We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience.
This includes personalizing content and advertising.
By pressing "Accept All" or closing out of this banner, you consent to the use of all cookies and similar technologies and the sharing of information they collect with third parties.
You can reject marketing cookies by pressing "Deny Optional," but we still use essential, performance, and functional cookies.
In addition, whether you "Accept All," Deny Optional," click the X or otherwise continue to use the site, you accept our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, revised from time to time.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
LiveWire's growth faces hurdles from delayed EV adoption and limited charging infrastructure.
HDFS is pressured by rising rates, credit stress, and reduced dealer inventory-driven balances.
Harley-Davidson (HOG - Free Report) , one of the leading motorcycle makers in the world, has three reportable segments: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (HDMC), Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS) and LiveWire. The motorcycle maker is dealing with heightened uncertainty around tariffs and trade policies. Slower EV adoption and rising interest rates are also acting as headwinds.
Let’s see why you should consider offloading this Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) stock from your portfolio.
Expected Decline in Wholesale Shipments & High Debt Ail HOG
Harley-Davidson is facing heightened uncertainty due to shifting tariffs and trade policies, prompting the company to withhold its 2025 guidance for HDMC, which is likely to weigh on investor confidence. In addition, wholesale shipments are expected to decline as dealers maintain tighter inventory levels. With dealer inventories now better aligned to demand, there's less need for restocking at prior rates, reducing wholesale unit demand and pressuring top-line volumes.
Despite narrowing losses at LiveWire, Harley-Davidson faces a tougher landscape in the broader EV space. The power sports and discretionary leisure segments are seeing delayed electric adoption, driven by a lack of consumer incentives, a less supportive regulatory environment, and slower rollout of charging infrastructure. These factors suggest that EV market penetration may take significantly longer than initially projected, posing ongoing challenges for LiveWire’s growth trajectory.
HDFS is under pressure from several fronts. Rising interest rates have increased borrowing costs as the company refinances its portfolio in a higher-rate environment. At the same time, lower dealer inventory levels are expected to reduce commercial balances. Additionally, softer retail activity, driven by lower loan originations in recent years, and growing credit stress among lower-tier consumers could further weigh on the segment’s performance.
Harley-Davidson’s elevated debt levels remain a key concern. As of June 30, 2025, the company’s total debt-to-capital ratio was pegged at approximately 0.70, well above the industry average of 0.62. This high leverage, both in absolute and relative terms, constrains HOG’s financial flexibility and its ability to pursue growth initiatives. With ongoing capital requirements tied to product development and capacity expansion, the company’s already strained balance sheet may face additional pressure.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RACE’s 2025 sales and earnings indicates year-over-year growth of 13.48% and 12.1%, respectively. EPS estimates for 2025 have improved 5 cents in the past 30 days. EPS estimates for 2026 have improved 6 cents in past seven days.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PHIN’s 2025 sales and earnings implies year-over-year growth of 0.58% and 13.99%, respectively. EPS estimates for 2025 and 2026 have improved by 23 cents and 19 cents, respectively, in the past 30 days.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MOD’s fiscal 2026 sales and earnings indicates year-over-year growth of 11.31% and 14.32%, respectively. EPS estimates for fiscal 2026 and 2027 have improved 11 cents and 45 cents, respectively, in the past seven days.
See More Zacks Research for These Tickers
Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:
Image: Bigstock
Here's Why You Should Offload Harley-Davidson From Your Portfolio
Key Takeaways
Harley-Davidson (HOG - Free Report) , one of the leading motorcycle makers in the world, has three reportable segments: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (HDMC), Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS) and LiveWire. The motorcycle maker is dealing with heightened uncertainty around tariffs and trade policies. Slower EV adoption and rising interest rates are also acting as headwinds.
Let’s see why you should consider offloading this Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) stock from your portfolio.
Expected Decline in Wholesale Shipments & High Debt Ail HOG
Harley-Davidson is facing heightened uncertainty due to shifting tariffs and trade policies, prompting the company to withhold its 2025 guidance for HDMC, which is likely to weigh on investor confidence. In addition, wholesale shipments are expected to decline as dealers maintain tighter inventory levels. With dealer inventories now better aligned to demand, there's less need for restocking at prior rates, reducing wholesale unit demand and pressuring top-line volumes.
Despite narrowing losses at LiveWire, Harley-Davidson faces a tougher landscape in the broader EV space. The power sports and discretionary leisure segments are seeing delayed electric adoption, driven by a lack of consumer incentives, a less supportive regulatory environment, and slower rollout of charging infrastructure. These factors suggest that EV market penetration may take significantly longer than initially projected, posing ongoing challenges for LiveWire’s growth trajectory.
HDFS is under pressure from several fronts. Rising interest rates have increased borrowing costs as the company refinances its portfolio in a higher-rate environment. At the same time, lower dealer inventory levels are expected to reduce commercial balances. Additionally, softer retail activity, driven by lower loan originations in recent years, and growing credit stress among lower-tier consumers could further weigh on the segment’s performance.
Harley-Davidson’s elevated debt levels remain a key concern. As of June 30, 2025, the company’s total debt-to-capital ratio was pegged at approximately 0.70, well above the industry average of 0.62. This high leverage, both in absolute and relative terms, constrains HOG’s financial flexibility and its ability to pursue growth initiatives. With ongoing capital requirements tied to product development and capacity expansion, the company’s already strained balance sheet may face additional pressure.
Stocks to Consider
Some better-ranked stocks in the auto space are Ferrari N.V. (RACE - Free Report) , PHINIA Inc. (PHIN - Free Report) and Modine Manufacturing Company (MOD - Free Report) , each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RACE’s 2025 sales and earnings indicates year-over-year growth of 13.48% and 12.1%, respectively. EPS estimates for 2025 have improved 5 cents in the past 30 days. EPS estimates for 2026 have improved 6 cents in past seven days.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PHIN’s 2025 sales and earnings implies year-over-year growth of 0.58% and 13.99%, respectively. EPS estimates for 2025 and 2026 have improved by 23 cents and 19 cents, respectively, in the past 30 days.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MOD’s fiscal 2026 sales and earnings indicates year-over-year growth of 11.31% and 14.32%, respectively. EPS estimates for fiscal 2026 and 2027 have improved 11 cents and 45 cents, respectively, in the past seven days.