updated 31 minutes ago Harley-Davidson 2Q profit jumps on bike demand

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43808329/ns/business-personal_finance/

Harley-Davidson 2Q profit jumps on bike demand
By BREE FOWLER
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — Americans are buying Harleys again after four years of shunning the pricey motorcycles.

Harley-Davidson reported an increase in U.S. sales for the second quarter, marking what could be a turning point for the iconic bike maker, as well as overall consumer spending habits.

And the Milwaukee-based company is betting that the sales will keep growing. It boosted its shipment forecast for 2011, sending its shares up $3.89, or 9.4 percent, to $45.30 in premarket trading.
U.S. retail sales of new motorcycles grew 7.5 percent to 53,599 bikes, marking the company's first domestic sales increase since the fourth quarter of 2006. Overseas, sales rose just 2.4 percent to 29,797 bikes.

The sales mark a big change from just two years ago when Harley was shuttering plants and cutting thousands of jobs as it tried to ride out one of the toughest economic slumps in its history.

They also helped the company's profit. Harley-Davidson Inc. earned $190.6 million, or 81 cents per share, more than double the $71.2 million, or 30 cents per share, it earned in the same quarter last year.

Motorcycle and related product revenue rose 18 percent to $1.34 billion.

Currently trading at 45.41...

Up to 45.65

http://www.tradershuddle.com/201107...pdate-gapping-stocks-cat-ge-nflx-hog-cmg.html

Harley Davidson (NYSE:HOG) continue in focus, after the motorcycle giant reported strong earnings results, and in particular showing a annual raise of bike sales for the first time in close to five years. Although, some of the initial enthusiasm was met with profit taking fading some of the gains, is clear that investors got excited with Harley Davidson results that pass through expectations. Harley Davidson strong sales boosted the company’s second-quarter profit nearly 40% from a year earlier to $190.6 million, or 81 cents per share, as overall revenue of $1.34 billion.




Need it to get to 46.33. ....

Up to 45.92

http://www.marketintelligencecenter.com/analyfav/1288965

Harley Davidson (HOG) Showing Bullish Technicals With 1.11% Dividend Yield
Posted: Friday, July 22, 2011 8:13 AM EDT
Harley Davidson (NYSE:HOG) closed Thursday's winning trading session at $45.66. In the past year, the stock has hit a 52-week low of $23.66 and 52-week high of $46.88. Harley Davidson (HOG) stock has been showing support around $44.67 and resistance in the $46.49 range. Technical indicators for the stock are Bullish and S&P gives Harley Davidson (HOG) a neutral 3 STARS (out of 5) hold rating. For a hedged play on Harley Davidson (HOG), look at the Sep '11 $45.00 covered call for a net debit in the $43.25 area. That is also the break-even stock price for this trade. This covered call has a duration of 57 days, provides 5.28% downside protection and an assigned return rate of 4.05% for an annualized return rate of 25.91% (for comparison purposes only). A lower-cost hedged play for Harley Davidson (HOG) would use a longer term call option in place of the covered call stock purchase. To use this strategy look at going long the Harley Davidson (HOG) Jan '13 $17.50 call and selling the Sep '11 $45.00 call for a total debit of $25.89. The trade has a lifespan of 57 days and would provide 4.97% downside protection and an assigned return rate of 6.22% for an annualized return rate of 40% (for comparison purposes only). Harley Davidson (HOG) has a current annual dividend yield of 1.11%. [ABR-Seven Summits Research]

People like quality, if they got the money, they will buy quality, HD bikes are head and shoulders better than any other bike, domestic or otherwise.