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Mar 22, 2024, 6:57:42 AM
FedEx Announces Strong Third Quarter Earnings and Initiates $5 Billion Share Repurchase Program
MEMPHIS, Tenn., March 21, 2024 – FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) today released its consolidated financial results for the third quarter ended February 29, showcasing notable improvements in profitability and operational efficiency. Despite facing a challenging demand environment, the company reported a significant increase in diluted earnings per share (EPS) and announced ambitious plans for shareholder returns, including a new $5 billion share repurchase program. Following the announcement, FedEx shares surged by 15% in after-market trading.
Key Financial Highlights
For the third quarter of fiscal 2024, FedEx reported:
- Revenue of $21.7 billion, a slight decrease from $22.2 billion in the same quarter last year.
- Operating income rose by 19% year over year to $1.24 billion, and adjusted operating income saw a 16% increase, reaching $1.36 billion.
- Net income improved to $879 million, up from $771 million in fiscal 2023, with adjusted net income at $966 million.
- Diluted EPS was $3.51, with adjusted diluted EPS reaching $3.86, reflecting the company’s operational efficiencies and successful execution of its DRIVE program.
DRIVE Program Fuels Growth
The DRIVE initiative, aimed at enhancing FedEx's operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness, has been a critical factor behind the company's improved financial performance. This program has led to structural cost reductions across FedEx Express and FedEx Ground, contributing to the overall profitability of the company.
Shareholder Returns and Financial Strategy
Amidst the positive earnings report, FedEx also announced several significant measures to enhance shareholder value:
- The completion of a $1 billion accelerated share repurchase (ASR) transaction, with approximately 4.1 million shares delivered under the agreement.
- An additional $500 million share repurchase planned for the fiscal fourth quarter, bringing the fiscal 2024 buyback total to $2.5 billion.
- Authorization of a new $5 billion share repurchase program, supplementing the existing authorization with $0.6 billion remaining.
These moves underscore FedEx's commitment to returning value to shareholders and confidence in the company's long-term growth trajectory.
Outlook for Fiscal 2024
Looking ahead, FedEx provided an updated forecast for fiscal 2024, anticipating:
- A low-single-digit percentage decline in year-over-year revenue.
- Earnings per diluted share of $15.65 to $16.65 before mark-to-market (MTM) retirement plan accounting adjustments, with adjusted EPS forecasted at $17.25 to $18.25.
- Permanent cost reductions of $1.8 billion from the DRIVE program.
- An effective tax rate (ETR) of approximately 25% before MTM adjustments.
- Reduced capital spending projections to $5.4 billion, focusing on investments to improve efficiency and modernize operations.
FedEx's positive earnings and optimistic outlook, coupled with the significant increase in shareholder return initiatives, reflect the company's robust financial health and strategic positioning for continued success. The announcement led to a sharp 15% increase in FedEx's stock price in after-market trading, signaling strong investor confidence in the company's future.