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FDX Corp. Announces Fiscal 1998 and Fourth Quarter Earnings

Jul. 8, 1998

MEMPHIS, Tenn., July 8, 1998 -- FDX Corp. today reported fourth quarter earnings per share of $1.14 and record earnings of $3.91 per share for the full year excluding merger expenses.

FDX Fourth Quarter Results

Revenues for the fourth quarter were $4,078.0 million, 2.9% more than the fiscal period's $3,961.2 million and 11.0% more than the calendar period's $3,673.8 million. Net income for the quarter excluding merger expenses was $170.7 million or $1.14 per share. Net income was $134.6 million or $0.91 per share in last year's fiscal period and $144.9 million or $0.98 per share in last year's calendar period excluding non-recurring items.

Current Year
Prior Year

FedEx Q4 &
CaliberPeriod
Mar. 1, 1998 -
May 31, 1998

(A)
FedEx Q4 &
CaliberPeriod
Sep. 8, 1996 -
Dec. 31, 1996
(fiscal period)

(B)
FedExQ4 &
CaliberPeriod
Mar. 2, 1997 -
May 24, 1997
(calendar period)

Caliber Op. Days
64
78
60
Revenue
$4,078.0
$3,961.2
$3,673.8
Op. Income
$322.4
$39.4
$190.3
Net Income
$170.7
($40.4)
$88.5
Diluted EPS
$1.14
($0.28)
$0.60
Non-recurring items (after tax)
-
$175.0
$56.4
Net Income excl. non-recurring items
$170.7
$134.6
$144.9
Diluted EPS excl. non-recurring items

$1.14


$0.91


$0.98

Non-recurring charges related to the restructuring of Viking's operations were $225 million in the fiscal Q4 period and $85 million in the calendar Q4 period.

Explanatory Note

FDX Corp. prior year earnings per share are shown two ways to allow comparisons with last year. Column A is the prior year EPS comparison made in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) using the pooling of interests method of accounting. It combines Federal Express Corp.'s (FedEx) fourth quarter period (Mar. 1997-May 1997) with Caliber System, Inc.'s (Caliber) fourth quarter period (Sep. 8, 1996-Dec. 31, 1996) which for Caliber represents the fourth quarter of its full annual period ended Dec. 31, 1996. Caliber's fourth quarter will be included in the FDX Corp. fiscal year ended May 31, 1997 and is referred to as the "fiscal period" in this release. Column B is an unaudited prior year comparison on a like-calendar basis except there are four more shipping days in Caliber's current period than in Caliber's prior year period. Column B is referred to as the "calendar period" in this release.

FDX FY98 Results

For the full year, revenues were $15.9 billion, 11.5% more than the fiscal period's $14.2 billion and 11.3% more than the calendar period's $14.3 billion. FY98 net income excluding merger expenses was $582.7 million or $3.91 per share. Net income was $371.1 million or $2.52 per share in last year's fiscal period and $372.8 million or $2.53 per share in last year's calendar period excluding non-recurring items.

Current Year
Prior Year

FedEx FY98 &
CaliberPeriod
May 25, 1997 -
May 31, 1998

(A)
FedEx FY97 &
CaliberPeriod
Jan. 1, 1996 -
Dec. 31, 1996
(fiscal period)

(B)
FedExFY97 &
CaliberPeriod
May 19, 1996 -
May 24, 1997
(calendar period)

Caliber Op. Days
256
254
257
Revenue
$15,872.8
$14,237.9
$14,265.3
Op. Income
$1,010.7
$507.0
$425.4
Net Income
$503.0
$196.1
$141.3
Diluted EPS
$3.37
$1.33
$0.96
Non-recurring items (after tax)
$79.7
$175.0
$231.4
Net Income excl. non-recurring items
$582.7
$371.1
$372.8
Diluted EPS excl. non-recurring items


$3.91



$2.52



$2.53

Non-recurring charges related to the acquisition of Caliber System, Inc. were $88 million in FY98. Non-recurring charges related to the restructuring of Viking's operations were $225 million in the fiscal FY97 period and $310 million in the calendar 1997 period.

Explanatory Note

FDX Corp. prior year earnings per share are shown two ways to allow comparisons with last year. Column A is the prior year EPS comparison made in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) using the pooling of interests method of accounting. It combines FedEx's FY97 period (June 1996-May 1997) with Caliber System, Inc.'s (Caliber) FY96 period (Jan. 1, 1996-Dec. 31, 1996). Caliber's 1996 fiscal year results will be included in the FDX Corp. fiscal year ended May 31, 1997 and is referred to as the "fiscal period" in this release. Column B is an unaudited prior year comparison on a like-calendar basis. Column B is referred to as the "calendar period" in this release.


"FY98 was a milestone year for FDX Corporation and its subsidiaries for three reasons," said executive vice president and chief financial officer Alan B. Graf, Jr. "First, FedEx's January acquisition of Caliber System, Inc. and the creation of FDX Corporation now provides customers a broader array of global shipping and logistics services, at service levels unsurpassed in the industry. Second, FedEx, the company that invented the express industry, celebrated its 25th year of industry leadership. Lastly, FDX Corp. had record earnings, due to strong volume growth and healthy yield increases at FedEx and RPS and a dramatic improvement in operations at Viking. FY98 net income was up more than 50% from last year's fiscal and calendar periods excluding merger expenses and non-recurring items at Viking."

During FY98, FDX incurred approximately $40 million in consulting fees, internal staff costs and other expenses due to continuing Year-2000 compliance programs. Full year results also include the impact of the additional volume received by FedEx and RPS during the 12 operating days of the UPS strike. The Company estimates that the additional revenue resulting from the strike added approximately $0.25 per share to consolidated first quarter 1998 earnings.

Federal Express Corp.'s U.S. Domestic Volume, Earnings Higher

Federal Express Corp.'s (FedEx) U.S. domestic revenue for the quarter was $2,502.1 million, up 13.0% from last year's $2,213.4 million. U.S. domestic operating income for the quarter rose 24.7% to $239.2 million from $191.9 million a year ago.

"In the U.S., FedEx's express package growth rate accelerated, helping FedEx report record fourth quarter results," said Graf. "The 10.5% year-over-year increase in average daily U.S. domestic volume was coupled with a 2.9% increase in revenue per package. U.S. domestic cost per package rose 1.7%, primarily due to increased salaries, employee benefits, maintenance and trucking expenses."

International operating income for the fourth quarter was $21.5 million on international segment revenues of $923.5 million. In last year's fourth quarter, the international segment reported operating income of $59.4 million on revenues of $854.9 million.

"FedEx's International operations returned to profitability in the fourth quarter, although international results continue to be hurt by weakness in Asia," said Graf. "Despite the Asian economic downturn, FedEx International Priority(R) (IP) service experienced double-digit growth for the twentieth consecutive quarter - IP volume grew 10.7% in the quarter, with IP's revenue per package increasing 0.9%.

"The international airfreight market continues to reflect industry overcapacity," Graf continued, "as our airfreight revenue declined $13.3 million despite a 5.5% increase in total pounds shipped. Currency declines during the quarter reduced International operating income by approximately $10 million."

FedEx's total revenues for the quarter were $3,425.7 million, 11.6% higher than last year's $3,068.3 million. Operating income for the quarter was $260.7 million compared to $251.3 million a year ago. "In this year's fourth quarter, fuel prices were approximately $0.12 per gallon less than a year ago, reducing fuel expenses by $28.3 million" Graf said. "In last year's fourth quarter, revenue generated by the temporary two percent surcharge to all express packages totaled $41.6 million."

Sales of FedEx's aircraft noise-reduction kits contributed $30.1 million to fourth quarter 1998 U.S. domestic operating income, compared to $28.8 million in last year's fourth quarter. For FY98, hushkits contributed $127.2 million to U.S. domestic operating income compared to $87.4 million a year ago.

RPS, Inc. Reports Record Volume and Service Levels

RPS revenues for the quarter were $437.1 million, compared to $449.9 million in the prior year fiscal period and $348.0 million in the prior year calendar period. On a per day basis, revenue increased 18.4% after adjusting for 14 additional shipping days in last year's fiscal period and 17.8% after adjusting for four fewer shipping days in last year's calendar period.

Operating income was $47.3 million compared to $50.3 million in the fiscal period and $38.3 million in the calendar period. Operating income improved 14.6% over last year's fiscal period and 15.9% over last year's calendar period after adjusting for the shipping day difference.

"Demand for RPS service remains very strong and revenue per package continues to increase," said Graf. "RPS is realizing excellent growth in their higher yielding services, with the improved mix responsible for much of the increase in revenue per package. A new money-back guarantee on all commercial ground deliveries, to be implemented July 27, 1998, and record on-time service levels ensure that RPS will remain the value leader in the business-to-business, small package market."

Viking Freight, Inc.'s Ongoing Operations Continue to Improve

Viking's operating income for the quarter was $5.9 million on revenues of $89.0 million, compared to an operating loss of $276.4 million including asset impairment charges on revenues of $300.4 million in the fiscal period and a loss of $104.7 million including restructuring charges on revenues of $156.1 million in the calendar period.

"Viking's performance continues to show considerable improvement from the previous year," said Graf. "Service levels for the quarter were outstanding, while operating income excluding non-recurring items improved $57.3 million over last year's fiscal period and $25.6 million over last year's calendar period. Viking's outstanding operating performance has recently been recognized by both shippers and industry trade organizations - during the quarter Viking was named "Regional LTL Carrier of the Year" by the National Small Shipments Traffic Conference (NASSTRAC) and readers of the Logistics Management and Distribution Report awarded Viking a "Quest for Quality Award" for their superb LTL service to the western U.S."

FDX Corp., a $16 billion holding company, provides comprehensive transportation, logistics and supply chain management solutions. FDX Corp. operating subsidiaries are Federal Express Corp., the world's largest express transportation company; RPS, Inc., a business-to-business ground small package carrier; Roberts Express, Inc., a critical-shipment carrier; Viking Freight, Inc., a less-than-truckload carrier operating principally in the western U.S.; Caliber Logistics, Inc., a contract logistics provider; and Caliber Technology, Inc., a supplier of information services.

FDX CORPORATION FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Unaudited; Current year data is preliminary)

 

 

Fourth Quarter Fiscal 1998 and
Fiscal Period Comparison FY971
(In millions, except earnings per share data)

 

FiscalPeriod
FedEx Q4 &
CaliberPeriod
Mar. 1, 1998 - May 31, 1998

FedEx Q4 &
CaliberPeriod
Sep. 8, 1996 - Dec. 31, 1996

FedExFY98&
CaliberPeriod
May 25, 1997 - May 31, 1998

FedExFY97&
CaliberPeriod
Jan. 1, 1996 - Dec. 31, 1996

Revenue:
Federal Express $3,425.7 $3,068.3 $13,254.8 $11,519.7
Caliber System:
RPS 437.1 449.9 1,710.4 1,344.3
Viking 89.0 300.4 381.5 965.9
Other 126.2 142.6 526.1 408.0
Total Revenue 4,078.0 3,961.2 15,872.8 14,237.9

OperatingExpenses:
Federal Express 3,165.0 2,817.0 12,418.1 10,820.7
Caliber System:
RPS 389.8 399.6 1,538.4 1,208.6
Viking2 83.1 576.8 353.6 1,327.7
Other 117.7 128.4 552.0 373.9
TotalOperatingExpenses 3,755.6 3,921.8 14,862.1 13,730.9

OperatingIncome(Loss):
Federal Express 260.7 251.3 836.7 699.0
Caliber System:
RPS 47.3 50.3 172.0 135.7
Viking2 5.9 (276.4) 27.9 (361.8)
Other 8.5 14.2 (25.9) 34.1
Total Operating Income 322.4 39.4 1,010.7 507.0

Other Income (Expense):
Interest, net (27.9) (31.0) (124.4) (104.2)
Other, net (0.2) 5.6 13.2 23.1
TotalOtherIncome(Expense) (28.1) (25.4) (111.2) (81.1)

Pretax Income
294.3 14.0 899.5 425.9

Provision for Income Taxes
123.6 54.4 401.4 229.8

Income from Continuing Operations
170.7 (40.4) 498.1 196.1

Income from Discontinued Operations,
Net of Income Taxes
- - 4.9 -

Net Income
$170.7
======
($40.4)
======
$503.0
========
$196.1
=======

Basic Earnings Per Share:
Continuing operations $1.16 ($0.28) $3.40 $1.35
Discontinued operations - - 0.03 -
Net Basic Earnings Per Share
$1.16
======
($0.28)
======
$3.43
======
$1.35
======

Common Shares
147.250 146.111 146.701 145.713

Diluted Earnings Per Share:
Continuing operations $1.14 ($0.28) $3.34 $1.33
Discontinued operations - - 0.03 -
Net Diluted Earnings Per Share
$1.14
======
($0.28)
======
$3.37
======
$1.33
======

CommonandCommonEquivalentShares
149.669 146.111 149.204 147.228

1 - FDX Corp. prior year financial highlights are shown two ways to allow comparisons with last year. The fiscal period highlights page shows the prior year comparison made in accordance with the SEC's rules using the pooling of interests method of accounting. It combines FedEx's fourth quarter period (Mar. 1997-May 1997) with Caliber's fourth quarter period (Sep. 8 -Dec. 31, 1996), which for Caliber represents the fourth quarter of its full annual period ended Dec. 31, 1996. Caliber's fourth quarter will be included in the FDX Corp. statements for the fiscal year ended May 31, 1997.
2 - Caliber announced a financial restructuring of its Viking operations on March 27, 1997. Nonrecurring charges related to the restructuring included in operating expenses for FY97 include $225 million in Q4.


FDX CORPORATION FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Unaudited; Current year data is preliminary)
Fourth Quarter Fiscal 1998 and
Calendar Period Comparison FY971
(In millions, except earnings per share data)

 

CalendarPeriod
FedEx Q4 &
CaliberPeriod
Mar. 1 1998 - May 31, 1998

FedEx Q4 &
CaliberPeriod
Mar. 2, 1997 - May 24, 1997

FedEx FY98 &
CaliberPeriod
May 25, 1997 - May 31, 1998

FedEx FY97 &
CaliberPeriod
May 19, 1996 - May 24, 1997

Revenue:
Federal Express $3,425.7 $3,068.3 $13,254.8 $11,519.7
Caliber System:
RPS 437.1 348.0 1,710.4 1,419.4
Viking 89.0 156.1 381.5 889.1
Other 126.2 101.4 526.1 437.1
Total Revenue 4,078.0 3,673.8 15,872.8 14,265.3

OperatingExpenses:
Federal Express 3,165.0 2,817.0 12,418.1 10,820.7
Caliber System:
RPS 389.8 309.7 1,538.4 1,270.2
Viking2 83.1 260.8 353.6 1,350.0
Other 117.7 96.0 552.0 399.0
TotalOperatingExpenses 3,755.6 3,483.5 14,862.1 13,839.9

OperatingIncome(Loss):
Federal Express 260.7 251.3 836.7 699.0
Caliber System:
RPS 47.3 38.3 172.0 149.2
Viking2 5.9 (104.7) 27.9 (460.9)
Other 8.5 5.4 (25.9) 38.1
Total Operating Income 322.4 190.3 1,010.7 425.4

Other Income (Expense):
Interest, net (27.9) (124.4)
Other, net (0.2) 13.2
TotalOtherIncome(Expense) (28.1) (24.0) (111.2) (81.5)

Pretax Income
294.3 166.3 899.5 343.9

Provision for Income Taxes
123.6 77.8 401.4 202.6

Income from Continuing Operations
170.7 88.5 498.1 141.3

Income from Discontinued Operations,
Net of Income Taxes
- - 4.9 -

Net Income
$170.7
======
$88.5
======
$503.0
========
$141.3
=======

Basic Earnings Per Share:
Continuing operations $1.16 $0.61 $3.40 $0.97
Discontinued operations - - 0.03 -
Net Basic Earnings Per Share $1.16
======
$0.61
======
$3.43
======
$0.97
======

Common Shares
147.250 145.940 146.701 145.629

Diluted Earnings Per Share:
Continuing operations $1.14 $0.60 $3.34 $0.96
Discontinued operations - - 0.03 -
Net Diluted Earnings Per Share $1.14
======
($0.60)
======
$3.37
======
$0.96
======

CommonandCommonEquivalentShares
149.669 148.016 149.204 147.144

1 - FDX Corp. prior year financial highlights are shown two ways to allow comparisons with last year. The calendar period highlights page shows the prior year comparisons on a like-calendar basis. This will not be the comparison used in FDX's statements filed with the SEC.
2 - Caliber announced a financial restructuring of its Viking operations on March 27, 1997. Nonrecurring charges related to the restructuring included in operating expenses for FY97 include $225 million in Q3 and $85 million in Q4.


FDX CORPORATION OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS
(Unaudited; Current year data is preliminary)

 

 

Fourth Quarter Fiscal 1998

 

Current Year
Quarter

FedEx Q4 &
CaliberPeriod
Mar. 1, 1998 - May 31, 1998

Prior Year
Calendar
Quarter

FedEx Q4 &
CaliberPeriod
Mar. 2, 1997 - May 24, 1997

Current Year
YTD

FedExFY98&
CaliberPeriod
May 25, 1997 -
May31,1998

Prior Year
Calendar
YTD

FedExFY97&
CaliberPeriod
May 19, 1996 -
May 24, 1997

FEDEX
Operating Weekdays 64 64 254 254
AVERAGEDAILYEXPRESSVOLUME
Priority Overnight 1,295,566 1,223,070 1,253,640 1,178,822
Standard Overnight 645,091 635,818 632,222 629,828
2Day/Express Saver 872,820 690,040 871,548 675,501
Overnight/2Day/ExpressSaverFreight 10,027 6,838 9,194 5,469
Total U.S.A. Express Volume 2,823,504 2,555,766 2,766,604 2,489,620
International Priority 271,152 244,935 259,395 226,274
Total Avg Daily Express Volume 3,094,656
===========
2,800,701
===========
3,025,999
===========
2,715,894
===========
YIELD PER EXPRESS PACKAGE
Priority Overnight $15.31 $15.08 $15.24 $14.98
Standard Overnight 12.33 11.34 12.19 10.99
2Day/Express Saver 9.89 9.68 9.84 9.45
Overnight/2Day/Express Saver Freight 145.20 145.36 144.36 149.54
Total U.S.A. Express Yield $13.42 $13.04 $13.27 $12.77
International Priority 41.10 40.75 41.45 40.91
Total Composite Yield $15.84
=======
$15.46
=======
$15.69
=======
$15.11
=======
Avg Pounds per Express Package 8.6 7.5 8.5 7.2
Avg Revenue per Express Pound $1.85 $2.06 $1.84 $2.11
INT'L AIRFREIGHT (IXF/ATA)
Millions of Pounds 176.4 167.1 703.6 645.7
Revenue per Pound $0.80 $0.93 $0.85 $0.94

RPS
Operating Weekdays 64 60 256 257
Average Daily Volume 1,321,394 1,172,619 1,326,190 1,121,380
Composite Yield $5.17 $4.95 $5.04 $4.93

VIKING
Operating Weekdays 64 60 256 257
Shipments Per Day 12,023 24,427 13,287 30,771
Revenue/CWT $9.61 $8.62 $9.28 $9.08

Prior year fiscal period results are omitted. Fiscal period and calendar period results for FedEx are identical.


FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Unaudited; Current year data is preliminary)

 

Fourth Quarter Fiscal 1998
(In millions)

 

Three Months Ended
Twelve Months Ended
May 31
May 31
FINANCIAL RESULTS
1998
1997
1998
1997
Revenues $3,425.7 $3,068.3 $13,254.8 $11,519.7
Operating Expenses:
Salaries and benefits 1,508.1 1,318.1 5,832.4 5,095.5
Rentals and landing fees 309.3 272.3 1,221.4 1,070.6
Depreciation and amortization 218.7 200.5 844.6 777.4
Fuel 167.3 173.0 709.4 690.4
Maintenance and repairs 213.8 169.2 808.0 691.0
Other 747.8 683.9 2,988.3 2,495.8
Merger Expenses - - 14.0 -
3,165.0 2,817.0 12,418.1 10,820.7
Operating Income 260.7 251.3 836.7 699.0
Other Income (Expense):
Interest, net (25.6) (24.6) (110.1) (90.6)
Other, net (0.4) 3.9 8.6 19.8
(26.0) (20.7) (101.5) (70.8)
Pretax Income 234.7 230.6 735.2 628.2
Provision for Income Taxes 98.6 98.0 314.7 267.0
Net Income $136.1 $132.6 $420.5 $361.2

Fiscal period and calendar period results for FedEx are identical.

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