FedEx Corp. Net Income Soars 41percent in Third Quarter

FedEx Corporation has reported earnings of USD 0.68 per diluted share for the quarter ended February 29, including USD 0.03 per diluted share of costs associated with the previously announced business realignment through early retirement and severance programs. Excluding these costs, earnings for the third quarter were USD 0.71 per diluted share. Earnings were USD 0.49 per diluted share a year ago.
FedEx Corp. reported the following consolidated results for the third quarter:

Q3 Fiscal 2004
———————————-
Before Q3 Fiscal 2003
As Reported YOY Realignment YOY As Reported
(GAAP) % Costs % (GAAP)
————- — ————- — ————–
Revenue $6.06 billion 9 $6.06 billion 9 $5.55 billion
Operating Income $372 million 38 $386 million 43 $269 million
Net Income $207 million 41 $216 million 47 $147 million
Diluted EPS $0.68 39 $0.71 45 $0.49

Business Editors

"Our revenue growth accelerated, reflecting a strengthening worldwide economy and successful execution of our business strategy, highlighted by the strong performance of our FedEx International Priority(R) service" said Alan B. Graf, Jr., executive vice president and chief financial officer. "In addition, substantial cost savings from our business realignment programs at FedEx Express are resulting in meaningful improvement in our Express margins."
The third quarter pretax cost of the business realignment programs was $14 million. Approximately $65 million of savings were realized in the third quarter, reflected primarily in lower ongoing salaries and employee benefits costs. The company expects the savings from these initiatives to be $50 million to $60 million in the fourth quarter and the costs to be approximately $10 million. Related savings are expected to be $230 million to $240 million per year in fiscal 2005 and beyond.
On February 12, 2004, FedEx completed the $2.4 billion acquisition of Kinko's, Inc. from Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (which owned the majority of Kinko's outstanding shares) and others. During the third quarter, Kinko's contributed approximately $100 million of revenue and $0.01 per diluted share of earnings, as its results were only included for 18 days in the quarter. Kinko's will be reported as the company's fourth operating segment beginning with the fourth quarter.
For the third consecutive year, FedEx ranked in the "Top 10" of FORTUNE magazine's "America's Most Admired Companies" and "World's Most Admired Companies" lists and in the top ten of the 2003 Harris Interactive/Reputation Institute's annual corporate reputation survey published by The Wall Street Journal. FedEx is the only transportation company and one of very few companies to rank this highly in all three reputation surveys.
"At the heart of our strong reputation is our relentless commitment to delivering superior service for customers, generating outstanding financial returns for shareholders, maintaining the highest ethical standards, safeguarding our environment and being a great place to work," said Frederick W. Smith, chairman, president and chief executive officer.

Outlook

Earnings are expected to be $1.15 to $1.25 per diluted share in the fourth quarter, excluding the costs of the company's business realignment activities, compared to $0.92 per diluted share a year ago. Fiscal 2004 earnings are expected to be $3.35 to $3.45 per diluted share, excluding business realignment costs and a one-time tax benefit recorded in the first quarter. Capital expenditures for fiscal 2004 are now expected to be approximately $1.4 billion, which is $200 million below the previous forecast and below fiscal 2003 levels. Guidance for fiscal 2005 earnings will be provided in conjunction with the company's investors and lenders meeting on April 8, 2004.

FedEx Express Segment

For the third quarter, the FedEx Express segment reported:

Q3 Fiscal 2004
———————————–
Before Q3 Fiscal 2003
As Reported YOY Realignment YOY As Reported
(GAAP) % Costs % (GAAP)
————- — ————- — —————
Revenue $4.37 billion 7 $4.37 billion 7 $4.09 billion
Op. Income $218 million 68 $230 million 77 $130 million
Operating Margin 5.0% 5.3% 3.2%

Business Editors

FedEx Express segment operating income improved 77% year over year before realignment costs, benefiting from ongoing cost control efforts including early retirement and severance savings and from revenue growth. Operating income improved despite higher employee compensation and benefits and maintenance costs.
FedEx International Priority (IP) revenue grew 21% for the quarter, as IP revenue per package grew 10%, primarily due to an increase in average weight per package and favorable exchange rate differences. IP average daily package volume also grew 10%. Asia continued to be a growth engine, with volume increasing 22% year over year, while volume growth rates also increased in Europe, Latin America and U.S. export. Worldwide, FedEx Express average daily package volume grew 1% year over year. U.S. domestic express average daily package volume was flat year over year, while U.S. domestic package yield increased 1%.
On March 16, 2004, FedEx Express entered into a fourth addendum to its transportation agreement with the U.S. Postal Service, allowing FedEx Express to continue carrying incremental pounds of mail through November 30, 2004 at higher committed volumes than required under the original agreement.

FedEx Ground Segment

For the third quarter, the FedEx Ground segment reported:

— Revenue of $960 million, up 8% from last year's $886 million
— Operating income of $112 million, up 3% from $109 million a year ago
— Operating margin was 11.6%, down from 12.3% the previous year

Average daily package volume grew 6% in the third quarter, up from 1% and 3% growth in the first and second quarters, respectively, driven by growth in FedEx Home Delivery shipments. Yield improved 4% primarily due to a January 2004 general rate increase and an increase in extra services revenue, partially offset by higher customer discounts and the elimination of the fuel surcharge in January. The FedEx Ground segment operating margin was negatively affected by an operating loss at FedEx Supply Chain Services.

FedEx Freight Segment

For the third quarter, the FedEx Freight segment reported:

— Revenue of $630 million, up 11% from last year's $568 million

— Operating income of $37 million, up 32% from $28 million a
year ago

— Operating margin was 5.9%, up from 4.9% the previous year

FedEx Freight less-than-truckload (LTL) yield improved 6% year over year due to the impact of a 5.9% general rate increase on June 30, 2003, favorable contract renewals and growth in its interregional freight service. Average daily LTL shipments increased 4% compared to last year's third quarter, which is a continuation of a trend that began at the end of the second quarter. Operating income was up 32% compared to the previous year due to the impact of higher revenue and cost management efforts.
FedEx Freight continues to improve its market position, with service at historically high levels and the successful launch of its money-back guarantee. The company has also increased capacity at a number of key locations to better meet growing customer demand.

Corporate Overview

FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with the broadest portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $25 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx and Kinko's brands. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 240,000 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 FY2004 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 17, 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, any impacts on the company's business resulting from the timing, speed and magnitude of the U.S. domestic economic recovery, the number, timing, mix and relocation costs of replacement personnel required as a result of the company's early retirement and severance programs, 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 Kinko's business, the impact of changes in fuel prices and currency exchange rates, our ability to match capacity to shifting volume levels, the timing and amount of any money that FedEx is entitled to receive under the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act and other factors which can be found in FedEx Corp.'s and its subsidiaries' press releases and filings with the SEC.

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
TO GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

The company believes that meaningful analysis of our financial
performance requires an understanding of the factors underlying that
performance and our judgments about the likelihood that particular
factors will repeat. Excluding the impact of business realignment
costs from our third quarter results and from our earnings guidance
will allow more accurate comparisons to prior periods of our
year-to-date and expected operating performance in fiscal 2004 and
beyond. As required by SEC rules, the tables below present a
reconciliation of our presented non-GAAP measures to the most
directly comparable GAAP measures.

Third Quarter Fiscal 2004
(Dollars in millions, except earnings per share)

FedEx Express
FedEx Corp. Segment
——————————– ————–
Diluted
Operating Net Earnings Operating
Income Margin Income Per Share Income Margin
——- ——- —— ——— —— ——-

Non-GAAP Measure $386 6.4% $216 $0.71 $230 5.3%

Business
Realignment Costs (14) (0.3%) (9) (0.03) (12) (0.3%)
——- ——- —— ——— —— ——-

GAAP Measure $372 6.1% $207 $0.68 $218 5.0%
======= ======= ====== ========= ====== =======

Fiscal 2004 Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Earnings Guidance

Q4 Diluted FY 2004 Diluted
EPS Guidance EPS Guidance
————— —————

Non-GAAP Measure $1.15 to $1.25 $3.35 to $3.45

Business Realignment Costs (0.02) (0.90)

Benefit From Tax
Case Decision – 0.08
————— —————

GAAP Measure $1.13 to $1.23 $2.53 to $2.63
=============== ===============

Business Editors

FEDEX CORP. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Unaudited)

Third Quarter Fiscal 2004
(In millions, except earnings per share)

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
———————- ———————–
Feb. 29, Feb. 28, Feb. 29, Feb. 28,
2004 2003 % 2004 2003 %
——– ——– —- ——– ——– —–
Revenue:
FedEx Express segment $4,374 $4,094 7% $12,790 $12,184 5%
FedEx Ground segment 960 886 8% 2,852 2,660 7%
FedEx Freight segment 630 568 11% 1,931 1,817 6%
Other & eliminations 98 (3) NM 96 (4) NM
——- ——- ——– ——–
Total Revenue 6,062 5,545 9% 17,669 16,657 6%

Operating Expenses:
Salaries and employee
benefits 2,649 2,464 8% 7,778 7,293 7%
Purchased
transportation 602 535 13% 1,755 1,602 10%
Rentals and landing
fees 474 452 5% 1,350 1,361 (1%)
Depreciation and
amortization 340 334 2% 1,010 1,011 (0%)
Fuel 390 352 11% 1,052 982 7%
Maintenance and repairs 380 344 10% 1,114 1,069 4%
Business realignment
costs 14 — NM 429 — NM
Other 841 795 6% 2,426 2,360 3%
——- ——- ——– ——–
Total Operating
Expenses 5,690 5,276 8% 16,914 15,678 8%

Operating Income:
FedEx Express segment 218 130 68% 222 488 (55%)
FedEx Ground segment 112 109 3% 363 345 5%
FedEx Freight segment 37 28 32% 164 144 14%
Other & eliminations 5 2 150% 6 2 200%
——- ——- ——– ——–
Total Operating
Income 372 269 38% 755 979 (23%)

Other Income (Expense):
Interest, net (36) (29) 24% (76) (88) (14%)
Other, net (2) (3) (33%) (3) (4) (25%)
——- ——- ——– ——–
Total Other Income
(Expense) (38) (32) 19% (79) (92) (14%)
——- ——- ——– ——–

Pretax Income 334 237 41% 676 887 (24%)

Provision for Income
Taxes 127 90 41% 250 337 (26%)
——- ——- ——– ——–

Net Income $207 $147 41% $426 $550 (23%)
======= ======= ======== ========

Diluted Earnings Per
Share $0.68 $0.49 39% $1.40 $1.82 (23%)
======= ======= ======== ========

Weighted Average Common
and Common Equivalent
Shares 303 303 — 304 303 0%

Capital Expenditures $284 $286 (1%) $892 $1,174 (24%)

FEDEX CORP. OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS
(Unaudited)

Third Quarter Fiscal 2004
(In thousands, except yield, weight and operating weekdays)

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
——————— ———————
FEDEX EXPRESS Feb. 29, Feb. 28, Feb. 29, Feb. 28,
————- 2004 2003 % 2004 2003 %
——– ——– — ——– ——– —

Operating Weekdays 63 63 — 190 190 —

AVG DAILY VOLUME / POUNDS
————————-
Average Daily Package
Volume:

U.S. Overnight Box 1,197 1,189 1% 1,178 1,175 0%
U.S. Overnight Envelope 628 662 (5%) 655 676 (3%)
U.S. Deferred 1,003 977 3% 933 908 3%
——- ——- ——- ——-
Total U.S. Domestic
Package 2,828 2,828 — 2,766 2,759 0%
International Priority 393 358 10% 386 366 5%
——- ——- ——- ——-
Total Average Daily
Packages 3,221 3,186 1% 3,152 3,125 1%
======= ======= ======= =======

Average Daily Freight
Pounds:

U.S. 9,082 9,131 (1%) 8,540 9,187 (7%)
International 2,060 2,183 (6%) 2,143 2,157 (1%)
——- ——- ——- ——-
Total Avg Daily
Freight Pounds 11,142 11,314 (2%) 10,683 11,344 (6%)
======= ======= ======= =======

YIELD
—–
Revenue Per Package:

U.S. Overnight Box $18.37 $18.09 2% $18.23 $18.10 1%
U.S. Overnight Envelope 10.06 10.03 0% 9.95 9.87 1%
U.S. Deferred 10.85 10.82 0% 10.82 10.90 (1%)
——- ——- ——- ——-
Total U.S. Domestic
Package 13.86 13.69 1% 13.77 13.71 0%
International Priority 51.41 46.67 10% 50.19 45.83 10%
——- ——- ——- ——-
Composite Package
Yield $18.43 $17.39 6% $18.23 $17.47 4%
======= ======= ======= =======

Revenue Per Freight Pound:

U.S. $0.73 $0.69 6% $0.73 $0.67 9%
International 0.75 0.73 3% 0.74 0.72 3%
——- ——- ——- ——-
Composite Freight
Yield $0.74 $0.69 7% $0.73 $0.68 7%
======= ======= ======= =======

FEDEX GROUND
————

Operating Weekdays 62 62 — 189 188 1%

Average Daily Package
Volume 2,296 2,171 6% 2,250 2,183 3%
Yield $6.52 $6.27 4% $6.44 $6.17 4%

FEDEX FREIGHT
————-

LTL Operating Weekdays 62 62 — 188 188 —

LTL Shipments Per Day 55 53 4% 56 57 (2%)
Weight Per LTL Shipment
(lbs) 1,121 1,110 1% 1,119 1,111 1%
LTL Revenue/CWT $14.35 $13.59 6% $14.21 $13.30 7%

FEDEX CORP.
———–

Average Full-Time
Equivalents (FTEs)(1) 206 191 8% 206 192 7%

(1) The three- and nine-month periods ending February 29, 2004
include employees of Kinko's for the entire periods.

FEDEX CORP. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

Third Quarter Fiscal 2004
(In millions)

Feb. 29,
2004 May 31,
(Unaudited) 2003
———– ———–
ASSETS
——
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 475 $ 538
Other current assets 3,890 3,403
———– ———–
Total Current Assets 4,365 3,941

Net Property and Equipment 9,007 8,700

Other Long-Term Assets 4,977 2,744
———– ———–

$18,349 $15,385
=========== ===========

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' INVESTMENT
—————————————-
Current Liabilities:
Short-term borrowings $ 1,929 $ —
Current portion of long-term debt 148 308
Other current liabilities 3,589 3,027
———– ———–
Total Current Liabilities 5,666 3,335

Long-Term Debt, Less Current Portion 1,859 1,709

Other Long-Term Liabilities 3,223 3,053

Total Common Stockholders' Investment 7,601 7,288
———– ———–

$18,349 $15,385
=========== ===========

FEDEX CORP. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)

Third Quarter Fiscal 2004
(In millions)

Nine Months Ended
——————
Feb. 29, Feb. 28,
2004 2003
——– ——–

Operating Activities:
Net income $426 $550
Noncash charges (credits):
Depreciation and amortization 1,010 1,011
Other, net 77 236
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net 219 (891)
——– ——–

Net cash provided by operating activities 1,732 906

Investing Activities:
Business acquisition, net of cash acquired (2,410) —
Capital expenditures (892) (1,174)
Proceeds from asset dispositions 14 20
——– ——–

Net cash used in investing activities (3,288) (1,154)

Financing Activities:
Proceeds from short-term borrowings, net 1,929 200
Dividends paid (48) (45)
Other, net (388) (52)
——– ——–

Net cash provided by financing activities 1,493 103
——– ——–

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (63) (145)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 538 331
——– ——–
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $475 $186
======== ========

FEDEX EXPRESS SEGMENT FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Unaudited)

Third Quarter Fiscal 2004
(In millions, except FTEs)

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
———————– ————————
Feb. 29, Feb. 28, Feb. 29, Feb. 28,
2004 2003 % 2004 2003 %
——— ——– —- ——— ——– —-
Revenue $4,374 $4,094 7% $12,790 $12,184 5%

Operating Expenses:
Salaries and
employee benefits 1,855 1,781 4% 5,495 5,216 5%
Purchased
transportation 177 151 17% 504 446 13%
Rentals and landing
fees 388 391 (1%) 1,142 1,173 (3%)
Depreciation and
amortization 203 203 — 610 612 (0%)
Fuel 356 320 11% 959 898 7%
Maintenance and
repairs 300 269 12% 878 840 5%
Business
realignment costs 12 — NM 423 — NM
Intercompany
charges 350 328 7% 1,039 987 5%
Other 515 521 (1%) 1,518 1,524 (0%)
——— ——– ——— ——–
Total Operating
Expenses 4,156 3,964 5% 12,568 11,696 7%
——— ——– ——— ——–

Operating Income $218 $130 68% $222 $488 (55%)
========= ======== ========= ========

Operating Margin 5.0% 3.2% 1.7% 4.0%

Average Full-Time
Equivalents (000s) 122 125 (2%) 122 124 (2%)

FEDEX GROUND SEGMENT FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Unaudited)

Third Quarter Fiscal 2004
(In millions)

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
———————- ———————–
Feb. 29, Feb. 28, Feb. 29, Feb. 28,
2004 2003 % 2004 2003 %
——— ——– — ——— ——– —
Revenue $960 $886 8% $2,852 $2,660 7%

Operating Expenses:
Salaries and employee
benefits 183 176 4% 547 531 3%
Purchased
transportation 367 335 10% 1,076 990 9%
Rentals 26 23 13% 72 69 4%
Depreciation and
amortization 38 38 — 114 115 (1%)
Fuel 4 3 33% 9 7 29%
Maintenance and
repairs 22 22 — 69 66 5%
Business realignment
costs 1 — NM 1 — NM
Intercompany charges 107 90 19% 312 265 18%
Other 100 90 11% 289 272 6%
——— ——– ——— ——–
Total Operating
Expenses 848 777 9% 2,489 2,315 8%
——— ——– ——— ——–

Operating Income $112 $109 3% $363 $345 5%
========= ======== ========= ========

Operating Margin 11.6% 12.3% 12.7% 13.0%

FEDEX FREIGHT SEGMENT FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Unaudited)

Third Quarter Fiscal 2004
(In millions)

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
——————— ————————
Feb. 29, Feb. 28, Feb. 29, Feb. 28,
2004 2003 % 2004 2003 %
——– ——– — ——— ——— —
Revenue $630 $568 11% $1,931 $1,817 6%

Operating Expenses:
Salaries and employee
benefits 346 313 11% 1,031 970 6%
Purchased
transportation 59 51 16% 179 170 5%
Rentals and landing
fees 25 25 — 74 80 (8%)
Depreciation and
amortization 24 22 9% 69 65 6%
Fuel 31 28 11% 85 77 10%
Maintenance and
repairs 28 27 4% 84 86 (2%)
Intercompany charges 5 5 — 15 14 7%
Other 75 69 9% 230 211 9%
——– ——– ——— ———
Total Operating
Expenses 593 540 10% 1,767 1,673 6%
——– ——– ——— ———

Operating Income $37 $28 32% $164 $144 14%
======== ======== ========= =========

Operating Margin 5.9% 4.9% 8.5% 7.9%