Sunday, August 1, 2010

Harley-Davidson poised for a comeback?

Harley-Davidson is getting a lot of favorable attention:
• Its quarterly earnings report last week beat analysts' expectations so soundly that the stock jumped more than 13 percent in a single day.
• It was featured prominently this month in a New York Times story about US manufacturers boosting profits even with slumping sales.
• Earlier this week, the iconic motorcycle manufacturer unveiled three new models: an $8,000 new Sportster SuperLow, aimed at entry-level riders; an updated, $11,800 XR1200X for performance-minded bikers; and a $22,500 Road Glide Ultra for touring enthusiasts.
Can Harley-Davidson keep the good times rolling, even if the economy's stuck in a rut?