41 last year and $3.14 in 2005 or a full $1.00 less of EPS over the past two years. Without dealer build, HOG would have reported net income without inventory build of $891 MM in 2006 and $838 MM in 2005 versus $889 MM in the base year 2004 placing the current P/E of the firm at an estimated 18x versus the current 15.6x. " (Seeking Alpha, 2007) Accounts Receivable Trends Over Past Four Years

Source: Seeking Alpha (2007)

The Seeking Alpha analysis states that investigation of Harley-Davidson makes it "readily apparent there was a high correlation between deliveries of new cycles and the company's EPS. By controlling for the 15% of share buyback Harley has engaged in since q1 2004, a robust EPS model was built that uses deliveries, shares outstanding, and seasonality to determine the company's EPS from 2002 forward." (Seeking Alpha, 2007) the model reportedly tested "extremely well" in the prediction of future EPS when the current year is unknown results in an average miss of -.001 cents which is a standard deviation of.039 cents, a mean average percentage error (MAPE) of 5%, and an R2 equal to 94%." (Seeking Alpha, 2007) the analysis states conclusions that this analysis shows that HOG did as many companies do in their aspiration to beat the market and near-term estimates however it appears that HOG managed this through "using its dealer network as an unwitting accomplice, allowing it to increase EPS and hoodwink $7.50/share from shareholders based on the current 15 P/E multiple." (Seeking Alpha, 2007) However, Reese Fund analysts forecast that HOG is likely to be "forced to rob today's shareholder in order to pay for yesterday's. Given that net income without dealer build would have been flat for 2004 versus 2006, the apparent slowing in retail sales, and the impending Q1 earnings miss, we assign a sell to HOG stock and a near-term price target of $50 a share." (Seeking Alpha, 2007)

III. Key Developments

Key developments reported for Harley-Davidson include a Reuters news report that "Harley-Davidson Inc.'s Board approved a new share repurchase program for up to 20 million share's of the company's common stock with no dollar limit or expiration date. It is reported that HOG's price was down 0.85% after the transaction was announced on December 11, 2007.

The fourth quarter of 2007 met with an announcement of Harley's Davidson's Board of Directors approval of a $0.30 per share cash dividend payable to the holder of record of the Company's common stock on December 21, 2007. Additionally stated is the announcement of Harley-Davidson that a modest decline in revenue is expected with a lower operating margin and diluted earnings per share to decrease 4% to 6% compared to fiscal 2007. The report additionally states:

The Company reported EPS of $3.92 on revenue of $5.75 billion in fiscal 2006. For fiscal 2008, the Company anticipates that the U.S. retail motorcycle environment will continue to be challenging and expects moderate revenue growth, lower operating margin and diluted EPS to grow between 4% and 7% compared to fiscal 2007. According to Reuters Estimates, analysts are expecting the Company to report EPS of $3.73 on revenue of $5.68 billion for fiscal 2007 and EPS of $3.87 on revenue of $5.75 billion for fiscal 2008." (Reuters: Key Developments, 2007)

Finally, it is reported by Reuters News that Harley-Davidson communicates and expectation of rise in earnings from approximately 4% to 7% in 2008 with analysts stating an expectation for an EPS of $4.05 for fiscal 2007 and $4.45 for fiscal 2008. The following figure is an industry income statement analysis for Harley-Davidson as of December 30, 2007.

Income Statement Analysis for HOG (December 30, 2007)

Totals HOG Industry Range

Total Revenue 6.2B -48.8K

13.3B

Gross Profit 2.4B -52.1K

3.5B

Operating Income 1.6B -33.2M

1.6B

Net Income 1.0B Not meaningful

Source: Business Week (2007)

The annual income statement for the Harley-Davidson Company for the years 2003 through 2006 are shown in the following figure. In this figure, one notes that revenues experienced quite a rise from December 31, 2003 until the same day the following year and kept increasing steadily in 2005 and 2006. Due to over-delivery of stock, the operating income shows growth as do Selling General & Administration expenses and the Costs of Good Sold.

Harley-Davidson, Inc.

Annual Income Statement

Currency in Millions of U.S. Dollars as of: Dec 31

Restated Dec 31

Restated

Dec 31

Revenues

TOTAL REVENUES

Cost of Goods Sold

GROSS PROFIT

Selling General & Admin Expenses, Total

OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES, TOTAL

OPERATING INCOME

Interest and Investment Income

NET INTEREST EXPENSE

Other Non-Operating Income (Expenses)

EBT, EXCLUDING UNUSUAL ITEMS

EBT, INCLUDING UNUSUAL ITEMS

Income Tax Expense

Earnings from Continuing Operations

NET INCOME

NET INCOME to COMMON INCLUDING EXTRA ITEMS

NET INCOME to COMMON EXCLUDING EXTRA ITEMS

Business Week reports Harley-Davidson Inc.'s 'Ratio Data TTM as of: 09-30-20-07 to be as follows for profitability; margin analysis; asset turnover, credit rations, long-term solvency; and growth over prior year.

Harley-Davidson, Inc.

Ratio Data TTM as of: 09-30-2007)

PROFITABILITY

Return on Assets

Industry Comparison

Return on Equity

Industry Comparison

Return on Capital

Industry Comparison

MARGIN ANALYSIS

Gross Margin

Industry Comparison

Levered Free Cash Flow Margin

Industry Comparison

However, over the last 3 months, insiders have purchased a net 1.46 4K shares in "stark contrast to the 2-year quarterly average where insiders are net sellers and provides some indication that insiders are more bullish about HOG's prospects for the next 6-12 months. The Activity overview for this period of time is shown in the following chart.
Insider's Transactions - Activity Overview

Purchased

Sold

114.2K Shares

0.0 Shares

0.05% of Exec Shares

0.00% of Exec Shares (Business Week:, 2007)

The Harley-Davidson company reported its 2007 third quarter results ending September 30, 2007 and stated that revenue for the third quarter was $1.54 billion compared to $1.64 billion in the year ago quarter, at a 5.8$ decrease with net income for the quarter being stated at $265.0 million as compared to $312.7 million which was a 15.3% percent decrease as compared to the third quarter of 2006. Earnings per share (EPS) were also down by 10.8% as compared to those in the same quarter of 2006. The company's Chief Executive Officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc. stated: "Harley-Davidson's third quarter financial results are disappointing, but no unexpected. In early September, we announced that we would reduce planned motorcycle shipments for the rest of 2007, and our results are consistent with the Company's revised guidance." (2007) the company states that it has expectations to ship somewhere in the range of 328,000 and 332,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles in 2007 as compared to shipments in 2006 of 349,196 units shipped in 2006. It is also related that a "modest decline in revenue and lower operating margin in 2007" is anticipated. There is a predicted decrease in diluted earnings per share by 4% to 6% to expect for investors in 2008. The Harley-Davidson company predicts "...the U.S. retail motorcycle environment will continue to be challenging. It expects moderate revenue growth, lower operating margin and diluted earnings per share to grow between 4 and 7% compared to 2007." (Harley-Davidson, Inc. 2007)

Harley's Jim Ziemer further relates in this publication that for the long-term he is "optimistic and confident about our future...Harley-Davidson has a strong business model and we will continue to manage the Company in a manner that strengthens our brand and contributes to lasting success for all our stakeholders." (Harley-Davidson, Inc. 2007)

Motorcycles and Related Products Segment for Third Quarter of 2007

Third Quarter worldwide retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles are reported to have been down 0.2% compared to 2006 3rd quarter ($1.18 million at a 8.6% decrease) while worldwide sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles experienced a 2.5% decrease for the third quarter of 2007 and the heavyweight motorcycle market in the United States decreased by 4.4% for the same period of 2007 as compared to the same quarter in 2006.

Harley-Davidson, Inc. (Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income)

In thousands except per share amounts

Source: Harley-Davidson, Inc. (2007)

Net Revenue and Motorcycle Shipment Data

Source: Harley-Davidson, Inc. (2007)

Retails Sales of Harley-Davidson Motorcycles

Year to Date September

Source: Harley-Davidson, Inc. (2007)

The Harley-Davidson report relates that there were some issues with the production start-up on the 2009 touring motorcycle and that in addition they have decided to "invest more time in the production startup for the new 2009 Rocker motorcycle line and are now planning to begin shipments to dealers in January. But we believe the additional time we are putting into start-up will pay off in terms of ultimate customer satisfaction." (2007) the company states that they started a major transformation of the North America sales organization focused toward improvement of the focus on greater support to dealers which will drive retail excellence. Those organizational changes are stated to be "virtually completed at this time"…