UPS today announced first quarter 2015 diluted earnings per share of $1.12, a 14% increase over the prior year period. Operating profit increased 11% to $1.7 billion, with all three segments contributing. Revenue management actions and robust International shipment growth drove the operating profit improvement.
Total reported revenue of $14.0 billion was up 1.4% over the same quarter last year. Revenue growth was 3.6% after adjusting for foreign currency changes.
'The first quarter results were favourably impacted by our continued investments and revenue management initiatives,' said David Abney, UPS chief executive officer. 'These actions delivered high value to our customers and shareowners. We are on track to achieve the company’s long-term financial targets.'
Total company shipments increased 2.8% to 1.1 billion packages, led by European export growth of 9.4%.
Cash Flow
For the three months ended March 31, UPS generated $2.4 billion in free cash flow. The company paid dividends of $636 million, an increase of 9.0% per share over the prior year. The company also repurchased more than 6.7 million shares for approximately $680 million.
U.S. Domestic Package
U.S. Domestic first quarter revenue increased 3.8% to $8.8 billion. Daily package volume improved 2.4%, lifted by growth in Deferred Air, up 12% and UPS SurePost, up 7.0%. Shipment growth rates slowed, as the company chose not to pursue some lower-yielding contract renewals.
Total revenue per package was up 1.3% primarily due to UPS Ground yield increasing 3.1%. Base rate improvements more than offset an approximately 200 basis point drag from lower fuel surcharges. The expansion of dim-weight pricing, implemented last December 29, also contributed to higher yields.
Operating profit increased to $1.0 billion, an 11% improvement from the prior-year period. Operating margin expanded 70 basis points, driven by productivity gains.
International Package
International operating profit was $498 million, up 14% over the prior-year period. Volume growth, pricing initiatives and lower fuel expense all contributed to improved profitability. Operating margin expanded 280 basis points to 16.8%.
Total International revenue of $3.0 billion, increased 2.4% for the quarter on a currency-neutral basis, compared to the reported decline of 5.0%. Lower fuel surcharges also weighed on revenue growth.
Worldwide Export yield contracted 5.2% on a currency-neutral basis, with the majority of the decline due to an approximately 300 basis point reduction in fuel surcharge revenue. Product mix changes and stronger intra-regional shipment growth also contributed to the lower yield.
Export shipments jumped 6.7% led by European growth of 9.4%. In Europe, UPS Export volume has grown at an annual rate of approximately 9% over the past 10 years.
Supply Chain & Freight
Revenue in the segment increased 1.3% to $2.2 billion, driven by growth in Distribution and UPS Freight. Revenue growth was lowered by currency exchange rates and reduced fuel surcharge revenue. Operating margin expanded to 6.9%, generating operating profit of $151 million.