MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 21, 2006 ... FedEx Corporation (NYSE: FDX) today reported earnings of $1.82 per diluted share for the fourth quarter ended May 31, compared to $1.46 per diluted share a year ago, a year over year increase of 25%.
“FedEx posted record financial results in the fourth quarter and full year, as we ended our fiscal 2006 in an environment of solid economic growth in the U.S. and in international markets,” said Frederick W. Smith, chairman, president and chief executive officer. “We remain optimistic about the global economic environment for fiscal 2007 and our ability to effectively manage our business. We will remain firmly focused on making every customer experience outstanding, profitably growing our business and seeking new opportunities to serve our customers.”
Fourth Quarter Results
FedEx Corp. reported the following consolidated results for the fourth quarter:
• Revenue of $8.49 billion, up 10% from $7.72 billion the previous year
• Operating income of $927 million, up 25% from $740 million a year ago
• Operating margin of 10.9%, up from 9.6% the previous year
• Net income of $568 million, up 27% from last year’s $448 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.
On May 26, 2006, FedEx Corp. announced an agreement to acquire the less-than-truckload freight operations of Watkins Motor Lines and certain affiliates for $780 million, payable in cash. The transaction is expected to close during the first quarter of fiscal 2007 and is subject to customary conditions, including government approvals.
Full Year Results
FedEx Corp. reported the following consolidated results for the full year:
• Revenue of $32.3 billion, up 10% from $29.4 billion the previous year
• Operating income of $3.01 billion, up 22% from $2.47 billion a year ago
• Operating margin of 9.3%, up from 8.4% the previous year
• Net income of $1.81 billion, up 25% from last year’s $1.45 billion
• Earnings per share of $5.83, up 24% from $4.72 per share the previous year
Fiscal 2006 includes a net non-cash charge of $0.15 per diluted share to adjust the accounting for certain facility leases, primarily at FedEx Express. Fiscal 2005 includes two items which negatively affected earnings by a net $0.06 per diluted share: A charge of $0.10 per diluted share related to the company’s claim for compensation under the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act, partially offset by a $0.04 per diluted share tax benefit resulting from the passage of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.
Cash flow provided by operations exceeded cash used in investing activities for fiscal 2006. Combined with available cash balances, cash flow from operations was sufficient to fund $2.5 billion of capital expenditures for business growth and repay $369 million of debt. In addition, the quarterly dividend was increased by $0.01 to $0.09 per share in the most recent dividend declaration.
Outlook
FedEx expects earnings to be $1.45 to $1.60 per diluted share in the first quarter of fiscal 2007 and $6.45 to $6.80 per diluted share for the full year. The company expects continued growth in FedEx International Priority® (IP), U.S domestic overnight express box, FedEx Ground and FedEx Freight shipments and improving operating margins in the transportation segments. Included in this forecast is the company’s adoption of the new accounting rules for stock options and other share-based payments, which is expected to negatively affect earnings by approximately $0.15 per diluted share for the year.
Capital spending for fiscal 2007 is forecast to be approximately $2.9 billion, of which approximately 75% is targeted for growth. Investments in the global network at FedEx Express and the transportation networks at FedEx Ground and FedEx Freight will continue as the company adds capacity and deploys new productivity-enhancing technologies. FedEx Kinko’s will initiate a multi-year network expansion program to increase the retail locations for customer access to FedEx Kinko’s business services and the FedEx Express and FedEx Ground shipping networks.
“FedEx will significantly invest in growth opportunities in fiscal 2007, including the addition of Watkins to our portfolio of services and the buy-out of our joint venture partner and expansion of our operations in
FedEx Express Segment
For the fourth quarter, the FedEx Express segment reported:
• Revenue of $5.61 billion, up 10% from last year’s $5.12 billion
• Operating income of $560 million, up 30% from $431 million a year ago
• Operating margin of 10.0%, up from 8.4% the previous year
FedEx Express achieved a double-digit operating margin in the seasonally strong fourth quarter, driven by revenue growth, yield management and effective cost controls. IP revenue grew 15% for the quarter, as IP revenue per package grew 9%, primarily due to fuel surcharges, a higher rate per pound and an increase in package weights. IP average daily package volume grew 6%. U.S.domestic express package revenue increased more than 5%, as yield increased 8% and U.S.domestic average daily package volume declined 2%. The yield increase was driven by the January 2006 rate increases, higher fuel surcharges and yield management actions. U.S. deferred express services continue to show higher yields and lower volumes due to the continuing impact of previous yield management actions.
FedEx Ground Segment
For the fourth quarter, the FedEx Ground segment reported:
• Revenue of $1.42 billion, up 15% from last year’s $1.23 billion
• Operating income of $207 million, up 20% from $173 million a year ago
• Operating margin of 14.6%, up from 14.0% the previous year
FedEx Ground average daily package volume grew 11% year over year in the fourth quarter. Yield improved 3% primarily due to higher extra-services revenue, increased fuel surcharges and the January 2006 general rate increase.
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.
During the fourth quarter, the company announced that Daniel J. Sullivan, president and chief executive officer of FedEx Ground, will retire effective January 5, 2007. He will be succeeded by FedEx Express executive vice president David F. Rebholz. Sullivan will retire after 35 years with FedEx Ground and its predecessor companies. He founded the ground small-package carrier RPS, which FedEx Corp. acquired in 1998.
FedEx Freight Segment
For the fourth quarter, the FedEx Freight segment reported:
• Revenue of $973 million, up 15% from last year’s $843 million
• Operating income of $142 million, up 49% from $95 million a year ago
• Operating margin was 14.6%, up from 11.3% the previous year
Less-than-truckload (LTL) yield improved 9% year over year reflecting incremental fuel surcharges and higher rates. FedEx Freight implemented a 5.95% general rate increase effective April 24, 2006. Average daily LTL shipments increased 8% year over year due to greater demand for FedEx Freight’s regional and interregional services. The growth in LTL yield and shipments, combined with effective cost controls, led to an increase in operating margin.
The addition of Watkins’ three-day or more long-haul LTL freight service to FedEx Freight’s industry-leading next-day and second-day regional LTL service will extend FedEx’s leadership position to a new sector of the freight industry. FedEx Freight and Watkins will form the industry’s most well-rounded LTL transportation solution, providing customers with an unmatched suite of freight solutions under one brand.
FedEx Kinko’s Segment
For the fourth quarter, the FedEx Kinko’s segment reported:
• Revenue of $542 million, down 2% from last year’s $553 million
• Operating income of $18 million, down 56% from $41 million a year ago
• Operating margin of 3.3%, down from 7.4% the previous year
FedEx Kinko’s revenue for the quarter decreased slightly, driven by declines in copy product revenues due to decreased demand for these services and a competitive pricing environment. These declines were partially offset by increases in package acceptance and retail services revenue. Operating margin was negatively affected by the decline in copy revenues and increases in costs associated with new technology, strategic and product offering initiatives.
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 fourth 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. EDTon June 21 are available on the company’s Web site at www.fedex.com/us/investorrelations. 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 and Watkins Motor Lines 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.