Q4 2025 LiveWire Group Inc Earnings Call

February 10, 2026

Operator: Thank you for standing by, and welcome to the Harley-Davidson 2025 Fourth Quarter Investor and Analyst Conference Call. Please be advised that today's conference is being recorded. I would now like to hand the conference over to Shawn Collins. Thank you. Please go ahead.

Speaker #1: Thank you for standing by and welcome to the Harley 2025 fourth Quarter Investor and Analyst Conference call . Please be advised that today's conference is being recorded .

Craig Kennison: Thank you. Good morning. This is Shawn Collins, the Director of Investor Relations at Harley-Davidson. You can access the slides supporting today's call on the internet at the Harley-Davidson Investor Relations website. As you might expect, our comments will include forward-looking statements that are subject to risks that could cause actual results to be materially different. Those risks include, among others, matters we have noted in today's earnings release, and in our latest filings with the SEC. Joining me for this morning's call are Harley-Davidson Chief Executive Officer Artie Starrs and Chief Financial and Commercial Officer Jonathan Root. With that, let me turn it over to Harley-Davidson CEO Artie Starrs.

Shawn Collins: Thank you. Good morning. This is Shawn Collins, the Director of Investor Relations at Harley-Davidson. You can access the slides supporting today's call on the internet at the Harley-Davidson Investor Relations website. As you might expect, our comments will include forward-looking statements that are subject to risks that could cause actual results to be materially different. Those risks include, among others, matters we have noted in today's earnings release, and in our latest filings with the SEC. Joining me for this morning's call are Harley-Davidson Chief Executive Officer Artie Starrs and Chief Financial and Commercial Officer Jonathan Root. With that, let me turn it over to Harley-Davidson CEO Artie Starrs.

Speaker #1: I would now like to hand the conference over. Sean, thank you. Please go ahead.

Speaker #2: Thank you . This morning . Good is the director Shawn Collins , Investor Relations of Harley-Davidson at can . You the access supporting slides today's the call on internet the at Harley-Davidson Investor Relations website .

Speaker #2: As expect , our you might include looking forward statements that are subject to could cause that actual risks results to be materially . Those risks different include , among matters others , we have noted in today's earnings release in our and latest filings with the SEC Joining me for this .

Q4 2025 LiveWire Group Inc Earnings Call

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Q4 2025 LiveWire Group Inc Earnings Call

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Tuesday, February 10th, 2026 at 2:00 PM

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Artie Starrs: Wholesale shipments and associated margins were negatively impacted by intentional actions to address elevated dealer inventory, particularly touring inventory in North America, through interventions on both the supply and demand sides. During the quarter, we reduced wholesale shipments and implemented targeted promotions to accelerate the return to balanced retail inventory levels. These actions are beginning to deliver results. Rider response has been positive, with North American retail sales growth in the quarter accelerating into December, yielding early indications of improving dealer profitability. We plan to continue these interventions with discipline as we work to optimize retail inventory, positioning the business and our dealer network for more sustainable performance going forward. That said, we're encouraged by the early green shoots we're seeing. Our immediate priorities are both straightforward and deliberate. First, we believe we are stabilizing the business by restoring dealer confidence and aligning wholesale activity with retail demand.

Artie Starrs: Second, we are finalizing a strategy that we believe builds a durable platform that leans into our core and positions Harley-Davidson to return to sustainable growth. Early in my tenure, I committed to three immediate priorities: improving dealer profitability, reigniting brand momentum, and reducing costs. These commitments have not changed. Today, I'll walk you through the immediate actions already underway to advance these priorities. These actions are in the following areas: restoring our relationship with dealers, improving inventory management, sharpening our customer focus with the right portfolio, leaning further into the strengths of our branded community, and enhancing financial flexibility. Let me start with our dealer network. Harley-Davidson's dealer network is best in class, distinguished by unmatched enthusiasm, reach, and strength. While the network remains a competitive advantage, dealer health today is uneven, with some dealers facing challenges.

Artie Starrs: Dealer health is not optional and is a critical foundation for our long-term growth and earnings power. We're resetting the relationship between the motor company and our dealers. That relationship must be built on mutual trust and respect, shared objectives, shared accountability, and shared success. Healthy inventory levels and a healthy dealer network are non-negotiable. Over the last couple of months, I continued a series of roundtable discussions with our North American and European dealers. Most recently, I spent time in our European markets, including attending the Verona Bike Expo and a HOG Chapter morning meeting. The insights from these engagements were consistent with my US visits: extraordinary passion for the Harley-Davidson brand and strong commitment to the business. Importantly, there is broad alignment around the changes required to drive sustainable growth going forward.

Artie Starrs: These include healthier inventory levels, improved product mix, simpler and more effective rider engagement programs, and greater flexibility to reflect local market conditions. Drawing on my experience in franchise-based models, I know that sustained success depends on alignment, transparency, and disciplined execution. We're committed to reestablishing that foundation, beginning with immediate interventions that we expect to improve our dealers' retail performance and financial trajectory while accelerating trust across the network. As we mentioned in Q3, we've begun to act with two quick and meaningful changes to support our dealers. First, we reviewed our fuel facility model guidelines, adjusting the scope to better balance global brand identity with celebrating local communities. Second, we made a commitment to reevaluate e-commerce. The company's e-commerce strategy has not historically delivered the intended results. It has created customer confusion and driven excessive discounting, placing unnecessary pressure on dealer economics.

Artie Starrs: We've taken corrective action in North America by shifting to a model that is intended to drive incremental dealership traffic to support motorcycle sales. In the near term, our focus is clear: support our dealers, drive traffic to dealerships, and execute against our core business, selling motorcycles. While retail sales are still meaningfully below what we would consider a healthy run rate, the early progress is encouraging. We believe these actions are improving predictability and positioning the business for more consistent execution. Turning to inventory, on our Q3 earnings call, I was clear that inventory discipline and adapting to the realities of the current retail environment would be central to our focus. As we've dug deeper, it's become evident that the challenges are more significant than initially anticipated, and we're addressing them head-on.

Artie Starrs: We are aggressively addressing inventory through targeted promotional support for touring models and disciplined quarterly planning by model, region, and dealership. We believe this approach allows us to align inventory with sales trajectories, account for regional needs, and proactively manage production and shipments, accounting for seasonality. The touring overhang remains pronounced and is being actively worked down through disciplined interventions designed to move the product efficiently without undermining long-term brand value. In North America, dealer inventory declined 16% relative to year-end 2024 levels. Globally, dealer inventory was down 17% over the same period, meaningfully exceeding our 10% global reduction target. This represents solid progress against our priorities, and I'm pleased with the team's execution and delivery. Overall retail performance through the quarter was broadly in line with internal expectations. North American retail was up year-over-year, while international retail, particularly in EMEA, was softer than we expected.

Artie Starrs: We expect the actions we are taking to assist dealers in moving through inventory to restore dealer health to have a near-term impact on our financial results. With that in mind, we view 2026 as a transition year as we reset the business and finalize our new strategy. I see a path to return to long-term earnings and free cash flow power of the business to the levels we know are possible. I can tell you we expect margins to be under pressure in the near term as production runs below wholesale, creating operating deleverage. These are deliberate actions that we believe are necessary to support both dealer and company profitability and ultimately rebuild the long-term earnings power of the business. As I've discussed, we are in the early stages of a reset.

Artie Starrs: We've made decisive changes in the work underway across the organization designed to rebuild momentum in the right way for the long term. Turning to the brand and our customer, our leadership team is reorienting the organization around a clear priority: our dealers are customer number one. When we enable our dealers to sell, customize, and service the motorcycles our riders want, everyone wins. I continue to spend significant time with dealers and riders, including attending a H.O.G. Chapter gathering in Milan as part of my visit to Europe. The pride those members took in showing me their Harley-Davidson motorcycles was contagious. It's clear our riders view their Harley as their individual motorcycle. Individual expression matters, and customization is central to that experience. We have been too lax on our parts and accessories business in recent years, and that will change. This is what our riders want.

Artie Starrs: It's a critical business for our dealers. It creates more opportunities for our world-class service technicians, and it is core to what Harley-Davidson has always stood for. Going forward, our focus in this area will have two parts: designing and building motorcycles that invite Harley-Davidson customization and ensuring our supply chain can support that demand quickly and reliably. Brand storytelling has always been essential to what makes Harley-Davidson Harley-Davidson. At its core, our brand celebrates riders and the communities they create. In recent years, our work has been too serious and at times too dark. That's not who our riders are. When they ride and gather, our riders are joyful, passionate, and community creators. I saw this firsthand at an 80th anniversary celebration for a dealership outside Paris, France, just a few weeks ago.

Artie Starrs: Riders shared stories of journeys they'd taken together, including one who proudly told me he had ridden all the way to our factory in York, Pennsylvania, and was wearing his York PA Harley-Davidson gear while standing in Paris. You'll soon see more optimistic, joyful brand work from us, advertising that celebrates our community in a uniquely Harley-Davidson way. Turning to product, to better align aspiration with accessibility, we are actioning more breadth and flexibility in our portfolio. That means being honest about where pricing and portfolio choices have limited our reach and making deliberate choices to widen the funnel in our core. My own interactions with dealers and riders over the past four months, in addition to customer research and recent retail trends, validate what our riders want: the look, sound, and feel of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle coupled with the ability to customize their Harley to make it their own.

Artie Starrs: The used market continues to reinforce the power of the brand and a strong desire for customers to purchase our products, but at a price that is more aligned with today's economic realities. In fact, as we look at used auction activity, we feel enthused about recent demand trends and the positive impact they're having on used values, especially in Harley-Davidson core Softail models. What's clear is that the portfolio actions taken over recent years have put the brand out of reach for some existing and potential riders. To win, it's clear we need to sharpen our product focus, not only creating the highest quality motorcycles that our riders want to ride, but doing so with a price in mind. We need to ensure that these are products that our dealers are excited about and able to sell at a profit level that works for them and for us.

Artie Starrs: Onto the team and our org structure. Execution requires the right team and structure. We've made targeted leadership team and organizational changes to strengthen our capabilities across product, supply chain, marketing, technology, and brand. We've added back new perspectives and welcomed back proven leaders with deep knowledge of Harley-Davidson's rider culture and community. Importantly, Harley-Davidson should be a great place to work as well as a great business. Strong corporate culture isn't just good for employee morale. It's good for business. Rebuilding our culture and identity as a Milwaukee icon truly matters. My direct reports are all working from Milwaukee at our Juneau Avenue headquarters, and we will be formally reopening the office later this quarter.

Artie Starrs: By going back to the bricks at our Juneau Avenue headquarters, we are not only reigniting the cultural beat that has defined this company for over 120 years, but with these changes, we are improving decision-making speed, cross-functional collaboration, and critically, accountability. I'm particularly pleased with how much more agile, nimble, and speedy our leadership team is becoming, working shoulder to shoulder in Milwaukee. I'm excited to get our teams back to Juneau in the coming months. It's an inspiring place to work. Lastly, I'll touch on the financial actions we are taking to reposition the business for success. We are conducting a rigorous end-to-end review of our cost base and operating expenses, supported by third-party specialists. Our current corporate overhead, manufacturing capacity, and overall operating expenses are built for materially higher volumes than today's demand, and we will be addressing this mismatch head-on.

Artie Starrs: We will share more details in May. However, on top of previously announced targets, we anticipate at least $150 million of annual run rate savings that will impact 2027 and beyond. In Q4 2025, we renegotiated and funded the term loan with LiveWire, reducing the principal to $75 million. LiveWire is now working diligently to attract its own sources of capital to continue to finance its operations and future plans. We remain excited about LiveWire's newest motorcycle, the Honcho, soon to be in market later this year, well aligned with the evolution of the EV motorcycle category toward smaller mini-motos. Turning to HDFS, the recent transaction has delivered meaningful capital benefits. We now expect to be able to run the HDFS business with less capital than has been tied to this business historically.

Artie Starrs: With these changes, we plan to take HDFS class-leading returns and deliver an even higher ROE than we did historically. As HDFS's asset base rebuilds over the coming years, we expect to get back to earnings levels that run below historical levels. Going forward, HDFS will operate with significantly lower capital commitments and with funding support from two trusted partners. HDFS continues to be a strategic asset for Harley-Davidson and a critical enabler for our dealer network, and we will talk more about HDFS strategically during our Q1 earnings call in May. While a key priority remains returning excess capital to shareholders, we are currently evaluating the timing of our share buyback initiatives. In the near term, we expect to be measured in our approach to share repurchases while we finalize our strategic plan that we expect to announce in May.

Craig Kennison: Thank you, Artie, and good morning to all. I plan to start on page 4 and 5 of the presentation where I will briefly summarize the financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2025. Subsequently, I will go into further detail on each business segment. As a reminder, we closed what we call the HDFS transaction in Q4 at the end of October. The HDFS transaction is a strategic partnership with KKR and PIMCO that we expect will transform Harley-Davidson Financial Services into a capital-light, de-risked business model. It also changes the financial profile of HDFS starting in Q4 of 2025 and affords a high degree of optionality in how we fund and run that business. As Artie cited earlier, the financial results in 2025 have come under pressure in the current challenging operating environment.

Jonathan Root: Thank you, Artie, and good morning to all. I plan to start on page 4 and 5 of the presentation where I will briefly summarize the financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2025. Subsequently, I will go into further detail on each business segment. As a reminder, we closed what we call the HDFS transaction in Q4 at the end of October. The HDFS transaction is a strategic partnership with KKR and PIMCO that we expect will transform Harley-Davidson Financial Services into a capital-light, de-risked business model. It also changes the financial profile of HDFS starting in Q4 of 2025 and affords a high degree of optionality in how we fund and run that business. As Artie cited earlier, the financial results in 2025 have come under pressure in the current challenging operating environment.

Craig Kennison: The loss at HDFS was driven by costs associated with liability management activities related to the HDFS transaction, where we retired a significant portion of HDFS debt in Q4 of 2025. The operating loss at LiveWire was $18 million, which was in line with our expectations and $8 million favorable to a year ago. In Q4, earnings per share was a loss of $2.44, which compares to a loss of $0.93 in Q4 of 2024. Turning to full year 2025, consolidated financial results on page five. Consolidated revenue of $4.5 billion was 14% lower compared to last year, while consolidated operating income of $387 million compares to $417 million in full year 2024. For the full year 2025, earnings per share was $2.78 and compares to $3.44 in full year 2024. Now, turning to page six in HDMC retail performance.

Jonathan Root: The loss at HDFS was driven by costs associated with liability management activities related to the HDFS transaction, where we retired a significant portion of HDFS debt in Q4 of 2025. The operating loss at LiveWire was $18 million, which was in line with our expectations and $8 million favorable to a year ago. In Q4, earnings per share was a loss of $2.44, which compares to a loss of $0.93 in Q4 of 2024. Turning to full year 2025, consolidated financial results on page five. Consolidated revenue of $4.5 billion was 14% lower compared to last year, while consolidated operating income of $387 million compares to $417 million in full year 2024. For the full year 2025, earnings per share was $2.78 and compares to $3.44 in full year 2024. Now, turning to page six in HDMC retail performance.

Craig Kennison: As Artie already mentioned, in Q4, North American retail sales of new motorcycles were up 5% with 15,847 motorcycles versus prior year. In Q4, international retail sales of new motorcycles were down 10% with 9,440 motorcycles versus prior year, resulting in Q4 global retail sales of new motorcycles being down 1% at 25,287 motorcycles versus prior year. The choppiness and volatility in global retail results is a continuation of what we have observed since mid-2024 with a difficult global backdrop in big-ticket discretionary sectors. Pricing continues to be on the top of customers' minds given the current global setup that includes inflationary pressures and interest rates that continue to run above recent historical lows. In North America, Q4 retail sales were up 5%, where US retail sales were up 6%, and Canada retail sales were down 7%. For the full year 2025, North America retail sales were down 13%.

Jonathan Root: As Artie already mentioned, in Q4, North American retail sales of new motorcycles were up 5% with 15,847 motorcycles versus prior year. In Q4, international retail sales of new motorcycles were down 10% with 9,440 motorcycles versus prior year, resulting in Q4 global retail sales of new motorcycles being down 1% at 25,287 motorcycles versus prior year. The choppiness and volatility in global retail results is a continuation of what we have observed since mid-2024 with a difficult global backdrop in big-ticket discretionary sectors. Pricing continues to be on the top of customers' minds given the current global setup that includes inflationary pressures and interest rates that continue to run above recent historical lows. In North America, Q4 retail sales were up 5%, where US retail sales were up 6%, and Canada retail sales were down 7%. For the full year 2025, North America retail sales were down 13%.

Craig Kennison: In Asia-Pacific, Q4 retail sales declined by 1%, which was a significant improvement from the first half of 2025 and mostly attributed to a continued challenging environment in China, which was down meaningfully. The Q4 retail sales included positive results in Japan and Asia emerging markets. For the full year 2025, Asia-Pacific retail sales were down 15%, and the softness was most acute in China for the full year and Japan for the first half of 2025. In the quarter, we saw retail strength across all families except for sport and lightweight motorcycles, which still had a combined inventory down nearly 30%. In Latin America, Q4 retail sales increased by 10%, where both Brazil, our largest Latin American market, and Mexico were up, while other Latin American countries were down modestly year over year.

Jonathan Root: In Asia-Pacific, Q4 retail sales declined by 1%, which was a significant improvement from the first half of 2025 and mostly attributed to a continued challenging environment in China, which was down meaningfully. The Q4 retail sales included positive results in Japan and Asia emerging markets. For the full year 2025, Asia-Pacific retail sales were down 15%, and the softness was most acute in China for the full year and Japan for the first half of 2025. In the quarter, we saw retail strength across all families except for sport and lightweight motorcycles, which still had a combined inventory down nearly 30%. In Latin America, Q4 retail sales increased by 10%, where both Brazil, our largest Latin American market, and Mexico were up, while other Latin American countries were down modestly year over year.

Craig Kennison: For the full year 2025, Latin America retail sales were up 2%, where both Brazil and Mexico were up. For the full year 2025, global retail sales of new motorcycles were down 12% versus the prior year, where both North America and international markets turned in a similar performance. As Artie mentioned earlier, dealer inventory at the end of Q4 was down 17% versus the end of Q4 in the prior year. This compares to our stated goal at the beginning of 2025 of reducing dealer inventory by 10%. North America dealer inventory ended down 16%, and international dealer inventory ended down 20%, with the regions coming in between down 19% to down 23%. This allows Harley-Davidson dealers to start the 2026 riding season much cleaner and with an appropriate setup as we look at the coming quarters.

Jonathan Root: For the full year 2025, Latin America retail sales were up 2%, where both Brazil and Mexico were up. For the full year 2025, global retail sales of new motorcycles were down 12% versus the prior year, where both North America and international markets turned in a similar performance. As Artie mentioned earlier, dealer inventory at the end of Q4 was down 17% versus the end of Q4 in the prior year. This compares to our stated goal at the beginning of 2025 of reducing dealer inventory by 10%. North America dealer inventory ended down 16%, and international dealer inventory ended down 20%, with the regions coming in between down 19% to down 23%. This allows Harley-Davidson dealers to start the 2026 riding season much cleaner and with an appropriate setup as we look at the coming quarters.

Craig Kennison: As discussed, we specifically focused on assisting dealers to reduce touring motorcycle inventory in North America as the market displayed its price and value sensitivity. Let me briefly touch on incentive and promotional spend within the current environment. In Q4, we selectively provided incentive and promotional support to Harley-Davidson dealers in the form of interest rate assistance, low APR, customer cash, and dealer cash credit. As I covered last quarter and Artie mentioned earlier, dealers have more touring inventory in the channel than is desired, and while we have made progress in Q4, we still have more work to do. Based upon discussions with our dealers in December 2025, we determined to continue with consumer promotions into Q1 2026 in order to work through these units, and therefore, we have taken an accrual in our Q4 2025 financials.

Jonathan Root: As discussed, we specifically focused on assisting dealers to reduce touring motorcycle inventory in North America as the market displayed its price and value sensitivity. Let me briefly touch on incentive and promotional spend within the current environment. In Q4, we selectively provided incentive and promotional support to Harley-Davidson dealers in the form of interest rate assistance, low APR, customer cash, and dealer cash credit. As I covered last quarter and Artie mentioned earlier, dealers have more touring inventory in the channel than is desired, and while we have made progress in Q4, we still have more work to do. Based upon discussions with our dealers in December 2025, we determined to continue with consumer promotions into Q1 2026 in order to work through these units, and therefore, we have taken an accrual in our Q4 2025 financials.

Craig Kennison: Again, we expect this will help us get out of the gate stronger in 2026 to help drive retail performance. Now, turning to page seven and HDMC revenue performance. In Q4, HDMC revenue decreased by 10%, coming in at $379 million, where the biggest drivers of the decline included net pricing, incentive spend, and decreased wholesale volumes. For the full year 2025, HDMC revenue decreased by 13%, coming in at $3.6 billion, where the biggest driver of the decline was decreased wholesale volumes, where we shipped around 125,000 motorcycles, down 16% from the prior year, while net pricing was largely flat on the year. Now, turning to page eight and HDMC margin performance. In Q4, HDMC gross profit came in at a loss of $30 million, which compares to a loss of $3 million in the prior year.

Jonathan Root: Again, we expect this will help us get out of the gate stronger in 2026 to help drive retail performance. Now, turning to page seven and HDMC revenue performance. In Q4, HDMC revenue decreased by 10%, coming in at $379 million, where the biggest drivers of the decline included net pricing, incentive spend, and decreased wholesale volumes. For the full year 2025, HDMC revenue decreased by 13%, coming in at $3.6 billion, where the biggest driver of the decline was decreased wholesale volumes, where we shipped around 125,000 motorcycles, down 16% from the prior year, while net pricing was largely flat on the year. Now, turning to page eight and HDMC margin performance. In Q4, HDMC gross profit came in at a loss of $30 million, which compares to a loss of $3 million in the prior year.

Craig Kennison: Q4 is typically our lowest gross margin quarter due to seasonality and model year changeover. The year-over-year decrease was driven by the negative impacts from increased tariff costs, net pricing, and incentive spend, while partially offset by the positive impacts from manufacturing costs, including leverage, and favorable foreign exchange. In Q4, operating expenses totaled $230 million, which was $19 million higher compared to prior year, or 9%, due to greater marketing spend with the introduction of the North America-focused Marketing Development Fund for our dealers. In Q4, HDMC had an operating loss of $260 million, which compares to an operating loss of $214 million in the prior year period. Turning our attention to full year 2025 margins. For the full year 2025, HDMC gross margin was 24.2%, which compares to 28% in the prior year.

Jonathan Root: Q4 is typically our lowest gross margin quarter due to seasonality and model year changeover. The year-over-year decrease was driven by the negative impacts from increased tariff costs, net pricing, and incentive spend, while partially offset by the positive impacts from manufacturing costs, including leverage, and favorable foreign exchange. In Q4, operating expenses totaled $230 million, which was $19 million higher compared to prior year, or 9%, due to greater marketing spend with the introduction of the North America-focused Marketing Development Fund for our dealers. In Q4, HDMC had an operating loss of $260 million, which compares to an operating loss of $214 million in the prior year period. Turning our attention to full year 2025 margins. For the full year 2025, HDMC gross margin was 24.2%, which compares to 28% in the prior year.

Craig Kennison: The decrease of 380 basis points was driven by the negative impacts from incremental tariffs in calendar year 2025, which we will cover on the next slide, negative operating leverage, and lower volumes. These impacts were partially offset by the positive performance from lower supply management and logistics costs, favorable mix, foreign exchange, and net pricing was largely flat for the full year. Lastly, for the full year of 2025, operating expenses came in at $895 million, which were higher by $18 million due primarily to the Marketing Development Fund mentioned previously. For the full year 2025, HDMC operating income was a loss of $29 million, which compares to operating income of $278 million for the full year 2024. Turning to slide 12. In 2025, the global tariff environment was more volatile and uncertain than we had expected at the beginning of the year.

Jonathan Root: The decrease of 380 basis points was driven by the negative impacts from incremental tariffs in calendar year 2025, which we will cover on the next slide, negative operating leverage, and lower volumes. These impacts were partially offset by the positive performance from lower supply management and logistics costs, favorable mix, foreign exchange, and net pricing was largely flat for the full year. Lastly, for the full year of 2025, operating expenses came in at $895 million, which were higher by $18 million due primarily to the Marketing Development Fund mentioned previously. For the full year 2025, HDMC operating income was a loss of $29 million, which compares to operating income of $278 million for the full year 2024. Turning to slide 12. In 2025, the global tariff environment was more volatile and uncertain than we had expected at the beginning of the year.

Craig Kennison: In Q4 of 2025, the cost of new or increased tariffs was $22 million, and for the full year of 2025, the cost of new or increased tariffs was $67 million. This included direct tariff exposure, Harley-Davidson importing and exporting product, as well as indirect tariff exposure from suppliers. This excluded pricing mitigation actions as well as operational costs relating to new or increased tariffs. Harley-Davidson is a business very centered in and around the United States. Three of our four manufacturing centers are US-based, and 100% of our US core product is manufactured in the US. We also have a US-centric approach to sourcing, with approximately 75% of component purchasing coming from the US. We have a number of actions underway to mitigate the impact, and we expect this situation will remain fluid given the uncertainty that still exists.

Jonathan Root: In Q4 of 2025, the cost of new or increased tariffs was $22 million, and for the full year of 2025, the cost of new or increased tariffs was $67 million. This included direct tariff exposure, Harley-Davidson importing and exporting product, as well as indirect tariff exposure from suppliers. This excluded pricing mitigation actions as well as operational costs relating to new or increased tariffs. Harley-Davidson is a business very centered in and around the United States. Three of our four manufacturing centers are US-based, and 100% of our US core product is manufactured in the US. We also have a US-centric approach to sourcing, with approximately 75% of component purchasing coming from the US. We have a number of actions underway to mitigate the impact, and we expect this situation will remain fluid given the uncertainty that still exists.

Craig Kennison: As mentioned earlier, we closed the HDFS transaction in Q4 at the end of October. Just to restate or recap what we talked about in greater detail on the last earnings call, the HDFS transaction includes three key components: backbook sale, sale of approximately $6 billion of existing HDFS loan receivables, forward flow agreement, the sale of future HDFS loan originations, and the sale of equity interest, sale of a 9.8% common equity interest in HDFS to KKR and PIMCO. In the fourth quarter, we retired a significant portion of HDFS debt, which resulted in some discrete costs. These discrete liability management costs were $73 million in Q4. While the full year results were record high earnings for HDFS, Q4 of 2025 resulted in an operating loss of $82 million for HDFS. Let me provide some greater detail.

Jonathan Root: As mentioned earlier, we closed the HDFS transaction in Q4 at the end of October. Just to restate or recap what we talked about in greater detail on the last earnings call, the HDFS transaction includes three key components: backbook sale, sale of approximately $6 billion of existing HDFS loan receivables, forward flow agreement, the sale of future HDFS loan originations, and the sale of equity interest, sale of a 9.8% common equity interest in HDFS to KKR and PIMCO. In the fourth quarter, we retired a significant portion of HDFS debt, which resulted in some discrete costs. These discrete liability management costs were $73 million in Q4. While the full year results were record high earnings for HDFS, Q4 of 2025 resulted in an operating loss of $82 million for HDFS. Let me provide some greater detail.

Craig Kennison: At Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Q4 revenue came in at $106 million versus $257 million in the prior year. The Q4 decrease was driven by lower retail and wholesale finance receivables at lower yields. The decline in retail receivables was due to the sale of the retail backbook in the HDFS transaction. In Q4, interest income decreased from $224 million in Q4 of 2024 to $46 million in Q4 of 2025, while other income increased to $60 million due to new servicing fee screens. On the expense side, Q4 interest expense increased to $130 million from $95 million a year ago. This line item included the $73 million of discrete liability management costs to retire HDFS indebtedness. The provision for credit losses decreased to $7 million in Q4 from $72 million a year ago on lower retail finance receivables.

Jonathan Root: At Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Q4 revenue came in at $106 million versus $257 million in the prior year. The Q4 decrease was driven by lower retail and wholesale finance receivables at lower yields. The decline in retail receivables was due to the sale of the retail backbook in the HDFS transaction. In Q4, interest income decreased from $224 million in Q4 of 2024 to $46 million in Q4 of 2025, while other income increased to $60 million due to new servicing fee screens. On the expense side, Q4 interest expense increased to $130 million from $95 million a year ago. This line item included the $73 million of discrete liability management costs to retire HDFS indebtedness. The provision for credit losses decreased to $7 million in Q4 from $72 million a year ago on lower retail finance receivables.

Craig Kennison: Last, operating expenses came in at $51 million in Q4 versus $43 million a year ago, primarily driven by increased hedging costs and employee costs. In Q4, HDFS operating income came in at a loss of $82 million. For the full year 2025, HDFS revenue was $869 million, down 16% from prior year, primarily due to lower retail receivables and lower wholesale receivables due to the transaction. For the full year 2025, interest income decreased from $891 million to $668 million. For the full year 2025, other income increased from $148 million to $201 million in the prior year, primarily driven by a discrete gain on the sale of residual interest and securitizations, a component of the HDFS transaction, and by servicing fee income. For the full year 2025, HDFS operating income was $490 million, record high earnings for HDFS, up from $248 million in full year 2024.

Jonathan Root: Last, operating expenses came in at $51 million in Q4 versus $43 million a year ago, primarily driven by increased hedging costs and employee costs. In Q4, HDFS operating income came in at a loss of $82 million. For the full year 2025, HDFS revenue was $869 million, down 16% from prior year, primarily due to lower retail receivables and lower wholesale receivables due to the transaction. For the full year 2025, interest income decreased from $891 million to $668 million. For the full year 2025, other income increased from $148 million to $201 million in the prior year, primarily driven by a discrete gain on the sale of residual interest and securitizations, a component of the HDFS transaction, and by servicing fee income. For the full year 2025, HDFS operating income was $490 million, record high earnings for HDFS, up from $248 million in full year 2024.

Craig Kennison: The increase was primarily driven by favorable provision for credit loss expense due to the HDFS transaction impacts and higher other income, partially offset by lower net interest income and higher operating expenses. With the sale of $6 billion of retail finance receivables, the provision for credit loss line item became favorable rather than a cost, reflecting the release of CECL allowance associated with the sold loans. Turning to HDFS loan origination activities, total retail loan originations in Q4 were up 2%, coming in at $487 million in Q4. Commercial receivables came in at $949 million at the end of the year relative to the prior year level of $1 billion, down 6%, reflecting overall lower dealer inventory levels in the channel. Total gross financing receivables were $2 billion at the end of 2025, where retail receivables were $1 billion and commercial receivables were $949 million.

Jonathan Root: The increase was primarily driven by favorable provision for credit loss expense due to the HDFS transaction impacts and higher other income, partially offset by lower net interest income and higher operating expenses. With the sale of $6 billion of retail finance receivables, the provision for credit loss line item became favorable rather than a cost, reflecting the release of CECL allowance associated with the sold loans. Turning to HDFS loan origination activities, total retail loan originations in Q4 were up 2%, coming in at $487 million in Q4. Commercial receivables came in at $949 million at the end of the year relative to the prior year level of $1 billion, down 6%, reflecting overall lower dealer inventory levels in the channel. Total gross financing receivables were $2 billion at the end of 2025, where retail receivables were $1 billion and commercial receivables were $949 million.

Craig Kennison: This is a significant change relative to a year ago, resulting from the sale of around $6 billion of HDFS retail loan receivables as part of the HDFS transaction. For comparison purposes, gross financing receivables were $7.7 billion at the end of 2024, which includes both retail loans and commercial financing. Total HDFS loan assets fell 74% year-over-year as we shift to a capital-light business model that carries less risk. Now, turning to slide 13 for the LiveWire segment. On a full year basis, electric motorcycle units increased by 7% and STACYC units increased by 15%, while consolidated revenue decreased by 3% due to increased incentives associated with the Twist-and-Go promotion. LiveWire maintained its position as number one retailer in the US 50-plus horsepower on-road EV segment and had its second consecutive record-setting quarter for retail sales.

Jonathan Root: This is a significant change relative to a year ago, resulting from the sale of around $6 billion of HDFS retail loan receivables as part of the HDFS transaction. For comparison purposes, gross financing receivables were $7.7 billion at the end of 2024, which includes both retail loans and commercial financing. Total HDFS loan assets fell 74% year-over-year as we shift to a capital-light business model that carries less risk. Now, turning to slide 13 for the LiveWire segment. On a full year basis, electric motorcycle units increased by 7% and STACYC units increased by 15%, while consolidated revenue decreased by 3% due to increased incentives associated with the Twist-and-Go promotion. LiveWire maintained its position as number one retailer in the US 50-plus horsepower on-road EV segment and had its second consecutive record-setting quarter for retail sales.

Craig Kennison: Consolidated operating loss decreased by 32%, driving a 45% decrease in net cash used during the year, excluding the $75 million of proceeds from the term loan with HD. During Q4 of 2025, LiveWire consolidated revenue increased by 9%, driven by a 61% increase in electric motorcycle units and a 7% increase in STACYC units. Consolidated operating loss decreased by 30%. For 2026, LiveWire's focus is on the launch of its S4 Honcho products, with production targeted to begin in the spring of 2026, continued network expansion, cost savings and improvement, and product innovation and development focused on profitable products. Now, turning to slide 14. Wrapping up with consolidated Harley-Davidson, Inc. financial results, we delivered $569 million of operating cash flow in full year 2025, which was down from $1.064 billion in full year 2024.

Jonathan Root: Consolidated operating loss decreased by 32%, driving a 45% decrease in net cash used during the year, excluding the $75 million of proceeds from the term loan with HD. During Q4 of 2025, LiveWire consolidated revenue increased by 9%, driven by a 61% increase in electric motorcycle units and a 7% increase in STACYC units. Consolidated operating loss decreased by 30%. For 2026, LiveWire's focus is on the launch of its S4 Honcho products, with production targeted to begin in the spring of 2026, continued network expansion, cost savings and improvement, and product innovation and development focused on profitable products. Now, turning to slide 14. Wrapping up with consolidated Harley-Davidson, Inc. financial results, we delivered $569 million of operating cash flow in full year 2025, which was down from $1.064 billion in full year 2024.

Craig Kennison: The decrease in operating cash flow was driven by lower motorcycle shipment volumes and unfavorable manufacturing and tariff costs, as well as originations of retail finance receivables classified as held for sale, which are classified as operating cash outflows. There were no originations of retail finance receivables held for sale in 2024, but the net outflows related to this activity contributed to the decrease in operating cash flows. Total cash and cash equivalents ended at $3.1 billion, which was $1.5 billion higher than a year ago. The HDFS transaction facilitated a dividend of $1 billion from HDFS to HDI in Q4, which, together with a further dividend expected to be paid in Q1, results in a total dividend that will be consistent with our original expectations. In addition, HDFS debt will be further reduced by the maturity of a $700 million medium-term note in Q2.

Jonathan Root: The decrease in operating cash flow was driven by lower motorcycle shipment volumes and unfavorable manufacturing and tariff costs, as well as originations of retail finance receivables classified as held for sale, which are classified as operating cash outflows. There were no originations of retail finance receivables held for sale in 2024, but the net outflows related to this activity contributed to the decrease in operating cash flows. Total cash and cash equivalents ended at $3.1 billion, which was $1.5 billion higher than a year ago. The HDFS transaction facilitated a dividend of $1 billion from HDFS to HDI in Q4, which, together with a further dividend expected to be paid in Q1, results in a total dividend that will be consistent with our original expectations. In addition, HDFS debt will be further reduced by the maturity of a $700 million medium-term note in Q2.

Craig Kennison: As part of our capital allocation strategy, in Q4, we entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement with Goldman Sachs to repurchase $200 million of shares of the company's common stock. We entered into the $200 million ASR, and $160 million was delivered before 31 December 2025, with the remainder in early 2026. For the full year 2025, we repurchased a total value of $347 million, or 13.1 million shares in total, which represents around 11% of 31 December 2024 shares outstanding. This amount includes the aforementioned ASR agreement. Now, turning to slide 16. While 2025 was a more volatile and challenging year than we had anticipated, we look to 2026, where we start the year at more appropriate dealer inventory levels and look to reset the business toward a more stable operating and financial future.

Jonathan Root: As part of our capital allocation strategy, in Q4, we entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement with Goldman Sachs to repurchase $200 million of shares of the company's common stock. We entered into the $200 million ASR, and $160 million was delivered before 31 December 2025, with the remainder in early 2026. For the full year 2025, we repurchased a total value of $347 million, or 13.1 million shares in total, which represents around 11% of 31 December 2024 shares outstanding. This amount includes the aforementioned ASR agreement. Now, turning to slide 16. While 2025 was a more volatile and challenging year than we had anticipated, we look to 2026, where we start the year at more appropriate dealer inventory levels and look to reset the business toward a more stable operating and financial future.

Craig Kennison: As we look to our financial outlook for 2026, we remain pleased with our leading market share position in the US. New model year 2026 motorcycle launch, including the all-new redesigned Trike models, as well as the long-haul Touring, and the introduction of a more affordable lineup of motorcycles with a focus on critical price point motorcycles to help stoke demand. At HDFS, we expect retail units of 130,000 to 135,000. We expect wholesale units of 130,000 to 135,000. As you can see, we believe that global dealer inventory levels are at appropriate total levels, with some need to balance by model and family. Therefore, we expect retail and wholesale to have a largely one-to-one relationship in 2026. At the same time, we expect production units at HDFS to be lower than wholesale units shipped in 2026, as we work to prudently manage overall company inventory levels.

Jonathan Root: As we look to our financial outlook for 2026, we remain pleased with our leading market share position in the US. New model year 2026 motorcycle launch, including the all-new redesigned Trike models, as well as the long-haul Touring, and the introduction of a more affordable lineup of motorcycles with a focus on critical price point motorcycles to help stoke demand. At HDFS, we expect retail units of 130,000 to 135,000. We expect wholesale units of 130,000 to 135,000. As you can see, we believe that global dealer inventory levels are at appropriate total levels, with some need to balance by model and family. Therefore, we expect retail and wholesale to have a largely one-to-one relationship in 2026. At the same time, we expect production units at HDFS to be lower than wholesale units shipped in 2026, as we work to prudently manage overall company inventory levels.

Craig Kennison: For 2026, we expect this will have a deleverage impact, which will pressure operating leverage when it comes to operating margins. In addition, we expect to face a greater overall cost for incremental tariffs in 2026, which are likely to be applied more uniformly over the entire calendar year, whereas 2025 experienced partial application during the year and was backloaded. As a reminder, in full year 2025, we incurred a cost of $67 million in new or increased tariffs, and in 2026, we forecast a cost of between $75 million to $105 million of new or increased tariffs based on current tariff levels versus a 2024 baseline. At HDFS, we expect operating income of positive $10 million to a loss of $40 million. At HDFS, we expect operating income of $45 million to $60 million.

Jonathan Root: For 2026, we expect this will have a deleverage impact, which will pressure operating leverage when it comes to operating margins. In addition, we expect to face a greater overall cost for incremental tariffs in 2026, which are likely to be applied more uniformly over the entire calendar year, whereas 2025 experienced partial application during the year and was backloaded. As a reminder, in full year 2025, we incurred a cost of $67 million in new or increased tariffs, and in 2026, we forecast a cost of between $75 million to $105 million of new or increased tariffs based on current tariff levels versus a 2024 baseline. At HDFS, we expect operating income of positive $10 million to a loss of $40 million. At HDFS, we expect operating income of $45 million to $60 million.

Artie Starrs: Stacked on top of that is the new Limited and the new Limiteds that hit, and we're really excited about those and the initial reception to that. So a lot of enthusiasm from our dealer network around sold orders and what they're seeing on that front. As we move along on the retail side, we also have the introduction of the new Trikes. Again, as we look at dealer enthusiasm, customer feedback around what those look like, we're really proud of what our engineering team has done from a suspension perspective. So as you think through handling and the way that that motorcycle performs, some real positives, I think, in terms of how customers will feel and enjoy that motorcycle. So a little bit of enthusiasm in terms of where we sit from a Trike perspective. And then just a couple more pieces that I'll touch on quickly.

Jonathan Root: Stacked on top of that is the new Limited and the new Limiteds that hit, and we're really excited about those and the initial reception to that. So a lot of enthusiasm from our dealer network around sold orders and what they're seeing on that front. As we move along on the retail side, we also have the introduction of the new Trikes. Again, as we look at dealer enthusiasm, customer feedback around what those look like, we're really proud of what our engineering team has done from a suspension perspective. So as you think through handling and the way that that motorcycle performs, some real positives, I think, in terms of how customers will feel and enjoy that motorcycle. So a little bit of enthusiasm in terms of where we sit from a Trike perspective. And then just a couple more pieces that I'll touch on quickly.

Artie Starrs: Okay. Yeah, great question. Thank you, James. Hope you're doing well. As we take a look at where we are, we certainly have a number of factors that come into play as we look at motor company operating income in 2026 versus 2025. So you're right. If you kind of look kind of where we land from a midpoint perspective, really, really close to flat, we have a number of factors that come into play. So we have a full year of tariff exposure. So that adds about a $25 million headwind year over year. Again, going back to the tariff update page that we included within the deck, you can see some of the details there. Obviously, as we complete our final year, getting discipline back into the operating environment in terms of balancing out wholesale and production, that poses a little bit of a de-leverage challenge.

Jonathan Root: Okay. Yeah, great question. Thank you, James. Hope you're doing well. As we take a look at where we are, we certainly have a number of factors that come into play as we look at motor company operating income in 2026 versus 2025. So you're right. If you kind of look kind of where we land from a midpoint perspective, really, really close to flat, we have a number of factors that come into play. So we have a full year of tariff exposure. So that adds about a $25 million headwind year over year. Again, going back to the tariff update page that we included within the deck, you can see some of the details there. Obviously, as we complete our final year, getting discipline back into the operating environment in terms of balancing out wholesale and production, that poses a little bit of a de-leverage challenge.

Artie Starrs: Okay. Thanks, Brandon. I'll start with a couple of numbers, and then maybe Artie can provide some perspective in addition. So I think from a couple of different factors as you speak about. So as we think about where we're sitting today from a Q1 standpoint, we were forthcoming in terms of the charge that we took in Q4 of 2025 in order to make sure that we were positioned to clear through touring in the way that Artie has talked about. So relative to the factor on the new side, as we think about affordability, monthly payments, and impacts for consumers, we recognize that we're putting some programs in market at the moment that are helping drive a reduction in the gap between new and used motorcycles. So we have some stimulus that we think is helping drive a really nice value equation for our customers.

Jonathan Root: Okay. Thanks, Brandon. I'll start with a couple of numbers, and then maybe Artie can provide some perspective in addition. So I think from a couple of different factors as you speak about. So as we think about where we're sitting today from a Q1 standpoint, we were forthcoming in terms of the charge that we took in Q4 of 2025 in order to make sure that we were positioned to clear through touring in the way that Artie has talked about. So relative to the factor on the new side, as we think about affordability, monthly payments, and impacts for consumers, we recognize that we're putting some programs in market at the moment that are helping drive a reduction in the gap between new and used motorcycles. So we have some stimulus that we think is helping drive a really nice value equation for our customers.

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Q4 2025 LiveWire Group Inc Earnings Call

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Q4 2025 LiveWire Group Inc Earnings Call

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Q4 2025 LiveWire Group Inc Earnings Call

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