Polaris Reports 2019 2nd Quarter Results

Polaris Industries Inc. released their 2019 second quarter results. Highlights include:

Reported and adjusted sales for the second quarter of 2019 increased 18% to $1,779 million
Reported net income was $1.42 per diluted share, down 1% over the prior year; adjusted net income for the same period was $1.73 per diluted share, down 2% over the prior year
North American side-by-side retail sales increased low-single digits percent for the quarter compared to last year; Indian retail sales were down high-single digits percent, outperforming the industry and gaining share in an extremely challenging market
Dealer inventory was up 1% year-over-year for the second quarter 2019, slightly below targeted inventory levels
Polaris narrowed its full year 2019 earnings guidance by maintaining the upper end of the net income range and increasing the lower end of the range and now expects earnings to be in the $6.10 to $6.30 per diluted share range, which takes into account the China 301 list 3 tariff increasing from 10% to 25%. Full year 2019 adjusted sales growth guidance was also narrowed to up 12% to 13% over the prior year.

Scott Wine, chairman and chief executive officer of Polaris Industries Inc. commented:

“Our second quarter results reflect the deft leadership and disciplined execution of our Polaris team. We worked diligently to overcome the impacts of tariffs, a very wet spring and an aggressive promotional environment, delivering financial results slightly favorable to expectations but trailing our long-term performance goals. The strength of our industry-leading brands and vehicles enabled us to gain share in Indian Motorcycles and drive growth in Side-by-Sides with RANGER and RZR, although our decision to assume price leadership did impact volume, specifically in our lower margin youth and value segments. We are encouraged by our market share gains and year-to-date growth in Boats, as well as the continued improvement at TAP, where retail store sales growth was up nicely. Our operational and dealer fundamentals are in good shape as we head into the critically important model year 2020 product introductions, and we anticipate improved retail performance during the second half of the year. We are excited to host our unrivaled dealer network at our 65^th Anniversary dealer show later this month, and look forward to demonstrating how we will continue to be the global leader in Powersports with our unwavering commitment to be a customer-centric, highly efficient growth company.”

For the full year 2019, the company is narrowing its earnings guidance range by increasing the lower end to $6.10 per diluted share and maintaining the upper end at $6.30 per diluted share, including the impact of the China 301 list 3 tariff rate increasing from 10 percent to 25 percent effective May 2019, and the benefit of the company’s tariff mitigation actions. The company is also narrowing its full year 2019 sales guidance range and now expect sales to grow in the range of 12% to 13% compared to the prior year given only six months remain to year-end.

Link: Polaris

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame recently named Marilyn Stemp and Steve Piehl to its board of directors.

Stemp is a pioneering figure in the motorcycle industry, founding IronWorks Magazine with her late husband, Dennis, and becoming the first female editor of a nationally circulated, mainstream motorcycle magazine. She also revived their trade magazine, Iron Trader News; edits the monthly Kiwi Indian News; contributes to several powersports media outlets; and is the founding editor of Sturgis Rider Daily. Stemp is a noted editor and writer of several motorcycle-focused books. Her consistent support for charitable efforts in the industry include the annual Biker Belles Celebration, Las Vegas BikeFest and as campaign chair for the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum’s development plan in 2014. She co-founded the Flying Piston charity events taking place in Daytona and Sturgis each year and is a National Ambassador for All Kids Bike. Stemp was inducted into both the Las Vegas Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Sturgis Museum's Hall of Fame in 2018, and in 2022 she was recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in Powersports by DealerNews.