UPS EARNINGS GROWTH CONTINUES
1st Quarter Earnings Climb 24%;
Guidance for Record Earnings Per Share in 2011 Raised
STOCKHOLM, April 27, 2011 – UPS (NYSE:UPS) today announced diluted earnings per share of $0.88 for the first quarter of 2011, a 24% improvement over the adjusted $0.71 for the prior-year period. Global revenue grew 7.3%, producing a 21% increase in operating profit to $1.4 billion.
On a reported basis, diluted earnings per share and operating profit increased 66% and 37%, respectively, over the same period last year.
“UPS produced strong first quarter results despite rapidly rising fuel costs and challenging weather conditions,” said Scott Davis, UPS chairman and CEO. “Once again we demonstrated the strength of our global portfolio and ability of our integrated operating model to further expand margins.”
Based on the company’s performance, UPS has increased its guidance for 2011 diluted earnings per share to a range of $4.15-to-$4.40, an increase of 17-to-24% over 2010 adjusted results.
Adjusted
Consolidated Results 1Q 2011 1Q 2010 1Q 2010
Revenue $12.58 B $11.73 B
Operating profit $1.43 B $1.04 B $1.18 B
Operating margin 11.3 % 8.9 % 10.0 %
Average volume per day 15.0 M 14.9 M
Diluted earnings per share $0.88 $0.53 $0.71
For the three months ended March 31, 2011, UPS delivered 957 million packages and expanded its operating margin by 130 basis points to 11.3%. On a reported basis, operating margin improved 240 basis points over the prior-year period.
In the first quarter of 2010, UPS incurred $175 million in charges that reduced diluted earnings per share by $0.18. Those charges related to the U.S. domestic segment reorganization, a loss on the sale of a supply chain unit and a change in the tax filing status of a German subsidiary.
Recently, UPS was recognized as the “World’s Most Admired” company in its industry by FORTUNE magazine. The company was cited for its outstanding reputation, quality of products and services, superior innovation, long-term investment value and quality of management. In addition, the Reputation Institute polled nearly 33,000 consumers to measure perceptions of trust, esteem and admiration of large U.S. companies. UPS ranked sixth overall and first in the transportation industry.
Cash Position
UPS generated $900 million in free cash flow during the quarter, even after making accelerated pension contributions of $1.2 billion. Capital expenditures for the period were $400 million.
Distributions to shareowners during the quarter increased as UPS paid dividends totaling $500 million, up 10.6% per share. The company also repurchased 6.8 million shares for approximately $500 million.
Adjusted
U.S. Domestic Package 1Q 2011 1Q 2010 1Q 2010
Revenue $7.54 B $7.10 B
Operating profit $849 M $562 M $660 M
Operating margin 11.3 % 7.9 % 9.3 %
Average volume per day 12.67 M 12.73 M
Operating profit jumped 29% on an adjusted basis with revenue growth of 6.2%. On a reported basis, operating profit increased 51%. Operating margin expanded 200 basis points to 11.3% due to higher yields and operational efficiencies. On a reported basis, margin expanded by 340 basis points.
Premium product growth outpaced ground as UPS Next Day Air® package volume grew at a mid-single digit rate. Revenue per piece for the segment improved 5%, primarily driven by increases in base rates and higher fuel surcharges.
Earlier this month UPS proudly hosted President Barack Obama at its Landover facility in Maryland, USA. The visit included a close-up look at our “rolling laboratory” of alternative fuel vehicles and best-in-class technologies that make UPS so efficient. This “green fleet” recently celebrated a milestone of having driven a combined 200 million miles since 2000.
International Package 1Q 2011 1Q 2010
Revenue $2.90 B $2.64 B
Operating profit $446 M $427 M
Operating margin 15.4 % 16.2 %
Average volume per day 2.29 M 2.20 M
Operating profit for the segment improved to $446 million on 10% revenue growth. Revenue per piece climbed 3.8% as the gains from rate increases, higher fuel surcharges and product mix were offset somewhat by currency.
Export average daily volume increased 7.2%, continuing to outperform the market. Europe led the way with strong export volume growth that was balanced to all regions of the world.
UPS announced the expansion of its Asia air network during the quarter. The addition of four direct flights from Hong Kong to Europe enables UPS to offer the widest guaranteed next-day delivery coverage for both packages and heavy freight on this important trade lane.
Adjusted
Supply Chain & Freight 1Q 2011 1Q 2010 1Q 2010
Revenue $2.14 B $1.99 B
Operating profit $131 M $53 M $91 M
Operating margin 6.1 % 2.7 % 4.6 %
Operating profit soared 44% on an adjusted basis with revenue growth of 7.6%. On a reported basis, operating profit increased 147%. The operating margin for the segment increased to 6.1% driven primarily by improvements in the Forwarding business unit and UPS Freight.
Forwarding experienced margin expansion over last year due to revenue management initiatives and lower purchased transportation.
UPS Freight revenue was up almost 23% over the prior-year period. The business unit saw strong increases in LTL (less than truckload) revenue per hundredweight and gross weight hauled.
The company announced expansion of UPS Express Freight to Israel and Slovakia in February. These two emerging markets are quickly becoming key hubs for the high-tech, automotive and other manufacturing industries. UPS also announced during the quarter the expansion of its Preferred LCL Ocean Freight service to include 10 additional ports in Asia. This service provides up to 40% faster port-to-door delivery to the United States for LCL (less than container load) shipments.
Outlook
“The growth story at UPS continues with earnings improving 24% as customers realize the benefits from the solutions we provide,” said Kurt Kuehn, UPS’s chief financial officer. “These outstanding results were produced through our focus on quality of revenue combined with the flexibility and efficiency of our global network.
"The strategies are in place for UPS to achieve record results in 2011," Kuehn added. "Confidence in our ability to execute leads UPS to raise guidance for 2011 diluted earnings per share to a range of $4.15-to-$4.40, an increase of 17-to-24% over adjusted 2010 results."
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, USA, 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 blog.ups.com. To get UPS news direct, visit pressroom.ups.com.
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Contact
Michael Düster, vd UPS Norden
+46 (0)8-799 80 11
michael.duester@europe.ups.com
Caroline Malm, Account Manager
Weber Shandwick
+46 76 10 10 414
caroline.malm@webershandwick.se
Except for historical information contained herein, the statements made in this release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the U.S. 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, strikes, work stoppages and slowdowns, increases 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 U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which discussions are incorporated herein by reference.