FDX Corp. Reports Strong Earnings, Announces Stock Split
MEMPHIS, Tenn., Mar. 18, 1999 ... FDX Corporation (NYSE: FDX) today reported earnings increased to $0.52 per diluted share for the quarter ended February 28, up from $0.12 per share last year. Excluding this year's cost of contingency plans related to the FedEx pilot negotiations and last year's merger expenses related to the Caliber acquisition, diluted earnings for the quarter were $0.87 per share, up from $0.65 per share a year ago.
FDX Corp., parent of Federal Express Corp. (FedEx) and RPS, Inc. (RPS), reported the following consolidated results for the third quarter:
Revenue of $4.1 billion, up 3% from $4.0 billion the previous year
Operating income of $152 million, up 59% from $95 million a year ago
Net income of $78 million, up from last year's $18 million
"FDX Corp. is benefiting from the accelerated move to fast-cycle production and distribution methods, the growth in electronic commerce and supply chain reengineering," said Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Frederick W. Smith. "Our customer base, which includes a significant number of high growth, high value-added companies, is increasingly relying upon FDX to be their preferred source for global transportation, technology and logistics solutions.
"Given the continued strength of FDX's operating performance and management's assessment of future prospects, the FDX Board of Directors has authorized a stock split effected in the form of a stock dividend payable at the rate of one share for each share outstanding," said Smith.
The Record Date for the stock distribution will be April 15, 1999, with a Payment Date on May 6, 1999.
FedEx
For the third quarter, FedEx reported revenue of $3.4 billion, up from last year's $3.2 billion. Operating income was $95 million compared to $98 million a year ago. Operating income totaled $176 million excluding $81 million of pilot contingency costs, up 57% compared to $112 million last year excluding $14 million of merger expenses.
FedEx U.S. domestic revenue grew to $2.5 billion for the quarter, up from $2.4 billion last year. FedEx U.S. domestic operating income was $112 million, up 7% from $105 million a year ago. Excluding this year's U.S. domestic segment contingency plan cost of approximately $52 million and last year's $14 million merger cost, U.S. domestic operating income was $164 million, up 38% year-over-year. Income from the sale of FedEx aircraft noise reduction kits, which is included in operating income, was $24 million compared to $26 million a year ago.
International revenue increased to $917 million for the quarter, up 7% from $859 million last year. The international operating loss was $17 million compared to a $7 million loss a year ago. Excluding the approximate $29 million international segment cost of contingency plans, FedEx earned $12 million in its international operations in the quarter. FedEx International Priority® grew 10% year-over-year, up from first and second quarter growth rates. In addition to this growth, improvements were realized from fuel price declines and cost controls. However, continued weakness in freight pounds and yields offset these improvements.
"FedEx's renewed emphasis on selling and marketing higher-yielding overnight express services is clearly benefiting the bottom line," said FDX Corp. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Alan B. Graf, Jr. "FedEx Priority Overnight® and FedEx Standard Overnight® box volume growth increased 8% over last year's third quarter, continuing to outpace the growth of lower-yielding deferred services. Additionally, stringent cost controls, lower fuel prices, productivity gains and improved service levels are resulting in improved earnings."
RPS
For the third quarter, RPS reported revenue of $455 million, compared to last year's $496 million and operating income of $50 million, up from $36 million a year ago.
Revenue increased 11% on a per-day basis while operating income improved 68% on a per day basis. Year-over-year comparisons are affected by 13 fewer shipping days in this year's third quarter and the inclusion of part of RPS's peak volume period during last year's third quarter. Revenue per package grew a strong 8.9% year over year during the quarter.
FDX Corp. Tax Rate
The Company's quarterly and year-to-date effective tax rates are lower than the prior comparable periods, primarily due to the combination of stronger than expected year-to-date results from international operations and lower worldwide income taxes on foreign earnings. The tax rate change increased third quarter and year-to-date earnings per share by $0.05.
FDX Corp., a $16 billion holding company, provides comprehensive transportation, logistics and supply chain management solutions. FDX Corp. principal operating subsidiaries are Federal Express Corp., the world's largest express transportation company; RPS, Inc., a business-to-business ground small package carrier; Viking Freight, Inc., a less-than-truckload carrier operating principally in the western U.S.; Roberts Express, Inc., a critical-shipment carrier; and FDX Global Logistics, Inc., a contract logistics provider.
Certain statements in this press release may be considered forward-looking statements about management's views with respect to future events and financial performance, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those identified in the forward-looking statements because of important factors such as economic and competitive conditions in the express markets, matching capacity to volume levels and other factors which can be found in FDX Corp.'s and its subsidiaries' press releases and filings with the SEC, including Annual Reports, Form 10-Ks and Form 10-Qs.
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