Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

DEBT AND FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS

v3.8.0.1
DEBT AND FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
DEBT AND FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS
DEBT AND FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS
The following table sets forth the principal amount, maturity or range of maturities, as well as the carrying value of our debt obligations, as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 (in millions). The carrying value of these debt obligations can differ from the principal amount due to the impact of unamortized discounts or premiums and valuation adjustments resulting from interest rate swap hedging relationships.
 
 
Principal
 
 
 
Carrying Value
 
Amount
 
Maturity
 
2017
 
2016
Commercial paper
$
3,203

 
2018
 
$
3,203

 
$
3,250

Fixed-rate senior notes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.125% senior notes
375

 
2017
 

 
374

5.500% senior notes
750

 
2018
 
751

 
769

5.125% senior notes
1,000

 
2019
 
1,019

 
1,043

3.125% senior notes
1,500

 
2021
 
1,549

 
1,584

2.050% senior notes
700

 
2021
 
696

 

2.450% senior notes
1,000

 
2022
 
979

 
986

2.350% senior notes
600

 
2022
 
597

 

2.500% senior notes
1,000

 
2023
 
992

 

2.800% senior notes
500

 
2024
 
495

 

2.400% senior notes
500

 
2026
 
497

 
497

3.050% senior notes
1,000

 
2027
 
990

 

6.200% senior notes
1,500

 
2038
 
1,482

 
1,481

4.875% senior notes
500

 
2040
 
489

 
489

3.625% senior notes
375

 
2042
 
368

 
367

3.400% senior notes
500

 
2046
 
491

 
491

3.750% senior notes
1,150

 
2047
 
1,135

 

Floating-rate senior notes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     Floating-rate senior notes
350

 
2021
 
348

 

     Floating-rate senior notes
400

 
2022
 
398

 

     Floating-rate senior notes
500

 
2023
 
496

 

Floating-rate senior notes
1,043

 
2049-2067
 
1,032

 
824

8.375% Debentures:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.375% debentures
424

 
2020
 
447

 
461

8.375% debentures
276

 
2030
 
282

 
282

Pound Sterling Notes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     5.500% notes
90

 
2031
 
84

 
76

     5.125% notes
614

 
2050
 
586

 
535

Euro Senior Notes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0.375% senior notes
839

 
2023
 
832

 

1.625% senior notes
839

 
2025
 
833

 
732

1.000% senior notes
599

 
2028
 
595

 
523

1.500% senior notes
599

 
2032
 
594

 

Floating-rate senior notes
599

 
2020
 
598

 
525

Canadian senior notes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     2.125% senior notes
597

 
2024
 
593

 

Capital lease obligations
500

 
2018– 3005
 
500

 
447

Facility notes and bonds
320

 
2029 – 2045
 
319

 
319

Other debt
19

 
2018 – 2022
 
19

 
20

Total debt
$
24,761

 
 
 
24,289

 
16,075

Less: current maturities
 
 
 
 
(4,011
)
 
(3,681
)
Long-term debt
 
 
 
 
$
20,278

 
$
12,394


Debt Issuances
On May 16, 2017 we issued U.S. senior rate notes. These senior notes consist of two separate series, as follows:
Two series of notes, in the principal amounts of $600 and $400 million, were issued. These notes bear interest at a 2.350% fixed rate and at three-month LIBOR plus 38 basis points, respectively, and mature May 2022. Interest on the fixed-rate senior notes is payable semi-annually, beginning November 2017. Interest on the floating-rate senior notes is payable quarterly beginning August 2017. The 2.350% notes are callable at our option at a redemption price equal to the greater of 100% of the principal amount, or the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis at the discount rate of the treasury rate plus 10 basis points and accrued interest. The floating-rate senior notes are not callable.
On May 18, 2017 we issued Canadian senior notes. These senior notes consist of a single series as follows:
Notes in the principal amount of C$750 million ($547 million), which bear interest at a 2.125% fixed interest rate and mature May 2024. Interest on the notes is payable semi-annually beginning November 2017. The notes are callable at our option, in whole or in part at the Government of Canada yield plus 21.5 basis points, and on or after the par call date, at par value.
On November 8, 2017, we issued Euro senior rate notes. These senior notes consist of two separate series, as follows:
Two series of notes, in the principal amount of €700 million ($815 million) and €500 million ($582 million) were issued. These notes bear interest at 0.375% and 1.500% fixed rates, respectively, and mature November 2023 and November 2032, respectively. Interest on these notes is payable annually, beginning in November 2018. The notes are callable at our option at a redemption price equal to the greater of 100% of the principal amount, or the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the date of redemption at a benchmark comparable government bond yield plus 10 and 20 basis points, respectively, and accrued interest.
On November 9, 2017, we issued U.S. senior rate notes. These senior notes consist of seven separate series, as follows:
Notes in the principal amount of $350 million, which bear interest at three-month LIBOR plus 15 basis points and mature April 2021. Interest on the notes is payable quarterly beginning April 2018. These notes are not callable.
Notes in the principal amount of $500 million, which bear interest at three-month LIBOR plus 45 basis points and mature April 2023. Interest on the notes is payable quarterly beginning April 2018. These notes are not callable.
Notes in the principal amount of $700 million, which bear interest at a 2.050% fixed rate and mature April 2021. Interest on the fixed-rate senior notes is payable semi-annually, beginning April 2018. These notes are callable at our option at a redemption price equal to the greater of 100% of the principal amount, or the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis at the discount rate of the treasury rate plus 10 basis points and accrued interest.
Notes in the principal amount of $1 billion, which bear interest at a 2.500% fixed interest rate and mature April 2023. Interest on the fixed-rate senior notes is payable semi-annually, beginning April 2018. These notes are callable at our option at a redemption price equal to the greater of 100% of the principal amount, or the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis at the discount rate of the treasury rate plus 10 basis points plus accrued interest. If called within the one month prior to maturity, the redemption price is equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding the redemption date.
Notes in the principal amount of $500 million, which bear interest at a 2.800% fixed interest rate and mature November 2024. Interest on the fixed-rate senior notes is payable semi-annually, beginning May 2018. These notes are callable at our option at a redemption price equal to the greater of 100% of the principal amount, or the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis at the discount rate of the treasury rate plus 10 basis points plus accrued interest. If called within the two months prior to maturity, the redemption price is equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding the redemption date.
Notes in the principal amount of $1 billion, which bear interest at a 3.050% fixed interest rate and mature November 2027. Interest on the fixed-rate senior notes is payable semi-annually, beginning May 2018. These notes are callable at our option at a redemption price equal to the greater of 100% of the principal amount, or the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis at the discount rate of the treasury rate plus 15 basis points plus accrued interest. If called within the three months prior to maturity, the redemption price is equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding the redemption date.
Notes in the principal amount of $1.15 billion, which bear interest at a 3.750% fixed interest rate and mature November 2047. Interest on the fixed-rate senior notes is payable semi-annually, beginning May 2018. These notes are callable at our option at a redemption price equal to the greater of 100% of the principal amount, or the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis at the discount rate of the treasury rate plus 15 basis points plus accrued interest. If called within the six months prior to maturity, the redemption price is equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding the redemption date.
Commercial Paper
We are authorized to borrow up to $10.0 billion under a U.S. commercial paper program and €5.0 billion (in a variety of currencies) under a European commercial paper program. We had the following amounts outstanding under these programs as of December 31, 2017: $2.458 billion with an average interest rate of 1.350% and €622 million ($745 million) with an average interest rate of -0.41%. The amount of commercial paper outstanding under these programs in 2018 is expected to fluctuate.
Fixed-Rate Senior Notes
We have completed several offerings of fixed-rate senior notes. All of the notes pay interest semi-annually, and allow for redemption of the notes by UPS at any time by paying the greater of the principal amount or a “make-whole” amount, plus accrued interest. We subsequently entered into interest rate swaps on several of these notes, which effectively converted the fixed interest rates on the notes to variable LIBOR-based interest rates. The average interest rate payable on these notes, including the impact of the interest rate swaps, for 2017 and 2016, respectively, were as follows:
 
Principal
 
 
 
Average Effective Interest Rate
 
Value
 
Maturity
 
2017
 
2016
1.125% senior notes
$
375

 
2017
 
1.51
%
 
1.04
%
5.50% senior notes
$
750

 
2018
 
3.45
%
 
2.94
%
5.125% senior notes
$
1,000

 
2019
 
2.98
%
 
2.49
%
3.125% senior notes
$
1,500

 
2021
 
1.34
%
 
1.40
%
2.45% senior notes
$
1,000

 
2022
 
1.78
%
 
1.26
%

On October 1, 2017, our $375 million 1.125% senior notes matured and were repaid in full.
8.375% Debentures
The 8.375% debentures consist of two separate tranches, as follows:
$276 million of the debentures have a maturity of April 1, 2030. These debentures have an 8.375% interest rate until April 1, 2020, and, thereafter, the interest rate will be 7.62% for the final 10 years. These debentures are redeemable in whole or in part at our option at any time. The redemption price is equal to the greater of 100% of the principal amount and accrued interest, or the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payout of principal and interest thereon discounted to the date of redemption (at a benchmark treasury yield plus five basis points) plus accrued interest.
$424 million of the debentures have a maturity of April 1, 2020. These debentures are not subject to redemption prior to maturity.
Interest is payable semi-annually in April and October for both tranches and neither tranche is subject to sinking fund requirements. We subsequently entered into interest rate swaps on the 2020 debentures, which effectively converted the fixed interest rates on the debentures to variable LIBOR-based interest rates. The average interest rate payable on the 2020 debentures, including the impact of the interest rate swaps, for 2017 and 2016 was 5.95% and 5.43%, respectively.
Floating-Rate Senior Notes
The floating-rate senior notes with principal amounts totaling $1.043 billion, bear interest at either one or three-month LIBOR, less a spread ranging from 30 to 45 basis points. The average interest rate for 2017 and 2016 was 0.74% and 0.21%, respectively. These notes are callable at various times after 30 years at a stated percentage of par value, and putable by the note holders at various times after one year at a stated percentage of par value. The notes have maturities ranging from 2049 through 2067. We classified the floating-rate senior notes that are putable by the note holder as a long-term liability, due to our intent and ability to refinance the debt if the put option is exercised by the note holder.
In March and November 2017, we issued floating-rate senior notes in the principal amounts of $147 and $64 million, respectively, which are included in the $1.043 billion floating-rate senior notes described above. These notes will bear interest at three-month LIBOR less 30 and 35 basis points, respectively and mature in 2067.
The remaining three floating-rate senior notes in the principal amounts of $350, $400 and $500 million, bear interest at three-month LIBOR, plus a spread ranging from 15 to 45 basis points. The average interest rate for 2017 and 2016 was 0.50% and 0.0%, respectively. These notes are not callable. The notes have maturities ranging from 2021 through 2023. We classified the floating-rate senior notes that are putable by the note holder as a long-term liability, due to our intent and ability to refinance the debt if the put option is exercised by the note holder.
Capital Lease Obligations
We have certain property, plant and equipment subject to capital leases. Some of the obligations associated with these capital leases have been legally defeased. The recorded value of our property, plant and equipment subject to capital leases is as follows as of December 31 (in millions):
 
 
2017
 
2016
Vehicles
$
70

 
$
68

Aircraft
2,291

 
2,291

Buildings
285

 
190

Accumulated amortization
(990
)
 
(896
)
Property, plant and equipment subject to capital leases
$
1,656

 
$
1,653


These capital lease obligations have principal payments due at various dates from 2018 through 3005.
Facility Notes and Bonds
We have entered into agreements with certain municipalities to finance the construction of, or improvements to, facilities that support our U.S. Domestic Package and Supply Chain & Freight operations in the United States. These facilities are located around airport properties in Louisville, Kentucky; Dallas, Texas; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Under these arrangements, we enter into a lease or loan agreement that covers the debt service obligations on the bonds issued by the municipalities, as follows:
Bonds with a principal balance of $149 million issued by the Louisville Regional Airport Authority associated with our Worldport facility in Louisville, Kentucky. The bonds, which are due in January 2029, bear interest at a variable rate, and the average interest rates for 2017 and 2016 were 0.83% and 0.37%, respectively.
Bonds with a principal balance of $42 million and due in November 2036 issued by the Louisville Regional Airport Authority associated with our air freight facility in Louisville, Kentucky. The bonds bear interest at a variable rate, and the average interest rates for 2017 and 2016 were 0.80% and 0.36%, respectively.
Bonds with a principal balance of $29 million issued by the Dallas / Fort Worth International Airport Facility Improvement Corporation associated with our Dallas, Texas airport facilities. The bonds are due in May 2032 and bear interest at a variable rate, however the variable cash flows on the obligation have been swapped to a fixed 5.11%.
In September 2015, we entered into an agreement with the Delaware County, Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority, associated with our Philadelphia, Pennsylvania airport facilities, for bonds issued with a principal balance of $100 million. These bonds, which are due September 2045, bear interest at a variable rate. The average interest rate for 2017 and 2016 was 0.78% and 0.40%, respectively.
Pound Sterling Notes
The Pound Sterling notes consist of two separate tranches, as follows:
Notes with a principal amount of £66 million accrue interest at a 5.50% fixed rate, and are due in February 2031. These notes are not callable.
Notes with a principal amount of £455 million accrue interest at a 5.125% fixed rate, and are due in February 2050. These notes are callable at our option at a redemption price equal to the greater of 100% of the principal amount and accrued interest, or the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payout of principal and interest thereon discounted to the date of redemption at a benchmark U.K. government bond yield plus 15 basis points and accrued interest.
Euro Senior Notes
The remaining euro senior notes consist of three separate issuances, as follows:
Notes in the principal amount of €500 million accrue interest at a 1% fixed rate and are due in November 2028. Interest is payable annually on the notes, commencing in November 2017. These notes are callable at our option at a redemption price equal to the greater of 100% of the principal amounts, or the sum of the present values of the remaining schedule payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the date of redemption at a benchmark comparable German government bond yield plus 15 basis points and accrued interest.
Notes with a principal amount of €500 million accrue interest at a variable rate equal to three-month EURIBOR plus 43 basis points and are due in July 2020. Interest is payable quarterly on the notes, commencing in April 2016. These notes are not callable. The senior notes bear interest at a variable rate, and the average interest rates for 2017 and 2016 were 0.10% and 0.19%, respectively.
Notes with a principal amount of €700 million accrue interest at a 1.625% fixed rate and are due in November 2025. Interest is payable annually on the notes, commencing in November 2016. These notes are callable at our option at a redemption price equal to the greater of 100% of the principal amount, or the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payout of principal and interest thereon discounted to the date of redemption at a benchmark German government bond yield plus 20 basis points and accrued interest.
Contractual Commitments
We lease certain aircraft, facilities, land, equipment and vehicles under operating leases, which expire at various dates through 2040. Certain of the leases contain escalation clauses and renewal or purchase options. Rent expense related to our operating leases was $804, $686 and $669 million for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
The following table sets forth the aggregate minimum lease payments under capital and operating leases, the aggregate annual principal payments due under our long-term debt and the aggregate amounts expected to be spent for purchase commitments (in millions).
Year
Capital
Leases
 
Operating
Leases
 
Debt
Principal
 
Purchase
Commitments (1)
2018
$
81

 
$
398

 
$
3,960

 
$
3,789

2019
79

 
305

 
1,009

 
2,462

2020
69

 
239

 
1,024

 
2,428

2021
49

 
186

 
2,551

 
1,926

2022
45

 
138

 
2,000

 
323

After 2022
500

 
371

 
13,342

 
13

Total
823

 
$
1,637

 
$
23,886

 
$
10,941

Less: imputed interest
(323
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Present value of minimum capitalized lease payments
500

 
 
 
 
 
 
Less: current portion
(51
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term capitalized lease obligations
$
449

 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Purchase commitments include our announcement on February 1, 2018 for 14 new Boeing 747-8 freighters and four new Boeing 767 aircraft.
As of December 31, 2017, we had outstanding letters of credit totaling approximately $1.084 billion issued in connection with our self-insurance reserves and other routine business requirements. We also issue surety bonds as an alternative to letters of credit in certain instances, and as of December 31, 2017, we had $932 million of surety bonds written.
Available Credit
We maintain two credit agreements with a consortium of banks. One of these agreements provides revolving credit facilities of $1.5 billion, and expires on March 23, 2018. Generally, amounts outstanding under this facility bear interest at a periodic fixed rate equal to LIBOR for the applicable interest period and currency denomination, plus an applicable margin. Alternatively, a fluctuating rate of interest equal to the highest of (1) JPMorgan Chase Bank’s publicly announced prime rate, (2) the Federal Funds effective rate plus 0.50%, and (3) LIBOR for a one month interest period plus 1.00%, plus an applicable margin, may be used at our discretion. In each case, the applicable margin for advances bearing interest based on LIBOR is a percentage determined by quotations from Markit Group Ltd. for our 1-year credit default swap spread, subject to a minimum rate of 0.10% and a maximum rate of 0.75%. The applicable margin for advances bearing interest based on the prime rate is 1.00% below the applicable margin for LIBOR advances (but not lower than 0.00%). We are also able to request advances under this facility based on competitive bids for the applicable interest rate. There were no amounts outstanding under this facility as of December 31, 2017.
The second agreement provides revolving credit facilities of $3.0 billion, and expires on March 24, 2022. Generally, amounts outstanding under this facility bear interest at a periodic fixed rate equal to LIBOR for the applicable interest period and currency denomination, plus an applicable margin. Alternatively, a fluctuating rate of interest equal to the highest of (1) JPMorgan Chase Bank’s publicly announced prime rate, (2) the Federal Funds effective rate plus 0.50%, and (3) LIBOR for a one month interest period plus 1.00%, plus an applicable margin, may be used at our discretion. In each case, the applicable margin for advances bearing interest based on LIBOR is a percentage determined by quotations from Markit Group Ltd. for our 1-year credit default swap spread, interpolated for a period from the date of determination of such credit default swap spread in connection with a new interest period until the latest maturity date of this facility then in effect (but not less than a period of one year). The minimum applicable margin rate is 0.10% and the maximum applicable margin rate is 0.75% per annum. The applicable margin for advances bearing interest based on the prime rate is 1.00% below the applicable margin for LIBOR advances (but not less than 0.00%). We are also able to request advances under this facility based on competitive bids. There were no amounts outstanding under this facility as of December 31, 2017.
Debt Covenants
Our existing debt instruments and credit facilities subject us to certain financial covenants. As of December 31, 2017 and for all prior periods presented, we have satisfied these financial covenants. These covenants limit the amount of secured indebtedness that we may incur, and limit the amount of attributable debt in sale-leaseback transactions, to 10% of net tangible assets. As of December 31, 2017, 10% of net tangible assets is equivalent to $2.686 billion; however, we have no covered sale-leaseback transactions or secured indebtedness outstanding. We do not expect these covenants to have a material impact on our financial condition or liquidity.
Fair Value of Debt
Based on the borrowing rates currently available to the Company for long-term debt with similar terms and maturities, the fair value of long-term debt, including current maturities, is approximately $25.206 and $17.134 billion as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. We utilized Level 2 inputs in the fair value hierarchy of valuation techniques to determine the fair value of all of our debt instruments.