FedEx Corporation (NYSE: FDX) today reported earnings of $1.96 per diluted share for the fourth quarter ended May 31, compared to $1.82 per diluted share a year ago. The quarters results include a gain from a settlement with Airbus related to the A380 order cancellation, which had a net benefit to earnings of approximately $0.06 per diluted share.
FedEx delivered solid financial results in fiscal 2007 even though we were restrained by a slowing U.S. economy, said Frederick W. Smith, FedEx Corp. chairman, president and chief executive officer. The weakened industrial sector is currently limiting demand for transportation services, but we expect the U.S. economy to begin to show modest year-over-year improvement in the late summer to early fall timeframe. We remain optimistic about prospects for global economic growth, and will continue to invest in projects critical to achieving strong long-term financial performance.
Fourth Quarter Results
FedEx Corp. reported the following consolidated results for the fourth quarter:
- Revenue of $9.15 billion, up 8% from $8.49 billion the previous year
- Operating income of $1.01 billion, up 9% from $927 million a year ago
- Operating margin of 11.1%, up from 10.9% the previous year
- Net income of $610 million, up 7% from last years $568 million
Total combined average daily package volume at FedEx Express and FedEx Ground grew approximately 4% year over year for the quarter, led by continued growth in ground and international express shipments. Shipment volumes and revenues at FedEx Express, FedEx Ground and FedEx Freight were lower than anticipated in the fourth quarter due to the softer economy.
Full Year Results
FedEx Corp. reported the following consolidated results for the full year:
- Revenue of $35.2 billion, up 9% from $32.3 billion the previous year
- Operating income of $3.28 billion, up 9% from $3.01 billion a year ago
- Operating margin of 9.3%, unchanged from 9.3% the previous year
- Net income of $2.02 billion, up 12% from last years $1.81 billion
- Earnings per share of $6.48, up 11% from $5.83 per share a year ago
Revenue grew due to strong FedEx Ground volume growth, as well as continued FedEx Express International Priority revenue growth. Revenue growth also reflected the acquisition of Watkins Motor Lines in September 2006. Fiscal 2007 results included costs associated with upfront compensation and benefits under the new pilot labor contract at FedEx Express, which reduced second quarter earnings by approximately $0.25 per diluted share. Fiscal 2006 results included a charge of $0.15 per diluted share to adjust the accounting for certain facility leases, primarily at FedEx Express. Capital spending for fiscal 2007 was $2.9 billion.
Outlook
FedEx expects earnings to be $1.45 to $1.60 per diluted share in the first quarter of fiscal 2008 and $7.00 to $7.40 per diluted share for the full year, assuming an improvement in the U.S. economy beginning in the late summer or early fall. Earnings growth is expected to be below the companys long-term 10% to 15% earnings growth target due to continued soft economic growth and to planned investments to expand the companys networks and broaden its service offerings. Capital spending for fiscal 2008 is forecast to be approximately $3.5 billion, of which approximately 70% is targeted for growth.
We are making significant investments in our global networks, said Alan B. Graf, Jr., FedEx Corp. executive vice president and chief financial officer. Our investments are targeted to programs and services that will drive long-term earnings growth, improve service quality to our customers and increase productivity. We remain highly focused on our long-term financial goals of improving earnings, margins, operating cash flows and returns for our shareowners.
FedEx Express Segment
For the fourth quarter, the FedEx Express segment reported:
- Revenue of $5.83 billion, up 4% from last years $5.61 billion
- Operating income of $595 million, up 6% from $560 million a year ago
- Operating margin of 10.2%, up from 10.0% the previous year
FedEx International Priority (IP) revenue grew 7% for the quarter, as IP revenue per package grew 4%, primarily due to favorable exchange rates, higher weights and higher rates per pound, partially offset by lower fuel surcharges. IP average daily package volume grew 3%, reflecting lower volume growth from Europe and Latin America. U.S. domestic revenue per package decreased slightly, as lower fuel surcharges and a shift to lower-yielding services offset increases in rate per pound. U.S. domestic average daily package volume declined 1%. Revenue growth also reflected the acquisition of ANC Holdings Ltd.
Operating margin improved, with cost controls and the benefit from the Airbus A380 settlement offsetting the effects of the softening global economy and the net impact of fuel.
In China, FedEx Express began offering next-business-day domestic express service on May 28, 2007. The new domestic service provides Chinas burgeoning market with next-business-day, time-definite delivery backed by a money-back guarantee to 19 cities and day-definite delivery to more than 200 cities throughout the country. The startup of domestic service in China negatively affected results in the quarter, and will continue to negatively impact earnings throughout fiscal 2008.
FedEx Ground Segment
For the fourth quarter, the FedEx Ground segment reported:
- Revenue of $1.58 billion, up 12% from last years $1.42 billion
- Operating income of $269 million, up 30% from $207 million a year ago
- Operating margin of 17.0%, up from 14.6% the previous year
FedEx Ground average daily package volume grew 8% year over year in the fourth quarter due to increased commercial business and the continued strong growth of its FedEx Home Delivery service. Yield improved 4% primarily due to the impact of rate increases, including dimensional weight charges, and extra service revenues.
Operating margin was higher due to lower legal costs, better results at FedEx SmartPost and improved productivity.
FedEx Freight Segment
For the fourth quarter, the FedEx Freight segment reported:
- Revenue of $1.25 billion, up 28% from last years $973 million
- Operating income of $125 million, down 12% from $142 million a year ago
- Operating margin of 10.0%, down from 14.6% the previous year
Less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments increased 16% year over year due to the acquisition of Watkins (now rebranded as FedEx National LTL). Excluding FedEx National LTL, average daily LTL shipments at FedEx Freight regional were down slightly year over year, as the slower economy continued to negatively impact demand. LTL yield improved 11% year over year, reflecting higher yields from longer-haul FedEx National LTL shipments, higher rates and favorable contract renewals. A general rate increase was implemented effective April 2, 2007.
Operating margins declined primarily due to operating losses at FedEx National LTL, which resulted from softening volumes and ongoing expenses to integrate its network.
FedEx Kinko s Segment
For the fourth quarter, the FedEx Kinko’s segment reported:
- Revenue of $532 million, down 2% from last years $542 million
- Operating income of $23 million, up 28% from $18 million a year ago
- Operating margin of 4.3%, up from 3.3% the previous year
The FedEx Kinko’s revenue decrease for the quarter was primarily due to declines in copy product revenues, which more than offset higher package acceptance fees paid by FedEx Express and FedEx Ground. Operating margin benefited from higher package acceptance revenues.
FedEx Kinko’s continues to invest in a multi-year plan to open new locations, improve core services and enhance its integrated digital document service network, supporting the companys objective of being the back office for local businesses and the remote office for traveling professionals. The company opened 226 centers in fiscal 2007 and plans to open approximately 300 new centers in fiscal 2008.
Tax Rate
The companys effective tax rate was approximately 38.5% for the fourth quarter and 37.3% for the full year. During the quarter, tax charges were incurred as a result of a reorganization in Asia associated with the companys acquisition in China. For fiscal 2008, the effective tax rate is expected to be between 37.5% and 38.0%.
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 $35 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 280,000 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 companys annual report, Form 10-K, Form 10-Qs and fourth quarter fiscal 2007 Statistical Book. These materials, as well as a Webcast of the earnings release conference call to be held at 8:30 a.m. EDT on June 20 are available on the companys 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 acquired businesses, 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.