UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED February 28, 2019

OR

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM                      TO                     

Commission File Number: 1-15829

 

FEDEX CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

(901) 818-7500

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes    ☒  No    ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes    ☒  No    ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes   ☐  No    ☒

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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FEDEX CORPORATION

INDEX

 

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FEDEX CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(IN MILLIONS)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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FEDEX CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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FEDEX CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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FEDEX CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

(IN MILLIONS)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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FEDEX CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

(IN MILLIONS)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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FEDEX CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN COMMON STOCKHOLDERS' INVESTMENT

(UNAUDITED)

(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

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FEDEX CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(1) General

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES. These interim financial statements of FedEx Corporation (“FedEx”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) instructions for interim financial information, and should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended May 31, 2018 (“Annual Report”). Significant accounting policies and other disclosures normally provided have been omitted since such items are disclosed in our Annual Report.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (including normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly our financial position as of February 28, 2019, and the results of our operations for the three- and nine-month periods ended February 28, 2019 and 2018, cash flows for the nine-month periods ended February 28, 2019 and 2018, and changes in common stockholders’ investment for the three- and nine-month periods ended February 28, 2019 and 2018. Operating results for the three- and nine-month periods ended February 28, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending May 31, 2019.

Except as otherwise specified, references to years indicate our fiscal year ending May 31, 2019 or ended May 31 of the year referenced and comparisons are to the corresponding period of the prior year.

RECLASSIFICATIONS. Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior years’ condensed consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year presentation.

REVENUE RECOGNITION. 

Satisfaction of Performance Obligation

We recognize revenue upon delivery of shipments for our transportation businesses and upon completion of services for our business services, logistics and trade services businesses. Transportation services are provided with the use of employees and independent businesses that contract with FedEx. FedEx is the principal to the transaction for most of these services and revenue is recognized on a gross basis based on the transfer of control to the customer. Costs associated with independent businesses providing transportation services are recognized as incurred and included in the caption “Purchased transportation” in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income.

For shipments in transit, revenue is recorded based on the percentage of service completed at the balance sheet date which results in our recognizing revenue over time as we perform the services in the contract because of the continuous transfer of control to the customer. Our customers receive the benefit of our services as the goods are transported from one location to another. If we were unable to complete delivery to the final location, another entity would not need to reperform the transportation service already performed. As control transfers over time, revenue is recognized based on the extent of progress towards completion of the performance obligation.

The vast majority of our contracts include only one performance obligation, which is short in duration and spans only a few days. However, if a contract is separated into more than one performance obligation, we allocate the total transaction price to each performance obligation in an amount based on the estimated relative stand-alone selling prices of the promised goods or services underlying each performance obligation. We frequently sell standard transportation services with observable stand-alone sales prices. In these instances, the observable stand-alone sales are used to determine the stand-alone selling price.

We sell customized customer-specific solutions, such as logistics, through which we provide the service of integrating a complex set of tasks and components into a single capability (even if that single capability results in the delivery of multiple units). Therefore, the entire contract is accounted for as one performance obligation. In these cases, we typically use the expected cost plus a margin approach to estimate the stand-alone selling price of each performance obligation.

Variable Consideration

It is common for our contracts to contain customer incentives, guaranteed service refunds or other provisions that can either increase or decrease the transaction price. These variable amounts are generally awarded based upon certain incentive achievements or performance metrics. We estimate variable consideration as the most likely amount to which we expect to be entitled. Estimates for adjustments to revenue and accounts receivable are recognized at the time of shipment for certain customer initiatives, money-back service guarantees and billing corrections based on our assessment of historical, current and forecasted information available. Delivery costs are accrued as incurred.

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FEDEX CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Contract Modification

Contracts are often modified to account for changes in the rates we charge our customers or to add additional distinct services. We consider contract modifications to exist when the modification either creates new enforceable rights and obligations or alters the existing arrangement. Contract modifications that add distinct goods or services are treated as separate contracts. Contract modifications that do not add distinct goods or services typically change the price of existing services. These contract modifications are accounted for prospectively as the remaining performance obligations are executed.

Contract Assets and Liabilities

Contract assets include billed and unbilled amounts resulting from in-transit packages, as we have an unconditional right to payment only once all performance obligations have been completed (e.g., packages have been delivered). Contract assets are generally classified as current and the full balance is converted each quarter based on the short-term nature of the transactions. Our contract liabilities consist of advance payments and billings in excess of revenue. The full balance of deferred revenue is converted each quarter based on the short-term nature of the transactions.

Gross contract assets related to in-transit packages totaled $526 million and $542 million at February 28, 2019 and May 31, 2018, respectively. Contract assets net of deferred unearned revenue were $353 million and $363 million at February 28, 2019 and May 31, 2018, respectively. Contract assets are included within current assets in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. Contract liabilities related to advance payments from customers were $9 million and $13 million at February 28, 2019 and May 31, 2018, respectively. Contract liabilities are included within current liabilities in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Our contract logistics, global trade services and certain transportation businesses engage in some transactions wherein they act as agents. Revenue from these transactions is recorded on a net basis. Net revenue includes billings to customers less third-party charges, including transportation or handling costs, fees, commissions and taxes and duties.

Certain of our revenue-producing transactions are subject to taxes, such as sales tax, assessed by governmental authorities. We present these revenues net of tax. Under the typical payment terms of our customer contracts, the customer pays at periodic intervals (e.g., every 15 days, 30 days, 45 days, etc.) for shipments included on invoices received. It is not customary business practice to extend payment terms past 90 days, and as such, we do not have a practice of including a significant financing component within our revenue contracts with customers.

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FEDEX CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following table provides revenue by service type (dollars in millions) for the periods ended February 28. This presentation is consistent with how we organize our segments internally for making operating decisions and measuring performance.

 

 

EMPLOYEES UNDER COLLECTIVE BARGAINING ARRANGEMENTS. The pilots of Federal Express Corporation (“FedEx Express”), who are a small number of its total employees, are employed under a collective bargaining agreement that took effect on November 2, 2015. The collective bargaining agreement is scheduled to become amendable in November 2021. Other than the pilots at FedEx Express and drivers at one FedEx Freight, Inc. facility, our U.S. employees have thus far chosen not to unionize (we acquired FedEx Supply Chain Distribution System, Inc. (“FedEx Supply Chain” (formerly GENCO Distribution System, Inc.)) in 2015, which already had a small number of employees who are members of unions). Additionally, certain of FedEx Express’s non-U.S. employees are unionized, and a union has been certified to represent owner-drivers at a FedEx Freight, Inc. facility in Canada.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION. We have two types of equity-based compensation: stock options and restricted stock. The key terms of the stock option and restricted stock awards granted under our incentive stock plans and all financial disclosures about these programs are set forth in our Annual Report.

Our stock-based compensation expense was $33 million for the three-month period ended February 28, 2019 and $141 million for the nine-month period ended February 28, 2019. Our stock-based compensation expense was $32 million for the three-month period ended February 28, 2018 and $135 million for the nine-month period ended February 28, 2018. Due to its immateriality, additional disclosures related to stock-based compensation have been excluded from this quarterly report.

BUSINESS REALIGNMENT COSTS. In December 2018, we announced cost-reduction programs primarily through initiatives at FedEx Express and FedEx Corporate Services, Inc. (“FedEx Services”), including a U.S.-based voluntary employee buyout program.

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FEDEX CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

During the third quarter of 2019, we began offering voluntary cash buyouts to eligible U.S.-based employees in certain staff functions. The U.S.-based voluntary employee buyout program includes voluntary severance payments and funding to healthcare reimbursement accounts, with the voluntary severance payment calculated based on four weeks of gross base salary for every year of continuous FedEx service up to a maximum payment of two years of pay. Eligible employees will be scheduled to vacate positions in phases to ensure a smooth transition in the impacted functions so that we maintain service levels to our customers. Costs of the benefits provided under the program will be recognized as special termination benefits in the period employees accept their offers.

We incurred costs of approximately $4 million ($3 million, net of tax, or $0.01 per diluted share) during the third quarter of 2019 associated with our business realignment activities. These costs related to certain employee severance arrangements and other external costs directly attributable to our business realignment activities, such as professional fees. Total costs of the U.S.-based voluntary employee buyout program will depend on acceptance rates and severance payments will be made at the time of departure. The cost of our business realignment activities is included in the caption “Business realignment costs” in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income.

RECENT ACCOUNTING GUIDANCE. New accounting rules and disclosure requirements can significantly impact our reported results and the comparability of our financial statements. We believe the following new accounting guidance is relevant to the readers of our financial statements.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In December 2017, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) 118 to provide guidance to registrants in accounting for income taxes under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”). SAB 118 was issued to address the application of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in situations when a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed in reasonable detail to finalize the calculations for certain income tax effects of the TCJA. In accordance with SAB 118, we made reasonable estimates and recorded provisional amounts for the TCJA during 2018. Under the transitional provisions of SAB 118, we had a one-year measurement period to complete the accounting for the initial tax effects of the TCJA. As of December 22, 2018, our accounting is complete for the tax effects of the TCJA, including the following elements initially recorded on a provisional basis:

In 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) and International Accounting Standards Board issued a new accounting standard that supersedes virtually all existing revenue recognition guidance under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The fundamental principles of the new guidance are that companies should recognize revenue in a manner that reflects the timing of the transfer of services to customers and the amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration that a company expects to receive for the goods and services provided. The new guidance establishes a five-step approach for the recognition of revenue. We adopted this standard as of June 1, 2018 (fiscal 2019) using the modified retrospective method of adoption as permitted by the standard. The new guidance did not have an impact on our revenue recognition policies, practices or systems; therefore, there was no cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of June 1, 2018.

In March 2017, the FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update (ASU 2017-07) that changes how employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement benefit plans present the net periodic benefit cost in the income statement. This new guidance requires entities to report the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs. The other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component outside of income from operations. This standard impacts our operating income but has no impact on our net income or earnings per share. We adopted this standard effective June 1, 2018 (fiscal 2019) and applied these changes retrospectively. As such, prior year financial results are recast to conform to these new rules upon adoption.

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FEDEX CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

The following table presents our results under our historical method of accounting and as adjusted to reflect our adoption of ASU 2017-07 (in millions):

In August 2018, the SEC published Release No. 33-10532, Disclosure Update and Simplification (“DUSTR”), which adopted amendments to certain disclosure requirements that have become redundant, duplicative, overlapping, outdated or superseded, in light of other SEC disclosure requirements, GAAP, or changes in the information environment. While most of the DUSTR amendments eliminate outdated or duplicative disclosure requirements, the final rule amends the interim financial statement requirements to include a reconciliation of changes in common stockholders’ investment in the notes or as a separate statement for each period for which a statement of comprehensive income is required to be filed. The new interim reconciliation of changes in common stockholders’ investment is included herein as a separate statement.

New Accounting Standards and Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In 2016, the FASB issued a new lease accounting standard which requires lessees to put most leases on their balance sheets but recognize the expenses in their income statements in a manner similar to current practice. The new standard states that a lessee will recognize a lease liability for the obligation to make lease payments and a right-of-use asset for the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. Expenses related to leases determined to be operating leases will be recognized on a straight-line basis, while those determined to be financing leases will be recognized following a front-loaded expense profile in which interest and amortization are presented separately in the income statement. Based on our lease portfolio, we currently anticipate recognizing a lease liability and related right-of-use asset on our balance sheet of approximately $13 billion, with an immaterial impact on our income statement compared to the current lease accounting model. However, the ultimate impact of the standard will depend on our lease portfolio as of the adoption date. We are currently accumulating all of the necessary information required to properly account for the leases under the new standard. Additionally, we are implementing an enterprise-wide lease management system to assist in the accounting and are evaluating additional changes to our processes and internal controls to ensure we meet the standard’s reporting and disclosure requirements. These changes will be effective June 1, 2019 (fiscal 2020).

In February 2018, the FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update (ASU 2018-02) that will permit companies to reclassify the income tax effect of the TCJA on items within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) to retained earnings. These changes will be effective June 1, 2019 (fiscal 2020). We are continuing to assess the impact of this new standard on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In August 2018, the FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update (ASU 2018-14) that modifies the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement benefit plans. The guidance removes disclosures that are no longer considered cost beneficial, clarifies the specific requirements of disclosures and adds disclosure requirements identified as relevant. We expect this new guidance will have minimal impact on our financial reporting. These changes will be effective June 1, 2020 (fiscal 2021) and will be applied retrospectively. We plan to early adopt these new rules in the fourth quarter of 2019.

In August 2018, the FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update (ASU 2018-15) that reduces the complexity for accounting for costs of implementing a cloud computing service arrangement and aligns the accounting for capitalizing implementation costs of hosting arrangements, regardless of whether they convey a license to the hosted software. These changes will be effective June 1, 2020 (fiscal 2021). We are assessing the impact of this new standard on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

TREASURY SHARES. In January 2016, our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program of up to 25 million shares. Shares under the current repurchase program may be repurchased from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing and volume of repurchases are at the discretion of management, based on the capital needs of the business, the market price of FedEx common stock and general market conditions. No time limit was set for the completion of the program, and the program may be suspended or discontinued at any time.

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FEDEX CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

During the third quarter of 2019, we repurchased 0.6 million shares of FedEx common stock at an average price of $168.43 per share for a total of $93 million. During the nine months of 2019, we repurchased 6.0 million shares of FedEx common stock at an average price of $227.42 per share for a total of $1.4 billion. As of February 28, 2019, 5.7 million shares remained under the current share repurchase authorization.

DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE. On February 15, 2019, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.65 per share of common stock. The dividend will be paid on April 1, 2019 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 11, 2019. Each quarterly dividend payment is subject to review and approval by our Board of Directors, and we evaluate our dividend payment amount on an annual basis.

(2) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following table provides changes in AOCI, net of tax, reported in our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the periods ended February 28 (in millions; amounts in parentheses indicate debits to AOCI):

 

 

The following table presents details of the reclassifications from AOCI for the periods ended February 28 (in millions; amounts in parentheses indicate debits to earnings):

 

 

(3) Financing Arrangements

We have a shelf registration statement filed with the SEC that allows us to sell, in one or more future offerings, any combination of our unsecured debt securities and common stock.

During the third quarter of 2019, we issued $1.2 billion of senior unsecured debt under our current shelf registration statement, comprised of €640 million of 0.7% fixed-rate notes due in May 2022 and $500 million of 3.4% fixed-rate notes due in January 2022. We will use the net proceeds to pay the €500 million aggregate principal amount of floating rate notes due at maturity on April 11, 2019, and for general corporate purposes.

During the second quarter of 2019, we issued $1.25 billion of senior unsecured debt under our current shelf registration statement, comprised of $400 million of 4.20% fixed-rate notes due in October 2028 and $850 million of 4.95% fixed-rate notes due in October 2048. Interest on these notes is paid semi-annually. We used the net proceeds to redeem the $750 million aggregate principal amount of 8.00% notes due January 15, 2019, and for general corporate purposes.

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FEDEX CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

We have a five-year $2.0 billion revolving credit facility that expires in November 2020. The facility, which includes a $500 million letter of credit sublimit, is available to finance our operations and other cash flow needs. The agreement contains a financial covenant, which requires us to maintain a ratio of debt to consolidated earnings (excluding non-cash retirement plans mark-to-market adjustments and non-cash asset impairment charges) before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“adjusted EBITDA”) of not more than 3.5 to 1.0, calculated as of the end of the applicable quarter on a rolling four-quarters basis. The ratio of our debt to adjusted EBITDA was 2.2 to 1.0 at February 28, 2019. We believe this covenant is the only significant restrictive covenant in our revolving credit agreement. Our revolving credit agreement contains other customary covenants that do not, individually or in the aggregate, materially restrict the conduct of our business. We are in compliance with this financial covenant and all other covenants of our revolving credit agreement and do not expect the covenants to affect our operations, including our liquidity or expected funding needs.

During the third quarter of 2019, we issued commercial paper to provide us with additional short-term liquidity. The maximum amount outstanding during the quarter was $750 million. Our commercial paper program is backed by unused commitments under the revolving credit facility, and borrowings under the program reduce the amount available under the credit facility. As of February 28, 2019, $225 million of commercial paper and $53 million in letters of credit were outstanding, leaving $1.722 billion available under the revolving credit facility for future borrowings.

Long-term debt, including current maturities and exclusive of capital leases, had carrying values of $18.1 billion at February 28, 2019 and $16.5 billion at May 31, 2018, compared with estimated fair values of $17.8 billion at February 28, 2019 and $16.6 billion at May 31, 2018. The annualized weighted-average interest rate on long-term debt was 3.4% at February 28, 2019. The estimated fair values were determined based on quoted market prices and the current rates offered for debt with similar terms and maturities. The fair value of our long-term debt is classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. This classification is defined as a fair value determined using market-based inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the liability, either directly or indirectly.

(4) Computation of Earnings Per Share

The calculation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for the periods ended February 28 was as follows (in millions, except per share amounts):

 

 

⁽¹⁾Net earnings available to participating securities were immaterial in all periods presented.

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FEDEX CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(5) Income Taxes

Our effective tax rate was 20.6% for the third quarter and 21.8% for the nine months of 2019, compared with (137.3)% for the third quarter and (15.0)% for the nine months of 2018. The 2019 tax rates include a benefit of $90 million from the reduction of a valuation allowance on certain tax loss carryforwards and an expense of $50 million from the impact on our deferred taxes attributable to a recently enacted lower tax rate in the Netherlands. The 2019 tax rates were also favorably impacted by the TCJA, which resulted in benefits of approximately $60 million during the third quarter and $230 million for the nine months of 2019, primarily from the lower statutory tax rate on fiscal 2019 earnings. The tax rate for the nine months of 2019 also benefited by approximately $60 million from accelerated deductions claimed on our 2018 U.S. income tax return. The 2018 tax rates were favorably impacted by a provisional benefit of $1.15 billion from the remeasurement of our net U.S. deferred tax liability and a provisional benefit of $36 million from foreign tax credits exceeding the one-time transition tax on previously deferred foreign earnings. In addition to these provisional amounts, we recognized a $204 million benefit from a $1.5 billion contribution to our tax-qualified U.S. domestic pension plans (“U.S. Pension Plans”) in February 2018 and $165 million related to the phase-in of a reduced statutory tax rate on 2018 year-to-date earnings, of which approximately $120 million was recorded in the third quarter and attributable to the first half of 2018 earnings.

On January 15, 2019, the U.S. Treasury Department issued final regulations covering the one-time transition tax on unrepatriated foreign earnings, which was enacted as part of the TCJA. Certain guidance included in these final regulations is inconsistent with our interpretation that led to the recognition of a $225 million ($0.94 per diluted share) benefit in 2018 (the “2018 Benefit”). Notwithstanding this inconsistency, we remain confident in our interpretation of the TCJA and intend to defend this position through litigation, if necessary. However, if we are ultimately unsuccessful in defending our position, we may be required to reverse the 2018 Benefit.

During the third quarter of 2019, we completed our accounting for the tax effects of the TCJA. No additional adjustments were made during the quarter. As a result, the only adjustment to the amounts initially recorded on a provisional basis in 2018 was a tax expense of $4 million recognized in the second quarter of 2019 as a revision of the provisional benefit associated with the remeasurement of our net U.S. deferred tax liability.  

The TCJA, enacted during the third quarter of fiscal 2018, significantly changed the U.S. corporate income tax system including, among other things, lowering the statutory federal income tax rate from 35% to 21%. Due to our May 31 fiscal year-end, the lower rate was phased in, resulting in a U.S. statutory federal rate of 29.2% for 2018 and a statutory federal rate of 21% for subsequent years.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the 2018 effective tax rates to the 2019 effective tax rates, including the impacts of the TCJA, for the periods ended February 28:

 

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FEDEX CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(6) Retirement Plans

We sponsor programs that provide retirement benefits to most of our employees. These programs include defined benefit pension plans, defined contribution plans and postretirement healthcare plans. Key terms of our retirement plans are provided in our Annual Report.

Our retirement plans costs for the periods ended February 28 were as follows (in millions):

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost of the pension and postretirement healthcare plans for the periods ended February 28 included the following components (in millions):

Contributions to our U.S. Pension Plans for the nine-month periods ended February 28 were as follows (in millions):

 

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FEDEX CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(7) Business Segment Information

We provide a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services through companies competing collectively, operating independently and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Our primary operating companies are FedEx Express, including TNT Express, the world’s largest express transportation company; FedEx Ground Package System, Inc. (“FedEx Ground”), a leading North American provider of small-package ground delivery services; and FedEx Freight Corporation (“FedEx Freight”), a leading U.S. provider of less-than-truckload (“LTL”) freight transportation services. These companies represent our major service lines and, along with FedEx Services, constitute our reportable segments.

Our reportable segments include the following businesses:

 

References to our transportation segments include, collectively, the FedEx Express segment, the FedEx Ground segment and the FedEx Freight segment.

FedEx Services Segment

The FedEx Services segment operates combined sales, marketing, administrative and information-technology functions in shared services operations that support our transportation businesses and allow us to obtain synergies from the combination of these functions. For the international regions of FedEx Express, some of these functions are performed on a regional basis and reported by FedEx Express in their natural expense line items. The FedEx Services segment includes: FedEx Services, which provides sales, marketing, information technology, communications, customer service, technical support, billing and collection services for U.S. customers of our major business units and certain back-office support to our other companies; and FedEx Office and Print Services, Inc. (“FedEx Office”), which provides an array of document and business services and retail access to our customers for our package transportation businesses.

The FedEx Services segment provides direct and indirect support to our transportation businesses, and we allocate all of the net operating costs of the FedEx Services segment (including the net operating results of FedEx Office) to reflect the full cost of operating our transportation businesses in the results of those segments. Within the FedEx Services segment allocation, the net operating results of FedEx Office, which are an immaterial component of our allocations, are allocated to FedEx Express and FedEx Ground. We review and evaluate the performance of our transportation segments based on operating income (inclusive of FedEx Services segment allocations). For the FedEx Services segment, performance is evaluated based on the impact of its total allocated net operating costs on our transportation segments.

Operating expenses for each of our transportation segments include the allocations from the FedEx Services segment to the respective transportation segments. These allocations also include charges and credits for administrative services provided between operating companies. The allocations of net operating costs are based on metrics such as relative revenues or estimated services provided. We believe these allocations approximate the net cost of providing these functions. Our allocation methodologies are refined periodically, as necessary, to reflect changes in our businesses.

Corporate, Other and Eliminations

Corporate and other includes corporate headquarters costs for executive officers and certain legal and finance functions, as well as certain other costs and credits not attributed to our core business. These costs are not allocated to the other business segments.

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FEDEX CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Also included in corporate and other is the FedEx Logistics operating segment, which provides customs brokerage and global ocean and air freight forwarding through FedEx Trade Networks Transport & Brokerage, Inc.; cross-border enablement and technology solutions and e-commerce transportation solutions through FedEx Cross Border Technologies, Inc.; integrated supply chain management solutions through FedEx Supply Chain; time-critical shipment services through FedEx Custom Critical, Inc.; and, effective September 1, 2018, critical inventory and service parts logistics, 3-D printing and technology repair through FedEx Forward Depots, Inc.

Certain FedEx operating companies provide transportation and related services for other FedEx companies outside their reportable segment. Billings for such services are based on negotiated rates, which we believe approximate fair value, and are reflected as revenues of the billing segment. These rates are adjusted from time to time based on market conditions. Such intersegment revenues and expenses are eliminated in our consolidated results and are not separately identified in the following segment information because the amounts are not material.

The following table provides a reconciliation of reportable segment revenues and operating income (loss) to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statement totals for the periods ended February 28 (in millions):

 

 

(8) Commitments

As of February 28, 2019, our purchase commitments under various contracts for the remainder of 2019 and annually thereafter were as follows (in millions):

 

 

The amounts reflected in the table above for purchase commitments represent noncancelable agreements to purchase goods or services. As of February 28, 2019, our obligation to purchase six Boeing 777 Freighter (“B777F”) aircraft and five Boeing 767-300 Freighter (“B767F”) aircraft is conditioned upon there being no event that causes FedEx Express or its employees not to be covered by the Railway Labor Act of 1926, as amended. Open purchase orders that are cancelable are not considered unconditional purchase obligations for financial reporting purposes and are not included in the table above.

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FEDEX CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

As of February 28, 2019, we had $965 million in deposits and progress payments on aircraft purchases and other planned aircraft-related transactions. These deposits are classified in the “Other assets” caption of our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. Aircraft and related contracts are subject to price escalations. The following table is a summary of the key aircraft we are committed to purchase as of February 28, 2019 with the year of expected delivery:

 

 

A summary of future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases with an initial or remaining term in excess of one year at February 28, 2019 is as follows (in millions):

 

Future minimum lease payments under capital leases were immaterial at February 28, 2019. While certain of our lease agreements contain covenants governing the use of the leased assets or require us to maintain certain levels of insurance, none of our lease agreements include material financial covenants or limitations.

(9) Contingencies

Independent Contractor — Lawsuits and Administrative Proceedings. FedEx Ground is involved in lawsuits and administrative proceedings claiming that owner-operators engaged under operating agreements no longer in place should have been treated as employees of FedEx Ground, rather than independent contractors. In addition, we are defending joint-employer cases where it is alleged that FedEx Ground should be treated as an employer of the drivers employed by owner-operators engaged by FedEx Ground. These cases are in varying stages of litigation, and we are not currently able to estimate an amount or range of potential loss in all of these matters. However, we do not expect to incur, individually or in the aggregate, a material loss in these matters. Nevertheless, adverse determinations in matters related to owner-operators engaged by FedEx Ground could, among other things, entitle certain owner-operators to the reimbursement of certain expenses, and their drivers to certain wage payments from the owner-operators and FedEx Ground, and result in employment and withholding tax and benefit liability for FedEx Ground. We continue to believe that owner-operators engaged by FedEx Ground are properly classified as independent contractors and that FedEx Ground is not an employer or joint employer of the drivers of these independent contractors.

City and State of New York Cigarette Suit. The City of New York and the State of New York filed two related lawsuits against FedEx Ground in December 2013 and November 2014 arising from FedEx Ground’s alleged shipments of cigarettes to New York residents in contravention of several statutes, including the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”) and New York’s Public Health Law, as well as common law nuisance claims. The first-filed lawsuit alleged that FedEx Ground provided delivery services on behalf of four shippers, and the second-filed lawsuit alleged that FedEx Ground provided delivery services on behalf of six additional shippers; none of these shippers continue to ship in our network. On July 10, 2017, the City of New York and the State of New York filed a third lawsuit against FedEx Ground and included FedEx Freight as a co-defendant. This additional case identified no shippers or shipments, but generally alleged violations of the same laws that were the subject of the other two lawsuits.

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FEDEX CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

On October 10, 2018, FedEx Ground and the City and State of New York reached an agreement in principle to settle the lawsuits arising from FedEx Ground’s and FedEx Freight’s alleged shipments of cigarettes to New York residents for $35.4 million. The settlement does not include any admission of liability by FedEx Ground or FedEx Freight. In addition to the settlement amount, we recognized approximately $10 million for certain attorney’s fees in connection with this matter. In December 2018, the parties entered into a final settlement agreement and, subsequently, the settlement amount was paid and the lawsuits were dismissed by the court.

Other Matters. FedEx and its subsidiaries are subject to other legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business, including certain lawsuits containing various class-action allegations of wage-and-hour violations in which plaintiffs claim, among other things, that they were forced to work “off the clock,” were not paid overtime or were not provided work breaks or other benefits. In the opinion of management, the aggregate liability, if any, with respect to these other actions will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

(10) Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Cash paid for interest expense and income taxes for the nine-month periods ended February 28 was as follows (in millions):

 

 

(11) Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements

We are required to present condensed consolidating financial information in order for the subsidiary guarantors of our public debt to continue to be exempt from reporting under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

The guarantor subsidiaries, which are 100% owned by FedEx, guarantee $18.1 billion of our public debt. The guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several. Our guarantor subsidiaries were not determined using geographic, service line or other similar criteria, and as a result, the “Guarantor Subsidiaries” and “Non-guarantor Subsidiaries” columns each include portions of our domestic and international operations. Accordingly, this basis of presentation is not intended to present our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows for any purpose other than to comply with the specific requirements for subsidiary guarantor reporting.

 

 

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Condensed consolidating financial statements for our guarantor subsidiaries and non-guarantor subsidiaries are presented in the following tables (in millions):

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED)

February 28, 2019

 

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS

May 31, 2018

 

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

Three Months Ended February 28, 2019

 

 

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

Three Months Ended February 28, 2018

 

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

Nine Months Ended February 28, 2019

 

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

Nine Months Ended February 28, 2018

 

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

Nine Months Ended February 28, 2019

 

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

Nine Months Ended February 28, 2018

 

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED

PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

FedEx Corporation

Results of Review of Interim Financial Statements

We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of FedEx Corporation as of February 28, 2019, and the related condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the three-month and nine-month periods ended February 28, 2019 and February 28, 2018, the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended February 28, 2019 and February 28, 2018, and the consolidated statements of changes in common stockholders’ investment for the three-month and nine-month periods ended February 28, 2019 and February 28, 2018, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “condensed consolidated interim financial statements”). Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheet of FedEx Corporation as of May 31, 2018, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ investment, and cash flows for the year then ended, and the related notes and schedules (not presented herein); and in our report dated July 16, 2018, we expressed an unqualified audit opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of May 31, 2018, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.

Basis for Review Results

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the PCAOB. We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. A review of interim financial statements consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Memphis, Tennessee

March 19, 2019

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition

GENERAL

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition (“MD&A”) describes the principal factors affecting the results of operations, liquidity, capital resources, contractual cash obligations and critical accounting estimates of FedEx Corporation (“FedEx”). This discussion should be read in conjunction with the accompanying quarterly unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended May 31, 2018 (“Annual Report”). Our Annual Report includes additional information about our significant accounting policies, practices and the transactions that underlie our financial results, as well as a detailed discussion of the most significant risks and uncertainties associated with our financial condition and operating results.

We provide a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services through companies competing collectively, operating independently and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Our primary operating companies are Federal Express Corporation (“FedEx Express”), including TNT Express B.V. (“TNT Express”), the world’s largest express transportation company; FedEx Ground Package System, Inc. (“FedEx Ground”), a leading North American provider of small-package ground delivery services; and FedEx Freight Corporation (“FedEx Freight”), a leading U.S. provider of less-than-truckload (“LTL”) freight transportation services. These companies represent our major service lines and, along with FedEx Corporate Services, Inc. (“FedEx Services”), constitute our reportable segments.

Our FedEx Services segment provides sales, marketing, information technology, communications, customer service, technical support, billing and collection services, and certain back-office functions that support our transportation segments. The FedEx Services segment also provides customers with retail access to FedEx Express and FedEx Ground shipping services through FedEx Office and Print Services, Inc. (“FedEx Office”). See “Reportable Segments” for further discussion. Additional information on our businesses can be found in our Annual Report.

As discussed in our Annual Report, the FedEx Logistics, Inc. (“FedEx Logistics” (formerly FedEx Trade Networks, Inc.)) operating segment results are included in “Corporate, other and eliminations” in our segment reporting. Prior year amounts have been revised to conform to the current year presentation.

The key indicators necessary to understand our operating results include:

Many of our operating expenses are directly impacted by revenue and volume levels, and we expect these operating expenses to fluctuate on a year-over-year basis consistent with changes in revenues and volumes. Therefore, the discussion of operating expense captions focuses on the key drivers and trends impacting expenses other than those factors strictly related to changes in revenues and volumes. The line item “Other operating expenses” includes costs associated with outside service contracts (such as facility services and cargo handling, temporary labor and security), professional fees, insurance, uniforms and taxes and licenses.

Except as otherwise specified, references to years indicate our fiscal year ending May 31, 2019 or ended May 31 of the year referenced and comparisons are to the corresponding period of the prior year. References to our transportation segments include, collectively, the FedEx Express segment, the FedEx Ground segment and the FedEx Freight segment.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS

The following tables compare summary operating results and changes in revenue and operating income (dollars in millions, except per share amounts) for the periods ended February 28:

 

 

Pension Accounting Change

As of June 1, 2018, we adopted new accounting guidance that changes how employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement benefit plans present net periodic benefit cost in their income statement. This new guidance requires us to report only the service cost component in the salaries and employee benefits line item. The other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement in other income, outside of income from operations. This new guidance impacts operating income and margin but has no impact on net income or earnings per share. We have applied these changes retrospectively.

Overview

Consolidated operating income improved during the third quarter and nine months of 2019 primarily due to lower variable incentive compensation expenses, volume growth, the favorable net impact of fuel at all of our transportation segments and increased yields at FedEx Freight and FedEx Ground. Lower variable incentive compensation expenses benefited our results by approximately $350 million in the third quarter and the nine months of 2019. During the third quarter and nine months of 2019, softening global economic conditions negatively impacted international package volumes at FedEx Express. Lower weights in U.S. domestic package shipments at FedEx Express also negatively impacted our results. Compounding these factors, we also experienced a product mix shift to lower yielding services due in part to an increase in e-commerce traffic at FedEx Express. In addition, higher purchased transportation costs, resulting from increased contractor settlement rates at FedEx Ground and expanding the FedEx Ground network operations to six days year-round, starting in January 2019, negatively affected our results. Comparables for the nine months of 2019 are affected by the impact of the NotPetya cyberattack, which reduced earnings in the first half of 2018 by approximately $400 million ($1.14 per diluted share). Winter weather conditions in 2019 did not have a material effect on comparisons to 2018 for either the third-quarter or nine-month periods.

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The comparison of net income between 2019 and 2018 is significantly affected by a provisional benefit of $1.15 billion ($4.21 per diluted share) attributable to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) recognized during the third quarter of 2018, specifically related to the remeasurement of our net U.S. deferred tax liability. Net income for the third quarter of 2019 includes tax benefits of $90 million ($0.34 per diluted share) from the reduction of a valuation allowance on certain tax loss carryforwards and $60 million ($0.23 per diluted share) primarily related to a lower statutory income tax rate under the TCJA. These items were partially offset by tax expense of $50 million ($0.19 per diluted share) related to a recently enacted lower tax rate in the Netherlands applied to our deferred tax balances. Additionally, we recognized an income tax benefit of approximately $230 million ($0.86 per diluted share) in the nine months of 2019, primarily related to a lower statutory income tax rate under the TCJA. Our results for the third quarter of 2018 included tax benefits of $204 million ($0.75 per diluted share) from a $1.5 billion contribution to our tax-qualified U.S. domestic pension plans (“U.S. Pension Plans”) in February 2018 and $165 million ($0.60 per diluted share) related to the phase-in of a reduced statutory tax rate on 2018 year-to-date earnings, of which approximately $120 million ($0.44 per diluted share) was recorded in the third quarter and attributable to the first half of 2018 earnings. See the “Income Taxes” section below for further information.

We incurred TNT Express integration expenses totaling $69 million ($55 million, net of tax, or $0.21 per diluted share) in the third quarter of 2019, a $37 million decrease from the third quarter of 2018. TNT Express integration expenses were $304 million ($243 million, net of tax, or $0.92 per diluted share) in the nine months of 2019, a $37 million decrease from the nine months of 2018. The integration expenses are predominantly incremental costs directly associated with the integration of TNT Express, including professional and legal fees, salaries and employee benefits, travel and advertising expenses, and include any restructuring charges at TNT Express. Internal salaries and employee benefits are included only to the extent the individuals are assigned full-time to integration activities. These costs were incurred at FedEx Express and FedEx Corporate. The identification of these costs as integration-related expenditures is subject to our disclosure controls and procedures.

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The following graphs for FedEx Express, FedEx Ground and FedEx Freight show selected volume trends (in thousands) over the five most recent quarters:

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The following graphs for FedEx Express, FedEx Ground and FedEx Freight show selected yield trends over the five most recent quarters:

Revenue

Revenues increased 3% in the third quarter and 8% in the nine months of 2019 due to higher volumes at all of our transportation segments and increased yields at FedEx Ground and FedEx Freight. At FedEx Ground, revenues increased 9% in the third quarter and 12% in the nine months of 2019 due to volume growth and increased yields. FedEx Freight revenues increased 8% in the third quarter and 14% in the nine months of 2019 due to higher revenue per shipment and average daily shipments. Revenues at FedEx Express decreased 1% in the third quarter of 2019 primarily due to lower international priority and international domestic package revenue. At FedEx Express, unfavorable exchange rates, lower base rates and decreased weights contributed to the decline in international revenue in the third quarter of 2019. Currency exchange rates had a negative impact on revenues at FedEx Express but did not have an impact on operating income in the third quarter of 2019. Revenues at FedEx Express increased 5% in the nine months of 2019 primarily due to U.S. domestic package volume growth and international package and freight volume recovery from the NotPetya cyberattack, partially offset by package yield declines. FedEx Express revenue during the third quarter and nine months of 2019 was negatively impacted by continued softness in international package volume growth resulting from weakening global economic conditions. Higher fuel surcharges had a positive impact on revenues at all of our transportation segments in the third quarter and nine months of 2019.

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Operating Expenses

The following tables compare operating expenses expressed as dollar amounts (in millions) and as a percent of revenue for the periods ended February 28:

 

Operating margin improved in the third quarter of 2019 primarily due to lower variable incentive compensation expenses, partially offset by higher operating costs in purchased transportation, driven by higher rates at FedEx Ground and FedEx Freight as well as expanding the FedEx Ground network operations to six days year-round, starting in January 2019. In addition, lower yields at FedEx Express negatively affected operating margin in the third quarter of 2019. Operating margin remained flat in the nine months of 2019 primarily due to increased revenue and lower variable incentive compensation expenses, offset by higher operating costs. An overall product mix shift at FedEx Express from international priority volume to international deferred volume, as well as continued softness in international volumes at FedEx Express resulting from weakening global economic conditions, negatively impacted operating margin during the third quarter and nine months of 2019.

Purchased transportation costs increased 8% in the third quarter and 12% in the nine months of 2019 primarily due to higher volumes at all of our transportation segments and increased rates, including fuel costs, at FedEx Ground and FedEx Freight, reflecting the inflationary impact of the tight labor market on our rates. Salaries and employee benefits expense decreased 1% in the third quarter of 2019 primarily due to lower variable incentive compensation expenses, partially offset by higher staffing to support volume growth and annual merit increases. Salaries and employee benefits expense increased 5% in the nine months of 2019 primarily due to higher staffing and merit increases, partially offset by lower variable incentive compensation expenses. Depreciation and amortization expense increased 8% in the third quarter and nine months of 2019 primarily due to continued investment in aircraft and related equipment at FedEx Express. Maintenance and repairs expense increased 5% in the third quarter and 9% in the nine months of 2019 primarily due to increased aircraft engine maintenance expense at FedEx Express.

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Fuel

The following graph for our transportation segments shows our average cost of jet and vehicle fuel per gallon for the five most recent quarters:

 

 

Fuel expense decreased 1% in the third quarter of 2019 primarily due to decreased fuel prices at FedEx Express, offset by higher mileage at FedEx Freight. Fuel expense increased 21% in the nine months of 2019 primarily due to increased fuel prices. However, fuel prices represent only one component of the factors we consider meaningful in understanding the impact of fuel on our business. Consideration must also be given to the fuel surcharge revenue we collect. Accordingly, we believe discussion of the net impact of fuel on our results, which is a comparison of the year-over-year change in these two factors, is important to understand the impact of fuel on our business. In order to provide information about the impact of fuel surcharges on the trend in revenue and yield growth, we have included the comparative weighted-average fuel surcharge percentages in effect for the third quarters of 2019 and 2018 in the accompanying discussion of each of our transportation segments.

Most of our fuel surcharges are adjusted on a weekly basis. The fuel surcharge is based on a weekly fuel price from two weeks prior to the week in which it is assessed. Some FedEx Express international fuel surcharges incorporate a timing lag of approximately six to eight weeks.

The manner in which we purchase fuel also influences the net impact of fuel on our results. For example, our contracts for jet fuel purchases at FedEx Express are tied to various indices, including the U.S. Gulf Coast index. While many of these indices are aligned, each index may fluctuate at a different pace, driving variability in the prices paid for jet fuel. Furthermore, under these contractual arrangements, approximately 70% of our jet fuel is purchased based on the index price for the preceding week, with the remainder of our purchases tied to the index price for the preceding month, rather than based on daily spot rates. These contractual provisions mitigate the impact of rapidly changing daily spot rates on our jet fuel purchases.

Because of the factors described above, our operating results may be affected should the market price of fuel suddenly change by a significant amount or change by amounts that do not result in an adjustment in our fuel surcharges, which can significantly affect our earnings either positively or negatively in the short-term.

We routinely review our fuel surcharges. On March 18, 2019, we updated the tables used to determine our fuel surcharges for FedEx Express U.S. domestic services and at FedEx Ground. On September 10, 2018, we updated the tables used to determine our fuel surcharges at FedEx Express and FedEx Ground.

The net impact of fuel had a significant benefit to operating income in the third quarter and nine months of 2019 as higher fuel surcharges more than offset increased fuel prices.

The net impact of fuel on our operating results does not consider the effects that fuel surcharge levels may have on our business, including changes in demand and shifts in the mix of services purchased by our customers. In addition, our purchased transportation expense may be impacted by fuel costs. While fluctuations in fuel surcharge percentages can be significant from period to period, fuel surcharges represent one of the many individual components of our pricing structure that impact our overall revenue and yield. Additional components include the mix of services sold, the base price and extra service charges we obtain for these services and the level of pricing discounts offered.

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Income Taxes

Our effective tax rate was 20.6% for the third quarter and 21.8% for the nine months of 2019, compared with (137.3)% for the third quarter and (15.0)% for the nine months of 2018. The 2019 tax rates include a benefit of $90 million from the reduction of a valuation allowance on certain tax loss carryforwards and an expense of $50 million from the impact on our deferred taxes attributable to a recently enacted lower tax rate in the Netherlands. The 2019 tax rates were also favorably impacted by the TCJA, which resulted in benefits of approximately $60 million during the third quarter and $230 million for the nine months of 2019, primarily from the lower statutory tax rate on fiscal 2019 earnings. The tax rate for the nine months of 2019 also benefited by approximately $60 million from accelerated deductions claimed on our 2018 U.S. income tax return. The 2018 tax rates were favorably impacted by a provisional benefit of $1.15 billion from the remeasurement of our net U.S. deferred tax liability and a provisional benefit of $36 million from foreign tax credits exceeding the one-time transition tax on previously deferred foreign earnings. In addition to these provisional amounts, we recognized a $204 million benefit from a $1.5 billion contribution to our U.S. Pension Plans in February 2018 and $165 million related to the phase-in of a reduced statutory tax rate on 2018 year-to-date earnings, of which approximately $120 million was recorded in the third quarter and attributable to the first half of 2018 earnings.

On January 15, 2019, the U.S. Treasury Department issued final regulations covering the one-time transition tax on unrepatriated foreign earnings, which was enacted as part of the TCJA. Certain guidance included in these final regulations is inconsistent with our interpretation that led to the recognition of a $225 million ($0.94 per diluted share) benefit in 2018 (the “2018 Benefit”). Notwithstanding this inconsistency, we remain confident in our interpretation of the TCJA and intend to defend this position through litigation, if necessary. However, if we are ultimately unsuccessful in defending our position, we may be required to reverse the 2018 Benefit.

During the third quarter of 2019, we completed our accounting for the tax effects of the TCJA. No additional adjustments were made during the quarter. As a result, the only adjustment to the amounts initially recorded on a provisional basis in 2018 was a tax expense of $4 million recognized in the second quarter of 2019 as a revision of the provisional benefit associated with the remeasurement of our net U.S. deferred tax liability. See Note 1 of the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion.  

The TCJA, enacted during the third quarter of fiscal 2018, significantly changed the U.S. corporate income tax system including, among other things, lowering the statutory federal income tax rate from 35% to 21%. Due to our May 31 fiscal year-end, the lower rate was phased in, resulting in a U.S. statutory federal rate of 29.2% for 2018 and a statutory federal rate of 21% for subsequent years.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the 2018 effective tax rates to the 2019 effective tax rates, including the impacts of the TCJA, for the periods ended February 28:

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We are subject to taxation in the United States and various U.S. state, local and foreign jurisdictions. We are currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) for the 2016 and 2017 tax years. In addition, we have initiated appeals proceedings with respect to the IRS’s proposed audit adjustment for the 2014 and 2015 tax years. It is reasonably possible that certain income tax return proceedings will be completed during the next twelve months and could result in a change in our balance of unrecognized tax benefits. The impact of any changes is not expected to be material to our consolidated financial statements. As of February 28, 2019, there were no material changes to our liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits subsequent to May 31, 2018.

Business Realignment Costs

In December 2018, we announced cost-reduction programs primarily through initiatives at FedEx Express and FedEx Services in response to current business and economic conditions that include the following:

During the third quarter of 2019, we began offering voluntary cash buyouts to eligible U.S.-based employees in certain staff functions. The U.S.-based voluntary employee buyout program includes voluntary severance payments and funding to healthcare reimbursement accounts, with the voluntary severance payment calculated based on four weeks of gross base salary for every year of continuous FedEx service up to a maximum payment of two years of pay. Eligible employees will be scheduled to vacate positions in phases to ensure a smooth transition in the impacted functions so that we maintain service levels to our customers. Employees in the first phase will vacate their positions on May 31, 2019, and we expect all employees who accept the buyout to vacate their positions by the end of 2020. Costs of the benefits provided under the program will be recognized as special termination benefits in the period employees accept their offers, which is expected to be predominantly in the fourth quarter of 2019.

We incurred costs of approximately $4 million ($3 million, net of tax, or $0.01 per diluted share) during the third quarter of 2019 associated with our business realignment activities. These costs related to certain employee severance arrangements and other external costs directly attributable to our business realignment activities, such as professional fees. We expect the 2019 pre-tax cost of our business realignment activities, including the U.S.-based voluntary employee buyout program, to range from $450 million to $575 million in pre-tax cash expenditures, but actual costs will depend on acceptance rates. Severance payments will be made at the time of departure. Additional costs are expected to be incurred beyond 2019, primarily related to professional fees. We expect savings from our business realignment activities to be between $225 million to $275 million in 2020.

Outlook

We expect continued revenue and earnings growth at FedEx Freight in the fourth quarter of 2019 to be driven by volume and yield growth. While FedEx Ground revenue growth is expected to remain strong in the fourth quarter of 2019, higher operating costs are expected to continue to negatively impact results, as we continue to focus on growing volumes to fill the capacity of our new six-day network. While the launch of six-day operations will continue to be a modest headwind, we believe it will allow for the more efficient use of our existing assets, which ultimately will drive improved performance and enhance our competitive position. At FedEx Ground and FedEx Freight, we will continue to concentrate on operational improvement programs for the remainder of 2019 that are designed to increase operational efficiency and safety, enhance service offerings to our customers and manage our cost structure. We expect earnings to decrease at FedEx Express in the fourth quarter of 2019 due to lower yields and continued softness in international package volumes resulting from slowing global economic conditions, particularly in Asia and Europe. As a response to these negative business trends, we are implementing revenue-quality enhancement and cost-reduction actions; however, the full benefits of these actions will not be realized immediately.

Our expectations for the remainder of 2019 are dependent on key external factors, including fuel prices, moderate U.S. domestic economic growth and no further weakening in international economic conditions from our current forecast.

We continue to execute our TNT Express integration plans. The integration process is complex as it spans over 200 countries and territories and involves combining our pickup-and-delivery operations at a local level, our global and regional air and ground networks, and our extensive operations, customs clearance, sales and back-office information technology systems. We have completed the operational integration in the U.S., Canada and Middle East, and expect to have the sales forces substantially integrated by the end of 2019. The sales force integration will allow both the FedEx Express and TNT Express sales teams to sell our full suite of services to customers.

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A significant milestone in the integration includes key projects that enable the injection of FedEx Express shipments into the TNT Express European road network. This integration milestone will allow FedEx Express customers to benefit from transit time improvements for their intra-European shipments. We began rolling out this service in Europe in February 2019 and expect to have this service improvement completed in June 2019. In addition, by the end of 2020, we expect to complete projects across our European hub and station locations that will allow interoperability between networks for both FedEx Express and TNT Express packages, which will further lower costs as the related FedEx Express linehaul operations are optimized.  

In 2019, we have begun the operational network integration process for the key countries in Europe, which represent a significant percentage of international revenue, workforces and facilities. Integration activities in Europe are complex and require consultations with works councils and employee representatives in a number of countries. While we expect to make significant progress on integration activities in 2020, particularly in Europe, integration work will continue into 2021.  

We currently estimate integration program expenses to exceed $1.5 billion through 2021 and we may incur additional costs related to investments that will further transform and optimize the combined business. The timing and amount of integration expenses and other investments in any future period may change as we revise and implement our plans. We expect to incur approximately $435 million of integration expenses in 2019, down from our previous estimate of $450 million.

Other Outlook Matters. For details on key 2019 capital projects, refer to the “Liquidity Outlook” section of this MD&A.

FedEx Ground previously announced plans to implement the Independent Service Provider (“ISP”) model throughout its entire U.S. pickup-and-delivery network. The transition to the ISP model is being accomplished on a district-by-district basis and we are now targeting the transition to be completed during the second quarter of 2020. As of February 28, 2019, over two-thirds of FedEx Ground volume was being delivered by small businesses operating under the ISP model. The costs associated with these transitions will be recognized in the periods incurred and are not expected to be material to any future quarter.

See “Forward-Looking Statements” and Part II, Item 1A “Risk Factors” for a discussion of these and other potential risks and uncertainties that could materially affect our future performance.

RECENT ACCOUNTING GUIDANCE

See Note 1 of the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for a discussion of recent accounting guidance.

REPORTABLE SEGMENTS

FedEx Express, FedEx Ground and FedEx Freight represent our major service lines and, along with FedEx Services, constitute our reportable segments. Our reportable segments include the following businesses:

 

FEDEX SERVICES SEGMENT

The operating expense line item “Intercompany charges” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of our transportation segments reflects the allocations from the FedEx Services segment to the respective transportation segments. The allocations of net operating costs are based on metrics such as relative revenues or estimated services provided.

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The FedEx Services segment provides direct and indirect support to our transportation businesses, and we allocate all of the net operating costs of the FedEx Services segment (including the net operating results of FedEx Office) to reflect the full cost of operating our transportation businesses in the results of those segments. Within the FedEx Services segment allocation, the net operating results of FedEx Office, which are an immaterial component of our allocations, are allocated to FedEx Express and FedEx Ground. We review and evaluate the performance of our transportation segments based on operating income (inclusive of FedEx Services segment allocations). For the FedEx Services segment, performance is evaluated based on the impact of its total allocated net operating costs on our transportation segments. We believe these allocations approximate the net cost of providing these functions. Our allocation methodologies are refined periodically, as necessary, to reflect changes in our businesses.

CORPORATE, OTHER AND ELIMINATIONS

Corporate and other includes corporate headquarters costs for executive officers and certain legal and finance functions, as well as certain other costs and credits not attributed to our core business. These costs are not allocated to the other business segments.

Also included in corporate and other is the FedEx Logistics operating segment, which provides customs brokerage and global ocean and air freight forwarding through FedEx Trade Networks Transport & Brokerage, Inc.; cross-border enablement and technology solutions and e-commerce transportation solutions through FedEx Cross Border Technologies, Inc.; integrated supply chain management solutions through FedEx Supply Chain Distribution System, Inc. (“FedEx Supply Chain”); time-critical shipment services through FedEx Custom Critical, Inc.; and, effective September 1, 2018, critical inventory and service parts logistics, 3-D printing and technology repair through FedEx Forward Depots, Inc. (“FedEx Forward Depots”). In the third quarter and nine months of 2019, the operating loss increase in “Corporate, other and eliminations” was driven primarily by FedEx Logistics resulting from operating losses, the inclusion of FedEx Forward Depots following the realignment of FedEx Logistics and lower transportation volumes due to weakness in the global economy. In addition, costs incurred in connection with the settlement of a legal matter involving FedEx Ground, including certain professional fees, negatively impacted our results during the nine months of 2019.

Certain FedEx operating companies provide transportation and related services for other FedEx companies outside their reportable segment. Billings for such services are based on negotiated rates, which we believe approximate fair value, and are reflected as revenues of the billing segment. These rates are adjusted from time to time based on market conditions. Such intersegment revenues and expenses are eliminated in our consolidated results and are not separately identified in the following segment information because the amounts are not material.

 

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FEDEX EXPRESS SEGMENT

FedEx Express offers a wide range of U.S. domestic and international shipping services for delivery of packages and freight including priority, deferred and economy services, which provide delivery on a time-definite or day-definite basis. Prior year amounts have been revised to conform to the current year presentation, including revised statistical information. The following tables compare revenues, operating expenses, operating income (dollars in millions), operating margin and operating expenses as a percent of revenue for the periods ended February 28:

 

 

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The following table compares selected statistics (in thousands, except yield amounts) for the periods ended February 28:

 

 

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FedEx Express Segment Revenues

FedEx Express segment revenues decreased 1% in the third quarter of 2019 primarily due to lower international package yields driven by unfavorable exchange rates, lower base rates and decreased weights. Currency exchange rates had a negative impact on revenues but did not have an impact on operating income in the third quarter of 2019. In addition, lower U.S. domestic package yields due to decreased weight and increased deferred volume contributed to the decline in the third quarter of 2019. U.S. domestic package volume growth partially offset these negative impacts. FedEx Express segment revenues increased 5% in the nine months of 2019 primarily due to U.S. domestic package volume growth and international package and freight volume recovery from the NotPetya cyberattack. Continued softness in international package volumes resulting from weakening global economic conditions negatively impacted revenues for the third quarter and nine months of 2019. Higher fuel surcharges positively impacted revenue in both the third quarter and the nine months of 2019.

U.S. domestic package average daily volumes increased 6% in the third quarter and 5% in the nine months of 2019 driven by deferred services, as e-commerce continues to drive growth. U.S. domestic package yields decreased 2% in the third quarter of 2019 primarily due to base yield declines driven by lower package weights and increased deferred volume. U.S. domestic package yields increased 2% in the nine months of 2019 driven primarily by higher fuel surcharges. Average daily freight pounds increased 1% in the third quarter and 8% in the nine months of 2019 primarily due to higher volume in international freight services, reflecting recovery from the NotPetya cyberattack and an overall product mix shift from package to freight. Freight yields decreased 3% in the third quarter of 2019 primarily due to unfavorable exchange rates, partially offset by higher fuel surcharges. Freight yields increased 2% in the nine months of 2019 primarily due to higher fuel surcharges on U.S. domestic freight services. International export average daily volumes increased 2% in the third quarter and 4% in the nine months of 2019 primarily due to the recovery from the NotPetya cyberattack. However, international package volume growth has slowed across most regions, as discussed above. International export package yields decreased 5% in the third quarter and 1% in the nine months of 2019 driven by base yield declines and unfavorable exchange rates, partially offset by higher fuel surcharges.

FedEx Express’s U.S. domestic and outbound fuel surcharge and international fuel surcharges ranged as follows for the periods ended February 28:

 

 

Effective January 7, 2019, FedEx Express implemented a 4.9% average list price increase for U.S. domestic, U.S. export and U.S. import services. On January 1, 2018, FedEx Express implemented a 4.9% average list price increase for U.S. domestic, U.S. export and U.S. import services.

FedEx Express Segment Operating Income

FedEx Express segment operating income increased 17% in the third quarter of 2019 due to lower variable incentive compensation expenses, the favorable net impact of fuel and volume growth, partially offset by lower package yields. FedEx Express segment operating income increased 10% in the nine months of 2019 due to the favorable net impact of fuel, higher revenues and lower variable incentive compensation expenses, partially offset by higher operating costs in salaries and employee benefits, purchased transportation, maintenance and repairs and depreciation and amortization. Lower variable incentive compensation expenses benefited operating margin and operating income by approximately $200 million in the third quarter and the nine months of 2019. An overall product mix shift from international package volume to international freight volume, growth in deferred services driven by e-commerce and continued softness in international volumes partially offset the operating income and operating margin increases in the third quarter and nine months of 2019. The NotPetya cyberattack discussed above drove lower results in the nine months of 2018.

FedEx Express segment results included approximately $56 million of TNT Express integration expenses in the third quarter and $257 million of such expenses in the nine months of 2019, a $30 million decrease from the third quarter and a $13 million decrease from the nine months of 2018.

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Salaries and employee benefits expense decreased 3% in the third quarter of 2019 primarily due to lower variable incentive compensation expenses. Salaries and employee benefits increased 3% in the nine months of 2019 primarily due to merit increases and higher staffing to support volume growth, partially offset by lower variable incentive compensation expenses and favorable exchange rates. Purchased transportation expense decreased 1% in the third quarter of 2019 primarily due to favorable exchange rates, partially offset by higher volume. Purchased transportation expense increased 4% in the nine months of 2019 primarily due to higher volume, partially offset by favorable exchange rates. Maintenance and repairs expense increased 3% in the third quarter and 10% in the nine months of 2019 primarily due to increased aircraft engine maintenance expense. Depreciation and amortization expense increased 8% in the third quarter and 7% in the nine months of 2019 primarily due to continued investment in aircraft and related equipment. Intercompany charges expense declined 6% in the third quarter of 2019 due to lower variable incentive compensation expenses and spending controls at FedEx Services.

Fuel expense decreased 1% in the third quarter of 2019 due to decreased fuel prices. Fuel expense increased 20% in the nine months of 2019 due to higher fuel prices. The net impact of fuel had a significant benefit to operating income in the third quarter and nine months of 2019, as higher fuel surcharges more than offset increased fuel prices. See the “Fuel” section of this MD&A for a description and additional discussion of the net impact of fuel on our operating results.

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FEDEX GROUND SEGMENT

FedEx Ground service offerings include day-certain delivery to businesses in the U.S. and Canada and to 100% of U.S. residences. The following tables compare revenues, operating expenses, operating income (dollars in millions), operating margin, selected package statistics (in thousands, except yield amounts) and operating expenses as a percent of revenue for the periods ended February 28:

 

FedEx Ground Segment Revenues

FedEx Ground segment revenues increased 9% in the third quarter and 12% in the nine months of 2019 due to volume growth and increased yields. Average daily volume increased 6% in the third quarter and 7% in the nine months of 2019 primarily due to continued growth in residential services driven by e-commerce. FedEx Ground yields increased 3% in the third quarter and 5% in the nine months of 2019 primarily due to by higher fuel surcharges, product mix and base yields.

The FedEx Ground fuel surcharge is based on a rounded average of the national U.S. on-highway average price for a gallon of diesel fuel, as published by the Department of Energy. The fuel surcharge ranged as follows for the periods ended February 28:

 

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Effective January 7, 2019, FedEx Ground announced a 4.9% average list price increase. On January 1, 2018, FedEx Ground implemented a 4.9% average list price increase. In addition, as announced on September 18, 2017, dimensional weight pricing applies to the majority of FedEx SmartPost shipments effective January 22, 2018.

FedEx Ground Segment Operating Income

FedEx Ground segment operating income decreased 6% in the third quarter of 2019 due to higher operating costs driven by higher purchased transportation, resulting from increased contractor settlement rates and expanding the operations of the FedEx Ground network to six days per week year-round starting in January 2019, staffing and network expansion costs. Higher revenues and the favorable net impact of fuel partially offset these factors. Higher operating costs also contributed to the operating margin decline in the third quarter and nine months of 2019. FedEx Ground segment operating income increased 7% in the nine months of 2019 due to volume growth, increased yields and the favorable net impact of fuel. In addition, lower variable incentive compensation expenses benefited operating income by approximately $75 million in the third quarter and nine months of 2019.

Purchased transportation expense increased 14% in the third quarter and 16% in the nine months of 2019 primarily due to higher volumes, increased contractor settlement rates and expanding to six-day operations year-round. Higher fuel costs also contributed to an increase in purchased transportation expense in the nine months of 2019. Salaries and employee benefits expense increased 9% in the third quarter and 14% in the nine months of 2019 primarily due to additional staffing to support volume growth, merit increases and network expansion, partially offset by lower variable incentive compensation expenses.

The net impact of fuel had a moderate benefit to operating income in the third quarter and nine months of 2019, as higher fuel surcharges more than offset increased fuel prices. See the “Fuel” section of this MD&A for a description and additional discussion of the net impact of fuel on our operating results.

Independent Contractor Model

FedEx Ground is involved in lawsuits and administrative proceedings claiming that owner-operators engaged under operating agreements no longer in place should have been treated as employees of FedEx Ground, rather than independent contractors. In addition, we are defending joint-employer cases where it is alleged that FedEx Ground should be treated as an employer of the drivers employed by owner-operators engaged by FedEx Ground. These cases are in varying stages of litigation. We will continue to vigorously defend ourselves in these proceedings and continue to believe that owner-operators engaged by FedEx Ground are properly classified as independent contractors and that FedEx Ground is not an employer or joint employer of the drivers of these independent contractors.

For additional information on the FedEx Ground ISP model, see “Other Outlook Matters” under Consolidated Results of this MD&A.

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FEDEX FREIGHT SEGMENT

FedEx Freight LTL service offerings include priority services when speed is critical and economy services when time can be traded for savings. The following tables compare revenues, operating expenses, operating income (dollars in millions), operating margin, selected statistics and operating expenses as a percent of revenue for the periods ended February 28:

 

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FedEx Freight Segment Revenues

FedEx Freight segment revenues increased 8% in the third quarter and 14% in the nine months of 2019 due to higher revenue per shipment and average daily shipments. Revenue per shipment increased 4% in the third quarter and 6% in the nine months of 2019 primarily due to higher base rates driven by our ongoing yield management initiatives and higher fuel surcharges. Average daily shipments increased 6% in the third quarter and 8% in the nine months of 2019 due to higher demand for our service offerings.

The weekly indexed fuel surcharge is based on the average of the U.S. on-highway prices for a gallon of diesel fuel, as published by the Department of Energy. The indexed FedEx Freight fuel surcharge ranged as follows for the periods ended February 28:

 

 

Effective January 7, 2019, FedEx Freight announced a 5.9% average list price increase in certain U.S. and other shipping rates. On January 1, 2018, FedEx Freight implemented a 4.9% average increase in certain U.S. and other shipping rates.

FedEx Freight Segment Operating Income

FedEx Freight segment operating income increased 98% and operating margin improved 250 basis points in the third quarter of 2019. Additionally, FedEx Freight segment operating income increased 31% and operating margin improved 100 basis points in the nine months of 2019. These positive results were achieved primarily by higher revenue per shipment. In addition, lower variable incentive compensation expenses benefited operating income by approximately $40 million in the third quarter and nine months of 2019.

Salaries and employee benefits expense increased 6% in the third quarter and 12% in the nine months of 2019 reflecting higher staffing levels to support volume growth and merit increases, partially offset by lower variable incentive compensation expenses. Purchased transportation expense increased 4% in the third quarter and 18% in the nine months of 2019 due to increased rates and higher volumes. Higher fuel costs also contributed to an increase in purchased transportation expense in the nine months of 2019.

Fuel expense increased 3% in the third quarter of 2019 primarily due to higher mileage. Fuel expense increased 24% in the nine months of 2019 primarily due to higher fuel prices. The net impact of fuel had a moderate benefit to operating income in the third quarter of 2019 and a significant benefit to operating income in the nine months of 2019 as higher fuel surcharges more than offset increased fuel prices. See the “Fuel” section of this MD&A for a description and additional discussion of the net impact of fuel on our operating results.

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FINANCIAL CONDITION

LIQUIDITY

Cash and cash equivalents totaled $2.9 billion at February 28, 2019, compared to $3.3 billion at May 31, 2018. The following table provides a summary of our cash flows for the nine-month periods ended February 28 (in millions):

 

Cash flows from operating activities increased $2.2 billion in the nine months of 2019 due to lower pension contributions, higher net income and decreased tax payments, partially offset by higher variable incentive compensation payments. Capital expenditures decreased slightly during the nine months of 2019 primarily due to lower spending related to facilities, equipment and vehicles at FedEx Ground, as well as lower spending on aircraft and related equipment at FedEx Express, partially offset by increased spending related to facilities and equipment at FedEx Express. See “Capital Resources” for a discussion of capital expenditures during 2019 and 2018.

During the third quarter of 2019, we issued $1.2 billion of senior unsecured debt under our current shelf registration statement, comprised of €640 million of 0.7% fixed-rate notes due in May 2022 and $500 million of 3.4% fixed-rate notes due in January 2022. We will use the net proceeds to pay the €500 million aggregate principal amount of floating rate notes due at maturity on April 11, 2019, and for general corporate purposes.

During the second quarter of 2019, we issued $1.25 billion of senior unsecured debt under our current shelf registration statement, comprised of $400 million of 4.20% fixed-rate notes due in October 2028 and $850 million of 4.95% fixed-rate notes due in October 2048. Interest on these notes is paid semi-annually. We used the net proceeds to redeem the $750 million aggregate principal amount of 8.00% notes due January 15, 2019, and for general corporate purposes.

During the third quarter of 2019, we issued commercial paper to provide us with additional short-term liquidity. As of February 28, 2019, we had $225 million of commercial paper outstanding. See Note 3 of the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion.

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In January 2016, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program of up to 25 million shares. During the third quarter of 2019, we repurchased 0.6 million shares of FedEx common stock at an average price of $168.43 per share for a total of $93 million. During the nine months of 2019, we repurchased 6.0 million shares of FedEx common stock at an average price of $227.42 per share for a total of $1.4 billion. As of February 28, 2019, 5.7 million shares remained under the current share repurchase authorization. Shares under this repurchase program may be repurchased from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing and volume of repurchases are at the discretion of management, based on the capital needs of the business, the market price of FedEx common stock and general market conditions. No time limit was set for the completion of the program, and the program may be suspended or discontinued at any time.

CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our operations are capital intensive, characterized by significant investments in aircraft, vehicles, technology, facilities, and package- handling and sort equipment. The amount and timing of capital additions depend on various factors, including pre-existing contractual commitments, anticipated volume growth, domestic and international economic conditions, new or enhanced services, geographical expansion of services, availability of satisfactory financing and actions of regulatory authorities.

The following table compares capital expenditures by asset category and reportable segment for the periods ended February 28 (in millions):

 

Capital expenditures decreased slightly during the nine months of 2019 primarily due to lower spending related to facilities, equipment and vehicles at FedEx Ground, as well as lower spending on aircraft and related equipment at FedEx Express, partially offset by increased spending related to facilities and equipment at FedEx Express.

LIQUIDITY OUTLOOK

We believe that our cash and cash equivalents, cash flow from operations and available financing sources will be adequate to meet our liquidity needs, including working capital, capital expenditure requirements, debt payment obligations, pension contributions, TNT Express integration expenses and business realignment activities (including the U.S.-based voluntary employee buyout program). Our cash and cash equivalents balance at February 28, 2019 includes $1.0 billion of cash in foreign jurisdictions associated with our permanent reinvestment strategy. We are able to access the majority of this cash without a material tax cost, as the enactment of the TCJA significantly reduced the cost of repatriating foreign earnings from a U.S. tax perspective. We do not believe that the indefinite reinvestment of these funds impairs our ability to meet our U.S. domestic debt or working capital obligations.

Our capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $5.6 billion in 2019, and include spending for aircraft modernization at FedEx Express and spending on facilities and sort equipment, primarily at FedEx Express and FedEx Ground. We invested $1.5 billion in aircraft and related equipment in the nine months of 2019 and expect to invest an additional $0.6 billion for aircraft and related equipment during the remainder of 2019. In addition, over the next several years, we will be investing a total of approximately $1.5 billion to significantly expand the FedEx Express Indianapolis hub and a total of approximately $1.0 billion to modernize the FedEx Express Memphis World Hub. We anticipate that our cash flow from operations will be sufficient to fund our capital expenditures in 2019. Historically, we have been successful in obtaining unsecured financing, from both domestic and international sources, although the marketplace for such investment capital can become restricted depending on a variety of economic factors.

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We have a shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) that allows us to sell, in one or more future offerings, any combination of our unsecured debt securities and common stock.

We have a five-year $2.0 billion revolving credit facility that expires in November 2020. See Note 3 of the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for a description of the terms and significant covenants of our revolving credit facility.

During the nine months of 2019, we made voluntary contributions totaling $1.0 billion to our U.S. Pension Plans. We do not expect to make any additional contributions to our U.S. Pension Plans during the fourth quarter of 2019. Our U.S. Pension Plans have ample funds to meet expected benefit payments.

Standard & Poor’s has assigned us a senior unsecured debt credit rating of BBB, a commercial paper rating of A-2 and a ratings outlook of “stable.” Moody’s Investors Service has assigned us an unsecured debt credit rating of Baa2, a commercial paper rating of P-2 and a ratings outlook of “stable.” If our credit ratings drop, our interest expense may increase. If our commercial paper ratings drop below current levels, we may have difficulty utilizing the commercial paper market. If our senior unsecured debt credit ratings drop below investment grade, our access to financing may become limited.

CONTRACTUAL CASH OBLIGATIONS AND OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

The following table sets forth a summary of our contractual cash obligations as of February 28, 2019. Certain of these contractual obligations are reflected in our balance sheet, while others are disclosed as future obligations under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Except for the current portion of interest on long-term debt, this table does not include amounts already recorded in our balance sheet as current liabilities at February 28, 2019. We have certain contingent liabilities that are not accrued in our balance sheet in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. These contingent liabilities are not included in the table below. We have other long-term liabilities reflected in our balance sheet, including deferred income taxes, qualified and nonqualified pension and postretirement healthcare plan liabilities and other self-insurance accruals. Unless statutorily required, the payment obligations associated with these liabilities are not reflected in the table below due to the absence of scheduled maturities. Accordingly, this table is not meant to represent a forecast of our total cash expenditures for any of the periods presented.

 

 

Open purchase orders that are cancelable are not considered unconditional purchase obligations for financial reporting purposes and are not included in the table above. Such purchase orders often represent authorizations to purchase rather than binding agreements. See Note 8 of the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for more information on such purchase orders.

Operating Activities

The amounts reflected in the table above for operating leases represent undiscounted future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases (principally facilities and aircraft) with an initial or remaining term in excess of one year at February 28, 2019.

Included in the table above within the caption entitled “Non-capital purchase obligations and other” is our estimate of the current portion of the liability ($124 million) for uncertain tax positions. We cannot reasonably estimate the timing of the long-term payments or the amount by which the liability will increase or decrease over time; therefore, the long-term portion of the liability ($38 million) is excluded from the table.

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The amounts reflected in the table above for interest on long-term debt represent future interest payments due on our long-term debt.

Investing Activities

The amounts reflected in the table above for capital purchase obligations represent noncancelable agreements to purchase capital-related equipment. Such contracts include those for certain purchases of aircraft, spare engines, vehicles, facilities, computers and other equipment.

We had $965 million in deposits and progress payments as of February 28, 2019 on aircraft purchases and other planned aircraft-related transactions.

Financing Activities

The amounts reflected in the table above for long-term debt represent future scheduled principal payments on our long-term debt.

Additional information on amounts included within the operating, investing and financing activities captions in the table above can be found in our Annual Report.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make significant judgments and estimates to develop amounts reflected and disclosed in the financial statements. In many cases, there are alternative policies or estimation techniques that could be used. We maintain a thorough process to review the application of our accounting policies and to evaluate the appropriateness of the many estimates that are required to prepare the financial statements of a complex, global corporation. However, even under optimal circumstances, estimates routinely require adjustment based on changing circumstances and new or better information.

GOODWILL. Goodwill is tested for impairment between annual tests whenever events or circumstances make it more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit has fallen below its carrying value. We do not believe there has been any other change of events or circumstances that would indicate that a reevaluation of the goodwill of our reporting units is required as of February 28, 2019, nor do we believe the goodwill of our reporting units is at risk of failing impairment testing. For additional details on goodwill impairment testing, refer to Note 1 to the financial statements included in our Annual Report.

Information regarding our critical accounting estimates can be found in our Annual Report, including Note 1 to the financial statements therein. Management has discussed the development and selection of these critical accounting estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors and with our independent registered public accounting firm.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this report, including (but not limited to) those contained in “General,” “Fuel,” “Income Taxes,” “Outlook,” “Independent Contractor Model,” “Liquidity,” “Liquidity Outlook,” “Contractual Cash Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements” and “Critical Accounting Estimates,” and the “General,” “Financing Arrangements,” “Income Taxes,” “Commitments” and “Contingencies” notes to the consolidated financial statements, are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, plans, objectives, future performance and business. Forward-looking statements include those preceded by, followed by or that include the words “will,” “may,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “estimates,” “targets,” “projects,” “intends” or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated (expressed or implied) by such forward-looking statements because of, among other things, potential risks and uncertainties, such as:

 

 

 

 

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As a result of these and other factors, no assurance can be given as to our future results and achievements. Accordingly, a forward-looking statement is neither a prediction nor a guarantee of future events or circumstances and those future events or circumstances may not occur. You should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. We are under no obligation, and we expressly disclaim any obligation, to update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

As of February 28, 2019, there were no material changes in our market risk sensitive instruments and positions since our disclosures in our Annual Report.

The principal foreign currency exchange rate risks to which we are exposed relate to the euro, Chinese yuan, British pound, Canadian dollar, Brazilian real and Mexican peso. Historically, our exposure to foreign currency fluctuations is more significant with respect to our revenues than our expenses, as a significant portion of our expenses are denominated in U.S. dollars, such as aircraft and fuel expenses. During the nine months of 2019, the U.S. dollar strengthened relative to the currencies of the foreign countries in which we operate, as compared to May 31, 2018, and this strengthening had a slightly positive impact on our results.

While we have market risk for changes in the price of jet and vehicle fuel, this risk is largely mitigated by our indexed fuel surcharges. For additional discussion of our indexed fuel surcharges see the “Fuel” section of “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition.”

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

The management of FedEx, with the participation of our principal executive and financial officers, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures in ensuring that the information required to be disclosed in our filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, including ensuring that such information is accumulated and communicated to FedEx management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on such evaluation, our principal executive and financial officers have concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of February 28, 2019 (the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q).

During our fiscal quarter ended February 28, 2019, no change occurred in our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

For a description of all material pending legal proceedings, see Note 9 of the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

Other than the risk factors set forth below, there have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in our Annual Report (under the heading “Risk Factors” in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition”) in response to Part I, Item 1A of Form 10-K, as updated by our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

 

The United Kingdom’s vote to leave the European Union could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition. There is substantial uncertainty surrounding the United Kingdom’s 2016 vote to leave the European Union (“Brexit”), which is scheduled for March 29, 2019. Any impact of Brexit depends on the terms of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union. The ongoing uncertainty within the United Kingdom’s government and Parliament on the status of a withdrawal agreement with the European Union sustains the possibility of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union without a withdrawal agreement and associated transition period in place, which would likely cause significant market and economic disruption and negatively impact customer experience and service quality, and could depress the demand for our services.

 

Even if an agreement setting forth the terms of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union is approved, the withdrawal could result in a global economic downturn. The United Kingdom also could lose access to the single European Union market and to the global trade deals negotiated by the European Union on behalf of its members, depressing trade between the United Kingdom and other countries, which would negatively impact our international operations. Additionally, we may face new regulations regarding trade, aviation, security and employees, among others, in the United Kingdom. Compliance with such regulations could be costly, negatively impacting our business, results of operations and financial condition. Brexit could also adversely affect European and worldwide economic and market conditions and could contribute to instability in global financial and foreign exchange markets, including volatility in the value of the euro and the British pound.

 

Our autonomous delivery strategy is dependent upon our ability to successfully mitigate unique technological, operational and regulatory risks. We recently announced the development through a partnership of an autonomous delivery device designed to help retailers make same-day and last-mile deliveries to their customers. Autonomous delivery is a new and evolving market, which makes it difficult to predict its acceptance, growth, the magnitude and timing of necessary investments and other trends. This aspect of our business strategy is subject to a variety of risks inherent with the development of new technologies, including: the ability to continue to develop autonomous delivery software and hardware; access to sufficient capital; our ability to develop and maintain necessary partnerships; risks related to the manufacture of autonomous devices; and significant competition from other companies, some of which may have more resources and capital to devote to autonomous technologies than we do.

 

In addition, we face risks related to the commercial deployment of autonomous delivery devices on our targeted timeline or at all, including consumer acceptance, achievement of adequate safety and other performance standards and compliance with uncertain, evolving and potentially conflicting federal and state regulations. To the extent accidents, cybersecurity breaches or other adverse events associated with our autonomous delivery devices occur, we could be subject to liability, government scrutiny, further regulation and reputational damage. Any of the foregoing could adversely impact our results of operations, financial condition and growth prospects.

 

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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The following table provides information on FedEx’s repurchases of our common stock during the third quarter of 2019:

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

 

The repurchases were made under the stock repurchase program approved by our Board of Directors and announced on January 26, 2016 and through which we are authorized to purchase, in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, up to an aggregate of 25 million shares of our common stock. As of March 18, 2019, 5.6 million shares remained authorized for purchase under the January 2016 stock repurchase program, which is the only such program that currently exists. The program does not have an expiration date.

Item 5. Other Information

Disclosure Pursuant to Section 219 of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 and Section 13(r) of the Exchange Act. We have comprehensive export controls and economic sanctions programs designed to ensure compliance with United States and other applicable export controls and sanctions laws, rules and regulations. We recently identified the shipments described below involving P2P Mailing Limited (“P2P”), an e-commerce transportation solutions company that FedEx acquired in March 2018. P2P is based in the United Kingdom and organized under the laws of England and Wales. These shipments were not made in accordance with our internal policies and procedures and require disclosure pursuant to Section 219 of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 and Section 13(r) of the Exchange Act.

P2P provides customers with unique low-cost international transportation solutions, leveraging its relationships with private, postal, retail and clearance providers in over 200 countries and territories. Its technology and processes provide plug-and-play options with carrier networks and customer systems. It recently came to our attention that from the date FedEx acquired P2P in March 2018 through early February 2019, P2P facilitated the shipment into Iran of approximately 120 packages through its TrakPak service offering and approximately 960 packages through its Untrak service offering. All of P2P’s customers that shipped packages to Iran sell consumer goods. The aggregate gross revenue for these shipments was £16,067 (approximately $21,300) and the aggregate profit was £5,083 (approximately $6,700). In the case of the TrakPak shipments, one of P2P’s vendors used Iran Air, an entity identified by the United States Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) as owned or controlled by the Government of Iran (“GoI”), to move the shipments from the United Kingdom into Iran. Because all of the shipments in question were postal shipments, Iran Post, an entity FedEx understands to be owned or controlled by the GoI, provided the last-mile delivery for both the TrakPak and Untrak shipments after they arrived in Iran. P2P did not directly contract with, provide payment to or otherwise transact with Iran Air or Iran Post.

P2P does not intend to continue this activity. Promptly upon learning of these shipments, we put in place a mechanism designed to prevent shipments into Iran through P2P’s service offerings, and P2P has not facilitated any such shipments since that time. Additionally, we have implemented enhanced controls, procedures and other measures to ensure P2P’s compliance with our export controls and economic sanctions programs.

We have made an initial notification of voluntary self-disclosure to OFAC and will perfect the disclosure at the appropriate time. We intend to fully cooperate with OFAC regarding these matters.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

 

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

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