FedEx raises earning hopes
FedEx, the package delivery and freight group, yesterday increased its full-year earnings forecast following a stronger-than-expected first fiscal quarter.
The upbeat announcement erased much of the concern sparked among investors by more sluggish results in the fourth quarter of last year.
Shares in the company rose nearly 8 per cent to Dollars 83.15 in response.
Fred Smith, chairman and chief executive, said he remained optimistic about the US and world economy despite the impact of record fuel prices and Hurricane Katrina. FedEx and other logistics companies are considered economic bellwethers because of theircentral role in global trade.
"We see continued improvement in the global economy. Trade is deepening and global trade is growing faster than (US) gross domestic product," he said.
First-quarter net profit increased by a modest 3 per cent to Dollars 339m, or Dollars 1.10 a share. However, those figures were depressed by a Dollars 79m one-off charge related to accounting changes.
Excluding the charge, earnings per share would have been Dollars 1.25, better than the Dollars 1.17 consensus forecast among analysts polled by Thomson First Call.
FedEx had missed Wall Street expectations in the fourth quarter. The improved results were driven by double-digit revenue growth in all three of the company's main delivery businesses: express, ground and freight.
Competition has been intensifying in the package delivery industry as UPS, the biggest operator, seeks to stem losses in its market share to FedEx, German-owned DHL and the United States Postal Service.
Total sales in the three months ended August 31 were Dollars 7.7bn, up 10 per cent.
Full-year earnings guidance was lifted to Dollars 5.25-Dollars 5.50 a share, compared to the Dollars 5.28 forecast by analysts.
September 21, 2005 07:50 AM US Eastern Timezone
FedEx Reports Strong Revenue Growth and Improved Earnings; Earnings Guidance Raised for the Year; Express and Ground Package Growth Solid
MEMPHIS, Tenn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sept. 21, 2005–FedEx Corporation (NYSE: FDX) reported earnings of $1.10 per diluted share for the first quarter ended August 31, compared to $1.08 per diluted share a year ago. This year's first quarter includes a one-time, non-cash charge of $79 million to adjust the accounting for certain facility leases, primarily at FedEx Express. Excluding this charge, earnings for the quarter would have been $1.25 per diluted share.
FedEx Corp. reported the following consolidated results for the first quarter:
— Revenue of $7.71 billion, up 10% from $6.98 billion the previous year
— Operating income of $584 million, up 1% from $579 million a year ago
— Operating margin of 7.6%, down from last year's 8.3%
— Net income of $339 million, up 3% from $330 million the previous year
The one-time charge reduced the company's operating margin by 0.9 percentage points.
"On behalf of FedEx, I want to express our concern and sympathy for the victims of Hurricane Katrina and our employees who are part of those communities. We are proud of the FedEx workers who helped ship and deliver more than 900 tons of relief supplies to assist in the area's recovery," said Frederick W. Smith, chairman, president and chief executive officer. "Despite uncertainty related to Katrina and other economic conditions, we remain optimistic about global trade and expect continued economic expansion in the U.S. and in the international markets. With our unparalleled global network and broad range of services, FedEx is well positioned to take advantage of market conditions as world trade continues to grow."
Total combined average daily package volume at FedEx Express and FedEx Ground grew 5% year over year for the quarter, due to continued growth in international express, U.S. domestic express and ground shipments.
"FedEx delivered solid results in the quarter, but earnings were negatively impacted by the one-time, non-cash lease accounting charge," said Alan B. Graf, Jr., executive vice president and chief financial officer. "Hurricane Katrina had no significant effect on first quarter results, although the storm inflicted some damage to our facilities in the U.S. Gulf Coast region. Meanwhile, our operations have resumed in most of the affected areas except for sections of New Orleans."
Outlook
FedEx expects second quarter earnings to be $1.30 to $1.45 per diluted share and has increased its earnings guidance for the year to $5.25 to $5.50 per diluted share, despite the lease accounting charge in the first quarter. The capital spending forecast for fiscal 2006 remains $2.5 billion.
The earnings guidance range reflects the economic uncertainty surrounding the hurricane effects and the continued volatility of fuel prices.
FedEx Express Segment
For the first quarter, the FedEx Express segment reported:
— Revenue of $5.12 billion, up 11% from last year's $4.62 billion
— Operating income of $285 million, down 8% from $310 million a year ago
— Operating margin of 5.6%, down from 6.7% the previous year
Operating income during the first quarter was negatively affected by a one-time, non-cash charge of $75 million recorded primarily to adjust the accounting for rent escalation terms in certain facility leases. Operating margin was negatively affected by 1.4 percentage points due to this charge. Similar to many other public companies, FedEx determined that a portion of its facility leases had rent escalation clauses that had not been recognized appropriately in the past. The adjustment recorded resulted in a cumulative correction that increased operating expenses for the quarter. The amounts were not material for any prior period.
FedEx International Priority (IP) revenue grew 13% for the quarter, as IP revenue per package grew 7%, primarily due to higher fuel surcharges and package weights, as well as favorable exchange rates. IP average daily package volume grew 6%. U.S. domestic express package revenue increased 8%, as U.S. domestic average daily package volume grew 4%. U.S. domestic revenue per package increased 3%, driven by higher fuel surcharges.
On September 7, FedEx announced the first overnight express link between India and China as part of its new eastbound around-the-world flight, which connects Europe, India, China and Japan with the FedEx Express U.S. hub in Memphis. Start-up costs for this flight, together with costs associated with the westbound around-the-world flight that began in March, negatively affected operating income in the first quarter. The complementary eastbound and westbound around-the-world routes have been launched to meet supply and demand needs in both directions.
FedEx Ground Segment
For the first quarter, the FedEx Ground segment reported:
— Revenue of $1.22 billion, up 14% from last year's $1.07 billion
— Operating income of $148 million, up 1% from $147 million a year ago
— Operating margin of 12.1%, down from 13.7% the previous year
FedEx Ground average daily package volume grew 6% year over year in the first quarter. Yield improved 6% primarily due to higher extra service revenue, the January 2005 general rate increase and reimplementation of a fuel surcharge.
Despite improved field productivity at FedEx Ground, the segment operating margin declined primarily because of losses at FedEx SmartPost and higher year-over-year expenses related to investment in new technology, as well as the opening of three new hubs in line with the company's long-term growth strategy.
FedEx Freight Segment
For the first quarter, the FedEx Freight segment reported:
— Revenue of $892 million, up 11% from last year's $807 million
— Operating income of $135 million, up 31% from $103 million a year ago
— Operating margin of 15.1%, up from 12.8% the previous year
Less-than-truckload (LTL) yield improved 10% year over year, reflecting incremental fuel surcharges, higher rates and growth in interregional freight service. Average daily LTL shipments increased 2% year over year. Operating margin improved during the quarter due to LTL revenue growth and system productivity gains.
On September 13, the company launched FedEx Freight Advance Notice, which provides customers with greater shipment visibility and control. This new feature is another example of how FedEx Freight provides service offerings designed to meet the diverse and changing needs of its customers.
FedEx Kinko's Segment
For the first quarter, the FedEx Kinko's segment reported:
— Revenue of $517 million, up 6% from last year's $490 million
— Operating income of $16 million, down 16% from $19 million a year ago
— Operating margin of 3.1%, down from 3.8% the previous year
The FedEx Kinko's revenue increase for the quarter was due to continued growth from FedEx Express and FedEx Ground package acceptance and the benefit of the conversion of certain FedEx World Service Centers to FedEx Kinko's Ship Centers, partially offset by a decline in copy product line revenues.
Operating margin continued to be negatively affected by costs associated with internal technology and product offering initiatives, as well as higher administrative costs.
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 $30 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brands. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 250,000 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 first 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. EDT on September 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 domestic and international markets in which we operate, the effect of Hurricane Katrina on our operations and the economy, including the impact on fuel costs and availability, 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.
