Harley-Davidson beat expectations, trims 2016 outlook

REUTERS - Harley-Davidson Inc on Thursday reported second-quarter earnings that beat estimates, but the motorcycle manufacturer trimmed its shipment outlook due to soft demand in the United States, its biggest market.

Earnings per share increased to $1.55 from $1.44 a year ago and topped analysts' expectations of $1.53.

Harley-Davidson's U.S. market share in the quarter was 49.5 percent, up 2.0 points from a year ago.

"We are pleased with our ability to gain market share in the U.S." Chief Executive Officer Matt Levatich said, noting intense domestic competition. Market share was down from the first quarter's 50.9 percent.

Harley-Davidson's domestic sales fell 5.2 percent in the quarter, while U.S. motorcycle industry sales overall were down 8.6 percent in the same period.

The company cut its 2016 full-year motorcycle shipment outlook to 264,000 to 269,000 motorcycles. The previous shipment estimate was 269,000 to 274,000 motorcycles.

"While our investments to grow product awareness and ridership globally are beginning to take hold in a number of markets, current conditions in the U.S. and economic headwinds in other parts of the world combine to raise caution," Chief Executive Officer Matt Levatich said in a statement.

The company also decreased its full-year 2016 motorcycle segment operating margin to about 15 percent to 16 percent, from 16 percent to 17 percent.

The Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based company said net income fell to $280.4 million from $299.8 million a year ago.

Revenue was $1.86 billion, up slightly from $1.82 billion a year earlier. Analysts were looking for 1.67 billion, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Outstanding shares in the quarter ended June 26 fell to about 181.3 million from 208.6 million in the year-ago period.

(Reporting by Meredith Davis in Chicago; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)