Ski-Doo maker BRP feels impact of slow consumer spending as profits plunge

BRP Inc. saw its third-quarter profits tumble by half from a year earlier, as the recreational vehicle maker felt the squeeze of sluggish consumer spending.

The financial drop marked a sharp U-turn from the previous quarter, when earnings jumped 42 per cent year-over-year and optimism rode high atop near-record sales for the period.

“Consumer confidence declined since July," CEO José Boisjoli told analysts on a conference call Thursday, citing weaker demand for the Ski-Doo maker's products.

"In October, the decline happened in almost all markets, but especially international. And the trend is continuing in November."