Harley-Davidson reported third-quarter 2026 results and raised its full-year guidance for both its motorcycle business and its financial-services unit for the second time this year. The company also added two independent directors, expanding its board from eight members to ten.
The announcement cites stronger North American motorcycle retail sales in the quarter, but the available text does not include revenue, earnings or the updated guidance ranges.
Key details
- North American retail sales improved: Sales of new motorcycles to retail customers rose 9% year over year in the third quarter, compared with 3% growth in the prior quarter. Harley-Davidson said it was the fourth consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth.
- Full-year guidance increased: Harley-Davidson raised its outlook for Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services, citing strong execution in the third quarter. The revised targets are not included in the available announcement text.
- The board added two directors: Anthony Fassino, a recently retired Caterpillar executive, and Bryan Slone, a former Deloitte managing partner and former Nebraska Chamber of Commerce CEO, joined the board effective Oct. 28. Their terms run through the 2027 annual shareholder meeting.
- The new directors bring different areas of experience: Fassino led Caterpillar’s roughly $25 billion construction business and has experience in global operations, manufacturing, capital investment and supply chains. Slone has worked in tax, law, business and public policy, and has audit committee chair experience on several company boards.
- Board committee assignments are pending: Neither director had been assigned to a board committee at the time of the announcement.
- Director compensation: Each will receive a prorated portion of the $110,000 annual retainer for non-employee directors, with at least half paid in company shares or share units. Each will also receive an annual share-unit award valued at $145,000, following the first board meeting attended.
Plain-English implications
The guidance increase signals a more favorable full-year outlook for both the motorcycle and financial-services businesses, though the announcement text does not provide enough detail to quantify the change. The board expansion adds experience in industrial operations and audit oversight; the two directors’ specific governance responsibilities will depend on committee assignments.