EX-99 3 sdc614a.htm PRESS RELEASE
   
Financial Contact:
Media Contact:
Patrick Davidson  (414) 343-8002
Kathleen Lawler   (414) 343-4587

HARLEY-DAVIDSON REPORTS RECORD FOURTH QUARTER
AND 18th CONSECUTIVE RECORD YEAR
Company sets goal of 400,000 motorcycles for 2007

        Milwaukee, Wis., January 21, 2004 — Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE: HDI) today announced record revenue and earnings for its fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2003. Revenue for the quarter was $1.16 billion compared with $1.03 billion in the year-ago quarter, a 12.8 percent increase. Net income for the quarter was $182.4 million compared to $150.9 million, an increase of 20.9 percent over the year ago quarter. Fourth quarter diluted earnings per share (EPS) was 60 cents, a 22.4 percent increase compared with last year’s 49 cents.

        Revenue for the full year was $4.62 billion, compared with $4.09 billion in 2002, a 13.0 percent increase. Net income for the year was $760.9 million, a 31.1 percent increase versus last year’s $580.2 million, while diluted EPS for the full year was $2.50, a 31.6 percent increase compared with $1.90 in 2002.

        “This is the 18th consecutive year that Harley-Davidson has achieved records for both revenue and net income,” said Jeffrey L. Bleustein, chairman and chief executive officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc. “We had a phenomenal year full of memorable once-in-a-lifetime experiences surrounding our 100th Anniversary. Introducing the Harley-Davidson brand to hundreds of thousands of potential customers has undoubtedly sparked the dream of ownership and created new excitement for our products.”

        “As we begin our 101st year, we expect to grow the business further with our proven ability to deliver a continuous stream of exciting new motorcycles, related products and services. We have set a new goal for the Company to be able to satisfy a yearly demand of 400,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles in 2007. By offering innovative products and services, and by driving productivity gains in all facets of our business, we are confident that we can deliver an earnings growth rate in the mid-teens for the foreseeable future,” said Bleustein.

Motorcycles and Related Products Segment – Fourth Quarter Results

        Revenue from Harley-Davidson® motorcycles was $945.3 million, an increase of $125.0 million or 15.2 percent over the same period last year. Shipments of Harley-Davidson motorcycles totaled 77,056 units, an increase of 11,086 units or 16.8 percent over last year’s fourth quarter. The Company’s shipment target remains 317,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles for 2004.


Harley-Davidson, Inc. – 4th Quarter 2003 Press Release Text – page 1


        Revenue from Parts and Accessories (P&A), which consists of Genuine Motor Parts and Genuine Motor Accessories, totaled $141.0 million, an increase of $11.1 million, or 8.5 percent over the year-ago quarter. Revenue from General Merchandise, which consists of MotorClothes™ apparel and collectibles, totaled $50.7 million, a decrease of $4.1 million or 7.4 percent. Excluding revenue from 100th Anniversary products in 2002‘s fourth quarter, the P&A growth rate would have been 20.3 percent over last year’s fourth quarter and the General Merchandise growth rate would have been 20.0 percent over the same period.

        Gross margin was 35.9 percent of revenue, down slightly from the prior year’s 36.1 percent. Gross margin was negatively impacted by a higher proportion of Sportster® motorcycle shipments and higher manufacturing costs, but partially offset by favorable foreign currency exchange. Fourth quarter operating margin improved to 21.5 percent in 2003 from 20.7 percent in 2002.

Motorcycle Retail Sales Data

        Retail sales of Harley-Davidson® motorcycles for the year 2003 grew 8.8 percent in the U.S., 6.7 percent in Europe, and 9.0 percent in Japan compared to 2002. Based on the information currently available, Harley-Davidson’s full year market share for the 651cc and up segment is expected to grow in all of the Company’s major markets. “Given the economic climate during the past year, we are pleased with our retail growth,” said Bleustein.

        “Although our U.S. dealer network experienced a modest decline in motorcycle sales in the fourth quarter as compared to last year’s fourth quarter, we believe it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from this comparison. The urgency to buy a 100th Anniversary motorcycle prior to the celebrations, along with an unusually late shipment plan for ‘04 motorcycles, created two very different selling environments. We are confident that 2004 will be another strong year for Harley-Davidson due to current dealer confidence, momentum from the 100th Anniversary and improving economic indicators,” Bleustein added.

        For more motorcycle retail data, see the attached tables.

Financial Services Segment

        Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. (HDFS), a subsidiary of Harley-Davidson, Inc., reported fourth quarter operating income of $33.8 million, up $8.5 million or 33.4 percent compared to the year-ago quarter.

        “Harley-Davidson Financial Services had another strong quarter in both financial performance and in helping to make the dream of owning a Harley-Davidson motorcycle a reality,” said Bleustein. The segment’s performance was driven by continued strong marketplace acceptance of its finance and insurance products.

        The Company’s fourth quarter securitization of $300 million of motorcycle retail loans resulted in a gain of $11.4 million, which represents 3.8 percent of loans sold.

        Annualized credit losses on a managed portfolio basis increased during the year from 0.72 percent in 2002 to 0.85 percent in 2003, which is within the 5-year historical range of credit losses of 0.72 to 0.90 percent.

Tax Rate

        During the quarter, the Company’s tax rate was 35.5 percent, up from 34.5 percent in the first nine months of the year. The Company expects to maintain a rate of 35.5 percent throughout 2004.


Harley-Davidson, Inc. – 4th Quarter 2003 Press Release Text – page 2


Share Repurchase

        During the fourth quarter, the Company invested $73.3 million in repurchasing 1.6 million shares of its stock.

Harley-Davidson, Inc. — Twelve Month Results

        For the fiscal year ended 2003, total Harley-Davidson motorcycle shipments were 291,147 units compared with 263,653 units in 2002, a 10.4 percent increase. Harley-Davidson motorcycle revenue was $3.62 billion, an increase of $460.4 million or 14.6 percent.

        P&A revenue totaled $712.8 million, a 13.3 percent increase, while General Merchandise revenue totaled $211.4 million, an 8.7 percent decrease compared with 2002. Excluding revenue from 100th Anniversary products for both 2002 and 2003, the P&A growth rate would have been 14.4 percent and the General Merchandise growth rate would have been 12.7 percent.

        Full year operating income for HDFS was $167.9 million, an increase of $63.6 million or 61.1 percent compared to 2002.

Cash Flow – Twelve Month Results

        Operations generated cash of $935.6 million in 2003, even after a $192.0 million contribution to the Company’s pension plans. This cash provided the Company the ability to invest $227.2 million in capital expenditures, to repurchase 2.3 million shares of Company stock for $103.9 million, to pay $59.0 million in dividends and to increase cash and marketable securities by $526.9 million.

2004 and Beyond

        In addition to the previously stated motorcycle unit goal, the Company plans on growth in all of its product lines. Harley-Davidson expects the growth rate for P&A revenues to be slightly higher than the motorcycle unit growth rate, and the General Merchandise growth rate is expected to be lower than the motorcycle unit growth rate. The Company expects the HDFS growth rate to be slightly higher than the Company’s motorcycle unit growth rate.

Company Description

        Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company for the group of companies doing business as Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Buell Motorcycle Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. Harley-Davidson Motor Company, the only major U.S.-based motorcycle manufacturer, produces heavyweight motorcycles and offers a complete line of motorcycle parts, accessories, apparel, and general merchandise. Buell Motorcycle Company produces sport and sport-touring motorcycles. Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. provides wholesale and retail financing and insurance programs to Harley-Davidson dealers and customers.


Harley-Davidson, Inc. – 4th Quarter 2003 Press Release Text – page 3


Forward-Looking Statements

        The Company intends that certain matters discussed in this release are “forward-looking statements” intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified as such because the context of the statement will include words such as the Company “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects” or “estimates” or words of similar meaning. Similarly, statements that describe future plans, objectives, outlooks, targets or goals are also forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated as of the date of this release. Certain of such risks and uncertainties are described below. Shareholders, potential investors, and other readers are urged to consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements and cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this release are only made as of the date of this release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

        The Company’s ability to meet the targets and expectations noted depends upon, among other factors, the Company’s ability to (i) continue to realize production efficiencies at its production facilities through the implementation of innovative manufacturing techniques and other means, (ii) successfully implement production capacity increases in its facilities, (iii) successfully introduce new products and services, (iv) avoid unexpected P&A /general merchandise supplier backorders, (v) sell all of the motorcycles it has the capacity to produce, (vi) continue to develop the capacity of its distributor and dealer network, (vii) avoid unexpected changes in the regulatory environment for its products, (viii) successfully adjust to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, (ix) successfully adjust to interest rate fluctuations, and (x) successfully manage changes in the credit quality of HDFS’s loan portfolio.

        In addition, the Company could experience delays in the operation of manufacturing facilities as a result of work stoppages, difficulty with suppliers, natural causes or other factors. Risk factors are also disclosed in documents previously filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

TABLES FOLLOW


Harley-Davidson, Inc. – 4th Quarter 2003 Press Release Text – page 4


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

(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended

Twelve Months Ended
Dec. 31,
2003

Dec. 31,
2002

Dec. 31,
2003

Dec. 31,
2002

Net revenue     $ 1,158,070   $ 1,026,532   $ 4,624,274   $ 4,090,970  
Gross profit    416,026    370,626    1,665,566    1,417,841  
Operating expenses    167,488    157,768    668,677    626,720  




  Operating income from
    motorcycles & related products
    248,538    212,858    996,889    791,121  

Financial services income
    62,743    53,991    279,458    211,500  
Financial services operating expense    28,906    28,634    111,585    107,273  




  Operating income from financial services    33,837    25,357    167,873    104,227  

Corporate expenses
    3,475    3,027    15,498    12,646  




Total operating income    278,900    235,188    1,149,264    882,702  
Interest income, net    5,103    4,986    23,088    16,541  
Other income (expense), net    (1,167 )  (9,852 )  (6,317 )  (13,416 )




Income before provision for taxes    282,836    230,322    1,166,035    885,827  
Provision for income taxes    100,406    79,461    405,107    305,610  




Net income   $ 182,430   $ 150,861   $ 760,928   $ 580,217  





Earnings per common share:
  
  Basic   $ 0.60   $ 0.50   $ 2.52   $ 1.92  
  Diluted   $ 0.60   $ 0.49   $ 2.50   $ 1.90  

Weighted-average common shares:
  
  Basic    302,244    302,395    302,271    302,297  
  Diluted    304,404    305,037    304,470    305,158  

Harley-Davidson, Inc. – 4th Quarter 2003 Press Release Financial Tables – page 1


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

Dec. 31,
2003

Dec 31,
2002

ASSETS            
   Current assets:  
     Cash and cash equivalents   $ 812,449   $ 280,928  
     Marketable securities    510,211    514,800  
     Accounts receivable, net    112,406    108,694  
     Finance receivables, net    1,001,990    855,771  
     Inventories    207,726    218,156  
     Other current assets    84,345    88,237  


   Total current assets    2,729,127    2,066,586  
     Finance receivables, net    735,859    589,809  
     Other long-term assets    1,458,102    1,204,822  


Total assets   $ 4,923,088   $ 3,861,217  



LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
  
   Current liabilities:  
     Accounts payable & accrued expenses   $ 631,468   $ 607,473  
     Current portion of finance debt    324,305    382,579  


   Total current liabilities    955,773    990,052  
   Finance debt    670,000    380,000  
   Other long-term liabilities    212,179    152,831  
   Postretirement health care benefits    127,444    105,419  
   Shareholders' equity    2,957,692    2,232,915  



Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
   $ 4,923,088   $ 3,861,217  



Harley-Davidson, Inc. – 4th Quarter 2003 Press Release Financial Tables – page 2


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

Dec. 31,
2003

Dec 31,
2002

Cash flows from operating activities:            
   Net income   $ 760,928   $ 580,217  
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net  
     cash provided by operating activities:  
       Depreciation    196,918    175,778  
       Non cash expenses    96,579    70,348  
       Deferred taxes    42,105    38,560  
       Current year gain on securitizations    (82,221 )  (56,139 )
       Collection of retained securitization interests    118,113    89,970  
       Contributions to the pension plans    (192,000 )  (153,636 )
       Other operating cash flows    13,775    14,452  
       Net changes in current assets and current liabilities    (18,644 )  16,089  


Net cash provided by operating activities    935,553    775,639  

Cash flows from investing activities:
  
   Capital expenditures    (227,230 )  (323,866 )
   Finance receivables, net    (268,224 )  (394,861 )
   Net decrease (increase) in marketable securities    1,102    (318,171 )
   Other, net    9,690    22,813  


Net cash used in investing activities    (484,662 )  (1,014,085 )

Cash flows from financing activities:
  
   Net increase in finance debt    224,118    165,528  
   Dividends paid    (58,986 )  (41,457 )
   Purchase of common stock for treasury    (103,880 )  (56,814 )
   Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans    19,378    12,679  


Net cash used in financing activities    80,630    79,936  

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
    531,521    (158,510 )

Cash and cash equivalents:
  
   At beginning of period    280,928    439,438  


   At end of period   $ 812,449   $ 280,928  



Harley-Davidson, Inc. – 4th Quarter 2003 Press Release Financial Tables – page 3


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

Three Months Ended
Twelve Months Ended
Dec. 31,
2003

Dec. 31,
2002

Dec. 31,
2003

Dec. 31,
2002

NET REVENUE (in thousands)                    
Harley-Davidson(R)motorcycles   $ 945,292   $ 820,287   $ 3,621,488   $ 3,161,046  
Buell(R)motorcycles    20,079    21,523    76,064    66,949  
Parts & Accessories    141,020    129,929    712,829    629,202  
General Merchandise    50,730    54,788    211,388    231,503  
Other    949    5    2,505    2,270  




Total net sales   $ 1,158,070   $ 1,026,532   $ 4,624,274   $ 4,090,970  





HARLEY-DAVIDSON UNITS
  
Motorcycle shipments:  
  United States    63,944    54,235    237,656    212,833  
  Export    13,112    11,735    53,491    50,820  




Total    77,056    65,970    291,147    263,653  





Motorcycle product mix:
  
  Touring    22,106    17,911    82,577    70,713  
  Custom    34,954    30,753    135,954    123,761  
  VRSC    3,192    4,760    15,451    18,008  
  Sportster(R)    16,804    12,546    57,165    51,171  




Total    77,056    65,970    291,147    263,653  





BUELL UNITS
  
Motorcycle shipments:  
  Buell (excluding Blast)    2,231    2,519    8,784    6,887  
  Buell Blast    379    612    1,190    4,056  




     2,610    3,131    9,974    10,943  





Harley-Davidson, Inc. – 4th Quarter 2003 Press Release Financial Tables – page 4


Year-to-date Heavyweight (651+ cc)
Motorcycle Retail Registrations (Units),
data through month indicated.

2003
2002
% change
United States                
- H-D (December)    228,393    209,944    8.8 %
- Industry (December)    461,154    442,326    4.3 %

Europe
  
- H-D * (December)    25,966    24,339    6.7 %
- Industry (November)    286,192    296,667   -3.5 %

Japan
  
- H-D (December)    11,802    10,902    8.3 %
- Industry (December)    44,322    47,857   -7.4 %

Only Harley-Davidson(R)motorcycles are included in the Harley-Davidson (H-D) data.

H-D * Includes Harley-Davidson sales in all European countries.
Industry data for Europe includes sales only in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy,
Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

Data Sources: (Data subject to update)
United States: Motorcycle Industry Council,
Europe: Company reports, Giral S.A.
Japan: Company reports, Industry sources


Harley-Davidson, Inc. – 4th Quarter 2003 Press Release Financial Tables – page 5