UNITED PARCEL SERVICE INC

International Package

(1)Net of currency hedging; amount represents the change in currency translation compared to the prior year.

Revenue

The change in revenue was due to the following:

Comparative results were impacted by one additional operating day in the third quarter of 2024.

Volume

Total average daily volume decreased for both the quarter and year-to-date periods. Average daily volume increased in the quarter for our export products, with all regions having positive average daily volume growth, with the increase offset by declines in domestic products mainly in Europe. Year to date, average daily volumes for both export and domestic products declined, primarily impacted by challenging economic conditions more prevalent during the first half of the year and continue to be compressed due to geopolitical uncertainty. Increased customer demand in certain areas was primarily responsible for the third quarter growth in our export products. During the quarter, average daily volume from large customers increased while volume from SMBs declined 1.8% primarily in Europe domestic products. Year-to-date volumes from both large customers and SMBs declined primarily within the European retail sector and manufacturing sector in various regions, partially offset by growth from customers in the healthcare sector. Business-to-business volume decreased 3.6% for the quarter (down 3.7% year to date), while business-to-consumer volume increased 7.7% during the quarter (down 1.7% year to date) primarily in Europe. We expect year-over-year average daily volume to improve in the fourth quarter relative to the comparative period, due to expected improvements in macroeconomic conditions.

The increase in export volume during the quarter was primarily due to continued growth in the Asia to U.S. and U.S. export trade lanes. Growth in Asia to U.S. trade lanes was driven by additional volume from technology and retail customers while growth in the U.S. export trade lanes was driven by volume from retail customers. Improvements in the intra-Europe trade lanes also slightly contributed to the growth in export volume during the quarter, driven primarily by healthcare customers. Year to date, declines in the intra-Europe trade lanes offset the growth in the Asia to U.S. and Americas to U.S. trade lanes.

Premium product volume remained relatively flat for the quarter (down 5.2% year to date). The year-to-date decline was primarily driven by reductions in our Worldwide Express product volumes as customers made trade-offs toward our economy products, primarily in the earlier part of the year. The quarterly decline was mostly offset by growth in our Transborder and Worldwide Express Saver products. Volume in our non-premium products increased 4.0% for the quarter (increased 0.9% year to date), driven by increases in our Transborder Standard and Worldwide Expedited products. Increases in our Transborder Express Saver and Standard products were driven by customers in the diversified vehicles and parts and healthcare sectors in Europe. Increases in our Worldwide Express Saver and Worldwide Expedited products were driven by technology and retail customers in Asia, respectively.

Domestic volume decreased for both the quarter and year-to-date periods, driven by declines in several European markets, as economic conditions continued to impact consumer spending in the region. For the quarter, increases in Canada, driven by increased volume from retail customers, slightly offset these declines. Continued e-commerce growth in Mexico partially offset the declines in both the quarter and year-to-date periods.

Revenue Per Piece

Rate changes for shipments originating outside the U.S. are made throughout the year and vary by geographic market. For example, in December 2023, we implemented an average 5.9% net increase in base and accessorial rates for international shipments originating in the United States.

Total revenue per piece increased 2.5% for the quarter (up 2.3% year to date), primarily due to base rate increases and favorable shifts in product and geographic mix. These were partially offset by declines in demand-related surcharges. Currency had a negative impact of 10 basis points (70 basis points year to date) on revenue per piece. We anticipate overall revenue per piece will increase in the fourth quarter relative to the prior year as a result of our continuing revenue quality initiatives.

Export revenue per piece increased 0.5% for the quarter (up 0.2% year to date) driven by base rate increases and a favorable shift in product and geographic mix. Currency did not impact export revenue per piece for the quarter but had a negative impact of 60 basis points year to date.

Domestic revenue per piece increased 5.0% for the quarter (up 5.4% year to date), driven by base rate increases and favorable shifts in geographic mix. Currency had a negative impact of 70 basis points for the quarter (130 basis points year to date).

Fuel Surcharges

The fuel surcharge we apply to international air services originating inside or outside the U.S. is largely indexed to the DOE's Gulf Coast spot price for a gallon of kerosene-type jet fuel. The fuel surcharges for ground services originating outside the U.S. are indexed to fuel prices in the region or country where the shipment originates.

Total international fuel surcharge revenue remained flat for the quarter, with the impacts of pricing initiatives and increased export volume mostly offsetting year-over-year fuel price declines. Year to date, fuel surcharge revenue decreased $8 million driven by volume declines in the first half of the year, partially offset by higher average fuel prices during the first quarter. We anticipate fuel surcharge revenue will decrease relative to the prior year fourth quarter, as lower fuel prices are expected to more than offset expected increases in year-over-year volume.

Operating expenses decreased slightly for both the third quarter and year-to-date periods. This quarterly decline was primarily due to a decrease in other benefits expense related to workforce reductions during the current period as compared to the prior year period and decreased other indirect costs from various transactions. This was somewhat offset by $47 million in higher pickup and delivery expenses, associated with increased volumes in certain regions and the impact of an additional operating day.

Year to date, the costs of operating our integrated air and ground network decreased $88 million due to lower average fuel prices and reductions in air charters and aircraft block hours in response to volume declines in the first half of the year. This decrease was mostly offset due to a payment to settle a one-time international regulatory matter in Italy.

Our non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses exclude the impact of activities associated with our transformation strategy, which were immaterial for the quarter (year to date $36 million). Transformation strategy activities reflected within International Package during these periods are primarily comprised of compensation and benefits related to workforce reductions under our Fit to Serve program. See Supplemental Information - Items Affecting Comparability for additional discussion.

We expect our operating expenses will increase during the fourth quarter of 2024, driven by expected volume growth.

As a result of the factors described above, operating profit increased $168 million for the quarter (down $169 million year to date), with operating margin increasing 330 basis points to 18.1% (down 100 basis points to 16.7% year to date). Non-GAAP adjusted operating profit increased $117 million (down $85 million year to date) and non-GAAP adjusted operating margin increased 220 basis points to 18.0% (down 40 basis points to 17.6% year to date). Non-GAAP adjusted operating profit excludes the impact of operating expense adjustments discussed above.

During the third quarter, we completed the previously disclosed, pending liquidation of our Small Package subsidiaries in Russia and Belarus. The process to liquidate our Forwarding and Logistics subsidiaries in Russia are on-going and we expect to finalize the liquidation by the first quarter of 2025. Substantially all of our operations in Ukraine remain indefinitely suspended. These actions have not had, and are not expected to have, a material impact on us.

On July 22, 2024, we announced that we have entered into an agreement to acquire Estafeta, a leading domestic small package provider in Mexico that is expected to enhance our logistics orchestration capabilities in this market. The acquisition is targeted to close in the first half of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.