MEMPHIS, Tenn., March 22, 2006 ... FedEx Corporation (NYSE: FDX) today reported earnings of $1.38 per diluted share for the third quarter ended February 28, compared to $1.03 per diluted share a year ago, a year-over-year increase of 34%.
FedEx Corp. reported the following consolidated results for the third quarter:
- Revenue of $8.00 billion, up 9% from $7.34 billion the previous year
- Operating income of $713 million, up 29% from $552 million a year ago
- Operating margin of 8.9%, up from last year’s 7.5%
- Net income of $428 million, up 35% from $317 million the previous year
“FedEx continues to deliver strong results by providing outstanding customer service around the world and by crisply executing our strategy of balancing volume and revenue growth with cost containment to improve our margins,” said Frederick W. Smith, chairman, president and chief executive officer of FedEx Corp. “With our broad portfolio of services, FedEx is uniquely positioned to take advantage of continued growth in the global economy.”
Total combined average daily package volume at FedEx Ground and FedEx Express grew 4% year over year for the quarter, led by improved ground and international express package growth. Yield management remains a top priority across all transportation services. During the quarter, continued yield management actions in FedEx Express U.S. deferred services boosted yields while resulting in lower U.S. deferred express volume.
FedEx ranked second in FORTUNE magazine’s most recent “America’s Most Admired Companies” list and fourth in its “World’s Most Admired Companies” list. FedEx continues to place in the FORTUNE “100 Best Companies to Work For” list and has the largest employee base on that list.
Outlook
FedEx expects fourth quarter earnings to be $1.65 to $1.80 per diluted share. The company’s earnings guidance for the year is now $5.66 to $5.81 per diluted share compared to previous guidance of $5.45 to $5.70 per diluted share, which includes the net effect of a $0.15 per share lease accounting charge in the first quarter. Excluding the impact of the lease accounting charge, earnings for the year are expected to be $5.81 to $5.96 per diluted share. The capital spending forecast for fiscal 2006 is $2.6 billion.
“Earnings for our third quarter were better than forecasted due to a stronger than expected holiday peak season for FedEx Ground, improved productivity in our transportation segments, lower than expected fuel costs, deferral of advertising and promotion costs to the fourth quarter and a lower effective tax rate,” said Alan B. Graf, Jr., executive vice president and chief financial officer. “Our earnings guidance for the fourth quarter, which assumes continued economic growth, reflects a more normal expense trend.”
FedEx Express Segment
For the third quarter, the FedEx Express segment reported:
- Revenue of $5.34 billion, up 9% from last year’s $4.92 billion
- Operating income of $446 million, up 31% from $340 million a year ago
- Operating margin of 8.4%, up from 6.9% the previous year
FedEx Express operating margin improved significantly year over year, benefiting from solid growth in FedEx International Priority (IP) and U.S. Overnight revenue, continuing yield management actions and improved productivity.
FedEx IP revenue grew 12% for the quarter. IP average daily package volume grew 10%, due to strong growth in Asia and Europe and continuing growth in U.S. export. IP revenue per package grew 2% due to higher fuel surcharges and improved regional mix, partially offset by currency exchange rate impacts. U.S. domestic revenue per package increased 8%, while U.S. domestic volume was down 3% resulting from yield management actions in lower-yielding U.S. deferred services. The increase in U.S. domestic revenue per package was mainly driven by higher fuel surcharges, the January 2006 price increases and yield management actions.
FedEx Express will begin utilizing three new flight frequencies into China later this month. This will provide the company a total of 26 weekly flights to China, the most of any U.S.-based cargo carrier.
On January 24, 2006, FedEx Express entered into an agreement with Tianjin Datian W. Group Co., Ltd. (“DTW Group”) to acquire DTW Group’s fifty percent share of the FedEx-DTW International Priority express joint venture and DTW Group’s domestic express network in China for approximately $400 million in cash. This acquisition will convert the company’s joint venture with DTW Group, formed in 1999, into a wholly owned subsidiary and increase our presence in China in the international and domestic express businesses. The acquisition is expected to be completed in the first half of fiscal 2007.
FedEx Ground Segment
For the third quarter, the FedEx Ground segment reported:
- Revenue of $1.36 billion, up 14% from last year’s $1.20 billion
- Operating income of $187 million, up 26% from $149 million a year ago
- Operating margin of 13.7%, up from 12.4% the previous year
FedEx Ground average daily package volume grew 11% year over year in the third quarter. Yield improved 5% primarily due to the January 2006 general rate increase, increased fuel surcharges and higher extra services revenue.
Operating margin improved due to revenue growth, higher productivity and effective cost controls, offset in part by investments in new technology and the company’s capacity expansion program. There was one fewer operating day in this year’s third quarter.
FedEx Freight Segment
For the third quarter, the FedEx Freight segment reported:
- Revenue of $848 million, up 14% from last year’s $747 million
- Operating income of $73 million, up 35% from $54 million a year ago
- Operating margin of 8.6%, up from 7.2% the previous year
Less-than-truckload (LTL) daily shipments increased 7% year over year due to greater demand for FedEx Freight’s regional and interregional services. Yield improved 7% year over year reflecting incremental fuel surcharges and higher rates. Operating margin improved during the quarter due to growth in LTL revenue combined with productivity gains.
FedEx Kinko’s Segment
For the third quarter, the FedEx Kinko’s segment reported:
- Revenue of $501 million, up slightly from last year’s $499 million
- Operating income of $7 million, down 36% from $11 million a year ago
- Operating margin of 1.4%, down from 2.2% the previous year
FedEx Kinko’s revenue for the quarter increased slightly, driven by continued growth from package acceptance revenues and the year over year benefit from the conversion of certain FedEx World Service Centers to FedEx Kinko’s Ship Centers in April 2005. This growth was offset by a decline in copy product line revenues, due in part to a competitive pricing environment.
Operating margin was negatively affected by the decline in copy revenues and increases in costs associated with technology and product offering initiatives. Increased package acceptance revenues and declines in copy product line revenues are expected to continue in the fourth quarter, as are increased costs to enhance service levels and implement new technologies.
During the third quarter, FedEx veteran Kenneth A. May was named president and chief executive officer of FedEx Kinko’s and Brian D. Philips, formerly vice president of U.S. marketing for FedEx, succeeded May as executive vice president and chief operating officer.
Corporate Overview
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $32 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 260,000 employees and contractors to remain “absolutely, positively” focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit fedex.com.
Additional information and operating data are contained in the company’s annual report, Form 10-K, Form 10-Qs and third quarter FY2006 Statistical Book. These materials, as well as a Webcast of the earnings release conference call to be held at 8:30 a.m. EST on March 22 are available on the company’s Web site at investors.fedex.com. A replay of the conference call Webcast will be posted on our Web site following the call.
Certain statements in this press release may be considered forward-looking statements, such as statements relating to management’s views with respect to future events and financial performance. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from historical experience or from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic conditions in the global markets in which we operate, new U.S. domestic or international government regulation, the impact from any terrorist activities or international conflicts, our ability to effectively operate, integrate and leverage the FedEx Kinko’s business, the impact of changes in fuel prices and currency exchange rates, our ability to match capacity to shifting volume levels and other factors which can be found in FedEx Corp.'s and its subsidiaries’ press releases and filings with the SEC.