Tariffs devastate Harley-Davidson profit in fourth quarter of 2018

[JacksinPA]

https://thehill.com/policy/finance/...ey-davidsons-profit-in-fourth-quarter-of-2018

Harley-Davidson said on Tuesday that their earnings per share were essentially wiped out in the final quarter of 2018 after the company got caught up in President Trump's tariff war.

Bloomberg reported Tuesday that Harley-Davidson's profit, excluding tariff and restructuring costs, was 17 cents per share, falling short of analysts’ average estimate of 29 cents per share.
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Is The Donald's tariff trade war about to claim another victim? Sounds like his bullying tactics haven't been very successful.

 

[Amelia]

"They company was already experiencing problems. It's not Trump's fault if they weren't strong enough to survive him dragging them underwater."


^^ that's the response I've been hearing from Trumpsters defending his assault on American companies.

 

[KevinKohler]

Made in America used to mean something.


The label doesn't say mostly made in America for a reason.

 

[chuckiechan]

Made in America used to mean something.


The label doesn't say mostly made in America for a reason.

"Made in America" means "Assembled in America" from mostly Chinese parts copied from US manufacturer under terms of technology surrender. Harley is more "American made" than most, but that is not their problem. Harley is a flat out poorly run company. The V-twin Harley market is too small, and there are even to this day still a ton of great bikes in the used market. The other obvious problem is that their core rider demographic is aging out and new riders aren't buying Harleys anymore.

Harley's problems have precious little to do with Trump's tariffs, and the OP has avoided mentioning the true reason Harley is suffering: New riders aren't buying Harley.

From your link:

"Operating margin as a percent of revenue decreased in the quarter due to restructuring charges, incremental tariffs and higher recall costs," the company stated in a regulatory filing, according to Markets Insider.

You missed two out of three significant reasons over and about riders not buying Harley.

 

[Mycroft]

https://thehill.com/policy/finance/...ey-davidsons-profit-in-fourth-quarter-of-2018

Harley-Davidson said on Tuesday that their earnings per share were essentially wiped out in the final quarter of 2018 after the company got caught up in President Trump's tariff war.

Bloomberg reported Tuesday that Harley-Davidson's profit, excluding tariff and restructuring costs, was 17 cents per share, falling short of analysts’ average estimate of 29 cents per share.
===============================================
Is The Donald's tariff trade war about to claim another victim? Sounds like his bullying tactics haven't been very successful.

Harley-Davidson has also reportedly been struggling to attract younger customers and is planning to sell cheaper bikes to expand its base.

I think this is their larger problem.

Their bikes are EXPENSIVE!!

Here's their cheapest bike in 2019:

HARLEY-DAVIDSON STREET® 500

BUILT TO SHRED THE CITY STREETS

Starting at $6,899

https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/motorcycles/2019/street/street-500.html

 

[chuckiechan]

I think this is their larger problem.

Their bikes are EXPENSIVE!!

Here's their cheapest bike in 2019:

It looks like the dropped the bracket used to store your walker.