(Corrects "sales" outlook to "shipment" outlook in first paragraph)
REUTERS - Harley-Davidson Inc on Thursday reported second-quarter earnings that beat estimates, but the motorcycle manufacturer trimmed its shipment outlook due to soft demand in the United States, its biggest market.
Earnings per share increased to $1.55 from $1.44 a year ago and topped analysts' expectations of $1.53.
"While our investments to grow product awareness and ridership globally are beginning to take hold in a number of markets, current conditions in the U.S. and economic headwinds in other parts of the world combine to raise caution," Chief Executive Officer Matt Levatich said in a statement.
Harley-Davidson's domestic sales fell 5.2 percent in the quarter, while U.S. motorcycle industry sales overall were down 8.6 percent in the same period.
The company cut its 2016 full-year motorcycle shipment outlook to 264,000 to 269,000 motorcycles.
The previous shipment estimate was 269,000 to 274,000 motorcycles.
(Reporting by Meredith Davis in Chicago; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)
