UPS 2Q EARNINGS SOAR 71% ON 13% REVENUE GROWTH

Full-Year Guidance Raised; 2010 EPS Expected to Climb 45-50%

UPS (NYSE:UPS) today announced diluted earnings per share of $0.84 for the second quarter of 2010, a 71% jump over the adjusted earnings of the prior-year period. Global revenue increased 13%, generating a 57% increase in operating profit to $1.4 billion.

On a reported basis, diluted earnings per share increased 91% over the $0.44 in the second quarter of 2009.

„UPS fired on all cylinders in the second quarter even in the face of a mixed global economic environment,” said Scott Davis, UPS’s chairman and CEO. “Thanks to superb execution, our U.S. domestic reorganisation is producing better than expected results. Substantial growth in our international segment continues to outpace the market. It’s clear the strategic direction we’ve set for the company is proving successful.”

Based on expectations of continued momentum in every segment, UPS has increased its guidance for 2010 adjusted earnings to a range of $3.35 to $3.45 per diluted share, a 45%-to-50% increase over last year.

Adjusted

For the three months ended June 30, 2010, operating margin expanded 320 basis points to 11.5% and consolidated volume totaled 948 million packages, a 4% increase. Revenue per piece improved 7%, reflecting higher base rates, fuel surcharge increases and heavier average shipment weight.

In the prior-year quarter, UPS took a $48 million after-tax charge for the remeasurement of certain foreign currency obligations that did not qualify for hedge accounting treatment. That adjustment reduced second quarter 2009 diluted earnings per share by $0.05.

As the quarter ended, President Obama named UPS Chairman and CEO Scott Davis to the President’s Export Council. As an industry leader, Davis will advise the administration on policies and programmes to improve U.S. exports.

Cash Position

For the six months ending June 30, UPS generated more than $2.5 billion in free cash flow. The company also:
• Paid dividends totaling $910 million.
• Invested $690 million in capital expenditures.
• Repurchased approximately 7 million shares at a cost of $425 million.
• Ended the period with more than $4 billion in cash and marketable securities.

Operating profit climbed 57% to $748 million. Revenue increased 7% with margin expansion of 330 basis points. This operating leverage was driven by improved yields and additional efficiencies throughout the UPS integrated network.

Average daily package volume rose more than 1% during the quarter, driven by a 2% growth in ground volume. Revenue per piece improved 6%, primarily through higher fuel surcharges and increases in base pricing. Yields on air products climbed more than 11%.

The operating profit for the segment increased 78% to $521 million on a 23% jump in revenue. Operating margin improved 580 basis points to 18.8%. Export volume increased 15%, outpacing the market due to strong growth in all regions with Asia leading the way, up more than 40%.

Non-U.S. domestic volume increased 24%, driven by an acquisition in Turkey in the third quarter of last year as well as 13% organic growth, powered by strength in core European countries and Canada.

During the quarter, UPS announced new alliances with its local service partners in Malaysia and Vietnam. These agreements will provide greater access to UPS’s broad portfolio of services and superior global network for customers in these important emerging markets.

Each business unit in the segment improved profitability. Forwarding led the way with tonnage growth exceeding 30%. However, margin expansion was limited due to capacity constraints in the global air freight market.

UPS Freight revenue grew 10% over last year, driven by improved yield and higher weight per shipment. As expected, UPS Freight returned to profitability in the second quarter.

During the quarter, UPS hosted its fifth annual Healthcare Forum in Washington, D.C. Healthcare logistics experts gathered to discuss UPS solutions that create more efficient supply chains. In addition, trends were discussed on healthcare reform, regulatory issues and opportunities in emerging markets.

Outlook

“UPS’s performance in the second quarter was driven by our ability to respond to customers’ needs through our broad product portfolio and integrated global network,” said Kurt Kuehn, UPS’s chief financial officer. “We experienced strong revenue growth across the board, with substantial margin expansion in our U.S. and International segments.

“Despite the anticipated slow pace of the U.S. recovery and a cautious outlook for Europe, we are confident in our ability to grow the business and improve profits,” Kuehn added. “Therefore we are raising our full year 2010 guidance with expected adjusted earnings growth of 45%-to-50% per share.”

Quelle: www.ups.com