- Customers Recognize UPS for High Service Levels
- Cyber Monday Deliveries up 12%
- Fourth Quarter 2014 Adjusted EPS of $1.25
- Global 4Q Shipments Rise 8.1%
- Expects 2015 Pension and Currency Headwinds of $240M
- UPS Projects 2015 Earnings Per Share Growth of 6-to-12%
- Reaffirms Long-Term EPS Growth of 9-to-13%
On Jan. 23, the company announced its expected fourth quarter results, which were consistent with today's final announcement. UPS reported that operating results in the U.S. Domestic segment were negatively impacted by higher than expected peak related expenses.
"UPS customers were delighted with the high quality service we delivered during the holiday season," said David Abney, UPS chief executive officer. "However, the financial results were below our expectations.
"As we move into 2015, we will address this disparity with both cost and revenue actions," continued Abney. "We will take actions necessary to improve profitability by increasing operational efficiency and adjusting price where appropriate. Our growth strategy is sound and we reaffirm our long-term target of 9%-to-13% earnings per share growth."
UPS delivered 1.3 billion packages during the fourth quarter, an increase of 8.1% over the same period last year. For calendar year 2014, the company completed delivery of 4.6 billion packages, up 6.8% over 2013.
During peak season 2014, UPS:
- Hired 100,000 temporary employees
- Delivered 572 million packages worldwide in December
- Experienced a 12% increase in both Cyber Monday and Peak Day deliveries, exceeding company projections, and
- Peak Day scheduled deliveries exceeded 35 million packages, more than 100% above an average day
Cash Flow
For the year ended Dec. 31, UPS generated $3.4 billion in free cash flow, after making after-tax contributions of $800 million to company-sponsored pension plans, as well as $1.5 billion to transfer certain union employees to multiemployer healthcare plans in the second quarter. In addition, the company invested $2.3 billion in capital expenditures during the year.
In 2014, UPS paid dividends of $2.4 billion, an increase of 8.1% per share over the prior year. The company also repurchased more than 26 million shares for approximately $2.7 billion.
U.S. Domestic Package
U.S. Domestic fourth quarter revenue climbed 7.5% to $10 billion. Daily package volume increased 6.6% with Deferred Air and Ground up 11% and 7.1%, respectively.
Fourth quarter adjusted operating profit was $1.1 billion, a 5.3% drop from the prior-year period. Operating expense increased more than $200 million primarily due to higher than anticipated peak related costs. Decreased productivity, higher contract carrier rates as well as overtime and training hours contributed to the excess costs.
Total revenue per package was down 0.8%, as lower fuel surcharges and changes in product mix offset increases in base rates. UPS SurePost product grew 28% in the fourth quarter.
On a reported basis, fourth quarter 2014 operating profit was down 63% to $444 million as a result of the pension mark-to-market charge and the transfer of certain healthcare liabilities.
International Package
International revenue, on a currency-neutral basis, increased 5.9% to $3.4 billion on 4.3% growth in daily package volume. Export shipments were up 5.2% per day, driven primarily by 8.5% growth from Europe, offset somewhat by a decline in Asia export volume. Non-U.S. domestic products were up 3.6% with strong growth in Canada, Spain and Mexico.
Underlying business performance showed positive momentum. However, currency fluctuations contributed $40 million in year-over-year comparison headwinds. In addition, one-time items, including a restructuring charge, weighed on results by approximately $30 million. International adjusted operating profit was $536 million, relatively flat with the prior-year.
Export yield contracted 1.7% on a currency-neutral basis, as a result of lower fuel surcharges, product mix and stronger intra-regional shipment growth. Non-U.S. domestic revenue per package increased 0.8% when adjusted for currency.
On a reported basis, operating profit for the fourth quarter declined 38% to $335 million as a result of the pension mark-to-market charge and the transfer of certain healthcare liabilities.
Supply Chain & Freight
Revenue in the segment increased 7.4% to $2.5 billion, driven by growth in Distribution and UPS Freight. Adjusted operating profit increased 4.7% to $179 million as improvements in Distribution and UPS Freight were offset by declines in the Forwarding unit.
Operating profit for Forwarding was lower, as results in North American Air Freight and Ocean were offset by challenges in International Air Freight.
Distribution revenues increased at a mid-teens growth rate, as demand from Retail and Healthcare customers remained strong. Operating profit expanded over the prior year results.
UPS Freight experienced solid revenue growth of 8.6%, primarily driven by LTL tonnage gains of 4.8% and yield improvements. The business unit expanded operating profit and margin over the prior year.
On a reported basis, operating loss for the fourth quarter 2014 was $25 million as a result of the pension mark-to-market charge and the transfer of certain healthcare liabilities.
Outlook
"This year will be one of continuous improvement and advances in strategic initiatives that have great potential for the company," said Kurt Kuehn, UPS chief financial officer. "E-commerce growth, operations technology implementation, emerging market expansion and industry specific solutions will provide momentum for UPS as we move throughout the year.
"The company expects growth across all business units," Kuehn continued. "We anticipate full-year 2015 diluted earnings per share of $5.05 to $5.30, a 6%-to-12% increase over our 2014 adjusted results."
