United Parcel reports in-line EPS for Q4; revenues miss mark

United Parcel Service Inc. (UPS) (NYSE: UPS) reported adjusted EPS that matched expectations for the fourth quarter of 2019 while revenues fell short of estimates. Shares were down 0.83% in premarket hours on Thursday.

Total revenue rose 3.6% year-over-year to $20.56 billion, driven by strong average daily volume growth during the peak holiday season. The topline results, however, fell below estimates of $20.66 billion.  

On a GAAP basis, the company reported a net loss of $106 million, or $0.12 per share, compared to a net income of $453 million, or $0.52 per share, in the prior-year period. The results included mark-to-market pension charges, transformation charges and legal expenses related to the New York cigarette case. Excluding the aforementioned charges, earnings grew 8.8% to $2.11 per share, in line with forecasts.  

During the quarter, average daily volume levels exceeded 26.6 million packages, up 7.5%, driven by high demand for air services in the US.

Also read: Altria Q4 2019 Earnings Snapshot

In the US Domestic segment, revenues increased 6.5% to $13.4 billion, with growth across all products. Total volume across all products grew around 9%. Unit costs decreased 2.1%.

Revenues in the International segment amounted to $3.7 billion. Export volume dipped slightly as gains on intra-Europe, intra-Asia and US export trade lanes did not fully offset the declines into and out of the UK and on the Asia-US lane.  

In the Supply Chain and Freight segment, revenues totaled $3.3 billion, with growth in Logistics, Marken and UPS Freight.  

Adjusted EPS is expected to come in a range of $7.76 to $8.06 for fiscal year 2020. Capital expenditures are estimated to be around $6.7 billion.

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