FedEx Reports Higher Full-Year Diluted EPS of $17.21 and Adjusted Diluted EPS of $17.80
FedEx reported a higher full-year diluted EPS of $17.21 and adjusted diluted EPS of $17.80 for fiscal 2024. The company introduced a fiscal 2025 outlook, with $2.2 billion in DRIVE cost savings. FedEx returned $3.8 billion to stockholders through stock repurchases and dividends during fiscal 2024. Fourth-quarter revenue increased slightly to $22.1 billion, and operating income rose to $1.56 billion. The company plans further optimization, including the permanent closure of seven FedEx Freight facilities and retiring older aircraft. Fiscal 2025 forecasts include low-to-mid single-digit revenue growth and earnings per diluted share between $18.25 and $20.25 before adjustments. Capital spending is projected at $5.2 billion, focusing on network optimization and efficiency improvements. The assessment of FedEx Freight’s role in value-creation plans is ongoing, expected to complete by year-end.
- Higher full-year diluted EPS of $17.21, up from $15.48 in fiscal 2023.
- Returned $3.8 billion to stockholders via stock repurchases and dividends.
- $2.2 billion in permanent cost reductions from DRIVE program.
- Fourth-quarter revenue increased to $22.1 billion from $21.9 billion.
- Operating income for fiscal 2024 improved to $5.56 billion from $4.91 billion.
- Capital spending reduced to $5.2 billion, down 16% from fiscal 2023.
- Fourth quarter net income decreased to $1.47 billion from $1.54 billion.
- Revenue for fiscal 2024 decreased to $87.7 billion from $90.2 billion in fiscal 2023.
- FedEx Express operating results declined due to lower international yields.
- Retired 22 Boeing 757-200 aircraft and seven engines, resulting in a noncash impairment charge of $157 million.
Insights
FedEx’s fiscal 2024 performance demonstrates a solid recovery amidst challenging economic conditions. The EPS growth from $15.48 to $17.21 is remarkable and indicative of effective cost management and strategic initiatives like the DRIVE program. The company's return of
However, the revenue stagnation at around $87.7 billion compared to $90.2 billion in fiscal 2023 suggests a potential plateau in top-line growth. Investors should be cautious about the sustainability of these earnings improvements if revenue growth does not pick up. Additionally, while the DRIVE program is yielding benefits, the long-term impact on margins and operating efficiency remains to be fully seen.
The forecasted capital spending of
Overall, for retail investors, the comprehensive cost-saving measures and the focus on enhancing shareholder returns through dividends and buybacks present a positive outlook, with a cautious eye on revenue trends and economic factors.
FedEx’s strategic initiatives and financial performance in fiscal 2024 reflect strong operational resilience and a keen focus on cost optimization. The announcement of potential permanent cost reductions of
Moreover, the company's decision to retire older aircraft and engines as part of fleet modernization aligns with broader industry trends towards sustainability and efficiency. This move not only reduces operational costs but also enhances the company's environmental footprint, which can be a selling point for eco-conscious consumers and investors.
However, the planned closure of seven FedEx Freight facilities as part of operational optimization warrants caution. While it aims to streamline operations and match capacity with demand, it may also indicate underlying challenges in the freight segment. Retail investors should consider the potential short-term disruptions versus the long-term efficiency gains from this restructuring.
FedEx’s focus on returning value to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases, coupled with a strong balance sheet, suggests a balanced approach to growth and shareholder value creation. This strategy, if continued effectively, can bolster investor confidence and support stock price stability.
Introduces Fiscal 2025 Outlook, Including
Conducting an Assessment of the Role of FedEx Freight in Value-Creation Plans
Returned
|
|
Fiscal 2024 |
|
Fiscal 2023 |
||||
|
|
As Reported
|
|
Adjusted
|
|
As Reported
|
|
Adjusted
|
Revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating margin |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted EPS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This year’s and last year’s quarterly and full-year consolidated results have been adjusted for:
|
|
Fiscal 2024 |
|
Fiscal 2023 |
||||
Impact per diluted share |
|
Fourth
|
|
Full
|
|
Fourth
|
|
Full
|
Mark-to-market (MTM) retirement plans accounting adjustments |
|
( |
|
( |
|
( |
|
( |
Business optimization costs |
|
0.67 |
|
1.77 |
|
0.28 |
|
0.81 |
Goodwill and other asset impairment charges |
|
0.48 |
|
0.48 |
|
0.38 |
|
0.38 |
Remeasurement of state deferred income taxes under one FedEx structure |
|
0.22 |
|
0.21 |
|
— |
|
— |
FedEx Ground legal matters |
|
(0.18) |
|
(0.17) |
|
0.10 |
|
0.10 |
Business realignment costs |
|
— |
|
— |
|
0.06 |
|
0.11 |
Fourth quarter revenue increased modestly versus the prior year period. Operating income and margin improved, reflecting lower structural costs as the company continued to execute on its DRIVE program.
“We made significant progress in fiscal 2024 and ended the year strong, delivering four consecutive quarters of expanding operating income and margin in a challenging revenue environment,” said Raj Subramaniam, FedEx Corp. president and chief executive officer. “These results are unprecedented in this current environment, reflecting our continued execution of our DRIVE initiatives and our resolve to transform FedEx while we deliver outstanding service to our customers. We expect this momentum to continue in fiscal 2025 as we advance our efforts to create the world’s most flexible, efficient, and intelligent network.”
FedEx Ground operating results increased due to reduced structural costs resulting from DRIVE initiatives, increased yield, lower self-insurance costs, and growth in ground commercial volume.
FedEx Freight operating results increased due to higher yield and effective cost management. FedEx Freight has announced plans to further optimize its operations and match capacity with demand through the planned permanent closure of seven facilities.
FedEx Express operating results declined primarily due to lower international yields, partially offset by reduced structural costs from DRIVE initiatives and higher
Fourth quarter results include a noncash impairment charge of
Fourth quarter results include an income tax expense of
Full-Year Results
For the full fiscal year, FedEx Corp. reported the following consolidated results (adjusted measures exclude the items listed above for the applicable fiscal year):
|
|
Fiscal 2024 |
|
Fiscal 2023 |
||||
|
|
As Reported
|
|
Adjusted
|
|
As Reported
|
|
Adjusted
|
Revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating margin |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted EPS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital spending for fiscal 2024 was
Capital Returns
During fiscal 2024, FedEx returned approximately
For fiscal 2025, FedEx expects to repurchase
“As we advance our transformation, we continue to focus on reducing structural costs and lowering the capital intensity of the business,” said John Dietrich, FedEx Corp. executive vice president and chief financial officer. “Improved earnings and enhanced capital discipline enabled us to return
Outlook
FedEx is unable to forecast the fiscal 2025 MTM retirement plans accounting adjustments. As a result, FedEx is unable to provide a fiscal 2025 earnings per share or effective tax rate (ETR) outlook on a GAAP basis and is relying on the exemption provided by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). It is reasonably possible that the fiscal 2025 MTM retirement plans accounting adjustments could have a material effect on fiscal 2025 consolidated financial results and ETR.
For fiscal 2025, FedEx is forecasting:
- A low-to-mid single-digit percent revenue growth year over year;
-
Earnings per diluted share of
to$18.25 before the MTM retirement plans accounting adjustments and$20.25 to$20.00 after also excluding costs related to business optimization initiatives;$22.00 -
Permanent cost reductions from the DRIVE transformation program of
;$2.2 billion -
ETR of approximately
24.5% prior to the MTM retirement plans accounting adjustments; and -
Capital spending of
, with a priority on investments in network optimization and efficiency improvement, including fleet and facility modernization and automation.$5.2 billion
These forecasts assume the company's current economic forecast and fuel price expectations, successful completion of the planned stock repurchases, and no additional adverse economic or geopolitical developments. FedEx’s ETR and earnings per share forecasts are based on current law and related regulations and guidance.
With the recent completion of the FY25 planning process, FedEx has turned its focus to the next phase of its long-term stockholder value-creation plans. As a part of this work, FedEx management and Board of Directors are conducting an assessment of the role of FedEx Freight in the company’s portfolio structure and potential steps to further unlock sustainable shareholder value. The company is committed to completing this review thoroughly and deliberately, by the end of the calendar year. FedEx will conduct this assessment while continuing to focus on customers, team members, and the safety of its operations.
Corporate Overview
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenue of
Additional information and operating data are contained in the company’s annual report, Form 10-K, Form 10-Qs, Form 8-Ks and Statistical Books. These materials, as well as a webcast of the earnings release conference call to be held at 5:00 p.m. EDT on June 25, are available on the company’s website at investors.fedex.com. A replay of the conference call webcast will be posted on our website following the call.
The Investor Relations page of our website, investors.fedex.com, contains a significant amount of information about FedEx, including our Securities and Exchange Commission filings and financial and other information for investors. The information that we post on our Investor Relations website could be deemed to be material information. We encourage investors, the media and others interested in the company to visit this website from time to time, as information is updated and new information is posted.
Certain statements in this press release may be considered forward-looking statements, such as statements regarding expected cost savings, the optimization of our network through Network 2.0, future financial targets, business strategies, management’s views with respect to future events and financial performance, and the assumptions underlying such expected cost savings, targets, strategies, and statements. Forward-looking statements include those preceded by, followed by or that include the words “will,” “may,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “believes,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “estimates,” “targets,” “projects,” “intends” or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from historical experience or from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic conditions in the global markets in which we operate; our ability to successfully implement our business strategy and global transformation program and optimize our network through Network 2.0, effectively respond to changes in market dynamics, and achieve the anticipated benefits of such strategies and actions; our ability to achieve our cost reduction initiatives and financial performance goals; the timing and amount of any costs or benefits or any specific outcome, transaction, or change (of which there can be no assurance), or the terms, timing, and structure thereof, related to our global transformation program and other ongoing reviews and initiatives; damage to our reputation or loss of brand equity; our ability to adjust our air network to remove costs related to services currently provided to the
The financial section of this release is provided on the company's website at investors.fedex.com.
RECONCILIATIONS OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
TO GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023 Results
The company reports its financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in
- MTM retirement plans accounting adjustments in fiscal 2024 and 2023;
- Business optimization costs incurred in fiscal 2024 and 2023;
- Goodwill and other asset impairment charges incurred in fiscal 2024 and 2023;
- Remeasurement of state deferred income taxes under the one FedEx structure in fiscal 2024;
- Insurance recoveries related to a FedEx Ground legal matter received in fiscal 2024, and costs related to a separate FedEx Ground legal matter incurred in fiscal 2023; and
- Business realignment costs incurred in fiscal 2023.
In fiscal 2023, FedEx announced DRIVE, a comprehensive program to improve the company’s long-term profitability. This program includes a business optimization plan to drive efficiency among our transportation segments, lower our overhead and support costs, and transform our digital capabilities. We incurred costs associated with our business optimization initiatives in fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023. These costs were primarily related to professional services and severance. Additionally, we incurred costs associated with our business realignment activities in connection with the FedEx Express workforce reduction plan in
Costs related to business optimization initiatives and business realignment activities, as well as MTM retirement plans accounting adjustments, goodwill and other asset impairment charges, costs related to a FedEx Ground legal matter, and insurance recoveries related to accrued pre- and post-judgment interest incurred in connection with a separate FedEx Ground legal matter in fiscal 2022 are excluded from our fourth quarter and full-year fiscal 2024 and 2023 consolidated and FedEx Express and FedEx Ground segment non-GAAP financial measures, as applicable, because they are unrelated to our core operating performance and/or to assist investors with assessing trends in our underlying businesses. The charges incurred in connection with a FedEx Ground legal matter in fiscal 2023 are extraordinary in nature and do not represent a recurring expense arising in our ordinary course of business.
An income tax expense related to the remeasurement of
We believe these adjusted financial measures facilitate analysis and comparisons of our ongoing business operations because they exclude items that may not be indicative of, or are unrelated to, the company’s and our business segments’ core operating performance, and may assist investors with comparisons to prior periods and assessing trends in our underlying businesses. These adjustments are consistent with how management views our businesses. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in making financial, operating and planning decisions and evaluating the company’s and each business segment’s ongoing performance.
Our non-GAAP financial measures are intended to supplement and should be read together with, and are not an alternative or substitute for, and should not be considered superior to, our reported financial results. Accordingly, users of our financial statements should not place undue reliance on these non-GAAP financial measures. 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. As required by SEC rules, the tables below present a reconciliation of our presented non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.
Fiscal 2025 Earnings Per Share and Effective Tax Rate Forecasts
Our fiscal 2025 earnings per share (EPS) forecast is a non-GAAP financial measure because it excludes fiscal 2025 MTM retirement plans accounting adjustments and estimated costs related to business optimization initiatives in fiscal 2025. Our fiscal 2025 effective tax rate (ETR) forecast is a non-GAAP financial measure because it excludes the effect of fiscal 2025 MTM retirement plans accounting adjustments.
We have provided these non-GAAP financial measures for the same reasons that were outlined above for historical non-GAAP measures. Costs related to business optimization initiatives are excluded from our fiscal 2025 EPS forecast for the same reasons described above for historical non-GAAP measures.
We are unable to predict the amount of the MTM retirement plans accounting adjustments, as they are significantly affected by changes in interest rates and the financial markets, so such adjustments are not included in our fiscal 2025 EPS and ETR forecasts. For this reason, a full reconciliation of our fiscal 2025 EPS and ETR forecasts to the most directly comparable GAAP measures is impracticable. It is reasonably possible, however, that our fiscal 2025 MTM retirement plans accounting adjustments could have a material effect on our fiscal 2025 consolidated financial results and ETR.
The table included below titled “Fiscal 2025 Earnings Per Share Forecast” outlines the effects of the items that are excluded from our fiscal 2025 EPS forecast, other than the MTM retirement plans accounting adjustments.
Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2024
FedEx Corporation
|
|
Operating |
|
Income |
|
Net |
|
Diluted
|
||
Dollars in millions, except EPS |
|
Income |
|
Margin1 |
|
Taxes2 |
|
Income3 |
|
Per Share |
GAAP measure |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MTM retirement plans accounting adjustment4 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
(135) |
|
(426) |
|
(1.72) |
Business optimization costs5 |
|
218 |
|
|
|
51 |
|
166 |
|
0.67 |
Asset impairment charges6 |
|
157 |
|
|
|
37 |
|
120 |
|
0.48 |
Remeasurement of state deferred income taxes under one FedEx structure7 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
(54) |
|
54 |
|
0.22 |
FedEx Ground legal matter7 |
|
(57) |
|
( |
|
(13) |
|
(44) |
|
(0.18) |
Non-GAAP measure |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FedEx Express Segment
|
|
Operating |
||
Dollars in millions |
|
Income |
|
Margin |
GAAP measure |
|
|
|
|
Asset impairment charges |
|
157 |
|
|
Business optimization costs |
|
69 |
|
|
Non-GAAP measure |
|
|
|
|
FedEx Ground Segment
|
|
Operating |
||
Dollars in millions |
|
Income |
|
Margin |
GAAP measure |
|
|
|
|
Business optimization costs |
|
33 |
|
|
Non-GAAP measure |
|
|
|
|
Full-Year Fiscal 2024
FedEx Corporation
|
|
Operating |
|
Income |
|
Net |
|
Diluted
|
||
Dollars in millions, except EPS |
|
Income |
|
Margin |
|
Taxes2 |
|
Income3 |
|
Per Share1 |
GAAP measure |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MTM retirement plans accounting adjustment4 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
(135) |
|
(426) |
|
(1.69) |
Business optimization costs5 |
|
582 |
|
|
|
137 |
|
444 |
|
1.77 |
Asset impairment charges6 |
|
157 |
|
|
|
37 |
|
120 |
|
0.48 |
Remeasurement of state deferred income taxes under one FedEx structure7 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
(54) |
|
54 |
|
0.21 |
FedEx Ground legal matter7 |
|
(57) |
|
( |
|
(13) |
|
(44) |
|
(0.17) |
Non-GAAP measure |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FedEx Express Segment
|
|
Operating |
||
Dollars in millions |
|
Income |
|
Margin1 |
GAAP measure |
|
|
|
|
Asset impairment charges |
|
157 |
|
|
Business optimization costs |
|
143 |
|
|
Non-GAAP measure |
|
|
|
|
FedEx Ground Segment
|
|
Operating |
||
Dollars in millions |
|
Income |
|
Margin |
GAAP measure |
|
|
|
|
Business optimization costs |
|
108 |
|
|
Non-GAAP measure |
|
|
|
|
Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2023
FedEx Corporation
|
|
Operating |
|
Income |
|
Net |
|
Diluted
|
||
Dollars in millions, except EPS |
|
Income |
|
Margin |
|
Taxes1,2 |
|
Income3 |
|
Per Share1 |
GAAP measure |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MTM retirement plans accounting adjustment4 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
(157) |
|
(493) |
|
(1.94) |
Goodwill and other asset impairment charges8 |
|
117 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
98 |
|
0.38 |
Business optimization costs7 |
|
93 |
|
|
|
22 |
|
71 |
|
0.28 |
FedEx Ground legal matter7 |
|
35 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
26 |
|
0.10 |
Business realignment costs6 |
|
19 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
14 |
|
0.06 |
Non-GAAP measure |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FedEx Express Segment
|
|
Operating |
||
Dollars in millions |
|
Income |
|
Margin |
GAAP measure |
|
|
|
|
Asset impairment charges |
|
70 |
|
|
Business realignment costs |
|
19 |
|
|
Non-GAAP measure |
|
|
|
|
Full-Year Fiscal 2023
FedEx Corporation
|
|
Operating |
|
Income |
|
Net |
|
Diluted
|
||
Dollars in millions, except EPS |
|
Income |
|
Margin1 |
|
Taxes2 |
|
Income3 |
|
Per Share |
GAAP measure |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MTM retirement plans accounting adjustment4 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
(157) |
|
(493) |
|
(1.92) |
Business optimization costs9 |
|
273 |
|
|
|
64 |
|
209 |
|
0.81 |
Goodwill and other asset impairment charges8 |
|
117 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
98 |
|
0.38 |
Business realignment costs6 |
|
36 |
|
— |
|
9 |
|
27 |
|
0.11 |
FedEx Ground legal matter7 |
|
35 |
|
— |
|
9 |
|
26 |
|
0.10 |
Non-GAAP measure |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Full-Year Fiscal 2023
FedEx Express Segment
|
|
Operating |
||
Dollars in millions |
|
Income |
|
Margin |
GAAP measure |
|
|
|
|
Asset impairment charges |
|
70 |
|
|
Business realignment costs |
|
36 |
|
|
Business optimization costs |
|
11 |
|
— |
Non-GAAP measure |
|
|
|
|
Fiscal 2025 Earnings Per Share Forecast
Dollars in millions, except EPS |
|
Adjustments |
|
Diluted
|
Earnings per diluted share before MTM retirement plans accounting adjustments (non-GAAP)10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Business optimization costs |
|
|
|
|
Income tax effect2 |
|
(130) |
|
|
Net of tax effect |
|
|
|
1.75 |
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per diluted share with adjustments (non-GAAP)10 |
|
|
|
|
Notes: |
|
1 – |
Does not sum to total due to rounding. |
2 – |
Income taxes are based on the company’s approximate statutory tax rates applicable to each transaction. |
3 – |
Effect of “total other (expense) income” on net income amount not shown. |
4 – |
The MTM retirement plans accounting adjustment reflects the year-end adjustment to the valuation of the company’s defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. |
5 – |
These expenses were recognized at FedEx Corporate, FedEx Express, and FedEx Ground. |
6 – |
These expenses were recognized at FedEx Express. |
7 – |
These amounts were recognized at FedEx Corporate. |
8 – |
Asset impairment charges were recognized at FedEx Express and FedEx Dataworks. |
The charges recognized at FedEx Dataworks are related to the ShopRunner acquisition. Goodwill impairment charges recognized at FedEx Dataworks are not deductible for income tax purposes. |
|
9 – |
These expenses were recognized at FedEx Corporate and FedEx Express. |
10 – |
The MTM retirement plans accounting adjustments, which are impracticable to calculate at this time, are excluded. |
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240625515548/en/
Media Contact: Caitlin Adams Maier 901-434-8100
Investor Contact: Jeni Hollander 901-818-7200
Source: FedEx Corp.
FAQ
What was FedEx's full-year diluted EPS for fiscal 2024?
How much did FedEx return to stockholders in fiscal 2024?
What are the projected cost savings from FedEx's DRIVE program for fiscal 2025?
What is the fiscal 2025 earnings per share forecast for FedEx?
How did FedEx's operating income perform in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024?
Did FedEx reduce its capital spending in fiscal 2024?
What was the impact of retiring aircraft on FedEx's financials?