Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE:HOG) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Hold” by Brokerages

Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE:HOG) has earned an average rating of “Hold” from the ten ratings firms that are covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, four have assigned a hold recommendation, two have given a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $24.2222.

Several analysts have commented on the company. UBS Group lifted their price target on Harley-Davidson from $19.00 to $26.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Monday, May 11th. Argus upgraded Harley-Davidson to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. DA Davidson lowered their price target on Harley-Davidson from $30.00 to $25.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on Harley-Davidson from $12.00 to $15.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, May 19th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on Harley-Davidson from $15.00 to $19.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 6th.

Harley-Davidson Stock Up 2.5%

HOG opened at $25.53 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 1.91 and a quick ratio of 1.66. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 15.12 and a beta of 1.26. The business has a 50-day moving average of $23.47 and a two-hundred day moving average of $21.56. Harley-Davidson has a 12 month low of $17.09 and a 12 month high of $31.25.

Harley-Davidson (NYSE:HOG) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 5th. The company reported $0.22 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.34 by ($0.12). The business had revenue of $1.17 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.01 billion. Harley-Davidson had a net margin of 5.68% and a return on equity of 7.03%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was down 11.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.07 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Harley-Davidson will post 0.39 earnings per share for the current year.

Harley-Davidson Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 25th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 8th will be issued a dividend of $0.1875 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 8th. This represents a $0.75 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.9%. Harley-Davidson’s payout ratio is presently 42.61%.

Insider Transactions at Harley-Davidson

In other news, CFO Jonathan R. Root sold 1,554 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $24.21, for a total transaction of $37,622.34. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 32,508 shares in the company, valued at approximately $787,018.68. The trade was a 4.56% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, insider Paul J. Krause sold 1,564 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $26.00, for a total value of $40,664.00. Following the sale, the insider owned 30,012 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $780,312. The trade was a 4.95% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. 0.97% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Harley-Davidson

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Harley-Davidson by 139.0% during the 3rd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 944 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 549 shares during the period. Pinnacle Holdings LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Harley-Davidson during the 4th quarter worth about $30,000. Fifth Third Bancorp grew its holdings in shares of Harley-Davidson by 48.9% during the 4th quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 1,764 shares of the company’s stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 579 shares during the period. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Harley-Davidson by 153.8% during the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 2,109 shares of the company’s stock worth $53,000 after purchasing an additional 1,278 shares during the period. Finally, Bessemer Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Harley-Davidson by 1,758.9% during the 1st quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 2,937 shares of the company’s stock worth $59,000 after purchasing an additional 2,779 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 85.10% of the company’s stock.

Harley-Davidson Company Profile

Harley-Davidson, Inc is a renowned American motorcycle manufacturer best known for its heavyweight cruiser and touring bikes. Founded in 1903 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the company has built a strong reputation for producing distinctive motorcycles characterized by their signature V-twin engines, chrome finishes and robust frames. Harley-Davidson markets its products globally through a network of franchised dealerships and focuses on delivering an immersive brand experience to its customers, emphasizing lifestyle and community alongside its motorcycles.

In addition to its core motorcycle business, Harley-Davidson offers an extensive range of parts, accessories and apparel under its Genuine Motor Parts & Accessories and MotorClothes lines.