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Polaris Q2 results show skyrocketing NA retail sales

“Polaris’ second quarter results significantly outperformed expectations, once again demonstrating the resiliency and dedication of our global team. We overcame a near complete shutdown of both our dealers and the U.S. economy early in the quarter to capitalize on unprecedented retail demand for our Off-Road Vehicles and Motorcycles through May, June and now July. Our broad array of best-in-class products provided an attractive social-distancing solution for both existing, and encouragingly, a wide range of new Powersports customers. During the quarter, we navigated a level of uncertainty and unrest that is unparalleled in our nation’s history, beginning with rapidly and successfully restarting our production facilities, while protecting the health and safety of our employees. And importantly, following the death of George Floyd here in Minnesota, we united to do our part to bridge divides and drive meaningful change. From executive leadership to our production line employees, we are working under a shared goal of positively impacting our company and communities. Despite social turbulence and softness in our Adjacent Markets businesses, between ongoing strong consumer demand and historically low dealer inventory levels, we are well-positioned for the second half of the year. I am fortunate to work with an extremely talented team and am confident that we will navigate this pandemic, engender a more welcoming and inclusive Powersports industry, and continue building an even better and stronger business.”

That’s how Scott Wine, Chairman and CEO of Polaris Inc. described the company’s Q2 2020 performance in conjunction with the release of its Q2 earnings.

Here are some of the highlights:

  • Second quarter reported and adjusted sales decreased 15% to $1,512 million and $1,510 million, respectively
  • Second quarter reported net loss was $3.82 per share; adjusted net income for the same period was $1.30 per share
  • North American retail sales increased 57% for the quarter compared to last year with both ORV and Motorcycle retail sales up significantly
  • Dealer inventory levels decreased 47% given the strong retail sales growth and lower shipments resulting from the COVID-19 related temporary suspension of production during the quarter
  • Evaluation of the Company’s Aftermarket goodwill and other intangibles resulted in a pre-tax $379 million non-cash impairment charge taken during the quarter
  • Operating expenses excluding the impairment charge, decreased 15% given the substantial reduction in discretionary and non-essential spending in response to the pandemic crisis
  • Polaris’ liquidity profile remains solid with debt/EBITDA below 3 times and total liquidity of $1.2 billion at quarter end
  • Polaris re-initiated full year 2020 sales and adjusted earnings guidance with full year adjusted earnings in the range of $6.40 to $6.60 per diluted share and full year sales in the range of $6.650 billion to $6.750 billion

Following is the earning press release:

Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) (the “Company”) today released second quarter 2020 results with reported sales of $1,512 million, down 15 percent from reported sales of $1,779 million for the second quarter of 2019.

The Company reported a second quarter 2020 net loss of $235 million, or $(3.82) per diluted share, compared with net income of $88 million, or $1.42 per diluted share, for the 2019 second quarter. The 2020 second quarter net loss includes a $379 million pre-tax, non-cash goodwill and other intangible asset impairment charge related to the Company’s Aftermarket business, principally Transamerican Auto Parts (TAP). Adjusted net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 was $81 million, or $1.30 per diluted share compared to $108 million, or $1.73 per diluted share in the 2019 second quarter.

Retail demand accelerated throughout the quarter benefiting Company performance as both new and existing customers took advantage of off-road vehicles and motorcycles to enjoy the outdoors while maintaining social distancing etiquette, partially mitigating the COVID-19 driven economic slowdown.

Gross profit decreased 24 percent to $333 million for the second quarter of 2020 from $436 million in the second quarter of 2019. Reported gross profit margin was 22.0 percent of sales for the second quarter of 2020, down 252 basis points compared to 24.5 percent of sales for the second quarter of 2019. Adjusted gross profit for the second quarter 2020 was $348 million, or 23.0 percent of adjusted sales compared to the second quarter of 2019 adjusted gross profit of $443 million, or 24.9 percent of sales.

Adjusted gross profit for the second quarter of 2020 excludes the negative impact of $15 million of restructuring and realignment costs, and adjusted gross profit for the second quarter of 2019 excludes the negative impact of $7 million of restructuring and realignment costs.

Operating expenses increased 104 percent for the second quarter of 2020 to $654 million from $321 million in the same period in 2019. Operating expenses increased primarily due to the non-cash impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets associated with the Company’s Aftermarket segment, primarily TAP, given the impact of the pandemic-driven downturn on the outlook for the TAP business. The impairment charge was partially offset by reductions in discretionary and non-essential spending as well as lower compensation costs during the quarter.

Income from financial services was $25 million for the second quarter of 2020, up 28 percent compared with $20 million for the second quarter of 2019. The increase was primarily due to the strong North American retail sales demand during the quarter.

Interest expense was $18 million for the second quarter of 2020 compared to $21 million for the same period last year due to lower interest rates.

Other (income) expense, net, was $0.8 million of expense in the second quarter of 2020 compared to $0.3 million of income in the second quarter of 2019. Other (income) expense is the result of foreign currency exchange rate movements and the corresponding effects on foreign currency transactions related to the Company’s foreign subsidiaries.

The provision for income taxes for the second quarter of 2020 was a tax benefit $79 million, compared with tax expense of $26 million for the second quarter of 2019. The favorable change in the tax provision from the second quarter of 2019 is primarily related to $90 million of deferred tax benefits arising from the significant pretax loss from the impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets, as well as the release of certain income tax reserves.

Product Segment Highlights (Reported)

Off-Road Vehicles (“ORV”) and Snowmobiles segment sales, including PG&A, totaled $953 million for the second quarter of 2020, down nine percent compared to $1,049 million for the second quarter of 2019 due to a decline in side-by-side sales. PG&A sales for ORV and Snowmobiles combined increased 17 percent in the second quarter of 2020 compared to the second quarter last year. Gross profit decreased 15 percent to $252 million in the second quarter of 2020, compared to $298 million in the second quarter of 2019. Gross profit percentage decreased 195 basis points during the 2020 second quarter compared to the prior year.

ORV wholegoodsales for the second quarter of 2020 decreased 14 percent. Polaris North American ORV retail sales increased over 60 percent for the quarter with both side-by-side vehicles and ATV vehicles up significantly. Despite the strong retail sales, Polaris ORV wholegood sales were down driven by the COVID-19 related temporary suspension of production that impacted shipments in April and to some extent May. The North American ORV industry was up over 60 percent compared to the second quarter last year.

Snowmobile wholegood sales in the second quarter of 2020 were $12 million compared to $16 million in the second quarter last year. Snowmobile sales in the Company’s second quarter are routinely low as it is the off-season for snowmobile retail sales and shipments.

Motorcycles segment sales, including PG&A, totaled $141 million, down 28 percent compared to the second quarter of 2019, driven by decreased sales of both Indian Motorcycle and Slingshot. Polaris motorcycles segment sales were down driven by the COVID-19 related temporary suspension of production that impacted shipments primarily in April. Gross profit for the second quarter of 2020 was $4 million compared to $23 million in the second quarter of 2019.

North American consumer retail sales for Indian Motorcycle increased mid-teens percent during the second quarter of 2020 in a weak mid to heavy-weight two-wheel motorcycle industry that was down high-teens percent. North American consumer retail sales for Polaris’ motorcycle segment, including both Indian Motorcycle and Slingshot, increased low-twenties percent during the second quarter of 2020, while the North American motorcycle industry retail sales for mid to heavy-weight motorcycles including three-wheel vehicles, was down high-teens percent in the second quarter of 2020. Despite the strong retail sales, Polaris Motorcycles segment sales were down driven by COVID-19 related temporary suspension of production during the quarter.

Global Adjacent Markets segment sales, including PG&A, decreased 36 percent to $78 million in the 2020 second quarter compared to $122 million in the 2019 second quarter driven by industrial, educational, government and rental organizations reducing or suspending purchases during the pandemic. Gross profit decreased 50 percent to $17 million or 21.6 percent of sales in the second quarter of 2020, compared to $34 million or 27.6 percent of sales in the second quarter of 2019.

Aftermarket segment sales of $208 million in the 2020 second quarter decreased nine percent compared to $229 million in the 2019 second quarter. Transamerican Auto Parts (TAP) sales of $189 million in the second quarter of 2020 decreased 10 percent compared to $210 million in the second quarter of 2019. The Company’s other aftermarket brands sales were approximately flat. Gross profit decreased 14 percent to $48 million in the second quarter of 2020, compared to $55 million in the second quarter of 2019.

Boats segment sales decreased 28 percent to $132 million in the 2020 second quarter compared to $182 million in the 2019 second quarter. Gross profit decreased 54 percent to $19 million or 14.1 percent of sales in the second quarter of 2020, compared to $41 million or 22.2 percent of sales in the second quarter of 2019.

Supplemental Data:

Parts, Garments, and Accessories (“PG&A”) sales increased eight percent for the 2020 second quarter.

International sales to customers outside of North America, including PG&A, totaled $190 million for the second quarter of 2020, down 18 percent from the same period in 2019.

Financial Position and Cash Flow

Net cash provided by operating activities was $310 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020, compared to $203 million for the same period in 2019. Total debt at June 30, 2020, including finance lease obligations and notes payable, was $1,928 million. The Company’s debt-to-total capital ratio was 72 percent at June 30, 2020 compared to 67 percent at June 30, 2019. Cash and cash equivalents were $544 million at June 30, 2020, up from $96 million at June 30, 2019.

2020 Business Outlook

The Company re-initiated its sales and adjusted earnings guidance for the full year 2020. Adjusted net income is expected to be in the range of $6.40 to $6.60 per diluted share for the full year 2020 compared to adjusted net income of $6.32 per diluted share for 2019. Sales are now expected to be in the range of $6.650 billion to $6.750 billion, flat to down two percent compared to 2019 adjusted sales of $6,783 million, due to the pandemic driven plant shut-down in the second quarter 2020.

2019 Reclassified Segment Gross Profit Results

Beginning in the first quarter of 2020 certain costs, primarily incentive-based compensation costs, previously classified as “Corporate” in the Company’s segment gross profit results were allocated to their respective operating segments results. The comparative 2019 reported and adjusted gross profit results for ORV/Snowmobiles, Motorcycles, Global Adjacent Markets, Aftermarket, Boats, and Corporate were reclassified for comparability. Reclassified historical reported and adjusted gross profit results can be found at ir.polaris.com/investors/financial-information.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release and our related earnings call contain certain non-GAAP financial measures, consisting of “adjusted” sales, gross profit, income before taxes, net income and net income per diluted share as measures of our operating performance. Management believes these measures may be useful in performing meaningful comparisons of past and present operating results, to understand the performance of its ongoing operations and how management views the business. Reconciliations of reported GAAP measures to adjusted non-GAAP measures are included in the financial schedules contained in this press release. These measures, however, should not be construed as an alternative to any other measure of performance determined in accordance with GAAP.

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