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HARLEY-DAVIDSON, INC. - Quarter Report: 2015 September (Form 10-Q)


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 27, 2015
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                     to                    
Commission file number 1-9183
 
 
Harley-Davidson, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Wisconsin
 
39-1382325
(State of organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
 
3700 West Juneau Avenue
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
 
53208
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip code)
Registrants telephone number: (414) 342-4680
None
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x   No   ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
 
x
Accelerated filer
 
¨
 
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
 
¨
Smaller reporting company
 
¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.    Yes ¨ No  x
Number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding at October 30, 2015: 191,860,127 shares



Harley-Davidson, Inc.

Form 10-Q

For The Quarter Ended September 27, 2015
 
Part I
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
Part II
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
Item 6.
 
 
 


Table of Contents

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
HARLEY-DAVIDSON, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three months ended
 
Nine months ended
 
September 27,
2015
 
September 28,
2014
 
September 27,
2015
 
September 28,
2014
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motorcycles and Related Products
$
1,140,321

 
$
1,130,558

 
$
4,301,674

 
$
4,536,531

Financial Services
177,109

 
171,046

 
513,093

 
491,820

Total revenue
1,317,430

 
1,301,604

 
4,814,767

 
5,028,351

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motorcycles and Related Products cost of goods sold
746,282

 
735,958

 
2,670,146

 
2,825,661

Financial Services interest expense
41,214

 
40,141

 
120,938

 
119,739

Financial Services provision for credit losses
27,233

 
21,497

 
68,655

 
57,789

Selling, administrative and engineering expense
286,865

 
279,935

 
866,558

 
842,512

Total costs and expenses
1,101,594

 
1,077,531

 
3,726,297

 
3,845,701

Operating income
215,836

 
224,073

 
1,088,470

 
1,182,650

Investment income
3,211

 
1,509

 
5,983

 
4,940

Interest expense
4,879

 
77

 
4,897

 
4,147

Income before provision for income taxes
214,168

 
225,505

 
1,089,556

 
1,183,443

Provision for income taxes
73,821

 
75,439

 
379,545

 
413,307

Net income
$
140,347

 
$
150,066

 
$
710,011

 
$
770,136

Earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.69

 
$
0.70

 
$
3.43

 
$
3.54

Diluted
$
0.69

 
$
0.69

 
$
3.41

 
$
3.52

Cash dividends per common share
$
0.310

 
$
0.275

 
$
0.930

 
$
0.825

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.


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HARLEY-DAVIDSON, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three months ended
 
Nine months ended
 
September 27,
2015
 
September 28,
2014
 
September 27,
2015
 
September 28,
2014
Net income
$
140,347

 
$
150,066

 
$
710,011

 
$
770,136

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     Foreign currency translation adjustments
(14,598
)
 
(32,529
)
 
(37,368
)
 
(23,848
)
     Derivative financial instruments
(10,533
)
 
12,595

 
(12,747
)
 
15,518

     Marketable securities
(99
)
 
(148
)
 
(294
)
 
(264
)
     Pension and postretirement benefit plans
8,799

 
6,069

 
26,395

 
18,206

Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax
(16,431
)
 
(14,013
)
 
(24,014
)
 
9,612

Comprehensive income
$
123,916

 
$
136,053

 
$
685,997

 
$
779,748

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.



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HARLEY-DAVIDSON, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
September 27,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
September 28,
2014
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
1,368,554

 
$
906,680

 
$
979,866

Marketable securities
47,358

 
57,325

 
57,579

Accounts receivable, net
294,054

 
247,621

 
286,256

Finance receivables, net
2,068,873

 
1,916,635

 
2,012,466

Inventories
466,657

 
448,871

 
460,958

Restricted cash
113,499

 
98,627

 
142,286

Deferred income taxes
100,558

 
89,916

 
54,962

Other current assets
156,488

 
182,420

 
208,105

Total current assets
4,616,041

 
3,948,095

 
4,202,478

Finance receivables, net
5,009,473

 
4,516,246

 
4,653,034

Property, plant and equipment, net
877,787

 
883,077

 
826,764

Prepaid pension costs

 

 
261,983

Goodwill
54,267

 
27,752

 
28,638

Deferred income taxes
71,952

 
77,835

 
2,559

Other long-term assets
102,038

 
75,092

 
50,050

 
$
10,731,558

 
$
9,528,097

 
$
10,025,506

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
316,894

 
$
196,868

 
$
329,288

Accrued liabilities
464,352

 
449,317

 
507,006

Short-term debt
990,049

 
731,786

 
352,430

Current portion of long-term debt
891,710

 
1,011,315

 
1,518,320

Total current liabilities
2,663,005

 
2,389,286

 
2,707,044

Long-term debt
5,054,347

 
3,761,528

 
3,573,118

Pension liability
61,458

 
76,186

 
38,594

Postretirement healthcare liability
193,406

 
203,006

 
204,890

Deferred income taxes

 

 
42,326

Other long-term liabilities
199,669

 
188,805

 
175,171

Commitments and contingencies (Note 18)

 

 

Shareholders’ equity:
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock, none issued

 

 

Common stock
3,448

 
3,442

 
3,439

Additional paid-in-capital
1,314,693

 
1,265,257

 
1,242,676

Retained earnings
8,977,600

 
8,459,040

 
8,443,005

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(538,957
)
 
(514,943
)
 
(323,064
)
Treasury stock, at cost
(7,197,111
)
 
(6,303,510
)
 
(6,081,693
)
Total shareholders' equity
2,559,673

 
2,909,286

 
3,284,363

 
$
10,731,558

 
$
9,528,097

 
$
10,025,506




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HARLEY-DAVIDSON, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (continued)
(In thousands)
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
September 27,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
September 28,
2014
Balances held by consolidated variable interest entities (Note 7)
 
 
 
 
 
Current finance receivables, net
$
357,713

 
$
312,645

 
$
336,520

Other assets
$
4,492

 
$
3,409

 
$
3,845

Non-current finance receivables, net
$
1,475,179

 
$
1,113,801

 
$
1,279,917

Restricted cash - current and non-current
$
125,561

 
$
110,017

 
$
129,828

Current portion of long-term debt
$
401,344

 
$
366,889

 
$
378,190

Long-term debt
$
1,305,087

 
$
904,644

 
$
1,096,958

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

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HARLEY-DAVIDSON, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
Nine months ended
 
September 27,
2015
 
September 28,
2014
Net cash provided by operating activities (Note 3)
$
1,020,957

 
$
966,868

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(139,054
)
 
(120,316
)
Origination of finance receivables
(3,112,827
)
 
(2,918,881
)
Collections on finance receivables
2,393,355

 
2,308,237

Sales and redemptions of marketable securities
9,500

 
41,010

Acquisition of business
(59,910
)
 

Other
5,172

 
275

Net cash used by investing activities
(903,764
)
 
(689,675
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured notes
740,949

 

Repayments of senior unsecured notes

 
(303,000
)
Proceeds from issuance of medium-term notes
595,386

 
594,431

Repayments of medium-term notes
(600,000
)
 
(7,220
)
Proceeds from securitization debt
1,195,668

 
847,126

Repayments of securitization debt
(764,909
)
 
(631,302
)
Net increase (decrease) in credit facilities and unsecured commercial paper
258,734

 
(315,278
)
Borrowings of asset-backed commercial paper
69,191

 
57,669

Repayments of asset-backed commercial paper
(55,124
)
 
(58,717
)
Net change in restricted cash
(15,165
)
 
2,521

Dividends paid
(191,451
)
 
(179,860
)
Purchase of common stock for treasury
(894,565
)
 
(393,459
)
Excess tax benefits from share-based payments
2,878

 
8,873

Issuance of common stock under employee stock option plans
16,755

 
28,850

Net cash provided by (used by) financing activities
358,347

 
(349,366
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(13,666
)
 
(14,573
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
$
461,874

 
$
(86,746
)
Cash and cash equivalents:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period
$
906,680

 
$
1,066,612

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
461,874

 
(86,746
)
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period
$
1,368,554

 
$
979,866

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.


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Table of Contents

HARLEY-DAVIDSON, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1. Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Harley-Davidson, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the Company), including the accounts of the groups of companies doing business as Harley-Davidson Motor Company (HDMC) and Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS). In addition, certain variable interest entities (VIEs) related to secured financing are consolidated as the Company is the primary beneficiary. All intercompany accounts and material intercompany transactions are eliminated.
In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the consolidated balance sheets as of September 27, 2015 and September 28, 2014, the consolidated statements of income for the three and nine month periods then ended, the consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three and nine month periods then ended and the consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine month periods then ended.
Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in complete financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) for interim financial reporting. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
The Company operates in two principal reportable segments: Motorcycles & Related Products (Motorcycles) and Financial Services.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
2. New Accounting Standards
Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASU No. 2014-09). ASU No. 2014-09 is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14 Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Deferral of Effective Date (ASU No. 2015-14) to defer the effective date of the new revenue recognition standard by one year to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and for interim periods therein. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption.
In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02 Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (ASU 2015-02). ASU No. 2015-02 amends the guidance within Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 810, "Consolidation,” to change the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain legal entities. The Company is required to adopt ASU No. 2015-02 for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company believes the adoption of ASU No. 2015-02 will not have an impact on its financial results and will only impact the content of the current disclosure.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03 Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs (ASU 2015-03). ASU No. 2015-03 amends the guidance within ASC Topic 835, "Interest", to require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt premiums and discounts. The Company is required to adopt ASU No. 2015-03 for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015 on a retrospective basis. Upon adoption, the Company will reclassify its debt issuance costs, other than debt issuance costs related to line of credit arrangements as discussed more fully below, from other assets to debt on the balance sheet. At September 27, 2015, the Company had $21.8 million of debt issuance costs, which includes $2.3 million of debt issuance costs related to line of credit arrangements, recorded as assets on the balance sheet.
In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-15 Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements (ASU 2015-15). ASU No. 2015-15 amends the guidance within ASC Topic 835,

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"Interest", to allow an entity to defer and present debt issuance costs associated with a line of credit arrangement as an asset, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line of credit arrangement. The Company is required to adopt ASU No. 2015-15 for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015 on a retrospective basis. The Company currently has $2.3 million of debt issuance costs related to line of credit arrangements recorded as an asset as of September 27, 2015. The Company intends to continue to classify debt issuance costs related to its line of credit arrangements as an asset, regardless of whether it has any outstanding borrowings on the line of credit arrangement.
In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16 Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments. ASU No. 2015-16 eliminates the requirement for an acquirer in a business combination to account for measurement-period adjustments retrospectively. Acquirers must recognize measurement-period adjustments during the period in which they determine the amounts. This would include any amounts they would have recorded in previous periods if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The Company is required to adopt ASU 2015-16 for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption.
3. Additional Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Information
Marketable Securities
The Company’s marketable securities consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
September 27,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
September 28,
2014
Available-for-sale: Corporate bonds
$
47,358

 
$
57,325

 
$
57,579

Trading securities: Mutual funds
35,258

 
33,815

 
32,727

 
$
82,616

 
$
91,140

 
$
90,306

The Company’s available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value with any unrealized gains or losses reported in other comprehensive income. During the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, the Company recognized gross unrealized losses of approximately $467,000 and $419,000, respectively, or $294,000 and $264,000 net of taxes, respectively, to adjust amortized cost to fair value. The marketable securities have contractual maturities that generally come due over the next 2 to 19 months.
The Company's trading securities relate to investments held by the Company to fund certain deferred compensation obligations. The trading securities are carried at fair value with gains and losses recorded in net income and investments are included in other long-term assets on the consolidated balance sheets.
Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Substantially all inventories located in the United States are valued using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. Other inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):
 
September 27,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
September 28,
2014
Components at the lower of FIFO cost or market
 
 
 
 
 
Raw materials and work in process
$
153,779

 
$
151,254

 
$
148,267

Motorcycle finished goods
228,243

 
230,309

 
242,133

Parts and accessories and general merchandise
134,537

 
117,210

 
119,284

Inventory at lower of FIFO cost or market
516,559

 
498,773

 
509,684

Excess of FIFO over LIFO cost
(49,902
)
 
(49,902
)
 
(48,726
)
 
$
466,657

 
$
448,871

 
$
460,958


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Operating Cash Flow
The reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities is as follows (in thousands):
 
Nine months ended
 
September 27,
2015
 
September 28,
2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
710,011

 
$
770,136

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
142,024

 
130,688

Amortization of deferred loan origination costs
71,012

 
70,330

Amortization of financing origination fees
7,331

 
6,405

Provision for employee long-term benefits
36,954

 
25,281

Contributions to pension and postretirement plans
(19,358
)
 
(22,528
)
Stock compensation expense
23,732

 
27,862

Net change in wholesale finance receivables related to sales
(157,532
)
 
(194,711
)
Provision for credit losses
68,655

 
57,789

Loss on debt extinguishment

 
1,145

Deferred income taxes
(9,272
)
 
(12,030
)
Foreign currency adjustments
22,010

 
12,948

Other, net
5,000

 
11,535

Changes in current assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable, net
(60,687
)
 
(40,015
)
Finance receivables—accrued interest and other
(98
)
 
(2,077
)
Inventories
(36,109
)
 
(48,095
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
211,045

 
191,354

Derivative instruments
(6,734
)
 
(1,813
)
Other
12,973

 
(17,336
)
Total adjustments
310,946

 
196,732

Net cash provided by operating activities
$
1,020,957

 
$
966,868

4. Acquisition
On August 4, 2015, the Company completed its purchase of certain assets and liabilities from Fred Deeley Imports, Ltd (Deeley Imports) and certain of its affiliates including, among other things, the acquisition of the exclusive right to distribute the Company's motorcycles and other products in Canada (Transaction) for total consideration of $59.9 million. The majority equity owner of Deeley Imports is a member of the Board of Directors of the Company. The Company believes that the acquisition of the Canadian distribution rights will align Harley-Davidson's Canada distribution with the Company's global go-to-market approach.
The financial impact of the acquisition, which is part of the Motorcycles segment, has been included in the Company's consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. Proforma information reflecting this acquisition has not been disclosed as the proforma impact on consolidated net income would not be material.

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The following table summarizes the preliminary fair values of the Deeley Imports assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition (in thousands):
 
August 4, 2015
Current assets
$
11,088

Property, plant and equipment
144

Intangible assets
20,842

Goodwill
28,567

   Total assets
60,641

Current liabilities
731

Net assets acquired
$
59,910

The fair values are preliminary and still under review by the Company, and may be subsequently adjusted to reflect final appraisals.
As noted above, in conjunction with the acquisition of certain assets and assumption of certain liabilities of Deeley Imports, the Company recorded goodwill of $28.6 million and intangible assets with an initial fair value of $20.8 million. Of the total intangible assets acquired, $13.3 million was assigned to reacquired distribution rights with a useful life of two years and $7.5 million was assigned to customer relationships with a useful life of twenty years. The Company agreed to reimburse Deeley Imports for severance costs associated with the Transaction resulting in $3.3 million of expense included in selling, administrative and engineering expense in the third quarter of 2015. The Company did not acquire any cash as part of the Transaction.
5. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the Motorcycles segment were as follows (in thousands):
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 27, 2015
 
September 28, 2014
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
27,752

 
$
30,452

Business acquisitions
 
28,567

 

Currency translations
 
(2,052
)
 
(1,814
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
54,267

 
$
28,638

The Motorcycles segment intangible assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 
September 27, 2015
 
 
 
 
Gross Carrying Amount
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
Net
 
Estimated useful life (years)
Other intangible assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Reacquired distribution rights
 
$
13,117

 
$
(1,093
)
 
$
12,024

 
2
   Customer relationships
 
7,399

 
(62
)
 
7,337

 
20
Total other intangible assets(a)
 
$
20,516

 
$
(1,155
)
 
$
19,361

 
 
(a)
Other intangible assets are included in other long-term assets on the Company's consolidated balance sheets.



11

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Amortization expense of other intangible assets for the three and nine months ended September 27, 2015, was $1.2 million. The Company estimates future amortization to be approximately as follows (in thousands):
 
 
Estimated Amortization
2015 (remaining 3 months)
 
$
1,746

2016
 
6,984

2017
 
4,229

2018
 
372

2019
 
372

2020
 
372

Thereafter
 
5,286

 
 
$
19,361

The Financial Services segment did not have a goodwill or intangible assets balance at September 27, 2015 and September 28, 2014.
6. Finance Receivables
The Company provides retail financial services to customers of the Company’s independent dealers in the United States and Canada. The origination of retail loans is a separate and distinct transaction between the Company and the retail customer, unrelated to the Company’s sale of product to its dealers. Retail finance receivables consist of secured promissory notes and secured installment sales contracts. The Company holds either titles or liens on titles to vehicles financed by promissory notes and installment sales contracts.
The Company offers wholesale financing to the Company’s independent dealers. Wholesale loans to dealers are generally secured by financed inventory or property and are originated in the U.S. and Canada.
Finance receivables, net, consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
September 27,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
September 28,
2014
Retail
$
6,194,332

 
$
5,607,924

 
$
5,757,927

Wholesale
1,029,397

 
952,321

 
1,033,576

Total finance receivables
7,223,729

 
6,560,245

 
6,791,503

Allowance for credit losses
(145,383
)
 
(127,364
)
 
(126,003
)
Finance receivables, net
$
7,078,346

 
$
6,432,881

 
$
6,665,500

A provision for credit losses on finance receivables is charged or credited to earnings in amounts that the Company believes are sufficient to maintain the allowance for credit losses at a level that is adequate to cover losses of principal inherent in the existing portfolio. The allowance for credit losses represents management’s estimate of probable losses inherent in the finance receivable portfolio as of the balance sheet date. However, due to the use of projections and assumptions in estimating the losses, the amount of losses actually incurred by the Company could differ from the amounts estimated.

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Changes in the allowance for credit losses on finance receivables by portfolio were as follows (in thousands):
 
Three months ended September 27, 2015
 
Retail
 
Wholesale
 
Total
Balance, beginning of period
$
131,903

 
$
7,328

 
$
139,231

Provision for credit losses
28,309

 
(1,076
)
 
27,233

Charge-offs
(30,203
)
 

 
(30,203
)
Recoveries
9,122

 

 
9,122

Balance, end of period
$
139,131

 
$
6,252

 
$
145,383

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended September 28, 2014
 
Retail
 
Wholesale
 
Total
Balance, beginning of period
$
114,899

 
$
7,456

 
$
122,355

Provision for credit losses
23,612

 
(2,115
)
 
21,497

Charge-offs
(26,093
)
 

 
(26,093
)
Recoveries
8,244

 

 
8,244

Balance, end of period
$
120,662

 
$
5,341

 
$
126,003

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 27, 2015
 
Retail
 
Wholesale
 
Total
Balance, beginning of period
$
122,025

 
$
5,339

 
$
127,364

Provision for credit losses
67,742

 
913

 
68,655

Charge-offs
(83,939
)
 

 
(83,939
)
Recoveries
33,303

 

 
33,303

Balance, end of period
$
139,131

 
$
6,252

 
$
145,383

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 28, 2014
 
Retail
 
Wholesale
 
Total
Balance, beginning of period
$
106,063

 
$
4,630

 
$
110,693

Provision for credit losses
57,078

 
711

 
57,789

Charge-offs
(72,454
)
 

 
(72,454
)
Recoveries
29,975

 

 
29,975

Balance, end of period
$
120,662

 
$
5,341

 
$
126,003

Finance receivables are considered impaired when management determines it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the terms of the loan agreement. Portions of the allowance for credit losses are established to cover estimated losses on finance receivables specifically identified for impairment. The unspecified portion of the allowance for credit losses covers estimated losses on finance receivables which are collectively reviewed for impairment.
The retail portfolio primarily consists of a large number of small balance, homogeneous finance receivables. The Company performs a periodic and systematic collective evaluation of the adequacy of the retail allowance for credit losses. The Company utilizes loss forecast models which consider a variety of factors including, but not limited to, historical loss trends, origination or vintage analysis, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, the value of the underlying collateral, recovery rates, and current economic conditions including items such as unemployment rates. Retail finance receivables are not evaluated individually for impairment prior to charge-off and therefore are not reported as impaired loans.
The wholesale portfolio is primarily composed of large balance, non-homogeneous loans. The Company’s evaluation for the wholesale allowance for credit losses is first based on a loan-by-loan review. A specific allowance for credit losses is established for wholesale finance receivables determined to be individually impaired when management concludes that the borrower will not be able to make full payment of the contractual amounts due based on the original terms of the loan agreement. The impairment is determined based on the cash that the Company expects to receive discounted at the loan’s original interest rate or the fair value of the collateral, if the loan is collateral-dependent. Finance receivables in the wholesale portfolio that are not considered impaired on an individual basis are segregated, based on similar risk characteristics, according to the Company’s internal risk rating system and collectively evaluated for impairment. The related allowance for credit losses

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is based on factors such as the specific borrower’s financial performance and ability to repay, the Company’s past loan loss experience, current economic conditions, and the value of the underlying collateral.
Generally, it is the Company’s policy not to change the terms and conditions of finance receivables. However, to minimize the economic loss, the Company may modify certain finance receivables in troubled debt restructurings. Total restructured finance receivables are not significant.
The allowance for credit losses and finance receivables by portfolio, segregated by those amounts that are individually evaluated for impairment and those that are collectively evaluated for impairment, was as follows (in thousands):
 
September 27, 2015
 
Retail
 
Wholesale
 
Total
Allowance for credit losses, ending balance:
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$

 
$

 
$

Collectively evaluated for impairment
139,131

 
6,252

 
145,383

Total allowance for credit losses
$
139,131

 
$
6,252

 
$
145,383

Finance receivables, ending balance:
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$

 
$

 
$

Collectively evaluated for impairment
6,194,332

 
1,029,397

 
7,223,729

Total finance receivables
$
6,194,332

 
$
1,029,397

 
$
7,223,729

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
Retail
 
Wholesale
 
Total
Allowance for credit losses, ending balance:
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$

 
$

 
$

Collectively evaluated for impairment
122,025

 
5,339

 
127,364

Total allowance for credit losses
$
122,025

 
$
5,339

 
$
127,364

Finance receivables, ending balance:
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$

 
$

 
$

Collectively evaluated for impairment
5,607,924

 
952,321

 
6,560,245

Total finance receivables
$
5,607,924

 
$
952,321

 
$
6,560,245

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 28, 2014
 
Retail
 
Wholesale
 
Total
Allowance for credit losses, ending balance:
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$

 
$

 
$

Collectively evaluated for impairment
120,662

 
5,341

 
126,003

Total allowance for credit losses
$
120,662

 
$
5,341

 
$
126,003

Finance receivables, ending balance:
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$

 
$

 
$

Collectively evaluated for impairment
5,757,927

 
1,033,576

 
6,791,503

Total finance receivables
$
5,757,927

 
$
1,033,576

 
$
6,791,503

There were no wholesale finance receivables at September 27, 2015, December 31, 2014, or September 28, 2014 that were individually deemed to be impaired under ASC Topic 310, “Receivables.”
Retail finance receivables are contractually delinquent if the minimum payment is not received by the specified due date. Retail finance receivables are generally charged-off when the receivable is 120 days or more delinquent, the related asset is repossessed or the receivable is otherwise deemed uncollectible. All retail finance receivables accrue interest until either collected or charged-off. Accordingly, as of September 27, 2015December 31, 2014 and September 28, 2014, all retail finance receivables were accounted for as interest-earning receivables, of which $23.8 million, $28.7 million and $20.3 million, respectively, were 90 days or more past due.

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Wholesale finance receivables are delinquent if the minimum payment is not received by the contractual due date. Interest continues to accrue on past due finance receivables until the date the finance receivable becomes uncollectible and the finance receivable is placed on non-accrual status. The Company will resume accruing interest on these accounts when payments are current according to the terms of the loans and future payments are reasonably assured. While on non-accrual status, all cash received is applied to principal or interest as appropriate. Wholesale finance receivables are written down once management determines that the specific borrower does not have the ability to repay the loan in full. There were no wholesale receivables on non-accrual status at September 27, 2015, December 31, 2014 or September 28, 2014. At September 27, 2015December 31, 2014 and September 28, 2014, $0.1 million, $0.2 million, and $0.2 million of wholesale finance receivables were 90 days or more past due and accruing interest, respectively.
An analysis of the aging of past due finance receivables was as follows (in thousands):
 
September 27, 2015
 
Current
 
31-60 Days
Past Due
 
61-90 Days
Past Due
 
Greater than
90 Days
Past Due
 
Total
Past Due
 
Total
Finance
Receivables
Retail
$
6,024,620

 
$
111,393

 
$
34,511

 
$
23,808

 
$
169,712

 
$
6,194,332

Wholesale
1,028,981

 
106

 
162

 
148

 
416

 
1,029,397

Total
$
7,053,601

 
$
111,499

 
$
34,673

 
$
23,956

 
$
170,128

 
$
7,223,729

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
Current
 
31-60 Days
Past Due
 
61-90 Days
Past Due
 
Greater than
90 Days
Past Due
 
Total
Past Due
 
Total
Finance
Receivables
Retail
$
5,427,719

 
$
113,007

 
$
38,486

 
$
28,712

 
$
180,205

 
$
5,607,924

Wholesale
951,660

 
383

 
72

 
206

 
661

 
952,321

Total
$
6,379,379

 
$
113,390

 
$
38,558

 
$
28,918

 
$
180,866

 
$
6,560,245

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 28, 2014
 
Current
 
31-60 Days
Past Due
 
61-90 Days
Past Due
 
Greater than
90 Days
Past Due
 
Total
Past Due
 
Total
Finance
Receivables
Retail
$
5,607,089

 
$
99,489

 
$
31,006

 
$
20,343

 
$
150,838

 
$
5,757,927

Wholesale
1,032,846

 
496

 
77

 
157

 
730

 
1,033,576

Total
$
6,639,935

 
$
99,985

 
$
31,083

 
$
20,500

 
$
151,568

 
$
6,791,503

A significant part of managing the Company's finance receivable portfolios includes the assessment of credit risk associated with each borrower. As the credit risk varies between the retail and wholesale portfolios, the Company utilizes different credit risk indicators for each portfolio.
The Company manages retail credit risk through its credit approval policy and ongoing collection efforts. The Company uses FICO scores, a standard credit rating measurement, to differentiate the expected default rates of retail credit applicants enabling the Company to better evaluate credit applicants for approval and to tailor pricing according to this assessment. Retail loans with a FICO score of 640 or above at origination are considered prime, and loans with a FICO score below 640 are considered sub-prime. These credit quality indicators are determined at the time of loan origination and are not updated subsequent to the loan origination date.
The recorded investment in retail finance receivables, by credit quality indicator, was as follows (in thousands):
 
September 27, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
September 28, 2014
Prime
$
4,936,438

 
$
4,435,352

 
$
4,550,126

Sub-prime
1,257,894

 
1,172,572

 
1,207,801

Total
$
6,194,332

 
$
5,607,924

 
$
5,757,927

The Company's credit risk on the wholesale portfolio is different from that of the retail portfolio. Whereas the retail portfolio represents a relatively homogeneous pool of retail finance receivables that exhibit more consistent loss patterns, the wholesale portfolio exposures are less consistent. The Company utilizes an internal credit risk rating system to manage credit risk exposure consistently across wholesale borrowers and individually evaluates credit risk factors for each borrower.

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The Company uses the following internal credit quality indicators, based on an internal risk rating system, listed from highest level of risk to lowest level of risk for the wholesale portfolio: Doubtful, Substandard, Special Mention, Medium Risk and Low Risk. Based upon management’s review, the dealers classified in the Doubtful category are the dealers with the greatest likelihood of being charged off, while the dealers classified as Low Risk are least likely to be charged off. The internal rating system considers factors such as the specific borrowers’ ability to repay and the estimated value of any collateral. Dealer risk rating classifications are reviewed and updated on a quarterly basis.
The recorded investment in wholesale finance receivables, by internal credit quality indicator, was as follows (in thousands):
 
September 27, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
September 28, 2014
Doubtful
$

 
$
954

 
$
1,297

Substandard
14,949

 
7,025

 
6,682

Special Mention
3,706

 

 

Medium Risk
6,496

 
11,557

 
5,714

Low Risk
1,004,246

 
932,785

 
1,019,883

Total
$
1,029,397

 
$
952,321

 
$
1,033,576

7. Asset-Backed Financing
The Company participates in asset-backed financing through both term asset-backed securitization transactions and through asset-backed commercial paper conduit facilities. The Company treats these transactions as secured borrowings because either they are transferred to consolidated variable interest entities (VIEs) or the Company maintains effective control over the assets and does not meet the accounting sale requirements under ASC Topic 860, "Transfers and Servicing" (ASC Topic 860). In the Company's asset-backed financing programs, the Company transfers retail motorcycle finance receivables to special purpose entities (SPE), which are considered VIEs under U.S. GAAP. Each SPE then converts those assets into cash, through the issuance of debt.
The Company is required to consolidate any VIE in which it is deemed to be the primary beneficiary through having power over the significant activities of the entity and having an obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE which are potentially significant to the VIE. The Company is considered to have the power over the significant activities of its term asset-backed securitization and asset-backed U.S. commercial paper conduit facility VIEs due to its role as servicer. Servicing fees are typically not considered potentially significant variable interests in a VIE. However, the Company retains a residual interest in the VIEs in the form of a debt security, which gives the Company the right to receive benefits that could be potentially significant to the VIE. Therefore, the Company is the primary beneficiary and consolidates all of these VIEs within its consolidated financial statements.
The Company is not the primary beneficiary of the asset-backed Canadian commercial paper conduit facility VIE; therefore, the Company does not consolidate this VIE. However, the Company treats the conduit facility as a secured borrowing as it maintains effective control over the assets transferred to the VIE and therefore does not meet the requirements for sale accounting under ASC Topic 860. As such, the Company retains the transferred assets and the related debt within its Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Servicing fees paid by VIEs to the Company are eliminated in consolidation and therefore are not recorded on a consolidated basis. The Company is not required, and does not currently intend, to provide any additional financial support to its VIEs. Investors and creditors only have recourse to the assets held by the VIEs.


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The following table shows the assets and liabilities related to the asset-backed financings that were included in the financial statements (in thousands):
 
September 27, 2015
 
Finance receivables
 
Allowance for credit losses
 
Restricted cash
 
Other assets
 
Total assets
 
Asset-backed debt
On-balance sheet assets and liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated VIEs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Term asset-backed securitizations
$
1,875,571

 
$
(42,679
)
 
$
125,561

 
$
4,383

 
$
1,962,836

 
$
1,706,431

Asset-backed U.S. commercial paper conduit facility

 

 

 
109

 
109

 

Unconsolidated VIEs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset-backed Canadian commercial paper conduit facility
175,173

 
(3,090
)
 
11,656

 
473

 
184,212

 
158,712

Total on-balance sheet assets and liabilities
$
2,050,744

 
$
(45,769
)
 
$
137,217

 
$
4,965

 
$
2,147,157

 
$
1,865,143

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
Finance receivables
 
Allowance for credit losses
 
Restricted cash
 
Other assets
 
Total assets
 
Asset-backed debt
On-balance sheet assets and liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated VIEs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Term asset-backed securitizations
$
1,458,602

 
$
(32,156
)
 
$
110,017

 
$
2,987

 
$
1,539,450

 
$
1,271,533

Asset-backed U.S. commercial paper conduit facility

 

 

 
422

 
422

 

Unconsolidated VIEs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset-backed Canadian commercial paper conduit facility
185,099

 
(2,965
)
 
12,035

 
262

 
194,431

 
166,912

Total on-balance sheet assets and liabilities
$
1,643,701

 
$
(35,121
)
 
$
122,052

 
$
3,671

 
$
1,734,303

 
$
1,438,445

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 28, 2014
 
Finance receivables
 
Allowance for credit losses
 
Restricted cash
 
Other assets
 
Total assets
 
Asset-backed debt
On-balance sheet assets and liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated VIEs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Term asset-backed securitizations
$
1,651,552

 
$
(35,115
)
 
$
129,828

 
$
3,313

 
$
1,749,578

 
$
1,475,148

Asset-backed U.S. commercial paper conduit facility

 

 

 
532

 
532

 

Unconsolidated VIEs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset-backed Canadian commercial paper conduit facility
203,933

 
(3,259
)
 
12,458

 
213

 
213,345

 
165,166

Total on-balance sheet assets and liabilities
$
1,855,485

 
$
(38,374
)
 
$
142,286

 
$
4,058

 
$
1,963,455

 
$
1,640,314

Term Asset-Backed Securitization VIEs
The Company transfers U.S. retail motorcycle finance receivables to SPEs which in turn issue secured notes to investors, with various maturities and interest rates, secured by future collections of the purchased U.S. retail motorcycle finance receivables. Each term asset-backed securitization SPE is a separate legal entity and the U.S. retail motorcycle finance receivables included in the term asset-backed securitizations are only available for payment of the secured debt and other obligations arising from the term asset-backed securitization transaction and are not available to pay other obligations or claims of the Company’s creditors until the associated secured debt and other obligations are satisfied. Restricted cash balances held by the SPEs are used only to support the securitizations. There are no amortization schedules for the secured notes; however, the debt is reduced monthly as available collections on the related U.S. retail motorcycle finance receivables are applied to outstanding principal. The secured notes’ contractual lives have various maturities ranging from 2016 to 2022.

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The following table includes quarterly issuances of secured notes, each through one term asset-backed securitization transaction (in thousands):
 
2015
 
2014
First quarter
$
700,000

 
$

Second quarter
500,000

 
850,000

Third quarter

 

 
$
1,200,000

 
$
850,000

Asset-Backed U.S. Commercial Paper Conduit Facility VIE
In September 2014, the Company amended and restated its facility (U.S. Conduit) with a third-party bank sponsored asset-backed commercial paper conduit, which provides for a total aggregate commitment of $600.0 million based on, among other things, the amount of eligible U.S. retail motorcycle loans held by a SPE as collateral. Under the facility, the Company may transfer U.S. retail motorcycle finance receivables to a SPE, which in turn may issue debt to third-party bank-sponsored asset-backed commercial paper conduits.
The assets of the SPE are restricted as collateral for the payment of the debt or other obligations arising in the transaction and are not available to pay other obligations or claims of the Company’s creditors. The terms for this debt provide for interest on the outstanding principal generally based on prevailing commercial paper rates plus a program fee based on outstanding principal, or LIBOR plus a specified margin to the extent the advance is not funded by a conduit lender through the issuance of commercial paper. The U.S. Conduit also provides for an unused commitment fee based on the unused portion of the total aggregate commitment of $600.0 million. There is no amortization schedule; however, the debt is reduced monthly as available collections on the related finance receivables are applied to outstanding principal. Upon expiration of the U.S. Conduit, any outstanding principal will continue to be reduced monthly through available collections. Unless earlier terminated or extended by mutual agreement of the Company and the lenders, as of September 27, 2015, the U.S. Conduit has an expiration date of October 30, 2015.
The SPE had no borrowings outstanding under the U.S. Conduit at September 27, 2015December 31, 2014 or September 28, 2014; therefore, U.S. Conduit assets are restricted as collateral for the payment of fees associated with the unused portion of the total aggregate commitment.
Asset-Backed Canadian Commercial Paper Conduit Facility
In June 2015, the Company amended its facility agreement (Canadian Conduit) with a Canadian bank-sponsored asset-backed commercial paper conduit. Under the agreement, the Canadian Conduit is contractually committed, at the Company's option, to purchase eligible Canadian retail motorcycle finance receivables for proceeds up to C$240.0 million. The transferred assets are restricted as collateral for the payment of the debt. The terms for this debt provide for interest on the outstanding principal based on prevailing market interest rates plus a specified margin. The Canadian Conduit also provides for a program fee and an unused commitment fee based on the unused portion of the total aggregate commitment of C$240.0 million. There is no amortization schedule; however, the debt is reduced monthly as available collections on the related finance receivables are applied to outstanding principal. Upon expiration of the Canadian Conduit, any outstanding principal will continue to be reduced monthly through available collections. Unless earlier terminated or extended by mutual agreement of the Company and the lenders, as of September 27, 2015, the Canadian Conduit has an expiration date of June 30, 2016. The contractual maturity of the debt is approximately 5 years.
As the Company participates in and does not consolidate the Canadian bank-sponsored, multi-seller conduit VIE, the maximum exposure to loss associated with this VIE, which would only be incurred in the unlikely event that all the finance receivables and underlying collateral have no residual value, was $25.5 million at September 27, 2015. The maximum exposure is not an indication of the Company's expected loss exposure.

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The following table includes quarterly transfers of Canadian retail motorcycle finance receivables to the Canadian Conduit and the respective proceeds (in thousands):
 
2015
 
2014
 
Transfers
 
Proceeds
 
Transfers
 
Proceeds
First quarter
$
19,200

 
$
16,800

 
$
15,727

 
$
13,761

Second quarter
26,761

 
23,416

 
26,400

 
23,100

Third quarter
33,100

 
29,000

 
24,400

 
21,400

 
$
79,061

 
$
69,216

 
$
66,527

 
$
58,261

8. Fair Value Measurements
Certain assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value in the financial statements; some of these are measured on a recurring basis while others are measured on a non-recurring basis. Assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis are those that are adjusted to fair value each time a financial statement is prepared. Assets and liabilities measured on a non-recurring basis are those that are adjusted to fair value when required by particular events or circumstances. In determining the fair value of assets and liabilities, the Company uses various valuation techniques. The availability of inputs observable in the market varies from instrument to instrument and depends on a variety of factors including the type of instrument, whether the instrument is actively traded, and other characteristics particular to the transaction. For many financial instruments, pricing inputs are readily observable in the market, the valuation methodology used is widely accepted by market participants, and the valuation does not require significant management discretion. For other financial instruments, pricing inputs are less observable in the market and may require management judgment.
The Company assesses the inputs used to measure fair value using a three-tier hierarchy. The hierarchy indicates the extent to which inputs used in measuring fair value are observable in the market. Level 1 inputs include quoted prices for identical instruments and are the most observable.
Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and observable inputs such as interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices. The Company uses the market approach to derive the fair value for its level 2 fair value measurements. Forward contracts for foreign currency, commodities and interest rates are valued using current quoted forward rates and prices; and investments in marketable securities and cash equivalents are valued using publicly quoted prices.
Level 3 inputs are not observable in the market and include management’s judgments about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The use of observable and unobservable inputs is reflected in the hierarchy assessment disclosed in the following tables.

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Recurring Fair Value Measurements
The following tables present information about the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):
 
September 27, 2015
 
Balance
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents
$
1,111,571

 
$
719,854

 
$
391,717

 
$

Marketable securities
82,616

 
35,258

 
47,358

 

Derivatives
18,015

 

 
18,015

 

 
$
1,212,202

 
$
755,112

 
$
457,090

 
$

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives
$
1,309

 
$

 
$
1,309

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
Balance
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents
$
737,024

 
$
482,686

 
$
254,338

 
$

Marketable securities
91,140

 
33,815

 
57,325

 

Derivatives
32,244

 

 
32,244

 

 
$
860,408

 
$
516,501

 
$
343,907

 
$

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives
$
2,027

 
$

 
$
2,027

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 28, 2014
 
Balance
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents
$
687,259

 
$
366,942

 
$
320,317

 
$

Marketable securities
90,306

 
32,727

 
57,579

 

Derivatives
24,908

 

 
24,908

 

 
$
802,473

 
$
399,669

 
$
402,804

 
$

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives
$
441

 
$

 
$
441

 
$

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements
Repossessed inventory is recorded at the lower of cost or net realizable value through a nonrecurring fair value measurement. Repossessed inventory was $16.6 million, $13.4 million and $13.5 million at September 27, 2015, December 31, 2014 and September 28, 2014, for which the fair value adjustment was $6.7 million, $5.0 million and $5.6 million at September 27, 2015, December 31, 2014 and September 28, 2014, respectively. Fair value is estimated using Level 2 inputs based on the recent market values of repossessed inventory.

20

Table of Contents

9. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, trade receivables, finance receivables, net, trade payables, debt, and foreign currency exchange and commodity contracts (derivative instruments are discussed further in Note 10).
The following table summarizes the fair value and carrying value of the Company’s financial instruments (in thousands):
 
September 27, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
September 28, 2014
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying Value
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
1,368,554

 
$
1,368,554

 
$
906,680

 
$
906,680

 
$
979,866

 
$
979,866

Marketable securities
$
82,616

 
$
82,616

 
$
91,140

 
$
91,140

 
$
90,306

 
$
90,306

Derivatives
$
18,015

 
$
18,015

 
$
32,244

 
$
32,244

 
$
24,908

 
$
24,908

Finance receivables, net
$
7,170,873

 
$
7,078,346

 
$
6,519,500

 
$
6,432,881

 
$
6,760,096

 
$
6,665,500

Restricted cash
$
137,217

 
$
137,217

 
$
122,052

 
$
122,052

 
$
142,286

 
$
142,286

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives
$
1,309

 
$
1,309

 
$
2,027

 
$
2,027

 
$
441

 
$
441

Unsecured commercial paper
$
990,049

 
$
990,049

 
$
731,786

 
$
731,786

 
$
352,430

 
$
352,430

Asset-backed Canadian commercial paper conduit facility
$
158,712

 
$
158,712

 
$
166,912

 
$
166,912

 
$
165,166

 
$
165,166

Medium-term notes
$
3,468,459

 
$
3,334,035

 
$
3,502,536

 
$
3,334,398

 
$
3,641,946

 
$
3,451,124

Senior unsecured notes
$
752,494

 
$
746,879

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Term asset-backed securitization debt
$
1,707,076

 
$
1,706,431

 
$
1,270,656

 
$
1,271,533

 
$
1,476,300

 
$
1,475,148

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash – With the exception of certain cash equivalents, the carrying values of these items in the financial statements are based on historical cost. The historical cost basis for these amounts is estimated to approximate their respective fair values due to the short maturity of these instruments. Fair value is based on Level 1 or Level 2 inputs.
Marketable Securities – The carrying value of marketable securities in the financial statements is based on fair value. The fair value of marketable securities is determined primarily based on quoted prices for identical instruments or on quoted market prices of similar financial assets. Fair value is based on Level 1 or Level 2 inputs.
Finance Receivables, Net – The carrying value of retail and wholesale finance receivables in the financial statements is amortized cost less an allowance for credit losses. The fair value of retail finance receivables is generally calculated by discounting future cash flows using an estimated discount rate that reflects current credit, interest rate and prepayment risks associated with similar types of instruments. Fair value is determined based on Level 3 inputs. The amortized cost basis of wholesale finance receivables approximates fair value because they either are short-term or have interest rates that adjust with changes in market interest rates.
Derivatives – Forward contracts for foreign currency exchange, interest rates and commodities are derivative financial instruments and are carried at fair value on the balance sheet. The fair value of these contracts is determined using quoted forward rates and prices. Fair value is calculated using Level 2 inputs.
Debt – The carrying value of debt in the financial statements is generally amortized cost. The carrying value of unsecured commercial paper approximates fair value due to its short maturity. Fair value is calculated using Level 2 inputs.
The carrying value of debt provided under the Canadian Conduit approximates fair value since the interest rates charged under the facility are tied directly to market rates and fluctuate as market rates change. Fair value is calculated using Level 2 inputs.
The fair values of the medium-term notes are estimated based upon rates currently available for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities. Fair value is calculated using Level 2 inputs.

21

Table of Contents

The fair value of the senior unsecured notes was estimated based upon rates then available for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities. Fair value was calculated using Level 2 inputs.
The fair value of the debt related to term asset-backed securitization transactions is estimated based on pricing currently available for transactions with similar terms and maturities. Fair value is calculated using Level 2 inputs.
10. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
The Company is exposed to certain risks such as foreign currency exchange rate risk, interest rate risk and commodity price risk. To reduce its exposure to such risks, the Company selectively uses derivative financial instruments. All derivative transactions are authorized and executed pursuant to regularly reviewed policies and procedures, which prohibit the use of financial instruments for speculative trading purposes.
All derivative instruments are recognized on the balance sheet at fair value (see Note 8). In accordance with ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging,” the accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship and, further, on the type of hedging relationship. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated as fair value hedges, along with the gain or loss on the hedged item, are recorded in current period earnings. For derivative instruments that are designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of gains and losses that result from changes in the fair value of derivative instruments is initially recorded in other comprehensive income (OCI) and subsequently reclassified into earnings when the hedged item affects income. The Company assesses, both at the inception of each hedge and on an on-going basis, whether the derivatives that are used in its hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged items. Any ineffective portion is immediately recognized in earnings. No component of a hedging derivative instrument’s gain or loss is excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. Derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting are recorded at fair value, and any changes in fair value are recorded in current period earnings.
The Company sells its products internationally and in most markets those sales are made in the foreign country’s local currency. As a result, the Company’s earnings can be affected by fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to foreign currency. The Company’s most significant foreign currency risk relates to the Euro, the Australian dollar, the Japanese yen and the Brazilian real. The Company utilizes foreign currency exchange contracts to mitigate the effects of these currencies’ fluctuations on earnings. The foreign currency exchange contracts are entered into with banks and allow the Company to exchange a specified amount of foreign currency for U.S. dollars at a future date, based on a fixed exchange rate.
The Company utilizes commodity contracts to hedge portions of the cost of certain commodities consumed in the Company’s motorcycle production and distribution operations.
The Company’s foreign currency exchange contracts and commodity contracts generally have maturities of less than one year.
During the second quarter of 2015, the Company entered into treasury rate locks to fix the interest rate on a portion of the principal related to its anticipated issuance of senior unsecured debt during the third quarter of 2015. The treasury rate lock contracts were settled in July 2015. The loss at settlement was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss and will be reclassified into earnings over the life of the debt.

22

Table of Contents

The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments (in thousands):
 
September 27, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
September 28, 2014
Derivatives Designated As Hedging
Instruments Under ASC Topic 815
Notional
Value
 
Asset
Fair  Value(a)
 
Liability
Fair  Value(b)
 
Notional
Value
 
Asset
Fair  Value(a)
 
Liability
Fair  Value(b)
 
Notional
Value
 
Asset
Fair  Value(a)
 
Liability
Fair  Value(b)
Foreign currency contracts(c)
$
460,323

 
$
18,015

 
$
19

 
$
339,077

 
$
32,244

 
$

 
$
367,077

 
$
24,908

 
$

Commodity
contracts(c)
1,297

 

 
168

 
1,728

 

 
414

 
1,599

 

 
100

Total
$
461,620

 
$
18,015

 
$
187


$
340,805

 
$
32,244

 
$
414


$
368,676

 
$
24,908

 
$
100

 
September 27, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
September 28, 2014
Derivatives Not Designated As Hedging
Instruments Under ASC Topic 815
Notional
Value
 
Asset
Fair  Value(a)
 
Liability
Fair  Value(b)
 
Notional
Value
 
Asset
Fair  Value(a)
 
Liability
Fair  Value(b)
 
Notional
Value
 
Asset
Fair  Value(a)
 
Liability
Fair  Value(b)
Commodity contracts
$
7,027

 
$

 
$
1,122

 
$
11,804

 
$

 
$
1,613

 
$
7,711

 
$

 
$
341

 
$
7,027


$

 
$
1,122

 
$
11,804

 
$

 
$
1,613

 
$
7,711

 
$

 
$
341

 
(a)
Foreign currency and commodity contract fair value included in other current assets
(b)
Included in accrued liabilities
(c)
Derivative designated as a cash flow hedge
The following tables summarize the amount of gains and losses related to derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges (in thousands):
 
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in OCI, before tax
 
Three months ended
 
Nine months ended
Cash Flow Hedges
September 27,
2015
 
September 28,
2014
 
September 27,
2015
 
September 28,
2014
Foreign currency contracts
$
6,796

 
$
26,941

 
$
35,004

 
$
29,434

Commodity contracts
(138
)
 
(100
)
 
(284
)
 
91

Treasury rate locks
(10,746
)
 

 
(7,381
)
 

Total
$
(4,088
)
 
$
26,841

 
$
27,339

 
$
29,525

 
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from AOCL into Income
 
 
 
Three months ended
 
Nine months ended
 
Expected to be Reclassified
Cash Flow Hedges
September 27,
2015
 
September 28,
2014
 
September 27,
2015
 
September 28,
2014
 
Over the Next Twelve Months
Foreign currency contracts(a)
$
12,771

 
$
6,852

 
$
48,175

 
$
4,611

 
$
17,487

Commodity contracts(a)
(68
)
 
(17
)
 
(530
)
 
266

 
(168
)
Treasury rate locks(b)
(60
)
 

 
(60
)
 

 
(362
)
Total
$
12,643

 
$
6,835

 
$
47,585

 
$
4,877

 
$
16,957

(a)
Gain/(loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (AOCL) to income is included in cost of goods sold
(b)
Gain/(loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (AOCL) to income is included in interest expense
For the three and nine months ended September 27, 2015 and September 28, 2014, the cash flow hedges were highly effective and, as a result, the amount of hedge ineffectiveness was not material. No amounts were excluded from effectiveness testing.


23

Table of Contents

The following tables summarize the amount of gains and losses related to derivative financial instruments not designated as hedging instruments (in thousands):
 
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative
 
Three months ended
 
Nine months ended
Derivatives Not Designated As Hedges
September 27,
2015
 
September 28,
2014
 
September 27,
2015
 
September 28,
2014
Commodity contracts(a)
$
(731
)
 
$
(426
)
 
$
(1,257
)
 
$
(570
)
Total
$
(731
)
 
$
(426
)
 
$
(1,257
)
 
$
(570
)
(a)
Gain/(loss) recognized in income is included in cost of goods sold.
The Company is exposed to credit loss risk in the event of non-performance by counterparties to these derivative financial instruments. Although no assurances can be given, the Company does not expect any of the counterparties to these derivative financial instruments to fail to meet its obligations. To manage credit loss risk, the Company evaluates counterparties based on credit ratings and, on a quarterly basis, evaluates each hedge’s net position relative to the counterparty’s ability to cover its position.
11. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The following tables set forth the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss (AOCL) (in thousands):
 
 
Three months ended September 27, 2015
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
Marketable securities
 
Derivative financial instruments
 
Pension and postretirement benefit plans
 
Total
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
(26,252
)
 
$
(895
)
 
$
16,828

 
$
(512,207
)
 
$
(522,526
)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
 
(17,003
)
 
(157
)
 
(4,088
)
 

 
(21,248
)
Income tax
 
2,405

 
58

 
1,514

 

 
3,977

Net other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
 
(14,598
)
 
(99
)
 
(2,574
)
 

 
(17,271
)
Reclassifications:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized (gains) losses - foreign currency contracts(a)
 

 

 
(12,771
)
 

 
(12,771
)
Realized (gains) losses - commodities contracts(a)
 

 

 
68

 

 
68

Realized (gains) losses - treasury rate lock(c)
 

 

 
60

 

 
60

Prior service credits(b)
 

 

 

 
(695
)
 
(695
)
Actuarial losses(b)
 

 

 

 
14,671

 
14,671

Total reclassifications before tax
 

 

 
(12,643
)
 
13,976

 
1,333

Income tax expense (benefit)
 

 

 
4,684

 
(5,177
)
 
(493
)
Net reclassifications
 

 

 
(7,959
)
 
8,799

 
840

Other comprehensive (loss) income
 
(14,598
)
 
(99
)
 
(10,533
)
 
8,799

 
(16,431
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
(40,850
)
 
$
(994
)
 
$
6,295

 
$
(503,408
)
 
$
(538,957
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

24

Table of Contents

 
 
Three months ended September 28, 2014
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
Marketable securities
 
Derivative financial instruments
 
Pension and postretirement benefit plans
 
Total
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
42,007

 
$
(392
)
 
$
1,243

 
$
(351,909
)
 
$
(309,051
)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications
 
(34,202
)
 
(235
)
 
26,841

 

 
(7,596
)
Income tax
 
1,673

 
87

 
(9,942
)
 

 
(8,182
)
Net other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications
 
(32,529
)
 
(148
)
 
16,899

 

 
(15,778
)
Reclassifications:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized (gains) losses - foreign currency contracts(a)
 

 

 
(6,852
)
 

 
(6,852
)
Realized (gains) losses - commodities contracts(a)
 

 

 
17

 

 
17

Prior service credits(b)
 

 

 

 
(684
)
 
(684
)
Actuarial losses(b)
 

 

 

 
10,323

 
10,323

Total reclassifications before tax
 

 

 
(6,835
)
 
9,639

 
2,804

Income tax expense (benefit)
 

 

 
2,531

 
(3,570
)
 
(1,039
)
Net reclassifications
 

 

 
(4,304
)
 
6,069

 
1,765

Other comprehensive (loss) income
 
(32,529
)
 
(148
)
 
12,595

 
6,069

 
(14,013
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
9,478

 
$
(540
)
 
$
13,838

 
$
(345,840
)
 
$
(323,064
)
 
 
Nine months ended September 27, 2015
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
Marketable securities
 
Derivative financial instruments
 
Pension and postretirement benefit plans
 
Total
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
(3,482
)
 
$
(700
)
 
$
19,042

 
$
(529,803
)
 
$
(514,943
)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications
 
(41,954
)
 
(467
)
 
27,339

 

 
(15,082
)
Income tax
 
4,586

 
173

 
(10,126
)
 

 
(5,367
)
Net other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications
 
(37,368
)
 
(294
)
 
17,213

 

 
(20,449
)
Reclassifications:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized (gains) losses - foreign currency contracts(a)
 

 

 
(48,175
)
 

 
(48,175
)
Realized (gains) losses - commodities contracts(a)
 

 

 
530

 

 
530

Realized (gains) losses - treasury rate lock(c)
 

 

 
60

 

 
60

Prior service credits(b)
 

 

 

 
(2,085
)
 
(2,085
)
Actuarial losses(b)
 

 

 

 
44,010

 
44,010

Total reclassifications before tax
 

 

 
(47,585
)
 
41,925

 
(5,660
)
Income tax expense (benefit)
 

 

 
17,625

 
(15,530
)
 
2,095

Net reclassifications
 

 

 
(29,960
)
 
26,395

 
(3,565
)
Other comprehensive (loss) income
 
(37,368
)
 
(294
)
 
(12,747
)
 
26,395

 
(24,014
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
(40,850
)
 
$
(994
)
 
$
6,295

 
$
(503,408
)
 
$
(538,957
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

25

Table of Contents

 
 
Nine months ended September 28, 2014
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
Marketable securities
 
Derivative financial instruments
 
Pension and postretirement benefit plans
 
Total
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
33,326

 
$
(276
)
 
$
(1,680
)
 
$
(364,046
)
 
$
(332,676
)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications
 
(25,502
)
 
(419
)
 
29,525

 

 
3,604

Income tax
 
1,654

 
155

 
(10,936
)
 

 
(9,127
)
Net other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications
 
(23,848
)
 
(264
)
 
18,589

 

 
(5,523
)
Reclassifications:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized (gains) losses - foreign currency contracts(a)
 

 

 
(4,611
)
 

 
(4,611
)
Realized (gains) losses - commodities contracts(a)
 

 

 
(266
)
 

 
(266
)
Prior service credits(b)
 

 

 

 
(2,052
)
 
(2,052
)
Actuarial losses(b)
 

 

 

 
30,968

 
30,968

Total reclassifications before tax
 

 

 
(4,877
)
 
28,916

 
24,039

Income tax expense (benefit)
 

 

 
1,806

 
(10,710
)
 
(8,904
)
Net reclassifications
 

 

 
(3,071
)
 
18,206

 
15,135

Other comprehensive (loss) income
 
(23,848
)
 
(264
)
 
15,518

 
18,206

 
9,612

Balance, end of period
 
$
9,478

 
$
(540
)
 
$
13,838

 
$
(345,840
)
 
$
(323,064
)
(a)
Amounts reclassified to net income are included in Motorcycles and Related Products cost of goods sold.
(b)
Amounts reclassified are included in the computation of net periodic period cost. See Note 16 for information related to pension and postretirement benefit plans.
(c)
Amounts reclassified to net income are included in interest expense.

26

Table of Contents

12. Debt
Debt with contractual terms less than one year is generally classified as short-term debt and consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 
September 27,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
September 28,
2014
Unsecured commercial paper
 
$
990,049

 
$
731,786

 
$
352,430

Debt with a contractual term greater than one year is generally classified as long-term debt and consisted of the following (in thousands): 
 
 
September 27,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
September 28,
2014
Secured debt
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset-backed Canadian commercial paper conduit facility
 
$
158,712

 
$
166,912

 
$
165,166

Term asset-backed securitization debt
 
1,706,431

 
1,271,533

 
1,475,148

Unsecured notes
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.75% Medium-term notes due in 2014 ($500.0 million par value)
 

 

 
499,987

1.15% Medium-term notes due in 2015 ($600.0 million par value)
 

 
599,817

 
599,749

3.88% Medium-term notes due in 2016 ($450.0 million par value)
 
449,977

 
449,937

 
449,923

2.70% Medium-term notes due in 2017 ($400.0 million par value)
 
399,976

 
399,963

 
399,959

1.55% Medium-term notes due in 2017 ($400.0 million par value)
 
399,603

 
399,464

 

6.80% Medium-term notes due in 2018 ($888.0 million par value)
 
887,511

 
887,381

 
903,785

2.40% Medium-term notes due in 2019 ($600.0 million par value)
 
598,181

 
597,836

 
597,721

2.15% Medium-term notes due in 2020 ($600.0 million par value)
 
598,787

 

 

3.50% Senior unsecured notes due in 2025 ($450.0 million par value)
 
447,555

 

 

4.625% Senior unsecured notes due in 2045 ($300.0 million par value)
 
299,324

 

 

Gross long-term debt
 
5,946,057

 
4,772,843

 
5,091,438

Less: current portion of long-term debt
 
(891,710
)
 
(1,011,315
)
 
(1,518,320
)
Long-term debt
 
$
5,054,347

 
$
3,761,528

 
$
3,573,118

In July 2015, the Company issued $450.0 million of senior unsecured notes that mature in July 2025 that have an interest rate of 3.50% and $300.0 million of senior unsecured notes that mature in July 2045 that have an interest rate of 4.625% in an underwritten offering. The senior unsecured notes provide for semi-annual interest payments and principal due at maturity. The Company is using the proceeds from the issuance to repurchase shares of the Company's common stock in 2015.
There were no medium-term notes issued during the second and third quarters of 2015. During the first quarter of 2015, the Company issued $600.0 million of medium-term notes which mature in February 2020 and have an annual interest rate of 2.15%. During the third quarter of 2014, the Company issued $600.0 million of medium-term notes which mature in 2019 and have an annual interest rate of 2.40%. There were no other medium-term notes issued during the nine months ended September 28, 2014.
There were no medium-term note repurchases made during 2015. During the second quarter of 2014, HDFS repurchased an aggregate of $6.1 million of its 6.80% medium-term notes which mature in June 2018. As a result, HDFS recognized in financial services interest expense $1.1 million of loss on the extinguishment of debt, which included unamortized discounts and fees. There were no other repurchases made during 2014. During September 2015, $600.0 million of 1.15% medium-term notes matured, and the principal and accrued interest were paid in full. There were no other medium-term note maturities during the first nine months of 2015, and no maturities during the nine months ended September 28, 2014.
The term asset-backed securitization transactions are further discussed in Note 7.
13. Income Taxes
The Company’s 2015 income tax rate for the nine months ended September 27, 2015 was 34.8% compared to 34.9% for the same period last year.

27

Table of Contents

14. Product Warranty and Recall Campaigns
The Company currently provides a standard two-year limited warranty on all new motorcycles sold worldwide, except for Japan, where the Company currently provides a standard three-year limited warranty on all new motorcycles sold. In addition, the Company provides a one-year warranty for Parts & Accessories (P&A). The warranty coverage for the retail customer generally begins when the product is sold to a retail customer. The Company maintains reserves for future warranty claims using an estimated cost, which is based primarily on historical Company claim information. Additionally, the Company has from time to time initiated voluntary recall campaigns. The Company reserves for all estimated costs associated with recalls in the period that management approves and commits to the recall.
Changes in the Company’s warranty and recall liability were as follows (in thousands):
 
Three months ended
 
Nine months ended
 
September 27,
2015
 
September 28,
2014
 
September 27,
2015
 
September 28,
2014
Balance, beginning of period
$
83,416

 
$
76,037

 
$
69,250

 
$
64,120

Warranties issued during the period
9,714

 
12,518

 
46,668

 
49,704

Settlements made during the period
(31,492
)
 
(22,260
)
 
(68,611
)
 
(50,754
)
Recalls and changes to pre-existing warranty liabilities
18,170

 
14,033

 
32,501

 
17,258

Balance, end of period
$
79,808

 
$
80,328

 
$
79,808

 
$
80,328

The liability for recall campaigns was $16.4 million, $9.8 million and $15.7 million as of September 27, 2015, December 31, 2014 and September 28, 2014, respectively.
15. Earnings Per Share
The following table sets forth the computation for basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share amounts):
 
Three months ended
 
Nine months ended
 
September 27,
2015
 
September 28,
2014
 
September 27,
2015
 
September 28,
2014
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income used in computing basic and diluted earnings per share
$
140,347

 
$
150,066

 
$
710,011

 
$
770,136

Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted-average common shares
203,598

 
215,572

 
207,255

 
217,429

Effect of dilutive securities - employee stock compensation plan
982

 
1,321

 
1,027

 
1,409

Denominator for diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding
204,580

 
216,893

 
208,282

 
218,838

Earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.69

 
$
0.70

 
$
3.43

 
$
3.54

Diluted
$
0.69

 
$
0.69

 
$
3.41

 
$
3.52

Outstanding options to purchase 0.9 million and 0.6 million shares of common stock for the three months ended September 27, 2015 and September 28, 2014, respectively, and 0.9 million and 0.5 million shares of common stock for the nine months ended September 27, 2015 and September 28, 2014, respectively, were not included in the Company’s computation of dilutive securities because the exercise price was greater than the market price and therefore the effect would have been anti-dilutive.
The Company has a share-based compensation plan under which employees may be granted share-based awards including shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units (RSUs). Non-forfeitable dividends are paid on unvested shares of restricted stock and non-forfeitable dividend equivalents are paid on unvested RSUs. As such, shares of restricted stock and RSUs are considered participating securities under the two-class method of calculating earnings per share as described in ASC Topic 260, “Earnings per Share.” The two-class method of calculating earnings per share did not have a material impact on the Company’s earnings per share calculation for the three and nine month periods ended September 27, 2015 and September 28, 2014, respectively.

28

Table of Contents

16. Employee Benefit Plans
The Company has a defined benefit pension plan and postretirement healthcare benefit plans that cover certain employees of the Motorcycles segment. The Company also has unfunded supplemental employee retirement plan agreements (SERPA) with certain employees which were instituted to replace benefits lost under the Tax Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993. Net periodic benefit costs are allocated among selling, administrative and engineering expense, cost of goods sold and inventory. Amounts capitalized in inventory are not significant. Components of net periodic benefit costs were as follows (in thousands):
 
Three months ended
 
Nine months ended
 
September 27,
2015
 
September 28,
2014
 
September 27,
2015
 
September 28,
2014
Pension and SERPA Benefits
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service cost
$
10,010

 
$
7,874

 
$
30,030

 
$
23,623

Interest cost
21,836

 
21,731

 
65,508

 
65,193

Expected return on plan assets
(36,232
)
 
(34,184
)
 
(108,696
)
 
(102,551
)
Amortization of unrecognized:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prior service cost
109

 
279

 
327

 
838

Net loss
13,678

 
9,141

 
41,031

 
27,422

Net periodic benefit cost
$
9,401

 
$
4,841

 
$
28,200

 
$
14,525

Postretirement Healthcare Benefits
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service cost
$
2,065

 
$
1,754

 
$
6,195

 
$
5,262

Interest cost
3,541

 
4,220

 
10,623

 
12,659

Expected return on plan assets
(2,877
)
 
(2,607
)
 
(8,631
)
 
(7,822
)
Amortization of unrecognized:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prior service credit
(804
)
 
(963
)
 
(2,412
)
 
(2,890
)
Net loss
993

 
1,182

 
2,979

 
3,546

Net periodic benefit cost
$
2,918

 
$
3,586

 
$
8,754

 
$
10,755

No pension contributions to qualified plans are required in 2015. The Company expects it will continue to make on-going contributions related to current benefit payments for SERPA and postretirement healthcare plans.
17. Business Segments
Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company for the groups of companies doing business as Harley-Davidson Motor Company (HDMC) and Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS). The Company operates in two segments: the Motorcycles & Related Products (Motorcycles) segment and the Financial Services segment. The Company’s reportable segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services and are managed separately based on the fundamental differences in their operations. Selected segment information is set forth below (in thousands):
 
Three months ended
 
Nine months ended
 
September 27,
2015
 
September 28,
2014
 
September 27,
2015
 
September 28,
2014
Motorcycles net revenue
$
1,140,321

 
$
1,130,558

 
$
4,301,674

 
$
4,536,531

Gross profit
394,039

 
394,600

 
1,631,528

 
1,710,870

Selling, administrative and engineering expense
250,974

 
248,286

 
762,406

 
743,608

Operating income from Motorcycles
143,065

 
146,314

 
869,122

 
967,262

Financial Services revenue
177,109

 
171,046

 
513,093

 
491,820

Financial Services expense
104,338

 
93,287

 
293,745

 
276,432

Operating income from Financial Services
72,771

 
77,759

 
219,348

 
215,388

Operating income
$
215,836

 
$
224,073

 
$
1,088,470

 
$
1,182,650


29

Table of Contents

18. Commitments and Contingencies
The Company is subject to lawsuits and other claims related to environmental, product and other matters. In determining required reserves related to these items, the Company carefully analyzes cases and considers the likelihood of adverse judgments or outcomes, as well as the potential range of possible loss. The required reserves are monitored on an ongoing basis and are updated based on new developments or new information in each matter.
Environmental Protection Agency Notice
In December 2009, the Company received formal, written requests for information from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding: (i) certificates of conformity for motorcycle emissions and related designations and labels, (ii) aftermarket parts, and (iii) warranty claims on emissions related components. The Company promptly submitted written responses to the EPA’s inquiry and has engaged in discussions with the EPA. Since that time, the EPA has delivered various additional requests for information to which the Company has responded. It is probable that a result of the EPA’s investigation will be some form of enforcement action by the EPA that will seek a fine and/or other relief. The Company has a reserve associated with this matter which is included in accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. However, given the uncertainty that still exists concerning the resolution of this matter, there is a possibility that the actual loss incurred may be materially different than the Company’s current reserve. At this time, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the impact of any remedies the EPA might seek beyond the Company's current reserve for this matter, if any.
York Environmental Matters:
The Company is involved with government agencies and groups of potentially responsible parties in various environmental matters, including a matter involving the cleanup of soil and groundwater contamination at its York, Pennsylvania facility. The York facility was formerly used by the U.S. Navy and AMF prior to the purchase of the York facility by the Company from AMF in 1981. Although the Company is not certain as to the full extent of the environmental contamination at the York facility, it has been working with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) since 1986 in undertaking environmental investigation and remediation activities, including an ongoing site-wide remedial investigation/feasibility study (RI/FS). In January 1995, the Company entered into a settlement agreement (the Agreement) with the Navy, and the parties amended the Agreement in 2013 to address ordnance and explosive waste.
The Agreement calls for the Navy and the Company to contribute amounts into a trust equal to 53% and 47%, respectively, of future costs associated with environmental investigation and remediation activities at the York facility (Response Costs). The trust administers the payment of the Response Costs incurred at the York facility as covered by the Agreement.
The Company has a reserve for its estimate of its share of the future Response Costs at the York facility which is included in accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As noted above, the RI/FS is still underway and given the uncertainty that exists concerning the nature and scope of additional environmental investigation and remediation that may ultimately be required under the RI/FS or otherwise at the York facility, the Company is unable to make a reasonable estimate of those additional costs, if any, that may result.
The estimate of the Company’s future Response Costs that will be incurred at the York facility is based on reports of independent environmental consultants retained by the Company, the actual costs incurred to date and the estimated costs to complete the necessary investigation and remediation activities. Response Costs are expected to be paid primarily over a period of several years ending in 2017 although certain Response Costs may continue for some time beyond 2017.
Product Liability Matters:
The Company is involved in product liability suits related to the operation of its business. The Company accrues for claim exposures that are probable of occurrence and can be reasonably estimated. The Company also maintains insurance coverage for product liability exposures. The Company believes that its accruals and insurance coverage are adequate and that product liability suits will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

30

Table of Contents

19. Supplemental Consolidating Data
The supplemental consolidating data for the periods noted is presented for informational purposes. The supplemental consolidating data may be different than segment information presented elsewhere due to the allocation of intercompany eliminations to reporting segments. All supplemental data is presented in thousands.
 
Three months ended September 27, 2015
 
Motorcycles & Related
Products Operations
 
Financial
Services Operations
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motorcycles and Related Products
$
1,142,948

 
$

 
$
(2,627
)
 
$
1,140,321

Financial Services


 
177,487

 
(378
)
 
177,109

Total revenue
1,142,948

 
177,487

 
(3,005
)
 
1,317,430

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motorcycles and Related Products cost of goods sold
746,282

 

 

 
746,282

Financial Services interest expense

 
41,214

 

 
41,214

Financial Services provision for credit losses

 
27,233

 

 
27,233

Selling, administrative and engineering expense
251,352

 
38,518

 
(3,005
)
 
286,865

Total costs and expenses
997,634

 
106,965

 
(3,005
)
 
1,101,594

Operating income
145,314

 
70,522

 

 
215,836

Investment income
3,211

 

 

 
3,211

Interest expense
4,879

 

 

 
4,879

Income before provision for income taxes
143,646

 
70,522

 

 
214,168

Provision for income taxes
47,703

 
26,118

 

 
73,821

Net income
$
95,943

 
$
44,404

 
$

 
$
140,347

 
Nine months ended September 27, 2015
 
Motorcycles & Related
Products Operations
 
Financial
Services Operations
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motorcycles and Related Products
$
4,309,589

 
$

 
$
(7,915
)
 
$
4,301,674

Financial Services

 
514,324

 
(1,231
)
 
513,093

Total revenue
4,309,589

 
514,324

 
(9,146
)
 
4,814,767

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motorcycles and Related Products cost of goods sold
2,670,146

 

 

 
2,670,146

Financial Services interest expense

 
120,938

 

 
120,938

Financial Services provision for credit losses

 
68,655

 

 
68,655

Selling, administrative and engineering expense
763,637

 
112,067

 
(9,146
)
 
866,558

Total costs and expenses
3,433,783

 
301,660

 
(9,146
)
 
3,726,297

Operating income
875,806

 
212,664

 

 
1,088,470

Investment income
105,983

 

 
(100,000
)
 
5,983

Interest expense
4,897

 

 

 
4,897

Income before provision for income taxes
976,892

 
212,664

 
(100,000
)
 
1,089,556

Provision for income taxes
303,852

 
75,693

 

 
379,545

Net income
$
673,040

 
$
136,971

 
$
(100,000
)
 
$
710,011


31

Table of Contents

 
Three months ended September 28, 2014
 
Motorcycles & Related
Products Operations
 
Financial
Services Operations
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motorcycles and Related Products
$
1,133,369

 
$

 
$
(2,811
)
 
$
1,130,558

Financial Services

 
171,429

 
(383
)
 
171,046

Total revenue
1,133,369

 
171,429

 
(3,194
)
 
1,301,604

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motorcycles and Related Products cost of goods sold
735,958

 

 

 
735,958

Financial Services interest expense

 
40,141

 

 
40,141

Financial Services provision for credit losses

 
21,497

 

 
21,497

Selling, administrative and engineering expense
248,669

 
34,460

 
(3,194
)
 
279,935

Total costs and expenses
984,627

 
96,098

 
(3,194
)
 
1,077,531

Operating income
148,742

 
75,331

 

 
224,073

Investment income
1,509

 

 

 
1,509

Interest expense
77

 

 

 
77

Income before provision for income taxes
150,174

 
75,331

 

 
225,505

Provision for income taxes
47,801

 
27,638

 

 
75,439

Net income
$
102,373

 
$
47,693

 
$

 
$
150,066

 
Nine months ended September 28, 2014
 
Motorcycles & Related
Products Operations
 
Financial
Services Operations
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motorcycles and Related Products
$
4,544,310

 
$

 
$
(7,779
)
 
$
4,536,531

Financial Services

 
493,078

 
(1,258
)
 
491,820

Total revenue
4,544,310

 
493,078

 
(9,037
)
 
5,028,351

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motorcycles and Related Products cost of goods sold
2,825,661

 

 

 
2,825,661

Financial Services interest expense

 
119,739

 

 
119,739

Financial Services provision for credit losses

 
57,789

 

 
57,789

Selling, administrative and engineering expense
744,866

 
106,683

 
(9,037
)
 
842,512

Total costs and expenses
3,570,527

 
284,211

 
(9,037
)
 
3,845,701

Operating income
973,783

 
208,867

 

 
1,182,650

Investment income
124,940

 

 
(120,000
)
 
4,940

Interest expense
4,147

 

 

 
4,147

Income before provision for income taxes
1,094,576

 
208,867

 
(120,000
)
 
1,183,443

Provision for income taxes
336,677

 
76,630

 

 
413,307

Net income
$
757,899

 
$
132,237

 
$
(120,000
)
 
$
770,136


32

Table of Contents

 
September 27, 2015
 
Motorcycles & Related
Products Operations
 
Financial
Services Operations
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
963,360

 
$
405,194

 
$

 
$
1,368,554

Marketable securities
47,358

 

 

 
47,358

Accounts receivable, net
725,828

 

 
(431,774
)
 
294,054

Finance receivables, net

 
2,068,873

 

 
2,068,873

Inventories
466,657

 

 

 
466,657

Restricted cash

 
113,499

 

 
113,499

Deferred income taxes
53,218

 
47,340

 

 
100,558

Other current assets
121,953

 
43,714

 
(9,179
)
 
156,488

Total current assets
2,378,374

 
2,678,620

 
(440,953
)
 
4,616,041

Finance receivables, net

 
5,009,473

 

 
5,009,473

Property, plant and equipment, net
845,297

 
32,490

 

 
877,787

Goodwill
54,267

 

 

 
54,267

Deferred income taxes
59,649

 
14,232

 
(1,929
)
 
71,952

Other long-term assets
141,588

 
40,403

 
(79,953
)
 
102,038

 
$
3,479,175

 
$
7,775,218

 
$
(522,835
)
 
$
10,731,558

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
290,154

 
$
458,514

 
$
(431,774
)
 
$
316,894

Accrued liabilities
382,292

 
93,168

 
(11,108
)
 
464,352

Short-term debt

 
990,049

 

 
990,049

Current portion of long-term debt

 
891,710

 

 
891,710

Total current liabilities
672,446

 
2,433,441

 
(442,882
)
 
2,663,005

Long-term debt
746,879

 
4,307,468

 

 
5,054,347

Pension liability
61,458

 

 

 
61,458

Postretirement healthcare benefits
193,406

 

 

 
193,406

Other long-term liabilities
172,038

 
27,631

 

 
199,669

Shareholders’ equity
1,632,948

 
1,006,678

 
(79,953
)
 
2,559,673

 
$
3,479,175

 
$
7,775,218

 
$
(522,835
)
 
$
10,731,558


33

Table of Contents

 
December 31, 2014
 
Motorcycles & Related
Products Operations
 
Financial
Services Operations
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
573,895

 
$
332,785

 
$

 
$
906,680

Marketable securities
57,325

 

 

 
57,325

Accounts receivable, net
658,735

 

 
(411,114
)
 
247,621

Finance receivables, net

 
1,916,635

 

 
1,916,635

Inventories
448,871

 

 

 
448,871

Restricted cash

 
98,627

 

 
98,627

Deferred income taxes
50,015

 
39,901

 

 
89,916

Other current assets
142,278

 
43,125

 
(2,983
)
 
182,420

Total current assets
1,931,119

 
2,431,073

 
(414,097
)
 
3,948,095

Finance receivables, net

 
4,516,246

 

 
4,516,246

Property, plant and equipment, net
848,661

 
34,416

 

 
883,077

Goodwill
27,752

 

 

 
27,752

Deferred income taxes
75,121

 
4,863

 
(2,149
)
 
77,835

Other long-term assets
113,727

 
39,309

 
(77,944
)
 
75,092

 
$
2,996,380

 
$
7,025,907

 
$
(494,190
)
 
$
9,528,097

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
171,098

 
$
436,884

 
$
(411,114
)
 
$
196,868

Accrued liabilities
370,652

 
83,797

 
(5,132
)
 
449,317

Short-term debt

 
731,786

 

 
731,786

Current portion of long-term debt

 
1,011,315

 

 
1,011,315

Total current liabilities
541,750

 
2,263,782

 
(416,246
)
 
2,389,286

Long-term debt

 
3,761,528

 

 
3,761,528

Pension liability
76,186

 

 

 
76,186

Postretirement healthcare benefits
203,006

 

 

 
203,006

Other long-term liabilities
164,060

 
24,745

 

 
188,805

Shareholders’ equity
2,011,378

 
975,852

 
(77,944
)
 
2,909,286

 
$
2,996,380

 
$
7,025,907

 
$
(494,190
)
 
$
9,528,097


34

Table of Contents

 
September 28, 2014
 
Motorcycles & Related
Products Operations
 
Financial
Services Operations
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
630,134

 
$
349,732

 
$

 
$
979,866

Marketable securities
57,579

 

 

 
57,579

Accounts receivable, net
967,140

 

 
(680,884
)
 
286,256

Finance receivables, net

 
2,012,466

 

 
2,012,466

Inventories
460,958

 

 

 
460,958

Restricted cash

 
142,286

 

 
142,286

Deferred income taxes
43,900

 
46,724

 
(35,662
)
 
54,962

Other current assets
172,483

 
35,622

 

 
208,105

Total current assets
2,332,194

 
2,586,830

 
(716,546
)
 
4,202,478

Finance receivables, net

 
4,653,034

 

 
4,653,034

Property, plant and equipment, net
793,256

 
33,508

 

 
826,764

Prepaid pension costs
261,983

 

 

 
261,983

Goodwill
28,638

 

 

 
28,638

Deferred income taxes
2,559

 

 

 
2,559

Other long-term assets
111,249

 
15,972

 
(77,171
)
 
50,050

 
$
3,529,879

 
$
7,289,344

 
$
(793,717
)
 
$
10,025,506

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
265,764

 
$
744,408

 
$
(680,884
)
 
$
329,288

Accrued liabilities
411,953

 
132,717

 
(37,664
)
 
507,006

Short-term debt

 
352,430

 

 
352,430

Current portion of long-term debt

 
1,518,320

 

 
1,518,320

Total current liabilities
677,717

 
2,747,875

 
(718,548
)
 
2,707,044

Long-term debt

 
3,573,118

 

 
3,573,118

Pension liability
38,594

 

 

 
38,594

Postretirement healthcare liability
204,890

 

 

 
204,890

Deferred income taxes
36,381

 
3,943

 
2,002

 
42,326

Other long-term liabilities
151,367

 
23,804

 

 
175,171

Shareholders’ equity
2,420,930

 
940,604

 
(77,171
)
 
3,284,363

 
$
3,529,879

 
$
7,289,344

 
$
(793,717
)
 
$
10,025,506


35

Table of Contents

 
Nine months ended September 27, 2015
 
Motorcycles & Related
Products Operations
 
Financial
Services Operations
 
Eliminations &
Adjustments
 
Consolidated
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
673,040

 
$
136,971

 
$
(100,000
)
 
$
710,011

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation
135,232

 
6,792

 

 
142,024

Amortization of deferred loan origination costs

 
71,012

 

 
71,012

Amortization of financing origination fees
107

 
7,224

 

 
7,331

Provision for employee long-term benefits
36,954

 

 

 
36,954

Contributions to pension and postretirement plans
(19,358
)
 

 

 
(19,358
)
Stock compensation expense
21,723

 
2,009

 

 
23,732

Net change in wholesale finance receivables related to sales

 

 
(157,532
)
 
(157,532
)
Provision for credit losses

 
68,655

 

 
68,655

Deferred income taxes
2,951

 
(12,223
)
 

 
(9,272
)
Foreign currency adjustments
22,010

 

 

 
22,010

Other, net
3,778

 
1,222

 

 
5,000

Change in current assets and current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
(331,347
)
 

 
270,660

 
(60,687
)
Finance receivables—accrued interest and other

 
(98
)
 

 
(98
)
Inventories
(36,109
)
 

 

 
(36,109
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
141,577

 
319,734

 
(250,266
)
 
211,045

Derivative instruments
(6,734
)
 

 

 
(6,734
)
Other
11,293

 
1,680

 

 
12,973

Total adjustments
(17,923
)
 
466,007

 
(137,138
)
 
310,946

Net cash provided by operating activities
655,117

 
602,978

 
(237,138
)
 
1,020,957


36

Table of Contents

 
Nine months ended September 27, 2015
 
Motorcycles & Related
Products Operations
 
Financial
Services Operations
 
Eliminations &
Adjustments
 
Consolidated
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(134,164
)
 
(4,890
)
 

 
(139,054
)
Origination of finance receivables

 
(6,512,799
)
 
3,399,972

 
(3,112,827
)
Collections of finance receivables

 
5,656,189

 
(3,262,834
)
 
2,393,355

Sales and redemptions of marketable securities
9,500

 

 

 
9,500

Acquisition of business
(59,910
)
 

 

 
(59,910
)
Other
5,172

 

 

 
5,172

Net cash used by investing activities
(179,402
)
 
(861,500
)
 
137,138

 
(903,764
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured notes
740,949

 

 

 
740,949

Proceeds from issuance of medium-term notes

 
595,386

 

 
595,386

Repayments of medium-term notes

 
(600,000
)
 

 
(600,000
)
Intercompany borrowing activity
250,000

 
(250,000
)
 

 

Proceeds from securitization debt

 
1,195,668

 

 
1,195,668

Repayments of securitization debt

 
(764,909
)
 

 
(764,909
)
Net increase in credit facilities and unsecured commercial paper

 
258,734

 

 
258,734

Borrowings of asset-backed commercial paper

 
69,191

 

 
69,191

Repayments of asset-backed commercial paper

 
(55,124
)
 

 
(55,124
)
Net change in restricted cash

 
(15,165
)
 

 
(15,165
)
Dividends paid
(191,451
)
 
(100,000
)
 
100,000

 
(191,451
)
Purchase of common stock for treasury
(894,565
)
 

 

 
(894,565
)
Excess tax benefits from share-based payments
2,878

 

 

 
2,878

Issuance of common stock under employee stock option plans
16,755

 

 

 
16,755

Net cash (used by) provided by financing activities
(75,434
)
 
333,781

 
100,000

 
358,347

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(10,816
)
 
(2,850
)
 

 
(13,666
)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
$
389,465

 
$
72,409

 
$

 
$
461,874

Cash and cash equivalents:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period
$
573,895

 
$
332,785

 
$

 
$
906,680

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
389,465

 
72,409

 

 
461,874

Cash and cash equivalents—end of period
$
963,360

 
$
405,194

 
$

 
$
1,368,554


37

Table of Contents

 
Nine months ended September 28, 2014
 
Motorcycles & Related
Products Operations
 
Financial
Services Operations
 
Eliminations &
Adjustments
 
Consolidated
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
757,899

 
$
132,237

 
$
(120,000
)
 
$
770,136

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation
125,005

 
5,683

 

 
130,688

Amortization of deferred loan origination costs

 
70,330

 

 
70,330

Amortization of financing origination fees
59

 
6,346

 

 
6,405

Provision for employee long-term benefits
25,281

 

 

 
25,281

Contributions to pension and postretirement plans
(22,528
)
 

 

 
(22,528
)
Stock compensation expense
25,770

 
2,092

 

 
27,862

Net change in wholesale finance receivables related to sales

 

 
(194,711
)
 
(194,711
)
Provision for credit losses

 
57,789

 

 
57,789

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 
1,145

 

 
1,145

Deferred income taxes
(1,317
)
 
(10,713
)
 

 
(12,030
)
Foreign currency adjustments
12,948

 

 

 
12,948

Other, net
6,246

 
5,289

 

 
11,535

Change in current assets and current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
(231,716
)
 

 
191,701

 
(40,015
)
Finance receivables—accrued interest and other

 
(2,077
)
 

 
(2,077
)
Inventories
(48,095
)
 

 

 
(48,095
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
104,795

 
275,994

 
(189,435
)
 
191,354

Derivative instruments
(1,813
)
 

 

 
(1,813
)
Other
(15,341
)
 
(1,995
)
 

 
(17,336
)
Total adjustments
(20,706
)
 
409,883

 
(192,445
)
 
196,732

Net cash provided by operating activities
737,193

 
542,120

 
(312,445
)
 
966,868


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Table of Contents

 
Nine months ended September 28, 2014
 
Motorcycles & Related
Products Operations
 
Financial
Services Operations
 
Eliminations &
Adjustments
 
Consolidated
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(115,596
)
 
(4,720
)
 

 
(120,316
)
Origination of finance receivables

 
(6,417,038
)
 
3,498,157

 
(2,918,881
)
Collections of finance receivables

 
5,613,949

 
(3,305,712
)
 
2,308,237

Sales and redemptions of marketable securities
41,010

 

 

 
41,010

Other
275

 

 

 
275

Net cash used by investing activities
(74,311
)
 
(807,809
)
 
192,445

 
(689,675
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Repayments of senior unsecured notes
(303,000
)
 

 

 
(303,000
)
Proceeds from issuance of medium-term notes

 
594,431

 

 
594,431

Repayments of medium-term notes

 
(7,220
)
 

 
(7,220
)
Intercompany borrowing activity
100,000

 
(100,000
)
 

 

Proceeds from securitization debt

 
847,126

 

 
847,126

Repayments of securitization debt

 
(631,302
)
 

 
(631,302
)
Net decrease in credit facilities and unsecured commercial paper

 
(315,278
)
 

 
(315,278
)
Borrowings of asset-backed commercial paper

 
57,669

 

 
57,669

Repayments of asset-backed commercial paper

 
(58,717
)
 

 
(58,717
)
Net change in restricted cash

 
2,521

 

 
2,521

Dividends paid
(179,860
)
 
(120,000
)
 
120,000

 
(179,860
)
Purchase of common stock for treasury
(393,459
)
 

 

 
(393,459
)
Excess tax benefits from share-based payments
8,873

 

 

 
8,873

Issuance of common stock under employee stock option plans
28,850

 

 

 
28,850

Net cash (used by) provided by financing activities
(738,596
)
 
269,230

 
120,000

 
(349,366
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(13,064
)
 
(1,509
)
 

 
(14,573
)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
$
(88,778
)
 
$
2,032

 
$

 
$
(86,746
)
Cash and cash equivalents:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period
$
718,912

 
$
347,700

 
$

 
$
1,066,612

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
(88,778
)
 
2,032

 

 
(86,746
)
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period
$
630,134

 
$
349,732

 
$

 
$
979,866


39

Table of Contents

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company of the groups of companies doing business as Harley-Davidson Motor Company (HDMC) and Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS). Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to the "Company" include Harley-Davidson, Inc. and all its subsidiaries. The Company operates in two business segments: Motorcycles & Related Products (Motorcycles) and Financial Services. The Company’s reportable segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services and are managed separately based on the fundamental differences in their operations.
The Motorcycles segment consists of HDMC which designs, manufactures and sells at wholesale street-legal Harley-Davidson motorcycles as well as a line of motorcycle parts, accessories, general merchandise and related services. The Company's products are sold to retail customers through a network of independent dealers. The Company conducts business on a global basis, with sales in North America, Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA), Asia-Pacific and Latin America.
The Financial Services segment consists of HDFS which provides wholesale and retail financing and insurance-related programs primarily to Harley-Davidson dealers and their retail customers. HDFS conducts business primarily in the United States and Canada.
The “% Change” figures included in the “Results of Operations” section were calculated using unrounded dollar amounts and may differ from calculations using the rounded dollar amounts presented.
Overview
The Company’s net income was $140.3 million, or $0.69 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2015 compared to $150.1, or $0.69 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2014. Operating income from Motorcycles decreased $3.2 million or 2.2% compared to last year’s third quarter. The favorable impacts of higher motorcycle shipments in the third quarter of 2015 were offset largely by unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates, along with slightly higher selling, administrative and engineering expenses. Operating income from Financial Services in the third quarter of 2015 was $72.8 million, down 6.4% compared to $77.8 million in the year-ago quarter driven by higher provision for credit losses and operating expenses partially offset by higher net interest income.
During the third quarter of 2015, independent dealer retail sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles were lower in the U.S. and higher in international markets compared to the prior year third quarter. Worldwide retail sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles were down 1.4% in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the third quarter of 2014.
Retail sales were below the Company's expectations, and as a result, it adjusted its most recent full-year shipment guidance down by 11,000 motorcycles. It now expects to ship between 265,000 to 270,000 motorcycles in 2015, approximately flat to down 2% compared to the prior year.(1) The Company has an ongoing commitment to manage supply in line with demand and protect its brand premium.
On October 20, 2015, the Company announced its plans for increased investment in both customer-facing marketing and new product development discussed in more detail in the "Outlook" section below.
(1)
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
The Company intends that certain matters discussed in this report are “forward-looking statements” intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified as such by reference to this footnote or because the context of the statement will include words such as the Company “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” or “estimates” or words of similar meaning. Similarly, statements that describe future plans, objectives, outlooks, targets, guidance or goals are also forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated as of the date of this report. Certain of such risks and uncertainties are described in close proximity to such statements or elsewhere in this report, including under the caption “Cautionary Statements” and in Item 1A “Risk Factors” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. Shareholders, potential investors, and other readers are urged to consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements and cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in the Overview and Outlook section are only made as of October 20, 2015 and the remaining forward looking statements in this report are only made as of the date of the filing of this report (November 5, 2015) and the Company disclaims any obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

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Table of Contents

Outlook(1) 
As the Company looks forward, it has five clear objectives:
Lead in every market by achieving and holding the number one market share of the 601+cc motorcycle segment.
Grow the sport of motorcycling in the U.S., in part by growing the number of U.S. core customers and growing U.S. outreach customers at a faster rate.
Grow U.S. retail sales and grow international retail sales at a faster rate. The Company has a target to grow its international dealer network by 150 to 200 new dealerships by 2020.
Grow revenue and grow earnings faster than revenue through 2020.
Outperform the S&P 500.
For 2016 and beyond, the Company plans to significantly increase its spending to drive demand. The Company intends to offset this increased spending by reducing spending in other areas, primarily support functions and through a reorganization of its commercial operations aimed at being both leaner and stronger.
In 2016, the Company expects to increase its spending on customer-facing marketing by approximately 65% from 2015 levels and it expects to increase its spending on new product development by approximately 35% from 2015 levels. This spending reallocation would represent an approximate $70 million increase in the Company's spending to drive demand compared to 2015. The Company expects to incur expenses in the fourth quarter of 2015 of approximately $30 million to $35 million to support this reallocation of spending. These expenses will largely consist of employee separation and reorganization costs. The Company expects these efforts to drive demand which will help accelerate revenue growth over the next several years. The Company expects its 2016 shipments of Harley-Davidson motorcycles will increase in the range of approximately 3% to 5% compared to 2015. The Company intends to provide more definitive guidance for 2016 in late January 2016.
The Company's increased spending will be focused in four key areas:
Increase product and brand awareness.
Grow new ridership in the U.S. This includes the Company's target to more than double the number of riders trained annually through the Harley-Davidson Riding Academy to 100,000 globally by 2020, with the majority in the U.S.
Increase and enhance brand access. The Company intends to continue to expand and enhance its global dealer network, develop new retail formats for urban centers and urban tastes and expand eCommerce.
Accelerate the cadence and impact of new products and extend its leadership in features and technology that it believes matter to customers.
On October 20, 2015, the Company provided the following information concerning its expectations for the remainder of 2015:
The Company stated its expectation to ship 265,000 to 270,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles to dealers and distributors worldwide in 2015, approximately flat to down 2% compared to 2014. The Company's most recent previous guidance was 276,000 and 281,000 motorcycles. In addition, the Company announced that its full-year shipment estimate includes expected shipments of 47,000 to 52,000 motorcycles in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to 47,157 motorcycles shipped in the fourth quarter of 2014 which is approximately flat to up 10%.
The Company now expects 2015 operating margin percent for the Motorcycles segment to be between 16% and 17% compared to 18% in 2014. The Company had previously expected operating margin to be between 18% and 19%. The lower operating margin expectations are due to the lower shipment expectations and higher selling, administrative and engineering costs.
The expected increase in 2015 selling, administrative and engineering cost is due to expenses expected in the fourth quarter of 2015 of approximately $30 million to $35 million to support the reallocation of spending discussed above, increased voluntary recall expenses through the third quarter, and the operating expenses the Company has incurred and expects to incur related to its new distributor operations in Canada. On August 4, 2015, the Company completed its purchase of certain assets and liabilities from Fred Deeley Imports, Ltd (Deeley Imports) and certain of its affiliates including, among other things, the acquisition of the exclusive right to distribute the Company's motorcycles and other products in Canada. The Company expects approximately $10 million of selling, administrative and engineering expense related to its Canada operations in the fourth quarter of 2015. In 2016, the Company expects selling, administrative and engineering expense related to its distributor

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Table of Contents

operations in Canada to be approximately $25 million. Excluding the $30 million to $35 million of expenses that the Company expects in the fourth quarter of 2015 to support the reallocation of spending, the Company expects selling, administrative and engineering expenses to be higher in 2015 compared to 2014.
The Company continues to expect gross margin to be up modestly in 2015 compared to 2014. The Company expects gross margin to be favorably impacted by motorcycle pricing and productivity gains, partially offset by unfavorable foreign currency exchange and increased pension expense resulting primarily from a decrease in the discount rate.
The Company’s earnings related to its operations outside the U.S. are impacted by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The majority of the Company’s exposure relates to the Euro, the Australian dollar, the Japanese yen and the Brazilian real. The Company refers to these as its key foreign currencies. A weakening in foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar will generally have an adverse effect on revenue related to sales made in those foreign currencies offset by a corresponding positive impact from natural hedges created by the operating costs incurred in those same foreign currencies. In addition, to the extent the Company carries foreign-denominated cash, receivables or accounts payable, those amounts are also exposed to foreign currency revaluations that can impact the Company’s earnings.
The Company also uses derivative financial instruments to hedge a portion of the forecasted cash flows in its key foreign currencies. These instruments generally have terms of up to 12 months and are purchased over time so that at any point in time some portion of the next 12 months of expected foreign currency exposure is hedged. The hedging instruments allow the Company to lock in the exchange rate on future foreign currency cash flows based on the forward rates available at the time of purchase. As the majority of the Company’s manufacturing occurs in the U.S., the Company’s operating expenses paid in foreign currencies generally include limited manufacturing costs and the selling and administrative costs incurred at the Company’s international locations.
If foreign currency exchange rates on October 19, 2015 remained constant throughout the remainder of 2015, the Company estimates the adverse impact to its expected Motorcycles segment full-year revenue from currency exchange would be approximately 4.25%. Taking into account the Company's natural hedges and the fact that it has a significant portion of its 2015 foreign currency exposure hedged at favorable rates, it expects about half of the unfavorable revenue dollar impact to translate into lower gross profit for the full year and reduce gross margin by approximately 0.75 percentage points, which is reflected in the gross and operating margin guidance above.
If foreign currency exchange rates on October 19, 2015 remained constant throughout 2016, which is a hypothetical expectation in what is a very volatile foreign currency exchange environment, the Company would expect approximately $45 million of additional unfavorable foreign currency exchange impact to gross margin as compared to 2015, primarily due to the hedge benefits that it realized in 2015. In accordance with its practices, the Company has hedged a portion of its 2016 foreign currency exposure, however; the gains it would realize on those hedges at current spot rates would not be as favorable as those it has realized in 2015.
The Company continues to expect operating income for the Financial Services segment to be up modestly in 2015 as compared to 2014.
The Company continues to estimate capital expenditures for 2015 to be between $240 million and $260 million. The Company anticipates it will have the ability to fund all capital expenditures in 2015 with cash flows generated by operations.
The Company now expects its full-year 2015 effective income tax rate will be approximately 35.0% compared to the previously expected 35.5%. The 2014 effective tax rate was 34.2%.
The Company's guidance includes the impact of the Canadian distributor transaction which closed in the third quarter of 2015. As previously indicated, the Company expects the financial impact to be dilutive to 2015 earnings per share by approximately $0.04, of which $0.02 was incurred in the third quarter.

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Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 27, 2015
Compared to the Three Months Ended September 28, 2014
Consolidated Results
 
Three months ended
 
 
 
 
(in thousands, except earnings per share)
September 27,
2015
 
September 28,
2014
 
(Decrease) Increase
 
% Change
Operating income from Motorcycles & Related Products
$
143,065

 
$
146,314

 
$
(3,249
)
 
(2.2
)%
Operating income from Financial Services
72,771

 
77,759

 
(4,988
)
 
(6.4
)
Operating income
215,836

 
224,073

 
(8,237
)
 
(3.7
)
Investment income
3,211

 
1,509

 
1,702

 
112.8

Interest expense
4,879

 
77

 
4,802

 
N/M

Income before income taxes
214,168

 
225,505

 
(11,337
)
 
(5.0
)
Provision for income taxes
73,821

 
75,439

 
(1,618
)
 
(2.1
)
Net income
$
140,347

 
$
150,066

 
$
(9,719
)
 
(6.5
)%
Diluted earnings per share
$
0.69

 
$
0.69

 
$

 
 %
Consolidated operating income was down 3.7% in the third quarter of 2015 due to a decrease in operating income from the Motorcycles & Related Products segment which declined by $3.2 million, or 2.2%, compared to the third quarter of 2014 and a decrease in operating income from the Financial Services segment which declined $5.0 million, or 6.4%, compared to the third quarter of 2014. Please refer to the “Motorcycles and Related Products Segment” and “Financial Services Segment” discussions following for a more detailed discussion of the factors affecting operating income.
Corporate interest expense was $4.8 million higher in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the third quarter of 2014. The Company issued $750.0 million of senior unsecured notes in the third quarter of 2015 as part of the Company's previously announced recapitalization plan.
The effective income tax rate for the third quarter of 2015 was 34.5% compared to 33.5% for the third quarter of 2014.
Diluted earnings per share were $0.69 in the third quarter of 2015, flat compared to the same period in the prior year. Diluted earnings per share were adversely impacted by the 6.5% decrease in net income, but benefited from lower diluted weighted average shares outstanding. Diluted weighted average shares outstanding decreased from 216.9 million in the third quarter of 2014 to 204.6 million in the third quarter of 2015, driven by the Company's repurchases of common stock. Please refer to "Liquidity and Capital Resources" for additional information concerning the Company's share repurchase activity.
Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Worldwide Retail Sales(a) 
Worldwide independent dealer retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles during the third quarter of 2015 decreased 1.4% compared to the third quarter of 2014. Retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles decreased 2.5% in the United States and increased 0.9% internationally in the third quarter of 2015. Looking forward, the Company expects to return to growth in retail sales in 2016 as it benefits from its new 2016 model-year motorcycles, increased spending on demand-driving actions, improved product availability and the overall strength of the Harley-Davidson brand.(1)
The Company believes that U.S. retail sales in the third quarter of 2015 were adversely impacted by continued intense competitive activity, challenging prior year sales comparisons due to the very enthusiastic consumer reception of Project RushmoreTM motorcycles and limited availability of certain motorcycle models. These significant challenges were partially offset by the benefits of its market action plan initiated in the second quarter of 2015. The Company's market action plan included lifestyle and brand advertising and marketing, targeted finance offers and a plan to leverage its other competitive advantages such as Riding Academy and its dealer network.
The Company's U.S. market share of 601+cc motorcycles for the third quarter of 2015 was 52.4%, down 3.9 percentage points compared to the same period last year (Source: Motorcycle Industry Council). The Company anticipated some level of market share loss following the 13.4 percentage point increase in recent years; however, the Company's market share over the last three quarters was more severely impacted than it expected, which the Company believes is a result of the intense competitive environment and the inclusion of autocycles in the industry numbers.

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Table of Contents

Retail sales in Canada were 1.7% lower in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the third quarter of 2014 which the Company believes was driven by a highly competitive environment. The Company believes the market had a positive response to the change to a direct distribution model which took effect in the beginning of August 2015 upon the consummation of the Canada distributor transaction and to a reduction in pricing with the model-year 2016 motorcycles.
In the EMEA region, retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the third quarter of 2015 increased 2.4% compared to the prior year despite the impact of new models introduced by competitive brands and currency-driven volume declines where the Company sells its motorcycles to dealers in non-local currencies. During the third quarter of 2015, the Company's market share of 601+cc models in Europe was 11.0%, down 0.8 percentage points compared to the same period last year (Source: Association des Constructeurs Europeens de Motocycles). The Company believes the decline in its market share in Europe is due to the introduction of new, low-priced models by some of its competition in the standard and performance segments, market segments where the Company's motorcycles do not compete.
Third quarter 2015 retail sales in the Asia Pacific region were up 5.1% compared to the third quarter of 2014. Although the region experienced growth, the Company believes retail sales in the region were negatively impacted as a result of very limited availability of Street motorcycles in August and early September following a voluntary recall initiated in July. The supply of Street motorcycles was largely restored by the end of the quarter.
The Latin America region retail sales were down 11.5% in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the prior year as a result of lower retail sales in Brazil partially offset by growth in Mexico. Retail sales in the Brazil market continued to be impacted by a weak economy, consumer uncertainty and aggressive price competition.
Despite the volatility in global retail sales, the Company believes it can continue to realize international growth by expanding its distribution network, building its brand experience across the world, and delivering exceptional products that the Company believes will inspire riders.(1) 
The following table includes retail unit sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles:
 
Three months ended
 
 
 
 
 
September 30,
2015
 
September 30,
2014
 
(Decrease)
Increase
 
%
Change
North America Region
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
48,918

 
50,167

 
(1,249
)
 
(2.5
)%
Canada
2,554

 
2,598

 
(44
)
 
(1.7
)
Total North America Region
51,472

 
52,765

 
(1,293
)
 
(2.5
)
Europe, Middle East and Africa Region (EMEA)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Europe(b)
8,441

 
8,255

 
186

 
2.3

Other
1,590

 
1,541

 
49

 
3.2

Total EMEA Region
10,031

 
9,796

 
235

 
2.4

Asia Pacific Region
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Japan
2,642

 
2,621

 
21

 
0.8

Other
5,215

 
4,852

 
363

 
7.5

Total Asia Pacific Region
7,857

 
7,473

 
384

 
5.1

Latin America Region
2,818

 
3,183

 
(365
)
 
(11.5
)
Total Worldwide Retail Sales
72,178

 
73,217

 
(1,039
)
 
(1.4
)%
Total International Retail Sales
23,260

 
23,050

 
210

 
0.9
 %
 
(a)
Data source for retail sales figures shown above is new sales warranty and registration information provided by Harley-Davidson dealers and compiled by the Company. The Company must rely on information that its dealers supply concerning retail sales and this information is subject to revision.
(b)
Includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.



44

Table of Contents

Motorcycles & Related Products Segment
Motorcycle Unit Shipments
The following table includes wholesale motorcycle unit shipments for the Motorcycles segment:
 
Three months ended
 
 
 
 
 
September 27, 2015
 
September 28, 2014
 
Unit
 
Unit
 
Units
 
Mix %
 
Units
 
Mix %
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
%
Change
United States
30,092

 
56.3
%
 
28,106

 
55.5
%
 
1,986

 
7.1
 %
International
23,380

 
43.7
%
 
22,564

 
44.5
%
 
816

 
3.6

Harley-Davidson motorcycle units
53,472

 
100.0
%
 
50,670

 
100.0
%
 
2,802

 
5.5
 %
Touring motorcycle units
21,994

 
41.1
%
 
22,844

 
45.1
%
 
(850
)
 
(3.7
)%
Cruiser motorcycle units(a)
18,405

 
34.4
%
 
14,722

 
29.1
%
 
3,683

 
25.0

Sportster® / Street motorcycle units
13,073

 
24.5
%
 
13,104

 
25.8
%
 
(31
)
 
(0.2
)
Harley-Davidson motorcycle units
53,472

 
100.0
%
 
50,670

 
100.0
%
 
2,802

 
5.5
 %
 
(a)
Category previously referred to as "Custom" motorcycle units, as used in this table, include Dyna®, Softail®, V-Rod® and CVO models.
The Company shipped 53,472 Harley-Davidson motorcycles worldwide during the third quarter of 2015, which was 5.5% higher than the third quarter of 2014 and slightly below Company expectations.
Shipments of Cruiser motorcycles as a percentage of total shipments increased in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the prior year while shipments of Touring and Sportster® / Street motorcycles as a percentage of total shipments decreased. The higher shipment mix of Cruiser motorcycles is a result of its model-year 2016 product investments.
U.S. dealer retail inventory of Harley-Davidson motorcycles were consistently below prior year levels throughout most of the third quarter of 2015, which adversely affected product availability on certain models. U.S. dealer retail inventory of Harley-Davidson motorcycles recovered by the end of the third quarter of 2015 and ended up slightly compared to the same time last year. The Company continues to expect 2015 year-end retail inventory to be flat to up slightly compared to 2014 year-end levels due to the incremental new models launched in the 2016 model-year.(1) 

Segment Results
The following table includes the condensed statements of operations for the Motorcycles segment (in thousands):
 
Three months ended
 
 
 
 
 
September 27, 2015
 
September 28, 2014
 
(Decrease)
Increase
 
%
Change
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motorcycles
$
812,398

 
$
815,375

 
$
(2,977
)
 
(0.4
)%
Parts & Accessories
252,226

 
239,731

 
12,495

 
5.2

General Merchandise
69,008

 
69,282

 
(274
)
 
(0.4
)
Other
6,689

 
6,170

 
519

 
8.4

Total revenue
1,140,321

 
1,130,558

 
9,763

 
0.9

Cost of goods sold
746,282

 
735,958

 
10,324

 
1.4

Gross profit
394,039

 
394,600

 
(561
)
 
(0.1
)
Selling & administrative expense
212,278

 
215,965

 
(3,687
)
 
(1.7
)
Engineering expense
38,696

 
32,321

 
6,375

 
19.7

Operating expense
250,974

 
248,286

 
2,688

 
1.1

Operating income from Motorcycles
$
143,065

 
$
146,314

 
$
(3,249
)
 
(2.2
)%

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Table of Contents

The following table includes the estimated impact of significant factors affecting the comparability of net revenue, cost of goods sold and gross profit from the third quarter of 2014 to the third quarter of 2015 (in millions):
 
Net
Revenue
 
Cost of
Goods Sold
 
Gross
Profit
Three months ended September 28, 2014
$
1,130.6

 
$
736.0

 
$
394.6

Volume
48.3

 
40.7

 
7.6

Price, net of related cost
29.8

 
2.8

 
27.0

Foreign currency exchange rates and hedging
(59.1
)
 
(29.2
)
 
(29.9
)
Shipment mix
(9.3
)
 
(7.9
)
 
(1.4
)
Raw material prices

 
(6.2
)
 
6.2

Manufacturing and other costs

 
10.1

 
(10.1
)
Total
9.7

 
10.3

 
(0.6
)
Three months ended September 27, 2015
$
1,140.3

 
$
746.3

 
$
394.0

The following factors affected the comparability of net revenue, cost of goods sold and gross profit from the third quarter of 2014 to the third quarter of 2015:

Volume increases were driven by higher motorcycle shipments and higher parts and accessories sales.
On average, wholesale prices for the Company’s 2015 and 2016 model-year motorcycles are higher than the prior model-year resulting in the favorable impact on revenue during the period. Wholesale and MSRP prices of the Company's 2016 model year motorcycles increased by an average of approximately 1%. After adjusting for the cost of the new content, pricing net of cost is up approximately 0.5% percent expressed as a percent of revenue.
Gross profit was negatively impacted by changes in foreign currency exchange rates during the third quarter of 2015 compared to the third quarter of 2014. Revenue was negatively impacted by a devaluation in the Euro, Japanese yen, Brazilian real and Australian dollar. On a weighted average basis, these key currencies were weaker by 18% in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the third quarter of 2014. The negative impact to revenue was partially offset by a positive impact to cost of goods sold as a result of natural hedges, benefits of foreign currency exchange contracts and the revaluation of foreign-denominated assets on the balance sheet.
Shipment mix changes negatively impacted net revenue and gross profit in the third quarter of 2015.
Raw material prices were lower in the third quarter of 2015 relative to the third quarter of 2014.
Manufacturing costs in the third quarter of 2015 were higher partially due to higher pension costs.
The net increase in operating expenses was primarily due to higher engineering expenses and costs related to its new distributor operations in Canada, partially offset by foreign currency favorability.

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Table of Contents

Financial Services Segment
Segment Results
The following table includes the condensed statements of operations for the Financial Services segment (in thousands):
 
Three months ended
 
 
 
 
 
September 27, 2015
 
September 28, 2014
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
%
Change
Interest income
$
156,185

 
$
150,831

 
$
5,354

 
3.5
 %
Other income
20,924

 
20,215

 
709

 
3.5

Financial Services revenue
177,109

 
171,046

 
6,063

 
3.5

Interest expense
41,214

 
40,141

 
1,073

 
2.7

Provision for credit losses
27,233

 
21,497

 
5,736

 
26.7

Operating expenses
35,891

 
31,649

 
4,242

 
13.4

Financial Services expense
104,338

 
93,287

 
11,051

 
11.8

Operating income from Financial Services
$
72,771

 
$
77,759

 
$
(4,988
)
 
(6.4
)%
Interest income for the third quarter of 2015 increased primarily due to higher average receivables in the retail portfolio, partially offset by lower yields on retail finance receivables due to recent low rate retail promotional activity. Other income was slightly favorable on increased credit card licensing revenue and insurance revenue. Other income now includes international income which had previously been reported in interest income. Prior period amounts, which were not material, have been adjusted for comparability.
Interest expense for the third quarter of 2015 increased slightly due to higher average outstanding debt, partially offset by a lower cost of funds.
The provision for credit losses increased $5.7 million in third quarter of 2015 as compared to the third quarter of 2014. The retail motorcycle provision increased $4.5 million in the third quarter of 2015 to provide for higher credit losses and higher receivables. Credit losses were impacted by increased sub-prime originations in recent years, as well as changing consumer credit behavior. The wholesale provision increased by $1.0 million due to a slight increase in reserve rates in the third quarter of 2015 as compared to a slight decrease in the third quarter of 2014.
Changes in the allowance for credit losses on finance receivables were as follows (in thousands):
 
Three months ended
 
September 27,
2015
 
September 28,
2014
Balance, beginning of period
$
139,231

 
$
122,355

Provision for finance credit losses
27,233

 
21,497

Charge-offs
(30,203
)
 
(26,093
)
Recoveries
9,122

 
8,244

Balance, end of period
$
145,383

 
$
126,003



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Table of Contents

Results of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 27, 2015
Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 28, 2014
Consolidated Results
 
Nine months ended
 
 
 
 
(in thousands, except earnings per share)
September 27,
2015
 
September 28,
2014
 
(Decrease)
Increase
 
%
Change
Operating income from Motorcycles & Related Products
$
869,122

 
$
967,262

 
$
(98,140
)
 
(10.1
)%
Operating income from Financial Services
219,348

 
215,388

 
3,960

 
1.8

Operating income
1,088,470

 
1,182,650

 
(94,180
)
 
(8.0
)
Investment income
5,983

 
4,940

 
1,043

 
21.1

Interest expense
4,897

 
4,147

 
750

 
18.1

Income before income taxes
1,089,556

 
1,183,443

 
(93,887
)
 
(7.9
)
Provision for income taxes
379,545

 
413,307

 
(33,762
)
 
(8.2
)
Net income
$
710,011

 
$
770,136

 
$
(60,125
)
 
(7.8
)%
Diluted earnings per share
$
3.41

 
$
3.52

 
$
(0.11
)
 
(3.1
)%
Consolidated operating income was down 8.0% in the first nine months of 2015 led by a decrease in operating income from the Motorcycles segment which declined by $98.1 million, or 10.1%, compared to the first nine months of 2014. Operating income for the Financial Services segment improved by $4.0 million in the first nine months of 2015 compared to the first nine months of 2014. Please refer to the “Motorcycles and Related Products Segment” and “Financial Services Segment” discussions following for a more detailed discussion of the factors affecting operating income.
Interest expense was slightly higher in the first nine months of 2015 compared to the first nine months of 2014. The Company issued $750.0 million of senior unsecured notes in the third quarter of 2015 as part of the Company's previously announced recapitalization plan.
The effective income tax rate for the first nine months of 2015 was 34.8% compared to 34.9% for the first nine months of 2014.
Diluted earnings per share were $3.41 in the first nine months of 2015, down 3.1% from the same period in the prior year. The decrease in diluted earnings per share was driven by the 7.8% decrease in net income. Diluted earnings per share benefited from lower diluted weighted average shares outstanding. Diluted weighted average shares outstanding decreased from 218.8 million in the first nine months of 2014 to 208.3 million in the first nine months of 2015, driven by the Company's repurchases of common stock. Please refer to "Liquidity and Capital Resources" for additional information concerning the Company's share repurchase activity.
Motorcycles Retail Sales and Registration Data
Worldwide independent dealer retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles decreased 1.4% during the first nine months of 2015 compared to the first nine months of 2014, during which retail sales were up 2.7% compared to 2013. Retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles decreased 1.3% in the United States and decreased 1.5% internationally in the first nine months of 2015.
The Company believes that U.S. retail sales were adversely impacted by continued intense competitive activity and challenging prior year sales comparisons due to the very enthusiastic consumer reception of Project RushmoreTM motorcycles. These significant challenges were partially offset by its market action plan initiated in the second quarter of 2015. The Company's market action plan included lifestyle and brand advertising and marketing, targeted finance offers and a plan to leverage its other competitive advantages such as Riding Academy and its dealer network.
The Company's U.S. market share of 601+cc models for the first nine months of 2015 was 50.0%, down 3.7 percentage points compared to the same period last year (Source: Motorcycle Industry Council). The Company anticipated some level of market share loss following the 13.4 percentage point increase in recent years; however, the Company's market share over the last four quarters was more severely impacted than it expected, as a result of the competitive environment and the inclusion of autocycles in the industry numbers.

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Table of Contents

Retail sales in the first nine months of 2015 in the EMEA region were down 5.1% compared to the first nine months of 2014 due to a strong increase in 2014 which was up 5.9% compared to the first nine months of 2013. The Company believes that the lower 2015 retail sales were primarily due to new models introduced by competitive brands and currency driven volume declines in markets where the Company sold its motorcycles to dealers in non-local currencies. During the first nine months of 2015, the Company's market share of 601+cc models in Europe was 10.4%, down 1.6 percentage points compared to the same period last year (Source: Association des Constructeurs Europeens de Motocycles). The Company believes the decline in its market share in Europe is due to the introduction of new, low-priced models by some of its competition in the standard and performance segments, market segments where the Company's motorcycles do not compete.
In the Asia-Pacific region, retail sales increased 6.9% in the first nine months of 2015 compared to the same period last year following prior year retail sales growth of 11.0%. The increase in 2015 was driven by growth in emerging markets and Australia.
Latin America region retail sales in the first nine months of 2015 were down 5.1% compared to the first nine months of 2014 primarily due to a decline in Brazil, partially offset by growth in Mexico. The Company believes retail sales in Brazil in the first nine months of 2015 were negatively impacted by a slowing economy, consumer uncertainty and aggressive price competition.
Retail sales in Canada were down 3.9% in the first nine months of 2015 compared to the same period last year. The Company believes the decrease was a result of a highly competitive environment.

Worldwide Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Retail Sales(a) 
The following table includes retail unit sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles:
 
Nine months ended
 
 
 
 
 
September 30,
2015
 
September 30,
2014
 
(Decrease)
Increase
 
%
Change
North America Region
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
142,196

 
144,122

 
(1,926
)
 
(1.3
)%
Canada
8,414

 
8,753

 
(339
)
 
(3.9
)
Total North America Region
150,610

 
152,875

 
(2,265
)
 
(1.5
)
Europe, Middle East and Africa Region (EMEA)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Europe(b)
30,720

 
32,376

 
(1,656
)
 
(5.1
)
Other
4,878

 
5,124

 
(246
)
 
(4.8
)
Total EMEA Region
35,598

 
37,500

 
(1,902
)
 
(5.1
)
Asia Pacific Region
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Japan
7,194

 
8,024

 
(830
)
 
(10.3
)
Other
16,277

 
13,929

 
2,348

 
16.9

Total Asia Pacific Region
23,471

 
21,953

 
1,518

 
6.9

Latin America Region
8,091

 
8,522

 
(431
)
 
(5.1
)
Total Worldwide Retail Sales
217,770

 
220,850

 
(3,080
)
 
(1.4
)%
Total International Retail Sales
75,574

 
76,728

 
(1,154
)
 
(1.5
)%
 
(a)
Data source for retail sales figures shown above is new sales warranty and registration information provided by Harley-Davidson dealers and compiled by the Company. The Company must rely on information that its dealers supply concerning retail sales and this information is subject to revision.
(b)
Includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.


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Table of Contents

Motorcycle Registration Data(a) 
The following table includes industry retail motorcycle registration data:
 
Nine months ended
 
 
 
 
 
September 30,
2015
 
September 30,
2014
 
Increase
 
%
Change
United States(b)
279,013

 
261,851

 
17,162

 
6.6
%
Europe(c)
313,303

 
284,382

 
28,921

 
10.2
%
 
(a)
Data includes on-road 601+cc models. On-road 601+cc models include on-highway, dual purpose models, three-wheeled motorcycles and autocycles. Registration data for Harley-Davidson Street 500TM motorcycles is not included in this table.
(b)
United States industry data is derived from information provided by Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC). This third party data is subject to revision and update.
(c)
Europe data includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Industry retail motorcycle registration data includes 601+cc models derived from information provided by Association des Constructeurs Europeens de Motocycles (ACEM), an independent agency. This third-party data is subject to revision and update.
Motorcycles & Related Products Segment
Motorcycle Unit Shipments
The following table includes wholesale motorcycle unit shipments for the Motorcycles segment:
 
Nine months ended
 
 
 
 
 
September 27, 2015
 
September 28, 2014
 
Unit
 
Unit
 
Units
 
Mix %
 
Units
 
Mix %
 
(Decrease) Increase
 
%
Change
United States
141,884

 
65.0
%
 
145,440

 
65.1
%
 
(3,556
)
 
(2.4
)%
International
76,349

 
35.0
%
 
78,129

 
34.9
%
 
(1,780
)
 
(2.3
)
Harley-Davidson motorcycle units
218,233

 
100.0
%
 
223,569

 
100.0
%
 
(5,336
)
 
(2.4
)%
Touring motorcycle units
95,354

 
43.7
%
 
100,117

 
44.8
%
 
(4,763
)
 
(4.8
)%
Cruiser motorcycle units(a)
71,753

 
32.9
%
 
76,102

 
34.0
%
 
(4,349
)
 
(5.7
)
Sportster® / Street motorcycle units(b)
51,126

 
23.4
%
 
47,350

 
21.2
%
 
3,776

 
8.0

Harley-Davidson motorcycle units
218,233

 
100.0
%
 
223,569

 
100.0
%
 
(5,336
)
 
(2.4
)%
 
(a)
Category previously referred to as "Custom" motorcycle units, as used in this table, include Dyna®, Softail®, V-Rod® and CVO models.
(b)
Initial shipments of Street motorcycle units began during the first quarter of 2014.
The Company shipped 218,233 motorcycles worldwide during the first nine months of 2015, which was 2.4% lower than the first nine months of 2014. International shipments as a percent of total shipments was 35.0% in the first nine months of 2015 compared to 34.9% for the first nine months of 2014.
The shipment mix percentage of Sportster® / Street motorcycles increased in the first nine months of 2015 while shipment mix percentage of Touring and Cruiser motorcycles decreased compared to the same period last year.

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Table of Contents


Segment Results
The following table includes the condensed statements of operations for the Motorcycles segment (in thousands):
 
Nine months ended
 
 
 
 
 
September 27, 2015
 
September 28, 2014
 
(Decrease)
Increase
 
%
Change
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motorcycles
$
3,376,356

 
$
3,601,328

 
$
(224,972
)
 
(6.2
)%
Parts & Accessories
692,938

 
709,438

 
(16,500
)
 
(2.3
)
General Merchandise
212,954

 
209,782

 
3,172

 
1.5

Other
19,426

 
15,983

 
3,443

 
21.5

Total revenue
4,301,674

 
4,536,531

 
(234,857
)
 
(5.2
)
Cost of goods sold
2,670,146

 
2,825,661

 
(155,515
)
 
(5.5
)
Gross profit
1,631,528

 
1,710,870

 
(79,342
)
 
(4.6
)
Selling & administrative expense
645,933

 
645,550

 
383

 
0.1

Engineering expense
116,473

 
98,058

 
18,415

 
18.8

Operating expense
762,406

 
743,608

 
18,798

 
2.5

Operating income from Motorcycles
$
869,122

 
$
967,262

 
$
(98,140
)
 
(10.1
)%
The following table includes the estimated impact of significant factors affecting the comparability of net revenue, cost of goods sold and gross profit from the first nine months of 2014 to the first nine months of 2015 (in millions):
 
Net
Revenue
 
Cost of
Goods Sold
 
Gross
Profit
Nine months ended September 28, 2014
$
4,536.5

 
$
2,825.6

 
$
1,710.9

Volume
(94.6
)
 
(47.8
)
 
(46.8
)
Price, net of related costs
68.4

 
6.8

 
61.6

Foreign currency exchange rates and hedging
(192.8
)
 
(87.4
)
 
(105.4
)
Shipment mix
(15.8
)
 
(7.0
)
 
(8.8
)
Raw material prices

 
(12.6
)
 
12.6

Manufacturing and other costs

 
(7.4
)
 
7.4

Total
(234.8
)
 
(155.4
)
 
(79.4
)
Nine months ended September 27, 2015
$
4,301.7

 
$
2,670.2

 
$
1,631.5

The following factors affected the comparability of net revenue, cost of goods sold and gross profit from the first nine months of 2014 to first nine months of 2015:

Volume decreases were driven by the decrease in wholesale motorcycle shipments.
On average, wholesale prices for the Company’s 2015 and 2016 model-year motorcycles are higher than the prior model-years resulting in the favorable impact on revenue during the period. The impact of revenue favorability resulting from model-year price increases on gross profit was partially offset by increases in costs related to the additional content added to the 2015 and 2016 model-year motorcycles.
Gross profit was negatively impacted by changes in foreign currency exchange rates during the first nine months of 2015 compared to the first nine months of 2014. Revenue was negatively impacted by a devaluation in the Euro, Japanese yen, Brazilian real and Australian dollar. The negative impact to revenue was partially offset by a positive impact to cost of goods sold as a result of natural hedges and benefits of foreign currency exchange contracts, partially offset by an unfavorable impact due to the revaluation of foreign-denominated assets on the balance sheet.
Shipment mix changes negatively impacted gross profit primarily due to changes in motorcycle family mix, driven by higher shipments of Street motorcycles. The negative motorcycle family mix was partially offset by positive mix changes within parts and accessories and general merchandise.
Raw material prices were lower in the first nine months of 2015 relative to the first nine months of 2014.

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Table of Contents

Manufacturing costs in the first nine months of 2015 benefited from increased manufacturing efficiencies and the absence of Street motorcycle start-up costs that were incurred in the first nine months of 2014, partially offset by a higher cost per unit resulting from lower production volumes.
The net increase in operating expenses was primarily due to higher recall and engineering expenses and costs related to its new distributor operations in Canada, partially offset by foreign currency favorability.
Financial Services Segment
Segment Results
The following table includes the condensed statements of operations for the Financial Services segment (in thousands):
 
Nine months ended
 
 
 
 
 
September 27, 2015
 
September 28, 2014
 
Increase
 
%
Change
Interest income
$
450,037

 
$
435,085

 
$
14,952

 
3.4
%
Other income
63,056

 
56,735

 
6,321

 
11.1

Financial Services revenue
513,093

 
491,820

 
21,273

 
4.3

Interest expense
120,938

 
119,739

 
1,199

 
1.0

Provision for credit losses
68,655

 
57,789

 
10,866

 
18.8

Operating expenses
104,152

 
98,904

 
5,248

 
5.3

Financial Services expense
293,745

 
276,432

 
17,313

 
6.3

Operating income from Financial Services
$
219,348

 
$
215,388

 
$
3,960

 
1.8
%
Interest income was higher in the first nine months of 2015 as compared to the first nine months of 2014 due to higher average receivables in the retail and wholesale portfolios, partially offset by lower retail yields as a result of recent low rate promotional activity and increased competition. Other income was favorable on increased credit card licensing and insurance revenue. Other income now includes international income which had previously been reported in interest income. Prior period amounts, which were not material, have been adjusted for comparability.
Interest expense increased slightly due to higher average outstanding debt, partially offset by a lower cost of funds and a $1.1 million loss on the extinguishment of medium-term notes recorded during the first nine months of 2014.
The provision for credit losses increased $10.9 million in the first nine months of 2015. The retail motorcycle provision increased $10.4 million in the first nine months of 2015 primarily as a result of higher credit losses and an increase in retail receivables. Credit losses were higher as a result of increased sub-prime originations in recent years, as well as changing consumer credit behavior. The wholesale provision was unfavorable by $0.2 million due primarily to a slight increase in reserve rates in the first nine months of 2015 as compared to a slight decrease in 2014.
On a year-to-date basis, retail loan originations were comprised of approximately 80% prime loans and 20% sub-prime. Sub-prime originations represent a significant amount of retail sales to the Company at attractive returns which further reinforces the competitive advantage that HDFS brings to the Company.
Annualized losses on HDFS' retail motorcycle loans were 1.19% through September 27, 2015 compared to 1.08% through September 28, 2014. The 30-day delinquency rate for retail motorcycle loans at September 27, 2015 was 3.16% compared to 3.00% at September 28, 2014.
Changes in the allowance for credit losses on finance receivables were as follows (in thousands):
 
Nine months ended
 
September 27,
2015
 
September 28,
2014
Balance, beginning of period
$
127,364

 
$
110,693

Provision for credit losses
68,655

 
57,789

Charge-offs
(83,939
)
 
(72,454
)
Recoveries
33,303

 
29,975

Balance, end of period
$
145,383

 
$
126,003


52

Table of Contents

Other Matters
Contractual Obligations
The Company has updated the contractual obligations table under the caption “Contractual Obligations” in Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 as of September 27, 2015 to reflect the new projected principal and interest payments for the remainder of 2015 and beyond as follows (in thousands):
 
2015
 
2016 - 2017
 
2018 - 2019
 
Thereafter
 
Total
Principal payments on debt
$
981,341

 
$
2,191,246

 
$
2,323,482

 
$
1,440,037

 
$
6,936,106

Interest payments on debt
35,946

 
298,582

 
154,591

 
457,210

 
946,329

 
$
1,017,287

 
$
2,489,828

 
$
2,478,073

 
$
1,897,247

 
$
7,882,435

Interest obligations for floating rate instruments, as calculated above, assume rates in effect at September 27, 2015 remain constant.
As of September 27, 2015, there have been no other material changes to the Company’s summary of expected payments for significant contractual obligations in the contractual obligations table.
Commitments and Contingencies
The Company is subject to lawsuits and other claims related to environmental, product and other matters. In determining required reserves related to these items, the Company carefully analyzes cases and considers the likelihood of adverse judgments or outcomes, as well as the potential range of possible loss. The required reserves are monitored on an ongoing basis and are updated based on new developments or new information in each matter.
Environmental Protection Agency Notice
In December 2009, the Company received formal, written requests for information from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding: (i) certificates of conformity for motorcycle emissions and related designations and labels, (ii) aftermarket parts, and (iii) warranty claims on emissions related components. The Company promptly submitted written responses to the EPA’s inquiry and has engaged in discussions with the EPA. Since that time, the EPA has delivered various additional requests for information to which the Company has responded. It is probable that a result of the EPA’s investigation will be some form of enforcement action by the EPA that will seek a fine and/or other relief. The Company has a reserve associated with this matter which is included in accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. However, given the uncertainty that still exists concerning the resolution of this matter, there is a possibility that the actual loss incurred may be materially different from the Company’s current reserve. At this time, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the impact of any remedies the EPA might seek beyond the Company's current reserve for this matter, if any.
York Environmental Matters:
The Company is involved with government agencies and groups of potentially responsible parties in various environmental matters, including a matter involving the cleanup of soil and groundwater contamination at its York, Pennsylvania facility. The York facility was formerly used by the U.S. Navy and AMF prior to the purchase of the York facility by the Company from AMF in 1981. Although the Company is not certain as to the full extent of the environmental contamination at the York facility, it has been working with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) since 1986 in undertaking environmental investigation and remediation activities, including an ongoing site-wide remedial investigation/feasibility study (RI/FS). In January 1995, the Company entered into a settlement agreement (the Agreement) with the Navy, and the parties amended the Agreement in 2013 to address ordnance and explosive waste. The Agreement calls for the Navy and the Company to contribute amounts into a trust equal to 53% and 47%, respectively, of future costs associated with environmental investigation and remediation activities at the York facility (Response Costs). The trust administers the payment of the Response Costs incurred at the York facility as covered by the Agreement.
The Company has a reserve for its estimate of its share of the future Response Costs at the York facility which is included in accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As noted above, the RI/FS is still underway and given the uncertainty that exists concerning the nature and scope of additional environmental investigation and remediation that may ultimately be required under the RI/FS or otherwise at the York facility, the Company is unable to make a reasonable estimate of those additional costs, if any, that may result.

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The estimate of the Company’s future Response Costs that will be incurred at the York facility is based on reports of independent environmental consultants retained by the Company, the actual costs incurred to date and the estimated costs to complete the necessary investigation and remediation activities. Response Costs are expected to be paid primarily over a period of several years ending in 2017 although certain Response Costs may continue for some time beyond 2017.
Product Liability Matters:
The Company is involved in product liability suits related to the operation of its business. The Company accrues for claim exposures that are probable of occurrence and can be reasonably estimated. The Company also maintains insurance coverage for product liability exposures. The Company believes that its accruals and insurance coverage are adequate and that product liability suits will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.(1) 
Liquidity and Capital Resources as of September 27, 2015(1) 
Over the long-term, the Company expects that its business model will continue to generate cash that will allow it to invest in the business, fund future growth opportunities and return value to shareholders(1). The Company will evaluate opportunities to enhance value for its shareholders through increasing dividends and repurchasing shares. The Company believes the Motorcycles operations will continue to be primarily funded through cash flows generated by operations(1). The Financial Services operations have been funded with unsecured debt, unsecured commercial paper, asset-backed commercial paper conduit facilities, committed unsecured bank facilities, term asset-backed securitizations, and intercompany borrowings.
The Company’s strategy is to maintain a minimum of twelve months of its projected liquidity needs through a combination of cash and marketable securities and availability under credit facilities. The following table summarizes the Company’s cash and marketable securities and availability under credit facilities (in thousands):
 
September 27, 2015
Cash and cash equivalents
$
1,368,554

Current marketable securities
47,358

Total cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities
1,415,912

 
 
Global credit facilities
359,951

Asset-backed U.S. commercial paper conduit facility(a)
600,000

Asset-backed Canadian commercial paper conduit facility(b)
20,374

Total availability under credit facilities
980,325

Total
$
2,396,237

(a)
The U.S. commercial paper conduit facility had an expiration date of October 30, 2015. During October 2015, the Company and the lenders mutually agreed to extend the conduit facility maturity date from October 30, 2015 to December 14, 2015.
(b)
The Canadian commercial paper conduit facility was renewed on June 30, 2015 and is limited to Canadian-denominated borrowings. The new facility expires June 30, 2016.
The Company continues to monitor and adjust to changes in the lending environment for its Financial Services operations. The Company intends to continue with a diversified funding profile through a combination of short-term and long-term funding vehicles and to pursue a variety of sources to obtain cost-effective funding. The Financial Services operations could be negatively affected by higher costs of funding and increased difficulty of raising or potential unsuccessful efforts to raise funding in the short-term and long-term capital markets. These negative consequences could in turn adversely affect the Company’s business and results of operations in various ways, including through higher costs of capital, reduced funds available through its Financial Services operations to provide loans to independent dealers and their retail customers, and dilution to existing shareholders through the use of alternative sources of capital.

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Cash Flow Activity
The following table summarizes the cash flow activity for the periods indicated (in thousands):
 
Nine months ended
 
September 27, 2015
 
September 28, 2014
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
1,020,957

 
$
966,868

Net cash used by investing activities
(903,764
)
 
(689,675
)
Net cash provided by (used by) financing activities
358,347

 
(349,366
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(13,666
)
 
(14,573
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
$
461,874

 
$
(86,746
)
Operating Activities
The increase in cash provided by operating activities for the first nine months of 2015 compared to the first nine months of 2014 was due to favorable changes in working capital and lower net cash outflows for wholesale lending. There were no contributions to the qualified pension plans during the first nine months of 2015, and none are required or planned for the remainder 2015(1). The Company expects it will continue to make on-going contributions to fund current benefit payments for the SERPA and postretirement healthcare plans.
Investing Activities
The Company’s investing activities consist primarily of capital expenditures, net changes in finance receivables and short-term investment activity. Capital expenditures were $139.1 million in the first nine months of 2015 compared to $120.3 million in the same period last year. Net cash outflows for finance receivables for the first nine months of 2015 were $108.8 million higher than in the same period last year as a result of an increase in retail motorcycle loan originations during the first nine months of 2014. A net decrease in marketable securities during the first nine months of 2014 resulted in higher investing cash inflows of approximately $31.5 million compared to the first nine months of 2015. During the third quarter of 2015, the Company also recorded a $59.9 million cash outflow for the purchase of certain assets and liabilities from Fred Deeley Imports, Ltd. and certain of its affiliates.
Financing Activities
The Company’s financing activities consist primarily of share repurchases, dividend payments and debt activity. Cash outflows for share repurchases were $894.6 million in the first nine months of 2015 compared to $393.5 million in the same period last year. Share repurchases during the first nine months of 2015 included 15.3 million shares of common stock related to discretionary share repurchases as well as shares of common stock that employees surrendered to satisfy withholding taxes in connection with the vesting of restricted stock awards. As of September 27, 2015, there were 21.6 million shares remaining on board-approved share repurchase authorizations.
The Company paid dividends of $0.930 and $0.825 per share totaling $191.5 million and $179.9 million during the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Financing cash flows related to debt activity resulted in net cash inflows of $1.44 billion in the first nine months of 2015 compared to net cash inflows of $183.7 million in the first nine months of 2014. The Company’s total outstanding debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
September 27,
2015
 
September 28,
2014
Unsecured commercial paper
$
990,049

 
$
352,430

Asset-backed Canadian commercial paper conduit facility
158,712

 
165,166

Medium-term notes
3,334,035

 
3,451,124

Senior unsecured notes
746,879

 

Term asset-backed securitization debt
1,706,431

 
1,475,148

Total debt
$
6,936,106

 
$
5,443,868


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To access the debt capital markets, the Company relies on credit rating agencies to assign short-term and long-term credit ratings. Generally, lower credit ratings result in higher borrowing costs and reduced access to debt capital markets. A credit rating agency may change or withdraw the Company’s ratings based on its assessment of the Company’s current and future ability to meet interest and principal repayment obligations. The Company’s short-term debt ratings affect its ability to issue unsecured commercial paper. The Company’s short- and long-term debt ratings as of September 27, 2015 were as follows:
 
Short-Term
 
Long-Term
 
Outlook
Moody’s
P2
 
A3
 
Stable
Standard & Poor’s
A2
 
A-
 
Stable
Fitch
F1
 
A
 
Stable
Global Credit Facilities – On April 7, 2014, the Company entered into a $675.0 million five-year credit facility to refinance and replace a $675.0 million four-year credit facility that was due to mature in April 2015. The new five-year credit facility matures in April 2019. The Company also has a $675.0 million five-year credit facility which matures in April 2017. The new five-year credit facility and the existing five-year credit facility (together, the Global Credit Facilities) bear interest at variable interest rates, which may be adjusted upward or downward depending on certain criteria, such as credit ratings. The Global Credit Facilities also require the Company to pay a fee based on the average daily unused portion of the aggregate commitments under the Global Credit Facilities. The Global Credit Facilities are committed facilities and primarily used to support the Company's unsecured commercial paper program. During July 2015, the Company borrowed C$20.0 million under the Global Credit Facilities. The C$20.0 million was repaid in August 2015, and no borrowings are outstanding at September 27, 2015.
Unsecured Commercial Paper – Subject to limitations, the Company could issue unsecured commercial paper of up to $1.35 billion as of September 27, 2015 supported by the Global Credit Facilities, as discussed above. Outstanding unsecured commercial paper may not exceed the unused portion of the Global Credit Facilities. Maturities may range up to 365 days from the issuance date. The Company intends to repay unsecured commercial paper as it matures with additional unsecured commercial paper or through other means, such as borrowing under the Global Credit Facilities, borrowing under its asset-backed U.S. commercial paper conduit facility or through the use of operating cash flow and cash on hand.(1) 
Medium-Term Notes – The Company had the following medium-term notes (collectively, the Notes) issued and outstanding at September 27, 2015 (in thousands):
Principal Amount
 
Rate
 
Issue Date
 
Maturity Date
$450,000
 
3.88%
 
March 2011
 
March 2016
$400,000
 
2.70%
 
January 2012
 
March 2017
$400,000
 
1.55%
 
November 2014
 
November 2017
$887,958
 
6.80%
 
May 2008
 
June 2018
$600,000
 
2.40%
 
September 2014
 
September 2019
$600,000
 
2.15%
 
February 2015
 
February 2020
The Notes provide for semi-annual interest payments and principal due at maturity. Unamortized discounts on the Notes reduced the outstanding balance by $3.9 million and $3.3 million at September 27, 2015 and September 28, 2014, respectively.
There were no medium-term notes issued during the second and third quarter of 2015. During the first quarter of 2015, the Company issued $600.0 million of medium-term notes which mature in February 2020 and have an annual interest rate of 2.15%. During the third quarter of 2014, the Company issued $600.0 million of medium-term notes which mature in 2019 and have an annual interest rate of 2.40%. There were no other medium-term notes issued during the nine months ended September 28, 2014. During September 2015, $600.0 million of 1.15% medium-term notes matured, and the principal and accrued interest were paid in full. There were no other maturities during the first nine months of 2015, and no maturities during the nine months ended September 28, 2014.
There were no medium-term notes repurchased during the first nine months of 2015. During the second quarter of 2014, HDFS repurchased an aggregate of $6.1 million of its 6.80% medium-term notes which mature in June 2018. As a result, HDFS recognized in financial services interest expense $1.1 million in loss on the extinguishment of debt, which included unamortized discounts and fees. There were no other repurchases made during 2014.

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Senior Unsecured Notes – In July 2015, the Company issued $750.0 million of senior unsecured notes in an underwritten offering. The senior unsecured notes provide for semi-annual interest payments and principal due at maturity. $450.0 million of the senior unsecured notes mature in July 2025 and have an interest rate of 3.50%, and $300.0 million of the senior unsecured notes mature in July 2045 and have an interest rate of 4.625%. The Company is using the proceeds from the debt to repurchase shares of its common stock in 2015.(1) 
In February 2009, the Company issued $600.0 million of senior unsecured notes in an underwritten offering. The senior unsecured notes provided for semi-annual interest payments and principal due at maturity. During the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company repurchased $297.0 million of the $600.0 million senior unsecured notes at a price of $380.8 million. The senior unsecured notes matured in February 2014 and the Company repaid the remaining senior unsecured notes outstanding.
Asset-Backed Canadian Commercial Paper Conduit Facility –The Company has a revolving facility agreement (Canadian Conduit) with a Canadian bank-sponsored asset-backed commercial paper conduit. Under the agreement, the Canadian Conduit is contractually committed, at the Company's option, to purchase from the Company eligible Canadian retail motorcycle finance receivables for proceeds up to C$240 million. The transferred assets are restricted as collateral for the payment of the debt. The terms for this facility provide for interest on the outstanding principal based on prevailing market interest rates plus a specified margin. The Canadian Conduit also provides for a program fee and an unused commitment fee based on the unused portion of the total aggregate commitment of C$240 million. There is no amortization schedule; however, the debt is reduced monthly as available collections on the related finance receivables are applied to outstanding principal. Upon expiration of the Canadian Conduit, any outstanding principal will continue to be reduced monthly through available collections. Unless earlier terminated or extended by mutual agreement of the Company and the lenders, as of September 27, 2015, the Canadian Conduit has an expiration date of June 30, 2016. The contractual maturity of the debt is approximately 5 years.
The following table includes quarterly transfers of Canadian retail motorcycle finance receivables to the Canadian Conduit and the respective proceeds (in thousands):
 
2015
 
2014
 
Transfers
 
Proceeds
 
Transfers
 
Proceeds
First Quarter
$
19,200

 
$
16,800

 
$
15,727

 
$
13,761

Second Quarter
26,761

 
23,416

 
26,400

 
23,100

Third Quarter
33,100

 
29,000

 
24,400

 
21,400

 
$
79,061

 
$
69,216

 
$
66,527

 
$
58,261

Asset-Backed U.S. Commercial Paper Conduit Facility VIE – In September 2014, the Company amended and restated its revolving facility (U.S. Conduit) with an asset-backed U.S. commercial paper conduit, which provides for a total aggregate commitment of $600.0 million. At September 27, 2015 and September 28, 2014, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the U.S. Conduit.
This debt provides for interest on outstanding principal based generally on prevailing commercial paper rates plus a program fee based on outstanding principal, or LIBOR plus a specified margin to the extent the advance is not funded by a conduit lender through the issuance of commercial paper. The U.S. Conduit also provides for an unused commitment fee based on the unused portion of the total aggregate commitment of $600.0 million. There is no amortization schedule; however, the debt is reduced monthly as available collections on the related finance receivable collateral are applied to outstanding principal. Upon expiration of the U.S. Conduit, any outstanding principal will continue to be reduced monthly through available collections. As of September 27, 2015, the U.S. Conduit had an expiration date of October 30, 2015. During October, the Company and the lenders mutually agreed to extend the conduit facility maturity date from October 30, 2015 to December 14, 2015.
Term Asset-Backed Securitization VIEs – For all of the term asset-backed securitization transactions, the Company transferred U.S. retail motorcycle finance receivables to separate VIEs, which in turn issued secured notes with various maturities and interest rates to investors. All of the notes held by the VIEs are secured by future collections of the purchased U.S. retail motorcycle finance receivables. The U.S. retail motorcycle finance receivables included in the term asset-backed securitization transactions are not available to pay other obligations or claims of the Company's creditors until the associated debt and other obligations are satisfied. Restricted cash balances held by the VIEs are used only to support the securitizations. There is no amortization schedule for the secured notes; however, the debt is reduced monthly as available collections on the related retail motorcycle finance receivables are applied to outstanding principal. The secured notes’ contractual lives have various maturities ranging from 2016 to 2022.

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The following table includes quarterly issuances of secured notes, each through one term asset-backed securitization transaction (in thousands):
 
2015
 
2014
First Quarter
$
700,000

 
$

Second Quarter
500,000

 
850,000

Third Quarter

 

 
$
1,200,000

 
$
850,000

Intercompany Borrowing – HDFS and the Company have had in effect term loan agreements under which HDFS borrowed from the Company. As of September 27, 2015, there were no intercompany loans outstanding and the intercompany loan balance of $250 million outstanding as of December 31, 2014 was repaid during the first quarter of 2015. At September 28, 2014, the outstanding intercompany term loan balance was $350 million. The term loan balances and related interest are eliminated in the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Support Agreement - The Company has a support agreement with HDFS whereby, if required, the Company agrees to provide HDFS with financial support to maintain HDFS’ fixed-charge coverage at 1.25 and minimum net worth of $40.0 million. Support may be provided at the Company’s option as capital contributions or loans. Accordingly, certain debt covenants may restrict the Company’s ability to withdraw funds from HDFS outside the normal course of business. No amount has ever been provided to HDFS under the support agreement.
Operating and Financial Covenants – HDFS and the Company are subject to various operating and financial covenants related to the Global Credit Facilities and various operating covenants under the Notes and the U.S. and Canadian asset-backed commercial paper conduit facilities. The more significant covenants are described below.
The operating covenants limit the Company’s and HDFS’ ability to:
assume or incur certain liens;
participate in certain mergers, consolidations, liquidations or dissolutions; and
purchase or hold margin stock.
Under the current financial covenants of the Global Credit Facilities, the consolidated debt to equity ratio of HDFS cannot exceed 10.0 to 1.0 as of the end of any fiscal quarter. In addition, the ratio of the Company's consolidated debt to the Company's consolidated debt and equity, in each case excluding the debt of HDFS and its subsidiaries, cannot exceed 0.65 to 1.0 as of the end of any fiscal quarter. No financial covenants are required under the Notes or the U.S. or Canadian asset-backed commercial paper conduit facilities.
At September 27, 2015, HDFS and the Company remained in compliance with all of the then existing covenants.
Cautionary Statements
The Company’s ability to meet the targets and expectations noted depends upon, among other factors, the Company’s ability to:
(i)
execute its business strategy, including making new investments to drive demand for its products for the costs and on the timing that are within expectations,
(ii)
manage through changes in general economic conditions, including changing capital, credit and retail markets, and political events,
(iii)
accurately estimate and adjust to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices,
(iv)
balance production volumes for its new motorcycles with consumer demand, including in circumstances where competitors may be supplying new motorcycles to the market in excess of demand at reduced prices,
(v)
execute its marketing strategy of appealing to and growing sales to multi-generational and multi-cultural customers worldwide in an increasingly competitive marketplace,
(vi)
develop and introduce products, services and experiences that are successful in the marketplace,
(vii)
continue to develop the capabilities of its distributors and dealers and manage the risks that the Company's independent dealers may have difficulty obtaining capital and managing through changing economic conditions and consumer demand,
(viii)
successfully access the capital and/or credit markets on terms (including interest rates) that are acceptable to the Company and within its expectations,
(ix)
effect repurchases of its common stock at share prices that are within its expectations,

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(x)
complete the transition to the new direct distribution model in Canada on the timing and for the costs that are within its expectations,
(xi)
prevent a cybersecurity breach involving digital consumer, employee or dealer personal data,
(xii)
manage the impact that prices for and supply of used motorcycles may have on retail sales of new motorcycles,
(xiii)
manage risks that arise through expanding international manufacturing, operations and sales,
(xiv)
manage through the effects inconsistent and unpredictable weather patterns may have on retail sales of motorcycles,
(xv)
manage changes and prepare for requirements in legislative and regulatory environments for its products, services and operations,
(xvi)
manage supply chain issues, including quality issues and any unexpected interruptions or price increases caused by raw material shortages or natural disasters,
(xvii)
prevent and detect any issues with the Company's products, components purchased from suppliers, and its suppliers' manufacturing processes to avoid delays in new model launches, recall campaigns, increased warranty costs or litigation, and adverse effects on the Company's reputation and brand strength,
(xviii)
implement and manage enterprise-wide information technology solutions, including solutions at its manufacturing facilities,
(xix)
continue to realize production efficiencies at its production facilities and manage operating costs including materials, labor and overhead,
(xx)
execute its flexible production strategy,
(xxi)
continue to manage the relationships and agreements that it has with its labor unions to help drive long-term competitiveness,
(xxii)
adjust to healthcare inflation and reform, pension reform and tax changes,
(xxiii)
retain and attract talented employees, and
(xxiv)
manage the credit quality, the loan servicing and collection activities, and the recovery rates of HDFS’ loan portfolio
In addition, the Company could experience delays or disruptions in its operations as a result of work stoppages, strikes, natural causes, terrorism or other factors. Further, actual foreign currency exchange rates may vary from underlying assumptions. Other factors are described in risk factors that the Company has disclosed in documents previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Many of these risk factors are impacted by the current changing capital, credit and retail markets and the Company's ability to manage through inconsistent economic conditions.
The Company’s ability to sell its motorcycles and related products and services and to meet its financial expectations also depends on the ability of the Company’s independent dealers to sell its motorcycles and related products and services to retail customers. The Company depends on the capability and financial capacity of its independent dealers and distributors to develop and implement effective retail sales plans to create demand for the motorcycles and related products and services they purchase from the Company.
In addition, the Company’s independent dealers and distributors may experience difficulties in operating their businesses and selling Harley-Davidson motorcycles and related products and services as a result of weather, economic conditions or other factors.
In recent years, HDFS has experienced historically low levels of retail credit losses, but there is no assurance that this will continue. The Company believes that HDFS' retail credit losses may increase over time due to changing consumer credit behavior and HDFS' efforts to increase prudently structured loan approvals in the sub-prime lending environment.
Refer to “Risk Factors” under Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 for a discussion of additional risk factors and a more complete discussion of some of the cautionary statements noted above.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Refer to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 for a complete discussion of the Company's market risk. There have been no material changes to the market risk information included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
In accordance with Rule 13a-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act), as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company’s management evaluated, with the participation of the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based upon their evaluation of these disclosure controls and procedures, the President and Chief Executive Officer and the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time period specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its President and Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.
Changes in Internal Controls
There was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 27, 2015 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1 – Legal Proceedings
The information required under this Item 1 of Part II is contained in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly report on Form 10-Q in Note 18 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, and such information is incorporated herein by reference in this Item 1 of Part II.
Item 2 – Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
The following table contains detail related to the repurchase of common stock based on the date of trade during the quarter ended September 27, 2015:
2015 Fiscal Month
Total Number of
Shares Purchased (a)
 
Average Price
Paid per Share
 
Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs
 
Maximum Number of
Shares that May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs
June 29 to August 2
992,183

 
58

 
992,183

 
29,973,700

August 3 to August 30
4,013,786

 
58

 
4,013,786

 
25,983,224

August 31 to September 27
4,425,579

 
55

 
4,425,579

 
21,568,826

Total
9,431,548

 
57

 
9,431,548

 
 
 
(a)
Includes discretionary share repurchases and shares of common stock that employees surrendered to satisfy withholding taxes in connection with the vesting of restricted stock awards
The Company has an authorization (originally adopted in December 1997) by its Board of Directors to repurchase shares of its outstanding common stock under which the cumulative number of shares repurchased, at the time of any repurchase, shall not exceed the sum of (1) the number of shares issued in connection with the exercise of stock options occurring on or after January 1, 2004 plus (2) one percent of the issued and outstanding common stock of the Company on January 1 of the current year, adjusted for any stock split. The Company made discretionary share repurchases of 0.1 million shares during the quarter ended September 27, 2015 under this authorization. As of September 27, 2015, no shares remained under this authorization.
In December 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors separately authorized the Company to buy back up to 20.0 million shares of its common stock with no dollar limit or expiration date. The Company made no discretionary share repurchases during the quarter ended September 27, 2015 under this authorization. As of September 27, 2015, no shares remained under this authorization.
In February 2014, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to 20.0 million shares of its common stock with no dollar limit or expiration date. The Company made discretionary share repurchases of 9.4 million shares during the quarter ended September 27, 2015 under this authorization. As of September 27, 2015, 6.6 million shares remained under this authorization.
Additionally, in June 2015, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to 15.0 million shares of its common stock with no dollar limit or expiration date. The Company made no discretionary share repurchases during the quarter ended September 27, 2015 under this authorization. As of September 27, 2015, 15.0 million shares remained under this authorization.
Under the share repurchase authorizations, the Company’s common stock may be purchased through any one or more of a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan and discretionary purchases on the open market, block trades, accelerated share repurchases or privately negotiated transactions. The number of shares repurchased, if any, and the timing of repurchases will depend on a number of factors, including share price, trading volume and general market conditions, as well as on working capital requirements, general business conditions and other factors. The repurchase authority has no expiration date but may be suspended, modified or discontinued at any time.
The Harley-Davidson, Inc. 2014 Incentive Stock Plan and predecessor stock plans permit participants to satisfy all or a portion of the statutory federal, state and local withholding tax obligations arising in connection with plan awards by electing to (a) have the Company withhold shares otherwise issuable under the award, (b) tender back shares received in connection with such award or (c) deliver other previously owned shares, in each case having a value equal to the amount to be withheld. During the third quarter of 2015, the Company acquired 2,212 shares of common stock that employees presented to the Company to satisfy withholding taxes in connection with the vesting of restricted stock awards.

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Item 6 – Exhibits
Refer to the Exhibit Index on page 64 of this report.

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
HARLEY-DAVIDSON, INC.
 
 
Date: 11/5/2015
/s/ John A. Olin
 
John A. Olin
 
Senior Vice President and
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
(Principal financial officer)
 
Date: 11/5/2015
/s/ Mark R. Kornetzke
 
Mark R. Kornetzke
 
Chief Accounting Officer
 
(Principal accounting officer)


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Harley-Davidson, Inc.
Exhibit Index to Form 10-Q
 
Exhibit No.
 
Description
10.1*
 
Director Compensation Policy (revised) effective April 25, 2015
31.1
 
Chief Executive Officer Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
31.2
 
Chief Financial Officer Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
32.1
 
Written Statement of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350
101
 
Financial statements from the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Harley-Davidson, Inc. for the quarter ended September 27, 2015, filed on November 5, 2015, formatted in XBRL: (i) the Consolidated Statements of Income; (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income; (iii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets; (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (v) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.





































*
Represents a management contract or compensatory plan, contract or arrangement in which a director or named executive officer of the Company participated.


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