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Harley-Davidson, Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 29 October 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 4 raised, 1 lowered. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • North American retail rose 9 percent: North American retail sales were up 9 percent, accelerating from 3 percent in the prior quarter, the fourth consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth in that region. Source
  • Net income fell on prior-year HDFS sale: Net income attributable to HDI was $43 million, against $377 million, as the prior-year quarter included a benefit from HDFS selling most of its securitization interests and retail receivables. Source
  • HDMC revenue and operating income fell: HDMC revenue was $964 million, down 10 percent on lower shipment volume; HDMC operating income was $44 million, down 18 percent, with margin at 4.6 percent against 5.0 percent. Source
  • Gross margin rose 173 basis points: Gross margin percentage was 28.1 percent in the quarter, while gross profit was $270.8 million against $283.1 million a year earlier. Source
  • Dealer inventory down 26 percent: Global dealer inventory of new motorcycles was down 26 percent year over year and down 6 percent from Q2 2026, which management linked to aligning wholesale activity with retail demand. Source
  • $110 million returned in quarter: The company returned $110 million in the quarter: $91 million of discretionary share repurchases and $19 million of cash dividends. Source
  • Back to the Bricks one quarter in: Management said the Back to the Bricks strategy was one full quarter into execution, carried out in partnership with dealers. Source

“We are pleased with the continued progress made toward aligning wholesale activity with retail demand, achieving a further 26 percent reduction in dealer inventory while delivering 5 percent growth in global retail sales compared with Q3 2025.”

Artie Starrs, President and CEO, Harley-Davidson

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
HDMC global motorcycle retail sales Sourcefull year 2026135,500 to 139,000 unitsRaised from 133,500 to 138,500 units
HDMC global motorcycle wholesale shipments Sourcefull year 2026135,500 to 139,000 unitsRaised from 133,500 to 138,500 units
HDMC operating income Sourcefull year 2026$25 to $55 millionRaised from $10 to $50 million
HDFS operating income Sourcefull year 2026$60 to $70 millionRaised from $55 to $65 million
Harley-Davidson, Inc. capital investment Sourcefull year 2026$140 to $165 millionLowered from $175 to $200 million

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: HDMC full-year retail sales, wholesale shipments and operating income ranges were raised; the company said this was the second raise this year. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year HDFS operating income range raised to $60 to $70 million from $55 to $65 million. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Full-year capital investment range revised to $140 to $165 million from $175 to $200 million. Source
  • Guidance withdrawn: LiveWire withdrew its full-year guidance, which had been an operating loss of $70 to $80 million. Source
  • New: Two independent directors were appointed to the Board, effective October 28, 2026, bringing the Board to ten directors. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • North American retail rose 9 percent: North American retail sales were up 9 percent, accelerating from 3 percent in the prior quarter, the fourth consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth in that region. Source
  • Global retail growth led by North America: Global retail rose 5 percent, with North America and Asia-Pacific driving growth; Asia-Pacific rose 1 percent overall and Australia and New Zealand rose 15 percent. Source
  • Net income fell on prior-year HDFS sale: Net income attributable to HDI was $43 million, against $377 million, as the prior-year quarter included a benefit from HDFS selling most of its securitization interests and retail receivables. Source
  • Diluted EPS down on prior-year benefit: Diluted EPS was $0.40 for the quarter against $3.10 a year earlier; nine-month diluted EPS was $1.38 against $5.03. Source

Segments and regions

  • HDMC revenue and operating income fell: HDMC revenue was $964 million, down 10 percent on lower shipment volume; HDMC operating income was $44 million, down 18 percent, with margin at 4.6 percent against 5.0 percent. Source
  • HDFS margin reflects asset-light shift: HDFS operating income margin was 9.7 percent, against 168.0 percent a year earlier; the company attributed the consolidated earnings decline to the HDFS shift to an asset-light model. Source
  • Europe and Latin America retail lower: Q3 retail units were 4,764 in EMEA against 5,033 and 764 in Latin America against 822, while US retail rose to 23,812 from 21,779 and Asia Pacific to 4,702 from 4,667. Source
  • LiveWire revenue up, loss narrowed: LiveWire revenue was $7.9 million against $5.6 million, and its operating loss was $17.8 million against $18.2 million in the prior-year quarter. Source

“We are encouraged by the improvement in our key growth drivers over the quarter.”

Artie Starrs, President and CEO, Harley-Davidson

Products and customers

  • Super Glide and Deadwood cited: Management named the Super Glide and Deadwood as models creating a deeper connection between the brand and riders. Source
  • Touring shipments fell, cruisers rose: Q3 shipments were Grand American Touring 17,970 against 22,035, Cruiser 11,382 against 10,551, Sport and Lightweight 3,219 against 2,628, and Adventure Touring 1,045 against 1,310. Source
  • Motorcycle, parts and apparel revenue fell: Motorcycle revenue was $733.6 million against $821.9 million; parts and accessories were $152.9 million against $167.3 million, and apparel $55.2 million against $56.1 million. Source

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Gross margin rose 173 basis points: Gross margin percentage was 28.1 percent in the quarter, while gross profit was $270.8 million against $283.1 million a year earlier. Source
  • Gross profit bridge by factor: Gross profit bridge in millions: volume (24), price and sales incentives (12), shipment mix (22), raw material prices (7), manufacturing and other costs plus 44, and foreign currency and hedging plus 9. Source
  • Operating expenses slightly lower: Selling, administrative and engineering expense at HDMC was $227 million, 1 percent lower than a year earlier. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin rose to 9.7%: HDMC Adjusted EBITDA was $93.9 million, a 9.7 percent margin against 8.7 percent; the company presents this as a non-GAAP measure. Source
  • Restructuring adjustments of $13.9 million: Adjustments of $13.9 million in the quarter related to corporate restructuring, primarily one-time employee termination benefits and impairment of long-lived assets. Source

“Tony and Bryan are complementary additions to the Board and Harley-Davidson leadership”

Troy Alstead, Chairman of the Board of Harley-Davidson

Demand and dealer inventory

  • Dealer inventory down 26 percent: Global dealer inventory of new motorcycles was down 26 percent year over year and down 6 percent from Q2 2026, which management linked to aligning wholesale activity with retail demand. Source
  • Shipments held down for dealer health: HDMC global shipments were 33,616 units, down 8 percent, which the company said drives long-term dealer health and aligns with the Back to the Bricks strategy. Source
  • Dealer network becoming more profitable: Management said the dealer network is becoming increasingly profitable while the company works through the Back to the Bricks strategy with its dealers. Source

Capital, cash and shareholder returns

  • $110 million returned in quarter: The company returned $110 million in the quarter: $91 million of discretionary share repurchases and $19 million of cash dividends. Source
  • Cash held at $2.1 billion: Cash and cash equivalents were $2.1 billion at September 30, 2026, against $3.1 billion at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Nine-month operating cash flow lower: Nine-month operating cash flow was $275.9 million against $416.9 million; capital expenditures were $64.4 million against $102.1 million. Source
  • Dividend per share rose: Cash dividends were $0.1875 per share for the quarter, against $0.18 a year earlier. Source

Strategy and investment

  • Back to the Bricks one quarter in: Management said the Back to the Bricks strategy was one full quarter into execution, carried out in partnership with dealers. Source
  • Wholesale aligned with retail demand: Management said wholesale activity is being aligned with retail demand, and reported continued progress on that alignment during the quarter. Source

People and leadership

  • Two independent directors appointed: The Board appointed Anthony D. Fassino and Bryan E. Slone as independent directors, effective October 28, 2026. Source
  • Fassino brings industrial experience: Fassino recently retired from Caterpillar as Group President of Construction Industries, a business of about $25 billion, after a 30-year career with the company. Source
  • Slone brings tax and governance background: Slone is Counsel at Koley Jessen and chairs the audit committee at each of three organizations whose boards he serves on, including Ameritas and First National of Nebraska. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Total worldwide retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, Q3 2026 and Q3 2025 Source35,833 units; 33,984 units
HDMC global motorcycle shipments Source33,616 units, down 8 percent
HDMC U.S. motorcycle shipments Source23,013 units; 25,662 units
Global dealer inventory of new motorcycles, change Sourcedown 26 percent vs. Q3 2025
North American dealer inventory share of current Model Year 2026 motorcycles Source91 percent, up from 86 percent

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management reported continued progress toward aligning wholesale activity with retail demand, without stating a status against a dated target. 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.