•First quarter sales were $2,180 million, up 22 percent compared to last year.
•First quarter reported diluted earnings per share from continuing operations was $1.95, up 61 percent versus last year; adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations was $2.05, up 55 percent versus last year.
•Primary sales drivers in the quarter were favorable ship volumes, product mix and net pricing partially offset by higher finance interest.
•Market share gains across all segments.
•Retail sales for the quarter were down five percent versus last year and up 14 percent versus 2019; strong performance in Snow, as well as sustained demand in utility Off Road and Indian Motorcycle, more than offset softness in recreational Off Road.
KEY FINANCIAL DATA
(in millions, except per share data)
Quarter ending March 31, 2023
Reported
YOY % Chg.
Adjusted*
YOY % Chg.
Sales
$
2,179.7
22%
$
2,179.7
22%
Gross profit margin
21.5
%
+172 bps
21.5
%
+170 bps
Total operating expenses
$
324.9
23%
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Polaris
$
113.4
53%
$
119.0
47%
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Polaris margin
5.2
%
+105 bps
Adjusted EBITDA Margin
10.9
%
+172 bps
Diluted EPS from continuing operations attributable to Polaris
$
1.95
61%
$
2.05
55%
*Note: the results and guidance in this release, including the highlights above, include references to non-GAAP operating measures, which are identified by the word “adjusted” preceding the measure. A reconciliation of GAAP / non-GAAP measures can be found at the end of this release.
CEO COMMENTARY
We started the year off strong delivering on our sales, margin and EPS expectations, as well as share gains across the portfolio. In January, we promised 2023 would bring industry-leading vehicle news, and with the recent launch of our fully redesigned RZR XP and production underway of our all-electric RANGER XP Kinetic, we are just getting started on that commitment and believe we will continue this momentum throughout the year. While retail remains mixed, we are seeing good signs within the business as we enter the spring selling season. We remain agile and confident in our ability to execute against our plans, drive profitable growth and bring compelling offerings to dealers and customers in 2023.
-- Mike Speetzen, Chief Executive Officer of Polaris Inc.
PERFORMANCE SUMMARY (Reported)
MINNEAPOLIS (April 25, 2023) - Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) (the "Company") today released first quarter 2023 results. The Company reported worldwide sales of $2,180 million, up 22 percent versus the first quarter of 2022. North America sales of $1,842 million represented 85 percent of total company sales and increased 24 percent from $1,491 million in 2022. International sales of $338 million represented 15 percent of total company sales and increased 16 percent versus the first quarter of 2022. Sales growth in the first quarter of 2023 was driven by sustained shipment momentum supported by continued improvement in the supply chain supporting share gains in Off Road and On Road, as well as favorable net pricing and product mix.
As reported, first quarter net income from continuing operations attributable to Polaris of $113 million increased 53 percent and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations ("EPS") of $1.95 increased 61 percent compared to the first quarter of 2022. Adjusted net income from continuing operations attributable to Polaris for the quarter was $119 million, up 47 percent and adjusted EPS was $2.05, up 55 percent, in each case as compared to the first quarter of 2022.
Gross profit margin increased 172 basis points to 21.5 percent for the first quarter. Adjusted gross profit margin of 21.5 percent increased 170 basis points driven by favorable net pricing and better product mix partially offset by higher finance interest.
Operating expenses were $325 million in the first quarter of 2023 compared to $264 million in the first quarter of 2022 due to higher marketing, general and administrative expenses. Operating expenses, as a percentage of sales, of 14.9 percent were up slightly in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the first quarter of 2022.
SEGMENT HIGHLIGHTS (Reported)
Sales (in millions)
Gross Profit Margin
Q1 2023
Q1 2022
Change
Q1 2023
Q1 2022
Change
Off Road
$
1,591.8
$
1,342.1
19
%
20.8
%
19.3
%
+155 bps
On Road
$
323.5
$
227.9
42
%
21.4
%
18.1
%
+331 bps
Marine
$
264.4
$
211.5
25
%
23.3
%
22.0
%
+129 bps
Off Road segment results were primarily driven by these factors:
•Sales were driven by higher volume and favorable net pricing partially offset by higher finance interest.
•Parts, Garments and Accessories (PG&A) sales were flat.
•Gross profit margin performance was driven by favorable net pricing and lower cost premiums, more than offsetting higher finance interest.
•Snow season-end retail was up low-single digits percent versus the industry estimate of down low-single digits percent.
•Polaris North America ORV unit retail sales were down 10 percent. Estimated North America industry ORV unit retail sales were down low-double digits percent.
On Road segment results were primarily driven by these factors:
•Sales were bolstered by better product availability given an improving supply chain environment, as well as favorable product mix, partially offset by lower net pricing and higher finance interest.
•PG&A sales increased 19 percent.
•Gross profit margin performance was driven by favorable product mix and higher volumes.
•North America unit retail sales for Indian Motorcycle were flat. North America unit retail sales for the comparable motorcycle industry were down low-double digits percent.
Marine segment results were primarily driven by these factors:
•Sales results were driven by favorable net pricing and product mix, as well as healthier inventory levels heading into prime selling season.
•Gross profit margin performance was largely driven by favorable product mix and net pricing.
2023 BUSINESS OUTLOOK
The Company continues to expect 2023 sales to be flat to up five percent versus 2022. The Company continues to expect adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations attributed to Polaris Inc. common shareholders to be down three percent to up three percent versus 2022.
The Company has not provided reconciliations of guidance for adjusted diluted net income per share, in reliance on the unreasonable efforts exception provided under Item 10(e)(1)(i)(B) of Regulation S-K. The Company is unable, without unreasonable efforts, to forecast certain items required to develop meaningful comparable GAAP financial measures. These items include restructuring and realignment costs and acquisition integration costs that are difficult to predict in advance in order to include in a GAAP estimate.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
This press release and our related earnings call contain certain non-GAAP financial measures, consisting of “adjusted" sales, gross profit, income before taxes, net income from continuing operations attributed to Polaris Inc. common shareholders, EBITDA, net income per diluted share from continuing operations attributed to Polaris Inc. common shareholders and free cash flow as measures of our operating performance. Management believes these measures may be useful in performing meaningful comparisons of past and present operating results, to understand the performance of its ongoing operations and how management views the business. Reconciliations of reported GAAP historic measures to adjusted non-GAAP measures are included in the financial schedules contained in this press release. These measures, however, should not be construed as an alternative to any other measure of performance determined in accordance with GAAP.
EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST
Today at 9:00 AM (CT) Polaris Inc. will host a conference call and webcast to discuss the 2023 first quarter results released this morning. The call will be hosted by Mike Speetzen, Chief Executive Officer; and Bob Mack, Chief Financial Officer. The earnings presentation and link to the webcast will be posted on the Polaris Investor Relations website at ir.polaris.com. To listen to the conference call by phone, dial 1-877-883-0383 in the U.S., or 1-412-902-6506 internationally. The Conference ID is 0759027. A replay of the conference call will be available by accessing the same link on our website.
ABOUT POLARIS
As the global leader in powersports, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) pioneers product breakthroughs and enriching experiences and services that have invited people to discover the joy of being outdoors since our founding in 1954. Polaris’ high-quality product line-up includes the Polaris RANGER®, RZR® and Polaris GENERAL™ side-by-side off-road vehicles; Sportsman® all-terrain off-road vehicles; military and commercial off-road vehicles; snowmobiles; Indian Motorcycle® mid-size and heavyweight motorcycles; Slingshot® moto-roadsters; Aixam quadricycles; Goupil electric vehicles; and pontoon and deck boats, including industry-leading Bennington pontoons. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a robust portfolio of parts, garments, and accessories. Proudly headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves more than 100 countries across the globe. www.polaris.com
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include such factors as the Company’s ability to successfully source necessary parts and materials on a timely basis; the ability of the Company to manufacture and deliver products to dealers to meet demand; the Company’s ability to identify and meet optimal dealer inventory levels; the Company’s ability to accurately forecast and sustain consumer demand; the Company’s ability to mitigate increasing input costs through pricing or other measures; the Company’s ability to successfully implement its manufacturing operations strategy and supply chain initiatives; product offerings, promotional activities and pricing strategies by competitors that make our products less attractive to consumers; the Company’s ability to strategically invest in innovation and new products, including as compared to our competitors; economic conditions that impact consumer spending, including recessionary conditions; the severity and duration of the pandemic and the resulting impact on the Company’s business, supply chain, and the global economy; disruptions in manufacturing facilities; product recalls and/or warranty expenses; product rework costs; impact of changes in Polaris stock price on incentive compensation plan costs; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; environmental and product safety regulatory activity; effects of weather; commodity costs; freight and tariff costs (tariff relief or ability to mitigate tariffs); changes to international trade policies and agreements; uninsured product liability and class action claims and other litigation expenses incurred due to the nature of the Company’s business; uncertainty in the consumer retail and wholesale credit markets; performance of affiliate partners; changes in tax policy; relationships with dealers and suppliers; and the general overall global economic, social and political environment. Investors are also directed to consider other risks and uncertainties discussed in documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake any duty to any person to provide updates to its forward-looking statements.
The data source for retail sales figures included in this release is registration information provided by Polaris dealers in North America and Europe compiled by the Company or Company estimates and other industry data sources. The Company relies on information that its dealers or other third parties supply concerning retail sales, and other retail sales data sources related to Polaris and the powersports industry, and this information is subject to revision. Retail sales references to total Company retail sales includes only ORV, snowmobiles and motorcycles in North America unless otherwise noted.
First Quarter 2023 Results & 2023 Full Year Guidance
Restructuring and Realignment Costs
Polaris announced in 2017 that it was making changes to its network to consolidate production and distribution of like products and better leverage plant capacity and embarked on a multi-phase supply chain transformation initiative to continue to leverage its supply chain as a strategic asset. The Company is also executing certain corporate restructuring activities across the organization to increase efficiency and focus its business including divesting of the GEM, Taylor-Dunn and Transamerican Auto Parts businesses. For the first quarter of 2023, the Company has recorded combined costs totaling $0.7 million which was included as a non-GAAP adjustment.
Intangible Amortization Related to Acquisitions
The Company uses an adjusted net income metric which excludes intangible amortization from all historical business acquisitions. The Company believes this non-GAAP information is useful to understanding its operating results and the ongoing performance of its underlying businesses because the amount and timing of such charges are significantly impacted by the timing, size, number and nature of the acquisitions the Company completes. For the first quarter of 2023, Polaris recorded $4.4 million of intangible amortization related to acquisitions as a non-GAAP adjustment.
2023 Adjusted Guidance
2023 adjusted guidance excludes the pre-tax effect of supply chain transformation, restructuring and network realignment costs of approximately $5 million, and approximately $10 million for class action litigation-related expenses. Intangible amortization of approximately $20 million related to all acquisitions has also been excluded.
