UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ý | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended: December 31, 2016
¨ | 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
Harley-Davidson, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Wisconsin | 39-1382325 | |
(State of organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
3700 West Juneau Avenue Milwaukee, Wisconsin | 53208 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip code) | |
Registrants telephone number: (414) 342-4680
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Name of each exchange on which registered | |
COMMON STOCK, $.01 PAR VALUE PER SHARE | NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE | |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: NONE
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ý No ¨
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨ No ý
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 and (2) has been subject to such requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files). Yes ý No ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ý
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (check one).
Large accelerated filer | ý | Accelerated filer | ¨ | |||
Non-accelerated filer | ¨ | Smaller reporting company | ¨ | |||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company, as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Yes ¨ No ý
Aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant at June 26, 2016: $7,779,258,895
Number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding at January 27, 2017: 176,343,189 shares
Documents Incorporated by Reference
Part III of this report incorporates information by reference from registrant’s Proxy Statement for the annual meeting of its shareholders to be held on April 29, 2017.
Harley-Davidson, Inc.
Form 10-K
For The Year Ended December 31, 2016
Page | ||
Part I | ||
Item 1. | ||
Item 1A. | ||
Item 1B. | ||
Item 2. | ||
Item 3. | ||
Item 4. | ||
Part II | ||
Item 5. | ||
Item 6. | ||
Item 7. | ||
Item 7A. | ||
Item 8. | ||
Item 9. | ||
Item 9A. | ||
Part III | ||
Item 10. | ||
Item 11. | ||
Item 12. | ||
Item 13. | ||
Item 14. | ||
Part IV | ||
Item 15. | ||
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PART I
Note regarding forward-looking statements(1)
The Company intends that certain matters discussed by the Company 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 statement will include words such as the Company “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “estimates,” or words of similar meaning. Similarly, statements that describe future plans, objectives, outlooks, targets, guidance or goals are also forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated as of the date of this report. Certain of such risks and uncertainties are described in close proximity to such statements or elsewhere in this report, including under the caption “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this report and under “Cautionary Statements” in Item 7 of this report. 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 the Overview and Outlook section of Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations are only made as of January 31, 2017 and the remaining forward-looking statements in this report are made as of the date indicated or, if a date is not indicated, as of the date of the filing of this report (February 21, 2017), and the Company disclaims any obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
Item 1. Business
General
Harley-Davidson Motor Company was founded in 1903. Harley-Davidson, Inc. was incorporated in 1981, at which time it purchased the Harley-Davidson® motorcycle business from AMF Incorporated in a management buyout. In 1986, Harley-Davidson, Inc. became publicly held. Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to the “Company” include Harley-Davidson, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries. Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company for the groups of companies doing business as Harley-Davidson Motor Company (HDMC) and Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS).
Segments
The Company operates in two reportable segments: the Motorcycles & Related Products (Motorcycles) segment and the Financial Services segment. While the two segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services and are managed separately based on the fundamental differences in their operations, the two segments work closely together as described below.
The Motorcycles segment consists of HDMC which designs, manufactures and sells at wholesale on-road Harley-Davidson motorcycles as well as motorcycle parts, accessories, general merchandise and related services. The Company’s products are sold to retail customers through a network of independent dealers. The Company conducts business on a global basis, with sales in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA) and the Asia Pacific region.
The Financial Services segment consists of HDFS which provides wholesale and retail financing and insurance and insurance-related programs primarily to Harley-Davidson dealers and their retail customers. HDFS conducts business principally in the United States and Canada.
See Note 19 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for financial information related to the Company’s reportable segments and revenue by geographic area.
Motorcycles and Related Products Segment
The primary business of the Motorcycles segment is to design, manufacture and sell at wholesale on-road Harley-Davidson motorcycles as well as motorcycle parts, accessories, general merchandise and other related products and services.
The following table includes the percent of total revenue by product line for the Motorcycles and Related Products segment:
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2016 | 2015 | 2014 | |||||||
Motorcycles | 78.2 | % | 77.8 | % | 78.8 | % | |||
Parts & Accessories | 16.0 | % | 16.2 | % | 15.7 | % | |||
General Merchandise | 5.4 | % | 5.5 | % | 5.1 | % | |||
Other | 0.4 | % | 0.5 | % | 0.4 | % | |||
100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||||
Motorcycles - The Company manufactures and sells at wholesale cruiser and touring motorcycles that feature classic styling, innovative design, distinctive sound, and superior quality with the ability to customize. Harley-Davidson motorcycles generally have engines with displacements that are greater than 601cc's, up to a maximum displacement of 1868cc's.
The Company's motorcycles compete in the cruiser and touring categories of the market which were pioneered by the Company. The total on-road motorcycle market is comprised of the following categories:
• | Cruiser (emphasizes styling and owner customization); |
• | Touring (emphasizes rider comfort and load capacity and incorporates features such as fairings and luggage compartments); |
• | Standard (a basic motorcycle which usually features upright seating for one or two passengers); |
• | Sportbike (incorporates racing technology, aerodynamic styling, low handlebars with a “sport” riding position and high performance tires); and |
• | Dual (designed with the capability for use on public roads as well as for some off-highway recreational use). |
Competition in the motorcycle markets in which the Company competes is based upon a number of factors, including product capabilities and features, styling, price, quality, reliability, warranty, availability of financing, and quality of dealer network. The Company believes its motorcycles continue to generally command a premium price at retail relative to competitors’ motorcycles. The Company emphasizes remarkable styling, customization, innovation, sound, quality, and reliability in its products and generally offers a two-year warranty for its motorcycles. The Company considers the availability of a line of motorcycle parts and accessories and general merchandise, the availability of financing through HDFS and its global network of premium dealers to be competitive advantages.
In 2016, the U.S. and European markets accounted for approximately 77% of the total annual independent dealer retail sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The most significant other markets for the Company, based on the Company's 2016 retail sales data, are Australia, Japan and Canada.
Harley-Davidson has been the historical market share leader in the U.S. 601+cc portion of the motorcycle market. According to the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC), the cruiser and touring categories accounted for approximately 75% of total 2016 601+cc retail unit registrations in the U.S. During 2016, the 601+cc portion of the market represented approximately 84% of the total U.S. motorcycle market in terms of new units registered.
The following chart includes U.S. retail registration data for 601+cc motorcycles for the years 2014 through 2016:
U.S. Motorcycle Registration Data(a)(b)
601+cc (Units in thousands)
2016 | 2015 | 2014 | |||||||
Total new motorcycle registrations | 311.7 | 328.8 | 313.6 | ||||||
Harley-Davidson new registrations | 159.5 | 165.1 | 167.1 | ||||||
51.2 | % | 50.2 | % | 53.3 | % | ||||
(a) | Data includes on-road 601+cc models. On-road 601+cc models include dual purpose models, three-wheeled vehicles and autocycles. Registration data for Harley-Davidson Street® 500 motorcycles is not included in this table. |
(b) | U.S. industry data is derived from information provided by the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC). This third party data is subject to revision and update. The retail registration data for Harley-Davidson motorcycles presented in this table will differ from the Harley-Davidson retail sales data presented in Item 7 of this report. The Company’s source for retail sales data in Item 7 of this report is sales and warranty registrations provided by Harley-Davidson dealers as compiled by the Company. The retail sales data in Item 7 includes sales of Street 500 motorcycles which are excluded from the 601+cc units included in the retail registration data in this table. In addition, small differences may arise related to the timing of data submissions to the independent sources. |
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The European 601+cc motorcycle market is slightly larger than the U.S. market and customer preferences differ from those of U.S. customers. The touring and cruiser category represented approximately 53% of the European 601+cc market in 2016 compared to approximately 75% of the 601+ cc market in the U.S.
The following chart includes European retail registration data for 601+cc motorcycles for the years 2014 through 2016:
European Motorcycle Registration Data(a)(b)
601+cc (Units in thousands)
2016 | 2015 | 2014 | |||||||
Total new motorcycle registrations | 391.9 | 351.8 | 319.8 | ||||||
Harley-Davidson new registrations | 42.3 | 37.0 | 38.5 | ||||||
10.8 | % | 10.5 | % | 12.0 | % | ||||
(a) | On-road 601+cc models include dual purpose models, three-wheeled vehicles and, beginning in 2015, autocycles. Registration data for Harley-Davidson Street® 500 motorcycles is not included in this table. |
(b) | Europe data includes retail sales in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Industry retail motorcycle registration data is derived from information provided by the Association des Constructeurs Europeens de Motocycles (ACEM), an independent agency. This third party data is subject to revision and update. The retail registration data for Harley-Davidson motorcycles presented in this table will differ from the Harley-Davidson retail sales data presented in Item 7 of this report. The Company’s source for retail sales data in Item 7 of this report is sales and warranty registrations provided by Harley-Davidson dealers as compiled by the Company. The retail sales data in Item 7 includes sales of Street 500 motorcycles which are excluded from the 601+cc units included in the retail registration data in this table. In addition, some differences may arise related to the timing of data submissions to the independent sources. |
Parts and Accessories (P&A) and General Merchandise – The Company offers a complete line of Harley-Davidson P&A and General Merchandise. P&A products are comprised of replacement parts (Genuine Motor Parts) and mechanical and cosmetic accessories (Genuine Motor Accessories). General Merchandise includes MotorClothes® apparel and riding gear.
Licensing – The Company creates an awareness of the Harley-Davidson brand among its customers and the non-riding public through a wide range of products for enthusiasts by licensing the name “Harley-Davidson” and other trademarks owned by the Company. Royalty revenues from licensing, included in Motorcycles revenue, were $38.1 million, $46.5 million and $47.1 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Other Products and Services – The Company provides a variety of services to its independent dealers including motorcycle service and business management training programs and customized dealer software packages.
Patents and Trademarks – The Company strategically manages its portfolio of patents, trade secrets, copyrights, trademarks and other intellectual property.
The Company and its subsidiaries own, and continue to obtain, patent rights that relate to its motorcycles and related products and processes for their production. Certain technology-related intellectual property is also protected, where appropriate, by license agreements, confidentiality agreements or other agreements with suppliers, employees and other third parties. The Company diligently protects its intellectual property, including patents and trade secrets, and its rights to innovative and proprietary technology and designs. This protection, including enforcement, is important as the Company moves forward with investments in new products, designs and technologies. While the Company believes patents are important to its business operations and in the aggregate constitute a valuable asset, the success of the business is not dependent on any one patent or group of patents. The Company’s active patent portfolio has an average age for patents of approximately seven and a half years. A patent review committee manages the patent strategy and portfolio of the Company.
Trademarks are important to the Company’s motorcycle business and licensing activities. The Company has a vigorous worldwide program of trademark registration and enforcement to maintain and strengthen the value of the trademarks and prevent the unauthorized use of those trademarks. The HARLEY-DAVIDSON trademark and the Bar and Shield trademark are each highly recognizable to the public and are very valuable assets. Additionally, the Company uses numerous other trademarks, trade names and logos which are registered worldwide. The following are among the Company’s trademarks: HARLEY-DAVIDSON, H-D, HARLEY, the Bar & Shield Logo, MOTORCLOTHES, the MotorClothes Logo, HARLEY OWNERS GROUP, H.O.G., the H.O.G. Logo, SOFTAIL, SPORTSTER and V-ROD. The HARLEY-DAVIDSON trademark has been used since 1903 and the Bar and Shield trademark since at least 1910. Substantially all of the Company’s trademarks
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are owned by H-D U.S.A., LLC, a subsidiary of the Company, which also manages the Company’s trademark strategy and portfolio.
Customers – Harley-Davidson appeals to a diverse range of customers across multiple demographics both in the U.S. and worldwide.
U.S. retail purchasers of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles include both core and outreach customers. The Company defines its U.S. core customers as Caucasian men over the age of 35 and its U.S. outreach customers as women (Caucasian, age 35+), young adults (ages 18-34), African-American adults (age 35+), and Latino adults (age 35+). In 2015 (which is the most recent data available), for the eighth straight year the Company was the market share leader in U.S. new motorcycle registrations (all cc's) within its core-customer segment and in each outreach customer segment. (Based on the Company's analysis of Polk new motorcycle registration data from IHS Automotive.)
Outside the U.S., the Company's definition of core and outreach customers varies depending on the profile of its customers in each market. In general, the Company defines it core customers outside the U.S. as men over the age of 35 and its outreach customers outside the U.S. as women and young adults.
Marketing and Customer Experiences – The Company’s products are marketed to retail customers worldwide primarily through digital and experiential activities as well as through more traditional promotional and advertising activities. Additionally, the Company's independent dealers engage in a wide range of local marketing and experiential activities supported by cooperative programs with the Company.
Customer experiences have traditionally been at the center of much of the Company’s marketing. To attract customers and achieve its goals, the Company participates in motorcycle rallies around the world and also in major motorcycle consumer shows, racing activities, music festivals, mixed martial arts activities and other special promotional events.
The Company's Harley-Davidson® Riding Academy offers a series of rider education experiences that provide both new and experienced riders with deeper engagement in the sport of motorcycling by teaching basic and advanced motorcycling skills and knowledge. Since its inception, the program has trained more than 510,000 riders. The courses are conducted by a network of participating Harley-Davidson dealerships in the U.S., Canada, China, Mexico and Brazil, enabling students to experience the Harley-Davidson lifestyle, environment, people and products as they learn.
One of the ways the Company promotes its Harley-Davidson products and the related lifestyle is through the Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.®), which has approximately 1 million members worldwide and is the industry’s largest company-sponsored motorcycle enthusiast organization. H.O.G.® also sponsors many motorcycle events, including rallies and rides for Harley-Davidson motorcycle enthusiasts throughout the world.
The Harley-Davidson Authorized Tours program allows motorcyclists/enthusiasts to experience riding opportunities worldwide. Riders can also rent Harley-Davidson motorcycles worldwide from participating dealers through the Company’s Authorized Rentals Program.
The Company operates the Harley-Davidson Museum (Museum) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Museum is a unique destination that the Company believes builds and strengthens bonds between riders and Harley-Davidson and enhances the Harley-Davidson brand among the public at large.
Distribution – The Company’s products are retailed through a network of independent dealers, of which the majority sell Harley-Davidson motorcycles exclusively. These dealerships stock and sell the Company’s motorcycles, P&A, general merchandise and licensed products, and perform service on Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The Company believes the quality retail experience that its independent dealers provide is a differentiating and strategic advantage for the Company.
P&A, general merchandise and licensed products are also retailed through eCommerce channels in certain markets. In the U.S., the eCommerce model is facilitated by the Company through participating authorized U.S. Harley-Davidson dealers. In China and India, the eCommerce sites are operated by third-parties.
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The Company distributes its motorcycles and related products to a network of independent dealers located in 97 countries worldwide. The following table includes the number of worldwide Harley-Davidson independent dealerships by geographic location as of December 31, 2016:
United States | Canada | Latin America | EMEA | Asia Pacific | Total | |||||||||||||
Dealerships | 701 | 67 | 58 | 386 | 249 | 1,461 | ||||||||||||
Retail Customer and Dealer Financing – The Company believes that HDFS, as well as other third-party financial institutions, provide access to adequate financing to Harley-Davidson dealers and their retail customers. HDFS provides financing to Harley-Davidson independent dealers and the retail customers of those dealers in the U.S. and Canada. The Company’s independent dealers and their retail customers in EMEA, the Asia Pacific region and Latin America are not directly financed by HDFS, but have access to financing through other established financial services companies, some of which have licensing or branding agreements with the Company.
Seasonality – The timing of retail sales made by the Company’s independent dealers tracks closely with regional riding seasons. The seasonality of the Company’s wholesale motorcycle shipments primarily correlates with the timing of retail sales. The Company utilizes flexible or surge manufacturing capabilities to help align the production and wholesale shipment of motorcycles with the retail selling season. This provides the Company the ability to optimize inventory levels in the U.S. and Canada. In EMEA, the Asia Pacific region and Latin America, the Company utilizes a distribution process whereby Company-owned inventory is maintained locally at a level sufficient to fulfill dealer orders as needed.
Motorcycle Manufacturing – The Company has a flexible manufacturing process designed to help ensure it is well-positioned to meet customer demand in a timely and cost-effective manner.(1) This flexible or surge manufacturing capability allows the Company to increase the production of motorcycles ahead of and during the peak retail selling season to more closely correlate the timing of production and wholesale shipments to the retail selling season.
The majority of the Company's motorcycles are manufactured at facilities located in the U.S. Internationally, the Company operates facilities in Brazil, India and Australia. In Brazil, the Company operates a CKD (Complete Knock Down) assembly facility, which assembles motorcycles sold in Brazil from component kits sourced from the Company’s U.S. plants and its suppliers. In India, the Company operates a manufacturing facility that includes both CKD assembly of certain motorcycles for sale in India and production of the Company’s Street motorcycles for distribution to markets outside of North America. Like its U.S. manufacturing facilities, the Company’s Brazil and India operations are focused on driving world-class performance with flexible or surge production processes to meet customer demands at reduced lead times. The Company also operates a manufacturing facility in Australia for the purpose of producing certain complex, high-finish wheels for its motorcycles.
Raw Materials and Purchased Components – The Company continues to establish and reinforce long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with its suppliers. Through these collaborative relationships, the Company gains access to technical and commercial resources for application directly to product design, development and manufacturing initiatives. In addition, through a continued focus on collaboration and strong supplier relationships, the Company believes it will be positioned to achieve strategic objectives and deliver cost and quality improvements over the long-term.(1)
The Company's principal raw materials that are purchased include steel and aluminum castings, forgings, steel sheets, coils and bars. The Company also purchases certain motorcycle components, including, but not limited to, electronic fuel injection systems, batteries, certain wheels, tires, seats, electrical components and instruments. The Company closely monitors the overall viability of its supply base. At this time, the Company does not anticipate difficulties in obtaining raw materials or components.(1)
Research and Development – The Company incurred research and development expenses of $172.3 million, $161.2 million and $138.3 million during 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Regulation – International, federal, state and local authorities have various environmental control requirements relating to air, water and noise that affect the business and operations of the Company. The Company strives to ensure that its facilities and products comply with all applicable environmental regulations and standards.
The Company’s motorcycles and certain other products that are sold in the United States are subject to certification by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for compliance with applicable emissions and noise standards. Certain Harley-Davidson products are designed to comply with EPA and CARB standards and the Company believes it will comply with future requirements when they go into effect.(1) Additionally, certain of the Company’s products must comply with the motorcycle emissions, noise and safety standards of Canada, the European Union, Japan, Brazil and certain other foreign markets where they are sold, and the Company believes its products currently comply
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with those standards. Because the Company expects that environmental standards will become more stringent over time, the Company will continue to incur research, development and production costs in this area for the foreseeable future.(1)
The Company, as a manufacturer of motorcycle products, is subject to the U.S. National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, which is administered by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Company has certified to NHTSA that certain of its motorcycle products comply fully with all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards and related regulations. The Company has from time to time initiated certain voluntary recalls. During the last three years, the Company has initiated 24 voluntary recalls related to Harley-Davidson motorcycles at a total cost of $77.3 million. The Company reserves for all estimated costs associated with recalls in the period that management approves and commits to the recall.
Employees – As of December 31, 2016, the Motorcycles segment had approximately 5,400 employees.
Approximately 2,300 unionized employees at the U.S. manufacturing facilities are represented as follows:
• | York, Pennsylvania - represented by International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers (IAM), and the collective bargaining agreement will expire on October 15, 2022 |
• | Kansas City, Missouri - represented by United Steelworkers of America (USW) and IAM, and the respective collective bargaining agreements will expire on July 31, 2018 |
• | Milwaukee, Wisconsin - represented by USW and IAM, and the respective collective bargaining agreements will expire on March 31, 2019 |
• | Tomahawk, Wisconsin - represented by USW, and the collective bargaining agreement will expire on March 31, 2019 |
Financial Services Segment
HDFS is engaged in the business of financing and servicing wholesale inventory receivables and retail consumer loans, primarily for the purchase of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. HDFS is an agent for certain unaffiliated insurance companies providing motorcycle insurance and protection products to motorcycle owners. HDFS conducts business principally in the U.S. and Canada. The Company’s independent dealers and their retail customers in EMEA, Asia Pacific and Latin America are not financed by HDFS, but have access to financing through other third-party financial institutions, some of which have licensing or branding agreements with the Company or HDFS.
Wholesale Financial Services – HDFS provides wholesale financial services to Harley-Davidson dealers, including floorplan and open account financing of motorcycles and motorcycle parts and accessories. HDFS offers wholesale financial services to Harley-Davidson dealers in the United States and Canada, and during 2016, 100% of such dealers utilized those services at some point during the year.
Retail Financial Services – HDFS provides retail financing to consumers, consisting primarily of installment lending for the purchase of new and used Harley-Davidson motorcycles. HDFS’ retail financial services are available through most Harley-Davidson dealerships in the United States and Canada.
Insurance Services – HDFS operates as an agent for certain unaffiliated insurance companies offering point-of-sale protection products through most Harley-Davidson dealers in both the U.S. and Canada, including motorcycle insurance, extended service contracts, credit protection and motorcycle maintenance protection. HDFS also direct-markets motorcycle insurance and extended service contracts to owners of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. In addition, HDFS markets a comprehensive package of business insurance coverages and services to owners of Harley-Davidson dealerships.
Licensing – HDFS has licensing arrangements with third-party financial institutions that issue credit cards bearing the Harley-Davidson brand. Internationally, HDFS licenses the Harley-Davidson brand to local third-party financial institutions that offer products to the Company’s retail customers such as financing and insurance.
Funding – The Company believes a diversified and cost-effective funding strategy is important to meet HDFS’ goal of providing credit while delivering appropriate returns and profitability. Financial Services operations have been funded with unsecured debt, unsecured commercial paper, asset-backed commercial paper conduit facilities, committed unsecured bank facilities, asset-backed securitizations and intercompany borrowings.
Competition – The Company regards its ability to offer a package of wholesale and retail financial services in the U.S. and Canada as a significant competitive advantage. Additionally, as the predominant lender to sub-prime customers for the purchase of motorcycles in the U.S. and Canada, HDFS enables retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles with very attractive financial returns. Competitors in the financial services industry compete for business based largely on price and, to a lesser extent, service. HDFS competes on convenience, service, brand association, dealer relations, industry experience, terms and price.
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In the United States, HDFS financed 61.7% of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles retailed by independent dealers during 2016, compared to 62.2% in 2015. In Canada, HDFS financed 45.3% of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles retailed by independent dealers during 2016, compared to 39.2% in 2015. Competitors for retail motorcycle finance business are primarily banks, credit unions and other financial institutions. In the motorcycle insurance business, competition primarily comes from national insurance companies and from insurance agencies serving local or regional markets. For insurance-related products such as extended service contracts, HDFS faces competition from certain regional and national industry participants as well as dealer in-house programs. Competition for the wholesale motorcycle finance business primarily consists of banks and other financial institutions providing wholesale financing to Harley-Davidson dealers in their local markets.
Trademarks – HDFS uses various trademarks and trade names for its financial services and products which are licensed from H-D U.S.A., LLC, including HARLEY-DAVIDSON, H-D and the Bar & Shield logo.
Seasonality – HDFS experiences seasonal variations in retail financing activities based on the timing of regional riding seasons in the U.S. and Canada. In general, from mid-March through August, retail financing volume is greatest. HDFS wholesale financing volume is affected by inventory levels at Harley-Davidson dealers. Although the Company's surge production capabilities help reduce seasonal fluctuations in dealer inventory levels for new motorcycles, dealers generally have higher inventory levels of new and used motorcycles in the late fall and winter than during the spring and summer riding season. As a result, wholesale financing volume is higher during fall and winter as compared to the rest of the year.
Regulation – The operations of HDFS (both U.S. and foreign) are subject, in certain instances, to supervision and regulation by state and federal administrative agencies and various foreign governmental authorities. Many of the requirements imposed by such entities are in place to provide consumer protection as it pertains to the selling and servicing of financial products and services. Therefore, HDFS operations may be subject to limitations imposed by regulations, laws and judicial and/or administrative decisions. In the U.S. for example, applicable laws include the federal Truth-in-Lending Act, Consumer Leasing Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Depending on the specific facts and circumstances involved, non-compliance with these laws may result in consequences such as limiting the ability of HDFS to collect all or part of the principal or interest on applicable loans, entitling the borrower to rescind the loan or to obtain a refund of amounts previously paid, or could subject HDFS to the payment of damages or penalties and administrative sanctions, including “cease and desist” orders, and could limit the number of loans eligible for HDFS securitization programs.
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act granted the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) significant supervisory, enforcement, and rule-making authority in the area of consumer financial products and services. Certain CFPB actions and regulations will directly impact HDFS and its operations. For example, the CFPB has supervisory authority over non-bank larger participants in the vehicle financing market, which includes a non-bank subsidiary of HDFS.
Such regulatory requirements and associated supervision also could limit the discretion of HDFS in operating its business. Noncompliance with applicable statutes or regulations could result in the suspension or revocation of any charter, license or registration at issue, as well as the imposition of civil fines, criminal penalties and administrative sanctions.
A subsidiary of HDFS, Eaglemark Savings Bank (ESB), is a Nevada state thrift chartered as an Industrial Loan Company (ILC). The activities of this subsidiary are governed by federal laws and regulations as well as State of Nevada banking laws, and are subject to examination by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and Nevada state bank examiners. ESB originates retail loans and sells the loans to a non-banking subsidiary of HDFS. This process allows HDFS to offer retail products with many common characteristics across the United States and to similarly service loans to U.S. retail customers.
Employees – As of December 31, 2016, the Financial Services segment had approximately 600 employees.
Internet Access
The Company’s internet website address for investor relations is http://investor.harley-davidson.com/. The Company makes available free of charge (other than an investor’s own internet access charges) through its internet website the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after it electronically files such material with, or furnishes such material to, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In addition, the Company makes available, through its website, the following corporate governance materials: (a) the Company’s Corporate Governance Policy; (b) Committee Charters approved by the Company’s Board of Directors for the Audit and Finance Committee, Human Resources Committee, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Sustainability Committee; (c) the Company’s Financial Code of Ethics; (d) the Company’s Code of Business Conduct (the Code of Conduct) in nine languages including English; (e) the Conflict of
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Interest Process for Directors, Executive Officers and Other Employees (the Conflict Process); (f) a list of the Company’s Board of Directors; (g) the Company’s Bylaws; (h) the Company’s Environmental and Energy Policy; (i) the Company’s Policy for Managing Disclosure of Material Information; (j) the Company’s Supplier Code of Conduct in four languages including English; (k) the Sustainability Strategy Report; (l) the list of compensation survey participants used as market reference points for various components of compensation as reported in the Company’s Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on March 21, 2016, which compensation relates to the Company’s named executive officers; (m) the California Transparency in Supply Chain Act Disclosure; (n) Statement on Conflict Minerals; (o) Political Engagement and Contributions 2015-2016; and (p) the Company's Clawback Policy. This information is also available from the Company upon request. The Company satisfies the disclosure requirements under the Code of Conduct, the Conflict Process and applicable New York Stock Exchange listing requirements regarding waivers of the Code of Conduct or the Conflict Process by disclosing the information in the Company’s proxy statement for its annual meeting of shareholders or on the Company’s website. The Company is not including the information contained on or available through its website as a part of, or incorporating such information by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
An investment in Harley-Davidson, Inc. involves risks, including those discussed below. These risk factors should be considered carefully before deciding whether to invest in the Company.
• | The Company may not be able to successfully execute its long-term business strategy. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to drive growth to the extent desired through its focus of efforts and resources on its long-term business strategy and the Harley-Davidson brand or to enhance productivity and profitability to the extent desired through pricing and continuous improvement. |
• | Changes in general economic conditions, tightening of credit, political events or other factors may adversely impact dealers’ retail sales. The motorcycle industry is impacted by general economic conditions over which motorcycle manufacturers have little control. These factors can weaken the retail environment and lead to weaker demand for discretionary purchases such as motorcycles. Weakened economic conditions in certain business sectors and geographic areas, such as oil-dependent areas, can also result in reduced demand for the Company's products. Tightening of credit can limit the availability of funds from financial institutions and other lenders and sources of capital which could adversely affect the ability of retail consumers to obtain loans for the purchase of motorcycles from lenders, including HDFS. Should general economic conditions or motorcycle industry demand decline, the Company’s results of operations and financial condition may be substantially adversely affected. The motorcycle industry can also be affected by political conditions and other factors over which motorcycle manufacturers have little control. |
• | The Company’s marketing strategy of appealing to and growing sales to multi-generational and multi-cultural customers worldwide may not continue to be successful. The Company has been successful in marketing its products in large part by promoting the experience of Harley-Davidson motorcycling. To sustain and grow the business over the long-term, the Company must grow the sport of motorcycling and continue to be successful selling products and promoting the experience of motorcycling to a diverse set of customers. The Company must also execute its multi-generational and multi-cultural strategy without adversely impacting the strength of the brand with core customers. Failure to successfully drive demand for the Company's products may have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and results of operations. |
• | The motorcycle industry has become increasingly competitive. Many of the Company’s competitors are more diversified than the Company, and they may compete in all segments of the motorcycle market, other powersports markets and/or the automotive market. Certain competitors appear to be increasing their investment in products that compete with the Company's products. Also, the Company’s manufacturer’s suggested retail price for its motorcycles is generally higher than its competitors, and as price becomes a more important competitive factor for consumers in the markets in which the Company competes, the Company may be at a competitive disadvantage. Furthermore, many competitors headquartered outside the U.S. experience a financial benefit from a strengthening in the U.S. dollar relative to their home currency that can be used to fund discounted prices to U.S. consumers. In addition, the Company’s financial services operations face competition from various banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions that may have access to additional sources of capital at more competitive rates and terms, particularly for borrowers in higher credit tiers. The Company's responses to these competitive pressures, or its failure to adequately address and respond to these competitive pressures, may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations. |
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• | Increased supply of and/or declining prices for used motorcycles and excess supply of new motorcycles may adversely impact retail sales of new motorcycles by the Company’s independent dealers. The Company has observed that when the supply of used motorcycles increases or the prices for used Harley-Davidson motorcycles decline, there can be reduced demand among retail purchasers for new Harley-Davidson motorcycles (at or near manufacturer’s suggested retail prices). Further, the Company and its independent dealers can and do take actions that influence the markets for new and used motorcycles. For example, introduction of new motorcycle models with significantly different functionality, technology or other customer satisfiers can result in increased supply of used motorcycles, which could result in declining prices for used motorcycles and prior model-year new motorcycles. Also, while the Company has taken steps designed to balance production volumes for its new motorcycles with demand, those steps may not be effective, or the Company’s competitors could choose to supply new motorcycles to the market in excess of demand at reduced prices which could also have the effect of reducing demand for new Harley-Davidson motorcycles (at or near manufacturer’s suggested retail prices). Ultimately, reduced demand among retail purchasers for new Harley-Davidson motorcycles leads to reduced shipments by the Company. |
• | The Company’s ability to remain competitive is dependent upon its capability to develop and successfully introduce new, innovative and compliant products. The motorcycle market continues to change in terms of styling preferences and advances in new technology and, at the same time, be subject to increasing regulations related to safety and emissions. The Company must continue to distinguish its products from its competitors’ products with unique styling and new technologies. As the Company incorporates new and different features and technology into its products, the Company must protect its intellectual property from imitators and ensure its products do not infringe the intellectual property of other companies. In addition, these new products must comply with applicable regulations worldwide and satisfy the potential demand for products that produce lower emissions and achieve better fuel economy. The Company must make product advancements to respond to changing consumer preferences and market demands while maintaining the classic look, sound and feel associated with Harley-Davidson products. The Company must also be able to design and manufacture these products and deliver them to a global marketplace in an efficient and timely manner and at prices that are attractive to customers. There can be no assurances that the Company will be successful in these endeavors or that existing and prospective customers will like or want the Company’s new products. |
• | The Company sells its products at wholesale and must rely on a network of independent dealers to manage the retail distribution of its products. The Company depends on the capability of its independent dealers to develop and implement effective retail sales plans to create demand among retail purchasers for the motorcycles and related products and services that the dealers purchase from the Company. If the Company’s independent dealers are not successful in these endeavors, then the Company will be unable to maintain or grow its revenues and meet its financial expectations. Further, independent dealers may experience difficulty in funding their day-to-day cash flow needs and paying their obligations resulting from adverse business conditions such as weakened retail sales and tightened credit. If dealers are unsuccessful, they may exit or be forced to exit the business or, in some cases, the Company may seek to terminate relationships with certain dealerships. As a result, the Company could face additional adverse consequences related to the termination of dealer relationships. Additionally, liquidating a former dealer’s inventory of new and used motorcycles can add downward pressure on new and used motorcycle prices. Further, the unplanned loss of any of the Company’s independent dealers may lead to inadequate market coverage for retail sales of new motorcycles and for servicing previously sold motorcycles, create negative impressions of the Company with its retail customers, and adversely impact the Company’s ability to collect wholesale receivables that are associated with that dealer. |
• | A cybersecurity breach may adversely affect the Company’s reputation, revenue and earnings. The Company and certain of its third-party service providers and vendors receive, store, and transmit digital personal information in connection with the Company’s human resources operations, financial services operations, e-commerce, the Harley Owners Group, dealer management, and other aspects of its business. The Company’s information systems, and those of its third-party service providers and vendors, are vulnerable to the increasing threat of continually evolving cybersecurity risks. Unauthorized parties have attempted to and may attempt in the future to gain access to these systems or the information the Company and its third-party service providers and vendors maintain and use through fraud or other means of deceiving our employees and third-party service providers and vendors. Hardware, software or applications the Company develops or obtains from third-parties may contain defects in design or manufacture or other problems that could unexpectedly compromise information security and/or the Company’s operations. The methods used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade service or sabotage systems are constantly evolving and may be difficult to anticipate or detect. The Company has implemented and regularly reviews and updates processes and procedures to protect against unauthorized access to or use of secured data and to prevent data loss. However, the ever-evolving threats mean the Company and third-party service providers and vendors must continually evaluate and adapt systems and processes, and there is no guarantee that they will be adequate to safeguard against all data security |
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breaches or misuses of data. The Company has experienced information security attacks, but to date they have not compromised the Company’s computing environment or resulted in a material impact on the Company’s business or operations or the release of confidential information about employees, customers, dealers, suppliers or other third parties. Any future significant compromise or breach of the Company’s data security, whether external or internal, or misuse of customer, employee, dealer, supplier or Company data could result in disruption to the Company’s operations, significant costs, lost sales, fines and lawsuits, and/or damage to the Company’s reputation. In addition, as the regulatory environment related to information security, data collection and use, and privacy becomes increasingly rigorous, with new and evolving requirements, compliance could also result in the Company being required to incur additional costs.
• | The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in foreign exchange rates, commodity prices and interest rates. The Company sells its products internationally and in most markets those sales are made in the foreign country’s local currency. As a result, a weakening in those foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar can adversely affect the Company's revenue and margin, and cause volatility in results of operations. The Company is also subject to risks associated with changes in prices of commodities. Earnings from the Company’s financial services business are affected by changes in interest rates. Although the Company uses derivative financial instruments to some extent to attempt to manage a portion of its exposure to foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices, the Company does not attempt to manage its entire expected exposure, and these instruments generally do not extend beyond one year and may expose the Company to credit risk in the event of counterparty default to the derivative financial instruments. There can be no assurance that in the future the Company will successfully manage these risks. |
• | The Financial Services operations are exposed to credit risk on its retail and wholesale receivables. Credit risk is the risk of loss arising from a failure by a customer, including the Company's independent dealers, to meet the terms of any contract with the Company’s financial services operations. Credit losses are influenced by general business and economic conditions, including unemployment rates, bankruptcy filings and other factors that negatively affect household incomes, as well as contract terms and customer credit profiles. Credit losses are also influenced by the markets for new and used motorcycles, and the Company and its independent dealers can and do take actions that impact those markets. For example, the introduction of new models by the Company that represent significant upgrades on previous models may result in increased supply or decreased demand in the market for used Harley-Davidson branded motorcycles, including those motorcycles that serve as collateral or security for credit that HDFS has extended. This in turn could adversely impact the prices at which those motorcycles may be sold, which may lead to increased credit losses for HDFS. Negative changes in general business, economic or market factors may have an additional adverse impact on the Company’s financial services credit losses and future earnings. The Company believes HDFS' retail credit losses may continue to increase over time due to changing consumer credit behavior and HDFS' efforts to increase prudently structured loan approvals to sub-prime borrowers, as well as actions that the Company has taken and could take that impact motorcycle values. Increases in the frequency of loss and decreases in the value of repossessed Harley-Davidson branded motorcycles also adversely impact credit losses. If there are adverse circumstances that involve a material decline in values of Harley-Davidson branded motorcycles, those circumstances or any related decline in resale values for Harley-Davidson branded motorcycles could contribute to increased delinquencies and credit losses. |
• | The Company must prevent and detect issues with its products, components purchased from suppliers, and its suppliers’ manufacturing processes to reduce the risk of recall campaigns, increased warranty costs or litigation, increased product liability claims or litigation, delays in new model launches, and inquiries or investigations by regulatory agencies. The Company must also complete any recall campaigns within cost expectations. The Company must continually improve and adhere to product development and manufacturing processes, and ensure that its suppliers and their sub-tier suppliers adhere to product development and manufacturing processes, to ensure high quality products are sold to retail customers. If product designs or manufacturing processes are defective, the Company could experience delays in new model launches, product recalls, inquiries or investigations from regulatory agencies, warranty claims, and product liability claims, which may involve purported class actions. While the Company uses reasonable methods to estimate the cost of warranty, recall and product liability costs and appropriately reflects those in its financial statements, there is a risk the actual costs could exceed estimates and result in damages that are not covered by insurance. Further, selling products with poor quality, the announcement of recalls, and the filing of product liability claims (whether or not successful), may also adversely affect the Company’s reputation and brand strength. |
• | Expanding international sales and operations subjects the Company to risks that may have a material adverse effect on its business. Expanding international sales and operations is a part of the Company’s long-term business strategy. To support that strategy, the Company must increase its presence outside the U.S., including additional |
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employees and investment in business infrastructure and operations. International operations and sales are subject to various risks, including political and economic instability, local labor market conditions, the imposition of foreign tariffs and other trade barriers, the impact of foreign government laws and regulations and U.S. laws and regulations that apply to international operations, and the effects of income and withholding taxes, governmental expropriation and differences in business practices. The Company may incur increased costs and experience delays or disruptions in product deliveries and payments in connection with international operations and sales that could cause loss of revenues and earnings. Unfavorable changes in the political, regulatory and business climate could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s net sales, financial condition, profitability or cash flows. Violations of laws that apply to the Company's foreign operations, such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, could result in severe criminal or civil sanctions, could disrupt the Company's business and result in an adverse effect on the Company's reputation, business and results of operations.
• | Weather may impact retail sales of the Company's independent dealers. The Company has observed that abnormally cold and/or wet conditions in a region could have the effect of reducing demand or changing the timing for purchases of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Reduced demand for new Harley-Davidson motorcycles ultimately leads to reduced shipments by the Company. |
• | The Company must comply with governmental laws and regulations that are subject to change and involve significant costs. The Company’s sales and operations in areas outside the U.S. may be subject to foreign laws, regulations and the legal systems of foreign courts or tribunals. These laws and policies governing operations of foreign-based companies may result in increased costs or restrictions on the ability of the Company to sell its products in certain countries. U.S. laws and policies affecting foreign trade and taxation may also adversely affect the Company's international sales operations. |
The Company’s domestic sales and operations are subject to governmental policies and regulatory actions of agencies of the United States Government, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), SEC, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Labor and Federal Trade Commission. In addition, the Company’s sales and operations are also subject to laws and actions of state legislatures and other local regulators, including dealer statutes and licensing laws. Changes in regulations or the imposition of additional regulations may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations.
Tax - The Company is subject to income and non-income based taxes in the U.S. and in various foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining the Company's worldwide income tax liabilities and other tax liabilities. The Company believes that it complies with applicable tax law. If the governing tax authorities have a different interpretation of the applicable law or if there is a change in tax law, the Company's financial condition and/or results of operations may be adversely affected.
Environmental - The Company’s motorcycle products use internal combustion engines. These motorcycle products are subject to statutory and regulatory requirements governing emissions and noise, including standards imposed by the EPA, state regulatory agencies, such as California Air Resources Board, and regulatory agencies in certain foreign countries where the Company’s motorcycle products are sold. The Company is also subject to statutory and regulatory requirements governing emissions and noise in the conduct of the Company’s manufacturing operations. Any significant change to the regulatory requirements governing emissions and noise may substantially increase the cost of manufacturing the Company’s products. If the Company fails to meet existing or new requirements, then the Company may be unable to sell certain products or may be subject to fines or penalties. Further, in response to concerns about global climate changes and related changes in consumer preferences, the Company may face greater regulatory or customer pressure to develop products that generate less emissions. This may require the Company to spend additional funds on research, product development, and implementation costs and subject the Company to the risk that the Company’s competitors may respond to these pressures in a manner that gives them a competitive advantage.
Financial Services - The Company’s financial services operations are governed by a wide range of foreign, federal and state laws that regulate financial and lending institutions, and financial services activities. In the U.S. for example, these laws include the federal Truth-in-Lending Act, Consumer Leasing Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Fair Credit Reporting Act. The financial services operations originate the majority of its consumer loans through its subsidiary, Eaglemark Savings Bank, a Nevada state thrift chartered as an industrial loan company. Federal and state bodies may in the future impose additional laws, regulation and supervision over the financial services industry.
Violations of or non-compliance with relevant laws and regulations may limit the ability of HDFS to collect all or part of the principal or interest on applicable loans, may entitle the borrower to rescind the loan or obtain a refund of amounts previously paid, could subject HDFS to payment of damages, civil fines, or criminal penalties and
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administrative sanctions and could limit the number of loans eligible for HDFS securitizations programs. Such regulatory requirements and associated supervision also could limit the discretion of HDFS in operating its business, such as through the suspension or revocation of any charter, license or registration at issue, as well as the imposition of administrative sanctions, including "cease and desist" orders. The Company cannot assure that the applicable laws or regulations will not be amended or construed in ways that are adverse to HDFS, that new laws and regulations will not be adopted in the future, or that laws and regulations will not attempt to limit the interest rates charged by HDFS, any of which may adversely affect the business of HDFS or its results of operations.
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) is a sweeping piece of legislation impacting financial services and the full effect will not be fully known for years, as regulations that are intended to implement the Dodd-Frank Act are adopted, and the text of the Dodd-Frank Act is analyzed by stakeholders and possibly the courts. The Dodd-Frank Act also created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The CFPB has significant enforcement and rule-making authority in the area of consumer financial products and services. The direction that the CFPB will take, the regulations it will adopt, and its interpretation of existing laws and regulations are all elements that are not yet fully known. Compliance may be costly and could affect operating results as the implementation of new forms, processes, procedures and controls and infrastructure may be required. Compliance may create operational constraints and place limits on pricing. Failure to comply, as well as changes to laws and regulations, or the imposition of additional laws and regulations, could affect HDFS’ earnings, limit its access to capital, limit the number of loans eligible for HDFS securitization programs and have a material adverse effect on HDFS’ business and results of operations. The CFPB also has supervisory authority over certain non-bank larger participants in the vehicle financing market, which includes a non-bank subsidiary of HDFS, allowing the CFPB to conduct comprehensive and rigorous on-site examinations that could result in enforcement actions, fines, changes to processes and procedures, product-related changes or consumer refunds, or other actions.
U.S. Public Company - The Company is also subject to policies and actions of the SEC and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Many major competitors of the Company are not subject to the requirements of the SEC or the NYSE rules. As a result, the Company may be required to disclose certain information that may put the Company at a competitive disadvantage to its principal competitors.
• | The Company relies on third party suppliers to obtain raw materials and provide component parts for use in the manufacture of its motorcycles. The Company may experience supply problems relating to raw materials and components such as unfavorable pricing, poor quality, or untimely delivery. In certain circumstances, the Company relies on a single supplier to provide the entire requirement of a specific part, and a change in this established supply relationship may cause disruption in the Company’s production schedule. In addition, the price and availability of raw materials and component parts from suppliers can be adversely affected by factors outside of the Company’s control such as the supply of a necessary raw material or natural disasters. Further, Company suppliers may experience difficulty in funding their day-to-day cash flow needs because of tightening credit caused by financial market disruption. In addition, adverse economic conditions and related pressure on select suppliers due to difficulties in the global manufacturing arena could adversely affect their ability to supply the Company. Changes in laws and policies relating to trade and taxation may also adversely impact the Company's foreign suppliers. These supplier risks may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations. |
• | The Company must invest in and successfully implement new information systems and technology. The Company is continually modifying and enhancing its systems and technology to increase productivity and efficiency and to mitigate failure risks from older/aged technologies currently in its portfolio. The Company has several large, strategic information system projects in process. As new systems and technologies (and related strategies) are implemented, the Company could experience unanticipated difficulties resulting in unexpected costs and adverse impacts to its manufacturing and other business processes. When implemented, the systems and technology may not provide the benefits anticipated and could add costs and complications to ongoing operations and older technologies may fail, which may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations. |
• | The Company relies on third parties to perform certain operating and administrative functions for the Company. Similar to suppliers of raw materials and components, the Company may experience problems with outsourced services, such as unfavorable pricing, untimely delivery of services, or poor quality. Also, these suppliers may experience adverse economic conditions due to difficulties in the global economy that could lead to difficulties supporting the Company's operations. In light of the amount and types of functions that the Company has outsourced, these service provider risks may have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and results of operations. |
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• | The Company is and may in the future become subject to legal proceedings and commercial or contractual disputes. The uncertainty associated with substantial unresolved claims and lawsuits may harm the Company’s business, financial condition, reputation and brand. The defense of the lawsuits may result in the expenditures of significant financial resources and the diversion of management’s time and attention away from business operations. In addition, although the Company is unable to determine the amount, if any, that it may be required to pay in connection with the resolution of the lawsuits by settlement or otherwise, any such payment may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations. Refer to the Company’s disclosures concerning legal proceedings in this Form 10-K and in the other periodic reports that the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for additional detail regarding lawsuits and other claims against the Company. |
• | The Company’s success depends upon the continued strength of the Harley-Davidson brand. The Company believes that the Harley-Davidson brand has significantly contributed to the success of its business and that maintaining and enhancing the brand is critical to expanding its customer base. Failure to protect the brand from infringers or to grow the value of the Harley-Davidson brand may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations. |
• | The Company must maintain stakeholder confidence in its operating ethics and corporate governance practices. The Company believes it has a history of good corporate governance and operating ethics.The Company has a Code of Business Conduct that defines how employees interact with various Company stakeholders and addresses issues such as confidentiality, conflict of interest and fair dealing. Failure to maintain its reputation for good corporate governance and strong operating ethics may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations. |
• | The Company’s operations are dependent upon attracting and retaining skilled employees, including skilled labor, executive officers and other senior leaders. The Company’s future success depends on its continuing ability to identify, hire, develop, motivate, retain and promote skilled personnel for all areas of its organization, and to effectively execute reorganization actions within expected costs and realize the expected benefits of those actions. The Company’s current and future total compensation arrangements, which include benefits and incentive awards, may not be successful in attracting new employees and retaining and motivating the Company’s existing employees. In addition, the Company must cultivate and sustain a work environment where employees are engaged and energized in their jobs to maximize their performance, and the Company must effectively execute reorganization actions. If the Company does not succeed in attracting new personnel, retaining existing personnel, implementing effective succession plans and motivating and engaging personnel, including executive officers, the Company may be unable to develop and distribute products and services and effectively execute its plans and strategies. |
• | The Company may not be able to successfully execute its manufacturing strategy. The Company’s manufacturing strategy is designed to continuously improve product quality and increase productivity, while reducing costs and increasing flexibility to respond to ongoing changes in the marketplace. The Company believes flexible manufacturing, including flexible supply chains and flexible labor agreements, is the key element to enable improvements in the Company’s ability to respond to customers in a cost effective manner. To execute this strategy, the Company must be successful in its continuous improvement efforts which are dependent on the involvement of management, production employees and suppliers. Any inability to achieve these objectives could adversely impact the profitability of the Company’s products and its ability to deliver the right product at the right time to the customer. |
• | The Company, its suppliers, and its independent dealers must successfully accommodate a seasonal retail motorcycle sales pattern. The Company records the wholesale sale of a motorcycle when it is shipped to the Company’s independent dealers. The Company's flexible production capability allows it to more closely correlate motorcycle production and wholesale shipments with the retail selling season. Any difficulties in executing flexible production could result in lost production or sales. The Company, its suppliers, and its independent dealers must be able to successfully manage changes in production rates, inventory levels and other business processes associated with flexible production. Failure by the Company, its suppliers, or its independent dealers to make such adjustments may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations. |
• | The Company incurs substantial costs with respect to employee pension and healthcare benefits. The Company’s cash funding requirements and its estimates of liabilities and expenses for pensions and healthcare benefits for both active and retired employees are based on several factors that are outside the Company’s control. These factors include funding requirements of the Pension Protection Act of 2006, the rate used to discount the future estimated liability, the rate of return on plan assets, current and projected healthcare costs, healthcare reform or legislation, retirement age and mortality. Changes in these factors can impact the expense, liabilities and cash requirements associated with these |
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benefits which could have a material adverse effect on future results of operations, liquidity or shareholders’ equity. In addition, costs associated with these benefits put the Company under significant cost pressure as compared to its competitors that may not bear the costs of similar benefit plans. Furthermore, costs associated with complying with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act may produce additional cost pressure on the Company and its health care plans.
• | The ability of the Company to expand international sales may be impacted by existing or new laws and regulations that impose motorcycle licensing restrictions and limit access to roads and highways. Expanding international sales is a part of the Company’s long-term business strategy. A number of countries have tiered motorcycle licensing requirements that limit the ability of new and younger riders to obtain licenses to operate the Company’s motorcycles, and many countries are considering the implementation of such requirements. These requirements only allow new and/or younger riders to operate smaller motorcycles for certain periods of time. Riders typically are only permitted to obtain a license to ride larger motorcycles upon reaching certain ages and/or having been licensed to ride smaller motorcycles for a certain period of time, and only after passing additional tests and paying additional fees. These requirements pose obstacles to large displacement motorcycle ownership. Other countries have laws and regulations that prohibit motorcycles from being operated on certain roads and highways. These types of laws and regulations could adversely impact the Company’s plans to expand international sales. |
• | The Financial Services operations rely on external sources to finance a significant portion of its operations. Liquidity is essential to the Company’s Financial Services business. Disruptions in financial markets may cause lenders and institutional investors to reduce or cease to loan money to borrowers, including financial institutions. The Company’s Financial Services operations may be negatively affected by difficulty in raising capital in the long-term and short-term capital markets. These negative consequences may 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 its financial services operations to provide loans to independent dealers and their retail customers, and dilution to existing share value through the use of alternative sources of capital. |
• | The Financial Services operations are highly dependent on accessing capital markets to fund their operations at competitive interest rates, the Company’s access to capital and its cost of capital are highly dependent upon its credit ratings, and any negative credit rating actions will adversely affect its earnings and results of operations. The ability of the Company and its Financial Services operations to access unsecured capital markets is influenced by their short-term and long-term credit ratings. If the Company’s credit ratings are downgraded or its ratings outlook is negatively changed, the Company’s cost of borrowing could increase, resulting in reduced earnings and interest margins, or the Company’s access to capital may be disrupted or impaired. The Company borrowed $750,000,000 in 2015 to fund the repurchase of its Common Stock, which increased the Company's leverage. Having increased leverage increases the risk of a downgrade in the Company's credit ratings. |
• | The Company’s Motorcycles segment is dependent upon unionized labor. Substantially all of the hourly production employees working in the Motorcycles segment are represented by unions and covered by collective bargaining agreements. Harley-Davidson Motor Company is currently a party to five collective bargaining agreements with local affiliates of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and the United Steelworkers of America. Current collective bargaining agreements with hourly employees in Missouri, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania will expire in 2018, 2019 and 2022, respectively. 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. Failure to renew these 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’s operations may be affected by greenhouse emissions and climate change and related regulations. Climate change is receiving increasing attention worldwide. Many scientists, legislators and others attribute climate change to increased levels of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, which has led to significant legislative and regulatory efforts to limit greenhouse gas emissions. Congress has previously considered and may in the future implement restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, several states, including states where the Company has manufacturing plants, have previously considered and may in the future implement greenhouse gas registration and reduction programs. Energy security and availability and its related costs affect all aspects of the Company’s manufacturing operations in the United States, including the Company’s supply chain. The Company’s manufacturing plants use energy, including electricity and natural gas, and certain of the Company’s plants emit |
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amounts of greenhouse gas that may be affected by these legislative and regulatory efforts. Greenhouse gas regulation could increase the price of the electricity the Company purchases, increase costs for use of natural gas, potentially restrict access to or the use of natural gas, require the Company to purchase allowances to offset the Company’s own emissions or result in an overall increase in costs of raw materials, any one of which could increase the Company’s costs, reduce competitiveness in a global economy or otherwise negatively affect the Company’s business, operations or financial results. Many of the Company’s suppliers face similar circumstances. Physical risks to the Company’s business operations as identified by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and other expert bodies include scenarios such as sea level rise, extreme weather conditions and resource shortages. Extreme weather may disrupt the production and supply of component parts or other items such as natural gas, a fuel necessary for the manufacture of motorcycles and their components. Supply disruptions would raise market rates and jeopardize the continuity of motorcycle production.
• | Regulations related to conflict minerals and other materials that the Company purchases to use in its products will cause the Company to incur additional expenses and may have other adverse consequences. The SEC adopted inquiry, diligence and disclosure requirements related to certain minerals sourced from the Democratic Republic of Congo and surrounding countries, or "conflict minerals," that are necessary to the functionality of a product manufactured, or contracted to be manufactured, by an SEC reporting company. Compliance with the disclosure requirements could affect the sourcing and availability of some of the minerals that the Company uses in the manufacturing of its products. The Company's supply chain is complex, and if it is not able to determine the source and chain of custody for all conflict minerals used in its products that are sourced from the Democratic Republic of Congo and surrounding countries or determine that its products are "conflict free," then the Company may face reputational challenges with customers, investors or others. Additionally, as there may be only a limited number of suppliers offering "conflict free" minerals, if the Company chooses to use only conflict minerals that are "conflict free," the Company cannot be sure that it will be able to obtain necessary materials from such suppliers in sufficient quantities or at competitive prices. Accordingly, the Company could incur significant costs related to the compliance process, including potential difficulty or added costs in satisfying the disclosure requirements. Other laws or regulations impacting our supply chain, such as the UK Modern Slavery Act, may have similar consequences. |
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.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2. Properties
The following is a summary of the principal operating properties of the Company as of December 31, 2016:
Motorcycles & Related Products Segment
Type of Facility | Location | Approximate Square Feet | Status | ||||
Corporate Office | Milwaukee, WI | 515,000 | Owned | ||||
Museum | Milwaukee, WI | 130,000 | Owned | ||||
Manufacturing(1) | Menomonee Falls, WI | 915,000 | Owned | ||||
Product Development Center | Wauwatosa, WI | 409,000 | Owned | ||||
Manufacturing(2) | Tomahawk, WI | 226,000 | Owned | ||||
Manufacturing(3) | York, PA | 571,000 | Owned | ||||
Manufacturing(4) | Kansas City, MO | 456,000 | Owned | ||||
Manufacturing(5) | Manaus, Brazil | 108,000 | Lease expiring 2019 | ||||
Regional Office | Oxford, England | 39,000 | Lease expiring 2021 | ||||
Manufacturing(6) | Bawal, India | 68,000 | Lease expiring 2019 | ||||
Regional Office | Singapore | 24,000 | Lease expiring 2020 | ||||
Manufacturing(7) | Adelaide, Australia | 485,000 | Lease expiring 2017 | ||||
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(1) | Motorcycle powertrain production. |
(2) | Plastic parts production and painting. |
(3) | Motorcycle parts fabrication, painting and Softail® and touring model assembly. |
(4) | Motorcycle parts fabrication, painting and Dyna®, Sportster®, Softail® and Street platform assembly. |
(5) | Assembly of select models for the Brazilian market. |
(6) | Assembly of select models for the Indian market and production of the Street platform for non-North American markets. |
(7) | Motorcycle wheel production. |
Financial Services Segment
Type of Facility | Location | Approximate Square Feet | Status | ||||
Office | Chicago, IL | 26,000 | Lease expiring 2022 | ||||
Office | Plano, TX | 69,321 | Lease expiring 2025 | ||||
Office | Carson City, NV | 100,000 | Owned | ||||
The Financial Services segment has three office facilities: Chicago, Illinois (corporate headquarters); Plano, Texas (wholesale and retail operations); and Carson City, Nevada (retail and insurance operations).
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
The Company is subject to lawsuits and other claims related to environmental, product and other matters. In determining required reserves 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 required reserves are monitored on an ongoing basis and are updated based on new developments or new information in each matter.
Environmental Protection Agency Notice:
In December 2009, the Company received formal, written requests for information from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding: (i) certificates of conformity for motorcycle emissions and related designations and labels, (ii) aftermarket parts, and (iii) warranty claims on emissions related components. The Company promptly submitted written responses to the EPA’s inquiry and has engaged in discussions with the EPA. Since that time, the EPA delivered various additional requests for information to which the Company responded. More recently, in August 2016, the Company entered into a consent decree with the EPA regarding these issues (the Settlement). In the Settlement the Company agreed to, among other things, pay a fine, fund a three-year emissions mitigation project, and not sell tuning products unless they are approved by the EPA or California Air Resources Board. The Company anticipates the EPA will move the court to finalize the Settlement in the coming months. The Company has a reserve associated with this matter which is included in accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, and as a result, if it is finalized, the Settlement would not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations. The Settlement is not final until it is approved by the court, and if it is not approved by the court, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the impact of any remedies the EPA might seek beyond the Company's current reserve for this matter.
York Environmental Matters:
The Company is involved with government agencies and groups of potentially responsible parties related to a matter involving the cleanup of soil and groundwater contamination at its York, Pennsylvania facility. The York facility was formerly used by the U.S. Navy and AMF prior to the purchase of the York facility by the Company from AMF in 1981. Although the Company is not certain as to the full extent of the environmental contamination at the York facility, it has been working with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) since 1986 in undertaking environmental investigation and remediation activities, including a site-wide remedial investigation/feasibility study (RI/FS).
In January 1995, the Company entered into a settlement agreement (the Agreement) with the Navy, and the parties amended the Agreement in 2013 to address ordnance and explosive waste. The Agreement calls for the Navy and the Company to contribute amounts into a trust equal to 53% and 47%, respectively, of costs associated with environmental investigation and remediation activities at the York facility (Response Costs). The trust administers the payment of the Response Costs incurred at the York facility as covered by the Agreement.
The Company has a reserve for its estimate of its share of the future Response Costs at the York facility which is included in accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. While much of the work on the RI/FS is complete, it is still under
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agency review and given the uncertainty that exists concerning the nature and scope of additional environmental investigation and remediation that may ultimately be required under the RI/FS that is finally approved or otherwise at the York facility, the Company is unable to make a reasonable estimate of those additional costs, if any, that may result.
The estimate of the Company's future Response Costs that will be incurred at the York facility is based on reports of independent environmental consultants retained by the Company, the actual costs incurred to date and the estimated costs to complete the necessary investigation and remediation activities.
Product Liability Matters:
The Company is involved in product liability suits related to the operation of its business. The Company accrues for claim exposures that are probable of occurrence and can be reasonably estimated. The Company also maintains insurance coverage for product liability exposures. The Company believes that its accruals and insurance coverage are adequate and that product liability suits will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Matters:
In July 2016, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began an investigation into certain of the Company's model-year 2008-2011 motorcycles equipped with anti-lock braking systems (ABS). NHTSA’s investigation is in response to rider complaints related to brake failures. NHTSA noted that Harley-Davidson has a two-year brake fluid replacement interval that owners either are unaware of or ignore. The Company does not believe that a loss related to this matter is probable and no reserve has been established. However, it is possible that the outcome of NHTSA’s investigation could result in future costs to the Company. Given the uncertainty that still exists concerning the resolution of this matter, the Company cannot reasonably estimate these possible future costs, if any.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not Applicable
PART II
Item 5. | Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchase of Equity Securities |
Harley-Davidson, Inc. common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. The high and low market prices for the common stock, reported as New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Composite Transactions, were as follows:
2016 | Low | High | 2015 | Low | High | |||||||||||||
First quarter | $ | 36.36 | $ | 49.99 | First quarter | $ | 58.24 | $ | 66.58 | |||||||||
Second quarter | $ | 42.99 | $ | 52.00 | Second quarter | $ | 53.04 | $ | 62.96 | |||||||||
Third quarter | $ | 41.63 | $ | 57.33 | Third quarter | $ | 50.64 | $ | 60.67 | |||||||||
Fourth quarter | $ | 48.55 | $ | 62.35 | Fourth quarter | $ | 45.00 | $ | 57.10 | |||||||||
The Company paid the following dividends per share:
2016 | 2015 | 2014 | ||||||||||
First quarter | $ | 0.350 | $ | 0.310 | $ | 0.275 | ||||||
Second quarter | 0.350 | 0.310 | 0.275 | |||||||||
Third quarter | 0.350 | 0.310 | 0.275 | |||||||||
Fourth quarter | 0.350 | 0.310 | 0.275 | |||||||||
Total | $ | 1.400 | $ | 1.240 | $ | 1.100 | ||||||
As of January 27, 2017, there were 74,087 shareholders of record of Harley-Davidson, Inc. common stock.
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The following table contains detail related to the Company's repurchase of its common stock based on the date of trade during the quarter ended December 31, 2016:
2016 Fiscal Month | Total Number of Shares Purchased (a) | 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 | |||||||||
September 26 to October 30 | 922,311 | $ | 52 | 922,311 | 20,016,171 | ||||||||
October 31 to November 27 | 660,785 | $ | 57 | 660,785 | 19,355,386 | ||||||||
November 28 to December 31 | 84,262 | $ | 60 | 84,262 | 19,272,516 | ||||||||
Total | 1,667,358 | $ | 55 | 1,667,358 | |||||||||
(a) | Includes discretionary share repurchases and shares of common stock that employees surrendered to satisfy withholding taxes in connection with the vesting of restricted stock awards. |
In June 2015, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to 15.0 million shares of its common stock with no dollar limit or expiration date. The Company repurchased 0.9 million shares on a discretionary basis during the quarter ended December 31, 2016 under this authorization. As of December 31, 2016, no shares remained under this authorization.
Additionally, in February 2016, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to 20.0 million shares of its common stock with no dollar limit or expiration date which superseded share repurchase authority previously granted by the Board of Directors other than the June 2015 authorization. The Company repurchased 0.7 million shares on a discretionary basis during the quarter ended December 31, 2016 under this authorization. As of December 31, 2016, 19.3 million shares remained under this authorization.
Under the share repurchase authorizations, 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 number of shares repurchased, if any, and the timing of repurchases 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 repurchase authority has no expiration date but may be suspended, modified or discontinued at any time.
The Harley-Davidson, Inc. 2014 Incentive Stock Plan 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 fourth quarter of 2016, the Company acquired 1,589 shares of common stock that employees presented to the Company to satisfy withholding taxes in connection with the vesting of restricted stock awards.
Item 12 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain information relating to the Company’s equity compensation plans.
The following information in this Item 5 is not deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates it by reference into such a filing: the SEC requires the Company to include a line graph presentation comparing cumulative five year Common Stock returns with a broad-based stock index and either a nationally recognized industry index or an index of peer companies selected by the Company. The Company has chosen to use the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index as the broad-based index and the Standard & Poor’s MidCap 400 Index as a more specific comparison. The Standard & Poor’s MidCap 400 Index was chosen because the Company does not believe that any other published industry or line-of-business index adequately represents the current operations of the Company. The graph assumes a beginning investment of $100 on December 31, 2011 and that all dividends are reinvested.
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2011 ($) | 2012 ($) | 2013 ($) | 2014 ($) | 2015 ($) | 2016 ($) | |||||||||||||
Harley-Davidson, Inc. | 100 | 127 | 183 | 177 | 125 | 165 | ||||||||||||
Standard & Poor’s MidCap 400 Index | 100 | 118 | 155 | 168 | 162 | 195 | ||||||||||||
Standard & Poor’s 500 Index | 100 | 116 | 154 | 175 | 177 | 198 | ||||||||||||
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Item 6. Selected Financial Data
(In thousands, except per share amounts) | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||||||
Statement of income data: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Motorcycles & Related Products | $ | 5,271,376 | $ | 5,308,744 | $ | 5,567,681 | $ | 5,258,290 | $ | 4,942,582 | ||||||||||
Financial Services | 725,082 | 686,658 | 660,827 | 641,582 | 637,924 | |||||||||||||||
Total revenue | $ | 5,996,458 | $ | 5,995,402 | $ | 6,228,508 | $ | 5,899,872 | $ | 5,580,506 | ||||||||||
Net income | $ | 692,164 | $ | 752,207 | $ | 844,611 | $ | 733,993 | $ | 623,925 | ||||||||||
Weighted-average common shares: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Basic | 179,676 | 202,681 | 216,305 | 222,475 | 227,119 | |||||||||||||||
Diluted | 180,535 | 203,686 | 217,706 | 224,071 | 229,229 | |||||||||||||||
Earnings per common share: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 3.85 | $ | 3.71 | $ | 3.90 | $ | 3.30 | $ | 2.75 | ||||||||||
Diluted | $ | 3.83 | $ | 3.69 | $ | 3.88 | $ | 3.28 | $ | 2.72 | ||||||||||
Dividends paid per common share | $ | 1.40 | $ | 1.24 | $ | 1.10 | $ | 0.84 | $ | 0.62 | ||||||||||
Balance sheet data: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets(a) | $ | 9,890,240 | $ | 9,972,977 | $ | 9,515,870 | $ | 9,394,765 | $ | 9,156,072 | ||||||||||
Total debt(a) | $ | 6,807,567 | $ | 6,872,198 | $ | 5,492,402 | $ | 5,248,895 | $ | 5,087,948 | ||||||||||
Total equity | $ | 1,920,158 | $ | 1,839,654 | $ | 2,909,286 | $ | 3,009,486 | $ | 2,557,624 | ||||||||||
(a) | The Company adopted ASU No. 2015-03 and ASU No. 2015-15 on January 1, 2016. Upon adoption, the Company reclassified debt issuance cost, other than debt issuance costs related to line of credit arrangements (which include its asset-backed commercial paper and commercial paper programs and its credit facilities), from other assets to debt. Refer to Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. |
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Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company of the groups of companies doing business as Harley-Davidson Motor Company (HDMC) and Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS). Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to the "Company" include Harley-Davidson, Inc. and all its subsidiaries. The Company operates in two reportable segments: Motorcycles & Related Products (Motorcycles) and Financial Services. 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.
The Motorcycles segment consists of HDMC which designs, manufactures and sells at wholesale on-road Harley-Davidson motorcycles as well as motorcycle parts, accessories, general merchandise and related services. The Company’s products are sold to retail customers through a network of independent dealers. The Company conducts business on a global basis, with sales in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA) and the Asia Pacific region.
The Financial Services segment consists of HDFS which primarily provides wholesale and retail financing and insurance-related programs to Harley-Davidson dealers and their retail customers. HDFS conducts business principally in the United States and Canada.
The “% Change” figures included in the “Results of Operations” section were calculated using unrounded dollar amounts and may differ from calculations using the rounded dollar amounts presented.
Overview
The Company’s net income for 2016 was $692.2 million, or $3.83 per diluted share, compared to $752.2 million, or $3.69 per diluted share, in 2015. Operating income from the Motorcycles segment was down $102.1 million compared to 2015. Motorcycles segment operating income was down primarily due to a 1.6% decrease in motorcycle shipments, unfavorable manufacturing costs and unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates. Operating income from the Financial Services segment was lower than the prior year, decreasing $4.7 million, or 1.7%, due primarily to a higher provision for credit losses.
Worldwide independent dealer retail sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles decreased 1.6% in 2016 compared to 2015. International retail sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles increased 2.3%, offset by a 3.9% decrease in the U.S. Retail sales that were below the Company's expectations in 2016 reflected significant global competitiveness and very soft U.S. industry demand.
Please refer to the “Results of Operations 2016 Compared to 2015” for additional details concerning the results for 2016.
(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,” or “estimates” or words of similar meaning. Similarly, statements that describe future plans, objectives, outlooks, targets, guidance or goals are also forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, 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 “Risk Factors” in Item 1A and under “Cautionary Statements” in Item 7 of this report. 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 the Outlook section are only made as of January 31, 2017 and the remaining forward-looking statements in this report are only made as of the date of the filing of this report (February 21, 2017), and the Company disclaims any obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
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Outlook(1)
On January 31, 2017 the Company announced the following expectations for 2017.
The Company expects its 2017 shipments to be flat to down modestly with lower shipments in the U.S., offset by higher international shipments as it grows its dealer network. The Company believes 2017 global retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles will continue to face headwinds. The Company believes retail sales of its motorcycles will be negatively impacted by:
•A soft U.S. industry driven by weak oil-dependent region sales and soft used motorcycle prices,
•Intense and potentially increasing competitive discounting in the U.S.,
•Continuing new product competition, and
•Global economic and political uncertainty and volatility
However, the Company anticipates retail sales of its motorcycles will be positively impacted by:
•Increasing global ridership through focused demand driving investments,
•Continued success with outreach customers in the U.S.,
• | New product momentum with its model-year 2017 motorcycles and exciting and innovative model-year 2018 motorcycles, and |
•Expansion of its international dealer network
The Company expects to ship 66,000 to 71,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the first quarter of 2017, down approximately 15% to 20% compared to the first quarter of 2016 driven by the Company's commitment to aggressively manage supply in line with demand, including its focus on supporting U.S. dealer efforts to sell through their remaining model-year 2016 motorcycles. The Company expects retail inventory in the U.S. at the end of the first quarter of 2017 to be considerably lower than the first quarter of 2016. The Company also expects retail inventory at the end of the first quarter to be comprised of an improved balance of 2016 and 2017 model-year motorcycles compared to December 31, 2016 to start the Spring selling season.
The Company expects gross margin as a percent of revenue for the full-year to be approximately in line with 2016. The Company expects that full-year 2017 gross margin percent will benefit from pricing of its model-year 2017 motorcycles and innovative new products that the Company will launch throughout 2017. The Company expects its pricing actions to be largely offset by unfavorable currency exchange rates, higher raw material costs and increased manufacturing expense. Year-over-year manufacturing expense will benefit from the absence of the 2016 costs associated with its ERP implementation at its Kansas City facility and the retooling and start-up costs associated with the launch of the Milwaukee-EightTM engine at its Pilgrim Road facility. However, the Company expects this favorability to be offset by higher depreciation expense from its recent capital investments and significant start-up costs associated with its model-year 2018 motorcycles. To dimensionalize the foreign currency exchange risk, if foreign currency exchange rates experienced in January 2017 remained constant throughout 2017, which is a hypothetical expectation in what is a very volatile foreign currency exchange environment, the Company estimates the adverse impact to its expected Motorcycles segment revenue from currency exchange in 2017 would be approximately 1.25%. Under this scenario, the Company would also expect an unfavorable impact to 2017 gross margin of approximately $20 million to $25 million.
The lower shipments in the first quarter will have a substantial impact on the timing of gross margin in 2017. The Company expects gross margin as a percent of revenue in the first quarter to be down approximately 2.5 percentage points compared to the first quarter of 2016. The Company expects the timing of gross margin, as compared to 2016, will be impacted by (1) a higher fixed cost per unit in the first quarter offset by a lower fixed cost per unit in the second half of 2017 and (2) mix unfavorability in the first quarter due to shipping a lower percentage of touring motorcycles offset by mix favorability in the second quarter of 2017.
The Company expects its full-year selling, administrative and engineering expenses to be approximately in line with its 2016 expenses. The Company also expects its selling, administrative and engineering expense as a percent of revenue to be approximately in line with 2016. The Company believes the 2017 benefits from savings associated with its reorganization in the fourth quarter of 2016 and the absence of related employee separation expenses will be offset by spending to drive demand.
The Company expects the 2017 operating margin percent for the Motorcycles segment to be approximately in line with the 2016 operating margin percent.
The Company expects operating income for the Financial Services segment to be down in 2017 as compared to 2016 primarily due to the $9.3 million gain on its off-balance sheet asset-backed securitization in 2016 that it does not expect to recur
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in 2017. The Company expects higher interest costs and higher credit losses in 2017 to be partially offset by the benefits of a slight lending rate increase that the Company implemented in January 2017.
The Company estimates that its capital expenditure for 2017 will be between $200 million and $220 million. The Company anticipates it will have the ability to fund all capital expenditures in 2017 with cash flows generated by operations.
The Company also announced on January 31, 2017 that it expects the full-year 2017 effective income tax rate to be approximately 34.5%. This guidance excludes the effect of any potential future adjustments such as new tax legislation or audit settlements which are recorded as discrete items in the period in which they are settled.
Long-Term Strategy(1)
The Company believes it made great progress with its demand driving efforts in 2016; however, these efforts only partially offset the impact of the down U.S. market. The U.S. is uniquely important to the Company's business and its long-term plans reflect what it believes will continue to be a challenging U.S. market. As the Company looks forward to 2017 and beyond, it will continue its demand driving focus, but will also focus on doing more, in particular in the U.S., to drive industry growth and assure the vitality of the sport of motorcycling long-term. Its long-term strategy will focus on growing ridership in the U.S. and growing its reach and impact internationally, while growing market share and profitability globally. The Company's ten-year objectives are as follows:
•Build two million new Harley-Davidson riders in the U.S.
•Launch 100 new, high-impact Harley-Davidson motorcycles
•Grow the Harley-Davidson international business to 50 percent of its total annual volume
•Deliver superior return on invested capital for HDMC
•Grow the business without growing its environmental impact
The Company will continue to invest in its business and return value to its shareholders. Through disciplined investments, it is committed to driving return on invested capital at HDMC that falls within the top quartile of the S&P 500 and continued strong return on equity for HDFS. The Company expects to return all excess cash to its shareholders in the form of increasing dividends and continuing share repurchases. The Company will continue to look for opportunities to maximize shareholder value by returning excess cash to its shareholders without damaging the long-term value of the Company or its brand.
Results of Operations 2016 Compared to 2015
Consolidated Results
(in thousands, except earnings per share) | 2016 | 2015 | (Decrease) Increase | % Change | |||||||||||
Operating income from Motorcycles & Related Products | $ | 773,406 | $ | 875,490 | $ | (102,084 | ) | (11.7 | )% | ||||||
Operating income from Financial Services | 275,530 | 280,205 | (4,675 | ) | (1.7 | )% | |||||||||
Operating income | 1,048,936 | 1,155,695 | (106,759 | ) | (9.2 | )% | |||||||||
Investment income | 4,645 | 6,585 | (1,940 | ) | (29.5 | )% | |||||||||
Interest expense | 29,670 | 12,117 | 17,553 | 144.9 | % | ||||||||||
Income before income taxes | 1,023,911 | 1,150,163 | (126,252 | ) | (11.0 | )% | |||||||||
Provision for income taxes | 331,747 | 397,956 | (66,209 | ) | (16.6 | )% | |||||||||
Net income | $ | 692,164 | $ | 752,207 | $ | (60,043 | ) | (8.0 | )% | ||||||
Diluted earnings per share | $ | 3.83 | $ | 3.69 | $ | 0.14 | 3.8 | % | |||||||
Consolidated operating income was down 9.2% in 2016 driven by a decrease in operating income from the Motorcycles segment which was down $102.1 million compared to 2015. Operating income for the Financial Services segment decreased by $4.7 million during 2016 as compared to 2015. Please refer to the “Motorcycles and Related Products Segment” and “Financial Services Segment” discussions following for a more detailed discussion of the factors affecting operating income.
Corporate interest expense was higher in 2016 compared to 2015 due to the issuance of corporate debt in 2015. The Company issued $750.0 million of senior unsecured notes in the third quarter of 2015 and utilized the proceeds to fund the repurchase of common stock in the third and fourth quarters of 2015.
The effective income tax rate for 2016 was 32.4% compared to 34.6% for 2015. The lower effective income tax rate was primarily driven by the successful closure of various tax audits in 2016.
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Diluted earnings per share were $3.83 in 2016, up 3.8% compared to 2015. Diluted earnings per share were adversely impacted by the 8.0% decrease in net income, but benefited from lower diluted weighted average shares outstanding. Diluted weighted average shares outstanding decreased from 203.7 million in 2015 to 180.5 million in 2016 driven by the Company's repurchases of common stock. Please refer to "Liquidity and Capital Resources" for additional information concerning the Company's share repurchase activity.
Motorcycle Retail Sales and Registration Data
Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Retail Sales(a)
The following table includes retail unit sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles:
2016 | 2015 | (Decrease) Increase | % Change | |||||||||
United States | 161,658 | 168,240 | (6,582 | ) | (3.9 | )% | ||||||
Europe(b) | 39,942 | 36,894 | 3,048 | 8.3 | ||||||||
EMEA - Other | 5,896 | 6,393 | (497 | ) | (7.8 | ) | ||||||
Total EMEA | 45,838 | 43,287 | 2,551 | 5.9 | ||||||||
Japan | 10,279 | 9,700 | 579 | 6.0 | ||||||||
Asia Pacific - Other | 22,610 | 22,558 | 52 | 0.2 | ||||||||
Total Asia Pacific | 32,889 | 32,258 | 631 | 2.0 | ||||||||
Latin America | 9,701 | 11,173 | (1,472 | ) | (13.2 | ) | ||||||
Canada | 10,203 | 9,669 | 534 | 5.5 | ||||||||
Total International Retail Sales | 98,631 | 96,387 | 2,244 | 2.3 | ||||||||
Total Worldwide Retail Sales | 260,289 | 264,627 | (4,338 | ) | (1.6 | )% | ||||||
(a) | Data source for retail sales figures shown above is new sales warranty and registration information provided by Harley-Davidson dealers and compiled by the Company. The Company must rely on information that its dealers supply concerning retail sales and this information is subject to revision. |
(b) | Includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. |
Worldwide independent dealer retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles decreased 1.6% during 2016 compared to 2015. Retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles decreased 3.9% in the United States and increased 2.3% internationally in 2016. The Company believes its spending to drive demand mitigated the effects of the intense global competitive environment, including the expanded price gaps to the competition in the U.S. and the impact of new product introductions. For example, the positive response to its Milwaukee-EightTM engine drove significantly improved touring motorcycle sales and U.S. Harley-Davidson market share gains in the fourth quarter of 2016.
The Company believes 2016 U.S. retail sales of its motorcycles were negatively impacted by intense competitive activity behind discounting and new competitor products. The Company continues to believe the U.S. industry is also adversely affected by weakness in oil-dependent areas and soft used motorcycle values, compounded by economic uncertainty. The Company also believes 2016 retail sales in the U.S. were negatively impacted by lower wholesale shipments of Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the fourth quarter. The Company's shipments of its model-year 2017 motorcycles were limited during the fourth quarter as U.S. dealers focused on selling model-year 2016 motorcycles. The Company remains committed to aggressively managing supply in line with demand.
The Company's U.S. market share of 601+cc motorcycles for 2016 was 51.2%, up 1.0 percentage point compared to 2015 (Source: Motorcycle Industry Council). The Company believes its U.S. market share growth was driven by its demand driving spending focused on growing product awareness and ridership and the favorable response to its model-year 2016 S-model cruisers and its new model-year 2017 motorcycles featuring the Milwaukee-EightTM engine.
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In EMEA, retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles for 2016 increased 5.9% compared to the prior year due in part to a positive reception to its model-year 2016 S-model cruisers and its new model-year 2017 motorcycles featuring the Milwaukee-EightTM engine.
In the Asia Pacific region, retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles for 2016 increased 2.0% compared to the prior year. Overall growth in the Asia Pacific region was partially offset by lower sales in India and Indonesia. In India, the Company believes retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles were negatively impacted by India's currency demonetization in the fourth quarter of 2016. In Indonesia, retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles were lower as the Company is reestablishing its dealer network in that market. Three independent dealerships were opened in Indonesia in the fourth quarter of 2016 and the Company expects to be back at previous levels by the end of 2017.(1)
Retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles in Latin America for 2016 decreased 13.2% compared to the prior year. The Company believes retail sales in Brazil continued to be negatively impacted by a price increase on its motorcycles initiated in the first quarter of 2016 and by a slowing economy, consumer uncertainty and aggressive price competition.
Retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles in Canada increased 5.5% in 2016 compared to 2015. The Company believes the market responded favorably to the change to a direct distribution model implemented in July 2015 and pricing adjustments that were implemented with the model-year 2016 motorcycles.
International retail sales as a percent of total retail sales in 2016 were 37.9% compared to 36.4% in 2015.
The Company believes it can continue to realize strong international growth opportunities by expanding its dealer network and increasing its brand relevance by delivering exceptional products that inspire riders. In 2016, the Company added 40 new international dealerships, and it plans to add a total of 150 to 200 from 2016 through 2020.(1)
Motorcycle Registration Data - 601+cc(a)
The following table includes industry retail motorcycle registration data:
2016 | 2015 | (Decrease) Increase | % Change | |||||||||
United States(b) | 311,710 | 328,818 | (17,108 | ) | (5.2 | )% | ||||||
Europe(c) | 391,936 | 351,773 | 40,163 | 11.4 | % | |||||||
(a) | Data includes on-road 601+cc models. On-road 601+cc models include dual purpose models, three-wheeled motorcycles and autocycles. Registration data for Harley-Davidson Street® 500 motorcycles is not included in this table. |
(b) | United States industry data is derived from information provided by Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC). This third-party data is subject to revision and update. |
(c) | Europe data includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Industry retail motorcycle registration data includes 601+cc models derived from information provided by Association des Constructeurs Europeens de Motocycles (ACEM), an independent agency. This third-party data is subject to revision and update. |
Motorcycles and Related Products Segment
Motorcycle Unit Shipments
The following table includes wholesale motorcycle unit shipments for the Motorcycles segment:
2016 | 2015 | Unit | Unit | |||||||||||||||
Units | Mix % | Units | Mix % | (Decrease) Increase | % Change | |||||||||||||
United States | 161,839 | 61.7 | % | 170,688 | 64.1 | % | (8,849 | ) | (5.2 | )% | ||||||||
International | 100,382 | 38.3 | % | 95,694 | 35.9 | % | 4,688 | 4.9 | ||||||||||
Harley-Davidson motorcycle units | 262,221 | 100.0 | % | 266,382 | 100.0 | % | (4,161 | ) | (1.6 | )% | ||||||||
Touring motorcycle units | 107,410 | 41.0 | % | 114,768 | 43.1 | % | (7,358 | ) | (6.4 | )% | ||||||||
Cruiser motorcycle units | 93,422 | 35.6 | % | 89,207 | 33.5 | % | 4,215 | 4.7 | ||||||||||
Sportster® / Street motorcycle units | 61,389 | 23.4 | % | 62,407 | 23.4 | % | (1,018 | ) | (1.6 | ) | ||||||||
Harley-Davidson motorcycle units | 262,221 | 100.0 | % | 266,382 | 100.0 | % | (4,161 | ) | (1.6 | )% | ||||||||
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During 2016, wholesale shipments of Harley-Davidson motorcycles were down 1.6% compared to the prior year in line with the 1.6% decrease in dealer retail sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles. International shipments as a percentage of the total were up in 2016 as compared to 2015. In addition, shipments of Cruiser motorcycles as a percentage of total shipments increased in 2016 compared to the prior year driven by the strong acceptance of the model-year 2016 S-model motorcycles. Touring motorcycle shipments were down in 2016; however, in the fourth quarter of 2016, the shipment mix of Touring motorcycles increased reflecting the high demand for the new 2017 Touring motorcycles featuring the Milwaukee-EightTM engine.
Dealer retail inventory of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the U.S. at the end of 2016 was approximately flat compared to the end of 2015. The Company believes the year-end U.S. 2017 dealer retail inventory level will remain in line with year-end 2016; however, it believes international dealer inventory will be higher at the end of 2017 as the Company continues to grow its international dealer network.(1)
Segment Results
The following table includes the condensed statement of operations for the Motorcycles segment (in thousands):
2016 | 2015 | (Decrease) Increase | % Change | ||||||||||||
Revenue: | |||||||||||||||
Motorcycles | $ | 4,122,113 | $ | 4,127,739 | $ | (5,626 | ) | (0.1 | )% | ||||||
Parts & Accessories | 842,637 | 862,645 | (20,008 | ) | (2.3 | ) | |||||||||
General Merchandise | 284,583 | 292,310 | (7,727 | ) | (2.6 | ) | |||||||||
Other | 22,043 | 26,050 | (4,007 | ) | (15.4 | ) | |||||||||
Total revenue | 5,271,376 | 5,308,744 | (37,368 | ) | (0.7 | ) | |||||||||
Cost of goods sold | 3,419,710 | 3,356,284 | 63,426 | 1.9 | |||||||||||
Gross profit | 1,851,666 | 1,952,460 | (100,794 | ) | (5.2 | ) | |||||||||
Selling & administrative expense | 907,059 | 916,669 | (9,610 | ) | (1.0 | ) | |||||||||
Engineering expense | 171,201 | 160,301 | 10,900 | 6.8 | |||||||||||
Operating expense | 1,078,260 | 1,076,970 | 1,290 | 0.1 | |||||||||||
Operating income from Motorcycles | $ | 773,406 | $ | 875,490 | $ | (102,084 | ) | (11.7 | )% | ||||||
The following table includes the estimated impact of significant factors affecting the comparability of net revenue, cost of goods sold and gross profit from 2015 to 2016 (in millions):
Net Revenue | Cost of Goods Sold | Gross Profit | ||||||||||
2015 | $ | 5,309 | $ | 3,357 | $ | 1,952 | ||||||
Volume | (109 | ) | (62 | ) | (47 | ) | ||||||
Price, net of related costs | 93 | 39 | 54 | |||||||||
Foreign currency exchange rates and hedging | (3 | ) | 45 | (48 | ) | |||||||
Shipment mix | (18 | ) | (5 | ) | (13 | ) | ||||||
Raw material prices | — | (18 | ) | 18 | ||||||||
Manufacturing and other costs | — | 64 | (64 | ) | ||||||||
Total | (37 | ) | 63 | (100 | ) | |||||||
2016 | $ | 5,272 | $ | 3,420 | $ | 1,852 | ||||||
The following factors affected the comparability of net revenue, cost of goods sold and gross profit from 2015 to 2016:
• | Volume decreases were driven by lower wholesale motorcycle shipments, as well as decreases in sales of parts and accessories and general merchandise. |
• | On average, wholesale prices on the Company’s 2016 and 2017 model-year motorcycles are higher than the prior model-years resulting in the favorable impact on revenue during the period. The impact of revenue favorability resulting from model-year price increases on gross profit was partially offset by increases in cost related to the additional content added to the 2016 and 2017 model-year motorcycles. |
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• | Gross profit was negatively impacted by foreign currency due to lower hedge gains, given the significant gains experienced in the prior year, and lower revenues behind a slightly stronger U.S. dollar relative to its foreign currency exposures. |
• | Shipment mix changes negatively impacted gross profit primarily due to changes in motorcycle family mix, driven by strong customer demand for the Company's model-year 2016 S-model cruiser motorcycles, and model mix within its motorcycle families. |
• | Raw material prices were lower in 2016 compared to 2015. |
• | Manufacturing costs for 2016 were negatively impacted by higher costs related to retooling and start-up costs at its Pilgrim Road manufacturing facility associated with the Milwaukee-EightTM engine, the implementation of the Company's ERP system at the Company's Kansas City manufacturing facility and a higher fixed cost per unit due to lower volumes, partially offset by favorable costs related to parts and accessories. |
Operating expense which consists of selling, administrative and engineering expenses, was largely flat in 2016 compared to 2015. In 2016, the Company significantly increased spending on marketing and product development to drive demand. However, these expense increases were mostly offset by decreases related to other items, including lower employee costs on fewer employees and lower reorganization costs. Reorganization costs, included in selling and administrative expenses, in the fourth quarters of 2016 and 2015, were $18.2 million and $23.3 million, respectively.
Financial Services Segment
Segment Results
The following table includes the condensed statement of operations for the Financial Services segment (in thousands):
2016 | 2015 | Increase (Decrease) | % Change | ||||||||||||
Interest income | $ | 628,432 | $ | 605,770 | $ | 22,662 | 3.7 | % | |||||||
Other income | 85,788 | 80,888 | 4,900 | 6.1 | |||||||||||
Securitization and servicing income | 10,862 | — | 10,862 | — | |||||||||||
Financial services revenue | 725,082 | 686,658 | 38,424 | 5.6 | |||||||||||
Interest expense | 173,756 | 161,983 | 11,773 | 7.3 | |||||||||||
Provision for credit losses | 136,617 | 101,345 | 35,272 | 34.8 | |||||||||||
Operating expenses | 139,179 | 143,125 | (3,946 | ) | (2.8 | ) | |||||||||
Financial Services expense | 449,552 | 406,453 | 43,099 | 10.6 | |||||||||||
Operating income from Financial Services | $ | 275,530 | $ | 280,205 | $ | (4,675 | ) | (1.7 | )% | ||||||
Interest income was favorable in 2016 due to higher average receivables in the retail and wholesale portfolios. Other income was favorable primarily due to increased revenue from credit card licensing, insurance and protection products and international licensing revenue. Securitization and servicing income was higher primarily due to a $9.3 million gain on the sale of finance receivables with a principal balance of $301.8 million through an off-balance sheet asset-backed securitization during the second quarter of 2016. There was no comparable transaction in the prior year.
Interest expense increased due to a higher cost of funds and higher average debt outstanding, partially offset by a lower loss on the extinguishment of a portion of the Company's 6.80% medium-term notes than in 2015.
The provision for credit losses increased $35.3 million compared to 2015. The retail motorcycle provision increased $39.8 million during 2016 as a result of higher credit losses and increases in the retail reserve rate. Credit losses were higher as a result of deteriorating performance across the portfolio, lower used motorcycle values at auction, and continued unfavorable performance in oil-dependent areas.
Annual losses on the Company's retail motorcycle loans were 1.83% during 2016 compared to 1.42% in 2015. The 30-day delinquency rate for retail motorcycle loans at December 31, 2016 increased to 4.25% from 3.78% at December 31, 2015.
Changes in the allowance for credit losses on finance receivables were as follows (in thousands):
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2016 | 2015 | |||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | 147,178 | $ | 127,364 | ||||
Provision for credit losses | 136,617 | 101,345 | ||||||
Charge-offs, net of recoveries | (107,161 | ) | (81,531 | ) | ||||
Other (a) | (3,291 | ) | — | |||||
Balance, end of period | $ | 173,343 | $ | 147,178 | ||||
(a) | Related to the sale of finance receivables during the second quarter of 2016 with a principal balance of $301.8 million through an off-balance sheet asset-backed securitization transaction (see Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information). |
At December 31, 2016, the allowance for credit losses on finance receivables was $166.8 million for retail receivables and $6.6 million for wholesale receivables. At December 31, 2015, the allowance for credit losses on finance receivables was $139.3 million for retail receivables and $7.9 million for wholesale receivables.
The Company's periodic evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses on finance receivables is generally based on the Company's past loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, current economic conditions and the estimated value of any underlying collateral. Please refer to Note 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion regarding the Company’s allowance for credit losses on finance receivables.
Results of Operations 2015 Compared to 2014
Consolidated Results
(in thousands, except earnings per share) | 2015 | 2014 | (Decrease) Increase | % Change | |||||||||||
Operating income from Motorcycles & Related Products | $ | 875,490 | $ | 1,003,147 | $ | (127,657 | ) | (12.7 | )% | ||||||
Operating income from Financial Services | 280,205 | 277,836 | 2,369 | 0.9 | % | ||||||||||
Operating income | 1,155,695 | 1,280,983 | (125,288 | ) | (9.8 | )% | |||||||||
Investment income | 6,585 | 6,499 | 86 | 1.3 | % | ||||||||||
Interest expense | 12,117 | 4,162 | 7,955 | 191.1 | % | ||||||||||
Income before income taxes | 1,150,163 | 1,283,320 | (133,157 | ) | (10.4 | )% | |||||||||
Provision for income taxes | 397,956 | 438,709 | (40,753 | ) | (9.3 | )% | |||||||||
Net income | $ | 752,207 | $ | 844,611 | $ | (92,404 | ) | (10.9 | )% | ||||||
Diluted earnings per share | $ | 3.69 | $ | 3.88 | $ | (0.19 | ) | (4.9 | )% | ||||||
Consolidated operating income was down 9.8% in 2015 driven by a decrease in operating income from the Motorcycles segment which decreased by $127.7 million compared to 2014. Operating income for the Financial Services segment increased by $2.4 million during 2015 as compared to 2014. Please refer to the “Motorcycles and Related Products Segment” and “Financial Services Segment” discussions following for a more detailed discussion of the factors affecting operating income.
Corporate interest expense was higher in 2015 compared to 2014 due to the issuance of corporate debt in the third quarter of 2015.
The effective income tax rate for 2015 was 34.6% compared to 34.2% for 2014.
Diluted earnings per share were $3.69 in 2015, down 4.9% compared to 2014. Diluted earnings per share were adversely impacted by the 10.9% decrease in net income, but benefited from lower diluted weighted average shares outstanding. Diluted weighted average shares outstanding decreased from 217.7 million in 2014 to 203.7 million in 2015 driven by the Company's repurchases of common stock. Please refer to "Liquidity and Capital Resources" for additional information concerning the Company's share repurchase activity.
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Motorcycles Retail Sales and Registration Data
Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Retail Sales(a)
The following table includes retail unit sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles:
2015 | 2014 | (Decrease) Increase | % Change | |||||||||
United States | 168,240 | 171,079 | (2,839 | ) | (1.7 | )% | ||||||
Europe(b) | 36,894 | 38,491 | (1,597 | ) | (4.1 | ) | ||||||
EMEA - Other | 6,393 | 6,832 | (439 | ) | (6.4 | ) | ||||||
Total EMEA | 43,287 | 45,323 | (2,036 | ) | (4.5 | ) | ||||||
Japan | 9,700 | 10,775 | (1,075 | ) | (10.0 | ) | ||||||
Asia Pacific - Other | 22,558 | 19,299 | 3,259 | 16.9 | ||||||||
Total Asia Pacific | 32,258 | 30,074 | 2,184 | 7.3 | ||||||||
Latin America | 11,173 | 11,652 | (479 | ) | (4.1 | ) | ||||||
Canada | 9,669 | 9,871 | (202 | ) | (2.0 | ) | ||||||
Total International Retail Sales | 96,387 | 96,920 | (533 | ) | (0.5 | ) | ||||||
Total Worldwide Retail Sales | 264,627 | 267,999 | (3,372 | ) | (1.3 | )% | ||||||
(a) | Data source for retail sales figures shown above is new sales warranty and registration information provided by Harley-Davidson dealers and compiled by the Company. The Company must rely on information that its dealers supply concerning retail sales and this information is subject to revision. |
(b) | Includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. |
Worldwide independent dealer retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles decreased 1.3% during 2015 compared to 2014. Retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles decreased 1.7% in the United States and 0.5% internationally in 2015.
The Company believes 2015 U.S. retail sales of its motorcycles were negatively impacted by intense competitive activity behind currency-driven discounting and new competitor products as well as a challenging macro-economic environment.
The Company's U.S. market share of 601+cc motorcycles for 2015 was 50.2%, down 3.1 percentage points compared to 2014 (Source: Motorcycle Industry Council). The Company anticipated some level of market share loss following the 13.4 percentage point increase in recent years; however, the Company's market share over the first three quarters was more severely impacted than expected, which the Company believes was a result of the intense competitive environment and the inclusion of autocycles in the industry numbers.
International retail sales growth during 2015 in Asia Pacific was more than offset by declines in EMEA, Latin America and Canada. Retail sales in Asia Pacific were driven by growth in emerging markets and in Australia, partially offset by declines in Japan. The Company believes the retail sales decrease in EMEA was due to the introduction of several performance-oriented models by the competition. International retail sales as a percent of total retail sales in 2015 were 36.4% compared to 36.2% in 2014.
Motorcycle Registration Data - 601+cc(a)
The following table includes industry retail motorcycle registration data:
2015 | 2014 | Increase | % Change | |||||||||
United States(b) | 328,818 | 313,627 | 15,191 | 4.8 | % | |||||||
Europe(c) | 351,773 | 319,801 | 31,972 | 10.0 | % | |||||||
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(a) | Data includes on-road 601+cc models. On-road 601+cc models include dual purpose models, three-wheeled motorcycles and autocycles. Autocycles were included in the U.S. and Europe data beginning in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Registration data for Harley-Davidson Street® 500 motorcycles is not included in this table. |
(b) | United States industry data is derived from information provided by Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC). This third party data is subject to revision and update. |
(c) | Europe data includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Industry retail motorcycle registration data includes 601+cc models derived from information provided by Association des Constructeurs Europeens de Motocycles (ACEM), an independent agency. This third-party data is subject to revision and update. |
Motorcycles and Related Products Segment
Motorcycle Unit Shipments
The following table includes wholesale motorcycle unit shipments for the Motorcycles segment:
2015 | 2014 | Unit | Unit | |||||||||||||||
Units | Mix % | Units | Mix % | (Decrease) Increase | % Change | |||||||||||||
United States | 170,688 | 64.1 | % | 173,994 | 64.3 | % | (3,306 | ) | (1.9 | )% | ||||||||
International | 95,694 | 35.9 | % | 96,732 | 35.7 | % | (1,038 | ) | (1.1 | ) | ||||||||
Harley-Davidson motorcycle units | 266,382 | 100.0 | % | 270,726 | 100.0 | % | (4,344 | ) | (1.6 | )% | ||||||||
Touring motorcycle units | 114,768 | 43.1 | % | 122,481 | 45.2 | % | (7,713 | ) | (6.3 | )% | ||||||||
Cruiser motorcycle units | 89,207 | 33.5 | % | 91,426 | 33.8 | % | (2,219 | ) | (2.4 | ) | ||||||||
Sportster® / Street motorcycle units(a) | 62,407 | 23.4 | % | 56,819 | 21.0 | % | 5,588 | 9.8 | ||||||||||
Harley-Davidson motorcycle units | 266,382 | 100.0 | % | 270,726 | 100.0 | % | (4,344 | ) | (1.6 | )% | ||||||||
(a) | Initial shipments of Street motorcycle units began during the first quarter of 2014. |
During 2015, wholesale shipments of Harley-Davidson motorcycles were down 1.6% compared to the prior year. International shipments as a percentage of the total were up slightly in 2015 as compared to 2014. In addition, shipments of Sportster® / Street motorcycles as a percentage of total shipments increased in 2015 compared to the prior year driven by the strong acceptance of the Street motorcycles as the Company continued its global rollout of these models in 2015. Touring motorcycle shipments were down in 2015 following a 14.2% increase in shipments of Touring motorcycles in 2014 driven by demand for the new Rushmore models. As the Company expected, dealer retail inventory of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the U.S. at the end of 2015 was approximately 2,600 units higher than at the end of 2014, largely due to the initial dealer fill of its new 2016 model-year motorcycles.
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Segment Results
The following table includes the condensed statement of operations for the Motorcycles segment (in thousands):
2015 | 2014 | (Decrease) Increase | % Change | ||||||||||||
Revenue: | |||||||||||||||
Motorcycles | $ | 4,127,739 | $ | 4,385,863 | $ | (258,124 | ) | (5.9 | )% | ||||||
Parts & Accessories | 862,645 | 875,019 | (12,374 | ) | (1.4 | ) | |||||||||
General Merchandise | 292,310 | 284,826 | 7,484 | 2.6 | |||||||||||
Other | 26,050 | 21,973 | 4,077 | 18.6 | |||||||||||
Total revenue | 5,308,744 | 5,567,681 | (258,937 | ) | (4.7 | ) | |||||||||
Cost of goods sold | 3,356,284 | 3,542,601 | (186,317 | ) | (5.3 | ) | |||||||||
Gross profit | 1,952,460 | 2,025,080 | (72,620 | ) | (3.6 | ) | |||||||||
Selling & administrative expense | 916,669 | 887,333 | 29,336 | 3.3 | |||||||||||
Engineering expense | 160,301 | 134,600 | 25,701 | 19.1 | |||||||||||
Operating expense | 1,076,970 | 1,021,933 | 55,037 | 5.4 | |||||||||||
Operating income from Motorcycles | $ | 875,490 | $ | 1,003,147 | $ | (127,657 | ) | (12.7 | )% | ||||||
The following table includes the estimated impact of the significant factors affecting the comparability of net revenue, cost of goods sold and gross profit from 2014 to 2015 (in millions):
Net Revenue | Cost of Goods Sold | Gross Profit | ||||||||||
2014 | $ | 5,568 | $ | 3,543 | $ | 2,025 | ||||||
Volume | (59 | ) | (29 | ) | (30 | ) | ||||||
Price, net of related costs | 81 | 9 | 72 | |||||||||
Foreign currency exchange rates and hedging | (231 | ) | (110 | ) | (121 | ) | ||||||
Shipment mix | (50 | ) | (20 | ) | (30 | ) | ||||||
Raw material prices | — | (19 | ) | 19 | ||||||||
Manufacturing and other costs | — | (17 | ) | 17 | ||||||||
Total | (259 | ) | (186 | ) | (73 | ) | ||||||
2015 | $ | 5,309 | $ | 3,357 | $ | 1,952 | ||||||
The following factors affected the comparability of net revenue, cost of goods sold and gross profit from 2014 to 2015:
• | On average, wholesale prices on the Company’s 2015 and 2016 model-year motorcycles were higher than the prior model-years resulting in the favorable impact on revenue during the period. The impact of revenue favorability resulting from model-year price increases on gross profit was partially offset by increases in cost related to the additional content added to the 2015 and 2016 model-year motorcycles. |
• | Gross profit was negatively impacted by changes in foreign currency exchange rates during 2015 compared to 2014. Revenue was negatively impacted by a weighted-average devaluation in the Euro, Japanese yen, Brazilian real and Australian dollar of 17% compared to 2014. The negative impact to revenue was partially offset by a positive impact to cost of goods sold as a result of natural hedges, benefits of foreign exchange contracts and a decrease in losses from the remeasurement of foreign-denominated assets on the balance sheet. |
• | Shipment mix changes negatively impacted gross profit primarily due to changes in motorcycle family mix, driven by higher shipments of Sportster®/Street motorcycles. The negative motorcycle family mix was partially offset by positive mix changes within parts and accessories and general merchandise. |
• | Raw material prices were lower in 2015 compared to 2014. |
• | Manufacturing costs for 2015 benefited from increased manufacturing efficiencies and the absence of Street motorcycles start-up costs that were incurred in 2014. |
The net increase in operating expense was primarily due to reorganization charges, expenses associated with the acquisition and operations of its Canadian distribution and higher recall costs.
33
The Company incurred approximately $30 million of reorganization expenses in the fourth quarter of 2015. This included approximately $23 million of operating expense and $5 million of cost of goods sold in the Motorcycles segment. These costs consisted of employee severance benefits, retirement benefits and other reorganization costs. The Company also incurred approximately $2 million of reorganization expenses in the Financial Services segment.
On August 4, 2015, the Company completed its purchase of certain assets and liabilities from Fred Deeley Imports, Ltd (Deeley Imports) including, among other things, the acquisition of the exclusive right to distribute the Company's motorcycles and other products in Canada. As a result of the acquisition, the Company directly distributes its products in Canada as it does in other countries. The Company incurred approximately $20 million of selling and administrative expense related to its Canada operations in 2015.
Financial Services Segment
Segment Results
The following table includes the condensed statements of operations for the Financial Services segment (in thousands):
2015 | 2014 | Increase (Decrease) | % Change | ||||||||||||
Interest income | $ | 605,770 | $ | 585,187 | $ | 20,583 | 3.5 | % | |||||||
Other income | 80,888 | 75,640 | 5,248 | 6.9 | |||||||||||
Financial services revenue | 686,658 | 660,827 | 25,831 | 3.9 | |||||||||||
Interest expense | 161,983 | 164,476 | (2,493 | ) | (1.5 | ) | |||||||||
Provision for credit losses | 101,345 | 80,946 | 20,399 | 25.2 | |||||||||||
Operating expenses | 143,125 | 137,569 | 5,556 | 4.0 | |||||||||||
Financial Services expense | 406,453 | 382,991 | 23,462 | 6.1 | |||||||||||
Operating income from Financial Services | $ | 280,205 | $ | 277,836 | $ | 2,369 | 0.9 | % | |||||||
Interest income was favorable due to higher average receivables in the retail and wholesale portfolios, partially offset by a lower retail yield due to low rate promotions during parts of 2015 and increased competition. Other income was favorable primarily due to increased credit card licensing and insurance revenue. Other income now includes international income which had previously been reported in interest income. Prior period amounts, which were not material, have been adjusted for comparability.
Interest expense benefited from a more favorable cost of funds and a lower loss on the extinguishment of a portion of the Company's 6.80% medium-term notes than in 2014, partially offset by higher average outstanding debt.
The provision for credit losses increased $20.4 million compared to 2014. The retail motorcycle provision increased $18.2 million during 2015 as a result of higher credit losses and portfolio growth. Credit losses were higher as a result of expected increased losses in the subprime portfolio, lower recovery values on repossessed motorcycles, and deterioration in performance in oil-dependent areas of the U.S. in late 2015.
Annual losses on the Company's retail motorcycle loans were 1.42% during 2015 compared to 1.22% in 2014. The 30-day delinquency rate for retail motorcycle loans at December 31, 2015 increased to 3.78% from 3.61% at December 31, 2014.
Changes in the allowance for credit losses on finance receivables were as follows (in thousands):
2015 | 2014 | |||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | 127,364 | $ | 110,693 | ||||
Provision for credit losses | 101,345 | 80,946 | ||||||
Charge-offs, net of recoveries | (81,531 | ) | (64,275 | ) | ||||
Balance, end of period | $ | 147,178 | $ | 127,364 | ||||
At December 31, 2015, the allowance for credit losses on finance receivables was $139.3 million for retail receivables and $7.9 million for wholesale receivables. At December 31, 2014, the allowance for credit losses on finance receivables was $122.0 million for retail receivables and $5.3 million for wholesale receivables.
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Other Matters
New Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASU 2014-09). ASU 2014-09 is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14 Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Deferral of Effective Date (ASU 2015-14) to defer the effective date of the new revenue recognition standard by one year to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods therein. The guidance may be adopted using either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach. The Company expects to adopt the new revenue recognition guidance using the modified retrospective method. The Company's efforts to evaluate the impact and to prepare for its adoption on January 1, 2018 are well underway. Based on the work completed to date (which includes the review of significant domestic revenue sources), the Company expects that the recognition of revenue for domestic sales of motorcycles, parts and accessories and general merchandise products under the new revenue recognition guidance will occur at a point in time, which is consistent with current practice. The Company is continuing to evaluate its international revenue sources for potential impact, but based on the work completed to date, expects its conclusions will be consistent with those reached for domestic revenue sources. Interest income, which makes up the vast majority of revenue in the Financial Services segment, is not within the scope of the new standard.
In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11 Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory (ASU 2015-11). ASU 2015-11 simplifies the subsequent measurement of inventory by using only the lower of cost or net realizable value. ASU 2015-11 does not apply to inventory measured using the last-in, first-out method. The Company is required to adopt ASU 2015-11 for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016 on a prospective basis. Early adoption will be permitted. The adoption of ASU 2015-11 will not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01 Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (ASU 2016-01). ASU 2016-01 enhances the existing financial instruments reporting model by modifying fair value measurement tools, simplifying impairment assessments for certain equity instruments, and modifying overall presentation and disclosure requirements. The Company is required to adopt ASU 2016-01 for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017 on a prospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption of ASU 2016-01.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 Leases (Topic 842) (ASU 2016-02). ASU 2016-02 amends the existing lease accounting model by requiring a lessee to recognize the rights and obligations resulting from certain leases as assets and liabilities on the balance sheet. ASU 2016-02 also requires a company to disclose key information about their leasing arrangements. The Company is required to adopt ASU 2016-02 for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018 using a modified retrospective approach. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption of ASU 2016-02.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09 Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (ASU 2016-09). ASU 2016-09 amends the guidance on several aspects of accounting for share-based payment transactions, including income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, accounting for forfeitures, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The Company is required to adopt ASU 2016-09 for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016 on both a retrospective and prospective basis dependent upon the nature of the subtopic. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-09 to have a material impact on its financial statements.
In July 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13 Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (ASU 2016-13). ASU 2016-13 changes how to recognize expected credit losses on financial assets. The standard requires a more timely recognition of credit losses on loans and other financial assets and also provides additional transparency about credit risk. The current credit loss standard generally requires that a loss actually be incurred before it is recognized, while the new standard will require recognition of full lifetime expected losses upon initial recognition of the financial instrument. The Company is required to adopt ASU 2016-13 for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019 on a modified retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. An entity should apply the standard by recording a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings upon adoption. Adoption of this standard will impact how the Company recognizes credit losses on its financial instruments. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption of ASU 2016-13 but anticipates
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the adoption of ASU 2016-13 will result in an increase in the annual provision for credit losses and the related allowance for credit losses.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15 Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (ASU 2016-15). ASU 2016-15 addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing diversity in practice regarding how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented in the statement of cash flows. The standard provides guidance on the classification of the following items: (1) debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, (2) settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments, (3) contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, (4) proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, (5) proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, (6) distributions received from equity method investments, (7) beneficial interests in securitization transactions, and (8) separately identifiable cash flows. The Company is required to adopt ASU 2016-15 for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017 on a retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption of ASU 2016-15.
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16 Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory (ASU 2016-16). ASU 2016-16 states that an entity should recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. Two common assets included in the scope of the ASU are intellectual property and property, plant and equipment. The Company is required to adopt ASU 2016-16 for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017 using a modified retrospective approach with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual reporting period. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-16 to have a material impact on its financial statements.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18 Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (ASU 2016-18). ASU 2016-18 requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. As such, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and ending-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The Company is required to adopt ASU 2016-18 for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017 on a retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company reported a $43.5 million financing cash inflow related to a change in restricted cash for the period ended December 31, 2016. Subsequent to the adoption of ASU 2016-18, the change in restricted cash would be excluded from the change in cash flows from financing activities and included in the change in total cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents as reported in the statement of cash flows.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The Company’s financial statements are based on the selection and application of significant accounting policies, which require management to make significant estimates and assumptions. Management believes that the following are some of the more critical judgment areas in the application of accounting policies that currently affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Management has discussed the development and selection of these critical accounting estimates with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Finance Receivables – The allowance for uncollectible accounts is maintained at a level management believes is adequate to cover the losses of principal in the existing finance receivables portfolio.
The retail portfolio consists of a large number of small balance, homogeneous finance receivables. The Company performs a periodic and systematic collective evaluation of the adequacy of the retail allowance. The Company utilizes loss forecast models which consider a variety of factors including, but not limited to, historical loss trends, origination or vintage analysis, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, the value of the underlying collateral, recovery rates and current economic conditions including items such as unemployment rates.
The wholesale portfolio is primarily composed of large balance, non-homogeneous finance receivables. The Company's wholesale allowance evaluation is first based on a loan-by-loan review. A specific allowance is established for wholesale finance receivables determined to be individually impaired when management concludes that the borrower will not be able to make full payment of contractual amounts due based on the original terms of the loan agreement. The impairment is determined based on the cash that the Company expects to receive discounted at the loan’s original interest rate or the fair value of the collateral, if the loan is collateral-dependent. Finance receivables in the wholesale portfolio that are not individually evaluated for impairment are segregated, based on similar risk characteristics, according to the Company’s internal risk rating system and collectively evaluated for impairment. The related allowance is based on factors such as the Company’s past loan loss
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experience, the specific borrower’s financial performance as well as ability to repay, current economic conditions as well as the value of the underlying collateral.
Product Warranty – Estimated warranty costs are reserved for motorcycles, motorcycle parts and motorcycle accessories at the time of sale. The warranty reserve is based upon historical Company claim data used in combination with other known factors that may affect future warranty claims. The Company updates its warranty estimates quarterly to ensure that the warranty reserves are based on the most current information available.
The Company believes that past claim experience is indicative of future claims; however, the factors affecting actual claims can be volatile. As a result, actual claims experience may differ from estimated, which could lead to material changes in the Company’s warranty provision and related reserves. The Company’s warranty liability is discussed further in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Pensions and Other Postretirement Healthcare Benefits – The Company has a defined benefit pension plan and several postretirement healthcare benefit plans, which cover employees of the Motorcycles segment. The Company also has unfunded supplemental employee retirement plan agreements (SERPA) with certain employees, which were instituted to replace benefits lost under the Tax Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993.
U.S. GAAP requires that companies recognize in their statement of financial position a liability for defined benefit pension and postretirement plans that are underfunded or an asset for defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans that are overfunded.
Pension, SERPA and postretirement healthcare obligations and costs are calculated through actuarial valuations. The valuation of benefit obligations and net periodic benefit costs relies on key assumptions including discount rates, mortality, long-term expected return on plan assets, future compensation and healthcare cost trend rates.
The Company determines its discount rate assumptions by referencing high-quality long-term bond rates that are matched to the duration of its own benefit obligations. Based on this analysis, the Company decreased the weighted-average discount rate for pension and SERPA obligations from 4.53% as of December 31, 2015 to 4.30% as of December 31, 2016. The Company decreased the weighted-average discount rate for postretirement healthcare obligations from 4.29% to 4.03%. The Company determines its healthcare trend assumption for the postretirement healthcare obligation by considering factors such as estimated healthcare inflation, the utilization of healthcare benefits and changes in the health of plan participants. Based on the Company’s assessment of this data as of December 31, 2016, the Company set its healthcare cost trend rate at 7.25% as of December 31, 2016. The Company expects the healthcare cost trend rate to reach its ultimate rate of 5.00% by 2021.(1) These assumption changes were reflected immediately in the benefit obligation and will be amortized into net periodic benefit costs over future periods.
Plan assets are measured at fair value and are subject to market volatility. In estimating the expected return on plan assets, the Company considers the historical returns on plan assets, adjusted to reflect the current view of the long-term investment market.
Changes in the funded status of defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans resulting from the difference between assumptions and actual results are initially recognized in other comprehensive income and amortized to expense over future periods. The following information is provided to illustrate the sensitivity of pension and postretirement healthcare obligations and costs to changes in these major assumptions (in thousands):
Amounts based on current assumptions | Impact of a 1% decrease in the discount rate | Impact of a 1% decrease in the expected return on assets | Impact of a 1% increase in the healthcare cost trend rate | |||||||||||||
2016 Net periodic benefit costs | ||||||||||||||||
Pension and SERPA | $ | 27,316 | $ | 29,850 | $ | 19,443 | n/a | |||||||||
Postretirement healthcare | $ | 10,957 | $ | 881 | $ | 1,609 | $ | 1,564 | ||||||||
2016 Benefit obligations | ||||||||||||||||
Pension and SERPA | $ | 1,986,435 | $ | 335,111 | n/a | n/a | ||||||||||
Postretirement healthcare | $ | 346,431 | $ | 31,837 | n/a | $ | 12,670 | |||||||||
This information should not be viewed as predictive of future amounts. The analysis of the impact of a 1% change in the table above does not take into account the cost related to special termination benefits. The calculation of pension, SERPA and postretirement healthcare obligations and costs is based on many factors in addition to those discussed here. This information
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should be considered in combination with the information provided in Note 13 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Stock Compensation Costs – The total cost of the Company’s share-based equity awards is equal to the grant date fair value per award multiplied by the number of awards granted, adjusted for awards that do not ultimately vest. The total cost of the Company’s liability-based equity awards is equal to the report date fair value per award multiplied by the number of awards granted, adjusted for awards that do not ultimately vest. These costs are recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the service or performance periods of the awards. Forfeitures resulting from the failure to satisfy service requirements are initially estimated based on historical Company information and subsequently updated over the life of the awards to ultimately reflect actual forfeitures. For performance-based awards, the number of awards expected to vest is also based on the estimated achievement of performance goals which is updated periodically over the life of the awards and ultimately reflects the actual level of achievement. As a result, changes in the level of forfeiture activity and the level of achievement of performance goals can influence the amount of stock compensation cost recognized from period to period.
The Company did not grant option awards in 2016. In prior years, the Company estimated the fair value of option awards as of the grant date using a lattice-based option valuation model which utilizes ranges of assumptions over the expected term of the options, including stock price volatility, dividend yield and risk-free interest rate.
The valuation model used historical data to estimate option exercise behavior and employee terminations. The expected term of options granted was derived from the output of the option valuation model and represents the average period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding.
The Company used implied volatility to determine the expected volatility of its stock. The implied volatility is derived from options that are actively traded and the market prices of both the traded options and underlying shares are measured at a similar point in time to each other and on a date reasonably close to the grant date of the employee stock options. In addition, the traded options have exercise prices that are both (a) near-the-money and (b) close to the exercise price of the employee stock options. Finally, the remaining maturities of the traded options on which the estimate is based are at least one year.
Dividend yield was based on the Company’s expected dividend payments and the risk-free rate was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.
Income Taxes – The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes.” Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and other loss carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.
The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining the Company’s worldwide provision for income taxes and recording the related deferred tax assets and liabilities. In the ordinary course of the Company’s business, there are transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. Accruals for unrecognized tax benefits are provided for in accordance with the requirements of ASC Topic 740. An unrecognized tax benefit represents the difference between the recognition of benefits related to items for income tax reporting purposes and financial reporting purposes. The unrecognized tax benefit is included within other long-term liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company has a reserve for interest and penalties on exposure items, if applicable, which is recorded as a component of the overall income tax provision. The Company is regularly audited by tax authorities as a normal course of business. Although the outcome of tax audits is always uncertain, management believes that it has appropriate support for the positions taken on its tax returns and that its annual tax provision includes amounts sufficient to pay any assessments. Nonetheless, the amounts ultimately paid, if any, upon resolution of the issues raised by the taxing authorities may differ materially from the amounts accrued for each year.
Contractual Obligations
A summary of the Company’s expected payments for significant contractual obligations as of December 31, 2016 is as follows (in thousands):
2017 | 2018-2019 | 2020-2021 | Thereafter | Total | ||||||||||||||||
Principal payments on debt | $ | 2,145,781 | $ | 2,675,694 | $ | 1,258,814 | $ | 750,000 | $ | 6,830,289 | ||||||||||
Interest payments on debt | 175,286 | 208,704 | 87,675 | 396,000 | 867,665 | |||||||||||||||
Operating lease payments | 13,900 | 24,598 | 14,151 | 11,965 | 64,614 | |||||||||||||||
$ | 2,334,967 | $ | 2,908,996 | $ | 1,360,640 | $ | 1,157,965 | $ | 7,762,568 | |||||||||||
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Interest for floating rate instruments assumes December 31, 2016 rates remain constant.
As of December 31, 2016, the Company generally had no significant purchase obligations, other than those created in the ordinary course of business. Purchase orders issued for inventory and supplies used in product manufacturing generally do not become firm commitments until 90 days prior to expected delivery and can be modified to a certain extent until 30 days prior to expected delivery.
The Company has long-term obligations related to its pension, SERPA and postretirement healthcare plans at December 31, 2016. The Company’s retirement plan obligations and expected future contributions and payments related to these plans are provided in Note 13 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
As described in Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company has unrecognized tax benefits of $55.5 million and accrued interest and penalties of $28.1 million as of December 31, 2016. However, the Company cannot make a reasonably reliable estimate of the period of cash settlement for either the liability for unrecognized tax benefits or accrued interest and penalties.
Commitments and Contingencies
The Company is subject to lawsuits and other claims related to environmental, product and other matters. In determining required reserves 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 required reserves are monitored on an ongoing basis and are updated based on new developments or new information in each matter.
Environmental Protection Agency Notice:
In December 2009, the Company received formal, written requests for information from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding: (i) certificates of conformity for motorcycle emissions and related designations and labels, (ii) aftermarket parts, and (iii) warranty claims on emissions related components. The Company promptly submitted written responses to the EPA’s inquiry and has engaged in discussions with the EPA. Since that time, the EPA delivered various additional requests for information to which the Company responded. More recently, in August 2016, the Company entered into a consent decree with the EPA regarding these issues (the Settlement). In the Settlement the Company agreed to, among other things, pay a fine, fund a three-year emissions mitigation project, and not sell tuning products unless they are approved by the EPA or California Air Resources Board. The Company anticipates the EPA will move the court to finalize the Settlement in the coming months. The Company has a reserve associated with this matter which is included in accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, and as a result, if it is finalized, the Settlement would not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations. The Settlement is not final until it is approved by the court, and if it is not approved by the court, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the impact of any remedies the EPA might seek beyond the Company's current reserve for this matter.
York Environmental Matters:
The Company is involved with government agencies and groups of potentially responsible parties related to a matter involving the cleanup of soil and groundwater contamination at its York, Pennsylvania facility. The York facility was formerly used by the U.S. Navy and AMF prior to the purchase of the York facility by the Company from AMF in 1981. Although the Company is not certain as to the full extent of the environmental contamination at the York facility, it has been working with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) since 1986 in undertaking environmental investigation and remediation activities, including a site-wide remedial investigation/feasibility study (RI/FS).
In January 1995, the Company entered into a settlement agreement (the Agreement) with the Navy, and the parties amended the Agreement in 2013 to address ordnance and explosive waste. The Agreement calls for the Navy and the Company to contribute amounts into a trust equal to 53% and 47%, respectively, of costs associated with environmental investigation and remediation activities at the York facility (Response Costs). The trust administers the payment of the Response Costs incurred at the York facility as covered by the Agreement.
The Company has a reserve for its estimate of its share of the future Response Costs at the York facility which is included in accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. While much of the work on the RI/FS is complete, it is still under agency review and given the uncertainty that exists concerning the nature and scope of additional environmental investigation and remediation that may ultimately be required under the RI/FS that is finally approved or otherwise at the York facility, the Company is unable to make a reasonable estimate of those additional costs, if any, that may result.
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The estimate of the Company's future Response Costs that will be incurred at the York facility is based on reports of independent environmental consultants retained by the Company, the actual costs incurred to date and the estimated costs to complete the necessary investigation and re