UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
| QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |||||
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2024
| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |||||
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 1-9183
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| (State of organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | ||||||||||
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip code) | ||||||||||
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (414 ) 342-4680
None
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |||||||||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | |||||||||
| Emerging growth company | |||||||||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
The registrant had outstanding 134,505,837 shares of common stock as of April 29, 2024.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON, INC.
Form 10-Q
For The Quarter Ended March 31, 2024
| Part I | ||||||||
| Item 1. | ||||||||
| Item 2. | ||||||||
| Item 3. | ||||||||
| Item 4. | ||||||||
| Part II | ||||||||
| Item 1. | ||||||||
| Item 1A. | ||||||||
| Item 2. | ||||||||
| Item 5. | ||||||||
| Item 6. | ||||||||
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
HARLEY-DAVIDSON, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
| Three months ended | |||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Revenue: | |||||||||||
| Motorcycles and related products | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Financial services | |||||||||||
| Costs and expenses: | |||||||||||
| Motorcycles and related products cost of goods sold | |||||||||||
| Financial services interest expense | |||||||||||
| Financial services provision for credit losses | |||||||||||
| Selling, administrative and engineering expense | |||||||||||
| Operating income | |||||||||||
| Other income, net | |||||||||||
Investment income | |||||||||||
| Interest expense | |||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | |||||||||||
| Income tax provision | |||||||||||
| Net income | |||||||||||
| Less: Loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | |||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Harley-Davidson, Inc. | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Earnings per share: | |||||||||||
| Basic | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Diluted | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Cash dividends per share | $ | $ | |||||||||
The accompanying notes are integral to the consolidated financial statements.
3
HARLEY-DAVIDSON, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
| Three months ended | |||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax: | |||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | ( | ||||||||||
| Derivative financial instruments | ( | ||||||||||
| Pension and postretirement benefit plans | ( | ( | |||||||||
| ( | ( | ||||||||||
| Comprehensive income | |||||||||||
| Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | |||||||||||
| Comprehensive income attributable to Harley-Davidson, Inc. | $ | $ | |||||||||
The accompanying notes are integral to the consolidated financial statements.
4
HARLEY-DAVIDSON, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
| (Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | March 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | |||||||||||||||||
Finance receivables, net of allowance of $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Inventories, net | |||||||||||||||||
| Restricted cash | |||||||||||||||||
| Other current assets | |||||||||||||||||
| Current assets | |||||||||||||||||
Finance receivables, net of allowance of $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | |||||||||||||||||
| Pension and postretirement assets | |||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill | |||||||||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | |||||||||||||||||
| Lease assets | |||||||||||||||||
| Other long-term assets | |||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Accrued liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
| Short-term deposits, net | |||||||||||||||||
| Short-term debt | |||||||||||||||||
| Current portion of long-term debt, net | |||||||||||||||||
| Current liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
| Long-term deposits, net | |||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt, net | |||||||||||||||||
| Lease liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
| Pension and postretirement liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | |||||||||||||||||
| Other long-term liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
| Commitments and contingencies (Note 14) | |||||||||||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity: | |||||||||||||||||
| Common stock | |||||||||||||||||
| Additional paid-in-capital | |||||||||||||||||
| Retained earnings | |||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Treasury stock, at cost | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Total Harley-Davidson, Inc. shareholders' equity | |||||||||||||||||
| Noncontrolling interest | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Total equity | |||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
5
HARLEY-DAVIDSON, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (continued)
(In thousands)
| (Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | March 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Balances held by consolidated variable interest entities (Note 10): | |||||||||||||||||
| Finance receivables, net - current | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Other assets | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Finance receivables, net - non-current | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Restricted cash - current and non-current | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Current portion of long-term debt, net | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt, net | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are integral to the consolidated financial statements.
6
HARLEY-DAVIDSON, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
| Three months ended | |||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities (Note 6) | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | |||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Origination of finance receivables | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Collections on finance receivables | |||||||||||
| Other investing activities | ( | ||||||||||
| Net cash used by investing activities | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | |||||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of medium-term notes | |||||||||||
| Repayments of medium-term notes | ( | ||||||||||
| Proceeds from securitization debt | |||||||||||
| Repayments of securitization debt | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Borrowings of asset-backed commercial paper | |||||||||||
| Repayments of asset-backed commercial paper | ( | ( | |||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in unsecured commercial paper | ( | ||||||||||
| Net (decrease) increase in deposits | ( | ||||||||||
| Dividends paid | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Repurchase of common stock | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Other financing activities | |||||||||||
| Net cash (used) provided by financing activities | ( | ||||||||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | ( | ||||||||||
| Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash: | |||||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | ( | ||||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash on the Consolidated balance sheets to the Consolidated statements of cash flows: | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Restricted cash | |||||||||||
| Restricted cash included in Other long-term assets | |||||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash per the Consolidated statements of cash flows | $ | $ | |||||||||
The accompanying notes are integral to the consolidated financial statements.
7
HARLEY-DAVIDSON, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
| Equity Attributable to Harley-Davidson, Inc. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock | Additional Paid-in Capital | Retained Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Treasury Stock | Total | Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests | Total Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issued Shares | Balance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | — | — | — | — | — | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income, net of tax (Note 15) | — | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | — | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends ($ | — | — | — | ( | — | — | ( | — | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchase of common stock | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | — | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | — | — | — | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, March 31, 2024 | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity Attributable to Harley-Davidson, Inc. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock | Additional Paid-in Capital | Retained Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Treasury Stock | Total | Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests | Total Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issued Shares | Balance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | — | — | — | — | — | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income, net of tax (Note 15) | — | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | — | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends ($ | — | — | — | ( | — | — | ( | — | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchase of common stock | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | — | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | — | — | — | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, March 31, 2023 | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are integral to the consolidated financial statements.
8
HARLEY-DAVIDSON, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1. Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates
Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation – The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Harley-Davidson, Inc. and its subsidiaries and certain variable interest entities (VIEs) related to secured financing as the Company is the primary beneficiary. All intercompany accounts and material intercompany transactions have been eliminated. The Company has a controlling equity interest in LiveWire Group, Inc. As the controlling shareholder, the Company consolidates LiveWire Group, Inc. results with additional adjustments to recognize non-controlling shareholder interests.
The Company operates in three reportable segments: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (HDMC), LiveWire and Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS).
Substantially all of the Company’s international subsidiaries use their respective local currency as their functional currency. Assets and liabilities of international subsidiaries have been translated at period-end exchange rates, and revenues and expenses have been translated using average exchange rates for the period. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in a currency that is different from an entity's functional currency are remeasured from the transactional currency to the entity's functional currency on a monthly basis. The aggregate transaction gain (loss) resulting from foreign currency remeasurements was ($2.9 ) million and $3.3 million for the three month periods ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023, respectively.
In the opinion of the Company's management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the Consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023, the Consolidated statements of operations for the three month periods then ended, the Consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three month periods then ended, the Consolidated statements of cash flows for the three month periods then ended, and the Consolidated statements of shareholders' equity for the three month periods ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023.
Certain information and disclosures normally included in complete financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) for interim financial reporting. The consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company's management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Fair Value Measurements – The Company assesses the inputs used to measure fair value using a three-tier hierarchy.
Level 1 inputs include quoted prices for identical instruments and are the most observable.
Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and observable inputs such as interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices, and yield curves. The Company uses the market approach to derive the fair value for its Level 2 fair value measurements. Foreign currency contracts, commodity contracts, and cross-currency swaps are valued using quoted forward rates and prices; interest rate caps are valued using quoted interest rates and yield curves; LiveWire warrants, including public (Level 1) and private placement (Level 2) warrants, are valued using the closing market price of the public warrants as the private placement warrants have terms and provisions that are identical to those of the public warrants.
2. New Accounting Standards
Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures (ASU 2023-07). ASU 2023-07 is intended to improve reportable segment disclosures, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment
9
expenses. The main provisions of ASU 2023-07 require a public entity to disclose on an annual and interim basis: (i) significant segment expenses provided to the chief operating decision maker, (ii) an amount representing the difference between segment revenue less segment expenses disclosed under the significant segment expense principle and each reported measure of segment profit or loss and a description of its composition, (iii) all annual disclosures about a reportable segment's profit or loss and assets currently required under Topic 280 in interim periods, (iv) clarification that if the chief operating decision maker uses more than one measure of a segment's profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources, a public entity may report one or more of those additional measures of segment profit, (v) the title and position of the chief operating decision maker and an explanation of how the chief operating decision maker uses the reported measure of segment profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources, and (vi) all disclosures required by ASU 2023-07 and all existing segment disclosures under Topic 280 for an entity with a single reportable segment. The new guidance is effective for the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and for interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is still evaluating the impact ASU 2023-07 will have on the Company's consolidated financial statement disclosures.
3. Revenue
The Company recognizes revenue when it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control of a good or service to a customer. Revenue is measured based on the consideration that the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for the goods or services transferred. Taxes that are collected from a customer concurrent with revenue-producing activities are excluded from revenue.
Disaggregated revenue by major source was as follows (in thousands):
| Three months ended | |||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| HDMC: | |||||||||||
| Motorcycles | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Parts and accessories | |||||||||||
| Apparel | |||||||||||
| Licensing | |||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||
| LiveWire | |||||||||||
| Motorcycles and related products revenue | |||||||||||
| HDFS: | |||||||||||
| Interest income | |||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||
| Financial services revenue | |||||||||||
| $ | $ | ||||||||||
The Company maintains certain contract liability balances related to payments received at contract inception in advance
10
of the Company’s performance under the contract which generally relate to the sale of memberships, loyalty points earned under membership programs and certain insurance-related contracts. Contract liabilities are recognized as revenue as the Company performs under the contract. Contract liabilities, included in Accrued liabilities and Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated balance sheets, was as follows (in thousands):
| March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of period | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Balance, end of period | $ | $ | |||||||||
4. Income Taxes
The Company’s effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was 20.0 % compared to 23.0 % for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
5. Earnings Per Share
The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share was as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
| Three months ended | |||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Harley-Davidson, Inc. | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Basic weighted-average shares outstanding | |||||||||||
Effect of dilutive securities – employee stock compensation plan | |||||||||||
| Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding | |||||||||||
| Net earnings per share: | |||||||||||
| Basic | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Diluted | $ | $ | |||||||||
Shares of common stock related to share-based compensation that were not included in the effect of dilutive securities because the effect would have been anti-dilutive include 1.7 million and 1.3 million shares for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023, respectively.
6. Additional Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Information
Investments in Marketable Securities – The Company’s investments in marketable securities consisted of the following (in thousands):
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | March 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Mutual funds | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
Mutual funds, included in Other long-term assets on the Consolidated balance sheets, are carried at fair value with gains and losses recorded in income. Mutual funds are held to support certain deferred compensation obligations.
11
Inventories, net – Substantially all inventories located in the U.S. are valued using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. Other inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Motorcycle finished goods inventories include motorcycles that are ready for sale and motorcycles that are substantially complete but awaiting installation of certain components affected by supply chain constraints. Inventories, net consisted of the following (in thousands):
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | March 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Raw materials and work in process | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Motorcycle finished goods | |||||||||||||||||
| Parts and accessories and apparel | |||||||||||||||||
| Inventory at lower of FIFO cost or net realizable value | |||||||||||||||||
| Excess of FIFO over LIFO cost | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
Deposits – HDFS offers brokered certificates of deposit to customers indirectly through contractual arrangements with third-party banks and/or securities brokerage firms through its bank subsidiary. The Company had $441.2 million, $447.8 million, and $369.3 million, net of fees, of interest-bearing brokered certificates of deposit outstanding as of March 31, 2024, December 31, 2023, and March 31, 2023, respectively. The liabilities for deposits are included in Short-term deposits, net or Long-term deposits, net on the Consolidated balance sheets based upon the term of each brokered certificate of deposit issued. Each separate brokered certificate of deposit is issued under a master certificate, and as such, all outstanding brokered certificates of deposit are considered below the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance coverage limits.
Future maturities of the Company's certificates of deposit as of March 31, 2024 were as follows (in thousands):
| 2024 | $ | ||||
| 2025 | |||||
| 2026 | |||||
| 2027 | |||||
| Thereafter | |||||
| Future maturities | |||||
| Unamortized fees | ( | ||||
| $ | |||||
12
Operating Cash Flow – The reconciliation of Net income to Net cash provided by operating activities was as follows (in thousands):
| Three months ended | |||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile Net income to Net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||
| Amortization of deferred loan origination costs | |||||||||||
| Amortization of financing origination fees | |||||||||||
| Provision for long-term employee benefits | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Employee benefit plan contributions and payments | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Stock compensation expense | |||||||||||
| Net change in wholesale finance receivables related to sales | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Provision for credit losses | |||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | |||||||||||
| Other, net | ( | ||||||||||
| Changes in current assets and liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | ( | ( | |||||||||
Finance receivables – accrued interest and other | |||||||||||
| Inventories, net | |||||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | |||||||||||
| Other current assets | |||||||||||
| ( | ( | ||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | $ | |||||||||
7. Finance Receivables
Finance receivables include both retail and wholesale finance receivables, including amounts held by consolidated VIEs. Finance receivables are recorded in the financial statements at amortized cost net of an allowance for credit losses.
The Company provides retail financial services to customers of its dealers in the U.S. and Canada. The origination of retail loans is a separate and distinct transaction between the Company and the retail customer, unrelated to the Company’s sale of product to its dealers. Retail finance receivables consist of secured promissory notes and secured installment sales contracts and are primarily related to dealer sales of motorcycles to retail customers. The Company holds either titles or liens on titles to vehicles financed by promissory notes and installment sales contracts.
The Company offers wholesale financing to its dealers in the U.S. and Canada. Wholesale finance receivables are related primarily to the Company's sale of motorcycles, related parts and accessories and apparel to dealers. Wholesale loans to dealers are generally secured by financed inventory or property.
Finance receivables, net were as follows (in thousands):
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | March 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Retail finance receivables | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Wholesale finance receivables | |||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for credit losses | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
13
The Company’s finance receivables are reported at amortized cost, net of the allowance for credit losses. Amortized cost includes the principal outstanding, accrued interest, and deferred loan fees and costs. The Company's allowance for credit losses reflects expected lifetime credit losses on its finance receivables. Based on differences in the nature of the finance receivables and the underlying methodology for calculating the allowance for credit losses, the Company segments its finance receivables into the retail and wholesale portfolios. The Company further disaggregates each portfolio by credit quality indicators. As the credit risk varies between the retail and wholesale portfolios, the Company utilizes different credit quality indicators for each portfolio.
The retail portfolio primarily consists of a large number of small balance, homogeneous finance receivables. The Company performs a collective evaluation of the adequacy of the retail allowance for credit losses. The Company utilizes a vintage-based loss forecast methodology that includes decompositions for probability of default, exposure at default, attrition rate, and recovery balance rate. Reasonable and supportable economic forecasts for a two-year period are incorporated into the methodology to reflect the estimated impact of changes in future economic conditions, such as unemployment rates, household obligations or other relevant factors, over the two-year reasonable and supportable period. For periods beyond the Company’s reasonable and supportable forecasts, the Company reverts to its average historical loss experience using a mean-reversion process over a three-year period. Adjustments to historical loss information are made for differences in current loan-specific risk characteristics such as differences in underwriting standards, portfolio mix, or term as well as other relevant factors.
The wholesale portfolio is primarily composed of large balance, non-homogeneous loans. The Company’s evaluation for the wholesale allowance for credit losses is first based on a loan-by-loan review to determine whether the loans share similar risk characteristics. The Company individually evaluates loans that do not share risk characteristics. Loans identified as those for which foreclosure is probable are classified as Non-Performing, and a specific allowance for credit losses is established when appropriate. The specific allowance is determined based on the amortized cost of the related finance receivable and the estimated fair value of the collateral, less selling costs and the cash that the Company expects to receive. Finance receivables in the wholesale portfolio not individually assessed are aggregated, based on similar risk characteristics, according to the Company’s internal risk rating system and measured collectively. The related allowance for credit losses is based on factors such as the specific borrower’s financial performance and ability to repay, the Company’s past credit loss experience, reasonable and supportable economic forecasts, and the value of the underlying collateral and expected recoveries.
The Company considers various third-party economic forecast scenarios as part of estimating the allowance for expected credit losses and applies a probability-weighting to those economic forecast scenarios. Each quarter, the Company's outlook on economic conditions impacts the Company's retail and wholesale estimates for expected credit losses. At the end of the first quarter of 2024, the Company's probability weighting of its economic forecast scenarios was weighted towards more pessimistic scenarios given continued challenging macro-economic conditions including a persistently high interest rate environment, ongoing elevated inflation levels and muted consumer confidence.
Additionally, the historical experience incorporated into the portfolio-specific models does not fully reflect the Company's comprehensive expectations regarding the future. As such, the Company incorporated qualitative factors to establish an appropriate allowance for credit losses balance. These factors include motorcycle recovery value considerations, delinquency adjustments, specific problem loan trends, and changes in other portfolio-specific loan characteristics. During the first quarter of 2024, the Company experienced increased retail credit losses driven by several factors connected to the macro-economic environment and related customer and industry dynamics, including the impact of higher motorcycle payments and general inflationary pressures on customers. Additionally, the Company experienced downward pressure on recovery values at auction during the first quarter of 2024.
Due to the use of projections and assumptions in estimating the losses, the amount of losses incurred by the Company in either portfolio could differ from the amounts estimated. Further, the Company’s allowance for credit losses incorporates known conditions at the balance sheet date and the Company’s expectations surrounding the economic forecasts. The Company will continue to monitor future economic trends and conditions. Expectations surrounding the Company's economic forecasts may change in future periods as additional information becomes available.
14
Changes in the Company's allowance for credit losses on its finance receivables by portfolio were as follows (in thousands):
| Three months ended March 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||
| Retail | Wholesale | Total | |||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of period | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Provision for credit losses | |||||||||||||||||
| Charge-offs | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Recoveries | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance, end of period | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Three months ended March 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Retail | Wholesale | Total | |||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of period | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Provision for credit losses | |||||||||||||||||
| Charge-offs | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Recoveries | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance, end of period | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
The Company manages retail credit risk through its credit approval process and ongoing collection efforts. The Company uses FICO scores, a standard credit rating measurement, to differentiate the expected default rates of retail credit applicants, enabling the Company to better evaluate credit applicants for approval and to tailor pricing according to this assessment. For the Company’s U.S. and Canadian retail finance receivables, the Company determines the credit quality indicator for each loan at origination and does not update the credit quality indicator subsequent to the loan origination date.
As loan performance by credit quality indicator differs between the U.S. and Canadian retail loans, the Company’s credit quality indicators vary for the two portfolios. For U.S. retail finance receivables, those with a FICO score of 740 or above at origination are generally considered super prime, loans with a FICO score between 640 and 740 are generally categorized as prime, and loans with FICO score below 640 are generally considered sub-prime. For Canadian retail finance receivables, those with a FICO score of 700 or above at origination are generally considered super prime, loans with a FICO score between 620 and 700 are generally categorized as prime, and loans with FICO score below 620 are generally considered sub-prime.
15
The amortized cost along with period gross charge-offs of the Company's U.S. and Canadian retail finance receivables by vintage and credit quality indicator was as follows (in thousands):
| March 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 & Prior | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Retail: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Super prime | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prime | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sub-prime | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Canadian Retail: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Super prime | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prime | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sub-prime | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross charge-offs for the three months ended March 31, 2024: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| US Retail | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Canadian Retail | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 & Prior | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Retail: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Super prime | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prime | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sub-prime | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Canadian Retail: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Super prime | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prime | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sub-prime | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross charge-offs for the year ended December 31, 2023: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| US Retail | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Canadian Retail | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
16
| March 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 & Prior | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Retail: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Super prime | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prime | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sub-prime | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Canadian Retail: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Super prime | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prime | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sub-prime | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross charge-offs for the three months ended March 31, 2023: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| US Retail | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Canadian Retail | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Company's credit risk on the wholesale portfolio is different from that of the retail portfolio. Whereas the retail portfolio represents a relatively homogeneous pool of retail finance receivables that exhibit more consistent loss patterns, the wholesale portfolio exposures are less consistent. The Company utilizes an internal credit risk rating system to manage credit risk exposure consistently across wholesale borrowers and individually evaluates credit risk factors for each borrower. The Company uses the following internal credit quality indicators, based on an internal risk rating system, listed from highest level of risk to lowest level of risk for the wholesale portfolio: Doubtful, Substandard, Special Mention, Medium Risk and Low Risk. Based upon the Company’s review, the dealers classified in the Doubtful category are the dealers with the greatest likelihood of being charged-off, while the dealers classified as Low Risk are least likely to be charged-off. Additionally, the Company classifies dealers identified as those in which foreclosure is probable as Non-Performing. The internal rating system considers factors such as the specific borrower's ability to repay and the estimated value of any collateral. Dealer risk rating classifications are reviewed and updated by the Company on a quarterly basis.
17
The amortized cost of the Company's wholesale finance receivables, by vintage and credit quality indicator, was as follows (in thousands):
| March 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 & Prior | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-Performing | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Doubtful | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Substandard | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special Mention | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Medium Risk | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Low Risk | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 & Prior | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-Performing | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Doubtful | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Substandard | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special Mention | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Medium Risk | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Low Risk | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 & Prior | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-Performing | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Doubtful | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Substandard | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special Mention | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Medium Risk | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Low Risk | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retail finance receivables are contractually delinquent if the minimum payment is not received by the specified due date. Retail finance receivables at amortized cost, excluding accrued interest, are generally charged-off when the receivable is 120 days or more delinquent, the related asset is repossessed, or the receivable is otherwise deemed uncollectible. The Company reverses accrued interest related to charged-off accounts against Financial Services interest income when the account is charged-off. The Company reversed $9.5 million and $7.2 million of accrued interest against Financial Services interest income during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023, respectively. All retail finance receivables accrue interest until either collected or charged-off. Due to the timely write-off of accrued interest, the Company made the election provided under Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses to exclude accrued interest from its allowance for credit losses. Accordingly, as of March 31, 2024, December 31, 2023, and March 31, 2023, all retail finance receivables were accounted for as interest-earning receivables.
Wholesale finance receivables are delinquent if the minimum payment is not received by the contractual due date. Wholesale finance receivables are written down once the Company determines that the specific borrower does not have the ability to repay the loan in full. Interest continues to accrue on past due finance receivables until the date the Company determines that foreclosure is probable, and the finance receivable is placed on non-accrual status. The Company will resume accruing interest on these accounts when payments are current according to the terms of the loans and future payments are reasonably assured. While on non-accrual status, all cash received is applied to principal or interest as appropriate. Once an account is charged-off, the Company will reverse the associated accrued interest against interest income. As the Company follows a non-accrual policy for interest, the allowance for credit losses excludes accrued interest for the wholesale portfolio.
18
There were no
The aging analysis of the Company's finance receivables was as follows (in thousands):
| March 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current | 31-60 Days Past Due | 61-90 Days Past Due | Greater than 90 Days Past Due | Total Past Due | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Retail finance receivables | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wholesale finance receivables | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current | 31-60 Days Past Due | 61-90 Days Past Due | Greater than 90 Days Past Due | Total Past Due | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Retail finance receivables | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wholesale finance receivables | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current | 31-60 Days Past Due | 61-90 Days Past Due | Greater than 90 Days Past Due | Total Past Due | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Retail finance receivables | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wholesale finance receivables | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8. Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities
The Company is exposed to risks from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices. To reduce its exposure to such risks, the Company selectively uses derivative financial instruments. All derivative transactions are authorized and executed pursuant to regularly reviewed policies and procedures which prohibit the use of financial instruments for speculative trading purposes.
The Company sells products in foreign currencies and utilizes foreign currency exchange contracts to mitigate the effects of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations related to the Euro, Australian dollar, Japanese yen, Canadian dollar, and Mexican peso. The Company's foreign currency exchange contracts generally have maturities of less than one year.
The Company utilizes commodity contracts to mitigate the effects of commodity price fluctuations related to metals and fuel consumed in its motorcycle operations. The Company's commodity contracts generally have maturities of less than one year.
The Company periodically utilizes treasury rate and swap rate lock contracts to fix the interest rate on a portion of the principal related to an anticipated issuance of long-term debt and cross-currency swaps to mitigate the effect of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on its foreign currency-denominated debt. The Company also utilizes interest rate caps to facilitate certain asset-backed securitization transactions.
All derivative financial instruments are recognized on the Consolidated balance sheets at fair value. In accordance with ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging (ASC Topic 815), the accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative financial instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship and, further, on the type of hedging relationship.
19
Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that are designated as cash flow hedges are initially recorded in Other comprehensive (loss) income (OCI) and subsequently reclassified into income when the hedged item affects income. Refer to Note 15 of the Notes to Consolidated financial statements for more detail on derivatives activity included in accumulated other comprehensive income. The Company assesses, both at the inception of each hedge and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivative financial instruments that are designated as cash flow hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged items. No component of a designated hedging derivative financial instrument’s gain or loss is excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. Derivative financial instruments not designated as hedges are not speculative and are used to manage the Company’s exposure to foreign currency, commodity risks, and interest rate risks. Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments not designated as hedging instruments are recorded directly in income. Cash flow activity associated with the Company's derivative financial instruments is recorded in Cash flows from operating activities on the Consolidated statement of cash flows. Derivative assets and liabilities are reported in Other current assets and Accrued liabilities, respectively, other than long-term balances noted below.
The notional and fair values of the Company's derivative financial instruments under ASC Topic 815 were as follows (in thousands):
| Derivative Financial Instruments Designated as Cash Flow Hedging Instruments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | March 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notional Value | Assets | Liabilities(a) | Notional Value | Assets(b) | Liabilities(a) | Notional Value | Assets | Liabilities(a) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency contracts | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity contracts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cross-currency swaps | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Swap rate lock contracts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative Financial Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | March 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notional Value | Assets(c) | Liabilities | Notional Value | Assets(c) | Liabilities | Notional Value | Assets(c) | Liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity contracts | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate caps | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a)Includes $5.9 million, and $27.9 million of cross-currency swaps recorded in Other long-term liabilities as of March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023, respectively, with all remaining amounts recorded in Accrued liabilities.
(b)Includes $15.1 million of cross-currency swaps recorded in Other long-term assets as of December 31, 2023 with all remaining amounts recorded in Other current assets.
The amounts of gains and losses related to the Company's derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges were as follows (in thousands):
20
| Gain/(Loss) Recognized in OCI | Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from AOCL into Income | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended | Three months ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency contracts | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity contracts | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cross-currency swaps | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Treasury rate lock contracts | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Swap rate lock contracts | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||
The location and amount of gains and losses recognized in income related to the Company's derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges were as follows (in thousands):
| Motorcycles and related products cost of goods sold | Selling, administrative & engineering expense | Interest expense | Financial services interest expense | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended March 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Line item on the Consolidated statements of operations in which the effects of cash flow hedges are recorded | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Gain/(loss) reclassified from AOCL into income: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency contracts | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity contracts | ( | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cross-currency swaps | — | ( | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Treasury rate lock contracts | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Swap rate lock contracts | — | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended March 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Line item on the Consolidated statements of operations in which the effects of cash flow hedges are recorded | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Gain/(loss) reclassified from AOCL into income: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency contracts | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity contracts | ( | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cross-currency swaps | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Treasury rate lock contracts | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Swap rate lock contracts | — | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
The amount of net loss included in Accumulated other comprehensive loss (AOCL) at March 31, 2024, estimated to be reclassified into income over the next 12 months was $19.5 million.
21
The amount of gains and losses recognized in income related to derivative financial instruments not designated as hedging instruments were as follows (in thousands). Gains and losses on foreign currency contracts and commodity contracts were recorded in Motorcycles and related products cost of goods sold. Gains and losses on interest rate caps were recorded in Selling, administrative & engineering expense.
| Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Income | |||||||||||
| Three months ended | |||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Foreign currency contracts | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||
| Commodity contracts | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Interest rate caps | ( | ( | |||||||||
| $ | $ | ( | |||||||||
The Company is exposed to credit loss risk in the event of non-performance by counterparties to its derivative financial instruments. Although no assurances can be given, the Company does not expect any of the counterparties to its derivative financial instruments to fail to meet their obligations. To manage credit loss risk, the Company evaluates counterparties based on credit ratings and, on a quarterly basis, evaluates each hedge’s net position relative to the counterparty’s ability to cover their position.
9. Debt
Debt with a contractual term less than 12 months is generally classified as short-term and consisted of the following (in thousands):
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | March 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Unsecured commercial paper | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
Debt with a contractual term greater than 12 months is generally classified as long-term and consisted of the following (in thousands):
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | March 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Secured debt: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed Canadian commercial paper conduit facility | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed U.S. commercial paper conduit facility | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed securitization debt | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Unsecured notes (at par value): | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Medium-term notes: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Due in 2023, issued May 2020 (a) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Due in 2024, issued November 2019(b) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Due in 2025, issued June 2020 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Due in 2026, issued April 2023(c) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Due in 2027, issued February 2022 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Due in 2028, issued March 2023 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
22
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | March 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior notes: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Due in 2025, issued July 2015 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Due in 2045, issued July 2015 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current portion of long-term debt, net | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt, net | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
(a)€650.0
(b)€600.0
(c)€700.0
Future principal payments of the Company's debt obligations as of March 31, 2024 were as follows (in thousands):
| 2024 | $ | ||||
| 2025 | |||||
| 2026 | |||||
| 2027 | |||||
| 2028 | |||||
| Thereafter | |||||
| Future principal payments | |||||
| Unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs | ( | ||||
| $ | |||||
10. Asset-Backed Financing
The Company participates in asset-backed financing both through asset-backed securitization transactions and through asset-backed commercial paper conduit facilities. In the Company's asset-backed financing programs, the Company transfers retail motorcycle finance receivables to special purpose entities (SPEs), which are considered VIEs under U.S. GAAP. Each SPE then converts those assets into cash through the issuance of debt. The Company retains servicing rights for all of the retail motorcycle finance receivables transferred to SPEs as part of an asset-backed financing. The accounting treatment for asset-backed financings depends on the terms of the related transaction and the Company’s continuing involvement with the VIE.
In transactions where the Company has power over the significant activities of the VIE and has an obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that are potentially significant to the VIE, the Company is the primary beneficiary of the VIE and consolidates the VIE within its consolidated financial statements. On a consolidated basis, the asset-backed financing is treated as a secured borrowing in this type of transaction and is referred to as an on-balance sheet asset-backed financing.
In transactions where the Company is not the primary beneficiary of the VIE, the Company must determine whether it can achieve a sale for accounting purposes under ASC Topic 860, Transfers and Servicing. To achieve a sale for accounting purposes, the assets being transferred must be legally isolated, not be constrained by restrictions from further transfer, and be deemed to be beyond the Company’s control. If the Company does not meet all of these criteria for sale accounting, then the transaction is accounted for as a secured borrowing and is referred to as an on-balance sheet asset-backed financing.
If the Company meets all three of the sale criteria above, the transaction is recorded as a sale for accounting purposes and is referred to as an off-balance sheet asset-backed financing. Upon sale, the retail motorcycle finance receivables are removed from the Company’s Consolidated balance sheets and a gain or loss is recognized for the difference between the cash proceeds received, the assets derecognized, and the liabilities recognized as part of the transaction. The gain or loss on sale is recorded in Financial services revenue on the Consolidated statements of operations.
23
The Company is not required, and does not currently intend, to provide any additional financial support to the on- or off-balance sheet VIEs associated with these transactions. Investors and creditors in these transactions only have recourse to the assets held by the VIEs.
The assets and liabilities related to the on-balance sheet asset-backed financings included in the Consolidated balance sheets were as follows (in thousands):
| March 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Finance receivables | Allowance for credit losses | Restricted cash | Other assets | Total assets | Asset-backed debt, net | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| On-balance sheet assets and liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated VIEs: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed securitizations | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed U.S. commercial paper conduit facility | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unconsolidated VIEs: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed Canadian commercial paper conduit facility | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Finance receivables | Allowance for credit losses | Restricted cash | Other assets | Total assets | Asset-backed debt, net | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| On-balance sheet assets and liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated VIEs: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed securitizations | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed U.S. commercial paper conduit facility | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unconsolidated VIEs: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed Canadian commercial paper conduit facility | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Finance receivables | Allowance for credit losses | Restricted cash | Other assets | Total assets | Asset-backed debt, net | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| On-balance sheet assets and liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated VIEs: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed securitizations | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed U.S. commercial paper conduit facility | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unconsolidated VIEs: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed Canadian commercial paper conduit facility | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
On-Balance Sheet Asset-Backed Securitization VIEs – The Company transfers U.S. retail motorcycle finance receivables to SPEs that in turn issue secured notes to investors, with various maturities and interest rates, secured by future collections of the purchased U.S. retail motorcycle finance receivables. Each on-balance sheet asset-backed securitization SPE is a separate legal entity, and the U.S. retail motorcycle finance receivables included in the asset-backed securitizations are only available for payment of the secured debt and other obligations arising from the asset-backed securitization transactions and are not available to pay other obligations or claims of the Company’s creditors until the associated secured debt and other obligations are satisfied. Restricted cash balances held by the SPEs are used only to support the securitizations. There are no amortization schedules for the secured notes; however, the debt is reduced monthly as available collections on the related U.S. retail motorcycle finance receivables are applied to outstanding principal. The secured notes currently have various contractual maturities ranging from 2024 to 2031.
24
The Company is the primary beneficiary of its on-balance sheet asset-backed securitization VIEs because it retains servicing rights and a residual interest in the VIEs in the form of a debt security. As the servicer, the Company is the variable interest holder with the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance. As a residual interest holder, the Company has the obligation to absorb losses and the right to receive benefits which could potentially be significant to the VIE.
There were no on-balance sheet asset-backed securitization transactions during the first quarter of 2024. During the first quarter of 2023, the Company transferred $628.5 million of U.S. retail motorcycle finance receivables to an SPE which, in turn, issued $550.0 million, or $547.7 million net of discount and issuance costs, of secured notes through an on-balance sheet asset-backed securitization transaction.
On-Balance Sheet Asset-Backed U.S. Commercial Paper Conduit Facility VIE – In November 2023, the Company renewed its $1.50 billion revolving facility agreement (the U.S. Conduit Facility) with third-party banks and their asset-backed U.S. commercial paper conduits. Under the revolving facility agreement, the Company may transfer U.S. retail motorcycle finance receivables to an SPE, which in turn may issue debt to those third-party banks and their asset-backed U.S. commercial paper conduits. From November 2020 through November 2022, the U.S. Conduit Facility allowed for uncommitted additional borrowings of up to $300.0 million at the lenders’ discretion. At March 31, 2023, $72.8 million remained outstanding under the uncommitted additional borrowings previously allowed. During 2023, the remaining balance of these uncommitted additional borrowings was paid in full. Availability under the U.S. Conduit Facility is based on, among other things, the amount of eligible U.S. retail motorcycle finance receivables held by the SPE as collateral.
Under the U.S. Conduit Facility, the assets of the SPE are restricted as collateral for the payment of the debt or other obligations arising in the transaction and are not available to pay other obligations or claims of the Company’s creditors. The terms for this debt provide for interest on the outstanding principal based on prevailing commercial paper rates if funded by a conduit lender through the issuance of commercial paper. The interest rate on all outstanding debt and future borrowings, if not funded by a conduit lender through the issuance of commercial paper, is based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR), with provisions for a transition to other benchmark rates in the future, if necessary. In addition to interest, a program fee is assessed based on the outstanding debt principal balance. The U.S. Conduit Facility also provides for an unused commitment fee based on the unused portion of the total aggregate commitment. Prior to November 2022, when calculating the unused fee, the aggregate commitment did not include any unused portion of the $300.0 million uncommitted additional borrowings allowed. There is no amortization schedule; however, the debt is reduced monthly as available collections on the related finance receivables are applied to outstanding principal. Upon expiration of the U.S. Conduit Facility, any outstanding principal will continue to be reduced monthly through available collections. The expected remaining term of the related receivables held by the SPE is approximately 5 years. Unless earlier terminated or extended by mutual agreement of the Company and the lenders, as of March 31, 2024, the U.S. Conduit Facility had an expiration date of November 20, 2024.
The Company is the primary beneficiary of its U.S. Conduit Facility VIE because it retains servicing rights and a residual interest in the VIE in the form of a debt security. As the servicer, the Company is the variable interest holder with the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance. As a residual interest holder, the Company has the obligation to absorb losses and the right to receive benefits which could potentially be significant to the VIE.
During the first quarter of 2024, the Company transferred $334.8 million of U.S. retail motorcycle finance receivables to an SPE which, in turn, issued $306.0 million of debt under the U.S. Conduit Facility. There were no finance receivable transfers under the U.S. Conduit Facility during the first quarter of 2023.
On-Balance Sheet Asset-Backed Canadian Commercial Paper Conduit Facility – In June 2023, the Company renewed its revolving facility agreement (Canadian Conduit) with a Canadian bank-sponsored asset-backed commercial paper conduit. Under the agreement, the Canadian Conduit is contractually committed, at the Company's option, to purchase eligible Canadian retail motorcycle finance receivables for proceeds up to C$125.0 million. The transferred assets are restricted as collateral for the payment of the associated debt. The terms for this debt provide for interest on the outstanding principal based on prevailing market interest rates plus a specified margin. The Canadian Conduit also provides for a program fee and an unused commitment fee based on the unused portion of the total aggregate commitment of C$125.0 million. There is no amortization schedule; however, the debt is reduced monthly as available collections on the related finance receivables are applied to outstanding principal. Upon expiration of the Canadian Conduit, any outstanding principal will continue to be reduced monthly through available collections. The expected remaining term of the related receivables is approximately 5
25
years. Unless earlier terminated or extended by mutual agreement of the Company and the lenders, as of March 31, 2024, the Canadian Conduit had an expiration date of June 28, 2024.
The Company is not the primary beneficiary of the Canadian bank-sponsored, multi-seller conduit VIE; therefore, the Company does not consolidate the VIE. However, the Company treats the conduit facility as a secured borrowing as it maintains effective control over the assets transferred to the VIE and, therefore, does not meet the requirements for sale accounting.
As the Company participates in and does not consolidate the Canadian bank-sponsored, multi-seller conduit VIE, the maximum exposure to loss associated with this VIE, which would only be incurred in the unlikely event that all the finance receivables and underlying collateral have no residual value, was $15.5 million at March 31, 2024. The maximum exposure is not an indication of the Company's expected loss exposure.
During the first quarter of 2024, the Company transferred $34.9 million of Canadian retail motorcycle finance receivables to the Canadian Conduit for proceeds of $28.6 million. There were no finance receivable transfers under the Canadian Conduit during the first quarter of 2023.
11. Fair Value
The following tables present the fair values of certain of the Company's assets and liabilities within the fair value hierarchy as defined in Note 1.
Recurring Fair Value Measurements – The Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows (in thousands):
| March 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance | Level 1 | Level 2 | |||||||||||||||
| Assets: | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash equivalents | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Marketable securities | |||||||||||||||||
| Derivative financial instruments | |||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Derivative financial instruments | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| LiveWire warrants | |||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
26
| December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance | Level 1 | Level 2 | |||||||||||||||
| Assets: | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash equivalents | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Marketable securities | |||||||||||||||||
| Derivative financial instruments | |||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Derivative financial instruments | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| LiveWire warrants | |||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance | Level 1 | Level 2 | |||||||||||||||
| Assets: | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash equivalents | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Marketable securities | |||||||||||||||||
| Derivative financial instruments | |||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Derivative financial instruments | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| LiveWire warrants | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements – Repossessed inventory was $28.7 million, $28.0 million and $24.9 million as of March 31, 2024, December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023, respectively, for which the fair value adjustment was a decrease of $14.8 million, $18.6 million and $6.8 million, respectively. Fair value is estimated using Level 2 inputs based on the recent market values of repossessed inventory.
27
Fair Value of Financial Instruments Measured at Cost – The carrying value of the Company's Cash and cash equivalents and Restricted cash approximates their fair values. The fair value and carrying value of the Company’s remaining financial instruments that are measured at cost or amortized cost were as follows (in thousands):
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | March 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value | Carrying Value | Fair Value | Carrying Value | Fair Value | Carrying Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Finance receivables, net | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits, net | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unsecured commercial paper | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed U.S. commercial paper conduit facility | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed Canadian commercial paper conduit facility | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed securitization debt | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Medium-term notes | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior notes | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Finance Receivables, net – The carrying value of retail and wholesale finance receivables is amortized cost less an allowance for credit losses. The fair value of retail finance receivables is generally calculated by discounting future cash flows using an estimated discount rate that reflects current credit, interest rate and prepayment risks associated with similar types of instruments. Fair value is determined based on Level 3 inputs. The amortized cost basis of wholesale finance receivables approximates fair value because they are generally either short-term or have interest rates that adjust with changes in market interest rates.
Deposits, net – The carrying value of deposits is amortized cost, net of fees. The fair value of deposits is estimated based upon rates currently available for deposits with similar terms and maturities. Fair value is calculated using Level 3 inputs.
Debt – The carrying value of debt is generally cost, net of unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs. The fair value of unsecured commercial paper is calculated using Level 2 inputs and approximates carrying value due to its short maturity. The fair value of debt provided under the U.S. Conduit Facility and the Canadian Conduit Facility is calculated using Level 2 inputs and approximates carrying value since the interest rates charged under the facilities are tied directly to market rates and fluctuate as market rates change. The fair values of the medium-term notes and senior notes are estimated based upon rates currently available for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities (Level 2 inputs). The fair value of the fixed-rate debt related to on-balance sheet asset-backed securitization transactions is estimated based on pricing currently available for transactions with similar terms and maturities (Level 2 inputs). The fair value of the floating-rate debt related to on-balance sheet asset-backed securitization transactions is calculated using Level 2 inputs and approximates carrying value since the interest rates charged are tied directly to market rates and fluctuate as market rates change.
12. Product Warranty and Recall Campaigns
The Company currently provides a standard two-year limited warranty on all new motorcycles sold worldwide, except in certain markets, where the Company currently provides a standard three-year limited warranty. The Company also provides a five-year limited warranty on the battery for electric motorcycles. In addition, the Company provides a one-year warranty for parts and accessories. The warranty coverage for the retail customer generally begins when the product is sold to a retail customer. The Company accrues for future warranty claims at the time of shipment using an estimated cost based primarily on historical Company claim information.
28
Additionally, the Company has from time to time initiated certain voluntary recall campaigns. The Company records estimated recall costs when the liability is both probable and estimable. This generally occurs when the Company's management approves and commits to a recall. The warranty and recall liability is included in Accrued liabilities and Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated balance sheets. Changes in the Company’s warranty and recall liabilities were as follows (in thousands):
| Three months ended | |||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of period | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Warranties issued during the period | |||||||||||
| Settlements made during the period | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Recalls and changes to pre-existing warranty liabilities | ( | ||||||||||
| Balance, end of period | $ | $ | |||||||||
The liability for recall campaigns, included in the balance above, was $17.7 million, $18.9 million and $26.6 million at March 31, 2024, December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023, respectively.
13. Employee Benefit Plans
The Company has a qualified pension plan and postretirement healthcare benefit plans. The plans cover certain eligible employees and retirees of the HDMC segment. The Company also has unfunded supplemental employee retirement plan agreements (SERPA) with certain employees. Service cost is allocated among Selling, administrative and engineering expense, Motorcycles and related products cost of goods sold and Inventories, net. Amounts capitalized in inventory are not significant. Non-service cost components of net periodic benefit (income) cost are presented in Other income, net. Components of net periodic benefit (income) cost for the Company's defined benefit plans were as follows (in thousands):
| Three months ended | |||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Pension and SERPA Benefits: | |||||||||||
| Service cost | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Interest cost | |||||||||||
| Expected return on plan assets | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Amortization of unrecognized: | |||||||||||
Prior service cost | |||||||||||
Net gain | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Settlement gain | ( | ||||||||||
| Net periodic benefit income | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||
| Postretirement Healthcare Benefits: | |||||||||||
| Service cost | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Interest cost | |||||||||||
| Expected return on plan assets | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Amortization of unrecognized: | |||||||||||
Prior service cost (credit) | ( | ||||||||||
Net gain | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Net periodic benefit income | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||
There are no required or planned voluntary qualified pension plan contributions for 2024. The Company expects it will continue to make ongoing benefit payments under the SERPA and postretirement healthcare plans.
29
14. Commitments and Contingencies
Litigation and Other Claims – The Company is subject to lawsuits and other claims related to product, commercial, employee, environmental and other matters. In determining costs to accrue related to these items, the Company carefully analyzes cases and considers the likelihood of adverse judgments or outcomes, as well as the potential range of possible loss. The Company accrues for matters when losses are both probable and estimable. Any amounts accrued for these matters are monitored on an ongoing basis and are updated based on new developments or new information as it becomes available for each matter. The Company also maintains insurance coverage for product liability exposures. The Company believes that its accruals and insurance coverage are adequate and there are no material exposures to loss in excess of amounts accrued and insured for losses related to these matters.
Supply Matters – During the second quarter of 2022, the Company received information from a Tier 2 supplier, Proterial Cable America, Inc. ("PCA" f/k/a Hitachi Cable America, Inc.), concerning a potential regulatory compliance matter relating to PCA's brake hose assemblies. As a result, out of an abundance of caution, the Company suspended all vehicle assembly and shipments for approximately two weeks during the second quarter of 2022. Since then, the Company has been working through the regulatory compliance matter with PCA, the Company’s relevant Tier-1 suppliers, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the agency responsible for brake hose assembly compliance in the United States.
In connection with this matter, in July 2022, PCA notified NHTSA of a population of brake hose assemblies manufactured between May and July of 2022 that were non-compliant with select NHTSA laboratory test standards. Based on that filing, in August 2022, the Company notified NHTSA of the corresponding population of Harley-Davidson motorcycles containing those brake hose assemblies. In October 2022, PCA amended its original notification, expanding its population of non-compliant brake hose assemblies to include units produced by PCA for use in Harley-Davidson motorcycles beginning as early as model year 2008. In December 2022, the Company amended its August notification, expanding the population to also include Harley-Davidson motorcycles that contained PCA's newly identified brake hose assemblies. In March 2023, PCA again amended its NHTSA notification, identifying additional compliance issues with the previously identified brake hose assemblies. The Company followed PCA's March amendment with a derivative amended notification to NHTSA in May 2023.
In June 2023, the Company received a letter from PCA advising that PCA was investigating a new, separate potential quality issue with brake hose assemblies produced by PCA after the Company’s 2022 production suspension. Due to this issue, the Company was forced to suspend production of most of the motorcycles manufactured at its York facility and run limited motorcycle manufacturing operations there for approximately two weeks. The Company continued to manufacture, among other motorcycles, the 2023 CVO Road Glide and Street Glide, which do not use PCA's brake hose assemblies. It also continued its normal motorcycle manufacturing operations at its international facilities. In connection with this matter, in late June 2023, PCA filed a new and separate NHTSA notification, identifying certain brake hose assemblies produced between June of 2022 and June of 2023 as noncompliant with select NHTSA laboratory test standards. The Company followed PCA’s June 2023 notification by filing a derivative notification with NHTSA in early July 2023.
As permitted by federal law, both PCA and the Company have utilized NHTSA’s standard process to petition the agency to determine that these compliance issues are inconsequential to motor vehicle safety ("Inconsequentiality Determinations"). If NHTSA makes the Inconsequentiality Determinations requested, the Company will be exempt from conducting a field action or recall of its motorcycles related to these matters.
In its inconsequentiality petitions, the Company has presented NHTSA with: (1) extensive independent, third-party and internal testing demonstrating that the brake hose assemblies at issue are robust to extreme conditions - which far exceed maximum expected motorcycle lifetime demands - with no impact to brake performance; and (2) real-world field safety data showing no documented crashes or injuries attributable to the identified compliance issues for the relevant affected populations. The Company believes its petitions are closely comparable to inconsequentiality petitions that have resulted in successful inconsequentiality determinations in the past. The Company is also confident that its position that the compliance issues are inconsequential to motor vehicle safety is strong and, therefore, no field action or recall will be necessary.
Based on its expectation that NHTSA will make Inconsequentiality Determinations, the Company does not expect that these regulatory noncompliance matters will result in material costs in the future, and no costs have been accrued to date. However, it is possible that a field action or recall could be required that could cause the Company to incur material costs. There are several variables and uncertainties associated with any potential field action or recall that are not yet fully known including, but not limited to, the population of brake hose assemblies and motorcycles, the specific field action or recall required, the complexity and cost of the required repair, the need for and availability of replacement parts, the suppliers of replacement parts and the number of motorcycle owners that would participate. The Company estimates, based on its available information and assumptions, that the cost of a potential field action or recall in the aggregate, if any were to occur, could range from approximately $100 million to $400 million. The Company continues to evaluate and update its estimates as
30
it learns more about these regulatory matters, including the variables and uncertainties discussed above. The Company also continues to maintain its expectation that NHTSA will make the requested Inconsequentiality Determinations and that these regulatory matters will not result in any material field action or recall costs. If a material field action or recall were to result, the Company would seek full recovery of those amounts.
15. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Changes in Accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows (in thousands):
| Three months ended March 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | Derivative financial instruments | Pension and postretirement benefit plans | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of period | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss, before reclassifications | ( | ( | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
Income tax benefit | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ( | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassifications: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss on derivative financial instruments | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
Prior service credits(a) | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
Actuarial gains(a) | — | — | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassifications before tax | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive (loss) income | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, end of period | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Three months ended March 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | Derivative financial instruments | Pension and postretirement benefit plans | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of period | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications | ( | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ( | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassifications: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net gain on derivative financial instruments | — | ( | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
Prior service credits(a) | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
Actuarial gains(a) | — | — | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassifications before tax | — | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
Income tax benefit | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| — | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, end of period | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||
(a) Amounts reclassified are included in the computation of net periodic benefit (income) cost, discussed further in Note 13.
31
16. Reportable Segments
The Company operates in three business segments: HDMC, LiveWire and HDFS. The Company's reportable segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services and are managed separately based on the fundamental differences in their operations.
Selected segment information is set forth below (in thousands):
| Three months ended | |||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| HDMC: | |||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Gross profit | |||||||||||
| Selling, administrative and engineering expense | |||||||||||
| Operating income | |||||||||||
| LiveWire: | |||||||||||
| Revenue | |||||||||||
Gross (loss) profit | ( | ||||||||||
| Selling, administrative and engineering expense | |||||||||||
| Operating loss | ( | ( | |||||||||
| HDFS: | |||||||||||
| Financial services revenue | |||||||||||
| Financial services expense | |||||||||||
| Operating income | |||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | $ | |||||||||
Total assets for the HDMC, LiveWire and HDFS segments were $3.5 billion, $0.2 billion and $8.6 billion, respectively, as of March 31, 2024, $3.6 billion, $0.3 billion and $8.2 billion, respectively, as of December 31, 2023, and $3.1 billion, $0.3 billion and $8.6 billion, respectively, as of March 31, 2023.
17. Supplemental Consolidating Data
The supplemental consolidating data includes separate legal entity data for the Company's financial services entities, including Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries (Financial Services Entities), and all other Harley-Davidson, Inc. entities (Non-Financial Services Entities). This information is presented to highlight the separate financial statement impacts of the Company's Financial Services Entities and its Non-Financial Services Entities. The income statement information presented below differs from reportable segment income statement information due to the allocation of legal entity consolidating adjustments to income for reportable segments. Supplemental consolidating data is as follows (in thousands):
32
| Three months ended March 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-Financial Services Entities | Financial Services Entities | Consolidating Adjustments | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Motorcycles and related products | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Financial services | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Costs and expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Motorcycles and related products cost of goods sold | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial services interest expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial services provision for credit losses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, administrative and engineering expense | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax provision | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Harley-Davidson, Inc. | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended March 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-Financial Services Entities | Financial Services Entities | Consolidating Adjustments | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Motorcycles and Related Products | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Financial Services | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Costs and expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Motorcycles and Related Products cost of goods sold | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial Services interest expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial Services provision for credit losses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, administrative and engineering expense | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Harley-Davidson, Inc. | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
33
| March 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-Financial Services Entities | Financial Services Entities | Consolidating Adjustments | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Finance receivables, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Inventories, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restricted cash | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other current assets | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Finance receivables, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pension and postretirement assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lease assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other long-term assets | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Accrued liabilities | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term deposits, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term debt | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current portion of long-term debt, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term deposits, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lease liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pension and postretirement liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other long-term liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commitments and contingencies (Note 14) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
34
| March 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-Financial Services Entities | Financial Services Entities | Consolidating Adjustments | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Finance receivables, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Inventories, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restricted cash | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other current assets | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Finance receivables, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pension and postretirement assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lease assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other long-term assets | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Accrued liabilities | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term deposits, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term debt | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current portion of long-term debt, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term deposits, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lease liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pension and postretirement liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other long-term liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commitments and contingencies (Note 14) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
35
| Three months ended March 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-Financial Services Entities | Financial Services Entities | Consolidating Adjustments | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile Net income to Net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of deferred loan origination costs | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of financing origination fees | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision for long-term employee benefits | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Employee benefit plan contributions and payments | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock compensation expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net change in wholesale finance receivables related to sales | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision for credit losses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other, net | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Changes in current assets and liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
Finance receivables – accrued interest and other | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Inventories, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other current assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Origination of finance receivables | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Collections on finance receivables | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other investing activities | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash used by investing activities | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
36
| Three months ended March 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-Financial Services Entities | Financial Services Entities | Consolidating Adjustments | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repayments of securitization debt | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Borrowings of asset-backed commercial paper | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repayments of asset-backed commercial paper | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase in unsecured commercial paper | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net decrease in deposits | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends paid | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchase of common stock | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other financing activities | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash (used) provided by financing activities | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
37
| Three months ended March 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-Financial Services Entities | Financial Services Entities | Consolidating Adjustments | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile Net income to Net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of deferred loan origination costs | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of financing origination fees | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision for long-term employee benefits | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Employee benefit plan contributions and payments | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock compensation expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net change in wholesale finance receivables related to sales | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision for credit losses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other, net | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Changes in current assets and liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
Finance receivables – accrued interest and other | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Inventories, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other current assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Origination of finance receivables | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Collections on finance receivables | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other investing activities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash used by investing activities | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
38
| Three months ended March 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-Financial Services Entities | Financial Services Entities | Consolidating Adjustments | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of medium-term notes | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repayments of medium-term notes | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from securitization debt | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repayments of securitization debt | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Repayments of asset-backed commercial paper | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net decrease in unsecured commercial paper | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net increase in deposits | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends paid | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchase of common stock | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other financing activities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash (used) provided by financing activities | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
39
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to the “Company” include Harley-Davidson, Inc. and all its subsidiaries. Harley-Davidson, Inc. operates in three segments: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (HDMC), LiveWire and Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS).
The “% Change” figures included in the Results of Operations sections were calculated using unrounded dollar amounts and may differ from calculations using the rounded dollar amounts presented. Certain “% Change” deemed not meaningful (NM) have been excluded.
(1) Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
The Company intends that certain matters discussed in this report 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 by reference to this footnote or because the context of the statement will include words such as the Company “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” “estimates,” “targets,” “intends,” "forecasts," "sees," "feels," or words of similar meaning. Similarly, statements that describe or refer to future expectations, future plans, strategies, objectives, outlooks, targets, guidance, commitments 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 report. Certain of such risks and uncertainties are described in close proximity to such statements or elsewhere in this report, including under the caption "Cautionary Statements" in this Item 2, as well as in Item 1A. Risk Factors of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. Shareholders, potential investors, and other readers are urged to consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in the "Key Factors Impacting the Company" and the “Guidance” sections in this Item 2 are only made as of April 25, 2024 and the remaining forward-looking statements in this report are made as of the date of the filing of this report (May 6, 2024), and the Company disclaims any obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
Overview(1)
The Company's results for the first quarter of 2024 were generally in line with the Company's expectations which included a decline in the Company's wholesale shipments and an improvement in retail sales in North America as the Company launched its new 2024 model year motorcycles. Net income attributable to Harley-Davidson, Inc. was $234.9 million, or $1.72 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $304.1 million, or $2.04 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2023.
In the first quarter of 2024, HDMC segment operating income was $238.4 million, down $97.3 million from the first quarter of 2023. The decrease in operating income from the HDMC segment for the first quarter of 2024 was driven primarily by lower motorcycle shipments and lower pricing stemming from the elimination of a pricing surcharge late in 2023 and the Company's fine-tuned pricing strategy for 2024 compared to the same quarter last year. Operating loss from the LiveWire segment in the first quarter of 2024 was $29.2 million compared to an operating loss of $24.5 million in the prior year quarter due primarily to lower revenue from electric balance bikes and changes in the mix of electric motorcycle models sold. Operating income from the HDFS segment in the first quarter of 2024 was $53.9 million, down $4.5 million compared to the prior year quarter due primarily to higher interest expense, an increase in the provision for credit losses, and higher operating expenses partially offset by higher interest income.
Worldwide retail sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the first quarter of 2024 were flat compared to the first quarter of 2023, including a 5.6% increase in North America, the Company's largest market, and offsetting decreases in EMEA and Asia-Pacific. The positive retail sales results in North America were driven by sales of the Company's new model year 2024 Touring motorcycles, while international markets declined primarily due to macroeconomic conditions. Refer to the Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Retail Sales and Registration Data section for further discussion of retail sales results.
40
Key Factors Impacting the Company(1)
Supply Matters – During the second quarter of 2022, the Company received information from a Tier 2 supplier, Proterial Cable America, Inc. ("PCA" f/k/a Hitachi Cable America, Inc.), concerning a potential regulatory compliance matter relating to PCA's brake hose assemblies. As a result, out of an abundance of caution, the Company suspended all vehicle assembly and shipments for approximately two weeks during the second quarter of 2022. Since then, the Company has been working through the regulatory compliance matter with PCA, the Company’s relevant Tier-1 suppliers, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the agency responsible for brake hose assembly compliance in the United States.
In connection with this matter, in July 2022, PCA notified NHTSA of a population of brake hose assemblies manufactured between May and July of 2022 that were non-compliant with select NHTSA laboratory test standards. Based on that filing, in August 2022, the Company notified NHTSA of the corresponding population of Harley-Davidson motorcycles containing those brake hose assemblies. In October 2022, PCA amended its original notification, expanding its population of non-compliant brake hose assemblies to include units produced by PCA for use in Harley-Davidson motorcycles beginning as early as model year 2008. In December 2022, the Company amended its August notification, expanding the population to also include Harley-Davidson motorcycles that contained PCA's newly identified brake hose assemblies. In March 2023, PCA again amended its NHTSA notification, identifying additional compliance issues with the previously identified brake hose assemblies. The Company followed PCA's March amendment with a derivative amended notification to NHTSA in May 2023.
In June 2023, the Company received a letter from PCA advising that PCA was investigating a new, separate potential quality issue with brake hose assemblies produced by PCA after the Company’s 2022 production suspension. Due to this issue, the Company was forced to suspend production of most of the motorcycles manufactured at its York facility and run limited motorcycle manufacturing operations there for approximately two weeks. The Company continued to manufacture, among other motorcycles, the 2023 CVO Road Glide and Street Glide, which do not use PCA's brake hose assemblies. It also continued its normal motorcycle manufacturing operations at its international facilities. In connection with this matter, in late June 2023, PCA filed a new and separate NHTSA notification, identifying certain brake hose assemblies produced between June of 2022 and June of 2023 as noncompliant with select NHTSA laboratory test standards. The Company followed PCA’s June 2023 notification by filing a derivative notification with NHTSA in early July 2023.
As permitted by federal law, both PCA and the Company have utilized NHTSA’s standard process to petition the agency to determine that these compliance issues are inconsequential to motor vehicle safety ("Inconsequentiality Determinations"). If NHTSA makes the Inconsequentiality Determinations requested, the Company will be exempt from conducting a field action or recall of its motorcycles related to these matters.
In its inconsequentiality petitions, the Company has presented NHTSA with: (1) extensive independent, third-party and internal testing demonstrating that the brake hose assemblies at issue are robust to extreme conditions - which far exceed maximum expected motorcycle lifetime demands - with no impact to brake performance; and (2) real-world field safety data showing no documented crashes or injuries attributable to the identified compliance issues for the relevant affected populations. The Company believes its petitions are closely comparable to inconsequentiality petitions that have resulted in successful inconsequentiality determinations in the past. The Company is also confident that its position that the compliance issues are inconsequential to motor vehicle safety is strong and, therefore, no field action or recall will be necessary.
Based on its expectation that NHTSA will make Inconsequentiality Determinations, the Company does not expect that these regulatory noncompliance matters will result in material costs in the future, and no costs have been accrued to date. However, it is possible that a field action or recall could be required that could cause the Company to incur material costs. There are several variables and uncertainties associated with any potential field action or recall that are not yet fully known including, but not limited to, the population of brake hose assemblies and motorcycles, the specific field action or recall required, the complexity and cost of the required repair, the need for and availability of replacement parts, the suppliers of replacement parts and the number of motorcycle owners that would participate. The Company estimates, based on its available information and assumptions, that the cost of a potential field action or recall in the aggregate, if any were to occur, could range from approximately $100 million to $400 million. The Company continues to evaluate and update its estimates as it learns more about these regulatory matters, including the variables and uncertainties discussed above. The Company also continues to maintain its expectation that NHTSA will make the requested Inconsequentiality Determinations and that these regulatory matters will not result in any material field action or recall costs. If a material field action or recall were to result, the Company would seek full recovery of those amounts.
41
Interest Rates - Interest rates increased significantly during 2022 and into 2023 as central banks attempted to reduce inflation. The current higher interest rate environment has adversely impacted HDFS' interest income margin due to a higher cost of funds that is only partially offset by increased interest rates on financing products sold by HDFS. Additionally, higher interest rates have adversely impacted consumer discretionary purchases, like purchases of the Company's motorcycles, as higher borrowing costs have made these purchases less affordable or impacted the consumer's ability to obtain financing. While the Company expects interest rates to moderate, interest rates remained heightened during the first three months of 2024.
Suspension of Additional European Union Tariffs – In April 2021, the Company received notification from the Economic Ministry of Belgium that, following a request from the European Union (EU), the Company would be subject to revocation of the Binding Origin Information (BOI) decisions that allowed it to supply its EU markets with certain motorcycles produced at its Thailand manufacturing facility at tariff rates of 6%. As a result of the revocation, all non-electric motorcycles that Harley-Davidson imported into the EU, regardless of origin, were subject to a total tariff rate of 31% from April 19, 2021 through the end of 2021. On October 30, 2021, the U.S. and EU announced an agreement related to the Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum that were implemented in 2018 by the U.S. and the subsequent rebalancing tariff measures taken by the EU. This agreement suspended the additional tariffs initially imposed by the EU on the Company's motorcycles, reducing the total EU tariff rate on the Company’s motorcycles from 31% to 6%, effective January 1, 2022. The lower 6% tariff rate applies to all motorcycles imported by the Company into the EU, regardless of origin. Under the initial agreement between the U.S. and the EU, the lower tariff rate remained in effect until December 31, 2023. In December 2023, the EU extended its suspension of the additional tariffs through March 31, 2025 and the U.S. extended its suspension of the additional tariffs through December 31, 2025. The U.S. and EU will monitor and review the operation of the extended agreement, seeking to conclude the negotiations on steel and aluminum tariffs by March 31, 2025. These negotiations are ongoing, and there are no assurances the U.S. and EU will reach a resolution that concludes the trade conflict on steel and aluminum tariffs beyond March 31, 2025.
To date, the Company continues to pursue its appeals of the revocation of the BOI decisions and the denial of its application for temporary extended reliance on the 6% tariff rate (for motorcycles produced in Thailand and ordered prior to April 19, 2021), although there is no assurance that these appeals will continue or be successful.
Guidance(1)
On April 25, 2024, the Company reaffirmed its expectations for HDMC and HDFS and revised its expectations for LiveWire for 2024:
The Company continues to expect HDMC revenue to be flat to down 9% in 2024 compared to 2023. The Company expects worldwide dealer retail unit sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles in 2024 to be flat to up 9% compared to 2023. The Company's expectation is for wholesale shipments to move on a balanced basis with dealer retail unit sales in 2024 so that dealer inventory remains appropriately positioned throughout the course of the year. Therefore, the Company expects wholesale unit shipments of Harley-Davidson motorcycles in 2024 to be down between 1% and 10% compared to 2023. In addition, the Company's revenue expectation for 2024 assumes (i) pricing to be down slightly compared to 2023 given the elimination of the pricing surcharge late in 2023 and a fine-tuned pricing strategy in 2024, especially with respect to the Company's new Touring models, (ii) the impact of motorcycle shipment mix to be favorable compared to 2023 given the Company's continued focus on core products as part of The Hardwire strategy and (iii) an adverse impact of foreign currency exchange rates in 2024.
The Company continues to expect HDMC operating margin as a percent of revenue to be 12.6% to 13.6% in 2024. The Company believes the expected decline in operating margin compared to 2023 will be due to (i) lower expected wholesale unit volumes compared to 2023 and the resulting negative impact of higher costs per unit, (ii) lower overall pricing compared to 2023 and continued modest supply chain inflation, and (iii) the impact of unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates. Finally, the Company also expects some incremental manufacturing costs to re-align factory processes in the initial year of production of its new model year 2024 Touring motorcycles.
The Company continues to expect LiveWire motorcycle sales of 1,000 to 1,500 units in 2024, but has lowered its operating loss expectation for LiveWire. The Company now expects the LiveWire operating loss for 2024 to be $105 million to $115 million, an improvement from the previous expectation of $115 million to $125 million.
The Company continues to expect HDFS operating income to be flat to up 5% in 2024 compared to 2023. The Company expects HDFS results to stabilize in 2024 as it compares to the higher interest rate environment that began in 2022 and with a moderation in borrowing costs in 2024 based on anticipated actions of the U.S. Federal Reserve. The Company also expects the average yield on the retail and wholesale finance receivable portfolios to be more in-line with the recent higher interest rate environment as the retail portfolio shifts to include a higher mix of recent loans with higher interest rates resulting in greater interest revenue. Additionally, the Company expects the credit loss rate will begin to moderate in the second half of 2024 compared to the second half of 2023 as consumers adjust to the existing economic environment.
42
The Company has a productivity target to eliminate $400 million of incremental cost incurred since 2020 by 2025. The Company achieved approximately $50 million in productivity savings in 2022 and approximately $70 million in 2023. The Company remains focused on production efficiency, logistics network optimization and supplier cost optimization through consolidation and regionalization in 2024. The Company continues to expect approximately $100 million of additional cost productivity savings in 2024.
The Company continues to expect capital investments in 2024 of between $225 and $250 million. The Company plans to continue to invest in product development and capability enhancements that support The Hardwire strategy. The Company's focus remains on core product innovation, investments in manufacturing to automate and reduce costs to improve productivity as well as planned investments for LiveWire.
The Company's capital allocation priorities remain to fund profitable growth through The Hardwire initiatives, to pay dividends, and to execute share repurchases on a discretionary basis. The Company is currently planning to repurchase a similar dollar amount of shares in 2024 as were repurchased in 2023.
Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
Consolidated Results
| Three months ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except earnings per share) | March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | Increase (Decrease) | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income - HDMC | $ | 238,445 | $ | 335,736 | $ | (97,291) | (29.0) | % | |||||||||||||||
| Operating loss - LiveWire | (29,241) | (24,547) | (4,694) | 19.1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income - HDFS | 53,875 | 58,420 | (4,545) | (7.8) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | 263,079 | 369,609 | (106,530) | (28.8) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other income, net | 20,564 | 20,096 | 468 | 2.3 | |||||||||||||||||||
Investment income | 14,404 | 10,025 | 4,379 | 43.7 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 7,679 | 7,720 | (41) | (0.5) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 290,368 | 392,010 | (101,642) | (25.9) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax provision | 58,135 | 90,181 | (32,046) | (35.5) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | 232,233 | 301,829 | (69,596) | (23.1) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | 2,708 | 2,261 | 447 | 19.8 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Harley-Davidson, Inc. | $ | 234,941 | $ | 304,090 | $ | (69,149) | (22.7) | % | |||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 1.72 | $ | 2.04 | $ | (0.32) | (15.7) | ||||||||||||||||
The Company reported operating income of $263.1 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $369.6 million in the same period last year. The HDMC segment reported operating income of $238.4 million in the first quarter of 2024, a decrease of $97.3 million compared to the first quarter of 2023. Operating loss from the LiveWire segment increased $4.7 million compared to the first quarter of 2023. Operating income from the HDFS segment decreased $4.5 million compared to the first quarter of 2023. Refer to the HDMC Segment, LiveWire Segment and HDFS Segment sections for a more detailed discussion of the factors affecting operating results.
Other income in the first quarter of 2024 was higher than in the first quarter of 2023, impacted by a larger benefit related to LiveWire's warrant liability, which decreased in fair value, partially offset by lower non-operating income related to the Company's defined benefit plans.
The Company's effective income tax rate for the first quarter of 2024 was 20.0% compared to 23.0% for the first quarter of 2023.
Diluted earnings per share was $1.72 in the first quarter of 2024, down 15.7% from the same period last year. Diluted weighted average shares outstanding decreased from 148.9 million in the first quarter of 2023 to 136.9 million in the first quarter of 2024, driven by the Company's discretionary repurchases of common stock. Refer to Liquidity and Capital Resources for additional information concerning the Company's share repurchase activity.
43
Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Retail Sales and Registration Data
Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Retail Sales(a)
Retail unit sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles were as follows:
| Three months ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | (Decrease) Increase | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | 25,726 | 24,277 | 1,449 | 6.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Canada | 1,760 | 1,744 | 16 | 0.9 | |||||||||||||||||||
North America | 27,486 | 26,021 | 1,465 | 5.6 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA) | 5,264 | 5,917 | (653) | (11.0) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Asia Pacific | 6,034 | 6,881 | (847) | (12.3) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Latin America | 621 | 606 | 15 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 39,405 | 39,425 | (20) | (0.1) | % | |||||||||||||||||||
(a)Data source for retail sales figures shown above is new sales warranty and registration information provided by 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.
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During the first quarter of 2024, retail sales were up 5.6% in North America offset by a 12.3% decrease in Asia Pacific and an 11.0% decrease in EMEA.
North America retail sales were positively impacted by the launch of the Company's new 2024 model year motorcycles driven by sales of the new Touring models. Retail sales in Europe and Asia Pacific were soft primarily due to challenging macroeconomic conditions. In Europe, the decline in retail sales was primarily due to lower sales in Germany and France, while lower retail unit sales in Asia Pacific were driven primarily by declines in China. In most international markets, the 2024 model year motorcycles only started to arrive at dealers later in the first quarter, limiting the impact of new model year motorcycles on retail sales during the first quarter.
Worldwide retail inventory of new motorcycles was approximately 69,000 units at the end of the first quarter of 2024, or up approximately 26% compared to the end of the first quarter of 2023, but remained lower than historical levels experienced prior to 2020. The average historical retail inventory level at the end of the first quarter during 2015 through 2019 was approximately 83,000 units. The Company believes current overall dealer inventory is appropriate given the upcoming spring riding season and the recent launch of new model year 2024 motorcycles. Retail inventory of new motorcycles is based on units at the end of the quarter rather than average monthly inventory levels within the quarter.
Motorcycle Registration Data and Market Share – 601+cc(a)
The Company's U.S. market share of new 601+cc motorcycles increased during the first three months of 2024 compared to the first three months of 2023 on higher retail sales relative to the industry. The Company's European market share of new 601+cc motorcycles for first three months of 2024 was down compared to the first three months of 2023. Industry retail registration data for new motorcycles and the Company's market share was as follows:
| Three months ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | (Decrease) Increase | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Industry new motorcycle registrations: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
United States(b) | 61,185 | 59,262 | 1,923 | 3.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Europe(c) | 125,072 | 122,249 | 2,823 | 2.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Harley-Davidson market share data: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
United States(b) | 41.6 | % | 39.5 | % | 2.1 | pts. | |||||||||||||||||
Europe(c) | 4.6 | % | 5.0 | % | (0.4) | pts. | |||||||||||||||||
(a)Data includes on-road models with internal combustion engines with displacements greater than 600cc's and electric motorcycles with kilowatt (kW) peak power equivalents greater than 600cc's (601+cc). On-road 601+cc models include dual purpose models, three-wheeled motorcycles and autocycles.
(b)United States industry data is derived from information provided by Motorcycle Industry Council. This third-party data is subject to revision and update.
(c)Europe data includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Industry data is derived from information provided by Management Services Helwig Schmitt GmbH. This third-party data is subject to revision and update.
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HDMC Segment
Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Unit Shipments
Motorcycle unit shipments were as follows:
| Three months ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | Unit | Unit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Units | Mix % | Units | Mix % | Increase (Decrease) | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. motorcycle shipments | 41,577 | 72.1 | % | 42,588 | 68.4 | % | (1,011) | (2.4) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Worldwide motorcycle shipments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Grand American Touring(a) | 35,356 | 61.3 | % | 32,219 | 51.8 | % | 3,137 | 9.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cruiser | 15,691 | 27.2 | % | 21,258 | 34.1 | % | (5,567) | (26.2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport and Lightweight | 4,963 | 8.6 | % | 6,585 | 10.6 | % | (1,622) | (24.6) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adventure Touring | 1,662 | 2.9 | % | 2,175 | 3.5 | % | (513) | (23.6) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 57,672 | 100.0 | % | 62,237 | 100.0 | % | (4,565) | (7.3) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a)Includes Trike
The Company shipped 57,672 motorcycles worldwide during the first quarter of 2024, which was 7.3% lower than the first quarter of 2023. Shipments to dealers in the first quarter of 2024 were lower than the first quarter of 2023 when wholesale shipments benefited from dealers rebuilding inventory levels following the low levels experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the Company shipped a greater proportion of Grand American Touring models to improve availability of models most desired by customers going into riding season.
Segment Results
Condensed statements of operations for the HDMC segment were as follows (dollars in thousands):
| Three months ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | Increase (Decrease) | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Motorcycles | $ | 1,221,540 | $ | 1,302,378 | $ | (80,838) | (6.2) | % | |||||||||||||||
Parts and accessories | 166,193 | 167,671 | (1,478) | (0.9) | |||||||||||||||||||
Apparel | 64,112 | 71,391 | (7,279) | (10.2) | |||||||||||||||||||
Licensing | 8,930 | 6,210 | 2,720 | 43.8 | |||||||||||||||||||
Other | 15,331 | 10,179 | 5,152 | 50.6 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1,476,106 | 1,557,829 | (81,723) | (5.2) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold | 1,015,036 | 1,000,803 | 14,233 | 1.4 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | 461,070 | 557,026 | (95,956) | (17.2) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Selling & administrative expense | 199,892 | 197,439 | 2,453 | 1.2 | |||||||||||||||||||
Engineering expense | 22,733 | 23,851 | (1,118) | (4.7) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 222,625 | 221,290 | 1,335 | 0.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 238,445 | $ | 335,736 | $ | (97,291) | (29.0) | % | |||||||||||||||
| Operating margin | 16.2 | % | 21.6 | % | (5.4) | pts. | |||||||||||||||||
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The estimated impact of significant factors affecting the comparability of net revenue, cost of goods sold and gross profit from the first quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024 were as follows (in millions):
| Net Revenue | Cost of Goods Sold | Gross Profit | |||||||||||||||
| Three months ended March 31, 2023 | $ | 1,557.8 | $ | 1,000.8 | $ | 557.0 | |||||||||||
| Volume | (103.2) | (72.7) | (30.5) | ||||||||||||||
| Price and sales incentives | (47.4) | — | (47.4) | ||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency exchange rates and hedging | 0.1 | 4.3 | (4.2) | ||||||||||||||
| Shipment mix | 68.8 | 61.7 | 7.1 | ||||||||||||||
| Raw material prices | — | (1.3) | 1.3 | ||||||||||||||
| Manufacturing and other costs | — | 22.2 | (22.2) | ||||||||||||||
| (81.7) | 14.2 | (95.9) | |||||||||||||||
| Three months ended March 31, 2024 | $ | 1,476.1 | $ | 1,015.0 | $ | 461.1 | |||||||||||
Factors affecting the comparability of net revenue, cost of goods sold and gross profit from the first quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024 were as follows:
•The decrease in volume was primarily due to lower motorcycle shipments.
•Revenue was adversely impacted by the elimination of the pricing surcharge late in 2023, a fine-tuned pricing strategy for 2024 and higher promotional costs to promote the sale of model year 2023 carryover inventory at dealers. The Company expects this will help drive dealer retail performance in 2024(1).
•The impact of foreign currency changes on revenue compared to prior year was flat. Gross profit was negatively impacted by unfavorable net foreign currency losses related primarily to hedging, recorded in cost of goods sold.
•Changes in the shipment mix had a favorable impact on gross profit.
•Raw material costs benefited from continued moderation in the rate of inflation.
•Manufacturing and other costs were negatively impacted by lower operating leverage and continued modest cost inflation of approximately 2%. The majority of units shipped in the first quarters of 2024 and 2023 were produced in the preceding fourth quarters in advance of the new model year launch. Production volumes were lower in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the fourth quarter of 2022, which resulted in a higher fixed cost per unit for units shipped in the first quarter of 2024 as compared to units shipped in the first quarter of 2023. The impact of lower operating leverage was partially offset by other productivity gains including reduced reliance on expedited freight as well as reduced ocean freight rates.
Operating expenses were up slightly in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period last year related to higher marketing and warranty expenses, partially offset by lower employee-related costs.
LiveWire Segment
Segment Results
Condensed statements of operations for the LiveWire segment were as follows (in thousands, except unit shipments):
| Three months ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | Increase (Decrease) | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 4,704 | $ | 7,762 | $ | (3,058) | (39.4) | % | |||||||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold | 8,645 | 6,498 | 2,147 | 33.0 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | (3,941) | 1,264 | (5,205) | NM | |||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, administrative and engineering expense | 25,300 | 25,811 | (511) | (2.0) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating loss | $ | (29,241) | $ | (24,547) | $ | (4,694) | 19.1 | % | |||||||||||||||
| LiveWire motorcycle unit shipments | 117 | 63 | 54 | 85.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
During the first quarter of 2024, revenue decreased by $3.1 million, or 39.4%, compared to the first quarter of 2023. The decrease was primarily due to lower electric balance bike volumes and an unfavorable change in the mix of electric motorcycles sold during quarter as compared to the same period last year. Cost of sales increased by $2.1 million, or 33.0%, during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the first quarter of 2023 due to higher electric motorcycle volumes.
47
During the first quarter of 2024, selling, administrative and engineering expense remained relatively flat with the first quarter of 2023 as the Company continued to focus on product development.
HDFS Segment
Segment Results
Condensed statements of operations for the HDFS segment were as follows (in thousands):
| Three months ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | Increase (Decrease) | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | $ | 211,335 | $ | 182,270 | $ | 29,065 | 15.9 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Other income | 37,462 | 40,825 | (3,363) | (8.2) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 248,797 | 223,095 | 25,702 | 11.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 88,739 | 73,549 | 15,190 | 20.7 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Provision for credit losses | 61,010 | 52,364 | 8,646 | 16.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating expense | 45,173 | 38,762 | 6,411 | 16.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 194,922 | 164,675 | 30,247 | 18.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 53,875 | $ | 58,420 | $ | (4,545) | (7.8) | % | |||||||||||||||
Interest income was higher for the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period last year, primarily due to higher average outstanding finance receivables at a higher average yield. Other income decreased due to lower insurance and licensing revenue as well as lower investment income. Interest expense increased due to higher average interest rates on higher average outstanding debt and deposits.
The provision for credit losses increased $8.6 million compared to the first quarter of 2023, driven by higher actual credit losses partially offset by a favorable change in the allowance for credit losses. The favorable change in the allowance for credit losses was due to a reserve rate increase during the first quarter of 2023 compared to a flat reserve rate in the first quarter of 2024, partially offset by receivable growth.
The allowance for credit losses considers current economic conditions and the Company’s outlook on future conditions. At the end of the first quarter of 2024, the Company's outlook on economic conditions and its probability weighting of its economic forecast scenarios was weighted toward more pessimistic scenarios given continued challenging macro-economic conditions, including a persistently high interest rate environment, elevated inflation levels, and muted consumer confidence.
Annualized losses on the Company's retail motorcycle loans were 3.74% during the first quarter of 2024 compared to 3.21% in the first quarter of 2023. The 30-day delinquency rate for retail motorcycle loans at March 31, 2024 increased to 4.00% from 3.74% at March 31, 2023. The unfavorable retail credit loss and delinquency performance was driven by several factors connected to the macro-economic environment and related customer and industry dynamics, including the impact of higher motorcycle payments and general inflationary pressures on customers. Additionally, the Company experienced downward pressure on recovery values at auction.
Operating expenses increased $6.4 million compared to the first quarter of 2023 due in part to increased repossession costs, higher tax-related expenses, and unfavorable foreign currency rates partially offset by lower employee-related costs and a smaller loss on a securitization interest rate cap derivative valuation.
Changes in the allowance for credit losses on finance receivables were as follows (in thousands):
| Three months ended | |||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of period | $ | 381,966 | $ | 358,711 | |||||||
| Provision for credit losses | 61,010 | 52,364 | |||||||||
| Charge-offs, net of recoveries | (62,615) | (52,644) | |||||||||
| Balance, end of period | $ | 380,361 | $ | 358,431 | |||||||
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Other Matters
Commitments and Contingencies
The Company is subject to lawsuits and other claims related to product, product recall, commercial, employee, environmental and other matters. In determining costs to accrue related to these items, the Company carefully analyzes cases and considers the likelihood of adverse judgments or outcomes, as well as the potential range of possible loss. Any amounts accrued for these matters are monitored on an ongoing basis and are updated based on new developments or new information as it becomes available for each matter. Refer to Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the Company's commitments and contingencies.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company’s strategy is to maintain a minimum of twelve months of its projected liquidity needs through a combination of cash and cash equivalents and availability under its credit facilities.
The Company believes its current cash, cash equivalents and availability under its credit facilities are sufficient to meet its liquidity requirements, consistent with its strategy. The Company expects to fund its operations, excluding the origination of finance receivables, primarily with cash flows from operating activities and cash and cash equivalents on hand.(1) The Company expects to fund the origination of finance receivables primarily with unsecured debt, unsecured commercial paper, asset-backed commercial paper conduit facilities, committed unsecured bank facilities, asset-backed securitizations and brokered certificates of deposit.(1)
The Company’s cash and cash equivalents and availability under its credit and conduit facilities at March 31, 2024 were as follows (in thousands):
Cash and cash equivalents(a) | $ | 1,464,614 | |||||||||
| U.S. commercial paper conduit facility: | |||||||||||
Asset-backed U.S. commercial paper conduit facility(b) | 1,500,000 | ||||||||||
| Borrowings against committed facility | (502,521) | ||||||||||
| Net asset-backed U.S. commercial paper conduit committed facility availability | 997,479 | ||||||||||
Asset-backed Canadian commercial paper conduit facility(b)(c) | 92,294 | ||||||||||
| Borrowings against committed facility | (88,333) | ||||||||||
| Net asset-backed Canadian commercial paper conduit facility | 3,961 | ||||||||||
| Availability under credit and conduit facilities: | |||||||||||
| Credit facilities | 1,420,000 | ||||||||||
| Commercial paper outstanding | (938,719) | ||||||||||
| Net credit facility availability | 481,281 | ||||||||||
| $ | 2,947,335 | ||||||||||
(a)Includes $141.0 million of cash and cash equivalents held by LiveWire Group, Inc.
(b)Includes facilities expiring in the next 12 months, which the Company expects to renew prior to expiration.(1)
(c)C$125.0 million Canadian Conduit facility agreement remeasured to U.S. dollars at March 31, 2024.
49
To access the debt capital markets, the Company relies on credit rating agencies to assign short-term and long-term credit ratings. Generally, lower credit ratings result in higher borrowing costs and reduced access to debt capital markets. A credit rating agency may change or withdraw the Company's ratings based on its assessment of the Company's current and future ability to meet interest and principal repayment obligations. The Company’s short-term debt ratings affect its ability to issue unsecured commercial paper. The Company’s short- and long-term debt ratings, as of March 31, 2024 were as follows:
| Short-Term | Long-Term | Outlook | |||||||||||||||
| Moody’s | P3 | Baa3 | Stable | ||||||||||||||
| Standard & Poor’s | A3 | BBB- | Stable | ||||||||||||||
| Fitch | F2 | BBB+ | Stable | ||||||||||||||
The Company recognizes that it must continue to monitor and adjust its business to changes in the lending environment. The Company intends to continue with a diversified funding profile through a combination of short-term and long-term funding vehicles and to pursue a variety of sources to obtain cost-effective funding.(1) HDFS segment results could be negatively affected by higher costs of funding and increased difficulty of raising, or potential unsuccessful efforts to raise, funding in the short-term and long-term capital markets.(1) These negative consequences could in turn adversely affect the Company’s business and results of operations in various ways, including through higher costs of capital, reduced funds available through HDFS to provide loans to dealers and their retail customers, and dilution to existing shareholders through the use of alternative sources of capital.
Cash Flow Activity
The Company's cash flow activities were as follows (in thousands):
| Three months ended | |||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 103,997 | $ | 46,677 | |||||||
| Net cash used by investing activities | (112,500) | (70,586) | |||||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | (25,925) | 178,590 | |||||||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | (7,020) | 3,820 | |||||||||
| Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | (41,448) | $ | 158,501 | |||||||
Operating Activities
Cash flow provided by operating activities in the first three months of 2024 compared to the first three months of 2023 benefited from changes in working capital and lower net cash outflows related to wholesale finance receivables, partially offset by lower net income. Working capital was positively impacted primarily by favorable changes in accounts receivable compared to the first three months of 2023.
The Company's ongoing operating cash requirements include those related to existing contractual commitments which it expects to fund with cash inflows from operating activities. The Company's purchase orders for inventory used in manufacturing generally do not become firm commitments until 90 days prior to expected delivery. The Company's material contractual operating cash commitments at March 31, 2024 relate to leases, retirement plan obligations and income taxes. The Company's long-term lease obligations and future payments are discussed further in Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated financial statements in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. There are no required qualified pension plan contributions in 2024. The Company’s expected future contributions and benefit payments related to its defined benefit retirement plans are discussed further in Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated financial statements in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. The Company has a liability for unrecognized tax benefits of $18.1 million and related accrued interest and penalties of $8.6 million as of March 31, 2024. The Company cannot reasonably estimate the period of cash settlement for either the liability for unrecognized tax benefits or accrued interest and penalties. The Company continues to expect that it will fund its ongoing operating cash requirements related to the origination of finance receivables with the issuance of debt.
50
Investing Activities
The Company’s most significant investing activities consist of capital expenditures and retail finance receivable originations and collections. Capital expenditures were $46.4 million in the first three months of 2024 compared to $45.1 million in the same period last year. The Company's 2024 plan includes estimated capital investments between $225 million and $250 million, all of which the Company expects to fund with net cash flow generated by operations.(1)
Net cash outflows for finance receivables during the first three months of 2024 were $39.6 million higher compared to the same period last year due to lower retail finance receivable collections, partially offset by lower originations of finance receivables. The Company funds its finance receivables net lending activity through the issuance of debt, discussed in "Financing Activities" below.
Financing Activities
The Company’s financing activities consist primarily of dividend payments, share repurchases, and debt activity.
The Company paid dividends of $0.173 and $0.165 per share totaling $24.4 million and $24.1 million during the first three months of 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Cash outflows for share repurchases were $107.8 million in the first three months of 2024 compared to $96.8 million in the same period last year. Share repurchases during the first three months of 2024 include $98.2 million or 2.5 million shares of common stock related to discretionary repurchases and $9.6 million or 0.3 million shares of common stock employees surrendered to satisfy withholding taxes in connection with the vesting of restricted stock units and performance shares. As of March 31, 2024, there were 7.2 million shares remaining on a board-approved share repurchase authorization.
Financing cash flows related to debt and brokered certificates of deposit activity resulted in net cash inflows of $0.1 billion in the first three months of 2024 compared to net cash inflows of $0.3 billion in the same period last year. The Company’s total outstanding debt and liability for brokered certificates of deposit consisted of the following (in thousands):
| March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Outstanding debt: | |||||||||||
| Unsecured commercial paper | $ | 938,719 | $ | 501,243 | |||||||
| Asset-backed Canadian commercial paper conduit facility | 88,333 | 62,195 | |||||||||
| Asset-backed U.S. commercial paper conduit facility | 502,521 | 372,816 | |||||||||
| Asset-backed securitization debt, net | 1,644,626 | 2,257,799 | |||||||||
| Medium-term notes, net | 3,288,993 | 3,245,591 | |||||||||
| Senior notes, net | 746,258 | 745,192 | |||||||||
| $ | 7,209,450 | $ | 7,184,836 | ||||||||
| Deposits, net | $ | 441,168 | $ | 369,311 | |||||||
Refer to Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated financial statements for a summary of future principal payments on the Company's debt obligations. Refer to Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated financial statements for a summary of future maturities on the Company's certificates of deposit.
Deposits – HDFS offers brokered certificates of deposit to customers indirectly through contractual arrangements with third-party banks and/or securities brokerage firms through its bank subsidiary. The Company had $441.2 million and $369.3 million, net of fees, of interest-bearing brokered certificates of deposit outstanding as of March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023, respectively. The deposits are classified as short- and long-term liabilities based upon the term of each brokered certificate of deposit issued. Each separate brokered certificate of deposit is issued under a master certificate, and as such, all outstanding brokered certificates of deposit are considered below the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance coverage limits.
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Credit Facilities – As of March 31, 2024, the Company had a $710.0 million five-year credit facility with a maturity in April 2025 and a $710.0 million five-year credit facility with a maturity in April 2027. The five-year credit facilities (together, the Global Credit Facilities) bear interest at variable rates, which may be adjusted upward or downward depending on certain criteria, such as credit ratings. The Global Credit Facilities also require the Company to pay a fee based on the average daily unused portion of the aggregate commitments. The Global Credit Facilities are committed facilities primarily used to support the Company's unsecured commercial paper program. On April 12, 2024, the Company extended its $710.0 million five-year credit facility that was due to mature in April 2025 so that it now matures in April 2029. It also conformed the language of the April 2027 facility in all respects other than maturity date.
Unsecured Commercial Paper – Subject to limitations, the Company could issue unsecured commercial paper of up to $1.42 billion as of March 31, 2024 supported by the Global Credit Facilities, as discussed above. Outstanding unsecured commercial paper may not exceed the unused portion of the Global Credit Facilities. Maturities may range up to 365 days from the issuance date. The Company intends to repay unsecured commercial paper as it matures with additional unsecured commercial paper or through other means, such as borrowing under the Global Credit Facilities, borrowing under its asset-backed U.S. commercial paper conduit facility or through the use of operating cash flow and cash on hand.(1)
Medium-Term Notes – The Company had the following unsecured medium-term notes issued and outstanding at March 31, 2024 (in thousands):
| Principal Amount | Rate | Issue Date | Maturity Date | |||||||||||||||||
$647,592(a) | 3.14% | November 2019 | November 2024 | |||||||||||||||||
| $700,000 | 3.35% | June 2020 | June 2025 | |||||||||||||||||
$755,524(b) | 6.36% | April 2023 | April 2026 | |||||||||||||||||
| $500,000 | 3.05% | February 2022 | February 2027 | |||||||||||||||||
| $700,000 | 6.50% | March 2023 | March 2028 | |||||||||||||||||
(a)€600.0 million par value remeasured to U.S. dollar at March 31, 2024
(b)€700.0 million par value remeasured to U.S. dollar at March 31, 2024
The U.S. dollar-denominated medium-term notes provide for semi-annual interest payments and the foreign currency-denominated medium-term notes provide for annual interest payments. Principal on the medium-term notes is due at maturity. Unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs on the medium-term notes reduced the outstanding balance by $14.1 million and $14.0 million at March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023, respectively. There were no medium-term note maturities during the first quarter of 2024. During the first quarter of 2023, $350.0 million of 3.35% medium-term notes matured, and the principal and accrued interest were paid in full.
Senior Notes – In July 2015, the Company issued $750.0 million of unsecured senior notes in an underwritten offering. The senior notes provide for semi-annual interest payments and principal due at maturity. $450.0 million of the senior notes mature in July 2025 and have an interest rate of 3.50%, and $300.0 million of the senior notes mature in July 2045 and have an interest rate of 4.625%. The Company used the proceeds from the debt to repurchase shares of its common stock in 2015.
On-Balance Sheet Asset-Backed Canadian Commercial Paper Conduit Facility – In June 2023, the Company renewed its
facility agreement (Canadian Conduit) with a Canadian bank-sponsored asset-backed commercial paper conduit. Under the agreement, the Canadian Conduit is contractually committed, at the Company's option, to purchase eligible Canadian retail motorcycle finance receivables for proceeds up to C$125.0 million. The transferred assets are restricted as collateral for the payment of the associated debt. The terms for this debt provide for interest on the outstanding principal based on prevailing market interest rates plus a specified margin. The Canadian Conduit also provides for a program fee and an unused commitment fee based on the unused portion of the total aggregate commitment of C$125.0 million. There is no amortization schedule; however, the debt is reduced monthly as available collections on the related finance receivables are applied to outstanding principal. Upon expiration of the Canadian Conduit, any outstanding principal will continue to be reduced monthly through available collections. The expected remaining term of the related receivables is approximately 5 years. Unless earlier terminated or extended by mutual agreement between the Company and the lenders, as of March 31, 2024, the Canadian Conduit had an expiration date of June 28, 2024.
During the first quarter of 2024, the Company transferred $34.9 million of Canadian retail motorcycle finance receivables to the Canadian Conduit for proceeds of $28.6 million. There were no finance receivable transfers under the Canadian Conduit during the first quarter of 2023.
On-Balance Sheet Asset-Backed U.S. Commercial Paper Conduit Facilities VIE – In November 2023, the Company renewed its $1.50 billion revolving facility agreement (the U.S. Conduit Facility) with third-party banks and their asset-backed U.S. commercial paper conduits. Under the revolving facility agreement, the Company may transfer U.S. retail motorcycle
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finance receivables to an SPE, which in turn may issue debt to those third-party banks and their asset-backed U.S. commercial paper conduits. From November 2020 through November 2022, the U.S. Conduit Facility allowed for uncommitted additional borrowings of up to $300.0 million at the lenders’ discretion. At March 31, 2023, $72.8 million remained outstanding under the uncommitted additional borrowings previously allowed. During 2023, the remaining balance of these uncommitted additional borrowings was paid in full. Availability under the U.S. Conduit Facility is based on, among other things, the amount of eligible U.S. retail motorcycle finance receivables held by the SPE as collateral.
During the first quarter of 2024, the Company transferred $334.8 million of U.S. retail motorcycle finance receivables to an SPE which, in turn, issued $306.0 million of debt under the U.S. Conduit Facility. There were no finance receivable transfers under the U.S. Conduit Facility during the first quarter of 2023.
The terms for this debt provide for interest on the outstanding principal based on prevailing commercial paper rates if funded by a conduit lender through the issuance of commercial paper. The interest rate on all borrowings, if not funded by a conduit lender through the issuance of commercial paper, is based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR), with provisions for a transition to other benchmark rates in the future, if necessary. In addition to interest, a program fee is assessed based on the outstanding debt principal balance. The U.S. Conduit Facility also provides for an unused commitment fee based on the unused portion of the total aggregate commitment. There is no amortization schedule; however, the debt is reduced monthly as available collections on the related finance receivables are applied to outstanding principal. Upon expiration of the U.S. Conduit Facility, any outstanding principal will continue to be reduced monthly through available collections. The expected remaining term of the related receivables held by the SPE is approximately 5 years. Unless earlier terminated or extended by mutual agreement of the Company and the lenders, as of March 31, 2024, the U.S. Conduit Facility had an expiration date of November 20, 2024.
Asset-Backed Securitization VIEs – For all of its asset-backed securitization transactions, the Company transfers U.S. retail motorcycle finance receivables to separate VIEs, which in turn issue secured notes with various maturities and interest rates to investors. All of the notes held by the VIEs are secured by future collections of the purchased U.S. retail motorcycle finance receivables. The U.S. retail motorcycle finance receivables included in the asset-backed securitization transactions are not available to pay other obligations or claims of the Company's creditors until the associated debt and other obligations are satisfied. Restricted cash balances held by the VIEs are used only to support the securitizations.
The accounting treatment for asset-backed securitizations depends on the terms of the related transaction and the Company’s continuing involvement with the VIE. The Company's current outstanding asset-backed securitizations do not meet the criteria to be accounted for as a sale because, in addition to retaining servicing rights, the Company retains a financial interest in the VIE in the form of a debt security. These transactions are treated as secured borrowings, and as such, the retail motorcycle finance receivables remain on the balance sheet with a corresponding obligation reflected as debt. There is no amortization schedule for the secured notes; however, the debt is reduced monthly as available collections on the related retail motorcycle finance receivables are applied to outstanding principal. The secured notes currently have various contractual maturities ranging from 2024 to 2031.
There were no on-balance sheet asset-backed securitization transactions during the first quarter of 2024. During the first quarter of 2023, the Company transferred $628.5 million of U.S. retail motorcycle finance receivables to an SPE which, in turn, issued $550.0 million, or $547.7 million net of discount and issuance costs, of secured notes through an on-balance sheet asset-backed securitization transaction.
Intercompany Agreements – On January 27, 2023, Harley-Davidson, Inc. entered into a revolving line of credit with Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. whereby Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. may borrow up to $200.0 million at market interest rates with an expiration date of July 27, 2024. Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. did not borrow on the line of credit during the first quarter of 2024 or 2023 and had no outstanding borrowings owed to Harley-Davidson, Inc. under this agreement as of March 31, 2024.
Harley Davidson, Inc. also has a support agreement with Harley-Davidson Financial Services Inc. whereby, if required, Harley-Davidson, Inc. agrees to provide Harley-Davidson Financial Services Inc. with financial support to maintain Harley-Davidson Financial Services Inc.’s fixed-charge coverage at 1.25 and minimum net worth of $40.0 million. Support may be provided at Harley-Davidson, Inc.'s option as capital contributions or loans. No amount has ever been provided to Harley-Davidson Financial Services Inc. under the support agreement.
On February 14, 2024, Harley-Davidson, Inc. entered into a Convertible Delayed Draw Term Loan Agreement (the “Convertible Term Loan”) with LiveWire Group, Inc. and a wholly-owned subsidiary of LiveWire Group, Inc. whereby LiveWire may obtain term loans in one or more advances up to an aggregate principal amount of $100.0 million. The outstanding principal under the Convertible Term Loan bears interest at a floating rate per annum, as calculated on the date of each advance and as of each June 1 and December 1 thereafter. The interest rate is calculated based on the sum of (i) the forward-
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looking term rate based on SOFR for a six-month interest period, plus (ii) 4.00%. The Convertible Term Loan does not include affirmative covenants impacting the operations of LiveWire. The Convertible Term Loan includes negative covenants restricting the ability of LiveWire to incur indebtedness, create liens, sell assets, make investments, make fundamental changes, make dividends or other restricted payments and enter into affiliate transactions. The Convertible Term Loan has a maturity date of the earlier of (i) 24 months from the date of the first draw on the loan or (ii) October 31, 2026. In the event that the Convertible Term Loan cannot be settled in cash by LiveWire at maturity, unless otherwise agreed between Harley-Davidson, Inc. and LiveWire, the Convertible Term Loan will be converted to equity of LiveWire Group, Inc. at a conversion price per share of LiveWire Group, Inc. common stock equal to 90% of the volume weighted average price per share of common stock for the 30 trading days immediately preceding the conversion date. As of March 31, 2024, there was no outstanding balance under the Convertible Term Loan.
Operating and Financial Covenants – Harley-Davidson Financial Services Inc. and the Company are subject to various operating and financial covenants related to the credit facilities and various operating covenants under the medium-term and senior notes and the U.S. and Canadian asset-backed commercial paper conduit facilities. The more significant covenants are described below.
The operating covenants limit the Company’s and Harley-Davidson Financial Services Inc’s ability to:
•Assume or incur certain liens;
•Participate in certain mergers or consolidations; and
•Purchase or hold margin stock.
Under the current financial covenants of the Global Credit Facilities, the ratio of Harley-Davidson Financial Services Inc.’s consolidated debt, excluding secured debt, to Harley-Davidson Financial Services' consolidated allowance for credit losses on finance receivables plus Harley-Davidson Financial Services Inc’s consolidated shareholders' equity, excluding accumulated other comprehensive loss (AOCL), cannot exceed 10.0 to 1.0 as of the end of any fiscal quarter. In addition, the ratio of the Company's consolidated debt to the Company's consolidated debt and consolidated shareholders’ equity (where the Company's consolidated debt in each case excludes that of Harley-Davidson Financial Services Inc. and its subsidiaries, and the Company's consolidated shareholders’ equity excludes AOCL), cannot exceed 0.7 to 1.0 as of the end of any fiscal quarter. No financial covenants are required under the medium-term or senior notes or the U.S. or Canadian asset-backed commercial paper conduit facilities.
As of March 31, 2024, Harley-Davidson Financial Services Inc. and the Company remained in compliance with all of the then existing covenants.
Cautionary Statements
Important factors that could affect future results and cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the Company’s ability to: (a) execute its business plans and strategies, including The Hardwire, each of the pillars, and the evolution of LiveWire as a standalone brand, which includes the risks noted below; (b) manage supply chain and logistics issues, including quality issues, unexpected interruptions or price increases caused by supplier volatility, raw material shortages, inflation, war or other hostilities, including the conflict in Ukraine and the Red Sea conflict, or natural disasters and longer shipping times and increased logistics costs; (c) accurately analyze, predict and react to changing market conditions and successfully adjust to shifting global consumer needs and interests; (d) maintain and enhance the value of the Harley-Davidson brand; (e) realize the expected business benefits from LiveWire operating as a separate public company, which may be affected by, among other things: (i) the ability of LiveWire to execute its plans to develop, produce, market and sell its electric vehicles; (ii) the demand for and consumer willingness to adopt two- and three-wheeled electric vehicles; and (iii) other risks and uncertainties indicated in documents filed with the SEC by the Company or LiveWire Group, Inc., including those risks and uncertainties noted in Risk Factors under Item 1.A of LiveWire Group Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023; (f) successfully access the capital and/or credit markets on terms that are acceptable to the Company and within its expectations; (g) successfully carry out its global manufacturing and assembly operations; (h) develop and introduce products, services and experiences on a timely basis that the market accepts, that enable the Company to generate desired sales levels and that provide the desired financial returns, including successfully implementing and executing plans to strengthen and grow its leadership position in Grand American Touring, large Cruiser and Trike, and grow its complementary businesses; (i) perform in a manner that enables the Company to benefit from market opportunities while competing against existing and new competitors; (j) manage the quality and regulatory non-compliance issues relating to the brake hose assemblies provided to the Company by Proterial Cable America, Inc. in a manner that avoids future quality or non-compliance issues and additional costs or recall expenses that are material; (k) manage through changes in general economic and business conditions, including changing capital, credit and retail markets, and the changing domestic and international political environments, including as a result of the conflict in Ukraine and the Red Sea conflict; (l) manage the impact that prices for and supply of used motorcycles may have on its business, including on retail sales of new motorcycles; (m) prevent, detect and remediate any issues with its motorcycles or
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any issues associated with the 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; (n) successfully manage and reduce costs throughout the business; (o) manage risks related to a resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic, emergence of a new pandemic, epidemic, disease outbreak or other public health crises, such as supply chain disruptions, its ability to carry out business as usual, and government actions and restrictive measures implemented in response; (p) continue to develop the capabilities of its distributors and dealers, effectively implement changes relating to its dealers and distribution methods, including the Company's dealer footprint, and manage the risks that its dealers may have difficulty obtaining capital and managing through changing economic conditions and consumer demand; (q) successfully appeal: (i) the revocation of the Binding Origin Information (BOI) decisions that allowed the Company to supply its European Union (EU) market with certain of its motorcycles produced at its Thailand operations at a reduced tariff rate and (ii) the denial of the Company’s application for temporary relief from the effect of the revocation of the BOI decisions; (r) continue to develop and maintain a productive relationship with Zhejiang Qianjiang Motorcycle Co., Ltd. and launch related products in a timely manner and that meet or exceed customers' expectations; (s) maintain a productive relationship with Hero MotoCorp as a distributor and licensee of the Harley-Davidson brand name in India; (t) manage and predict the impact that new, reinstated or adjusted tariffs may have on the Company’s ability to sell products internationally, and the cost of raw materials and components, including the temporary lifting of the incremental tariffs on motorcycles imported into the EU from the U.S., which was extended to March 31, 2025; (u) accurately predict the margins of its segments in light of, among other things, tariffs, inflation, foreign currency exchange rates, the cost associated with product development initiatives and the Company's complex global supply chain; (v) successfully maintain a manner in which to sell motorcycles in China and the Company's Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries that does not subject its motorcycles to incremental tariffs; (w) manage its Thailand corporate and manufacturing operation in a manner that allows the Company to avail itself of preferential free trade agreements and duty rates, and sufficiently lower prices of its motorcycles in certain markets; (x) retain and attract talented employees, and eliminate personnel duplication, inefficiencies and complexity throughout the organization; (y) accurately estimate and adjust to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices; (z) manage the credit quality, the loan servicing and collection activities, and the recovery rates of Harley-Davidson Financial Services' loan portfolio; (aa) prevent a ransomware attack or cybersecurity breach involving consumer, employee, dealer, supplier, or Company data and respond to evolving regulatory requirements regarding cybersecurity and data privacy; (bb) 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; (cc) manage through the effects inconsistent and unpredictable weather patterns may have on retail sales of motorcycles; (dd) implement and manage enterprise-wide information technology systems, including systems at its manufacturing facilities; (ee) manage changes, prepare for, and respond to evolving requirements in legislative and regulatory environments related to its products, services and operations, including increased environmental, safety, emissions or other regulations; (ff) manage its exposure to product liability claims and commercial or contractual disputes; (gg) continue to manage the relationships and agreements that the Company has with its labor unions to help drive long-term competitiveness; (hh) achieve anticipated results with respect to the Company's preowned motorcycle program, Harley-Davidson Certified, the Company's H-D1 Marketplace, and Apparel and Licensing; and (ii) optimize capital allocation in light of the Company's capital allocation priorities.
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 dealers to sell its motorcycles and related products and services to retail customers. The Company depends on the capability and financial capacity of its dealers 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 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.
HDFS' retail credit losses have normalized in recent quarters to higher levels after a period of historically low levels of credit losses. Further, the Company believes that HDFS's retail credit losses will continue to change over time due to changing consumer credit behavior, macroeconomic conditions including the impact of inflation and HDFS's efforts to increase prudently structured loan approvals to sub-prime borrowers. In addition, HDFS’s efforts to adjust underwriting criteria based on market and economic conditions and the actions that the Company has taken and could take that impact motorcycle values may impact HDFS's retail credit losses.
The Company's operations, demand for its products, and its liquidity could be adversely impacted by work stoppages, facility closures, strikes, natural causes, widespread infectious disease, terrorism, war or other hostilities, including the conflict in Ukraine and the Red Sea conflict, or other factors. Refer to Risk Factors under Item 1.A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 for a discussion of additional risk factors and a more complete discussion of some of the cautionary statements noted above.
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices and interest rates. To reduce such risks, the Company selectively uses derivative financial instruments. All hedging transactions are authorized and executed pursuant to regularly reviewed policies and procedures, which prohibit the use of financial instruments for speculative trading purposes. Sensitivity analysis is used to manage and monitor foreign currency exchange rate and interest rate risks. Further disclosure relating to the fair value of the Company's derivative financial instruments is included in Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated financial statements.
HDMC Segment
The Company sells its motorcycles and related products internationally and in most markets those sales are made in the foreign country’s local currency. As a result, the HDMC segment operating results are affected by fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to foreign currencies. The Company’s most significant foreign currency exchange rate risk resulting from the sale of motorcycles and related products relates to the Euro, Australian dollar, Japanese yen, Brazilian real, Canadian dollar, Mexican peso, Chinese yuan, Singapore dollar, Thai baht and Pound sterling. The Company utilizes foreign currency contracts to mitigate the effect of certain currencies' fluctuations on HDMC segment operating results. The foreign currency contracts are entered into with banks and allow the Company to exchange currencies at a future date, based on a fixed exchange rate. There have been no material changes to the foreign currency exchange rate market risk information included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
The Company purchases commodities for the use in the production of motorcycles. As a result, HDMC segment operating income is affected by changes in commodity prices. The Company uses derivative financial instruments on a limited basis to hedge the prices of certain commodities. There have been no material changes to the commodity market risk information included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
LiveWire Segment
LiveWire sells its electric motorcycles, electric balance bikes and related products internationally, and in most markets, those sales are made in the foreign country’s local currency. As a result, LiveWire’s operating results are affected by fluctuations in the values of the U.S. dollar relative to foreign currencies; however, the impact of such fluctuations on LiveWire’s operations to date have not been material given the majority of LiveWire’s sales are currently in the U.S. LiveWire plans to expand its business and operations internationally and expects its exposure to currency rate risk to increase as it grows its international presence.
HDFS Segment
The Company has interest rate-sensitive financial instruments including financial receivables, debt and interest rate derivative financial instruments. As a result, HDFS operating income is affected by changes in interest rates. The Company utilizes interest rate caps to reduce the impact of fluctuations in interest rates on its asset-backed securitization transactions. There have been no material changes to the interest rate market risk information included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
HDFS also has short-term commercial paper and debt issued through the commercial paper conduit facilities that is subject to changes in interest rates, which it does not hedge. There have been no material changes to the interest rate market risk information included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
The Company has foreign denominated medium-term notes, and as a result, HDFS operating income is affected by fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to foreign currencies and interest rates. At March 31, 2024, this exposure related to the Euro. The Company utilizes cross-currency swaps to mitigate the effect of the foreign currency exchange rate and interest rate fluctuations related to foreign denominated debt. There have been no material changes to the foreign currency exchange rate and interest rate market risk information included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Refer to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 for further information concerning the Company's market risk.
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Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures – In accordance with Rule 13a-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act), as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company’s management evaluated, with the participation of the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based upon their evaluation of these disclosure controls and procedures, the President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time period specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.
Changes in Internal Controls – There were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
The information required under this Item 1 of Part II is contained in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q in Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated financial statements, and such information is incorporated herein by reference in this Item 1 of Part II.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
An investment in Harley-Davidson, Inc. involves risks, including the risk factors discussed in Item 1A. Risk Factors of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, which have not materially changed except as set forth below. This risk factor has been updated to reflect the new expiration date of the current collective bargaining agreement with hourly employees in Wisconsin.
•The Company's motorcycle operations are dependent upon unionized labor. A substantial portion of the hourly production employees working in the Company's motorcycle operations are represented by unions and covered by collective bargaining agreements. The Company is currently a party to three collective bargaining agreements with local affiliates of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and the United Steelworkers of America. The current collective bargaining agreement with hourly employees in Pennsylvania will expire on October 15, 2027 and the agreements with employees in Wisconsin will expire on March 31, 2029. There is no certainty that the Company will be successful in negotiating new agreements with these unions that extend beyond the current expiration dates or that these new agreements will be on terms that will allow the Company to be competitive. The Company's decisions regarding opening, closing, expanding, contracting or restructuring its facilities may require changes to existing or new bargaining agreements. Failure to renew agreements when they expire or to establish new collective bargaining agreements on terms acceptable to the Company and the unions could result in the relocation of production facilities, work stoppages or other labor disruptions, which may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations.
The Company disclaims any obligation to update these risk factors or any other forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation, and specifically disclaims any such obligation, to update these risk factors or any other forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or other factors affecting such forward-looking statements.
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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
The Company's share repurchases, which consisted of shares repurchased on a discretionary basis and shares of common stock that employees surrendered to satisfy withholding taxes in connection with the vesting of restricted stock units and performance shares, were as follows during the quarter ended March 31, 2024:
| 2024 Fiscal Month | Total Number of Shares Purchased | Average Price Paid per Share | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| January 1 to January 31 | 2,290 | $ | 35 | 2,290 | 9,683,221 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| February 1 to February 29 | 1,288,095 | $ | 37 | 1,288,095 | 8,653,111 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| March 1 to March 31 | 1,500,342 | $ | 40 | 1,500,342 | 7,155,043 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,790,727 | $ | 39 | 2,790,727 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
In August 2023, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to 10.0 million shares of its common stock on a discretionary basis with no dollar limit or expiration date. The Company repurchased 2.5 million shares on a discretionary basis during the quarter ended March 31, 2024 under this authorization. As of March 31, 2024, 7.2 million shares remained under this authorization.
Under the share repurchase authorization, the Company’s common stock may be purchased through any one or more of a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan and discretionary purchases on the open market, block trades, accelerated share repurchases or privately negotiated transactions. The repurchase authority has no expiration date but may be suspended, modified or discontinued at any time.
The Company maintains a capital allocation policy to (i) fund The Hardwire strategic initiatives, including the associated capital expenditures, (ii) pay dividends and (iii) exercise discretionary share repurchases. This policy is designed to support the investment required to enhance the long-term value of the Company and to return any excess cash to shareholders.
The amount of capital to be allocated to share repurchases is approved periodically by the Company’s Board of Directors, taking into account the Company’s expected cash flow over time. The specific number of shares repurchased, if any, and the timing of repurchases are determined by Company management from time to time and will depend on a number of factors, including share price, trading volume, and general market conditions, as well as on working capital requirements, general business conditions, and other factors.
The Harley-Davidson, Inc. 2020 Incentive Stock Plan and the 2022 Aspirational Incentive Stock Plan (Incentive Plans) and predecessor stock plans permit participants to satisfy all or a portion of the statutory federal, state, and local withholding tax obligations arising in connection with plan awards by electing to (a) have the Company withhold shares otherwise issuable under the award, (b) tender back shares received in connection with such award, or (c) deliver other previously owned shares, in each case having a value equal to the amount to be withheld. During the first quarter of 2024, the Company acquired 262,549 shares of common stock that employees presented to the Company to satisfy withholding taxes in connection with the vesting of restricted stock units and performance shares.
Item 5. Other Information
During the three months ended March 31, 2024, no director or Section 16 officer of the Company adopted terminated
Item 6. Exhibits
Refer to the exhibit index immediately following this page.
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Harley-Davidson, Inc.
Exhibit Index to Form 10-Q
| Exhibit No. | Description | |||||||
Third Amended and Restated 5-Year Credit Agreement, dated as of April 12, 2024, among the Company, certain subsidiaries of the Company, the financial institutions parties thereto, and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as, among other things, global administrative agent, relating to the Second Amended and Restated 5-Year Credit Agreement, dated April 7, 2022, among the Company, certain subsidiaries of the Company, the financial institutions parties thereto and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as among other things, global administrating agent | ||||||||
Third Amended and Restated 7-Year Credit Agreement, dated as of April 12, 2024, among the Company, certain subsidiaries of the Company, the financial institutions parties thereto, and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as, among other things, global administrative agent, relating to the Second Amended and Restated 7-Year Credit Agreement, dated April 7, 2022, among the Company, certain subsidiaries of the Company, the financial institutions parties thereto and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as among other things, global administrating agent | ||||||||
| Chief Executive Officer Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) | ||||||||
| Chief Financial Officer Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) | ||||||||
| Written Statement of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350 | ||||||||
| 101.INS | XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document | |||||||
| 101.SCH | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | |||||||
| 101.CAL | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | |||||||
| 101.DEF | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | |||||||
| 101.LAB | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document | |||||||
| 101.PRE | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | |||||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File - formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101 | |||||||
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| HARLEY-DAVIDSON, INC. | |||||
| Date: May 6, 2024 | /s/ Jonathan R. Root | ||||
| Jonathan R. Root | |||||
| Chief Financial Officer | |||||
| (Principal financial officer) | |||||
| Date: May 6, 2024 | /s/ Mark R. Kornetzke | ||||
| Mark R. Kornetzke | |||||
| Chief Accounting Officer | |||||
| (Principal accounting officer) | |||||
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