Polaris Inc. (PII)
SIC breadcrumb: Manufacturing > Transportation Equipment > SIC 3790 Miscellaneous Transportation Equipment
SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=931015. Latest filing source: 0001628280-26-008033.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Business
Read PII's verbatim Item 1 Business section from its latest 10-K: Business.
Risk Factors
Read PII's verbatim Item 1A Risk Factors from its latest 10-K: Risk Factors.
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 7,152,000,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-13 |
| Net income | -465,500,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-13 |
| Assets | 4,893,700,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-13 |
Financials
Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-02-13. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0000931015.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.
| Metric | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 4,516,629,000 | 5,428,477,000 | 6,078,500,000 | 6,782,500,000 | 6,281,400,000 | 7,439,200,000 | 8,589,000,000 | 8,934,400,000 | 7,175,400,000 | 7,152,000,000 |
| Net income | 212,948,000 | 172,492,000 | 335,300,000 | 324,000,000 | 124,800,000 | 493,900,000 | 447,100,000 | 502,800,000 | 110,800,000 | -465,500,000 |
| Operating income | 350,278,000 | 359,657,000 | 487,400,000 | 483,700,000 | 521,000,000 | 712,000,000 | 804,500,000 | 700,900,000 | 290,600,000 | -348,700,000 |
| Gross profit | 1,105,623,000 | 1,324,651,000 | 1,501,200,000 | 1,648,800,000 | 1,535,700,000 | 1,750,900,000 | 1,959,500,000 | 1,959,900,000 | 1,466,800,000 | 1,368,700,000 |
| Diluted EPS | 3.27 | 2.69 | 5.24 | 5.20 | 1.99 | 7.88 | 7.44 | 8.71 | 1.95 | -8.18 |
| Operating cash flow | 589,628,000 | 585,408,000 | 477,100,000 | 655,100,000 | 1,018,600,000 | 293,700,000 | 508,600,000 | 925,800,000 | 268,200,000 | 741,000,000 |
| Capital expenditures | 209,137,000 | 184,388,000 | 225,400,000 | 251,400,000 | 204,300,000 | 282,800,000 | 306,600,000 | 412,600,000 | 261,700,000 | 182,900,000 |
| Dividends paid | 140,336,000 | 145,423,000 | 149,000,000 | 149,100,000 | 152,500,000 | 153,400,000 | 150,000,000 | 147,300,000 | 147,700,000 | 150,300,000 |
| Share buybacks | 245,816,000 | 90,461,000 | 348,700,000 | 8,400,000 | 50,300,000 | 461,600,000 | 505,000,000 | 178,600,000 | 82,700,000 | 2,400,000 |
| Assets | 3,099,597,000 | 3,089,593,000 | 4,124,915,000 | 4,430,500,000 | 4,632,700,000 | 5,047,800,000 | 5,217,900,000 | 5,516,300,000 | 5,525,200,000 | 4,893,700,000 |
| Liabilities | 2,223,829,000 | 2,146,217,000 | 3,251,063,000 | 3,308,700,000 | 3,475,600,000 | 3,810,300,000 | 4,103,800,000 | 4,085,200,000 | 4,224,700,000 | 4,054,100,000 |
| Stockholders' equity | 867,040,000 | 931,700,000 | 867,000,000 | 1,108,200,000 | 1,144,800,000 | 1,224,300,000 | 1,099,000,000 | 1,418,400,000 | 1,289,900,000 | 828,400,000 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 127,325,000 | 138,345,000 | 161,200,000 | 157,100,000 | 631,700,000 | 502,300,000 | 324,500,000 | 367,800,000 | 287,800,000 | 138,000,000 |
| Free cash flow | 380,491,000 | 401,020,000 | 251,700,000 | 403,700,000 | 814,300,000 | 10,900,000 | 202,000,000 | 513,200,000 | 6,500,000 | 558,100,000 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | 4.71% | 3.18% | 5.52% | 4.78% | 1.99% | 6.64% | 5.21% | 5.63% | 1.54% | -6.51% |
| Operating margin | 7.76% | 6.63% | 8.02% | 7.13% | 8.29% | 9.57% | 9.37% | 7.84% | 4.05% | -4.88% |
| Return on equity | 24.56% | 18.51% | 38.67% | 29.24% | 10.90% | 40.34% | 40.68% | 35.45% | 8.59% | -56.19% |
| Return on assets | 6.87% | 5.58% | 8.13% | 7.31% | 2.69% | 9.78% | 8.57% | 9.11% | 2.01% | -9.51% |
| Liabilities / equity | 2.56 | 2.30 | 3.75 | 2.99 | 3.04 | 3.11 | 3.73 | 2.88 | 3.28 | 4.89 |
| Current ratio | 1.24 | 1.11 | 1.24 | 1.06 | 1.17 | 1.15 | 1.19 | 1.39 | 1.15 | 0.98 |
Financial Bridges
Income statement bridge from reported figures
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts FY 2025. Revenue: accession 0001628280-26-008033; concept RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax; source concepts us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax | Gross profit: accession 0001628280-26-008033; concept GrossProfit; source concepts us-gaap:GrossProfit | Operating income: accession 0001628280-26-008033; concept OperatingIncomeLoss; source concepts us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss | Net income: accession 0001628280-26-008033; concept NetIncomeLoss; source concepts us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss
Free cash flow = operating cash flow - capital expenditures
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts FY 2025. Operating cash flow: accession 0001628280-26-008033; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities | Capital expenditures: accession 0001628280-26-008033; concept PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment | Free cash flow: accession 0001628280-26-008033; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
Financial Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-008033; filed 2026-02-13. Concept: RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax. Source concepts: us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-008033; filed 2026-02-13. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-008033; filed 2026-02-13. Concept: OperatingIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-008033; filed 2026-02-13. Concept: GrossProfit. Source concepts: us-gaap:GrossProfit.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-008033; filed 2026-02-13. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-008033; filed 2026-02-13. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-008033; filed 2026-02-13. Concept: PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-008033; filed 2026-02-13. Concept: PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-008033; filed 2026-02-13. Concept: PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-008033; filed 2026-02-13. Concept: Assets. Source concepts: us-gaap:Assets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-008033; filed 2026-02-13. Concept: Liabilities. Source concepts: us-gaap:Liabilities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-008033; filed 2026-02-13. Concept: StockholdersEquity. Source concepts: us-gaap:StockholdersEquity.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-008033; filed 2026-02-13. Concept: CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue. Source concepts: us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-008033; filed 2026-02-13. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-04-28. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0000931015.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-Q2 | 2022-06-30 | -0.08 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2022-Q3 | 2022-09-30 | 3.10 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q1 | 2023-03-31 | 1.95 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-06-30 | 2,216,600,000 | 134,300,000 | 2.32 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-09-30 | 2,248,900,000 | 151,700,000 | 2.62 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q4 | 2023-12-31 | 2,289,200,000 | 103,400,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2024-Q1 | 2024-03-31 | 1,736,400,000 | 3,800,000 | 0.07 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-06-30 | 1,961,200,000 | 68,700,000 | 1.21 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-09-30 | 1,722,400,000 | 27,700,000 | 0.49 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q4 | 2024-12-31 | 1,755,400,000 | 10,600,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2025-Q1 | 2025-03-31 | 1,535,800,000 | -66,800,000 | -1.17 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-06-30 | 1,852,700,000 | -79,300,000 | -1.39 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-09-30 | 1,841,600,000 | -15,800,000 | -0.28 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q4 | 2025-12-31 | 1,921,900,000 | -303,600,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2026-Q1 | 2026-03-31 | 1,658,700,000 | -47,400,000 | -0.83 | reported discrete quarter |
Quarterly Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001628280-26-027854; filed 2026-04-28. Concept: RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax. Source concepts: us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001628280-26-027854; filed 2026-04-28. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001628280-26-027854; filed 2026-04-28. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Macro Cross-References
- CPIAUCSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average
- UNRATE - Unemployment Rate
- FEDFUNDS - Federal Funds Effective Rate
- CES0500000003 - Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Total Private
- DFEDTARU - Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit
- DFEDTARL - Federal Funds Target Range - Lower Limit
- DGS3MO - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 3-Month Constant Maturity
- DGS2 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 2-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS10 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS30 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 30-Year Constant Maturity
- T10Y2Y - 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity
- CPILFESL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy
- CPIUFDSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food
- CPIENGSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Energy
- CUSR0000SAH1 - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Shelter
- PCEPI - Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index
- PCEPILFE - Personal Consumption Expenditures Excluding Food and Energy: Chain-type Price Index
- PPIACO - Producer Price Index by Commodity: All Commodities
- T10YIE - 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate
- U6RATE - Total Unemployed, Plus All Marginally Attached Workers Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons
- PAYEMS - All Employees, Total Nonfarm
- CIVPART - Labor Force Participation Rate
- EMRATIO - Employment-Population Ratio
- UNEMPLOY - Unemployed
- CE16OV - Employment Level
- ICSA - Initial Claims
- JTSJOL - Job Openings: Total Nonfarm
- JTSQUR - Quits: Total Nonfarm
- GDPC1 - Real Gross Domestic Product
- A191RL1Q225SBEA - Real Gross Domestic Product: Percent Change from Preceding Period
- INDPRO - Industrial Production: Total Index
- TCU - Capacity Utilization: Total Index
- HOUST - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units
- PERMIT - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Authorized in Permit-Issuing Places: Total Units
- RSAFS - Advance Retail Sales: Retail Trade
- PCE - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- DSPIC96 - Real Disposable Personal Income
- PSAVERT - Personal Saving Rate
- M2SL - M2
- BOPGSTB - U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: Balance
- MSPUS - Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States
- HSN1F - New One Family Houses Sold: United States
- RHORUSQ156N - Homeownership Rate in the United States
- TTLCONS - Total Construction Spending: Total Construction in the United States
- RRVRUSQ156N - Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States
- TOTALSL - Total Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- REVOLSL - Revolving Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- DRCCLACBS - Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks
- GDP - Gross Domestic Product
- GPDI - Gross Private Domestic Investment
- GCE - Government Consumption Expenditures and Gross Investment
- PCEC - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- NETEXP - Net Exports of Goods and Services
- GFDEBTN - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt
- GFDEGDQ188S - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt as Percent of Gross Domestic Product
- FYFSD - Federal Surplus or Deficit
- FGRECPT - Federal Government Current Receipts
- FGEXPND - Federal Government: Current Expenditures
- MANEMP - All Employees, Manufacturing
- USCONS - All Employees, Construction
- USTRADE - All Employees, Retail Trade
- USFIRE - All Employees, Financial Activities
- USGOVT - All Employees, Government
- AWHAETP - Average Weekly Hours of All Employees, Total Private
- DGORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Durable Goods
- NEWORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Nondefense Capital Goods Excluding Aircraft
- BUSINV - Total Business Inventories
- EXPGS - Exports of Goods and Services
- IMPGS - Imports of Goods and Services
- IR - Import Price Index (End Use): All Commodities
- PPIFIS - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Final Demand
Latest quarter (10-Q)
Latest 10-Q source: 0001628280-26-050104.
Item 2 – MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion pertains to the results of operations and financial position of Polaris Inc., a Delaware corporation, for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2026 compared to the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2025. The terms “Polaris,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” as used herein refer to the business and operations of Polaris Inc., its subsidiaries and its predecessors, which began doing business in 1954. We design, engineer, manufacture and market powersports vehicles which include: off-road vehicles (“ORV”), including all-terrain vehicles (“ATV”) and side-by-side vehicles; military and commercial ORVs; snowmobiles; moto-roadsters; quadricycles; and boats. We also design and manufacture or source parts, garments and accessories (“PG&A”), which includes aftermarket accessories and apparel. Due to the seasonal trends for certain products and certain changes in production and shipping cycles, results of such periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the complete year. Unless otherwise noted, all “quarter” comparisons are from the second quarter of 2026 to the second quarter of 2025 and all “year-to-date” comparisons are from the six-month period ended June 30, 2026 to the six-month period ended June 30, 2025. Estimates related to industry retail sales are unaudited and based on internally-generated management estimates, including estimates based on extrapolations from third-party surveys of the industries in which we compete, and are subject to change.
Overview
Second quarter sales totaled $2,022.8 million, an increase of nine percent from last year’s second quarter sales of $1,852.7 million. The increase in sales for the quarter was primarily driven by increased shipments and higher net pricing, partially offset by reduced motorcycle shipments as a result of the Indian Motorcycle divestiture.
Our gross profit of $478.3 million increased 33 percent from $359.2 million in the comparable prior year second quarter. Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, increased primarily as a result of tariff refunds, favorable net price, and favorable product mix, partially offset by incremental tariff expense.
Net income attributable to Polaris was $106.4 million, or $1.82 per diluted share, compared to 2025 second quarter net loss attributable to Polaris of $79.3 million, or $1.39 net loss per diluted share. The improvement for the quarter was primarily driven by certain impairment charges recorded in the prior year comparable period that did not recur in 2026, tariff refunds, increased shipments and favorable net price, partially offset by incremental tariff expense. We reported second quarter adjusted EBITDA of $239.4 million, compared to 2025 second quarter adjusted EBITDA of $119.0 million. For information on how we define and calculate Adjusted EBITDA, and a reconciliation from net income (loss) to adjusted EBITDA, see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.
Global Economic Conditions
We continue to monitor macroeconomic trends and uncertainties and changes in international trade relations and trade policy, including those related to tariffs. The U.S. government has implemented a general tariff on all imports from countries not exempted under certain trade reciprocity criteria and elevated tariffs have been imposed on imports from major trading partners. Impacted countries have and may impose retaliatory tariffs, and such actions could give rise to an escalation of other trade measures by the countries subjected to such tariffs.
In November 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in a case challenging tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”), and in February 2026, the Court issued a ruling that IEEPA does not authorize the imposition of tariffs. The Court only ruled on IEEPA tariffs and did not invalidate any other tariffs. As a result of this ruling, the U.S. Court of International Trade issued an order directing U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) to formalize a process for refunds. On April 20, 2026, CBP launched an online portal (“CAPE”) that can be used to submit IEEPA tariff refund requests and began issuing refunds in May 2026. Although CAPE is now available for the majority of entries and refunds are being issued, CBP and the U.S. Department of Justice appealed the Court of International Trade’s order as applied to a subset of entries.
Since the Supreme Court’s ruling, the U.S. government has implemented various tariffs, invoking other statutory authorities. These actions continue to be challenged in court and could impact the manner in which tariff costs or potential refunds are calculated. Adverse rulings, or the replacement or implementation of new tariffs or trade restrictions, may have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, including our profitability. The tariff policy environment is rapidly evolving and there is no guarantee that additional or increased tariffs will not be imposed.
We currently procure components from countries subject to such tariffs. As a result of the current tariffs, we anticipate increased supply chain challenges, commodity cost volatility, economic uncertainty, and economic pressures on customers and consumers as a result of the challenges of high inflation combined with the effects of increased tariffs. To mitigate the impact of tariffs on our supply chain and manufacturing, we continue to evaluate sourcing alternatives, negotiate with
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suppliers, and work to increase the percentage of shipments qualified under favorable trade agreements. Incremental tariffs and changed trade policies had a notable impact on our financial results for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2026, and could continue to adversely impact our results in the future.
During the quarter ended June 30, 2026, we submitted claims for refunds of certain IEEPA tariffs previously paid on imports. Related to the claims submitted, we recognized a benefit of $73.9 million in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of income (loss) for the quarter and year-to-date period ended June 30, 2026.
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Consolidated Results of Operations
The consolidated results of operations were as follows:
| Three months ended June 30, | Six months ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions except percentages and share data) | 2026 | 2025 | Change 2026 vs. 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | Change 2026 vs. 2025 | |||||||||||||||
| Sales | $ | 2,022.8 | $ | 1,852.7 | 9 | % | $ | 3,681.5 | $ | 3,388.5 | 9 | % | |||||||||
| Cost of sales | 1,544.5 | 1,493.5 | 3 | % | 2,868.4 | 2,784.3 | 3 | % | |||||||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 478.3 | $ | 359.2 | 33 | % | $ | 813.1 | $ | 604.2 | 35 | % | |||||||||
| Percentage of sales | 23.6 | % | 19.4 | % | +426 bps | 22.1 | % | 17.8 | % | +425 bps | |||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling and marketing | $ | 112.3 | $ | 124.6 | (10) | % | $ | 225.9 | $ | 242.2 | (7) | % | |||||||||
| Research and development | 93.6 | 90.3 | 4 | % | 175.9 | 173.2 | 2 | % | |||||||||||||
| General and administrative | 142.9 | 127.4 | 12 | % | 305.4 | 230.1 | 33 | % | |||||||||||||
| Goodwill impairment | — | 52.6 | NM | — | 52.6 | NM | |||||||||||||||
| (Gain) loss on disposal groups | (2.5) | — | NM | 29.1 | — | NM | |||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | $ | 346.3 | $ | 394.9 | (12) | % | $ | 736.3 | $ | 698.1 | 5 | % | |||||||||
| Percentage of sales | 17.1 | % | 21.3 | % | -419 bps | 20.0 | % | 20.6 | % | -60 bps | |||||||||||
| Income from financial services | 16.8 | 22.8 | (26) | % | 32.9 | 44.9 | (27) | % | |||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | $ | 148.8 | $ | (12.9) | NM | $ | 109.7 | $ | (49.0) | NM | |||||||||||
| Non-operating expense: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 33.7 | 33.2 | 2 | % | 64.1 | 67.3 | (5) | % | |||||||||||||
| Other (income) expense, net | (18.3) | 46.5 | NM | (30.1) | 47.4 | NM | |||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | $ | 133.4 | $ | (92.6) | NM | $ | 75.7 | $ | (163.7) | NM | |||||||||||
| Provision (benefit) for income taxes | 26.8 | (13.5) | NM | 16.3 | (17.9) | NM | |||||||||||||||
| Effective income tax rate | 20.1 | % | 14.6 | % | NM | 21.6 | % | 10.9 | % | NM | |||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 106.6 | $ | (79.1) | NM | $ | 59.4 | $ | (145.8) | NM | |||||||||||
| Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest | (0.2) | (0.2) | — | % | (0.4) | (0.3) | 33 | % | |||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to Polaris Inc. | $ | 106.4 | $ | (79.3) | NM | $ | 59.0 | $ | (146.1) | NM | |||||||||||
| Percentage of sales | 5.3 | % | (4.3) | % | +954 bps | 1.6 | % | (4.3) | % | +591 bps | |||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 239.4 | $ | 119.0 | 101 | % | $ | 342.2 | $ | 171.7 | 99 | % | |||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA Margin | 11.8 | % | 6.4 | % | +540 bps | 9.3 | % | 5.1 | % | +422 bps | |||||||||||
| Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to Polaris Inc. shareholders | $ | 1.82 | $ | (1.39) | NM | $ | 1.01 | $ | (2.57) | NM | |||||||||||
| Weighted average diluted shares outstanding | 58.3 | 57.0 | 2 | % | 58.3 | 56.9 | 2 | % | |||||||||||||
| NM = not meaningful |
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Sales:
The increase in sales for the quarter and year-to-date period was primarily driven by increased shipments and higher net pricing, partially offset by reduced motorcycle shipments as a result of the Indian Motorcycle divestiture.
The components of the consolidated sales change were as follows:
| Percent change in total Company sales compared to corresponding period of the prior year | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Three months ended | Six months ended | ||||
| June 30, 2026 | June 30, 2026 | ||||
| Volume | 12 | % | 10 | % | |
| Product mix and price | 4 | 3 | |||
| Currency | 1 | 2 | |||
| Divestiture | (8) | (6) | |||
| 9 | % | 9 | % |
Sales by geographic region were as follows:
| Three months ended June 30, | Six months ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2026 | Percent of Total Sales | 2025 | Percent of Total Sales | Percent Change 2026 vs. 2025 | 2026 | Percent of Total Sales | 2025 | Percent of Total Sales | Percent Change 2026 vs. 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 1,653.8 | 82 | % | $ | 1,477.9 | 79 | % | 12 | % | $ | 2,988.1 | 81 | % | $ | 2,670.6 | 79 | % | 12 | % | |||||||||||||
| Canada | 101.5 | 5 | % | 105.7 | 6 | % | (4) | % | 192.9 | 5 | % | 203.3 | 6 | % | (5) | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Other countries | 267.5 | 13 | % | 269.1 | 15 | % | (1) | % | 500.5 | 14 | % | 514.6 | 15 | % | (3) | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Total sales | $ | 2,022.8 | 100 | % | $ | 1,852.7 | 100 | % | 9 | % | $ | 3,681.5 | 100 | % | $ | 3,388.5 | 100 | % | 9 | % |
Sales in the United States increased during the quarter and year-to-date periods primarily as a result of increased ORV shipments and PG&A sales, partially offset by reduced motorcycle shipments as a result of the Indian Motorcycle divestiture.
Sales in Canada decreased during the quarter and year-to-date periods primarily due to reduced snowmobile shipments and motorcycle shipments as a result of the Indian Motorcycle divestiture, partially offset by increased ORV shipments. Currency rate movements had no impact on quarter sales and a favorable impact of two percentage points on year-to-date sales.
Sales in other countries decreas
[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]
Latest 10-K MD&A
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion pertains to the results of operations and financial position of the Company and should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report. This section of this Annual Report generally discusses 2025 and 2024 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2025 and 2024. Discussions of 2023 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2024 and 2023 that are not included in this Annual Report can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
Overview
2025 sales totaled $7.2 billion and were approximately flat as compared to 2024. This was primarily driven by decreased shipments and lower net pricing driven by higher promotional costs, mostly offset by product mix.
Our gross profit of $1.4 billion decreased seven percent from $1.5 billion in 2024. Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, decreased primarily due to incremental tariff charges, lower net pricing driven by higher promotional costs and increased incentive compensation costs, partially offset by favorable operational costs and reduced warranty expense.
Full year net loss attributable to Polaris Inc. was $465.5 million, or $8.18 net loss per diluted share, compared to 2024 full year net income attributable to Polaris Inc. of $110.8 million, or $1.95 per diluted share. These decreases were primarily the result of impairment and other charges recorded as a result of the Indian Motorcycle business being classified as held for sale, goodwill and other intangible asset impairment charges recorded, incremental tariff charges and increased incentive compensation costs, partially offset by favorable operating costs. We reported Adjusted EBITDA of $410.2 million in 2025 compared to $635.4 million in 2024. For information on how we define and calculate Adjusted EBITDA, and a reconciliation from net (loss) income to Adjusted EBITDA, see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.
On October 10, 2025, we entered into a definitive agreement to sell a majority interest in the Indian Motorcycle business. During the year ended December 31, 2025, operating results of the Indian Motorcycle business were reported in our On Road segment and its assets and liabilities were classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2025. The sale closed in the first quarter of 2026.
On January 29, 2026, we announced that our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.68 per share for the first quarter of 2026, a one percent increase from the prior quarterly cash dividend, representing the 31st consecutive year of increased dividends to shareholders.
Global Economic Conditions
We continue to monitor macroeconomic trends and uncertainties and changes in international trade relations and trade policy, including those related to tariffs. The U.S. government has implemented a general tariff on all imports from countries not exempted under certain trade reciprocity criteria and elevated tariffs have been imposed on imports from major trading partners. Impacted countries have and may impose retaliatory tariffs, and such actions could give rise to an escalation of other trade measures by the countries subjected to such tariffs. Although the validity of certain tariffs are being challenged in litigation pending before the Supreme Court of the United States, there can be no guarantee about the outcome of such proceedings. The tariff policy environment is rapidly evolving and there is no guarantee that additional or increased tariffs will not be imposed.
We currently procure components from countries subject to such tariffs, which are utilized in our facilities in the United States and Mexico. A portion of our annual sales originate from products manufactured in our facilities in Mexico, and we sell our products globally. As a result of the current tariffs, we anticipate increased supply chain challenges, commodity cost volatility, economic uncertainty, and economic pressures on customers and consumers as a result of the challenges of high inflation combined with the effects of increased tariffs. To mitigate the impact of tariffs on our supply chain and manufacturing, we continue to evaluate sourcing alternatives, negotiate with suppliers, and work to increase the percentage of shipments qualified under favorable trade agreements. Incremental tariffs and changed trade policies had a notable impact on our financial results for 2025, and could continue to adversely impact our results in the future. We will continue to evaluate the impact of tariffs on our operations and profitability.
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Consolidated Results of Operations
The consolidated results of operations were as follows:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions except per share data) | 2025 | 2024 | Change 2025 vs. 2024 | 2023 | Change 2024 vs. 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Sales | $ | 7,152.0 | $ | 7,175.4 | — | % | $ | 8,934.4 | (20) | % | |||||||
| Cost of sales | $ | 5,783.3 | $ | 5,708.6 | 1 | % | $ | 6,974.5 | (18) | % | |||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 1,368.7 | $ | 1,466.8 | (7) | % | $ | 1,959.9 | (25) | % | |||||||
| Percentage of sales | 19.1 | % | 20.4 | % | -130 basis points | 21.9 | % | -149 basis points | |||||||||
| Operating expenses: | |||||||||||||||||
| Selling and marketing | $ | 505.0 | $ | 500.4 | 1 | % | $ | 542.3 | (8) | % | |||||||
| Research and development | 371.9 | 336.9 | 10 | % | 374.3 | (10) | % | ||||||||||
| General and administrative | 541.8 | 436.5 | 24 | % | 422.8 | 3 | % | ||||||||||
| Goodwill impairment | 52.6 | — | NM | — | NM | ||||||||||||
| Loss on disposal group held for sale | 330.4 | — | NM | — | NM | ||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | $ | 1,801.7 | $ | 1,273.8 | 41 | % | $ | 1,339.4 | (5) | % | |||||||
| Percentage of sales | 25.2 | % | 17.8 | % | +744 basis points | 15.0% | +276 basis points | ||||||||||
| Income from financial services | $ | 84.3 | $ | 97.6 | (14) | % | $ | 80.4 | 21 | % | |||||||
| Operating (loss) income | $ | (348.7) | $ | 290.6 | NM | $ | 700.9 | (59) | % | ||||||||
| Non-operating expense: | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | $ | 131.4 | $ | 137.0 | (4) | % | $ | 125.0 | 10 | % | |||||||
| Other expense (income), net | $ | 52.6 | $ | 12.8 | NM | $ | (44.5) | NM | |||||||||
| (Loss) income before income taxes | $ | (532.7) | $ | 140.8 | NM | $ | 620.4 | (77) | % | ||||||||
| (Benefit) provision for income taxes | $ | (67.9) | $ | 29.6 | NM | $ | 117.7 | (75) | % | ||||||||
| Effective income tax rate | 12.8 | % | 21.0 | % | -829 basis points | 19.0 | % | +207 basis points | |||||||||
| Net (loss) income | $ | (464.8) | $ | 111.2 | NM | $ | 502.7 | (78) | % | ||||||||
| Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest | (0.7) | (0.4) | 75 | % | 0.1 | NM | |||||||||||
| Net (loss) income attributable to Polaris Inc. | $ | (465.5) | $ | 110.8 | NM | $ | 502.8 | (78) | % | ||||||||
| Percentage of sales | (6.5) | % | 1.5 | % | -805 basis points | 5.6 | % | -408 basis points | |||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 410.2 | $ | 635.4 | (35) | % | $ | 1,020.9 | (38) | % | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA Margin | 5.7 | % | 8.9 | % | -311 basis points | 11.4 | % | -257 basis points | |||||||||
| Diluted net (loss) income per share attributable to Polaris Inc. shareholders | $ | (8.18) | $ | 1.95 | NM | $ | 8.71 | (78) | % | ||||||||
| Weighted average diluted shares outstanding | 56.9 | 56.8 | — | % | 57.7 | (2) | % | ||||||||||
| NM = not meaningful |
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Sales:
The year-over-year decrease in sales was due to decreased shipments and lower net pricing driven by higher promotional costs, partially offset by favorable product mix.
The components of the consolidated sales change were as follows:
| Percent change in total Company sales compared to the prior year | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| Volume | (3) | % | (21) | % | |
| Product mix and price | 3 | 1 | |||
| Currency | — | — | |||
| — | % | (20) | % |
The year-over-year volume decrease was primarily due to reduced recreational ORV, snowmobile and On Road shipments, partially offset by increased utility ORV shipments. Product mix was favorable as a result of a higher sales mix of ORVs. This favorability was partially offset by lower net pricing driven by higher promotional costs.
Sales by geographic region were as follows:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2025 | Percent of Total Sales | 2024 | Percent of Total Sales | Percent Change 2025 vs. 2024 | 2023 | Percent of Total Sales | Percent Change 2024 vs. 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 5,662.3 | 79 | % | $ | 5,629.0 | 79 | % | 1 | % | $ | 7,122.2 | 80 | % | (21) | % | ||||||||||
| Canada | 419.9 | 6 | % | 446.2 | 6 | % | (6) | % | 584.0 | 6 | % | (24) | % | |||||||||||||
| Other countries | 1,069.8 | 15 | % | 1,100.2 | 15 | % | (3) | % | 1,228.2 | 14 | % | (10) | % | |||||||||||||
| Total sales | $ | 7,152.0 | 100 | % | $ | 7,175.4 | 100 | % | — | % | $ | 8,934.4 | 100 | % | (20) | % |
Sales in the United States increased primarily as a result of higher Marine and ORV shipments, partially offset by reduced snowmobile and motorcycle shipments.
Sales in Canada decreased primarily as a result of reduced snowmobile shipments. Currency rate movements had an unfavorable impact of two percentage points on sales in 2025.
Sales in other countries decreased primarily as a result of reduced On Road shipments. Currency rate movements had a favorable impact of two percentage points on sales in 2025.
Cost of sales:
The following table reflects our cost of sales in dollars and as a percentage of sales:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2025 | Percent of Total Cost of Sales | 2024 | Percent of Total Cost of Sales | Change 2025 vs. 2024 | 2023 | Percent of Total Cost of Sales | Change 2024 vs. 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Purchased materials and logistics | $ | 4,801.8 | 83 | % | $ | 4,693.6 | 82 | % | 2 | % | $ | 5,802.9 | 83 | % | (19) | % | ||||||||||
| Labor costs | 627.4 | 11 | % | 628.8 | 11 | % | — | % | 756.7 | 11 | % | (17) | % | |||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 218.2 | 4 | % | 220.8 | 4 | % | (1) | % | 205.8 | 3 | % | 7 | % | |||||||||||||
| Warranty | 135.9 | 2 | % | 165.4 | 3 | % | (18) | % | 209.1 | 3 | % | (21) | % | |||||||||||||
| Total cost of sales | $ | 5,783.3 | 100 | % | $ | 5,708.6 | 100 | % | 1 | % | $ | 6,974.5 | 100 | % | (18) | % | ||||||||||
| Percentage of sales | 80.9 | % | 79.6 | % | +130 basis points | 78.1 | % | +149 basis points |
The year-over-year increase in cost of sales was primarily due to higher materials costs driven by incremental tariff charges, partially offset by reduced warranty expense.
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Gross profit:
Gross profit for 2025, as a percentage of sales, decreased primarily as a result of incremental tariff charges, lower net pricing driven by higher promotional costs and increased incentive compensation costs, partially offset by favorable operational costs and reduced warranty expense.
Operating expenses:
Operating expenses for 2025, in absolute dollars and as a percentage of sales, increased primarily due to impairment and other charges recorded as a result of the Indian Motorcycle business being classified as held for sale, goodwill and other intangible asset impairment charges recorded, and higher general and administrative and research and development expenses.
Income from financial services:
The following table reflects our income from financial services:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | Change 2025 vs. 2024 | 2023 | Change 2024 vs. 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Income from Polaris Acceptance joint venture | $ | 42.1 | $ | 53.8 | (22) | % | $ | 41.5 | 30 | % | |||||||
| Income from retail credit agreements | 39.5 | 42.7 | (7) | % | 39.0 | 9 | % | ||||||||||
| Net income (expense) from other financial services activities | 2.7 | 1.1 | NM | (0.1) | NM | ||||||||||||
| Total income from financial services | $ | 84.3 | $ | 97.6 | (14) | % | $ | 80.4 | 21 | % | |||||||
| Percentage of sales | 1.2 | % | 1.4 | % | -18 basis points | 0.9 | % | +46 basis points |
Income from financial services decreased 14 percent in 2025, primarily as a result of lower wholesale financing income from Polaris Acceptance due to reduced interest rates and dealer inventory levels.
Interest expense:
Interest expense decreased for 2025 primarily as a result of lower average debt levels.
Other expense (income), net:
The increase in other expenses in 2025 was primarily attributable to an impairment charge recorded related to a strategic investment held by the Company. Other expense (income) is also impacted by currency exchange rate movements and the corresponding effects on currency transactions related to our international subsidiaries.
Provision for income taxes:
The income tax benefit for 2025 was primarily due to the pre-tax loss generated, partially offset by unfavorable adjustments related to non-deductible impairment charges.
Adjusted EBITDA:
Adjusted EBITDA, in absolute dollars and as a percentage of sales, decreased in 2025 primarily due to increased incentive compensation costs, incremental tariff charges and lower net pricing driven by higher promotional costs, partially offset by favorable operating costs.
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding:
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding increased throughout 2025 primarily due to reduced share repurchases, partially offset by a reduction in the dilutive effect of share-based equity awards as a result of the net loss incurred during 2025.
Segment Results of Operations
The summary that follows provides a discussion of the results of operations of each of our three reportable segments, Off Road, On Road, and Marine. Each of these segments is comprised of various product offerings that serve multiple end markets. We evaluate performance based on sales and gross profit. The Corporate amounts include costs that are not
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allocated to segments, including certain manufacturing costs, the impacts from certain foreign currency transactions, and certain incentive compensation costs and related adjustments.
Our sales and gross profit by reporting segment, which includes the respective PG&A, as well as amounts related corporate costs and other activities, were as follows:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2025 | Percent of Sales | 2024 | Percent of Sales | Percent Change 2025 vs. 2024 | 2023 | Percent of Sales | Percent Change 2024 vs. 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Off Road | $ | 5,713.1 | 80 | % | $ | 5,706.7 | 79 | % | — | % | $ | 6,984.4 | 78 | % | (18) | % | ||||||||||
| On Road | 926.5 | 13 | % | 987.8 | 14 | % | (6) | % | 1,184.6 | 13 | % | (17) | % | |||||||||||||
| Marine | 512.4 | 7 | % | 480.9 | 7 | % | 7 | % | 765.4 | 9 | % | (37) | % | |||||||||||||
| Total sales | $ | 7,152.0 | 100 | % | $ | 7,175.4 | 100 | % | — | % | $ | 8,934.4 | 100 | % | (20) | % | ||||||||||
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | 2025 | Percent of Sales | 2024 | Percent of Sales | Percent Change 2025 vs. 2024 | 2023 | Percent of Sales | Percent Change 2024 vs. 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Off Road | $ | 1,155.1 | 20.2 | % | $ | 1,160.5 | 20.3 | % | — | % | $ | 1,531.6 | 21.9 | % | (24) | % | ||||||||||
| On Road | 157.2 | 17.0 | % | 179.4 | 18.2 | % | (12) | % | 240.4 | 20.3 | % | (25) | % | |||||||||||||
| Marine | 72.5 | 14.2 | % | 80.6 | 16.8 | % | (10) | % | 169.0 | 22.1 | % | (52) | % | |||||||||||||
| Corporate costs and other | (16.1) | 46.3 | NM | 18.9 | NM | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total gross profit | $ | 1,368.7 | 19.1 | % | $ | 1,466.8 | 20.4 | % | (7) | % | $ | 1,959.9 | 21.9 | % | (25) | % | ||||||||||
| NM = not meaningful |
Off Road:
Off Road sales, inclusive of PG&A sales, were approximately flat in 2025. This was primarily the result of increased PG&A sales and utility ORV shipments, mostly offset by reduced snowmobile and recreational ORV shipments. The average per unit sales price for the Off Road segment decreased approximately two percent, primarily due to lower net pricing driven by higher promotional costs.
Sales to customers outside of North America were approximately flat in 2025. This was primarily the result of reduced ORV shipments, mostly offset by increased snowmobile shipments.
Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, decreased in 2025 primarily due to incremental tariff charges and lower net pricing driven by higher promotional costs, partially offset by favorable operating costs, lower warranty expense and favorable product mix.
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Additional information on our end markets for 2025:
•Polaris North America utility unit retail sales up mid-single digits percent
•Polaris North America recreation excluding youth unit retail sales down high-sigle digits percent
•Total Polaris North America ORV excluding youth unit retail sales up low-single digits percent
•Estimated North America industry ORV excluding youth unit retail sales up low-single digits percent
•Total Polaris North America ORV excluding youth dealer inventories down approximately nine percent
•Polaris North America snowmobile unit retail sales for the 2025-2026 season-to-date period through December 31, 2025 up high-forties percent
•Estimated North America industry snowmobile unit retail sales for the 2025-2026 season-to-date period through December 31, 2025 up mid-teens percent
•Total Polaris North America snowmobile dealer inventories down approximately 43 percent
On Road:
On Road sales, inclusive of PG&A sales, decreased six percent in 2025, primarily as a result of decreased shipments across the product portfolio. The average per unit sales price for the On Road segment increased approximately four percent, primarily driven by product mix and higher net pricing.
On Road sales to customers outside of North America decreased six percent in 2025, primarily as a result of decreased sales in Europe.
Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, decreased in 2025 primarily due to unfavorable product mix and incremental tariff charges, partially offset by favorable operating costs.
Additional information on our end markets for 2025:
•Indian Motorcycle North America unit retail sales down low-single digits percent
•Estimated North America industry 900cc cruiser, touring, and standard motorcycle unit retail sales down high-single digits percent
•Polaris North America motorcycle dealer inventories down approximately six percent
Marine:
Marine sales increased seven percent as a result of increased shipments. The average per unit sales price for the Marine segment decreased approximately one percent, primarily due to product mix.
Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, decreased in 2025 primarily due to higher operational costs and unfavorable product mix, partially offset by higher net pricing.
Additional information on our end markets for 2025:
•Polaris U.S pontoon unit retail sales down high-single digits percent
•Estimated U.S. industry pontoon unit retail sales down low-double digits percent
•Polaris U.S. deck boat unit retail sales down high-teens percent
•Estimate U.S. industry deck boat unit retail sales down high-teens percent
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement our consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, we use certain non-GAAP financial measures, as described below, to understand and evaluate our core operating performance. These non-GAAP financial measures, which may be different than similarly titled measures used by other companies, are presented to enhance investors’ overall understanding of our financial performance and should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP.
We use the non-GAAP financial measure of Adjusted EBITDA, which is defined as net (loss) income, excluding interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization, and certain other non-cash, non-recurring, or non-operating
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items impacting net (loss) income from time to time. For example, costs associated with certain corporate restructuring activities, such as acquisitions and divestitures, are included as non-GAAP adjustments. We use the non-GAAP financial measure of Adjusted EBITDA Margin, which is defined as Adjusted EBITDA divided by adjusted net sales. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin help identify underlying trends in our business that could otherwise be masked by the effect of the expenses that we exclude from Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin.
We believe that these measures provide useful information about our financial performance, enhance the overall understanding of our past performance and future prospects, and allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics used by our management for financial and operational decision making. We are presenting these non-GAAP measures to assist investors in seeing our financial performance through the eyes of management, and because we believe that these measures provide an additional tool for investors to use in comparing our core financial performance over multiple periods with other companies in our industry.
Adjusted EBITDA has limitations and should not be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or more meaningful than, net (loss) income as determined in accordance with GAAP. Certain items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA are significant components in understanding and assessing a company’s financial performance. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin should not be construed as an inference that our results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items.
The following table presents a reconciliation of net (loss) income, the most comparable GAAP financial measure, to Adjusted EBITDA for each of the periods presented:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Sales | $ | 7,152.0 | $ | 7,175.4 | $ | 8,934.4 | ||||
| Product wind downs (5) | (9.2) | (0.7) | — | |||||||
| Adjusted sales | $ | 7,142.8 | $ | 7,174.7 | $ | 8,934.4 | ||||
| Net (loss) income | $ | (464.8) | $ | 111.2 | $ | 502.7 | ||||
| (Benefit) provision for income taxes | (67.9) | 29.6 | 117.7 | |||||||
| Interest expense | 131.4 | 137.0 | 125.0 | |||||||
| Depreciation | 263.5 | 264.4 | 241.2 | |||||||
| Intangible amortization (1) | 23.0 | 21.9 | 17.7 | |||||||
| Distributions from other affiliates (2) | — | — | (1.4) | |||||||
| Acquisition-related costs (3) | 0.2 | 1.4 | 1.3 | |||||||
| Restructuring (4) | 20.1 | 23.4 | 8.2 | |||||||
| Product wind downs (5) | 10.4 | 10.0 | — | |||||||
| Class action litigation expenses (6) | 8.0 | 7.0 | 8.5 | |||||||
| Impairment charges (7) | 155.9 | 29.5 | — | |||||||
| Loss on disposal group held for sale (8) | 330.4 | — | — | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 410.2 | $ | 635.4 | $ | 1,020.9 | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDA Margin | 5.7 | % | 8.9 | % | 11.4 | % | ||||
| (1) Represents amortization expense for intangible assets acquired through business combinations and asset acquisitions | ||||||||||
| (2) Represents distributions received related to an impaired investment held by the Company | ||||||||||
| (3) Represents adjustments for integration and acquisition-related expenses | ||||||||||
| (4) Represents adjustments for corporate restructuring | ||||||||||
| (5) Represents adjustments related to product wind downs, including the FTR product line within the Company’s On Road segment and the Timbersled product line within the Company’s Off Road segment | ||||||||||
| (6) Represents adjustments for certain class action litigation-related expenses | ||||||||||
| (7) Represents goodwill impairment charges associated with the Company’s On Road segment, impairment charges related to other intangible assets associated with the Company’s Off Road segment, and impairment charges related to strategic investments held by the Company | ||||||||||
| (8) Represents impairment and other charges recorded to report the held for sale Indian Motorcycle business at fair value less an amount of estimated transaction costs |
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary sources of liquidity have been cash provided by operating and financing activities, including funds as needed from our credit facility and issuances of long-term debt. Our primary uses of funds have been for new product development, capital investments, cash dividends to shareholders, repurchases and retirement of common stock, and acquisitions. The seasonality of production and shipments cause working capital requirements to fluctuate during the year and from year to year.
We believe that existing cash balances and cash flows to be generated from operating activities, borrowing capacity under our credit facility and from future issuances or borrowings of long-term debt, will be sufficient to fund operations, new product development, capital investments, cash dividends to shareholders, and repurchases and retirement of common stock for at least the next 12 months and for the foreseeable future thereafter.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes the cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities:
| ($ in millions) | For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | Change 2025 vs. 2024 | 2023 | Change 2024 vs. 2023 | ||||||||||||||
| Total cash provided by (used for): | ||||||||||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 741.0 | $ | 268.2 | $ | 472.8 | $ | 925.8 | $ | (657.6) | ||||||||
| Investing activities | (139.5) | (270.9) | 131.4 | (462.0) | 191.1 | |||||||||||||
| Financing activities | (693.0) | (59.2) | (633.8) | (431.3) | 372.1 |
Operating Activities:
The increase in net cash provided by operating activities in 2025 was primarily the result of working capital improvements, partially offset by lower net income.
Investing Activities:
The primary sources and uses of cash were for the purchase of property, equipment and tooling for continued capacity and capability at our manufacturing, distribution, and product development facilities, and distributions from and contributions to Polaris Acceptance. Net cash used for investing activities decreased due to a reduction in property, equipment and tooling purchases, as well as strategic investments in 2024 that did not recur in 2025.
Financing Activities:
The increase in net cash used for financing activities was primarily the result of net repayments under debt arrangements in 2025 compared to net borrowings under debt arrangements in 2024, as well as lower share repurchases. Net repayments totaled $543.6 million in 2025 compared to net borrowings of $165.8 million in 2024.
Financing Arrangements:
We were party to an unsecured Master Note Purchase Agreement, as amended and supplemented, under which we previously issued senior notes. All outstanding unsecured senior notes were prepaid in full in June 2025 using proceeds of revolving loans under the Company’s unsecured credit facility.
We are also party to an unsecured credit facility, which includes a $1.4 billion variable interest rate Revolving Loan Facility that matures in December 2029, under which we have unsecured borrowings. As of December 31, 2025, there were borrowings of $35.4 million outstanding under the Revolving Loan Facility. Our credit facility also includes a Term Loan Facility, pursuant to which $475.0 million was outstanding as of December 31, 2025. We are required to make principal payments under the Term Loan Facility totaling $25.0 million over the next 12 months. We amended the agreement governing the credit facility (the “Credit Facility Amendment”) in June 2025 to modify the financial covenants in the existing credit agreement for each quarter ending June 30, 2025 through and including June 30, 2026 (the “Covenant Relief Period”). During the Covenant Relief Period, the Credit Facility Amendment limits us from repurchasing shares and paying dividends other than regular quarterly dividends and certain other exceptions, and limits
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the amount of debt certain of our subsidiaries may incur. For the credit facility, interest is charged at rates based on adjusted Term SOFR plus the applicable add-on percentage, as defined in the credit agreement. As of December 31, 2025, we had $1.4 billion of availability on the Revolving Loan Facility.
In July 2024, we amended the credit facility to provide for a new incremental 364-day term loan in the amount of $400 million (the “Incremental Term Loan Facility”). At the time of issuance, the Incremental Term Loan Facility had a term ending in July 2025. The Credit Facility Amendment extended the maturity date of the Incremental Term Loan Facility to June 26, 2026. The Incremental Term Loan Facility was prepaid in full in November 2025 using proceeds from the Company’s Senior Notes due 2031 issued in November 2025 in an underwritten public offering.
The credit agreement contains covenants that require us to maintain certain financial ratios, including minimum interest coverage and maximum leverage ratios. The agreements require us to maintain an interest coverage ratio of not less than 3.00 to 1.00 and a leverage ratio of not more than 3.50 to 1.00 on a rolling four quarter basis. The interest coverage ratio is calculated as Adjusted EBITDA to interest expense for the then most-recently ended four fiscal quarters. The leverage ratio is calculated as consolidated funded indebtedness less cash and cash equivalents, capped at $300 million, to Adjusted EBITDA for the then most-recently ended four fiscal quarters. The Credit Facility Amendment completed in June 2025 modified the requirements related to the interest coverage ratio and leverage ratio during the Covenant Relief Period. During the Covenant Relief Period, the interest coverage ratio is 2.50 to 1.00 for the quarters ending June 30, 2025, September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2025, and 2.00 to 1.00 for the quarters ending March 31, 2026 and June 30, 2026. During the Covenant Relief Period, the leverage ratio is 4.00 to 1.00 for the quarter ending June 30, 2025, 4.50 to 1.00 for the quarter ending September 30, 2025, and 5.50 to 1.00 for the quarters ending December 31, 2025, March 31, 2026 and June 30, 2026.
In November 2023, we issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 6.95% Senior Notes due 2029 in an underwritten public offering. We received approximately $492 million in net proceeds from the notes offering after deducting the underwriting discount and other fees and expenses. The 6.95% Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.95% per year and mature in March 2029. In November 2025, the Company issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 5.60% Senior Notes due 2031 in an underwritten public offering. The Company received approximately $497 million in net proceeds from the offering after deducting the underwriting discount and other fees and expenses. The 5.60% Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 5.60% and mature in March 2031. All of the Company’s senior notes are governed by an indenture and are subject to customary covenants and make-whole provisions upon early redemption.
On July 2, 2018, pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated May 29, 2018, we completed the acquisition of Boat Holdings, LLC, a privately held Delaware limited liability company, headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana which manufactures boats (“Boat Holdings”). As a component of the Boat Holdings merger agreement, we have committed to make a series of deferred payments to the former owners through July 2030. The original discounted payable was for $76.7 million, of which $36.8 million was outstanding as of December 31, 2025.
As of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, we were in compliance with all debt covenants. Our debt to total capital ratio was 65 percent and 62 percent as of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. Additionally, as of December 31, 2025, we had outstanding letters of credit of $58.4 million, primarily related to purchase obligations for raw materials.
Share Repurchases:
We did not repurchase shares of our common stock in open-market transactions under our share repurchase program during 2025. As of December 31, 2025, up to an additional $1.1 billion of our common stock remains available for repurchase under our share repurchase program.
Wholesale Customer Financing Arrangements:
We have arrangements with certain finance companies to provide secured floor plan financing for our dealers. These arrangements provide liquidity by financing dealer purchases of our products without the use of our working capital. A majority of the worldwide sales of ORVs, snowmobiles, motorcycles, boats and related PG&A are financed under similar arrangements whereby we receive payment within a few days of shipment of the product. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the outstanding amount financed worldwide by dealers under these arrangements was approximately $2,085.5 million and $2,255.5 million, respectively. We participate in the cost of dealer financing up to certain limits.
Under these arrangements, we have agreed to repurchase products repossessed by these finance companies. As of December 31, 2025, the potential aggregate repurchase obligations were approximately $333.9 million. Our financial
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exposure under these repurchase agreements is limited to the difference between the amounts unpaid by the dealer with respect to the repossessed product plus costs of repossession and the amount received on the resale of the repossessed product. No material losses have been incurred under these agreements during the periods presented.
Retail Customer Financing Arrangements:
We have agreements with third-party finance companies to provide financing options to end consumers of our products. We have no material contingent liabilities for residual value or credit collection risk under these agreements. During 2025, consumers financed 30 percent of our vehicles sold in the United States through these arrangements. The volume of installment credit contracts written in calendar year 2025 with these institutions was $1,436.3 million, a three percent decrease from 2024.
Critical Accounting Policies and Critical Accounting Estimates
We have adopted various accounting policies to prepare the consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Some of those significant accounting policies require us to make difficult, subjective, or complex judgments or estimates. An accounting estimate is considered to be critical if it meets both of the following criteria: (i) the estimate requires assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the accounting estimate is made, and (ii) different estimates reasonably could have been used, or changes in the estimate that are reasonably likely to occur may have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. The significant accounting policies that management believes are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results include the following: revenue recognition, sales promotions and incentives, product warranties, product liability, and goodwill and other intangible assets.
Revenue recognition. For the majority of wholegood vehicles, boats, and PG&A, revenue is recognized when we transfer control of the product to our customer (primarily dealers and distributors). With respect to services provided by us, revenue is recognized upon completion of the service or over the term of the service agreement in proportion to the costs expected to be incurred in satisfying the obligations over the service period. Revenue is measured based on the amount of consideration that we expect to be entitled to in exchange for the goods or services transferred. Sales, value add, and other taxes collected from a customer concurrent with revenue-producing activities are excluded from revenue. When the right of return exists, we adjust the consideration for the estimated effect of returns. We estimate expected returns based on historical sales levels, the timing and magnitude of historical sales return levels as a percent of sales, type of product, type of customer, and a projection of this experience into the future. We have agreed to repurchase products repossessed by finance companies up to certain limits. Our financial exposure under these repurchase agreements is limited to the difference between the amounts unpaid by the dealer with respect to the repurchased product plus costs of repossession and the amount received on the resale of the repossessed product.
Sales promotions and incentives. We accrue for estimated sales promotion and incentive expenses, which are recognized as a component of sales in measuring the amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for transferring goods or providing services. Examples of sales promotion and incentive programs include dealer and consumer rebates, volume incentives, retail financing programs and sales associate incentives. Sales promotion and incentive expenses are estimated based on current programs, planned programs, and historical rates for each product line. We record these amounts as a liability in the consolidated balance sheets until they are ultimately paid. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, accrued sales promotions and incentives were $278.4 million and $249.0 million, respectively. Actual results may differ from these estimates if market conditions dictate the need to enhance or reduce sales promotion and incentive programs or if the customer usage rate varies from historical trends. Adjustments to sales promotion and incentive accruals are made as actual usage becomes known in order to properly estimate the amounts necessary to generate consumer demand based on market conditions as of the balance sheet date.
Product warranties. We typically provide a limited warranty for our vehicles and boats for a period of six months to ten years, depending on the product. We provide longer warranties in certain geographical markets as determined by local regulations and customary practice and may also provide longer warranties related to certain promotional programs. Our standard warranties require us, generally through our dealer network, to repair or replace defective products during such warranty periods. The warranty reserve is established at the time of sale to the dealer or distributor based on management’s best estimate using historical rates and trends. We record these amounts as a liability in the consolidated balance sheets until they are ultimately paid. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the accrued warranty liability was
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$135.5 million and $162.8 million, respectively. Adjustments to the warranty reserve are made based on actual claims experience in order to properly estimate the amounts necessary to settle future and existing claims on products sold as of the balance sheet date. The warranty reserve includes the estimated costs related to recalls, which are accrued when probable and estimable. Factors that could have an impact on the warranty accrual include the following: changes in manufacturing quality, shifts in product mix, changes in warranty coverage periods, impacts on product usage (including weather), product recalls and changes in sales volume. Amounts estimated to be due and payable could differ materially from what will ultimately transpire in the future and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Product liability. We are subject to product liability claims in the normal course of business. We purchase excess insurance coverage annually for product liability claims. We self-insure product liability claims before the policy date and up to the purchased insurance coverage after the policy date. The estimated costs resulting from any losses are charged to operating expenses when it is probable a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss is reasonably estimable. There is significant judgment and estimation required in evaluating the possible outcomes and potential losses of product liability matters. We utilize actuarial analysis, which considers claims experience and historical trends, along with an analysis of current claims, to assist in determining the appropriate loss reserve levels. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, we had accruals of $374.1 million and $385.3 million, respectively, for the probable payment of pending claims related to product liability litigation associated with our products. Amounts due from insurance carriers, to the extent applicable, reduce our financial exposure to product liability claims. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, we recorded $182.5 million and $227.1 million, respectively, for probable insurance recoveries related to product liability accruals. Adverse determination of material product liability claims made against us could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Goodwill. Goodwill is tested at least annually for impairment and is tested for impairment more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. We complete our annual goodwill impairment test as of the first day of the fourth quarter.
We may first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of each reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. A qualitative assessment requires that we consider events or circumstances including macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance, changes in management or key personnel, changes in strategy, changes in customers, changes in the composition or carrying amount of a reporting unit’s net assets, and changes in our stock price. If, after assessing the totality of events and circumstances, it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, or if we elect to bypass the qualitative test and proceed to a quantitative test, then the quantitative goodwill impairment test is performed. A quantitative test includes comparing the fair value of each reporting unit to the carrying amount of the reporting unit, including goodwill. If the estimated fair value is less than the carrying amount of the reporting unit, an impairment is recognized in an amount equal to the difference, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.
Under the quantitative goodwill impairment test, the fair value of each reporting unit is determined considering a discounted cash flow analysis and market approach. Determining the fair value of the reporting units requires the use of significant judgment, including discount rates, assumptions in our long-term business plan about future revenues and expenses, capital expenditures, and changes in working capital, which are dependent on internal forecasts, estimation of long-term growth for each reporting unit, and determination of the discount rate. These plans take into consideration numerous factors including historical experience, anticipated future economic conditions, changes in raw material prices and growth expectations for the industries and end markets in which we participate. These assumptions are determined over a five-year long-term planning period. The five-year growth rates for revenues and EBITDA vary for each reporting unit being evaluated. Revenues and EBITDA beyond five years are projected to grow at a terminal growth rate consistent with industry expectations. Actual results may differ significantly from those used in our valuations. The forecasted future cash flows are discounted using a discount rate developed for each reporting unit. The discount rates were developed using market observable inputs, as well as our assessment of risks inherent in the future cash flows of each respective reporting unit.
In estimating fair value using the market approach, we identify a group of comparable publicly traded companies for each reporting unit that are similar in terms of size and product offering. These groups of comparable companies are used to develop multiples based on total market-based invested capital as a multiple of revenue and EBITDA. We determine our estimated values by applying these comparable revenue and EBITDA multiples to the operating results of our reporting units. The ultimate fair value of each reporting unit is determined considering the results of both valuation
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methods. Inputs used to estimate these fair values include significant unobservable inputs that reflect our assumptions about the inputs that market participants would use and, therefore, the fair value assessments are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
In the second quarter of 2025, as a result of a continued decline in financial performance and prolonged deterioration of industry conditions, the Company determined it was more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the On Road reporting unit was less than its carrying value. As a result, the Company performed an interim quantitative goodwill impairment test of the On Road reporting unit in the second quarter of 2025. As a result of this analysis, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $52.6 million in the second quarter of 2025 related to goodwill of the On Road reporting unit. Subsequent to the impairment charge, there is no remaining goodwill balance for the On Road reporting unit.
In the fourth quarter of 2025, we completed the annual impairment test. It was determined that goodwill was not impaired as each reporting unit’s fair value exceeded its carrying value. We completed a quantitative goodwill test for the Off Road and Marine reporting units. No assessment was performed for the On Road reporting unit as it did not have a goodwill balance as of the annual testing date. The difference between the fair value and carrying value for both the Off Road and Marine reporting units was in excess of 10%. While management believes the projections, discount rate, and other assumptions and judgments made were reasonable, the estimated fair value for the Marine reporting unit was particularly dependent upon future industry strength which will provide improved sales, margin expansion and cash flow growth. As a result, there can be no assurance that the estimates and assumptions made in our analysis will prove to be an accurate prediction of the future. To the extent future operating results differ from those in our current forecast or our assumptions change pertaining to the markets in which we compete, it is possible that an impairment charge could be recorded in a future accounting period.
Other intangible assets. Our primary identifiable intangible assets include: dealer/customer relationships and brand/trade names. Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are amortized and identifiable intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized. Identifiable intangible assets that are subject to amortization are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Identifiable intangible assets with indefinite lives are tested for impairment annually or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. We complete our annual impairment test for identifiable intangible assets with indefinite lives as of the first day of the fourth quarter.
Our identifiable intangible assets with indefinite lives include brand/trade names. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of the brand/trade name to its carrying value. The fair value is determined using the relief-from-royalty method. This method assumes the brand/trade name has value to the extent that the owner is relieved of the obligation to pay royalties for the benefits received from them. This method requires us to estimate the future revenue for the related brand/trade names, the appropriate royalty rate and the discount rate. Forecasted revenues are derived from our annual budget and long-term business plan and royalty rates are based on brand profitability. The discount rates are developed using the market observable inputs used in the development of the reporting unit discount rates, as well as our assessment of risks inherent in the future cash flows of each respective brand/trade name.
In the fourth quarter of 2025, we completed the annual impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets, and also tested our amortizable developed technology intangible asset for impairment. As a result of entering into a definitive agreement for the sale of the Indian Motorcycle business, impairment charges of $17.5 million were recorded during the fourth quarter of 2025 related to an indefinite-lived brand/trade name in the Company’s On Road segment. Additionally, we recorded impairment charges of $53.9 million during the fourth quarter of 2025 related to an indefinite-lived brand/trade name and an amortizable developed technology intangible asset in the Company’s Off Road segment as a result of changes in the planned usage of such assets. It was determined that all other remaining intangible assets were not impaired.
New Accounting Pronouncements
See Item 8 of Part II, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 1—Organization and Significant Accounting Policies—New accounting pronouncements.”
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MD&A history
Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.
FY 2024 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001628280-25-006009.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion pertains to the results of operations and financial position of the Company and should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report. This section of this Annual Report generally discusses 2024 and 2023 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2024 and 2023. Discussions of 2022 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2023 and 2022 that are not included in this Annual Report can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
Overview
2024 sales totaled $7.2 billion, a decrease of 20 percent from 2023. The year-over-year decrease in sales was primarily due to decreased shipments in all segments and lower net pricing driven by higher promotional costs, partially offset by product mix.
Our gross profit of $1.5 billion decreased 25 percent from $2.0 billion in 2023. Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, decreased primarily due to lower net pricing driven by higher promotional costs, product mix, and decreased leverage of fixed costs as a result of reduced sales volumes. These decreases were partially offset by favorable operational costs.
Full year net income from continuing operations attributable to Polaris Inc. was $110.8 million, or $1.95 per diluted share, compared to 2023 full year net income from continuing operations attributable to Polaris Inc. of $502.8 million, or $8.71 per diluted share. These decreases were primarily the result of decreased shipments in all segments, lower net pricing driven by higher promotional costs, and decreased leverage of fixed costs as a result of reduced sales volumes, partially offset by favorable operating costs. We reported Adjusted EBITDA of $635.4 million in 2024 compared to $1,020.9 million in 2023. For information on how we define and calculate Adjusted EBITDA, and a reconciliation from net income from continuing operations to Adjusted EBITDA, see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.
On January 30, 2025, we announced that our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.67 per share for the first quarter of 2025, a two percent increase from the prior quarterly cash dividend, representing the 30th consecutive year of increased dividends to shareholders.
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Consolidated Results of Operations
The consolidated results of operations were as follows:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions except per share data) | 2024 | 2023 | Change 2024 vs. 2023 | 2022 | Change 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Sales | $ | 7,175.4 | $ | 8,934.4 | (20) | % | $ | 8,589.0 | 4 | % | |||||||
| Cost of sales | $ | 5,708.6 | $ | 6,974.5 | (18) | % | $ | 6,629.5 | 5 | % | |||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 1,466.8 | $ | 1,959.9 | (25) | % | $ | 1,959.5 | 0 | % | |||||||
| Percentage of sales | 20.4 | % | 21.9 | % | -149 basis points | 22.8 | % | -88 basis points | |||||||||
| Operating expenses: | |||||||||||||||||
| Selling and marketing | $ | 500.4 | $ | 542.3 | (8) | % | $ | 480.8 | 13 | % | |||||||
| Research and development | 336.9 | 374.3 | (10) | % | 366.7 | 2 | % | ||||||||||
| General and administrative | 436.5 | 422.8 | 3 | % | 355.9 | 19 | % | ||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | $ | 1,273.8 | $ | 1,339.4 | (5) | % | $ | 1,203.4 | 11 | % | |||||||
| Percentage of sales | 17.8 | % | 15.0 | % | +276 basis points | 14.0% | +98 basis points | ||||||||||
| Income from financial services | $ | 97.6 | $ | 80.4 | 21 | % | $ | 48.4 | 66 | % | |||||||
| Operating income | $ | 290.6 | $ | 700.9 | (59) | % | $ | 804.5 | (13) | % | |||||||
| Non-operating expense: | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | $ | 137.0 | $ | 125.0 | 10 | % | $ | 71.7 | 74 | % | |||||||
| Other expense (income), net | $ | 12.8 | $ | (44.5) | NM | $ | (28.6) | 56 | % | ||||||||
| Income from continuing operations before income taxes | $ | 140.8 | $ | 620.4 | (77) | % | $ | 761.4 | (19) | % | |||||||
| Provision for income taxes | $ | 29.6 | $ | 117.7 | (75) | % | $ | 158.0 | (26) | % | |||||||
| Effective income tax rate | 21.0 | % | 19.0 | % | +207 basis points | 20.7 | % | -178 basis points | |||||||||
| Net income from continuing operations | $ | 111.2 | $ | 502.7 | (78) | % | $ | 603.4 | (17) | % | |||||||
| Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest | (0.4) | 0.1 | NM | (0.5) | NM | ||||||||||||
| Net income from continuing operations attributable to Polaris Inc. | $ | 110.8 | $ | 502.8 | (78) | % | $ | 602.9 | (17) | % | |||||||
| Percentage of sales | 1.5 | % | 5.6 | % | -408 basis points | 7.0 | % | -140 basis points | |||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 635.4 | $ | 1,020.9 | (38) | % | $ | 1,075.9 | (5) | % | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA Margin | 8.9 | % | 11.4 | % | -257 basis points | 12.5 | % | -110 basis points | |||||||||
| Diluted net income from continuing operations per share attributable to Polaris Inc. shareholders | $ | 1.95 | $ | 8.71 | (78) | % | $ | 10.04 | (13) | % | |||||||
| Weighted average diluted shares outstanding | 56.8 | 57.7 | (2) | % | 60.1 | (4) | % | ||||||||||
| NM = not meaningful |
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Sales:
The year-over-year decrease in sales was due to decreased shipments and lower net pricing driven by higher promotional costs, partially offset by product mix.
The components of the consolidated sales change were as follows:
| Percent change in total Company sales compared to the prior year | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| Volume | (21) | % | 2 | % | |
| Product mix and price | 1 | 2 | |||
| Currency | — | — | |||
| (20) | % | 4 | % |
The year-over-year volume decrease was the result of decreased shipments in all segments. Product mix was favorable as a result of a higher sales mix of ORVs.
Sales by geographic region were as follows:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | Percent of Total Sales | 2023 | Percent of Total Sales | Percent Change 2024 vs. 2023 | 2022 | Percent of Total Sales | Percent Change 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 5,629.0 | 79 | % | $ | 7,122.2 | 80 | % | (21) | % | $ | 6,809.2 | 79 | % | 5 | % | ||||||||||
| Canada | 446.2 | 6 | % | 584.0 | 6 | % | (24) | % | 606.7 | 7 | % | (4) | % | |||||||||||||
| Other countries | 1,100.2 | 15 | % | 1,228.2 | 14 | % | (10) | % | 1,173.1 | 14 | % | 5 | % | |||||||||||||
| Total sales | $ | 7,175.4 | 100 | % | $ | 8,934.4 | 100 | % | (20) | % | $ | 8,589.0 | 100 | % | 4 | % |
Sales in the United States decreased primarily as a result of lower shipments in all segments.
Sales in Canada decreased primarily as a result of decreased snowmobile shipments. Currency rate movements had an unfavorable impact of one percentage point on sales in 2024.
Sales in other countries decreased primarily as a result of lower ORV and motorcycle shipments. Currency rate movements had no impact on sales in 2024.
Cost of sales:
The following table reflects our cost of sales in dollars and as a percentage of sales:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | Percent of Total Cost of Sales | 2023 | Percent of Total Cost of Sales | Change 2024 vs. 2023 | 2022 | Percent of Total Cost of Sales | Change 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Purchased materials and services | $ | 4,693.6 | 82 | % | $ | 5,802.9 | 83 | % | (19) | % | $ | 5,606.4 | 84 | % | 4 | % | ||||||||||
| Labor and benefits | 628.8 | 11 | % | 756.7 | 11 | % | (17) | % | 656.0 | 10 | % | 15 | % | |||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 220.8 | 4 | % | 205.8 | 3 | % | 7 | % | 183.6 | 3 | % | 12 | % | |||||||||||||
| Warranty costs | 165.4 | 3 | % | 209.1 | 3 | % | (21) | % | 183.5 | 3 | % | 14 | % | |||||||||||||
| Total cost of sales | $ | 5,708.6 | 100 | % | $ | 6,974.5 | 100 | % | (18) | % | $ | 6,629.5 | 100 | % | 5 | % | ||||||||||
| Percentage of sales | 79.6 | % | 78.1 | % | +149 basis points | 77.2 | % | +88 basis points |
The year-over-year decrease in cost of sales was primarily as a result of reduced sales volumes driving lower purchased materials and decreased labor costs.
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Gross profit:
Gross profit for 2024, as a percentage of sales, decreased primarily due to lower net pricing driven by higher promotional costs, product mix, and decreased leverage of fixed costs as a result of reduced sales volumes, partially offset by favorable operational costs.
Operating expenses:
Operating expenses for 2024, in absolute dollars, decreased due to reduced selling and marketing and research and development expenses, partially offset by increased general and administrative expenses. Operating expenses for 2024, as a percentage of sales, increased compared to 2023, primarily due to decreased leverage of fixed costs as a result of reduced sales volumes.
Income from financial services:
The following table reflects our income from financial services:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | Change 2024 vs. 2023 | 2022 | Change 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Income from Polaris Acceptance joint venture | $ | 53.8 | $ | 41.5 | 30 | % | $ | 15.1 | 175 | % | |||||||
| Income from retail credit agreements | 42.7 | 39.0 | 9 | % | 34.3 | 14 | % | ||||||||||
| Net income (expense) from other financial services activities | 1.1 | (0.1) | NM | (1.0) | NM | ||||||||||||
| Total income from financial services | $ | 97.6 | $ | 80.4 | 21 | % | $ | 48.4 | 66 | % | |||||||
| Percentage of sales | 1.4 | % | 0.9 | % | +46 basis points | 0.6 | % | +34 basis points |
Income from financial services increased 21 percent in 2024, primarily due to higher wholesale financing income from Polaris Acceptance driven by higher dealer inventory levels.
Interest expense:
Interest expense increased for 2024 primarily as a result of higher interest rates.
Other expense (income), net:
Other expense (income) is primarily the result of currency exchange rate movements and the corresponding effects on currency transactions related to our international subsidiaries. The increase in other expenses in 2024 was also attributable to an impairment charge recorded related to an investment held by the Company.
Provision for income taxes:
The increase in the effective income tax rate for 2024 was primarily due to lower pretax earnings which resulted in an increase in the foreign tax rate detriment, as well as unfavorable impacts related to share-based compensation due to a lower stock price, and a valuation allowance related to an investment impairment charge recorded in 2024. These items were partially offset by a tax rate benefit related to reduced research and development credits compared to the prior year and the related beneficial impact due to lower pretax earnings.
Adjusted EBITDA:
Adjusted EBITDA, in absolute dollars and as a percentage of sales, decreased in 2024 primarily as a result of decreased shipments and lower net pricing driven by higher promotional costs. These decreases were partially offset by favorable operating costs.
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding:
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding decreased throughout 2024 primarily due to share repurchases and a reduction in the dilutive effect of share-based equity awards.
Segment Results of Operations
The summary that follows provides a discussion of the results of operations of each of our three reportable segments, Off Road, On Road, and Marine. Each of these segments is comprised of various product offerings that serve multiple end
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markets. We evaluate performance based on sales and gross profit. The Corporate amounts include costs that are not allocated to segments, including certain unallocated manufacturing costs, the impacts from certain foreign currency transactions, and certain unallocated incentive compensation costs.
Our sales and gross profit by reporting segment, which includes the respective PG&A, were as follows:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | Percent of Sales | 2023 | Percent of Sales | Percent Change 2024 vs. 2023 | 2022 | Percent of Sales | Percent Change 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Off Road | $ | 5,706.7 | 79 | % | $ | 6,984.4 | 78 | % | (18) | % | $ | 6,436.2 | 75 | % | 9 | % | ||||||||||
| On Road | 987.8 | 14 | % | 1,184.6 | 13 | % | (17) | % | 1,163.4 | 14 | % | 2 | % | |||||||||||||
| Marine | 480.9 | 7 | % | 765.4 | 9 | % | (37) | % | 989.4 | 11 | % | (23) | % | |||||||||||||
| Total sales | $ | 7,175.4 | 100 | % | $ | 8,934.4 | 100 | % | (20) | % | $ | 8,589.0 | 100 | % | 4 | % | ||||||||||
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | Percent of Sales | 2023 | Percent of Sales | Percent Change 2024 vs. 2023 | 2022 | Percent of Sales | Percent Change 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Off Road | $ | 1,160.5 | 20.3 | % | $ | 1,531.6 | 21.9 | % | (24) | % | $ | 1,523.4 | 23.7 | % | 1 | % | ||||||||||
| On Road | 179.4 | 18.2 | % | 240.4 | 20.3 | % | (25) | % | 206.3 | 17.7 | % | 17 | % | |||||||||||||
| Marine | 80.6 | 16.8 | % | 169.0 | 22.1 | % | (52) | % | 222.5 | 22.5 | % | (24) | % | |||||||||||||
| Corporate | 46.3 | 18.9 | NM | 7.3 | NM | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total gross profit | $ | 1,466.8 | 20.4 | % | $ | 1,959.9 | 21.9 | % | (25) | % | $ | 1,959.5 | 22.8 | % | 0 | % | ||||||||||
| NM = not meaningful |
Off Road:
Off Road sales, inclusive of PG&A sales, decreased 18 percent in 2024 primarily as a result of decreased ORV and snowmobile shipments. The average per unit sales price for the Off Road segment decreased approximately one percent, primarily due to lower net pricing driven by higher promotional costs, partially offset by product mix.
Sales to customers outside of North America decreased 11 percent in 2024 due to lower ORV and snowmobile shipments.
Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, decreased in 2024 primarily due to lower net pricing driven by higher promotional costs, decreased leverage of fixed costs as a result of reduced sales volumes, product mix, and higher finance interest, partially offset by favorable operational costs.
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Additional information on our end markets for 2024:
•Polaris North America utility unit retail sales flat
•Polaris North America recreation unit retail sales down mid-single digits percent
•Total Polaris North America ORV unit retail sales down low-single digits percent
•Estimated North America industry ORV unit retail sales flat
•Total Polaris North America ORV dealer inventories down approximately 16 percent
•Polaris North America snowmobile unit retail sales for the 2024-2025 season-to-date period through December 31, 2024 down low-forties percent
•Estimated North America industry snowmobile unit retail sales for the 2024-2025 season-to-date period through December 31, 2024 down mid-thirties percent
•Total Polaris North America snowmobile dealer inventories up approximately 10 percent
On Road:
On Road sales, inclusive of PG&A sales, decreased 17 percent in 2024 primarily as a result of decreased shipments across the product portfolio. The average per unit sales price for the On Road segment decreased approximately six percent, primarily due to product mix and lower net pricing driven by higher promotional costs.
On Road sales to customers outside of North America decreased 10 percent in 2024, primarily as a result of lower Indian Motorcycle shipments.
Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, decreased in 2024 due to product mix and lower net pricing driven by higher promotional costs, partially offset by reduced warranty expense and favorable operational costs.
Additional information on our end markets for 2024:
•Indian Motorcycle North America unit retail sales down high-single digits percent
•Estimated North America industry 900cc cruiser, touring, and standard motorcycle unit retail sales down mid-single digits percent
•Polaris North America motorcycle dealer inventories up approximately five percent
Marine:
Marine sales decreased 37 percent as a result of decreased shipments. The average per unit sales price for the Marine segment increased approximately six percent, primarily driven by product mix.
Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, decreased in 2024 due to decreased leverage of fixed costs as a result of reduced sales volumes and product mix.
Additional information on our end markets for 2024:
•Polaris U.S pontoon unit retail sales down mid-teens percent
•Estimated U.S. industry pontoon unit retail sales down low-double digits percent
•Polaris U.S. deck boat unit retail sales down mid-thirties percent
•Estimate U.S. industry deck boat unit retail sales down low-twenties percent
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement our consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, we use certain non-GAAP financial measures, as described below, to understand and evaluate our core operating performance. These non-GAAP financial measures, which may be different than similarly titled measures used by other companies, are presented to enhance investors’ overall understanding of our financial performance and should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP.
We use the non-GAAP financial measure of Adjusted EBITDA, which is defined as net income from continuing operations, excluding interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization, and certain other non-cash,
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non-recurring, or non-operating items impacting net income from continuing operations from time to time. For example, costs associated with certain corporate restructuring activities, such as acquisitions and divestitures, are included as non-GAAP adjustments. We use the non-GAAP financial measure of Adjusted EBITDA Margin, which is defined as Adjusted EBITDA divided by adjusted net sales. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin help identify underlying trends in our business that could otherwise be masked by the effect of the expenses that we exclude from Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin.
We believe that these measures provide useful information about our financial performance, enhance the overall understanding of our past performance and future prospects, and allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics used by our management for financial and operational decision making. We are presenting these non-GAAP measures to assist investors in seeing our financial performance through the eyes of management, and because we believe that these measures provide an additional tool for investors to use in comparing our core financial performance over multiple periods with other companies in our industry.
Adjusted EBITDA has limitations and should not be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or more meaningful than, net income from continuing operations as determined in accordance with GAAP. Certain items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA are significant components in understanding and assessing a company’s financial performance. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin should not be construed as an inference that our results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items.
The following table presents a reconciliation of net income from continuing operations, the most comparable GAAP financial measure, to Adjusted EBITDA for each of the periods presented:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Sales | $ | 7,175.4 | $ | 8,934.4 | $ | 8,589.0 | ||||
| FTR wind down (1) | (0.7) | — | — | |||||||
| Adjusted sales | $ | 7,174.7 | $ | 8,934.4 | $ | 8,589.0 | ||||
| Net income from continuing operations | $ | 111.2 | $ | 502.7 | $ | 603.4 | ||||
| Provision for income taxes | 29.6 | 117.7 | 158.0 | |||||||
| Interest expense | 137.0 | 125.0 | 71.7 | |||||||
| Depreciation | 264.4 | 241.2 | 214.0 | |||||||
| Intangible amortization (2) | 21.9 | 17.7 | 18.8 | |||||||
| Distributions from other affiliates (3) | — | (1.4) | (0.7) | |||||||
| Acquisition-related costs (4) | 1.4 | 1.3 | — | |||||||
| Restructuring (5) | 23.4 | 8.2 | 6.2 | |||||||
| FTR wind down (1) | 10.0 | — | — | |||||||
| Class action litigation expenses (6) | 7.0 | 8.5 | 4.5 | |||||||
| Intangible asset and investment impairment (7) | 29.5 | — | — | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 635.4 | $ | 1,020.9 | $ | 1,075.9 | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDA Margin | 8.9 | % | 11.4 | % | 12.5 | % | ||||
| (1) Represents adjustments for the wind down of the FTR product line within the Company’s On Road segment | ||||||||||
| (2) Represents amortization expense for intangible assets acquired through business combinations and asset acquisitions | ||||||||||
| (3) Represents distributions received related to an impaired investment held by the Company | ||||||||||
| (4) Represents adjustments for integration and acquisition-related expenses | ||||||||||
| (5) Represents adjustments for corporate restructuring | ||||||||||
| (6) Represents adjustments for certain class action litigation-related expenses | ||||||||||
| (7) Represents impairment charges related to other intangible assets associated with the Company’s Off Road segment and an impairment charge related to an investment held by the Company |
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary sources of liquidity have been cash provided by operating and financing activities, including funds as needed from our credit facility and issuances of long-term debt. Our primary uses of funds have been for new product development, capital investments, cash dividends to shareholders, repurchases and retirement of common stock, and acquisitions. The seasonality of production and shipments cause working capital requirements to fluctuate during the year and from year to year.
We believe that existing cash balances and cash flows to be generated from operating activities, borrowing capacity under our credit facility and from future issuances or borrowings of long-term debt, will be sufficient to fund operations, new product development, cash dividends to shareholders, repurchases and retirement of common stock, and capital requirements for at least the next 12 months and for the foreseeable future thereafter.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes the cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities of continuing operations:
| ($ in millions) | For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | Change 2024 vs. 2023 | 2022 | Change 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||||||||
| Total cash provided by (used for): | ||||||||||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 268.2 | $ | 925.8 | $ | (657.6) | $ | 534.5 | $ | 391.3 | ||||||||
| Investing activities | (270.9) | (462.0) | 191.1 | (319.3) | (142.7) | |||||||||||||
| Financing activities | (59.2) | (431.3) | 372.1 | (363.2) | (68.1) |
Operating Activities:
The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities in 2024 was primarily the result of lower net income.
Investing Activities:
The primary sources and uses of cash were for the purchase of property, equipment and tooling for continued capacity and capability at our manufacturing, distribution, and product development facilities, and distributions from and contributions to Polaris Acceptance. Net cash used for investing activities decreased due to a reduction in property, equipment and tooling purchases, as well as net distributions from Polaris Acceptance in 2024 compared to net contributions to Polaris Acceptance in 2023. These decreases were partially offset by increased strategic investments in 2024.
Financing Activities:
The decrease in net cash used for financing activities was primarily the result of net borrowings under debt arrangements in 2024 compared to net repayments under debt arrangements in 2023, as well as lower share repurchases. These changes were partially offset by reduced proceeds from stock issuances under employee plans. Net borrowings totaled $165.8 million in 2024 compared to net repayments of $158.2 million in 2023.
Financing Arrangements:
We are party to an unsecured Master Note Purchase Agreement, as amended and supplemented, under which we have issued senior notes. As of December 31, 2024, outstanding borrowings under the Master Note Purchase Agreement totaled $350.0 million.
We are also party to an unsecured credit facility, which includes a $1.4 billion variable interest rate Revolving Loan Facility that matures in December 2029, under which we have unsecured borrowings. As of December 31, 2024, there were borrowings of $282.0 million outstanding under the Revolving Loan Facility. Our credit facility also includes a Term Loan Facility, on which $500.0 million was outstanding as of December 31, 2024. We are required to make principal payments under the Term Loan Facility totaling $25.0 million over the next 12 months. For the credit facility, interest is charged at rates based on Adjusted Term SOFR plus the applicable add-on percentage, as defined in the agreements governing the credit facility. As of December 31, 2024, we had $1.1 billion of availability on the Revolving Loan Facility.
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In July 2024, the Company amended the credit facility to provide for a new incremental 364-day term loan in the amount of $400.0 million (the “Incremental Term Loan Facility”). The Incremental Term Loan Facility is unsecured and has a term ending in July 2025. As with other borrowings under the credit facility, interest is charged at rates based on Adjusted Term SOFR plus the applicable add-on percentage, as defined in the agreements governing the credit facility.
The agreements governing the credit facility and the Master Note Purchase Agreement contain covenants that require us to maintain certain financial ratios, including minimum interest coverage and maximum leverage ratios. The agreements require us to maintain an interest coverage ratio of not less than 3.00 to 1.00 and a leverage ratio of not more than 3.50 to 1.00 on a rolling four quarter basis. In December 2024, the Company entered into an amendment (the “NPA Amendment”) to the Existing Master Note Purchase Agreement. The NPA Amendment amended the Existing Note Purchase Agreement to revise the leverage ratio covenant from a gross leverage ratio to a net leverage ratio and revise the interest coverage ratio covenant definition to be based on EBITDA to interest expense. The credit facility was also amended in December 2024 and, as part of such amendment, the interest coverage ratio covenant definition was revised to be based on EBITDA to interest expense.
In November 2023, we issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 6.95% Senior Notes pursuant to a public offering. We received approximately $492 million in net proceeds from the notes offering after deducting the underwriting discount and other fees and expenses. The notes bear interest at a rate of 6.95% per year, with interest payable semi-annually in arrears in March and September of each year. The notes mature in March of 2029. The indenture governing the senior notes is subject to customary covenants and make-whole provisions upon early redemption.
On July 2, 2018, pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated May 29, 2018, we completed the acquisition of Boat Holdings, LLC, a privately held Delaware limited liability company, headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana which manufactures boats (“Boat Holdings”). As a component of the Boat Holdings merger agreement, we have committed to make a series of deferred payments to the former owners through July 2030. The original discounted payable was for $76.7 million, of which $43.2 million was outstanding as of December 31, 2024.
As of December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, we were in compliance with all debt covenants. Our debt to total capital ratio was 62 percent and 57 percent as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Additionally, as of December 31, 2024, we had letters of credit outstanding of $46.1 million, primarily related to purchase obligations for raw materials.
Share Repurchases:
We repurchased a total of 1.0 million shares of our common stock for $82.7 million during 2024, which had a favorable impact on diluted net income from continuing operations per share of three cents. As of December 31, 2024, our Board of Directors has authorized us to repurchase up to an additional $1,109.3 million of our common stock.
Wholesale Customer Financing Arrangements:
We have arrangements with certain finance companies to provide secured floor plan financing for our dealers. These arrangements provide liquidity by financing dealer purchases of our products without the use of our working capital. A majority of the worldwide sales of snowmobiles, ORVs, motorcycles, boats and related PG&A are financed under similar arrangements whereby we receive payment within a few days of shipment of the product. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the outstanding amount financed worldwide by dealers under these arrangements was approximately $2,255.5 million and $2,629.9 million, respectively. We participate in the cost of dealer financing up to certain limits.
Under these arrangements, we have agreed to repurchase products repossessed by these finance companies. As of December 31, 2024, the potential aggregate repurchase obligations were approximately $372.8 million. Our financial exposure under these repurchase agreements is limited to the difference between the amounts unpaid by the dealer with respect to the repossessed product plus costs of repossession and the amount received on the resale of the repossessed product. No material losses have been incurred under these agreements during the periods presented.
Retail Customer Financing Arrangements:
We have agreements with third-party finance companies to provide financing options to end consumers of our products. We have no material contingent liabilities for residual value or credit collection risk under these agreements. During 2024, consumers financed 31 percent of our vehicles sold in the United States through these arrangements. The volume of installment credit contracts written in calendar year 2024 with these institutions was $1,480.4 million, a five percent increase from 2023.
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Critical Accounting Policies and Critical Accounting Estimates
We have adopted various accounting policies to prepare the consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Some of those significant accounting policies require us to make difficult, subjective, or complex judgments or estimates. An accounting estimate is considered to be critical if it meets both of the following criteria: (i) the estimate requires assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the accounting estimate is made, and (ii) different estimates reasonably could have been used, or changes in the estimate that are reasonably likely to occur may have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. The significant accounting policies that management believes are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results include the following: revenue recognition, sales promotions and incentives, product warranties, product liability, and goodwill and other intangible assets.
Revenue recognition. With respect to wholegood vehicles, boats, and PG&A, revenue is recognized when we transfer control of the product to our customer (primarily dealers and distributors). With respect to services provided by us, revenue is recognized upon completion of the service or over the term of the service agreement in proportion to the costs expected to be incurred in satisfying the obligations over the service period. Revenue is measured based on the amount of consideration that we expect to be entitled to in exchange for the goods or services transferred. Sales, value add, and other taxes collected from a customer concurrent with revenue-producing activities are excluded from revenue. When the right of return exists, we adjust the consideration for the estimated effect of returns. We estimate expected returns based on historical sales levels, the timing and magnitude of historical sales return levels as a percent of sales, type of product, type of customer, and a projection of this experience into the future. We have agreed to repurchase products repossessed by finance companies up to certain limits. Our financial exposure is limited to the difference between the amount unpaid by the dealer with respect to repurchased product plus costs of repossession and the amount received on the resale of the repossessed product.
Sales promotions and incentives. We accrue for estimated sales promotion and incentive expenses, which are recognized as a component of sales in measuring the amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for transferring goods or providing services. Examples of sales promotion and incentive programs include dealer and consumer rebates, volume incentives, retail financing programs and sales associate incentives. Sales promotion and incentive expenses are estimated based on current programs, planned programs, and historical rates for each product line. We record these amounts as a liability in the consolidated balance sheets until they are ultimately paid. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, accrued sales promotions and incentives were $249.0 million and $230.9 million, respectively. Actual results may differ from these estimates if market conditions dictate the need to enhance or reduce sales promotion and incentive programs or if the customer usage rate varies from historical trends. Adjustments to sales promotion and incentive accruals are made as actual usage becomes known in order to properly estimate the amounts necessary to generate consumer demand based on market conditions as of the balance sheet date.
Product warranties. We typically provide a limited warranty for our vehicles and boats for a period of six months to ten years, depending on the product. We provide longer warranties in certain geographical markets as determined by local regulations and customary practice and may also provide longer warranties related to certain promotional programs. Our standard warranties require us, generally through our dealer network, to repair or replace defective products during such warranty periods. The warranty reserve is established at the time of sale to the dealer or distributor based on management’s best estimate using historical rates and trends. We record these amounts as a liability in the consolidated balance sheets until they are ultimately paid. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the accrued warranty liability was $162.8 million and $181.1 million, respectively. Adjustments to the warranty reserve are made based on actual claims experience in order to properly estimate the amounts necessary to settle future and existing claims on products sold as of the balance sheet date. The warranty reserve includes the estimated costs related to recalls, which are accrued when probable and estimable. Factors that could have an impact on the warranty accrual include the following: changes in manufacturing quality, shifts in product mix, changes in warranty coverage periods, impacts on product usage (including weather), product recalls and changes in sales volume. Amounts estimated to be due and payable could differ materially from what will ultimately transpire in the future and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Product liability. We are subject to product liability claims in the normal course of business. We purchase excess insurance coverage annually for product liability claims. We self-insure product liability claims before the policy date
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and up to the purchased insurance coverage after the policy date. The estimated costs resulting from any losses are charged to operating expenses when it is probable a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss is reasonably estimable. There is significant judgment and estimation required in evaluating the possible outcomes and potential losses of product liability matters. We utilize actuarial analysis, which considers claims experience and historical trends, along with an analysis of current claims, to assist in determining the appropriate loss reserve levels. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we had accruals of $385.3 million and $136.7 million, respectively, for the probable payment of pending claims related to product liability litigation associated with our products. Amounts due from insurance carriers, to the extent applicable, reduce our financial exposure to product liability claims. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we recorded $227.1 million and $9.5 million, respectively, for probable insurance recoveries related to product liability accruals. Adverse determination of material product liability claims made against us could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Goodwill. Goodwill is tested at least annually for impairment and is tested for impairment more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. We complete our annual goodwill impairment test as of the first day of the fourth quarter.
We may first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of each reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. A qualitative assessment requires that we consider events or circumstances including macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance, changes in management or key personnel, changes in strategy, changes in customers, changes in the composition or carrying amount of a reporting unit’s net assets, and changes in our stock price. If, after assessing the totality of events and circumstances, it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, or if we elect to bypass the qualitative test and proceed to a quantitative test, then the quantitative goodwill impairment test is performed. A quantitative test includes comparing the fair value of each reporting unit to the carrying amount of the reporting unit, including goodwill. If the estimated fair value is less than the carrying amount of the reporting unit, an impairment is recognized in an amount equal to the difference, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.
Under the quantitative goodwill impairment test, the fair value of each reporting unit is determined using a discounted cash flow analysis and market approach. Determining the fair value of the reporting units requires the use of significant judgment, including discount rates, assumptions in our long-term business plan about future revenues and expenses, capital expenditures, and changes in working capital, which are dependent on internal forecasts, estimation of long-term growth for each reporting unit, and determination of the discount rate. These plans take into consideration numerous factors including historical experience, anticipated future economic conditions, changes in raw material prices and growth expectations for the industries and end markets in which we participate. These assumptions are determined over a five-year long-term planning period. The five-year growth rates for revenues and EBITDA vary for each reporting unit being evaluated. Revenues and EBITDA beyond five years are projected to grow at a terminal growth rate consistent with industry expectations. Actual results may differ significantly from those used in our valuations. The forecasted future cash flows are discounted using a discount rate developed for each reporting unit. The discount rates were developed using market observable inputs, as well as our assessment of risks inherent in the future cash flows of each respective reporting unit.
In estimating fair value using the market approach, we identify a group of comparable publicly traded companies for each reporting unit that are similar in terms of size and product offering. These groups of comparable companies are used to develop multiples based on total market-based invested capital as a multiple of EBITDA. We determine our estimated values by applying these comparable EBITDA multiples to the operating results of our reporting units. The ultimate fair value of each reporting unit is determined considering the results of both valuation methods. Inputs used to estimate these fair values include significant unobservable inputs that reflect our assumptions about the inputs that market participants would use and, therefore, the fair value assessments are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
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In the fourth quarter of 2024, we completed the annual impairment test. It was determined that goodwill was not impaired as each reporting unit’s fair value exceeded its carrying value. We completed a qualitative assessment for the Off Road reporting unit and elected to perform a quantitative goodwill test for the On Road and Marine reporting units. The difference between the fair value and carrying value for both the On Road and Marine reporting units was in excess of 10%. While management believes the projections, discount rate, and other assumptions and judgments made are reasonable, the estimated fair values for the On Road and Marine reporting units are particularly dependent upon industries to strengthen which will provide improved sales, margin expansion and cash flow growth. As a result, there can be no assurance that the estimates and assumptions made in our analysis will prove to be an accurate prediction of the future. To the extent future operating results differ from those in our current forecast or our assumptions change pertaining to the markets in which we compete, it is possible that an impairment charge could be recorded in a future accounting period.
Other intangible assets. Our primary identifiable intangible assets include: dealer/customer relationships, brand/trade names and developed technology. Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are amortized and identifiable intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized. Identifiable intangible assets that are subject to amortization are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Identifiable intangible assets with indefinite lives are tested for impairment annually or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. We complete our annual impairment test for identifiable intangible assets with indefinite lives as of the first day of the fourth quarter.
Our identifiable intangible assets with indefinite lives include brand/trade names. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of the brand/trade name to its carrying value. The fair value is determined using the relief-from-royalty method. This method assumes the brand/trade name has value to the extent that the owner is relieved of the obligation to pay royalties for the benefits received from them. This method requires us to estimate the future revenue for the related brand/trade names, the appropriate royalty rate and the discount rate. Forecasted revenues are derived from our annual budget and long-term business plan and royalty rates are based on brand profitability. The discount rates are developed using the market observable inputs used in the development of the reporting unit discount rates, as well as our assessment of risks inherent in the future cash flows of each respective brand/trade name.
In the fourth quarter of 2024, we completed the annual impairment test. Through this analysis, as a result of financial performance, the Company recorded impairment charges of $9.5 million during the fourth quarter of 2024 related to certain indefinite-lived brand/trade name intangible assets within the Company’s Off Road segment. It was determined that all other remaining indefinite-lived intangible assets were not impaired.
New Accounting Pronouncements
See Item 8 of Part II, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 1—Organization and Significant Accounting Policies—New accounting pronouncements.”
FY 2023 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001628280-24-005284.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion pertains to the results of operations and financial position of the Company and should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto included elsewhere in this report. This section of this Form 10-K generally discusses 2023 and 2022 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2023 and 2022. Discussions of 2021 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2022 and 2021 that are not included in this Form 10-K can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
Overview
2023 was a record year for sales, which totaled $8.9 billion, a four percent increase from 2022. The year-over-year increase in sales was driven primarily by product mix and increased shipments.
Gross profit totaled $2.0 billion in both 2023 and 2022. Expressed as a percentage of sales, gross profit decreased in 2023 as compared to 2022, primarily due to unfavorable foreign currency exchange rate movement and higher finance interest, both partially offset by higher net pricing.
Full year net income from continuing operations attributable to Polaris Inc. of $502.8 million decreased 17 percent from 2022, with diluted earnings per share from continuing operations decreasing from $10.04 to $8.71 per share. In addition to the reasons discussed above, these decreases were primarily the result of increased operating expenses and higher interest expense. We reported Adjusted EBITDA of $1,020.9 million in 2023 compared to $1,075.9 million in 2022. For information on how we define and calculate Adjusted EBITDA, and a reconciliation from net income from continuing operations to Adjusted EBITDA, see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.
On February 1, 2024, we announced that our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.66 per share for the first quarter of 2024, a two percent increase from the prior quarterly cash dividend, representing the 29th consecutive year of increased dividends to shareholders.
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Consolidated Results of Operations
The consolidated results of operations were as follows:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions except per share data) | 2023 | 2022 | Change 2023 vs. 2022 | 2021 | Change 2022 vs. 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Sales | $ | 8,934.4 | $ | 8,589.0 | 4 | % | $ | 7,439.2 | 15 | % | |||||||
| Cost of sales | $ | 6,974.5 | $ | 6,629.5 | 5 | % | $ | 5,688.3 | 17 | % | |||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 1,959.9 | $ | 1,959.5 | 0 | % | $ | 1,750.9 | 12 | % | |||||||
| Percentage of sales | 21.9 | % | 22.8 | % | -88 basis points | 23.5 | % | -72 basis points | |||||||||
| Operating expenses: | |||||||||||||||||
| Selling and marketing | $ | 542.3 | $ | 480.8 | 13 | % | $ | 458.2 | 5 | % | |||||||
| Research and development | 374.3 | 366.7 | 2 | % | 328.7 | 12 | % | ||||||||||
| General and administrative | 422.8 | 355.9 | 19 | % | 305.8 | 16 | % | ||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | $ | 1,339.4 | $ | 1,203.4 | 11 | % | $ | 1,092.7 | 10 | % | |||||||
| Percentage of sales | 15.0 | % | 14.0 | % | +98 basis points | 14.7% | -68 basis points | ||||||||||
| Income from financial services | $ | 80.4 | $ | 48.4 | 66 | % | $ | 53.8 | (10) | % | |||||||
| Operating income | $ | 700.9 | $ | 804.5 | (13) | % | $ | 712.0 | 13 | % | |||||||
| Non-operating expense: | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | $ | 125.0 | $ | 71.7 | 74 | % | $ | 44.2 | 62 | % | |||||||
| Other (income) expense, net | $ | (44.5) | $ | (28.6) | 56 | % | $ | 2.3 | NM | ||||||||
| Loss on sale of businesses | $ | — | $ | — | — | $ | 36.8 | NM | |||||||||
| Income from continuing operations before income taxes | $ | 620.4 | $ | 761.4 | (19) | % | $ | 628.7 | 21 | % | |||||||
| Provision for income taxes | $ | 117.7 | $ | 158.0 | (26) | % | $ | 132.1 | 20 | % | |||||||
| Effective income tax rate | 19.0 | % | 20.7 | % | -178 basis points | 21.0 | % | -26 basis points | |||||||||
| Net income from continuing operations | $ | 502.7 | $ | 603.4 | (17) | % | $ | 496.6 | 22 | % | |||||||
| Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest | 0.1 | (0.5) | NM | (0.4) | 25 | % | |||||||||||
| Net income from continuing operations attributable to Polaris Inc. | $ | 502.8 | $ | 602.9 | (17) | % | $ | 496.2 | 22 | % | |||||||
| Percentage of sales | 5.6 | % | 7.0 | % | -140 basis points | 6.7 | % | +35 basis points | |||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,020.9 | $ | 1,075.9 | (5) | % | $ | 956.2 | 13 | % | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA Margin | 11.4 | % | 12.5 | % | -110 basis points | 12.9 | % | -33 basis points | |||||||||
| Diluted net income from continuing operations per share attributable to Polaris Inc. shareholders | $ | 8.71 | $ | 10.04 | (13) | % | $ | 7.92 | 27 | % | |||||||
| Weighted average diluted shares outstanding | 57.7 | 60.1 | (4) | % | 62.7 | (4) | % | ||||||||||
| NM = not meaningful |
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Sales:
The year-over-year increase in sales was driven primarily by product mix and increased shipments.
The components of the consolidated sales change were as follows:
| Percent change in total Company sales compared to the prior year | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| Volume | 2 | % | 1 | % | |
| Product mix and price | 2 | 16 | |||
| Currency | — | (2) | |||
| 4 | % | 15 | % |
The year-over-year volume increase was driven by increased ORV and snowmobile shipments. Product mix and price drove an increase in sales as a result of a higher sales mix of premium ORV models, which was partially offset by higher finance interest.
Sales by geographic region were as follows:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2023 | Percent of Total Sales | 2022 | Percent of Total Sales | Percent Change 2023 vs. 2022 | 2021 | Percent of Total Sales | Percent Change 2022 vs. 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 7,122.2 | 80 | % | $ | 6,809.2 | 79 | % | 5 | % | $ | 5,742.3 | 77 | % | 19 | % | ||||||||||
| Canada | 584.0 | 6 | % | 606.7 | 7 | % | (4) | % | 573.7 | 8 | % | 6 | % | |||||||||||||
| Other countries | 1,228.2 | 14 | % | 1,173.1 | 14 | % | 5 | % | 1,123.2 | 15 | % | 4 | % | |||||||||||||
| Total sales | $ | 8,934.4 | 100 | % | $ | 8,589.0 | 100 | % | 4 | % | $ | 7,439.2 | 100 | % | 15 | % |
Sales in the United States for 2023 increased five percent during the year, primarily driven by product mix and increased shipments, partially offset by higher finance interest.
Sales in Canada decreased four percent during 2023, primarily due to unfavorable foreign currency exchange rate movement. Currency rate movements had an unfavorable impact of three percentage points on sales in 2023.
Sales in other countries, primarily in Europe, increased five percent during 2023, primarily driven by product mix. Currency rate movements had a favorable impact of two percentage points on sales in 2023.
Cost of sales:
The following table reflects our cost of sales in dollars and as a percentage of sales:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2023 | Percent of Total Cost of Sales | 2022 | Percent of Total Cost of Sales | Change 2023 vs. 2022 | 2021 | Percent of Total Cost of Sales | Change 2022 vs. 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Purchased materials and services | $ | 5,802.9 | 83 | % | $ | 5,606.4 | 84 | % | 4 | % | $ | 4,826.8 | 85 | % | 16 | % | ||||||||||
| Labor and benefits | 756.7 | 11 | % | 656.0 | 10 | % | 15 | % | 568.5 | 10 | % | 15 | % | |||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 205.8 | 3 | % | 183.6 | 3 | % | 12 | % | 162.6 | 3 | % | 13 | % | |||||||||||||
| Warranty costs | 209.1 | 3 | % | 183.5 | 3 | % | 14 | % | 130.4 | 2 | % | 41 | % | |||||||||||||
| Total cost of sales | $ | 6,974.5 | 100 | % | $ | 6,629.5 | 100 | % | 5 | % | $ | 5,688.3 | 100 | % | 17 | % | ||||||||||
| Percentage of sales | 78.1 | % | 77.2 | % | +88 basis points | 76.5 | % | +72 basis points |
The year-over-year increase in cost of sales was primarily due to higher labor, warranty, and depreciation and amortization expenses. Higher sales volumes and product mix also contributed to the increase.
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Gross profit:
Gross profit for 2023, as a percentage of sales, decreased primarily due to unfavorable foreign currency exchange rate movement and higher finance interest, both partially offset by higher net pricing.
Operating expenses:
Operating expenses for 2023, in absolute dollars and as a percentage of sales, increased compared to 2022, primarily due to higher general and administrative and selling and marketing expenses.
Income from financial services:
The following table reflects our income from financial services:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | Change 2023 vs. 2022 | 2021 | Change 2022 vs. 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Income from Polaris Acceptance joint venture | $ | 41.5 | $ | 15.1 | 175 | % | $ | 7.7 | 96 | % | |||||||
| Income from retail credit agreements | 39.0 | 34.3 | 14 | % | 41.3 | (17) | % | ||||||||||
| Net income (expense) from other financial services activities | (0.1) | (1.0) | NM | 4.8 | NM | ||||||||||||
| Total income from financial services | $ | 80.4 | $ | 48.4 | 66 | % | $ | 53.8 | (10) | % | |||||||
| Percentage of sales | 0.9 | % | 0.6 | % | +34 basis points | 0.7 | % | -16 basis points |
Income from financial services increased 66 percent in 2023, primarily due to higher wholesale financing income from Polaris Acceptance driven by higher dealer inventory levels.
Interest expense:
Interest expense increased for 2023 due to higher interest rates.
Other (income) expense, net:
Other (income) expense is primarily the result of currency exchange rate movements and the corresponding effects on currency transactions related to our international subsidiaries.
Provision for income taxes:
The decrease in the effective income tax rate for 2023 was primarily due to an increase in research and development credits, a non-cash increase of deferred tax assets, and the favorable impact of lower pretax income generated in 2023, partially offset by a decreased deduction for Foreign Derived Intangible Income (“FDII”).
Adjusted EBITDA:
Adjusted EBITDA, in absolute dollars and as a percentage of sales, decreased in 2023 due to increased operating expenses, higher finance interest and unfavorable foreign currency exchange rate movement, partially offset by higher net pricing.
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding:
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding decreased throughout 2023 primarily due to share repurchases.
Segment Results of Operations
The summary that follows provides a discussion of the results of operations of each of our three reportable segments, Off Road, On Road, and Marine. Each of these segments is comprised of various product offerings that serve multiple end markets. We evaluate performance based on sales and gross profit. The Corporate amounts include revenues and costs of businesses that were divested in 2021, as well as costs that are not allocated to segments, including certain unallocated manufacturing costs. Businesses that are presented as discontinued operations are excluded from the tables below.
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Our sales and gross profit by reporting segment, which includes the respective PG&A, were as follows:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2023 | Percent of Sales | 2022 | Percent of Sales | Percent Change 2023 vs. 2022 | 2021 | Percent of Sales | Percent Change 2022 vs. 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Off Road | $ | 6,984.4 | 78 | % | $ | 6,436.2 | 75 | % | 9 | % | $ | 5,574.6 | 75 | % | 15 | % | ||||||||||
| On Road | 1,184.6 | 13 | % | 1,163.4 | 14 | % | 2 | % | 1,031.8 | 14 | % | 13 | % | |||||||||||||
| Marine | 765.4 | 9 | % | 989.4 | 11 | % | (23) | % | 760.2 | 10 | % | 30 | % | |||||||||||||
| Corporate | — | — | % | — | — | % | NM | 72.6 | 1 | % | NM | |||||||||||||||
| Total sales | $ | 8,934.4 | 100 | % | $ | 8,589.0 | 100 | % | 4 | % | $ | 7,439.2 | 100 | % | 15 | % | ||||||||||
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | 2023 | Percent of Sales | 2022 | Percent of Sales | Percent Change 2023 vs. 2022 | 2021 | Percent of Sales | Percent Change 2022 vs. 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Off Road | $ | 1,531.6 | 21.9 | % | $ | 1,523.4 | 23.7 | % | 1 | % | $ | 1,329.8 | 23.9 | % | 15 | % | ||||||||||
| On Road | 240.4 | 20.3 | % | 206.3 | 17.7 | % | 17 | % | 160.7 | 15.6 | % | 28 | % | |||||||||||||
| Marine | 169.0 | 22.1 | % | 222.5 | 22.5 | % | (24) | % | 170.6 | 22.4 | % | 30 | % | |||||||||||||
| Corporate | 18.9 | 7.3 | NM | 89.8 | NM | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total gross profit | $ | 1,959.9 | 21.9 | % | $ | 1,959.5 | 22.8 | % | 0 | % | $ | 1,750.9 | 23.5 | % | 12 | % | ||||||||||
| NM = not meaningful |
Off Road:
Off Road sales, inclusive of PG&A sales, increased nine percent in 2023 driven by increased shipments and product mix, partially offset by higher finance interest. Sales to customers outside of North America increased one percent in 2023 driven by increased snowmobile shipments. The average per unit sales price for the Off Road segment increased approximately two percent, driven by higher pricing.
Additional information on our end markets for 2023:
•Polaris North America ATV unit retail sales up low-single digits percent
•Polaris North America side-by-side unit retail sales up mid-single digits percent
•Total Polaris North America ORV unit retail sales up mid-single digits percent
•Estimated North America industry ORV unit retail sales up low-single digits percent
•Total Polaris North America ORV dealer inventories up approximately 55 percent
•Polaris North America snowmobile unit retail sales for the 2023-2024 season-to-date period through December 31, 2023 up low-teens percent
•Estimated North America industry snowmobile unit retail sales for the 2023-2024 season-to-date period through December 31, 2023 up low-double digits percent
•Total Polaris North America snowmobile dealer inventories up approximately 120 percent
Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, decreased in 2023 primarily due to unfavorable product mix, higher finance interest, and foreign currency exchange rate movement, partially offset by lower input costs.
On Road:
On Road sales, inclusive of PG&A sales, increased two percent in 2023 driven by product mix. On Road sales to customers outside of North America increased nine percent in 2023, driven by product mix. The average per unit sales price for the On Road segment increased five percent, driven by product mix.
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Additional information on our end markets for 2023:
•Indian Motorcycle North America unit retail sales up mid-single digits percent
•Estimated North America industry 900cc cruiser, touring, and standard motorcycle unit retail sales down high-single digits percent
•Polaris North America motorcycle dealer inventories up approximately 20 percent
Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, increased in 2023 due to favorable product mix and lower input costs, partially offset by increased warranty costs and higher finance interest.
Marine:
Marine sales decreased 23 percent, primarily due to decreased shipments, partially offset by higher net pricing.
Additional information on our end markets for 2023:
•Polaris U.S pontoon unit retail sales down mid-single digits percent
•Estimated U.S. industry pontoon unit retail sales down high-single digits percent
•Polaris U.S. deck boat unit retail sales down mid-teens percent
•Estimate U.S. industry deck boat unit retail sales down mid-twenties percent
Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, decreased due to a decrease in sales volumes resulting in decreased leverage of manufacturing costs, partially offset by higher net pricing.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement our consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, we use certain non-GAAP financial measures, as described below, to understand and evaluate our core operating performance. These non-GAAP financial measures, which may be different than similarly titled measures used by other companies, are presented to enhance investors’ overall understanding of our financial performance and should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP.
We use the non-GAAP financial measure of Adjusted EBITDA, which is defined as net income from continuing operations, excluding interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization, and certain other non-cash, non-recurring, or non-operating items impacting net income from continuing operations from time to time. For example, costs associated with our multi-phase supply chain transformation initiative and certain corporate restructuring activities, such as acquisitions and divestitures, are included as non-GAAP adjustments. We use the non-GAAP financial measure of Adjusted EBITDA Margin, which is defined as Adjusted EBITDA divided by net sales. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin help identify underlying trends in our business that could otherwise be masked by the effect of the expenses that we exclude from Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin.
We believe that these measures provide useful information about our financial performance, enhance the overall understanding of our past performance and future prospects, and allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics used by our management for financial and operational decision making. We are presenting these non-GAAP measures to assist investors in seeing our financial performance through the eyes of management, and because we believe that these measures provide an additional tool for investors to use in comparing our core financial performance over multiple periods with other companies in our industry.
Adjusted EBITDA has limitations and should not be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or more meaningful than, net income from continuing operations as determined in accordance with GAAP. Certain items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA are significant components in understanding and assessing a company’s financial performance. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin should not be construed as an inference that our results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items.
The following table presents a reconciliation of net income from continuing operations, the most comparable GAAP financial measure, to Adjusted EBITDA for each of the periods presented:
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| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Sales | $ | 8,934.4 | $ | 8,589.0 | $ | 7,439.2 | ||||
| Net income from continuing operations | 502.7 | 603.4 | 496.6 | |||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 117.7 | 158.0 | 132.1 | |||||||
| Interest expense | 125.0 | 71.7 | 44.2 | |||||||
| Depreciation | 241.2 | 214.0 | 193.4 | |||||||
| Intangible amortization (1) | 17.7 | 18.8 | 22.9 | |||||||
| Distributions from other affiliates and impairment charges (2) | (1.4) | (0.7) | 7.7 | |||||||
| Acquisition-related costs (3) | 1.3 | — | — | |||||||
| Restructuring and realignment expenses (4) | 8.2 | 6.2 | 13.1 | |||||||
| Class action litigation expenses (5) | 8.5 | 4.5 | 9.4 | |||||||
| Loss on sale of businesses (6) | — | — | 36.8 | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,020.9 | $ | 1,075.9 | $ | 956.2 | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDA Margin | 11.4 | % | 12.5 | % | 12.9 | % | ||||
| (1) Represents amortization expense for acquisition-related intangible assets | ||||||||||
| (2) Represents impairment charges and subsequent distributions related to a strategic investment held by the Company | ||||||||||
| (3) Represents adjustments for integration and acquisition-related expenses | ||||||||||
| (4) Represents adjustments for corporate restructuring, network realignment costs, and supply chain transformation costs | ||||||||||
| (5) Represents adjustments for certain class action litigation-related expenses | ||||||||||
| (6) Represents the loss associated with the Company’s divestiture of the Global Electric Motorcar (GEM) and Taylor-Dunn businesses |
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary sources of liquidity have been cash provided by operating and financing activities, including funds as needed from our credit facility and issuances of long-term debt. Our primary uses of funds have been for new product development, capital investments, cash dividends to shareholders, repurchases and retirement of common stock and acquisitions. The seasonality of production and shipments cause working capital requirements to fluctuate during the year and from year to year.
We believe that existing cash balances and cash flows to be generated from operating activities, borrowing capacity under our credit facility and from future issuances or borrowings of long-term debt, will be sufficient to fund operations, new product development, cash dividends to shareholders, repurchases and retirement of common stock, and capital requirements for at least the next 12 months and for the foreseeable future thereafter.
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Cash Flows
The following table summarizes the cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities of continuing operations:
| ($ in millions) | For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | Change 2023 vs. 2022 | 2021 | Change 2022 vs. 2021 | ||||||||||||||
| Total cash provided by (used for): | ||||||||||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 925.8 | $ | 534.5 | $ | 391.3 | $ | 286.8 | $ | 247.7 | ||||||||
| Investing activities | (462.0) | (319.3) | (142.7) | (288.4) | (30.9) | |||||||||||||
| Financing activities | (431.3) | (363.2) | (68.1) | (107.6) | (255.6) |
Operating Activities:
The increase in net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations in 2023 was primarily the result of reduced working capital in the current year compared to working capital additions in the prior year, partially offset by lower net income from continuing operations.
Investing Activities:
The primary sources and uses of cash were for the purchase of property, equipment and tooling for continued capacity and capability at our manufacturing, distribution and product development facilities, capital deployed for acquisitions and proceeds received from the disposal of businesses, and distributions from and contributions to Polaris Acceptance. Net cash used for investing activities of continuing operations increased in 2023 due to an increase in property, equipment and tooling purchases, as well as cash utilized for an acquisition in the current period compared to proceeds received for the disposal of certain businesses in the prior year.
Financing Activities:
The increase in net cash used for financing activities was attributable to decreased net borrowings under debt arrangements. Net repayments totaled $158.2 million in 2023 compared to $257.7 million of net borrowings in 2022. This increase was partially offset by lower share repurchases and increased proceeds from stock issuances under employee plans.
Financing Arrangements:
We are party to an unsecured Master Note Purchase Agreement, as amended and supplemented, under which we have issued senior notes. As of December 31, 2023, outstanding borrowings under the Master Note Purchase Agreement totaled $350.0 million.
We are also party to an unsecured credit facility, which includes a $1.0 billion variable interest rate Revolving Loan Facility that matures in June 2026, under which we have unsecured borrowings. As of December 31, 2023, there were borrowings of $228.2 million outstanding under the Revolving Loan Facility. Our credit facility also includes a Term Loan Facility, on which $780.0 million was outstanding as of December 31, 2023. We are required to make principal payments under the Term Loan Facility totaling $45 million over the next 12 months. Interest is charged at rates based on adjusted Term SOFR for the credit facility. As of December 31, 2023, we had $764.3 million of availability on the Revolving Loan Facility.
In December 2021, we amended the credit facility to provide an unsecured incremental 364-day term loan (the “Incremental Term Loan”) in the amount of $500 million, which was fully drawn on closing. In December 2022, we further amended the unsecured credit facility to extend the maturity date of the Incremental Term Loan to December 15, 2023. The Incremental Term Loan was fully repaid in December 2023 using net proceeds from the Company’s sale of senior notes in a public offering completed in November 2023.
In November 2023, we amended the credit facility to terminate all guarantees provided by our subsidiaries under the credit facility, remove the requirement for our subsidiaries to provide guarantees of the obligations under the credit facility, and remove certain of our subsidiaries as co-borrowers.
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The agreements governing the credit facility and the Master Note Purchase Agreement contain covenants that require us to maintain certain financial ratios, including minimum interest coverage and maximum leverage ratios. The agreements require us to maintain an interest coverage ratio of not less than 3.00 to 1.00 and a leverage ratio of not more than 3.50 to 1.00 on a rolling four quarter basis.
In November 2023, we issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 6.950% Senior Notes pursuant to a public offering. We received approximately $492 million pursuant to the notes after deducting the underwriting discount and other fees and expenses. Net proceeds from the notes, along with cash on hand, were used to repay borrowings due in December 2023 under the Incremental Term Loan. The notes bear interest at a rate of 6.950% per year, with interest payable semi-annually in arrears in March and September of each year. The notes mature in March of 2029. The indenture governing the senior notes is subject to customary covenants and make-whole provisions upon early termination.
On July 2, 2018, pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated May 29, 2018, we completed the acquisition of Boat Holdings, LLC, a privately held Delaware limited liability company, headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana which manufactures boats (“Boat Holdings”). As a component of the Boat Holdings merger agreement, we have committed to make a series of deferred payments to the former owners through July 2030. The original discounted payable was for $76.7 million, of which $49.4 million was outstanding as of December 31, 2023.
As of December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, we were in compliance with all debt covenants. Our debt to total capital ratio was 57 percent and 65 percent as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Additionally, as of December 31, 2023, we had letters of credit outstanding of $42.6 million, primarily related to purchase obligations for raw materials.
Share Repurchases:
As of December 31, 2023, our Board of Directors has authorized us to repurchase up to an additional $1,185.1 million of our common stock. We repurchased a total of 1.6 million shares of our common stock for $178.6 million during 2023, which had a favorable impact on diluted net income from continuing operations per share of 13 cents.
Wholesale Customer Financing Arrangements:
We have arrangements with certain finance companies to provide secured floor plan financing for our dealers. These arrangements provide liquidity by financing dealer purchases of our products without the use of our working capital. A majority of the worldwide sales of snowmobiles, ORVs, motorcycles, boats and related PG&A are financed under similar arrangements whereby we receive payment within a few days of shipment of the product. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the outstanding amount financed worldwide by dealers under these arrangements was approximately $2,629.9 million and $1,893.9 million, respectively. We participate in the cost of dealer financing up to certain limits.
Under these arrangements, we have agreed to repurchase products repossessed by these finance companies. As of December 31, 2023, the potential aggregate repurchase obligations were approximately $496.3 million. Our financial exposure under these repurchase agreements is limited to the difference between the amounts unpaid by the dealer with respect to the repossessed product plus costs of repossession and the amount received on the resale of the repossessed product. No material losses have been incurred under these agreements during the periods presented.
Retail Customer Financing Arrangements:
We have agreements with third-party financing companies to provide financing options to end consumers of our products. We have no material contingent liabilities for residual value or credit collection risk under these agreements. During 2023, consumers financed 27 percent of our vehicles sold in the United States through these arrangements. The volume of installment credit contracts written in calendar year 2023 with these institutions was $1,403.1 million, a 28 percent increase from 2022.
Critical Accounting Policies and Critical Accounting Estimates
We have adopted various accounting policies to prepare the consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Some of those significant accounting policies require us to make difficult, subjective, or complex judgments or estimates. An accounting estimate is considered to be critical if it meets both of the following criteria: (i) the estimate requires assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the accounting estimate is made, and (ii) different
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estimates reasonably could have been used, or changes in the estimate that are reasonably likely to occur may have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. The significant accounting policies that management believes are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results include the following: revenue recognition, sales promotions and incentives, product warranties, product liability, and goodwill and other intangible assets.
Revenue recognition. With respect to wholegood vehicles, boats, and PG&A, revenue is recognized when we transfer control of the product to our customer (primarily dealers and distributors). With respect to services provided by us, revenue is recognized upon completion of the service or over the term of the service agreement in proportion to the costs expected to be incurred in satisfying the obligations over the term of the service period. Revenue is measured based on the amount of consideration that we expect to be entitled to in exchange for the goods or services transferred. Sales, value add, and other taxes collected from a customer concurrent with revenue-producing activities are excluded from revenue. When the right of return exists, we adjust the consideration for the estimated effect of returns. We estimate expected returns based on historical sales levels, the timing and magnitude of historical sales return levels as a percent of sales, type of product, type of customer, and a projection of this experience into the future. We have agreed to repurchase products repossessed by the finance companies up to certain limits. Our financial exposure is limited to the difference between the amount paid to the finance companies and the amount received on the resale of the repossessed product.
Sales promotions and incentives. We accrue for estimated sales promotion and incentive expenses, which are recognized as a component of sales in measuring the amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for transferring goods or providing services. Examples of sales promotion and incentive programs include dealer and consumer rebates, volume incentives, retail financing programs and sales associate incentives. Sales promotion and incentive expenses are estimated based on current programs, planned programs, and historical rates for each product line. We record these amounts as a liability in the consolidated balance sheet until they are ultimately paid. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, accrued sales promotions and incentives were $230.9 million and $127.0 million, respectively. Actual results may differ from these estimates if market conditions dictate the need to enhance or reduce sales promotion and incentive programs or if the customer usage rate varies from historical trends. Adjustments to sales promotion and incentive accruals are made as actual usage becomes known in order to properly estimate the amounts necessary to generate consumer demand based on market conditions as of the balance sheet date.
Product warranties. We typically provide a limited warranty for our vehicles and boats for a period of six months to ten years, depending on the product. We provide longer warranties in certain geographical markets as determined by local regulations and customary practice and may also provide longer warranties related to certain promotional programs. Our standard warranties require us, generally through our dealer network, to repair or replace defective products during such warranty periods. The warranty reserve is established at the time of sale to the dealer or distributor based on management’s best estimate using historical rates and trends. We record these amounts as a liability in the consolidated balance sheet until they are ultimately paid. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the accrued warranty liability was $181.1 million and $172.9 million, respectively. Adjustments to the warranty reserve are made based on actual claims experience in order to properly estimate the amounts necessary to settle future and existing claims on products sold as of the balance sheet date. The warranty reserve includes the estimated costs related to recalls, which are accrued when probable and estimable. Factors that could have an impact on the warranty accrual include the following: changes in manufacturing quality, shifts in product mix, changes in warranty coverage periods, impacts on product usage (including weather), product recalls and changes in sales volume. Amounts estimated to be due and payable could differ materially from what will ultimately transpire in the future and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Product liability. We are subject to product liability claims in the normal course of business. In 2012, we began purchasing excess insurance coverage for product liability claims. We self-insure product liability claims before the policy date and up to the purchased insurance coverage after the policy date. The estimated costs resulting from any losses are charged to operating expenses when it is probable a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss is reasonably estimable. There is significant judgment and estimation required in evaluating the possible outcomes and potential losses of product liability matters. We utilize claims experience, historical trends and actuarial analysis, along with an analysis of current claims, to assist in determining the appropriate loss reserve levels. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, we had accruals of $136.7 million and $107.5 million, respectively, for the probable payment of pending claims related to product liability litigation associated with our products. Adverse determination of material product liability claims made against us could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
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Goodwill. Goodwill is tested at least annually for impairment and is tested for impairment more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. We complete our annual goodwill impairment test as of the first day of the fourth quarter.
We may first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of each reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. A qualitative assessment requires that we consider events or circumstances including macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance, changes in management or key personnel, changes in strategy, changes in customers, changes in the composition or carrying amount of a reporting unit’s net assets, and changes in our stock price. If, after assessing the totality of events and circumstances, it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, or if we elect to bypass the qualitative test and proceed to a quantitative test, then the quantitative goodwill impairment test is performed. A quantitative test includes comparing the fair value of each reporting unit to the carrying amount of the reporting unit, including goodwill. If the estimated fair value is less than the carrying amount of the reporting unit, an impairment is recognized in an amount equal to the difference, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.
Under the quantitative goodwill impairment test, the fair value of each reporting unit is determined using a discounted cash flow analysis and market approach. Determining the fair value of the reporting units requires the use of significant judgment, including discount rates, assumptions in our long-term business plan about future revenues and expenses, capital expenditures, and changes in working capital, which are dependent on internal forecasts, estimation of long-term growth for each reporting unit, and determination of the discount rate. These plans take into consideration numerous factors including historical experience, anticipated future economic conditions, changes in raw material prices and growth expectations for the industries and end markets in which we participate. These assumptions are determined over a five-year long-term planning period. The five-year growth rates for revenues and EBITDA vary for each reporting unit being evaluated. Revenues and EBITDA beyond five years are projected to grow at a terminal growth rate consistent with industry expectations. Actual results may significantly differ from those used in our valuations. The forecasted future cash flows are discounted using a discount rate developed for each reporting unit. The discount rates were developed using market observable inputs, as well as our assessment of risks inherent in the future cash flows of each respective reporting unit.
In estimating fair value using the market approach, we identify a group of comparable publicly traded companies for each reporting unit that are similar in terms of size and product offering. These groups of comparable companies are used to develop multiples based on total market-based invested capital as a multiple of EBITDA. We determine our estimated values by applying these comparable EBITDA multiples to the operating results of our reporting units. The ultimate fair value of each reporting unit is determined considering the results of both valuation methods. Inputs used to estimate these fair values include significant unobservable inputs that reflect our assumptions about the inputs that market participants would use and, therefore, the fair value assessments are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
In the fourth quarter of 2023, we completed the annual impairment test. It was determined that goodwill was not impaired as each reporting unit’s fair value exceeded its carrying value. We completed a qualitative assessment for the Off Road and On Road reporting units and elected to perform a quantitative goodwill test for the Marine reporting unit. The difference between the fair value and carrying value of the Marine reporting unit was in excess of 10%.
Other intangible assets. Our primary identifiable intangible assets include: dealer/customer relationships and brand/trade names. Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are amortized and those identifiable intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized. Identifiable intangible assets that are subject to amortization are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Identifiable intangible assets with indefinite lives are tested for impairment annually or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. We complete our annual impairment test for identifiable intangible assets with indefinite lives as of the first day of the fourth quarter.
Our identifiable intangible assets with indefinite lives include brand/trade names. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of the brand/trade name to its carrying value. The fair value is determined using the relief-from-royalty method. This method assumes the brand/trade name has value to the extent that the owner is relieved of the obligation to pay royalties for the benefits received from them. This method requires us to estimate the future revenue for the related brand/trade names, the appropriate royalty rate and the discount rate. Forecasted revenues are derived from our annual budget and long-term business plan and royalty rates are based on brand profitability. The discount rates are
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developed using the market observable inputs used in the development of the reporting unit discount rates, as well as our assessment of risks inherent in the future cash flows of each respective brand/trade name.
In the fourth quarter of 2023, we completed the annual impairment test. It was determined that our indefinite-lived intangible assets were not impaired.
New Accounting Pronouncements
See Item 8 of Part II, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 1—Organization and Significant Accounting Policies—New accounting pronouncements.”
FY 2022 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001628280-23-004043.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion pertains to the results of operations and financial position of the Company and should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto included elsewhere in this report. This section of this Form 10-K generally discusses 2022 and 2021 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2022 and 2021. Discussions of 2020 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2021 and 2020 that are not included in this Form 10-K can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
Overview
2022 was a record year for sales which totaled $8.6 billion, a 15 percent increase from 2021. The Company achieved growth across all segments and regions driven primarily by favorable product mix and higher pricing compared to 2021.
The impact of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic as well as other disruptive events have impacted the global economy, disrupted global supply chains and created significant volatility and disruption of financial markets. The impact of these factors has affected our business segments, employees, dealers, suppliers, and customers in a variety of ways.
In 2021 and the first half of 2022 we saw strong retail demand for our products. Consistent with macroeconomic trends, as we progressed through 2022, we have seen indicators of demand moderating. Due to the dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic, heightened demand, natural disasters, and geopolitical events, including the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and related sanctions, our supply chain and manufacturing operations have experienced inefficiencies caused by production-limiting disruptions, including supplier labor shortages. Although these disruptions are moderating, we have made pricing changes to address the resulting increase in production costs.
The duration of these trends and the magnitude of such impacts cannot be precisely estimated at this time, as they are affected by a number of factors (some of which are outside management’s control), including those presented in Item 1A. Risk Factors of this Annual Report.
Full year net income from continuing operations attributable to Polaris Inc. of $602.9 million increased 22 percent from 2021, with diluted earnings per share from continuing operations increasing from $7.92 to $10.04 per share. These increases were primarily driven by higher pricing and favorable product mix.
On February 2, 2023, we announced that our Board of Directors approved a two percent increase in the quarterly cash dividend to $0.65 per share for the first quarter of 2023, representing the 28th consecutive year of increased dividends to shareholders.
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Consolidated Results of Operations
The consolidated results of operations were as follows:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions except per share data) | 2022 | 2021 | Change 2022 vs. 2021 | 2020 | Change 2021 vs. 2020 | ||||||||||||
| Sales | $ | 8,589.0 | $ | 7,439.2 | 15 | % | $ | 6,281.4 | 18 | % | |||||||
| Cost of sales | $ | 6,629.5 | $ | 5,688.3 | 17 | % | $ | 4,745.7 | 20 | % | |||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 1,959.5 | $ | 1,750.9 | 12 | % | $ | 1,535.7 | 14 | % | |||||||
| Percentage of sales | 22.8 | % | 23.5 | % | -72 basis points | 24.4 | % | -91 basis points | |||||||||
| Operating expenses: | |||||||||||||||||
| Selling and marketing | $ | 480.8 | $ | 458.2 | 5 | % | $ | 429.8 | 7 | % | |||||||
| Research and development | 366.7 | 328.7 | 12 | % | 288.1 | 14 | % | ||||||||||
| General and administrative | 355.9 | 305.8 | 16 | % | 296.1 | 3 | % | ||||||||||
| Goodwill impairment | — | — | 81.1 | NM | |||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | $ | 1,203.4 | $ | 1,092.7 | 10 | % | $ | 1,095.1 | — | % | |||||||
| Percentage of sales | 14.0 | % | 14.7 | % | -68 basis points | 17.4% | -275 basis points | ||||||||||
| Income from financial services | $ | 48.4 | $ | 53.8 | (10) | % | $ | 80.4 | (33) | % | |||||||
| Operating income | $ | 804.5 | $ | 712.0 | 13 | % | $ | 521.0 | 37 | % | |||||||
| Non-operating expense: | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | $ | 71.7 | $ | 44.2 | 62 | % | $ | 66.8 | (34) | % | |||||||
| Other (income) expense, net | $ | (28.6) | $ | 2.3 | NM | $ | 3.8 | (39) | % | ||||||||
| Loss on sale of businesses | $ | — | $ | 36.8 | NM | $ | — | NM | |||||||||
| Income from continuing operations before income taxes | $ | 761.4 | $ | 628.7 | 21 | % | $ | 450.4 | 40 | % | |||||||
| Provision for income taxes | $ | 158.0 | $ | 132.1 | 20 | % | $ | 89.9 | 47 | % | |||||||
| Effective income tax rate | 20.7 | % | 21.0 | % | -26 basis points | 20.0 | % | +106 basis points | |||||||||
| Net income from continuing operations | $ | 603.4 | $ | 496.6 | 22 | % | $ | 360.5 | 38 | % | |||||||
| Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest | (0.5) | (0.4) | 25 | % | (0.1) | NM | |||||||||||
| Net income from continuing operations attributable to Polaris Inc. | $ | 602.9 | $ | 496.2 | 22 | % | $ | 360.4 | 38 | % | |||||||
| Diluted net income from continuing operations per share attributable to Polaris Inc. shareholders | $ | 10.04 | $ | 7.92 | 27 | % | $ | 5.75 | 38 | % | |||||||
| Weighted average diluted shares outstanding | 60.1 | 62.7 | (4) | % | 62.6 | — | % | ||||||||||
| NM = not meaningful |
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Sales:
Sales were $8,589.0 million in 2022, a 15 percent increase from $7,439.2 million in 2021. The components of the consolidated sales change were as follows:
| Percent change in total Company sales compared to the prior year | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||
| Volume | 1 | % | 9 | % | |
| Product mix and price | 16 | 8 | |||
| Currency | (2) | 1 | |||
| 15 | % | 18 | % |
Favorable product mix and higher pricing contributed a 16 percent increase to sales in 2022. Volume contributed a one percent increase in 2022 driven by increased motorcycle and snowmobile shipments, partially offset by lower off-road vehicle shipments. Currency rate movements drove a two percent decrease in sales for 2022.
Volume contributed a nine percent increase in 2021 driven by increased shipments in all segments, but most significantly ORV, as well as higher PG&A sales. Product mix and price contributed an eight percent increase in 2021, primarily due to lower promotional spending and increased product pricing. Currency rate movements contributed a one percent increase for 2021.
Sales by geographic region were as follows:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2022 | Percent of Total Sales | 2021 | Percent of Total Sales | Percent Change 2022 vs. 2021 | 2020 | Percent of Total Sales | Percent Change 2021 vs. 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 6,809.2 | 79 | % | $ | 5,742.3 | 77 | % | 19 | % | $ | 5,073.5 | 81 | % | 13 | % | ||||||||||
| Canada | 606.7 | 7 | % | 573.7 | 8 | % | 6 | % | 367.2 | 6 | % | 56 | % | |||||||||||||
| Other countries | 1,173.1 | 14 | % | 1,123.2 | 15 | % | 4 | % | 840.7 | 13 | % | 34 | % | |||||||||||||
| Total sales | $ | 8,589.0 | 100 | % | $ | 7,439.2 | 100 | % | 15 | % | $ | 6,281.4 | 100 | % | 18 | % |
Sales in the United States for 2022 increased 19 percent during the year, primarily driven by favorable product mix, higher pricing, and increased motorcycle and snowmobile shipments. Sales in the United States represented 79 percent of total Company sales in 2022.
Sales in the United States for 2021 increased 13 percent, primarily driven by increased ORV and boat shipments, as well as higher PG&A sales.
Sales in Canada for 2022 increased six percent during the year, primarily driven by favorable product mix and higher pricing. Currency rate movements had an unfavorable impact of four percentage points on sales in 2022. Sales in Canada represented seven percent of total company sales in 2022.
Sales in Canada for 2021 increased 56 percent, primarily driven by increased ORV shipments. Currency rate movements had a favorable impact of eight percentage points on sales in 2021.
Sales in other countries, primarily in Europe, increased four percent during 2022, primarily driven by increased motorcycle shipments and higher pricing. Currency rate movements had an unfavorable impact of nine percentage points on sales in 2022. Sales in other countries represented 14 percent of total company sales in 2022.
Sales in other foreign countries increased 34 percent during 2021, primarily driven by increased ORV and motorcycle shipments. Currency rate movements had a favorable impact of five percentage points on sales in 2021.
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Cost of sales:
The following table reflects our cost of sales in dollars and as a percentage of sales:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2022 | Percent of Total Cost of Sales | 2021 | Percent of Total Cost of Sales | Change 2022 vs. 2021 | 2020 | Percent of Total Cost of Sales | Change 2021 vs. 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Purchased materials and services | $ | 5,606.4 | 84 | % | $ | 4,826.8 | 85 | % | 16 | % | $ | 3,993.5 | 84 | % | 21 | % | ||||||||||
| Labor and benefits | 656.0 | 10 | % | 568.5 | 10 | % | 15 | % | 456.5 | 10 | % | 25 | % | |||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 183.6 | 3 | % | 162.6 | 3 | % | 13 | % | 172.0 | 3 | % | (5) | % | |||||||||||||
| Warranty costs | 183.5 | 3 | % | 130.4 | 2 | % | 41 | % | 123.7 | 3 | % | 5 | % | |||||||||||||
| Total cost of sales | $ | 6,629.5 | 100 | % | $ | 5,688.3 | 100 | % | 17 | % | $ | 4,745.7 | 100 | % | 20 | % | ||||||||||
| Percentage of sales | 77.2 | % | 76.5 | % | +72 basis points | 75.6 | % | +91 basis points |
Cost of sales increased 17 percent in 2022 primarily due to changes in product mix, as well as higher warranty, labor, raw materials, and logistics costs. Cost of sales increased 20 percent in 2021 primarily due to increased wholegood and PG&A shipments, as well as higher labor, raw materials, and logistics costs.
Gross profit:
Gross profit for 2022, as a percentage of sales, decreased primarily due to higher input costs including logistics, components, and commodity prices, plant inefficiencies related to supply chain constraints, and higher warranty costs, partially offset by higher pricing and favorable product mix.
Gross profit for 2021, as a percentage of sales, decreased primarily due to higher input costs including logistics, components, and commodity prices, as well as plant inefficiencies related to supply chain constraints. The decrease was partially offset by higher sales volume, lower promotional costs and favorable pricing.
Operating expenses:
Operating expenses for 2022, in absolute dollars, increased compared to 2021, primarily due to higher research and development and general and administrative expenses. Operating expenses for 2022, as a percent of sales, decreased compared to 2021, primarily due to higher pricing and favorable mix which drove increased sales.
Operating expenses for 2021, in absolute dollars and as a percent of sales, decreased primarily due to the prior year impairment of goodwill, partially offset by an increase in total operating expenses to levels commensurate with increases in demand.
Income from financial services:
The following table reflects our income from financial services:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | Change 2022 vs. 2021 | 2020 | Change 2021 vs. 2020 | ||||||||||||
| Income from Polaris Acceptance joint venture | $ | 15.1 | $ | 7.7 | 96 | % | $ | 18.5 | (58) | % | |||||||
| Income from retail credit agreements | 34.3 | 41.3 | (17) | % | 58.7 | (30) | % | ||||||||||
| Net income (expense) from other financial services activities | (1.0) | 4.8 | NM | 3.2 | 50 | % | |||||||||||
| Total income from financial services | $ | 48.4 | $ | 53.8 | (10) | % | $ | 80.4 | (33) | % | |||||||
| Percentage of sales | 0.6 | % | 0.7 | % | -16 basis points | 1.3 | % | -56 basis points |
Income from financial services decreased 10 percent for 2022, primarily due to lower retail credit income resulting from lower retail sales, partially offset by higher wholesale financing income from Polaris Acceptance due to higher dealer inventory levels.
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Interest expense:
Interest expense increased for 2022 due to higher debt levels and higher interest rates.
Other (income) expense, net:
Other (income) expense is the result of currency exchange rate movements and the corresponding effects on currency transactions related to our international subsidiaries. Also included in Other (income) expense, net in 2021 is a $7.7 million impairment charge related to an investment in a strategic partner that was associated with a divested business.
Loss on sale of businesses:
In the fourth quarter of 2021, we divested our GEM and Taylor-Dunn businesses which resulted in a $36.8 million loss.
Provision for income taxes:
The decrease in the effective income tax rate for 2022 was primarily due to an increased deduction for Foreign Derived Intangible Income (“FDII”) and incremental foreign tax credits, partially offset by a decrease in research and development credits, as well as the unfavorable impact of higher pretax income generated in the current period.
The increase in the effective income tax rate for 2021 was primarily due to the favorable impact of lower pretax income generated in 2020 and the release of certain income tax reserves due to favorable federal tax examination developments in 2020. The increase was partially offset by favorable income tax benefits in jurisdictions with lower tax rates, as well as favorable income tax benefits from research and development credits in 2021.
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding decreased in 2022 primarily due to share repurchases.
Segment Results of Operations
On January 1, 2022, the Company began management of its portfolio of businesses under a new basis as a result of the divestiture of the GEM and Taylor-Dunn businesses. As a such, the Global Adjacent Markets segment was eliminated and the results of the Company’s remaining businesses historically included within the Global Adjacent Markets segment were reclassified to the Off Road and On Road segments. All historical segment results were reclassified for comparability, including the divested businesses which are included in Corporate.
On June 30, 2022, the Company again began management of its portfolio of businesses under a new basis as a result of the divestiture of TAP. As such, the Aftermarket segment was eliminated and the results of the Company’s remaining aftermarket businesses historically included within the Aftermarket segment were reclassified to the Off Road and On Road segments. All historical segment results were reclassified for comparability.
The summary that follows provides a discussion of the results of operations of each of our three reportable segments, Off Road, On Road, and Marine. Each of these segments is comprised of various product offerings that serve multiple end markets. We evaluate performance based on sales and gross profit. The Corporate amounts include revenues and costs of businesses that were divested in 2021, as well as costs that are not allocated to segments, including certain unallocated manufacturing costs. Businesses that are presented as discontinued operations are excluded from the tables below.
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Our sales and gross profit by reporting segment, which includes the respective PG&A, were as follows:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2022 | Percent of Sales | 2021 | Percent of Sales | Percent Change 2022 vs. 2021 | 2020 | Percent of Sales | Percent Change 2021 vs. 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Off Road | $ | 6,436.2 | 75 | % | $ | 5,574.6 | 75 | % | 15 | % | $ | 4,810.0 | 76 | % | 16 | % | ||||||||||
| On Road | 1,163.4 | 14 | % | 1,031.8 | 14 | % | 13 | % | 806.7 | 13 | % | 28 | % | |||||||||||||
| Marine | 989.4 | 11 | % | 760.2 | 10 | % | 30 | % | 603.4 | 10 | % | 26 | % | |||||||||||||
| Corporate | — | — | % | 72.6 | 1 | % | NM | 61.3 | 1 | % | 18 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Total sales | $ | 8,589.0 | 100 | % | $ | 7,439.2 | 100 | % | 15 | % | $ | 6,281.4 | 100 | % | 18 | % | ||||||||||
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | 2022 | Percent of Sales | 2021 | Percent of Sales | Percent Change 2022 vs. 2021 | 2020 | Percent of Sales | Percent Change 2021 vs. 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Off Road | $ | 1,523.4 | 23.7 | % | $ | 1,329.8 | 23.9 | % | 15 | % | $ | 1,302.0 | 27.1 | % | 2 | % | ||||||||||
| On Road | 206.3 | 17.7 | % | 160.7 | 15.6 | % | 28 | % | 95.5 | 11.8 | % | 68 | % | |||||||||||||
| Marine | 222.5 | 22.5 | % | 170.6 | 22.4 | % | 30 | % | 116.4 | 19.3 | % | 47 | % | |||||||||||||
| Corporate | 7.3 | 89.8 | NM | 21.8 | NM | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total gross profit | $ | 1,959.5 | 22.8 | % | $ | 1,750.9 | 23.5 | % | 12 | % | $ | 1,535.7 | 24.4 | % | 14 | % | ||||||||||
| NM = not meaningful |
Off Road:
Off Road sales, inclusive of PG&A sales, increased 15 percent in 2022 driven by favorable product mix and higher pricing. Sales to customers outside of North America increased five percent in 2022 driven by higher pricing and increased snowmobile shipments. The average per unit sales price for the Off Road segment increased approximately 18 percent, driven by higher pricing.
Additional information on our end markets for 2022:
•Polaris North America ATV unit retail sales down low-twenties percent
•Polaris North America side-by-side unit retail sales down mid-teens percent
•Total Polaris North America ORV unit retail sales down high-teens percent
•Estimated North America industry ORV unit retail sales down about 10 percent
•Total Polaris North America ORV dealer inventories up approximately 140 percent
•Polaris North America snowmobile unit retail sales for the 2022-2023 season-to-date period through December 31, 2022 down mid-single digits percent
•Estimated North America industry snowmobile unit retail sales for the 2022-2023 season-to-date period through December 31, 2022 up low-single digits percent
•Total Polaris North America snowmobile dealer inventories up approximately 45 percent
Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, decreased in 2022 primarily due to higher input costs including logistics, components, and commodity prices, plant inefficiencies related to supply chain constraints, and higher warranty costs, mostly offset by higher pricing.
Off Road sales increased 16 percent in 2021 driven by broad-based demand and shipments across ATV and side-by-side product lines, including PG&A, as well as increased pricing. Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, decreased in 2021 primarily due to higher input costs including logistics, components, and commodity prices, as well as plant inefficiencies related to supply chain constraints, partially offset by favorable mix, lower promotional costs, and higher pricing.
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On Road:
On Road sales, inclusive of PG&A sales, increased 13 percent in 2022 driven by higher pricing and increased shipments. On Road sales to customers outside of North America increased four percent in 2022 driven by higher pricing, partially offset by unfavorable foreign currency exchange rate movement. The average per unit sales price for the On Road segment increased two percent, driven by favorable product mix and higher pricing.
Additional information on our On Road end markets for 2022:
•Indian Motorcycle North America unit retail sales down low-twenties percent
•Estimated North America industry 900cc cruiser, touring, and standard motorcycle unit retail sales down low-double digits percent
•Polaris North America motorcycle dealer inventories up approximately 90 percent
Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, increased in 2022 primarily due to favorable product mix and lower promotional costs, partially offset by higher input costs, warranty costs, and unfavorable foreign currency exchange rate movement.
On Road sales increased 28 percent in 2021 driven by increased Indian motorcycle and Slingshot shipments as a result of strong retail sales, lower promotional costs, and higher PG&A sales. Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, increased in 2021 primarily due to lower promotional costs, partially offset by increased input costs related to supply chain constraints.
Marine:
Marine sales increased 30 percent, primarily due to favorable product mix and increased shipments. The average per unit sales price for the Marine segment increased 15 percent, driven by favorable product mix.
Additional information on our boat end markets for 2022:
•Polaris U.S pontoon unit retail sales down mid-twenties percent
•Estimated U.S. industry pontoon unit retail sales down high-single digits percent
Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, increased slightly primarily due to favorable product mix, mostly offset by higher input costs and higher floor plan interest expense.
Marine sales increased 26 percent in 2021, primarily due to increased production levels driven by retail and demand, as well as higher pricing and favorable mix. Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, increased in 2021, primarily due to favorable product mix, partially offset by higher input costs related to supply chain constraints.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary sources of funds have been cash provided by operating and financing activities. Our primary uses of funds have been for acquisitions, repurchases and retirement of common stock, capital investments, new product development, and cash dividends to shareholders. The seasonality of production and shipments cause working capital requirements to fluctuate during the year and year to year.
We believe that existing cash balances, cash flow to be generated from operating activities and borrowing capacity under the credit facility arrangement will be sufficient to fund operations, new product development, cash dividends, share repurchases, and capital requirements for at least the next 12 months and for the foreseeable future thereafter.
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Cash Flows
The following table summarizes the cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities of continuing operations:
| ($ in millions) | For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | Change 2022 vs. 2021 | 2020 | Change 2021 vs. 2020 | ||||||||||||||
| Total cash provided by (used for): | ||||||||||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 534.5 | $ | 286.8 | $ | 247.7 | $ | 961.8 | $ | (675.0) | ||||||||
| Investing activities | (319.3) | (288.4) | (30.9) | (141.1) | (147.3) | |||||||||||||
| Financing activities | (363.2) | (107.6) | (255.6) | (415.4) | 307.8 |
Operating Activities:
The increase in net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations in 2022 was primarily the result of lower working capital additions and higher net income from continuing operations, partially offset by the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Act") which, beginning in 2022, eliminated the option to deduct research and development expenditures and instead capitalize and amortize such expenditures over future periods.
The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations in 2021 was primarily the result of higher working capital additions due to increases in inventory driven by strong end-market demand and supply chain inefficiencies, partially offset by higher net income.
Investing Activities:
The primary sources and uses of cash in 2022 and 2021 were for the purchase of property, equipment and tooling for continued capacity and capability at our manufacturing and distribution facilities and for product development, distributions from and contributions to Polaris Acceptance, as well as proceeds from the sale of businesses. Net cash used for investing activities of continuing operations increased in 2022 due to a net a decrease in distributions from Polaris Acceptance and an increase in property, equipment and tooling purchases, partially offset by proceeds from the sale of businesses. Net cash used for investing activities of continuing operations increased in 2021 due to an increase in property, equipment and tooling purchases.
Financing Activities:
The increase in net cash used for financing activities was primarily due to lower proceeds from stock issuances under employee plans and decreased net borrowings under debt arrangements, finance lease obligations and notes payable. Net borrowings totaled $257.7 million in 2022 compared $351.3 million in 2021. Higher share repurchases also contributed to the increase.
Financing Arrangements:
We are party to an unsecured Master Note Purchase Agreement, as amended and supplemented, under which we have issued senior notes. As of December 31, 2022, outstanding borrowings under the Master Note Purchase Agreement totaled $350.0 million.
We are also party to an unsecured credit agreement, which includes a $1.0 billion variable interest rate Revolving Loan Facility that matures in June 2026, under which we have unsecured borrowings. As of December 31, 2022, there were borrowings of $312.9 million outstanding under the Revolving Loan Facility. Our credit agreement also includes a Term Loan Facility, on which $828.0 million was outstanding as of December 31, 2022. Interest is charged at rates based on adjusted Term SOFR for the credit facility. As of December 31, 2022, we had $679.6 million of availability on the Revolving Loan Facility.
In December 2021, we amended the credit agreement to provide an unsecured incremental 364-day term loan (the “Incremental Term Loan”) in the amount of $500 million, which was fully drawn on closing. In December 2022, we further amended the unsecured credit facility to extend the maturity date of the Incremental Term Loan to December 15, 2023. There are no required principal payments prior to the maturity date. In addition to the payment of the $500 million
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Incremental Term Loan, we are required to make principal payments under the Term Loan Facility totaling $45 million over the next 12 months.
The credit agreements governing the facility and the Master Note Purchase Agreement contain covenants that require us to maintain certain financial ratios, including minimum interest coverage and maximum leverage ratios. The agreements require us to maintain an interest coverage ratio of not less than 3.00 to 1.00 and a leverage ratio of not more than 3.50 to 1.00 on a rolling four-quarter basis.
On July 2, 2018, pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated May 29, 2018, the we completed the acquisition of Boat Holdings, LLC, a privately held Delaware limited liability company, headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana which manufactures boats (“Boat Holdings”). As a component of the Boat Holdings merger agreement, we have committed to make a series of deferred payments to the former owners following the closing date of the mthrough July 2030. The original discounted payable was for $76.7 million, of which $55.3 million was outstanding as of December 31, 2022.
As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, we were in compliance with all debt covenants. Our debt to total capital ratio was 65 percent and 60 percent as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Additionally, as of December 31, 2022, we had letters of credit outstanding of $38.5 million, primarily related to purchase obligations for raw materials.
Share Repurchases:
As of December 31, 2022, our Board of Directors has authorized us to repurchase up to an additional $349.1 million of our common stock. We repurchased a total of 4.4 million shares of our common stock for $505.0 million during 2022, which had a favorable impact on diluted net income from continuing operations per share of 33 cents.
Wholesale Customer Financing Arrangements:
We have arrangements with certain finance companies to provide secured floor plan financing for our dealers. These arrangements provide liquidity by financing dealer purchases of our products without the use of our working capital. A majority of the worldwide sales of snowmobiles, ORVs, motorcycles, boats and related PG&A are financed under similar arrangements whereby we receive payment within a few days of shipment of the product. The amount financed by worldwide dealers under these arrangements related to snowmobiles, ORVs, motorcycles, boats and related PG&A as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, was approximately $1,893.9 million and $946.7 million, respectively. We participate in the cost of dealer financing up to certain limits.
Under these arrangements, we have agreed to repurchase products repossessed by these finance companies. As of December 31, 2022, the potential aggregate repurchase obligations were approximately $413.5 million. Our financial exposure under these repurchase agreements is limited to the difference between the amounts unpaid by the dealer with respect to the repossessed product plus costs of repossession and the amount received on the resale of the repossessed product. No material losses have been incurred under these agreements during the periods presented.
Retail Customer Financing Arrangements:
We have agreements with third-party financing companies to provide financing options to end consumers of our products. We have no material contingent liabilities for residual value or credit collection risk under these agreements. During 2022, consumers financed 23 percent of our vehicles sold in the United States through these arrangements. The volume of installment credit contracts written in calendar year 2022 with these institutions was $1,098.0 million, a one percent increase from 2021.
Critical Accounting Policies and Critical Accounting Estimates
We have adopted various accounting policies to prepare the consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Some of those significant accounting policies require us to make difficult, subjective, or complex judgments or estimates. An accounting estimate is considered to be critical if it meets both of the following criteria: (i) the estimate requires assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the accounting estimate is made, and (ii) different estimates reasonably could have been used, or changes in the estimate that are reasonably likely to occur may have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. The significant accounting policies that management believes are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results include the following: revenue recognition, sales promotions and incentives, product warranties, product liability, and goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles.
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Revenue recognition. With respect to wholegood vehicles, boats, and PG&A, revenue is recognized when we transfer control of the product to our customer (primarily dealers and distributors). With respect to services provided by us, revenue is recognized upon completion of the service or over the term of the service agreement in proportion to the costs expected to be incurred in satisfying the obligations over the term of the service period. Revenue is measured based on the amount of consideration that we expect to be entitled to in exchange for the goods or services transferred. Sales, value add, and other taxes collected from a customer concurrent with revenue-producing activities are excluded from revenue. When the right of return exists, we adjust the consideration for the estimated effect of returns. We estimate expected returns based on historical sales levels, the timing and magnitude of historical sales return levels as a percent of sales, type of product, type of customer, and a projection of this experience into the future. We have agreed to repurchase products repossessed by the finance companies up to certain limits. Our financial exposure is limited to the difference between the amount paid to the finance companies and the amount received on the resale of the repossessed product.
Sales promotions and incentives. We accrue for estimated sales promotion and incentive expenses, which are recognized as a component of sales in measuring the amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for transferring goods or providing services. Examples of sales promotion and incentive programs include dealer and consumer rebates, volume incentives, retail financing programs and sales associate incentives. Sales promotion and incentive expenses are estimated based on current programs, planned programs, and historical rates for each product line. We record these amounts as a liability in the consolidated balance sheet until they are ultimately paid. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, accrued sales promotions and incentives were $127.0 million and $96.9 million, respectively. Actual results may differ from these estimates if market conditions dictate the need to enhance or reduce sales promotion and incentive programs or if the customer usage rate varies from historical trends. Adjustments to sales promotions and incentives accruals are made as actual usage becomes known in order to properly estimate the amounts necessary to generate consumer demand based on market conditions as of the balance sheet date.
Product warranties. We typically provide a limited warranty for our vehicles and boats for a period of six months to ten years, depending on the product. We provide longer warranties in certain geographical markets as determined by local regulations and customary practice and may also provide longer warranties related to certain promotional programs. Our standard warranties require us, generally through our dealer network, to repair or replace defective products during such warranty periods. The warranty reserve is established at the time of sale to the dealer or distributor based on management’s best estimate using historical rates and trends. We record these amounts as a liability in the consolidated balance sheet until they are ultimately paid. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the accrued warranty liability was $172.9 million and $132.9 million, respectively. Adjustments to the warranty reserve are made based on actual claims experience in order to properly estimate the amounts necessary to settle future and existing claims on products sold as of the balance sheet date. The warranty reserve includes the estimated costs related to recalls, which are accrued when probable and estimable. Factors that could have an impact on the warranty accrual include the following: changes in manufacturing quality, shifts in product mix, changes in warranty coverage periods, impacts on product usage (including weather), product recalls and changes in sales volume. Amounts estimated to be due and payable could differ materially from what will ultimately transpire in the future and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
Product liability. We are subject to product liability claims in the normal course of business. In 2012, we began purchasing excess insurance coverage for product liability claims. We self-insure product liability claims before the policy date and up to the purchased insurance coverage after the policy date. The estimated costs resulting from any losses are charged to operating expenses when it is probable a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss is reasonably estimable. There is significant judgment and estimation required in evaluating the possible outcomes and potential losses of product liability matters. We utilize claims experience, historical trends and actuarial analysis, along with an analysis of current claims, to assist in determining the appropriate loss reserve levels. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, we had accruals of $107.5 million and $70.3 million, respectively, for the probable payment of pending claims related to product liability litigation associated with our products. Adverse determination of material product liability claims made against us could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
Goodwill. Goodwill is tested at least annually for impairment and is tested for impairment more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. We complete our annual goodwill impairment test as of the first day of the fourth quarter.
We may first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of each reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. A qualitative assessment requires that we consider events or circumstances including macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance, changes in management or key personnel, changes in strategy, changes in customers, changes in the composition or
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carrying amount of a reporting unit’s net assets, and changes in our stock price. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, or if we elect to bypass the qualitative test and proceed to a quantitative test, then the quantitative goodwill impairment test is performed. A quantitative test includes comparing the fair value of each reporting unit to the carrying amount of the reporting unit, including goodwill. If the estimated fair value is less than the carrying amount of the reporting unit, an impairment is recognized in an amount equal to the difference, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.
Under the quantitative goodwill impairment test, the fair value of each reporting unit is determined using a discounted cash flow analysis and market approach. Determining the fair value of the reporting units requires the use of significant judgment, including discount rates, assumptions in our long-term business plan about future revenues and expenses, capital expenditures, and changes in working capital, which are dependent on internal forecasts, estimation of long-term growth for each reporting unit, and determination of the discount rate. These plans take into consideration numerous factors including historical experience, anticipated future economic conditions, changes in raw material prices and growth expectations for the industries and end markets in which we participate. These assumptions are determined over a five year long-term planning period. The five year growth rates for revenues and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") vary for each reporting unit being evaluated. Revenues and EBITDA beyond five years are projected to grow at a terminal growth rate consistent with industry expectations. Actual results may significantly differ from those used in our valuations. The forecasted future cash flows are discounted using a discount rate developed for each reporting unit. The discount rates were developed using market observable inputs, as well as our assessment of risks inherent in the future cash flows of the respective reporting unit.
In estimating fair value using the market approach, we identify a group of comparable publicly traded companies for each reporting unit that are similar in terms of size and product offering. These groups of comparable companies are used to develop multiples based on total market-based invested capital as a multiple of EBITDA. We determine our estimated values by applying these comparable EBITDA multiples to the operating results of our reporting units. The ultimate fair value of each reporting unit is determined considering the results of both valuation methods. Inputs used to estimate these fair values included significant unobservable inputs that reflect our assumptions about the inputs that market participants would use and, therefore, the fair value assessments are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
In the fourth quarter of 2022, we completed the annual impairment test. It was determined that goodwill was not impaired as each reporting unit’s fair value exceeded its carrying value. We completed a qualitative assessment for all reporting units.
Identifiable intangible assets. Our primary identifiable intangible assets include: dealer/customer relationships, brand/trade names, developed technology, and non-compete agreements. Identifiable intangibles with finite lives are amortized and those identifiable intangibles with indefinite lives are not amortized. Identifiable intangible assets that are subject to amortization are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Identifiable intangible assets with indefinite lives are tested for impairment annually or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. We complete our annual impairment test as of the first day of the fourth quarter each year for identifiable intangible assets with indefinite lives.
Our identifiable intangible assets with indefinite lives include brand/trade names. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of the brand/trade name with its carrying value. The fair value is determined using the relief-from-royalty method. This method assumes the trade name has value to the extent that the owner is relieved of the obligation to pay royalties for the benefits received from them. This method requires us to estimate the future revenue for the related brands, the appropriate royalty rate and the discount rate. Forecasted revenues are derived from our annual budget and long-term business plan and royalty rates were based on brand profitability. The discount rates are developed using the market observable inputs used in the development of the reporting unit discount rates, as well as our assessment of risks inherent in the future cash flows of the respective trade name.
In the fourth quarter of 2022, we completed the annual impairment test. It was determined that our indefinite lived intangible assets were not impaired.
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New Accounting Pronouncements
See Item 8 of Part II, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 1—Organization and Significant Accounting Policies—New accounting pronouncements.”
FY 2021 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001628280-22-002730.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion pertains to the results of operations and financial position of the Company and should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto included elsewhere in this report. This section of this Form 10-K generally discusses 2021 and 2020 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2021 and 2020. Discussions of 2019 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2020 and 2019 that are not included in this Form 10-K can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.
Overview
2021 was a record year for sales which totaled $8.2 billion, a 17 percent increase from 2020. The Company achieved growth across all segments and regions driven primarily by increased shipments and higher pricing compared to 2020, when we temporarily suspended select plant operations as a result of the then-emerging COVID-19 pandemic.
The global spread of COVID-19 ultimately heightened consumer demand across industries, while the impact of the pandemic as well as other disruptive events have impacted the global economy, disrupted global supply chains and created significant volatility and disruption of financial markets. The impact of these factors has affected our business segments, employees, dealers, suppliers, and customers in a variety of ways.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, our sales and profitability during the first half of 2020 were negatively impacted by the temporary suspension of select plant operations, which reduced our manufacture and shipment of products, as well as the temporary closures of certain dealers. During this period, sales and profitability were also negatively impacted by a decline in economic activity related to certain of our end markets, such as those served by Global Adjacent Markets and Aftermarket.
Beginning in the second quarter of 2020 and continuing through 2021 we have seen strong retail demand for our Powersports products and boats as they provide an attractive social-distancing solution for new and existing Powersports customers.
Navigating difficulties associated with the global supply chain as we seek to satisfy retail demand has been challenging. Due to the dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic, heightened demand, and other natural disasters, our supply chain and manufacturing operations have experienced inefficiencies caused by port delays and production-limiting disruptions. These disruptions, and related costs from associated plant, production, and labor inefficiencies, are significant, widespread and impacting many manufacturers across various industries including Polaris. We expect supply chain-related headwinds and elevated commodity and logistics prices to continue in 2022. While we have made pricing changes to address the increase in these costs, manufacturing disruptions combined with the impact of these elevated commodity and logistics costs are expected to negatively affect the Company’s profitability. As a result of strong demand and supply chain disruptions, North American dealer inventory as of December 31, 2021 was down significantly compared to pre-pandemic levels as retail sales outpaced shipments, and these factors will challenge our ability to replenish dealer inventory levels.
Full year net income attributable to Polaris Inc. of $493.9 million was a $369.1 million increase from 2020, with diluted earnings per share increasing from $1.99 to $7.88 per share. These increases were primarily driven by increased volume as well the result of the $379.2 million (pre-tax) impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets recorded in the comparable prior year.
On January 27, 2022, we announced that our Board of Directors approved a two percent increase in the regular quarterly cash dividend to $0.64 per share for the first quarter of 2022, representing the 27th consecutive year of increased dividends to shareholders.
The duration of these trends and the magnitude of such impacts cannot be precisely estimated at this time, as they are affected by a number of factors (some of which are outside management’s control), including those presented in Item 1A. Risk Factors of this Annual Report.
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Consolidated Results of Operations
The consolidated results of operations were as follows:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions except per share data) | 2021 | 2020 | Change 2021 vs. 2020 | 2019 | Change 2020 vs. 2019 | ||||||||||||
| Sales | $ | 8,198.2 | $ | 7,027.9 | 17 | % | $ | 6,782.5 | 4 | % | |||||||
| Cost of sales | $ | 6,255.5 | $ | 5,317.7 | 18 | % | $ | 5,133.7 | 4 | % | |||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 1,942.7 | $ | 1,710.2 | 14 | % | $ | 1,648.8 | 4 | % | |||||||
| Percentage of sales | 23.7% | 24.3% | -64 basis points | 24.3% | +2 basis points | ||||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | |||||||||||||||||
| Selling and marketing | $ | 584.8 | $ | 544.3 | 7 | % | $ | 559.2 | (3) | % | |||||||
| Research and development | 336.7 | 295.6 | 14 | % | 292.9 | 1 | % | ||||||||||
| General and administrative | 366.0 | 359.2 | 2 | % | 393.9 | (9) | % | ||||||||||
| Goodwill and other intangible asset impairment | — | 379.2 | NM | — | NM | ||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | $ | 1,287.5 | $ | 1,578.3 | (18) | % | $ | 1,246.0 | 27 | % | |||||||
| Percentage of sales | 15.7 | % | 22.5 | % | -675 basis points | 18.4% | +409 basis points | ||||||||||
| Income from financial services | $ | 53.8 | $ | 80.4 | (33) | % | $ | 80.9 | (1) | % | |||||||
| Operating income | $ | 709.0 | $ | 212.3 | NM | $ | 483.7 | (56) | % | ||||||||
| Non-operating expense: | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | $ | 44.2 | $ | 66.7 | (34) | % | $ | 77.6 | (14) | % | |||||||
| Equity in loss of other affiliates | $ | — | $ | — | NM | $ | 5.1 | NM | |||||||||
| Other (income) expense, net | $ | 2.3 | $ | 4.2 | (45) | % | $ | (6.8) | NM | ||||||||
| Loss on sale of businesses | $ | 36.8 | $ | — | NM | $ | — | — | % | ||||||||
| Income before income taxes | $ | 625.7 | $ | 141.4 | NM | $ | 407.8 | (65) | % | ||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | $ | 131.4 | $ | 16.5 | NM | $ | 83.9 | (80) | % | ||||||||
| Effective income tax rate | 21.0% | 11.6% | +938 basis points | 20.6% | -896 basis points | ||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 494.3 | $ | 124.9 | NM | $ | 323.9 | (61) | % | ||||||||
| Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest | (0.4) | (0.1) | NM | 0.1 | NM | ||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Polaris Inc. | $ | 493.9 | $ | 124.8 | NM | $ | 324.0 | (61) | % | ||||||||
| Diluted net income per share attributable to Polaris Inc. shareholders | $ | 7.88 | $ | 1.99 | NM | $ | 5.20 | (62) | % | ||||||||
| Weighted average diluted shares outstanding | 62.7 | 62.6 | — | % | 62.3 | — | % | ||||||||||
| NM = not meaningful |
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Sales:
Sales were $8,198.2 million in 2021, a 17 percent increase from $7,027.9 million in 2020. The components of the consolidated sales change were as follows:
| Percent change in total Company sales compared to the prior year | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||
| Volume | 8 | % | 3 | % | |
| Product mix and price | 8 | 1 | |||
| Currency | 1 | — | |||
| 17 | % | 4 | % |
Volume contributed a nine percent increase in 2021 driven by increased shipments in all segments, but most significantly ORV and GAM shipments, as well as higher PG&A sales. Product mix and price contributed a seven percent increase in 2021, primarily due to lower promotional spending and increased product pricing. Currency rate movements contributed a one percent increase for 2021.
Sales by geographic region were as follows:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2021 | Percent of Total Sales | 2020 | Percent of Total Sales | Percent Change 2021 vs. 2020 | 2019 | Percent of Total Sales | Percent Change 2020 vs. 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 6,472.9 | 79 | % | $ | 5,791.1 | 82 | % | 12 | % | $ | 5,551.7 | 82 | % | 4 | % | ||||||||||
| Canada | 602.1 | 7 | % | 396.1 | 6 | % | 52 | % | 394.8 | 6 | % | — | % | |||||||||||||
| Other foreign countries | 1,123.2 | 14 | % | 840.7 | 12 | % | 34 | % | 836.0 | 12 | % | 1 | % | |||||||||||||
| Total sales | $ | 8,198.2 | 100 | % | $ | 7,027.9 | 100 | % | 17 | % | $ | 6,782.5 | 100 | % | 4 | % |
Sales in the United States for 2021 increased 12 percent compared to 2020, primarily driven by increased ORV and boat shipments, as well as higher PG&A sales. Sales in the United States represented 79 percent of total Company sales in 2021.
Sales in Canada for 2021 increased 52 percent compared to 2020, primarily driven by increased ORV shipments. Currency rate movements had an eight percentage point impact on year-over-year sales. Sales in Canada represented seven percent of total company sales in 2021.
Sales in other foreign countries, primarily in Europe, increased 34 percent in 2021 compared to 2020, primarily driven by increased ORV, motorcycle, and GAM shipments. Currency rate movements had a five percentage point impact on year-over-year sales. Sales in other foreign countries represented 14 percent of total company sales in 2021.
Cost of sales:
The following table reflects our cost of sales in dollars and as a percentage of sales:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2021 | Percent of Total Cost of Sales | 2020 | Percent of Total Cost of Sales | Change 2021 vs. 2020 | 2019 | Percent of Total Cost of Sales | Change 2020 vs. 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Purchased materials and services | $ | 5,391.7 | 86 | % | $ | 4,562.6 | 86 | % | 18 | % | $ | 4,418.5 | 86 | % | 3 | % | ||||||||||
| Labor and benefits | 568.5 | 9 | % | 456.5 | 9 | % | 25 | % | 433.3 | 9 | % | 5 | % | |||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 164.9 | 3 | % | 174.9 | 3 | % | (6) | % | 159.0 | 3 | % | 10 | % | |||||||||||||
| Warranty costs | 130.4 | 2 | % | 123.7 | 2 | % | 5 | % | 122.9 | 2 | % | 1 | % | |||||||||||||
| Total cost of sales | $ | 6,255.5 | 100 | % | $ | 5,317.7 | 100 | % | 18 | % | $ | 5,133.7 | 100 | % | 4 | % | ||||||||||
| Percentage of sales | 76.3 | % | 75.7 | % | +64 basis points | 75.7 | % | -2 basis points |
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Cost of sales increased 18 percent in 2021 primarily due to increased wholegood and PG&A shipments, as well as higher labor, raw materials, and logistics costs.
Gross profit:
Gross profit for 2021, as a percentage of sales, decreased primarily due to higher input costs including logistics, components, and commodity prices, as well as plant inefficiencies related to supply chain constraints. The decrease was partially offset by higher sales volume, lower promotional costs and favorable pricing.
Operating expenses:
Operating expenses for 2021, in absolute dollars and as a percent of sales, decreased compared to 2020, primarily due to the prior year impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets, partially offset by an increase in total operating expenses to levels commensurate with increases in demand.
Income from financial services:
The following table reflects our income from financial services:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | Change 2021 vs. 2020 | 2019 | Change 2020 vs. 2019 | ||||||||||||
| Income from Polaris Acceptance joint venture | $ | 7.7 | $ | 18.5 | (58) | % | $ | 32.5 | (43) | % | |||||||
| Income from retail credit agreements | 41.3 | 58.7 | (30) | % | 45.6 | 29 | % | ||||||||||
| Income from other financial services activities | 4.8 | 3.2 | 50 | % | 2.8 | 14 | % | ||||||||||
| Total income from financial services | $ | 53.8 | $ | 80.4 | (33) | % | $ | 80.9 | (1) | % | |||||||
| Percentage of sales | 0.7 | % | 1.1 | % | -49 basis points | 1.2 | % | -5 basis points |
Income from financial services decreased 33 percent, primarily due to lower retail credit income resulting from lower retail sales and lower penetration rates, as well as lower wholesale financing income from Polaris Acceptance driven by lower dealer inventory.
Interest expense:
Interest expense decreased due to lower debt levels and lower interest rates.
Other (income) expense, net:
The change in Other (income) expense, net primarily relates to foreign currency exchange rate movements and the corresponding effects on foreign currency transactions, currency hedging positions and balance sheet positions related to our foreign subsidiaries from period to period. Also included in Other (income) expense, net in 2021 is a $7.7 million impairment charge related to an investment in a strategic partner that was associated with a divested business.
Loss on sale of businesses:
In the fourth quarter of 2021, we divested our GEM and Taylor-Dunn businesses which resulted in a $36.8 million loss.
Provision for income taxes:
Income tax expense was $131.4 million, or 21.0% of income before income taxes, for 2021 compared with income tax expense of $16.5 million, or 11.6% of income before income taxes, for 2020. The increase in the effective income tax rate for 2021 as compared to 2020 is primarily due to the prior year favorable impact of lower pretax income generated in 2020 and the release of certain income tax reserves due to favorable federal tax examination developments in 2020. The increase was partially offset by favorable income tax benefits in jurisdictions with lower tax rates, as well as favorable income tax benefits from research and development credits in 2021.
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding increased slightly in 2021 compared to 2020, primarily due to the increased dilution of weighted shares and options outstanding, partially offset by share repurchases.
Segment Results of Operations
The summary that follows provides a discussion of the results of operations of each of our five reportable segments. Each of these segments is comprised of various product offerings that serve multiple end markets. We evaluate performance based on sales and gross profit.
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Our sales and gross profit by reporting segment, which includes the respective PG&A, were as follows:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2021 | Percent of Sales | 2020 | Percent of Sales | Percent Change 2021 vs. 2020 | 2019 | Percent of Sales | Percent Change 2020 vs. 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Sales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ORV/Snowmobiles | $ | 5,186.2 | 63 | % | $ | 4,533.3 | 64 | % | 14 | % | $ | 4,209.1 | 62 | % | 8 | % | ||||||||||
| Motorcycles | 721.6 | 9 | % | 581.7 | 8 | % | 24 | % | 584.1 | 9 | % | — | % | |||||||||||||
| Global Adjacent Markets | 599.8 | 7 | % | 424.6 | 6 | % | 41 | % | 461.3 | 7 | % | (8) | % | |||||||||||||
| Aftermarket | 930.4 | 12 | % | 884.9 | 13 | % | 5 | % | 906.7 | 13 | % | (2) | % | |||||||||||||
| Boats | 760.2 | 9 | % | 603.4 | 9 | % | 26 | % | 621.3 | 9 | % | (3) | % | |||||||||||||
| Total sales | $ | 8,198.2 | 100 | % | $ | 7,027.9 | 100 | % | 17 | % | $ | 6,782.5 | 100 | % | 4 | % | ||||||||||
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | 2021 | Percent of Sales | 2020 | Percent of Sales | Percent Change 2021 vs. 2020 | 2019 | Percent of Sales | Percent Change 2020 vs. 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ORV/Snowmobiles | $ | 1,226.3 | 23.6 | % | $ | 1,218.4 | 26.9 | % | 1 | % | $ | 1,145.5 | 27.2 | % | 6 | % | ||||||||||
| Motorcycles | 52.3 | 7.2 | % | 20.0 | 3.4 | % | 162 | % | 30.0 | 5.1 | % | (33) | % | |||||||||||||
| Global Adjacent Markets | 162.3 | 27.1 | % | 116.4 | 27.4 | % | 39 | % | 128.8 | 27.9 | % | (10) | % | |||||||||||||
| Aftermarket | 247.2 | 26.6 | % | 222.8 | 25.2 | % | 11 | % | 222.7 | 24.6 | % | — | % | |||||||||||||
| Boats | 170.6 | 22.4 | % | 116.4 | 19.3 | % | 47 | % | 124.6 | 20.1 | % | (7) | % | |||||||||||||
| Corporate | 84.0 | 16.2 | NM | (2.8) | NM | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total gross profit | $ | 1,942.7 | 23.7 | % | $ | 1,710.2 | 24.3 | % | 14 | % | $ | 1,648.8 | 24.3 | % | 4 | % | ||||||||||
| NM = not meaningful |
ORV/Snowmobiles:
ORV sales, inclusive of PG&A sales, were $4,761.9 million in 2021, compared to $4,187.9 million in 2020. The increase was driven by broad-based demand and shipments across ATV and side-by-side product lines, including PG&A, as well as increased pricing. ORV sales to customers outside of North America increased 35 percent in 2021. For 2021, the average ORV per unit sales price increased nine percent compared to 2020, driven by lower promotional costs and increased product pricing.
Additional information on our ORV end markets in 2021 compared to 2020:
•Polaris North America ATV unit retail sales down low-double digits percent
•Polaris North America side-by-side unit retail sales down mid-teens percent
•Total Polaris North America ORV unit retail sales down mid-teens percent
•Estimated North America industry ORV unit retail sales down high-teens percent
•Total Polaris North America ORV dealer inventories down approximately 20 percent
Snowmobiles sales, inclusive of PG&A sales, were $424.3 million for 2021, compared to $345.4 million in 2020. The increase was driven primarily by increased pricing and favorable mix, as well as higher PG&A sales. Sales of snowmobiles to customers outside of North America, principally within the Scandinavian region and Russia, decreased approximately 11 percent in 2021. For 2021, the average snowmobile per unit sales price increased 15 percent compared to 2020, driven by lower promotional costs.
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Additional information on our snowmobile end markets in 2021 compared to 2020:
•Polaris North America snowmobile unit retail sales down high-teens percent
•Polaris North America snowmobile unit retail sales for the 2021-2022 season-to-date period through December 31, 2021 down high-twenties percent
•Estimated North America industry snowmobile unit retail sales down high-teens percent
•Estimated North America industry snowmobile unit retail sales for the 2021-2022 season-to-date period through December 31, 2021 down mid-twenties percent
•Total Polaris North America snowmobile dealer inventories down approximately 30 percent
For the ORV/Snowmobiles segment, gross profit, as a percentage of sales, decreased from 2020 to 2021, primarily due to higher input costs including logistics, components, and commodity prices, as well as plant inefficiencies related to supply chain constraints, partially offset by favorable mix, lower promotional costs, and higher pricing.
Motorcycles:
Motorcycle sales, inclusive of PG&A sales, increased 24 percent driven by increased Indian motorcycle and Slingshot shipments as a result of strong retail sales, lower promotional costs, and higher PG&A sales. Sales of motorcycles (including Slingshot) to customers outside of North America increased 34 percent in 2021. The average per unit sales price for the Motorcycles segment increased eight percent, driven by lower promotional costs.
Additional information on our motorcycle end markets in 2021 compared to 2020:
•Indian Motorcycle North America unit retail sales up mid-teens percent
•Slingshot North American unit retail sales up approximately 20 percent
•Polaris North America 900cc cruiser, touring (including Slingshot), and standard unit retail sales up mid-teens percent
•Estimated North America industry 900cc cruiser, touring, and standard unit retail sales up high-teens percent
•Polaris North America motorcycle dealer inventories down approximately 60 percent
Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, increased from 2020 to 2021, primarily due to lower promotional costs, partially offset by increased input costs related to supply chain constraints.
Global Adjacent Markets:
Global Adjacent Markets sales, inclusive of PG&A sales, increased 41 percent driven by increases in demand in North America and EMEA. Sales to customers outside of North America increased 40 percent in 2021.
Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, decreased from 2020 to 2021, primarily due to higher input costs related to supply chain constraints, partially offset by lower promotional costs and higher pricing.
Aftermarket:
Aftermarket sales, which includes Transamerican Auto Parts (TAP), along with our other aftermarket brands of Klim, Kolpin, ProArmor, Trail Tech and 509, increased five percent, driven by growth for both TAP and the other aftermarket brands. TAP sales increased two percent in 2021 while the other aftermarket brands grew 24%, driven by strong demand.
Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, increased from 2020 to 2021, primarily due to increased pricing and favorable mix.
Boats:
Boat sales increased 26 percent, primarily due to increased production levels driven by retail and demand, as well as higher pricing and favorable mix.
Additional information on our boat end markets in 2021 compared to 2020:
•Polaris U.S pontoon unit retail sales down low-single digits percent
•Estimated U.S. industry pontoon unit retail sales down mid-single digits percent
Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, increased from 2020 to 2021, primarily due to favorable product mix, partially offset by higher input costs related to supply chain constraints.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary sources of funds have been cash provided by operating and financing activities. Our primary uses of funds have been for acquisitions, repurchases and retirement of common stock, capital investments, new product development, and cash dividends to shareholders. The seasonality of production and shipments cause working capital requirements to fluctuate during the year.
We believe that existing cash balances, cash flow to be generated from operating activities and borrowing capacity under the credit facility arrangement will be sufficient to fund operations, new product development, cash dividends, share repurchases, and capital requirements for the foreseeable future.
The following table summarizes the cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019:
| ($ in millions) | For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | Change 2021 vs. 2020 | 2019 | Change 2020 vs. 2019 | ||||||||||||||
| Total cash provided by (used for): | ||||||||||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 293.7 | $ | 1,018.6 | $ | (724.9) | $ | 655.1 | $ | 363.5 | ||||||||
| Investing activities | (303.9) | (150.7) | (153.2) | (239.3) | 88.6 | |||||||||||||
| Financing activities | (107.6) | (415.4) | 307.8 | (411.8) | (3.6) | |||||||||||||
| Impact of currency exchange rates on cash balances | (10.6) | 8.7 | (19.3) | (0.8) | 9.5 | |||||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | (128.4) | $ | 461.2 | $ | 3.2 |
Operating Activities:
The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily the result of higher working capital additions due to increases in inventory driven by strong end-market demand and supply chain inefficiencies, partially offset by higher net income.
Investing Activities:
The primary sources and uses of cash in 2021 were for the purchase of property and equipment and tooling for continued capacity and capability at our manufacturing and distribution facilities and for product development, as well as distributions from and contributions to Polaris Acceptance. An increase in property, equipment and tooling purchases resulted in more cash used for investing activities compared to the prior year.
Financing Activities:
The decrease in net cash used for financing activities was primarily due to increased net borrowings under debt arrangements, finance lease obligations and notes payable in 2021. Net borrowings totaled $351.3 million in 2021 compared to net repayments of $246.2 million in 2020. The increase was partially offset by higher share repurchases in 2021.
Financing Arrangements:
We are party to an unsecured Master Note Purchase Agreement, as amended and supplemented, under which we have issued senior notes. As of December 31, 2021, outstanding borrowings under the Master Note Purchase Agreement totaled $350.0 million.
We are also party to an unsecured credit agreement, which includes a $1.0 billion variable interest rate Revolving Loan Facility that matures in June 2026, under which we have unsecured borrowings. As of December 31, 2021, there were no borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Loan Facility. Our credit agreement also includes a Term Loan Facility, on which $876.0 million was outstanding as of December 31, 2021. Interest is charged at rates based on LIBOR or “prime” for the credit facility. As of December 31, 2021, we had $992.5 million of availability on the Revolving Loan Facility.
On December 17, 2021, we amended the credit agreement to provide a new incremental 364-day term loan (the “incremental term loan”) in the amount of $500 million. The new incremental term loan, which was fully drawn on closing, is unsecured and matures on December 16, 2022. There are no required principal payments prior to the maturity date. In addition to the payment of the $500 million incremental term loan, we are required to make principal payments under the Term Loan Facility totaling $45 million over the next 12 months.
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The credit facility and the amended Master Note Purchase Agreement contain covenants that require us to maintain certain financial ratios, including minimum interest coverage and maximum leverage ratios. The agreements also require us to maintain an interest coverage ratio of not less than 3.00 to 1.00 and a leverage ratio of not more than 3.50 to 1.00 on a rolling four-quarter basis.
On July 2, 2018, pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated May 29, 2018, the Company completed the acquisition of Boat Holdings, LLC, a privately held Delaware limited liability company, headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana which manufactures boats (“Boat Holdings”). As a component of the Boat Holdings merger agreement, we have committed to make a series of deferred payments to the former owners through July 2030. The original discounted payable was for $76.7 million, of which $61.0 million is outstanding as of December 31, 2021.
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we were in compliance with all debt covenants. Our debt to total capital ratio was 60 percent and 56 percent as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Share Repurchases:
As of December 31, 2021, our Board of Directors has authorized us to repurchase up to an additional $838.8 million of our common stock. We repurchased a total of 3.8 million shares of our common stock for $461.6 million during 2021, which had a favorable impact on earnings per share of 32 cents.
Wholesale Customer Financing Arrangements:
We have arrangements with certain finance companies to provide secured floor plan financing for our dealers. These arrangements provide liquidity by financing dealer purchases of our products without the use of our working capital. A majority of the worldwide sales of snowmobiles, ORVs, motorcycles, boats and related PG&A are financed under similar arrangements whereby we receive payment within a few days of shipment of the product. The amount financed by worldwide dealers under these arrangements related to snowmobiles, ORVs, motorcycles, boats and related PG&A as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, was approximately $946.7 million and $1,064.0 million, respectively. We participate in the cost of dealer financing up to certain limits.
Under these arrangements, we have agreed to repurchase products repossessed by these finance companies. For calendar year 2021, the potential aggregate repurchase obligations were approximately $293.8 million. Our financial exposure under these repurchase agreements is limited to the difference between the amounts unpaid by the dealer with respect to the repossessed product plus costs of repossession and the amount received on the resale of the repossessed product. No material losses have been incurred under this agreement during the periods presented.
Retail Customer Financing Arrangements:
We have agreements with third-party financing companies to provide financing options to end consumers of our products. We have no material contingent liabilities for residual value or credit collection risk under these agreements. During 2021, consumers financed 22 percent of our vehicles sold in the United States through these arrangements. The volume of installment credit contracts written in calendar year 2021 with these institutions was $1,081.8 million, a 29 percent decrease from 2020.
Critical Accounting Policies and Critical Accounting Estimates
We have adopted various accounting policies to prepare the consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Some of those significant accounting policies require us to make difficult, subjective, or complex judgments or estimates. An accounting estimate is considered to be critical if it meets both of the following criteria: (i) the estimate requires assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the accounting estimate is made, and (ii) different estimates reasonably could have been used, or changes in the estimate that are reasonably likely to occur may have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. The significant accounting policies that management believes are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results include the following: revenue recognition, sales promotions and incentives, product warranties, product liability, and goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles.
Revenue recognition. With respect to wholegood vehicles, boats, parts, garments and accessories, revenue is recognized when we transfer control of the product to our customer. With respect to services provided by us, revenue is recognized upon completion of the service or over the term of the service agreement in proportion to the costs expected to be incurred in satisfying the obligations over the term of the service period. Revenue is measured based on the amount of
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consideration that we expect to be entitled to in exchange for the goods or services transferred. Sales, value add, and other taxes collected from a customer concurrent with revenue-producing activities are excluded from revenue. Revenue from goods and services transferred to customers at a point-in-time accounts for the majority of our revenue. Incidental items that are immaterial in the context of the contract are recognized as expense. The expected costs associated with our limited warranties are recognized as expense when the products are sold. When the right of return exists, we adjust the consideration for the estimated effect of returns. We estimate expected returns based on historical sales levels, the timing and magnitude of historical sales return levels as a percent of sales, type of product, type of customer, and a projection of this experience into the future. Historically, product returns, whether in the normal course of business or resulting from repurchases made under the floor plan financing program, have not been material. However, we have agreed to repurchase products repossessed by the finance companies up to certain limits. Our financial exposure is limited to the difference between the amount paid to the finance companies and the amount received on the resale of the repossessed product.
Sales promotions and incentives. We accrue for estimated sales promotion and incentive expenses, which are recognized as a component of sales in measuring the amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for transferring goods or providing services. Examples of sales promotion and incentive programs include dealer and consumer rebates, volume incentives, retail financing programs and sales associate incentives. Sales promotion and incentive expenses are estimated based on current programs and historical rates for each product line. We record these amounts as a liability in the consolidated balance sheet until they are ultimately paid. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, accrued sales promotions and incentives were $96.9 million and $138.1 million, respectively. Actual results may differ from these estimates if market conditions dictate the need to enhance or reduce sales promotion and incentive programs or if the customer usage rate varies from historical trends. Adjustments to sales promotions and incentives accruals are made as actual usage becomes known in order to properly estimate the amounts necessary to generate consumer demand based on market conditions as of the balance sheet date.
Product warranties. We typically provide a limited warranty for our vehicles and boats for a period of six months to ten years, depending on the product. We provide longer warranties in certain geographical markets as determined by local regulations and customary practice and may also provide longer warranties related to certain promotional programs. Our standard warranties require us, generally through our dealer network, to repair or replace defective products during such warranty periods. The warranty reserve is established at the time of sale to the dealer or distributor based on management’s best estimate using historical rates and trends. We record these amounts as a liability in the consolidated balance sheet until they are ultimately paid. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the accrued warranty liability was $135.1 million and $140.8 million, respectively. Adjustments to the warranty reserve are made based on actual claims experience in order to properly estimate the amounts necessary to settle future and existing claims on products sold as of the balance sheet date. The warranty reserve includes the estimated costs related to recalls, which are accrued when probable and estimable. Factors that could have an impact on the warranty accrual include the following: changes in manufacturing quality, shifts in product mix, changes in warranty coverage periods, impacts on product usage (including weather), product recalls and changes in sales volume. While management believes that the warranty reserve is adequate and that the judgment applied is appropriate, such amounts estimated to be due and payable could differ materially from what will ultimately transpire in the future, and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
Product liability. We are subject to product liability claims in the normal course of business. We carry excess insurance coverage for product liability claims. We self-insure product liability claims before the policy date and up to the purchased insurance coverage after the policy date. The estimated costs resulting from any uninsured losses are charged to operating expenses when it is probable a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss is reasonably estimable. There is significant judgment and estimation required in evaluating the possible outcomes and potential losses of product liability matters. We utilize claims experience, historical trends and actuarial analysis, along with an analysis of current claims, to assist in determining the appropriate loss reserve levels. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had accruals of $70.3 million and $70.7 million, respectively, for the probable payment of pending and expected claims related to product liability litigation associated with our products. While management believes the product liability reserves are adequate, adverse determination of material product liability claims made against us could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
Goodwill. Goodwill is tested at least annually for impairment and is tested for impairment more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. We complete our annual goodwill impairment test as of the first day of the fourth quarter.
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We may first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of each reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. A qualitative assessment requires that we consider events or circumstances including macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance, changes in management or key personnel, changes in strategy, changes in customers, changes in the composition or carrying amount of a reporting unit’s net assets, and changes in our stock price. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, or if we elect to bypass the qualitative test and proceed to a quantitative test, then the quantitative goodwill impairment test is performed. A quantitative test includes comparing the fair value of each reporting unit to the carrying amount of the reporting unit, including goodwill. If the estimated fair value is less than the carrying amount of the reporting unit, an impairment is recognized in an amount equal to the difference, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.
Under the quantitative goodwill impairment test, the fair value of each reporting unit is determined using a discounted cash flow analysis and market approach. Determining the fair value of the reporting units requires the use of significant judgment, including discount rates, assumptions in our long-term business plan about future revenues and expenses, capital expenditures, and changes in working capital, which are dependent on internal forecasts, estimation of long-term growth for each reporting unit, and determination of the discount rate. These plans take into consideration numerous factors including historical experience, anticipated future economic conditions, changes in raw material prices and growth expectations for the industries and end markets in which we participate. These assumptions are determined over a five year long-term planning period. The five year growth rates for revenues and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") vary for each reporting unit being evaluated. Revenues and EBITDA beyond five years are projected to grow at a terminal growth rate consistent with industry expectations. Actual results may significantly differ from those used in our valuations. The forecasted future cash flows are discounted using a discount rate developed for each reporting unit. The discount rates were developed using market observable inputs, as well as our assessment of risks inherent in the future cash flows of the respective reporting unit.
In estimating fair value using the market approach, we identify a group of comparable publicly traded companies for each reporting unit that are similar in terms of size and product offering. These groups of comparable companies are used to develop multiples based on total market-based invested capital as a multiple of EBITDA. We determine our estimated values by applying these comparable EBITDA multiples to the operating results of our reporting units. The ultimate fair value of each reporting unit is determined considering the results of both valuation methods. Inputs used to estimate these fair values included significant unobservable inputs that reflect our assumptions about the inputs that market participants would use and, therefore, the fair value assessments are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
In the fourth quarter of 2021, we completed the annual impairment test. It was determined that goodwill was not impaired as each reporting unit’s fair value exceeded its carrying value. We completed a qualitative assessment for the ORV, Snow, Motorcycles and Global Adjacent Markets reporting units and elected to perform a quantitative goodwill test for the Boats reporting unit. The Boats reporting unit did not have a difference between its fair value and carrying value that was lower than 10%. No assessment was performed for the Aftermarket reporting unit as it did not have a goodwill balance as of the annual testing date.
Identifiable intangible assets. Our primary identifiable intangible assets include: dealer/customer relationships, brand/trade names, developed technology, and non-compete agreements. Identifiable intangibles with finite lives are amortized and those identifiable intangibles with indefinite lives are not amortized. Identifiable intangible assets that are subject to amortization are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Identifiable intangible assets with indefinite lives are tested for impairment annually or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. We complete our annual impairment test as of the first day of the fourth quarter each year for identifiable intangible assets with indefinite lives.
Our identifiable intangible assets with indefinite lives include brand/trade names. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of the brand/trade name with its carrying value. The fair value is determined using the relief-from-royalty method. This method assumes the trade name has value to the extent that the owner is relieved of the obligation to pay royalties for the benefits received from them. This method requires us to estimate the future revenue for the related brands, the appropriate royalty rate and the discount rate. Forecasted revenues are derived from our annual budget and long-term business plan and royalty rates were based on brand profitability. The discount rates are developed using the market observable inputs used in the development of the reporting unit discount rates, as well as our assessment of risks inherent in the future cash flows of the respective trade name.
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In the fourth quarter of 2021, we completed the annual impairment test. It was determined that our indefinite lived intangible assets were not impaired.
New Accounting Pronouncements
See Item 8 of Part II, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 1—Organization and Significant Accounting Policies—New accounting pronouncements.”