Harley-Davidson's third quarter 2026 U.S. retail sales surged 9% despite earnings miss

Harley-Davidson reported third quarter 2026 results featuring a revenue beat at $1.08 billion, though diluted earnings per share of $0.40 fell short of the $0.47 analyst consensus. The company demonstrated significant progress in its "Back to the Bricks" strategy, marked by strong domestic retail demand and successful inventory rationalization, though LiveWire results remain a headwind.

Key Highlights

• North American retail sales increased 9% YoY, accelerating from 3% in the previous quarter and marking the fourth consecutive quarter of domestic growth.
• Global dealer inventory was reduced by 26% YoY, improving dealer health and alignment between wholesale shipments and consumer demand.
• The company raised full-year guidance midpoints for both HDMC and HDFS, while the LiveWire electric segment withdrew its guidance entirely due to performance uncertainty.