UPS Delivers 12% EPS Growth

  • All Segments Improve Profitability and Expand Margins
  • International Operating Profit Jumps 17%
  • Export Shipments up 5.5% with Strong Intra-Europe Growth
  • Supply Chain and Freight Operating Profit Climbs 18%
  • Revenue Growth Dampened by Changes in Currency and Fuel Prices
  • 2015 EPS Growth at Higher End of 6%-to-12% Guidance Range

ATLANTA, July 28, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- UPS (NYSE:UPS) today announced second quarter 2015 diluted earnings per share of $1.35, a 12% increase over adjusted results for the same period last year. All three segments improved operating profit and margin, led by International and Supply Chain and Freight performance.

Currency exchange rates and lower fuel surcharges reduced total reported revenue growth. Total revenue declined 1.2% from the same quarter last year to $14.1 billion. Pricing initiatives continue to drive base rates higher.

"During the quarter, UPS continued to invest for the future by expanding capacity and launching new capabilities that provide higher value to customers," said David Abney, UPS chief executive officer. "The strong momentum in our International segment is expected to continue and gives us confidence in achieving the upper end of our guidance range."

On a reported basis, operating profit increased $1.2 billion, and diluted earnings per share was up $0.86. In the second quarter of 2014, UPS reported diluted earnings per share of $0.49, which included a $665 million after-tax charge for the transfer of certain post-retirement liabilities to defined contribution healthcare plans.

Total company shipments increased 2.1% over the second quarter last year to 1.1 billion packages, led by U.S. Deferred Air products and International Export shipments.

Cash Flow

For the six months ended June 30, UPS generated $3.3 billion in free cash flow. The company paid dividends of $1.3 billion, an increase of 9.0% per share over the prior year. UPS also repurchased 13.5 million shares for approximately $1.4 billion.

U.S. Domestic Package

U.S. Domestic revenue increased $140 million over the second quarter last year to $8.8 billion. Shipment growth was led by Deferred Air products up 15% and UPS SurePost which increased more than 8%. Total daily deliveries grew 1.8% due to a slower pace of B2C (business-to-consumer) growth.   

Operating profit was $1.2 billion, up $35 million or 3.0% over prior-year adjusted results. Operating margin expanded to 13.6% as improved pricing and productivity offset higher benefit costs. 

On a reported basis, operating profit increased $992 million after the transfer of certain post-retirement liabilities to defined contribution healthcare plans, which occurred in the second quarter of last year.

Continued improvements in base rates were offset by lower fuel surcharges. Revenue per package was flat, as changes in fuel surcharges dropped reported yield by almost 300 basis points. 

International Package

Currency-adjusted International revenue was up 1.5% over the same period last year. UPS daily Export shipments increased 5.5%, primarily due to an 8.5% increase in intra-Europe shipments. The strong dollar drove U.S. imports higher, while U.S. exports were down slightly.

International operating profit increased $81 million, or 17% over the adjusted results for the same period in 2014. Network improvements, volume growth and pricing initiatives all contributed to expanded operating margin and increased profitability. The segment experienced growth from middle-market accounts and improved premium product sales.

On a reported basis, operating profit increased $108 million after the transfer of certain post-retirement liabilities to defined contribution healthcare plans in the second quarter of last year.

Underlying base rates were up across all regions, though revenue per package decreased 2.4% on a currency-neutral basis.  Lower fuel surcharges reduced reported revenue per package by about 350 basis points. 

Supply Chain & Freight

Supply Chain & Freight revenue declined 4.5% to $2.2 billion, due to Forwarding revenue management initiatives, currency and lower fuel surcharges at UPS Freight. Operating profits improved $31 million, or 18% over the adjusted results for the same quarter 2014, driven by gains in Forwarding.

On a reported basis, operating profit increased $113 million after the transfer of certain post-retirement liabilities to defined contribution healthcare plans that occurred in the second quarter of 2014.

UPS Forwarding operating profit and margin expanded as the business unit continued to implement a disciplined pricing strategy across key trade lanes. The unit also benefited from improved market conditions and customer mix. Forwarding tonnage and revenue dropped during the quarter, primarily due to revenue management initiatives and the impact of currency fluctuations. 

Distribution revenue increased at a mid-single digit growth rate. Growth in Mail services, Healthcare and Aerospace industries contributed to revenue improvements.

UPS Freight revenue declined 2.5% due to lower fuel surcharges and a drop in tonnage driven by changes in customer mix and slowing market growth. LTL (less-than-truckload) revenue per hundredweight growth remained positive, with a 1.4% gain. 

Outlook

"The second quarter results reflect continuing gains in our International business," said Richard Peretz, UPS chief financial officer. "Even though the U.S. economy appears to be growing at a slower pace, our global portfolio and performance reinforces our expectations to attain the higher-end of the guidance range."

The company's guidance for 2015 full-year diluted earnings per share is $5.05 to $5.30, a 6% to 12% increase over adjusted 2014 results.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

UPS CEO David Abney and CFO Richard Peretz will discuss second quarter results with investors and analysts during a conference call at 8:30 a.m. ET, July 28, 2015. That call is open to listeners through a live Webcast. To access the call, go to www.investors.ups.com and click on "Earnings Webcast."

UPS routinely posts investor announcements on its web site -- www.investors.ups.com -- and encourages those interested in the company to check there frequently.

UPS (NYSE:UPS) is a global leader in logistics, offering a broad range of solutions including the transportation of packages and freight; the facilitation of international trade, and the deployment of advanced technology to more efficiently manage the world of business. Headquartered in Atlanta, UPS serves more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. The company can be found on the Web at ups.com® and its corporate blog can be found at Longitudes.ups.com. To get UPS news direct, visit pressroom.ups.com/RSS.

We supplement the reporting of our financial information determined under generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") with certain non-GAAP financial measures, including, as applicable, "as adjusted" operating profit, operating margin, pre-tax income, net income and earnings per share. The equivalent measures determined in accordance with GAAP are also referred to as "reported" or "unadjusted." Additionally, we disclose revenue growth adjusted for the impact of foreign currency. We believe that these adjusted measures provide meaningful information to assist investors and analysts in understanding our financial results and assessing our prospects for future performance. We believe these adjusted financial measures are important indicators of our recurring operations because they exclude items that may not be indicative of, or are unrelated to, our core operating results, and provide a better baseline for analyzing trends in our underlying businesses. Furthermore, we use these adjusted financial measures to determine awards for our management personnel under our incentive compensation plans.

We supplemented the presentation of our second quarter and year-to-date 2014 operating profit, operating margin, pre-tax income, net income and earnings per share with similar measures that excluded the impact of certain transactions. In the second quarter of 2014, we recorded a $1.066 billion pre-tax charge ($665 million after-tax) related to the transfer of postretirement benefit obligations to multiemployer healthcare plans for certain employees employed under the Teamsters National Master Agreement. The charge is allocated between the U.S. Domestic Package segment ($957 million), the International Package segment ($27 million) and the Supply Chain & Freight segment ($82 million). We believe these adjusted measures provide additional information that better enables shareowners to focus on period-over-period operating performance.

Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies' non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names. These adjusted financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP operating profit, operating margin, income before taxes, net income and earnings per share, which are the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial measures reflect an additional way of viewing aspects of our operations that, when viewed with our GAAP results and the preceding reconciliations to corresponding GAAP financial measures, provide a more complete understanding of our business. We strongly encourage investors to review our financial statements and publicly-filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.

Except for historical information contained herein, the statements made in this release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of UPS and its management regarding the company's strategic directions, prospects and future results, involve certain risks and uncertainties. Certain factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including economic and other conditions in the markets in which we operate, governmental regulations, our competitive environment, negotiation and ratification of labor contracts, strikes, work stoppages and slowdowns, changes in aviation and motor fuel prices, cyclical and seasonal fluctuations in our operating results, and other risks discussed in the company's Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which discussions are incorporated herein by reference.

United Parcel Service, Inc.
Selected Financial Data - Second Quarter
(unaudited)
 
  Three Months Ended    
  June 30 Change
  2015 2014 $ %
(amounts in millions, except per share data)        
Statement of Income Data:        
Revenue:        
U.S. Domestic Package  $ 8,808  $ 8,668  $ 140 1.6%
International Package  3,045  3,252  (207) -6.4%
Supply Chain & Freight  2,242  2,348  (106) -4.5%
Total revenue  14,095  14,268  (173) -1.2%
         
Operating expenses:        
Compensation and benefits  7,502  8,375  (873) -10.4%
Other  4,633  5,146  (513) -10.0%
Total operating expenses  12,135  13,521  (1,386) -10.3%
         
Operating profit:        
U.S. Domestic Package  1,201  209  992 N/A
International Package  552  444  108 24.3%
Supply Chain & Freight  207  94  113 120.2%
Total operating profit  1,960  747  1,213 162.4%
         
Other income (expense):        
Investment income  4  25  (21) -84.0%
Interest expense  (86)  (89)  3 -3.4%
Total other income (expense)  (82)  (64)  (18) 28.1%
         
Income before income taxes  1,878  683  1,195 175.0%
         
Income tax expense  648  229  419 183.0%
         
Net income  $ 1,230  $ 454  $ 776 170.9%
         
Net income as a percentage of revenue 8.7% 3.2%    
         
Per share amounts:        
Basic earnings per share  $ 1.37  $ 0.49  $ 0.88 179.6%
Diluted earnings per share  $ 1.35  $ 0.49  $ 0.86 175.5%
         
Weighted-average shares outstanding:        
Basic  901  918  (17) -1.9%
Diluted  908  927  (19) -2.0%
 
As adjusted income data:        
Operating profit:        
U.S. Domestic Package (1)  $ 1,201  $ 1,166  $ 35 3.0%
International Package (1)  552  471  81 17.2%
Supply Chain & Freight (1)  207  176  31 17.6%
Total operating profit (1)  1,960  1,813  147 8.1%
         
Income before income taxes (1)  $ 1,878  $ 1,749  $ 129 7.4%
Net income (2)  $ 1,230  $ 1,119  $ 111 9.9%
         
Basic earnings per share (2)  $ 1.37  $ 1.22  $ 0.15 12.3%
Diluted earnings per share (2)  $ 1.35  $ 1.21  $ 0.14 11.6%
         
(1) Second quarter 2014 operating profit and consolidated income before income taxes excludes $1.066 billion pre-tax charge associated with transferring postretirement health and welfare benefit obligations to multiemployer healthcare plans for certain employees under the Teamsters National Master Agreement. The charge is allocated between the U.S. Domestic Package segment ($957 million), the International Package segment ($27 million) and the Supply Chain & Freight segment ($82 million).
         
(2) Second quarter 2014 net income and earnings per share amounts exclude the $665 million after-tax charge of transferring postretirement benefit obligations described in (1).
         
         
United Parcel Service, Inc.
Selected Operating Data - Second Quarter
(unaudited)
 
  Three Months Ended    
  June 30 Change
  2015 2014 $ / # %
         
Revenue (in millions):        
U.S. Domestic Package:        
Next Day Air  $ 1,591  $ 1,636  $ (45) -2.8%
Deferred  878  825  53 6.4%
Ground  6,339  6,207  132 2.1%
Total U.S. Domestic Package  8,808  8,668  140 1.6%
International Package:        
Domestic  600  692  (92) -13.3%
Export  2,283  2,408  (125) -5.2%
Cargo and Other  162  152  10 6.6%
Total International Package  3,045  3,252  (207) -6.4%
Supply Chain & Freight:        
Forwarding and Logistics  1,319  1,432  (113) -7.9%
Freight  752  771  (19) -2.5%
Other  171  145  26 17.9%
Total Supply Chain & Freight  2,242  2,348  (106) -4.5%
Consolidated  $ 14,095  $ 14,268  $ (173) -1.2%
         
Consolidated volume (in millions)  1,101  1,079  22 2.1%
         
Operating weekdays  64  64  --  0.0%
         
Average Daily Package Volume (in thousands):      
U.S. Domestic Package:        
Next Day Air  1,241  1,233  8 0.6%
Deferred  1,132  988  144 14.6%
Ground  12,192  12,085  107 0.9%
Total U.S. Domestic Package  14,565  14,306  259 1.8%
International Package:        
Domestic  1,530  1,496  34 2.3%
Export  1,115  1,057  58 5.5%
Total International Package  2,645  2,553  92 3.6%
Consolidated  17,210  16,859  351 2.1%
         
Average Revenue Per Piece:        
U.S. Domestic Package:        
Next Day Air  $ 20.03  $ 20.73  $ (0.70) -3.4%
Deferred  12.12  13.05  (0.93) -7.1%
Ground  8.12  8.03  0.09 1.1%
Total U.S. Domestic Package  9.45  9.47  (0.02) -0.2%
International Package:        
Domestic  6.13  7.23  (1.10) -15.2%
Export  31.99  35.60  (3.61) -10.1%
Total International Package  17.03  18.97  (1.94) -10.2%
Consolidated  $ 10.61  $ 10.91  $ (0.30) -2.7%
         
         
United Parcel Service, Inc.
Selected Financial Data - Year to Date
(unaudited)
 
  Six Months Ended    
  June 30 Change
  2015 2014 $ %
(amounts in millions, except per share data)        
Statement of Income Data:        
Revenue:        
U.S. Domestic Package  $ 17,622  $ 17,156  $ 466 2.7%
International Package  6,015  6,379  (364) -5.7%
Supply Chain & Freight  4,435  4,512  (77) -1.7%
Total revenue  28,072  28,047  25 0.1%
         
Operating expenses:        
Compensation and benefits  15,066  15,640  (574) -3.7%
Other  9,373  10,147  (774) -7.6%
Total operating expenses  24,439  25,787  (1,348) -5.2%
         
Operating profit:        
U.S. Domestic Package  2,225  1,136  1,089 95.9%
International Package  1,050  882  168 19.0%
Supply Chain & Freight  358  242  116 47.9%
Total operating profit  3,633  2,260  1,373 60.8%
         
Other income (expense):        
Investment income  8  25  (17) -68.0%
Interest expense  (173)  (179)  6 -3.4%
Total other income (expense)  (165)  (154)  (11) 7.1%
         
Income before income taxes  3,468  2,106  1,362 64.7%
         
Income tax expense  1,212  741  471 63.6%
         
Net income  $ 2,256  $ 1,365  $ 891 65.3%
         
Net income as a percentage of revenue 8.0% 4.9%    
         
Per share amounts:        
Basic earnings per share  $ 2.50  $ 1.48  $ 1.02 68.9%
Diluted earnings per share  $ 2.48  $ 1.47  $ 1.01 68.7%
         
Weighted-average shares outstanding:        
Basic  903  920  (17) -1.8%
Diluted  911  929  (18) -1.9%
 
As adjusted income data:        
Operating profit:        
U.S. Domestic Package (1)  $ 2,225  $ 2,093  $ 132 6.3%
International Package (1)  1,050  909  141 15.5%
Supply Chain & Freight  358  324  34 10.5%
Total operating profit (1)  3,633  3,326  307 9.2%
         
Income before income taxes (1)  $ 3,468  $ 3,172  $ 296 9.3%
Net income (2)  $ 2,256  $ 2,030  $ 226 11.1%
         
Basic earnings per share (2)  $ 2.50  $ 2.21  $ 0.29 13.1%
Diluted earnings per share (2)  $ 2.48  $ 2.19  $ 0.29 13.2%
         
(1) Second quarter 2014 operating profit and consolidated income before income taxes excludes $1.066 billion pre-tax charge associated with transferring postretirement health and welfare benefit obligations to multiemployer healthcare plans for certain employees under the Teamsters National Master Agreement. The charge is allocated between the U.S. Domestic Package segment ($957 million), the International Package segment ($27 million) and the Supply Chain & Freight segment ($82 million).
(2) Second quarter 2014 net income and earnings per share amounts exclude the $665 million after-tax charge of transferring postretirement benefit obligations described in (1).
         
         
United Parcel Service, Inc.
Selected Operating Data - Year to Date
(unaudited)
  Six Months Ended    
  June 30 Change
  2015 2014 $ / # %
         
Revenue (in millions):        
U.S. Domestic Package:        
Next Day Air  $ 3,148  $ 3,226  $ (78) -2.4%
Deferred  1,774  1,680  94 5.6%
Ground  12,700  12,250  450 3.7%
Total U.S. Domestic Package  17,622  17,156  466 2.7%
International Package:        
Domestic  1,205  1,380  (175) -12.7%
Export  4,483  4,707  (224) -4.8%
Cargo and Other  327  292  35 12.0%
Total International Package  6,015  6,379  (364) -5.7%
Supply Chain & Freight:        
Forwarding and Logistics  2,649  2,765  (116) -4.2%
Freight  1,462  1,465  (3) -0.2%
Other  324  282  42 14.9%
Total Supply Chain & Freight  4,435  4,512  (77) -1.7%
Consolidated  $ 28,072  $ 28,047  $ 25 0.1%
         
Consolidated volume (in millions)  2,202  2,150  52 2.4%
         
Operating weekdays  127  127  --  0.0%
         
Average Daily Package Volume (in thousands):        
U.S. Domestic Package:        
Next Day Air  1,235  1,242  (7) -0.6%
Deferred  1,175  1,036  139 13.4%
Ground  12,255  12,082  173 1.4%
Total U.S. Domestic Package  14,665  14,360  305 2.1%
International Package:        
Domestic  1,553  1,513  40 2.6%
Export  1,120  1,056  64 6.1%
Total International Package  2,673  2,569  104 4.0%
Consolidated  17,338  16,929  409 2.4%
         
Average Revenue Per Piece:        
U.S. Domestic Package:        
Next Day Air  $ 20.07  $ 20.45  $ (0.38) -1.9%
Deferred  11.89  12.77  (0.88) -6.9%
Ground  8.16  7.98  0.18 2.3%
Total U.S. Domestic Package  9.46  9.41  0.05 0.5%
International Package:        
Domestic  6.11  7.18  (1.07) -14.9%
Export  31.52  35.10  (3.58) -10.2%
Total International Package  16.76  18.66  (1.90) -10.2%
Consolidated  $ 10.59  $ 10.81  $ (0.22) -2.0%
         
         
United Parcel Service, Inc.
Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow
(unaudited)
 
  Preliminary
  Year-to-Date
(amounts in millions) June 30
Net cash from operations  $ 4,239
Capital expenditures  (958)
Proceeds from disposals of PP&E  8
Net change in finance receivables  (13)
Other investing activities  (10)
 Free cash flow  $ 3,266
   
Amounts are subject to reclassification.
   
CONTACT: Steve Gaut, Public Relations
         404-828-8787

         Joe Wilkins, Investor Relations
         404-828-8209

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Source: UPS