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Harley-Davidson, Inc.: Q3 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 4 November 2025: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 2 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Operating income rose to $475 million: Diluted EPS was $3.10 against $0.91, and revenue was $1,341 million, up 17 percent. Net income attributable to Harley-Davidson was $377 million against $119 million. Source
  • HDFS transaction lifted operating income: HDFS operating income was $439 million against $77 million. The rise came mainly from a lower credit-loss provision and higher other income, including a $27 million gain. Source
  • Tariff costs reached $27 million: The company said new or increased tariffs implemented in 2025 cost $27 million in the third quarter, compared with $13 million in the second quarter. Source
  • Dealer inventory down 13 percent: Global dealer inventories were down 13 percent from the end of Q3 2024. Management said it continued to prioritize reducing dealer inventory, while shipments rose 33 percent. Source
  • HDFS partnership with KKR and PIMCO: Harley-Davidson keeps full control and majority ownership of HDFS. The company said there is no change for dealers or customers. Source

“While retail sales remain challenged, I’m truly energized by what I’ve experienced across the Company, in dealerships, and with the broader rider community.”

Artie Starrs, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
LiveWire operating loss Sourcefull year 2025$72-$77 millionRaised from $59-$69 million
LiveWire total net use of cash Source2025$50-$60 millionKept
HDFS transaction discretionary cash Sourceno later than end of Q1 2026$1.2 - $1.25 billion
Share repurchase plan Sourceby end of 2026$1 billionKept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: LiveWire operating loss guidance raised to $72-$77 million from $59-$69 million. Source
  • New: Completed agreements for the Back Book Sale, Forward Flow Agreement and Sale of Equity Interests in October. Source
  • New: Equity interest sold to KKR and PIMCO is 9.8%, against 4.9% in the second-quarter release. Source
  • New: Back book sale is about $6 billion of HDFS loan receivables, against over $5 billion in the second-quarter release. Source
  • New: Announced a $200 million accelerated share repurchase with Goldman Sachs, part of the $1 billion plan. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Operating income rose to $475 million: Diluted EPS was $3.10 against $0.91, and revenue was $1,341 million, up 17 percent. Net income attributable to Harley-Davidson was $377 million against $119 million. Source
  • HDFS transaction lifted operating income: HDFS operating income was $439 million against $77 million. The rise came mainly from a lower credit-loss provision and higher other income, including a $27 million gain. Source
  • Credit-loss reserve reversal drove benefit: HDFS recorded a $301 million benefit in its provision for credit losses from reversing part of its retail allowance, against a $58 million expense a year earlier. Source
  • Nine-month HDMC operating income fell: Nine-month HDMC operating income was $231.7 million against $491.5 million; third-quarter HDMC operating income was $54 million against $55 million. Source

Segments and regions

  • HDMC revenue up 23 percent: HDMC revenue was $1,074 million, up 23 percent, driven mainly by higher wholesale shipments. Motorcycles revenue rose 34 percent to $822 million. Source
  • HDFS receivables down 24 percent: HDFS revenue was $261 million, down 3 percent. Finance receivables ended at $6.0 billion, including $4.1 billion held for sale that was sold in October. Source
  • Latin America retail rose, others fell: Retail sales fell 5 percent in North America, 17 percent in EMEA and 3 percent in Asia Pacific, while Latin America rose 16 percent. Source

“This transaction releases over $1.2 billion in discretionary cash and sets the foundation for higher returns and sustained growth.”

Jonathan Root, Chief Financial Officer

Products and customers

  • Grand American Touring shipments rose: Grand American Touring shipments were 22,035 units against 15,493, and cruiser shipments were 10,551 against 9,610; total worldwide shipments were 36,524. Source
  • Parts and apparel revenue mixed: Parts and accessories revenue was $167 million, down 4 percent; apparel was $56 million, up 1 percent; licensing revenue rose 42 percent to $6 million. Source
  • Sport and adventure touring units rose: Sport and lightweight shipments were 2,628 against 1,770, and adventure touring shipments were 1,310 against 647, within the worldwide total. Source

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Gross margin down 3.7 points: HDMC gross margin was 26.4 percent against 30.1 percent. Operating expense was $20 million higher than a year ago, and HDMC operating margin was 5.0 percent. Source
  • Tariff costs reached $27 million: The company said new or increased tariffs implemented in 2025 cost $27 million in the third quarter, compared with $13 million in the second quarter. Source
  • Volume cut nine-month gross profit: Nine-month gross profit fell from $1,158 million to $897 million. The volume effect was negative $189 million and manufacturing and other costs were negative $152 million. Source

Demand and dealer inventory

  • Worldwide retail sales down 6 percent: Worldwide retail motorcycle sales were 34.0 thousand against 36.2 thousand, down 6 percent; United States retail sales were 21,779 against 22,726. Source
  • Dealer inventory down 13 percent: Global dealer inventories were down 13 percent from the end of Q3 2024. Management said it continued to prioritize reducing dealer inventory, while shipments rose 33 percent. Source
  • U.S. shipments well above last year: U.S. motorcycle shipments were 25,662 against 15,850 a year earlier; nine-month U.S. shipments were 72,263 against 89,761. Source

Capital, cash and returns to shareholders

  • Operating cash flow $417 million: Nine-month cash from operating activities was $417 million, against $931 million a year earlier. Capital expenditures for the nine months were $102 million. Source
  • Discretionary buybacks of $187 million: Nine-month share repurchases were $187 million, or 6.8 million shares, on a discretionary basis. Dividends paid for the nine months were $66 million. Source
  • Cash balance of $1.8 billion: Cash and cash equivalents were $1.8 billion at quarter end, against $1.6 billion at June 30 and $2.2 billion a year earlier. Source
  • Quarterly dividend per share rose: Quarterly cash dividend per share was $0.18, up from $0.1725 a year earlier. Nine-month dividends per share were $0.54, against $0.5175. Source

Strategy and investment: HDFS

  • HDFS partnership with KKR and PIMCO: Harley-Davidson keeps full control and majority ownership of HDFS. The company said there is no change for dealers or customers. Source
  • HDFS made capital-light and de-risked: Management said the transaction transforms HDFS into a capital-light, de-risked business that it expects to continue originating and servicing retail loans. Source
  • Residual interests sold in August: In July the HDFS partnership was announced. In August the company sold residual interests in securitized receivables of about $1.9 billion, with $1.7 billion of related debt. Source

People and leadership

  • CEO stresses dealer success: President and CEO Artie Starrs said the company's success begins with its dealers, and that a lot of work lies ahead. Source
  • CEO names key growth drivers: Starrs listed profitable dealerships, rider brand connection, local marketing and capital-efficient growth as the key drivers of sustainable growth. Source
  • CFO calls HDFS deal a milestone: CFO Jonathan Root called completion of the HDFS transaction with KKR and PIMCO a milestone for the company. Source

Coming up, as management said on 4 November 2025

  • Accelerated share repurchase completion: The Goldman Sachs accelerated share repurchase is expected to be completed no later than the first quarter of 2026. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Global motorcycle shipments (thousands) Source36.5 (Q3 2025) vs 27.5 (Q3 2024), up 33%
Worldwide retail motorcycle sales (thousands) Source34.0 vs 36.2, down 6%
Global dealer inventories Sourcedown 13% vs end of Q3 2024
Electric motorcycle unit sales (LiveWire) Source184 vs 99, up 86%

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Management cites continued soft retail demand tied to consumer confidence, high relative interest rates and inflation concerns. Source
  • External: Management says tariff and business conditions remain uncertain, especially for discretionary purchases, which it cites for withholding full-year HDMC guidance. Source
  • Financial: HDMC gross margin fell on operating leverage, tariffs and currency, which management listed as the factors behind the decline. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: Management said the LiveWire operating loss was in line with its expectations, $8 million lower than a year ago. Source
  • Met: The HDFS transaction agreements were completed in October, following the July partnership announcement. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.