Sign in

You're signed outSign in or to get full access.

LG

LiveWire Group, Inc. (LVWR)·Q3 2025 Earnings Summary

Executive Summary

  • Consolidated revenue grew 28% year over year to $5.70M, driven by 46% growth in STACYC and higher Electric Motorcycles units; operating loss improved 29% YoY to $(18.8)M, but gross margin turned negative due to incentives, and EPS was $(0.10) versus $(0.11) a year ago .
  • Electric Motorcycles units rose 86% YoY (184 vs. 99) on the “Twist and Go” promotion, yet revenue declined 20% as discounts pressured ASPs; segment operating loss improved to $(18.4)M from $(25.0)M .
  • Guidance was worsened: full‑year operating loss raised to $(72)–$(77)M from $(59)–$(69)M, citing extended S2 model incentives through Dec 15 and not proceeding with a proposed work statement under the H‑D Joint Development Agreement; units guidance remains withdrawn/not provided .
  • Cash discipline continued: YTD net cash used improved 39% to $(48.1)M and cash ended at $16.3M; company launched an at‑the‑market equity program up to $50M to bolster liquidity .
  • Near‑term stock catalysts: promotion‑driven unit momentum into Dec 15, EICMA exposure for S4 Honcho with production targeted Spring ’26, and clarity on FY loss run‑rate post‑promotion; risks include dilution from ATM and ongoing margin pressure from incentives .

What Went Well and What Went Wrong

  • What Went Well

    • STACYC posted 46% revenue growth and narrowed operating loss to $(0.4)M; consolidated revenue +28% YoY and consolidated operating loss improved by $7.7M from Q3’24 .
    • Cost controls reduced consolidated selling, administrative and engineering expense by $9.1M YoY; Electric Motorcycles operating loss improved by $6.6M YoY on $8.8M lower SA&E .
    • CEO: “record‑setting quarter… increase market share and maintain our number one position in U.S. electric motorcycle retail sales in the 50+ horsepower on‑road EV segment” .
  • What Went Wrong

    • Electric Motorcycles revenue declined 20% YoY despite +86% units, as incentives to drive demand pressured revenue and margins; segment revenue was $1.0M on 184 units .
    • Gross margin was negative as COGS exceeded revenue; Q3 gross profit $(2.9)M on $5.7M revenue; EPS $(0.10) vs $(0.09) in Q2 (sequential deterioration) .
    • FY operating loss guidance was raised to $(72)–$(77)M (worse), units guidance withheld, and LiveWire will not proceed with a proposed JDA work statement with Harley‑Davidson, removing a potential program and adding uncertainty .

Financial Results

MetricQ3 2024Q1 2025Q2 2025Q3 2025
Revenue ($USD Millions)$4.45 $2.74 $5.87 $5.70
Net Loss ($USD Millions)$(22.69) $(19.27) $(18.83) $(19.40)
Net Loss per Share (Basic & Diluted)$(0.11) $(0.09) $(0.09) $(0.10)
Operating Loss ($USD Millions)$(26.53) $(20.67) $(18.26) $(18.81)
COGS ($USD Millions)$5.97 $4.91 $5.32 $8.60
Gross Profit ($USD Millions)$(1.52) $(2.17) $0.55 $(2.90)
Gross Margin %(34.2%) (79.1%) 9.3% (50.9%)
Operating Margin %(596.6%) (753.6%) (311.0%) (329.9%)

Segment performance and units:

Segment KPIQ3 2024Q2 2025Q3 2025
Electric Motorcycles Units (Units)99 55 184
Electric Motorcycles Revenue ($USD Millions)$1.2 $0.8 $1.0
Electric Motorcycles Operating Loss ($USD Millions)$(25.0) $(18.0) $(18.4)
STACYC Units (Units)3,442 4,872 5,805
STACYC Revenue ($USD Millions)$3.2 $5.0 $4.7
STACYC Operating Loss ($USD Millions)$(1.5) $(0.3) $(0.4)

Key KPIs:

KPIQ3 2024Q1 2025Q2 2025Q3 2025
Net Cash Used YTD ($USD Millions)$(79.5) $(18.2) $(35.1) $(48.1)
Cash & Equivalents ($USD Millions)$88.44 $46.22 $29.32 $16.32
Weighted Avg Shares (Millions)203.25 203.48 203.59 203.77

Estimate comparisons:

  • S&P Global consensus for Q3 2025 EPS and revenue was not available for LVWR at the time of this analysis; therefore, beat/miss vs. Street cannot be determined. Values retrieved from S&P Global.*

Guidance Changes

MetricPeriodPrevious GuidanceCurrent GuidanceChange
Operating Loss (FY)FY 2025“Below $60M” (Q1 update) $(59)–$(69)M (Q2) Widened vs. Q1 (worse)
Operating Loss (FY)FY 2025$(59)–$(69)M (Q2) $(72)–$(77)M (Q3) Raised loss (worse)
Units GuidanceFY 2025Withdrawn (Q1) Not provided (reaffirmed Q2, Q3) Maintained withdrawal
S2 Model PromotionsQ4 2025Promotion began Aug 28; end not specified Extended through Dec 15, 2025 Extended

Earnings Call Themes & Trends

TopicPrevious Mentions (Q1 & Q2 2025)Current Period (Q3 2025)Trend
Demand stimulation/promotionsCompetitors discounting; H‑D targeted promos; LiveWire facing EV demand headwinds “Twist and Go” promotion drove units; incentives extended to Dec 15 Acceleration via deeper/longer promos
Product roadmapLiveWire to launch two new “mini” models; EICMA launch planned; lower‑priced focus S4 Honcho Trail/Street shown at EICMA; production targeted Spring ’26 Portfolio expansion toward lower price points
Cost disciplineSA&E reductions; relocating LiveWire Labs; OpEx down materially SA&E down $9.1M YoY; consolidated Op loss down $7.7M YoY Continued execution
Capital/liquidityNo incremental H‑D funding beyond LOC; cash burn reduction targeted ATM up to $50M launched; YTD cash burn down 39% Proactive liquidity bolstering
Macro/tariffs (parent context)Volatile tariff environment; consumer softness; HDI withdrew guidance Macro still volatile; LiveWire leans on incentives to drive volume Persistent headwind

Management Commentary

  • CEO Karim Donnez: “The LiveWire team worked diligently through the quarter to increase market share and maintain our number one position in U.S. electric motorcycle retail sales… by delivering a company record‑setting quarter… STACYC delivered 46% revenue growth… We’re also advancing our strategic expansion to attract new riders with the S4 Honcho… production targeted to start in Spring ’26” .
  • CFO commentary (Harley‑Davidson) on LiveWire: “We now expect LiveWire's full‑year operating loss to come in between $72 million and $77 million… LiveWire reported sales of 184 units in Q3 compared to 99… driven by the Twist and Go promotion” .
  • Financial policy: launched ATM for up to $50M of additional capital through share issuance .
  • Strategic update: decision not to move forward with a proposed work statement under the H‑D Joint Development Agreement .

Q&A Highlights

  • Promotions and affordability: H‑D outlined lower APR/longer‑term financing to stimulate demand; while broader H‑D‑focused, it underscores reliance on promotions in a challenging macro, consistent with LiveWire’s “Twist and Go” strategy .
  • Outlook cadence: Company refrained from units guidance given volatility; LiveWire extended promotions through Dec 15, implying continued near‑term volume support at lower ASPs .
  • LiveWire specifics largely covered in prepared remarks (units, FY loss guidance); Q&A primarily centered on Harley‑Davidson’s network, inventory, and HDFS transaction .

Estimates Context

  • Street consensus (S&P Global) for LVWR Q3 2025 EPS and revenue was unavailable; as such, we cannot determine beat/miss versus expectations. Values retrieved from S&P Global.*

  • Implications: Absent consensus, recalibration will focus on company guidance and realized margins; given raised FY operating loss guidance and extended incentives, model updates likely increase FY operating loss and lower gross margin assumptions near term .

Key Takeaways for Investors

  • Volume vs. margin trade‑off is explicit: incentives materially lifted Q3 units but drove negative gross margin; expect continued pressure through Dec 15 as promotions run, with potential snap‑back risk once promos end .
  • Guidance reset: FY operating loss worsened to $(72)–$(77)M; absent units guidance and with incentives extended, near‑term profitability inflection is unlikely before 2026 product launches ramp .
  • STACYC remains the growth engine, offsetting motorcycle margin drag; monitor holiday sell‑through and inventory into Q4 for sustainability of revenue gains .
  • Liquidity: cash of $16.3M and ATM up to $50M provide flexibility, but also raise dilution risk; watch cadence of ATM usage versus cash burn trajectory .
  • 2026 catalysts: S4 Honcho Trail/Street production targeted for Spring ’26; success in lower‑priced segments is key to broadening TAM and easing promo dependence .
  • Strategic uncertainty reduced near term with decision against the proposed H‑D JDA work statement; however, it removes a potential program lever—focus shifts to own roadmap and cost controls .
  • Trading setup: promotional extension supports Q4 units (potential positive headlines), but margin prints and FY loss guide constrain multiple; watch EICMA reception, December demand, and any ATM activity disclosures for stock moves .

Citations

  • Q3 2025 8‑K and EX‑99.1 press release: .
  • Q3 2025 earnings call (Harley‑Davidson; LiveWire segment discussed): .
  • Q2 2025 8‑K and EX‑99.1: .
  • Q1 2025 8‑K and EX‑99.1: .

Note on estimates: Values retrieved from S&P Global.*