Harley-Davidson Sales Finally Hit Paydirt Again

Harley-Davidson (NYSE: HOG) finally turned in a good quarterly earnings report Monday as first-quarter U.S. motorcycle sales jumped to their highest level in four years and earnings per share nearly quadrupled. The gains follow a change in when the bike maker introduces its new models, from late summer to early in the calendar year, to coincide with when bike riders are most interested in buying, and suggests the "Rewire" roadmap CEO Jochen Zeitz has laid out for turning the company around is gaining traction. Revenue of $1.4 billion in the first quarter was up 10% year over year as motorcycle segment revenue rose 12% from 2020 on the back of strong demand for Harley's touring bikes.