Harley-Davidson Shares Slip after Company Cuts Margin Outlook (HOG)

Harley-Davidson Inc. (NYSE: HOG) shares have fallen sharply in trading today after the Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based company lowered its margin outlook for the full year.

Harley-Davidson shares fell to an intra-day low of $33.73. At last check, the stock was down 7.73% to $34.33.

Harley-Davidson lowered its full-year profit margin outlook due to uncertainty over foreign exchange rates. The company also said that production constraints curbed sales of its more expensive bikes during the third quarter of 2011.

Harley-Davidson now expects full-year gross margin to come in between 33.50% and 34.50%, compared with previous forecast of 34%-35%. Keith Wandell, CEO of Harley Davidson, said that the company remains cautious about consumer confidence and the economy in general. CFO John Olin, meanwhile, said that the downward revision to full-year margin outlook was due to uncertainty related to the currency situation. However, Olin added that the company continues to run according to plan. He said that there is nothing concerning about the core business or restructuring.

Harley-Davidson also released its third-quarter financial results today. During the third quarter of 2011, the company saw continued strong improvement in earnings and dealer retail sales. The company’s income from continuing operations in the third quarter of 2011 rose 95.90% on a year-over-year basis to $183.6 million, or $0.78 per share. The company’s third-quarter operating income from Motorcycles and Related products climbed 78% on a year-over-year basis due to higher shipment volume and operating margin improvement.

Harley-Davidson’s retail sales for the third quarter increased 5.1% globally and 5.4% in the U.S.

CEO Wandell said that the company is pleased with its sustained progress and continues to realize strong momentum in the transformation of its business. Wandell said that the changes underway in manufacturing, product development and retail capability will increasingly allow the company to be customer-led like never before. He added that the company continues to see the positive results of the course it has charted.

Post Written By: Ed Liston Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications. He is widely quoted in various financial publications on the Internet. When Ed is not writing about stocks, investing in stocks, talking about stocks, or otherwise doing something stock related, he likes to go sailing and fishing in his yacht.