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Polaris Reports Second Quarter 2009 Results
Thursday, July 16, 2009 6:02 AM


Second Quarter Highlights:

  • Net income of $0.53 per diluted share for the second quarter 2009 exceeded Company expectations
  • Sales declined 24% in the second quarter 2009 as expected
  • Gross profit margin percentage for the second quarter of 2009 improved by 40 basis points to 24.1% due primarily to lower commodity costs and lower promotional expense
  • Increased retail market share in ORV during the second quarter 2009
  • Factory inventory decreased 21% and dealer inventories declined 8% compared to second quarter 2008
  • Continued focus on flexible manufacturing and leveraging variable cost structure to drive costs down to help offset the lower sales
  • Narrowing full year 2009 earnings guidance to a range of $2.70 to $2.90 per diluted share; compared to previous EPS guidance of $2.50 to $3.00 per diluted share
  • Announced entry into the emerging low-emissions vehicle market with a new on-road electric powered Neighborhood Vehicle

Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) today reported net income of $17.5 million, or $0.53 per diluted share, for the second quarter ended June 30, 2009 helped by a 40 basis point increase in its gross profit margin percentage. By comparison, 2008 second quarter net income was $24.4 million, or $0.72 per diluted share. Sales for the second quarter 2009 totaled $345.9 million, a decrease of 24 percent from second quarter 2008 sales of $455.7 million.

“While the challenging economic environment continued to be a headwind in the quarter, we remained on strategy and effectively executed our business plans delivering results that exceeded our expectations,” noted Scott Wine, Chief Executive Officer. “We once again expanded our gross margins when compared to last year, primarily through lower commodity costs and our flexible manufacturing and highly variable cost structure. We gained market share in our ORV business during the second quarter 2009 resulting in further decreases in ATV dealer inventories. The accelerating weakness in the motorcycle industry retail sales put additional pressure on our Victory business, which performed below expectations for the second quarter in a row. We are taking important steps to improve our Victory business and also announced the newest addition to our On-Road business today with the introduction of Polaris’ first low emission vehicle. This is an important step in both broadening our product and new technology offerings.”

Wine continued, “Next week we will be unveiling our model year 2010 products to our dealers at our annual dealer meeting. While many of our competitors appear to be pulling back on new product introductions for the upcoming model year, we continue to invest in our future and have exciting new off-road vehicles and motorcycles that will be announced. Today’s announcement of the low emission Polaris Breeze™ represents our first entry into the emerging Neighborhood Vehicle category. This electric powered vehicle is a low-speed vehicle designed for multiple uses such as golfing, neighborhood riding, or carrying cargo primarily for consumers living in master planned communities. We believe we can leverage our innovation and engineering expertise to take advantage of this exciting new market opportunity. While we recognize the current economic environment remains challenging, we believe these new product introductions will provide Polaris and our dealers with a definite competitive advantage as the macro-economic environment eventually recovers.”

2009 Business Outlook

Guidance for full year 2009 has been narrowed to reflect actual results during the first half of the year and the Company’s current outlook for the remainder of 2009. Full year 2009 earnings are now expected to be in the range of $2.70 to $2.90 per diluted share. Full year 2009 sales are expected to decrease from 2008 in the range of 20 percent to 25 percent. During the third quarter of 2009, the Company expects total sales to decrease in the range of 25 percent to 30 percent from third quarter 2008 sales. Third quarter 2009 earnings are expected to be in the range of $0.76 to $0.86 per diluted share compared to earnings of $1.13 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2008.

Wine explained, “Our outlook for the North American economy remains weak, and most of the global economy for that matter. Our expectations for 2009 remain unchanged and we expect our core markets to remain very challenging, particularly in the motorcycle business. We have made and will continue to make adjustments to assist our Victory dealers through these difficult economic times. Shipments have been significantly reduced through the first half of the year, and although dealer inventories of Victory motorcycles are down 24 percent year to date as compared to last year, they remain higher than the current market conditions warrant. Therefore, we have made further adjustments in our production plans and throughout our Victory organization to focus more on the front end of the business and are allocating additional resources to assist our dealers in further lowering their inventory levels. The strategy for our other product lines is working well and remains unchanged ---- drive innovation, accelerate speed to market and utilize our flexible manufacturing capabilities and variable cost structure to gain market share and improve margins. In fact our regional test of the new Max Velocity Program (“MVP”), designed to accelerate market share and reduce inventory, has performed well; therefore, we will be expanding the MVP program to dealers representing approximately 50 percent of our North American ORV unit sales volume in the second half of 2009. We expect these innovative, strategic efforts will position us for long-term growth and shareholder value creation.”

Retail credit financing availability for Polaris consumers

The Company reported that availability of retail credit financing sources remains at acceptable levels given the continued uncertain credit markets. Polaris has relationships with HSBC Bank (“HSBC”), GE Money Bank (“GE”) and Sheffield Financial (“Sheffield”) to provide retail revolving and installment financing credit to United States consumers. During the second quarter 2009, 48 percent of consumer retail credit loan applications from Polaris customers were approved by HSBC, GE or Sheffield, improved from the first quarter 2009 approval rate of 44 percent. Additionally, 33 percent of Polaris’ retail customers in the United States financed their Polaris product purchases through HSBC, GE or Sheffield, which is slightly better than the first quarter 2009 penetration rate. Although the availability of retail credit alternatives to consumers remains challenging, the Company believes that retail credit will continue to be accessible for Polaris consumers with an acceptable credit history.

  Second Quarter ended   Six Months ended
Product line Information   June 30,   June 30,
(in thousands)   2009   2008   Change   2009   2008   Change
Off-Road Vehicles   $ 261,743   $ 350,280   -25 %   $ 477,204   $ 614,806   -22 %
Snowmobiles     7,413     6,006   23 %     15,579     15,441   1 %
Victory Motorcycles     10,492     23,409   -55 %     24,328     50,755   -52 %
Parts, Garments & Accessories     66,248     75,991   -13 %     140,809     163,368   -14 %
Total Sales   $ 345,896   $ 455,686   -24 %   $ 657,920   $ 844,370   -22 %

ORV (off-road vehicles) sales, which included sales of both core ATV (all-terrain vehicles) and RANGER™ side-by-side vehicles, during the second quarter 2009 decreased 25 percent from the second quarter 2008. This decrease reflects the continued weakness in the consumer retail environment, as dealers continued to reduce core ATV orders in an effort to reduce inventory levels. As a result, ATV dealer inventory levels in North America finished 18 percent lower at the end of the second quarter 2009 than at the end of the second quarter 2008. Although side-by-side retail sales, as expected, were also lower during the second quarter 2009 compared to the second quarter 2008, resulting in lower shipments of side-by-side vehicles, the decline was less than the core ATV retail declines. Dealer inventories for side-by-side vehicles are higher than a year ago, but lower than at the end of the first quarter 2009, and remain at acceptable levels. International ORV sales also declined in the second quarter 2009, down 33 percent when compared to the second quarter 2008, as the weakening economic environment and currency rates negatively impacted Polaris sales in markets outside of North America.

Sales of Victory motorcycles to dealers decreased 55 percent during the second quarter of 2009 when compared to the same period in 2008. The decrease reflects the planned reduction in shipments of Victory motorcycles to dealers in North America during the quarter in response to dealers’ efforts to further reduce their inventory levels as well as the weakening motorcycle industry retail sales environment. Industry wide North American retail sales of heavyweight cruiser and touring motorcycles over 1400cc deteriorated further during the second quarter 2009, declining in the mid thirty percent range compared to the same period last year. Victory retail sales to consumers declined in line with industry wide sales during the 2009 second quarter. Although dealer inventory levels are 24 percent lower at the end of the second quarter 2009 than at the end of the second quarter 2008, further reductions are needed given the weak motorcycle industry retail sales environment.

Parts, Garments, and Accessories sales decreased 13 percent during the second quarter 2009 compared to the same period of last year. The decrease was driven primarily by the lower retail sales of Polaris vehicles during the second quarter 2009. The gross margin percentage continues to expand in our highest margin business.

Snowmobile sales totaled $7.4 million for the 2009 second quarter compared to $6.0 million for the second quarter of 2008. The second quarter is historically a seasonally low quarter for snowmobile shipments, as deliveries to dealers ramp up in the second half of the calendar year.

Gross profit as a percentage of sales was 24.1 percent for the second quarter of 2009, an increase of 40 basis points from 23.7 percent for the second quarter of 2008. Gross profit dollars decreased to $83.3 million for the second quarter 2009, compared to $108.0 million for the second quarter of 2008 due to lower sales. The increase in the gross profit margin percentage during the 2009 second quarter resulted primarily from lower commodity costs, a favorable product mix change given the relatively lower declines in shipments of the higher-margin side-by-side vehicles, and lower core ATV promotional costs. The gross profit margin percentage increase was partially offset by an unfavorable movement in currency rates as well as higher warranty expenses during the second quarter 2009 compared to the second quarter 2008.

Operating expenses for the second quarter 2009 decreased 17 percent to $60.2 million compared to $72.5 million for the second quarter of 2008. Operating expenses in absolute dollars for the second quarter 2009 decreased primarily due to operating cost control measures and the reduction in incentive compensation plan expenses resulting from the Company’s lower stock price and the expected lower profitability in 2009. Operating expenses as a percentage of sales were 17.4 percent for the second quarter 2009, an increase from 15.9 percent in the second quarter of 2008 due primarily to lower sales volume during the second quarter 2009, partially offset by the implementation of operating expense control measures.

Income from financial services decreased 24 percent to $4.0 million during second quarter 2009 from $5.2 million in the second quarter of 2008. The decrease was primarily due to lower income generated from retail credit activity resulting from lower penetration levels in 2009.

Interest expense decreased to $1.1 million for the second quarter 2009 compared to $2.5 million for the second quarter 2008 due to lower interest rates on the Company’s bank borrowings during the 2009 period.

The Income tax provision for the second quarter 2009 was recorded at a rate of 34.4 percent of pretax income compared to 36.0 percent of pretax income for the second quarter 2008. The lower income tax rate for the second quarter 2009 resulted from the federal research and development tax credit which had not been extended by the U.S. Congress in the second quarter 2008.

Financial position and cash flow

Borrowings under the credit agreement were $250.0 million at June 30, 2009 compared to $261.0 million at June 30, 2008, which leaves $200.0 million available for borrowing under the Company’s $450.0 million credit agreement. The Company’s debt-to-total capital ratio was 63 percent at June 30, 2009 compared to 65 percent at June 30, 2008. Cash and cash equivalents were $30.0 million at June 30, 2009 compared to $21.9 million at June 30, 2008. Factory inventory declined 21 percent to $219.6 million in the second quarter 2009 compared to the second quarter 2008 and declined eleven percent sequentially compared to the first quarter 2009, as the Company continues to make adjustments to its production and operations in response to the weak retail demand trends.

Net cash provided by operating activities for the second quarter of 2009 totaled $24.4 million compared to $53.3 million in the second quarter of 2008. During the six months ended June 30, 2009, $8.7 million in net cash was used for operating activities compared to $21.8 million in net cash provided by operating activities during the first half of 2008. The decrease in net income and accrued expenses for the 2009 second quarter and year-to-date periods ended June 30, 2009 compared to the same time periods last year are the primary reasons for the decline in cash flow. Net cash used for investing activities decreased to $14.9 million during the 2009 year-to-date period compared to $27.5 million in the 2008 year-to-date period due to reduced capital expenditures. Net cash flow provided by financing activities was $26.5 million during the first six months of 2009 compared to a use of cash for financing activities totaling $35.7 million for the same period in 2008 primarily due to a significant decline in share repurchase activity in 2009. The Company paid dividends during 2009 totaling $25.0 million, compared to $25.2 million in the first six months of 2008, at a rate per share in 2009 that is slightly higher than last year’s per share rate.

Polaris announces entrance into new adjacent market segment

Today, Polaris announced the introduction of its latest category adjacency, an electric powered Neighborhood Vehicle. The Polaris Breeze™ represents the Company’s initial product entry into the emerging low emission vehicle market. This unique, all-electric vehicle features industry leading functionality, with the first 3-in-1 rear seat conversion which can easily be converted in seconds for use as a golf car, a four passenger vehicle or for carrying cargo whenever any of these needs arise. Additional industry leading features include extensive on-board storage capabilities, fully adjustable lighting and a smooth suspension. The vehicle is targeted for consumers living in master planned communities, and will be available in limited quantities for purchase at Polaris Neighborhood Vehicle dealerships in select markets starting in September 2009. For further details see the separate press release issued today.

Conference Call and Webcast Presentation

Today at 9:00 AM (CDT) Polaris Industries Inc. will host a conference call and webcast to discuss Polaris’ second quarter 2009 earnings results released this morning. The call will be hosted by Scott Wine, CEO, Bennett Morgan, President and COO and Mike Malone, Vice President Finance and CFO. A slide presentation and link to the audio webcast will be posted on the Investor Relations page of the Polaris web site at www.polarisindustries.com/irhome prior to the beginning of the conference call. To listen to the conference call by phone, dial 800-374-6475 in the U.S. and Canada, or 973-200-3967 Internationally. The Conference ID is #93141102.

A replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after the call for a one-week period by accessing the same link on our website, or by dialing 800-642-1687 in the U.S. and Canada, or 706-645-9291 Internationally.

About Polaris

With annual 2008 sales of $1.9 billion, Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets off-road vehicles (ORVs), including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and the Polaris RANGER™, snowmobiles and Victory motorcycles for recreational and utility use and has just introduced a new electric powered neighborhood vehicle.

Polaris is a recognized leader in the snowmobile industry; and one of the largest manufacturers of ORVs in the world. Victory motorcycles, established in 1998 and representing the first all-new American-made motorcycle from a major company in nearly 60 years, are rapidly making impressive in-roads into the cruiser and touring motorcycle marketplace. Polaris also enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Pure Polaris apparel, accessories and parts, available at Polaris dealerships.

Polaris Industries Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PII,” and the Company is included in the S&P Small-Cap 600 stock price index.

Information about the complete line of Polaris products, apparel and vehicle accessories is available from authorized Polaris dealers or anytime from the Polaris homepage at www.polarisindustries.com.

Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this news release, including management’s expectations regarding 2009 sales, shipments, net income and cash flow, are forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include such factors as product offerings, promotional activities and pricing strategies by competitors; warranty expenses; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; effects of the KTM relationship; environmental and product safety regulatory activity; effects of weather; commodity costs; uninsured product liability claims; uncertainty in the retail and wholesale credit markets; and overall economic conditions, including inflation, consumer confidence and spending and relationships with dealers and suppliers. Investors are also directed to consider other risks and uncertainties discussed in documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
(Unaudited)
       
For Three Months For Six Months
Ended June 30, Ended June 30,

2009

2008

2009

2008

Sales $ 345,896 $ 455,686 $ 657,920 $ 844,370
Cost of Sales   262,632     347,643   498,222     648,232  
Gross profit 83,264 108,043 159,698 196,138
Operating expenses
Selling and marketing 28,702 35,188 56,030 64,358
Research and development 15,222 20,236 31,822 39,493
General and administrative   16,235     17,108   30,354     33,031  
Total operating expenses 60,159 72,532 118,206 136,882
 
Income from financial services   3,966     5,243   8,370     12,733  
Operating Income 27,071 40,754 49,862 71,989
 
Non-operating Expense (Income):
Interest expense 1,095 2,482 2,146 5,207
Impairment charge on securities held for sale - - 8,952 -
Other expense (income), net   (677 )   154   (680 )   (909 )
Income before income taxes 26,653 38,118 39,444 67,691
 
Provision for Income Taxes   9,175     13,738   13,508     24,228  
Net Income $ 17,478   $ 24,380 $ 25,936   $ 43,463  
 
Basic Net Income per share $ 0.54   $ 0.74 $ 0.80   $ 1.31  
 
Diluted Net Income per share $ 0.53   $ 0.72 $ 0.79   $ 1.27  
 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic 32,381 32,882 32,324 33,292
Diluted 32,990 33,785 32,775 34,159
POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
   
Subject to Reclassification June 30, 2009 June 30, 2008
(In Thousands) (Unaudited) (Unaudited)
 
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 30,036 $ 21,909
Trade receivables, net 54,027 73,014
Inventories, net 219,645 278,396
Prepaid expenses and other 20,272 18,149
Deferred tax assets   76,042   68,769
Total current assets 400,022 460,237
 
Property and equipment, net 212,103 215,274
Investments in finance affiliate 43,352 45,987
Investments in manufacturing affiliates 10,656 32,330
Deferred tax assets - 6,363
Goodwill, net   25,105   26,190
Total Assets $ 691,238 $ 786,381
 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 57,313 $ 102,299
Accrued expenses:
Compensation 30,016 40,821
Warranties 25,372 26,059
Sales promotions and incentives 64,497 80,291
Dealer holdback 53,698 72,633
Other 35,522 32,789
Income taxes payable 15,321 22,673
Current liabilities of discontinued operations   1,850   2,242
Total current liabilities 283,589 379,807
 
Long term income taxes payable 5,106 7,615
Deferred income taxes 3,102 -
Borrowings under credit agreement   250,000   261,000
Total liabilities $ 541,797 $ 648,422
 
Shareholders’ Equity:

Preferred stock $0.01 par value, 20,000 shares authorized, no shares
issued and outstanding

Common stock $0.01 par value, 80,000 shares authorized,
32,617 and 32,667 shares issued and outstanding

$ 326 $ 327
Additional paid-in capital
Retained earnings 147,751 103,459
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net   1,364   34,173
Total shareholders' equity $ 149,441 $ 137,959
 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $ 691,238 $ 786,381
POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
   
Subject to Reclassification For Six Months
(In Thousands)

Ended June 30,

(Unaudited)

2009

2008

 
Operating Activities:
Net income $ 25,936 $ 43,463

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
operating activities:

Noncash impairment charge on securities held for sale 8,952
Depreciation and amortization 28,658 27,098
Noncash compensation 4,753 9,880
Noncash income from financial services (2,071 ) (2,303 )
Noncash (income)/loss from manufacturing affiliates 196 (33 )
Deferred income taxes (997 ) (4,153 )
Changes in current operating items:
Trade receivables 44,571 9,870
Inventories 2,667 (60,054 )
Accounts payable (58,673 ) 12,254
Accrued expenses (74,519 ) (38,501 )
Income taxes payable 16,472 16,829
Prepaid expenses and others, net   (4,642 )   7,454  
Net cash (used for) provided by continuing operations (8,697 ) 21,804
Net cash flow (used for) discontinued operations   -     (60 )
Net cash (used for) provided by operating activities (8,697 ) 21,744
 
Investing Activities:
Purchase of property and equipment (25,183 ) (37,570 )
Investments in finance affiliate, net   10,284     10,116  
Net cash (used for) investing activities (14,899 ) (27,454 )
 
Financing Activities:
Borrowings under credit agreement 268,000 334,000
Repayments under credit agreement (218,000 ) (273,000 )
Repurchase and retirement of common shares (282 ) (85,854 )
Cash dividends to shareholders (24,993 ) (25,221 )
Tax effect of proceeds from stock based compensation exercises (427 ) 2,776
Proceeds from stock issuances under employee plans   2,207     11,637  
 
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities   26,505     (35,662 )
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 2,909 (41,372 )
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   27,127     63,281  
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 30,036   $ 21,909  

Polaris Industries Inc.
Richard Edwards, 763-542-0500

(Source: Business Wire )


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