of our 100th Anniversary year by increasing motorcycle
availability to improve customer satisfaction and by stimulating interest among
prospective customers. U.S. retail sales for Harley-Davidson motorcycles increased
more than 7 percent over last year, demonstrating that the dream of owning a
Harley-Davidson® motorcycle remains extremely powerful,” said Bleustein.
“Our fourth quarter retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles were
up 6.7 percent in the U.S. over the same period in 2003 and up 14 percent in
international markets,” he said.
“We expect to continue to grow in 2005 and ship 339,000 Harley-Davidson
motorcycles during the year to support that growth. This is consistent with
our established goals of satisfying demand for 400,000 motorcycles in 2007 and
generating an annual earnings growth rate in the mid-teens,” said Bleustein.
Motorcycles and Related Products Segment – Fourth Quarter Results
Revenue from Harley-Davidson® motorcycles was $992.6 million, an increase of
$47.3 million or 5.0 percent over the same period last year. Shipments of Harley-Davidson
motorcycles totaled 80,587 units, an increase of 3,531 units or 4.6 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 $157.9 million, an increase of
$16.9 million, or 12.0 percent over the year-ago quarter. Revenue from General
Merchandise, which consists of MotorClothes? apparel and collectibles, totaled
$54.9 million, an increase of $4.2 million or 8.2 percent.
Gross margin was 37.8 percent of revenue, up from 35.9 percent in the prior
year. Gross margin was favorably impacted primarily by manufacturing efficiencies
and foreign currency exchange rates. Consistent with the higher gross margin,
operating margin increased from 21.5 percent in 2003 to 23.0 percent in 2004.
Motorcycle Retail Sales Data
Retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles for the year 2004 grew 7.1 percent
in the U.S. and 1.5 percent internationally compared with the prior year. Retail
sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles grew in many of the Company’s international
markets. However, overall retail sales in Europe decreased 5.3 percent.
“In response to the current market conditions and the strong Euro, Harley-Davidson
is reducing suggested retail prices in 2005 on select motorcycle models in our
European markets. This will make our motorcycles more affordable to a broader
range of customers,” said Bleustein.
Financial Services Segment
Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. (HDFS), a subsidiary of Harley-Davidson,
Inc., reported fourth quarter operating income of $39.2 million, up $5.4 million
or 15.9 percent compared to the year-ago quarter.
The segment’s performance was driven by continued strong marketplace
acceptance of its finance and insurance products as well as positive foreign
currency exchange.
Annualized credit losses net of recoveries on a managed portfolio basis were
0.81 percent during the year. This is better than the Company’s stated
target of 1 percent.
Harley-Davidson, Inc. - Twelve Month Results
For the fiscal year ended 2004, total Harley-Davidson motorcycle shipments were
317,289 units compared with 291,147 units in 2003, a 9.0 percent increase. Harley-Davidson
motorcycle revenue was $3.93 billion, an increase of $306.7 million or 8.5 percent.
P&A revenue totaled $781.6 million, a $68.8 million or 9.7 percent increase,
while General Merchandise revenue totaled $223.7 million, a $12.3 million or
5.8 percent increase compared with 2003.
Full year operating income for HDFS was $188.6 million, an increase of $20.7
million or 12.3 percent compared to 2003.
Cash Flow – Twelve Month Results
As of December 31, 2004, cash and marketable securities were $1.61 billion.
During the year the Company invested $213.6 million in capital expenditures,
repurchased 10.6 million shares of Company stock for $564.1 million, paid $119.2
million in dividends and increased cash and marketable securities by $289.4
million.
Stock Option Accounting
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued new rules
requiring companies to recognize the expense of stock option grants in their
income statements. Although the new rules are not effective until the Company’s
third quarter of 2005, the Company will implement this change in accounting
as of January 1, 2005. If the Company had elected to expense stock options in
2004 under the new standard, the effect would have been a $22.5 million pretax
charge. The Company expects a similar charge in 2005.
2005 and Beyond
In addition to the previously stated motorcycle unit shipment goal, the Company
expects growth in all of its product lines. Harley-Davidson expects the growth
rate for P&A revenues to be slightly higher than the motorcycle unit growth
rate, and the General Merchandise growth rate is expected to be lower than the
motorcycle unit growth rate. The Company expects the HDFS growth rate to be
slightly higher than the Company’s motorcycle unit growth rate.
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 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 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 undertakes
no 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 through the implementation
of innovative manufacturing techniques and other means, (ii) successfully implement
production capacity increases in its facilities, (iii) successfully introduce
new products and services, (iv) avoid unexpected supply chain issues, (v) sell
all of the Harley-Davidson motorcycles it plans to produce, (vi) continue to
develop the capacity of its distributor and dealer network, (vii) avoid unexpected
changes in the regulatory environment for its products, (viii) successfully
adjust to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and
commodity prices, (ix) adjust to worldwide economic and political conditions,
and (x) successfully manage the credit quality of HDFS’s loan portfolio.
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. Risk factors are also disclosed in documents previously filed by the
Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
TABLES FOLLOW
|
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, |
| |
2004 |
2003 |
2004 |
2003 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Net revenue |
$1,220,997 |
$1,158,070 |
$5,015,190 |
$4,624,274 |
|
Gross profit |
461,422 |
416,026 |
1,899,535 |
1,665,566 |
|
Operating expenses |
180,672 |
167,488 |
710,016 |
668,677 |
|
Operating income from |
|
|
|
|
|
motorcycles & related products |
280,750 |
248,538 |
1,189,519 |
996,889 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Financial services income |
66,224 |
62,743 |
305,262 |
279,459 |
|
Financial services expense |
27,018 |
28,906 |
116,662 |
111,586 |
|
Operating income from financial services |
39,206 |
33,837 |
188,600 |
167,873 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate expenses |
3,757 |
3,475 |
16,628 |
15,498 |
|
Total operating income |
316,199 |
278,900 |
1,361,491 |
1,149,264 |
|
Investment income and other, net |
7,775 |
3,936 |
17,995 |
16,771 |
|
Income before provision for taxes |
323,974 |
282,836 |
1,379,486 |
1,166,035 |
|
Provision for income taxes |
115,012 |
100,406 |
489,720 |
405,107 |
|
Net income |
$208,962 |
$182,430 |
$889,766 |
$760,928 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Earnings
per common share: |
|
Basic |
$0.71 |
$0.60 |
$3.02 |
$2.52 |
|
Diluted |
$0.71 |
$0.60 |
$3.00 |
$2.50 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Weighted-average
common shares: |
|
Basic |
294,014 |
302,244 |
295,008 |
302,271 |
|
Diluted |
295,406 |
304,404 |
296,852 |
304,470 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
Harley-Davidson, Inc. |
Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheets |
(In
thousands) |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
(Unaudited) |
|
|
|
| |
Dec
31, |
Dec
31, |
|
|
| |
2004 |
2003 |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
| Current
assets: |
|
|
|
|
| Cash
and cash equivalents |
$1,089,249 |
$812,449 |
|
|
| Marketable
securities |
522,819 |
510,211 |
|
|
| Accounts
receivable, net |
121,333 |
112,406 |
|
|
| Finance
receivables, net |
1,207,124 |
1,001,990 |
|
|
| Inventories |
226,893 |
207,726 |
|
|
| Other
current assets |
98,854 |
84,345 |
|
|
| Total
current assets |
3,266,272 |
2,729,127 |
|
|
| Finance
receivables, net |
905,176 |
735,859 |
|
|
| Other
long-term assets |
1,311,845 |
1,458,102 |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| Total
assets |
$5,483,293 |
$4,923,088 |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| LIABILITIES
AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY |
| Current
liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
| Accounts
payable & accrued expenses |
$677,255 |
$631,468 |
|
|
| Current
portion of finance debt |
495,441 |
324,305 |
|
|
| Total
current liabilities |
1,172,696 |
955,773 |
|
|
| Finance
debt |
800,000 |
670,000 |
|
|
| Other
long-term liabilities |
142,278 |
212,179 |
|
|
| Postretirement
health care benefits |
149,848 |
127,444 |
|
|
| Shareholders'
equity |
3,218,471 |
2,957,692 |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| Total
liabilities and shareholders' equity |
$5,483,293 |
$4,923,088 |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
Harley-Davidson, Inc. |
Net
Revenue and Motorcycle |
Shipment
Data |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
Three
Months Ended |
Twelve
Months Ended |
| |
Dec
31, |
Dec
31, |
Dec
31, |
Dec
31, |
| |
2004 |
2003 |
2004 |
2003 |
| NET
REVENUE (in thousands) |
| Harley-Davidson®
motorcycles |
$992,611 |
$945,292 |
$3,928,232 |
$3,621,488 |
| Buell®
motorcycles |
15,519 |
20,079 |
79,029 |
76,064 |
| Parts
& Accessories |
157,906 |
141,020 |
781,621 |
712,829 |
| General
Merchandise |
54,884 |
50,730 |
223,712 |
211,388 |
| Other |
77 |
949 |
2,596 |
2,505 |
| |
$1,220,997 |
$1,158,070 |
$5,015,190 |
$4,624,274 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| HARLEY-DAVIDSON
UNITS |
| Motorcycle
shipments: |
|
|
|
|
|
United States |
68,902 |
63,944 |
260,607 |
237,656 |
|
Export |
11,685 |
13,112 |
56,682 |
53,491 |
| Total
|
80,587 |
77,056 |
317,289 |
291,147 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Motorcycle
product mix: |
|
|
|
|
|
Touring |
25,052 |
22,106 |
93,305 |
82,577 |
|
Custom |
38,035 |
38,146 |
154,163 |
151,405 |
|
Sportster® |
17,500 |
16,804 |
69,821 |
57,165 |
| Total |
80,587 |
77,056 |
317,289 |
291,147 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| BUELL
UNITS |
|
|
|
|
| Motorcycle
shipments: |
|
|
|
|
|
Buell |
2,064 |
2,610 |
9,857 |
9,974 |
| |
| |
Year-to-date
Heavyweight (651+ cc) |
Motorcycle
Retail Registrations (Units), |
data
through month indicated. |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
2004 |
2003 |
%
change |
|
| United
States |
|
|
|
|
| -
H-D (December) |
244,539 |
228,393 |
7.1% |
|
| -
Industry (December) |
494,045 |
461,154 |
7.1% |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| Europe |
|
|
|
|
| -
H-D (December) |
24,594 |
25,966 |
-5.3% |
|
| -
Industry (November) |
332,706 |
318,428 |
4.5% |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| Japan |
|
|
|
|
| -
H-D (December) |
11,893 |
11,802 |
0.8% |
|
| -
Industry (November) |
40,309 |
42,068 |
-4.2% |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| Only
Harley-Davidson® motorcycles are included in the Harley-Davidson (H-D)
data. |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Data
for Europe includes registrations in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom. |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Data
Sources: (subject to update) |
United
States: Motorcycle Industry Council
Europe: Company reports, Giral S.A.
Japan: Industry sources |
|
|
|
|
|
# # #
|
 |
 |