Harley-Davidson Q4 Profit Declines, But Beats View - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Harley-Davidson, Inc. (HOG) on Thursday reported a decline in profit for the fourth quarter from last year on lower revenues. However, earnings per share beat analysts' estimates, while revenues missed their expectations.

For the fourth quarter, net income was $42.20 million or $0.22 per share, compared to $74.48 million or $0.35 per share, prior year. On average, 16 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report profit per share of $0.19 for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

Motorcycles and related products revenue was $1.01 billion compared to $1.03 billion last year. Analysts expected revenue of $1.03 billion for the quarter.

Consolidated revenue was $1.18 billion, down from $1.20 billion in the year-ago period.

The company shipped 48,149 motorcycles to dealers and distributors worldwide during the quarter compared to shipments of 47,157 motorcycles in the year-ago period. Operating income from motorcycles and related products was $6.37 million during the quarter, down 82 percent from the year-ago period.

Looking ahead to the first quarter of 2016, the company expects to ship 78,000 to 83,000 motorcycles compared to 79,589 motorcycles shipped in the year-ago period.

Harley-Davidson expects to ship 269,000 to 274,000 motorcycles in 2016, an approximate 1 percent to 3 percent increase from 2015 shipments.