Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. (NYSE:EXPD) announced third quarter 2024 financial results including the following comparisons to the same quarter of 2023:
“We have worked hard over this past year to gain additional volumes and grow our business by winning new customers and gaining additional business with current customers,” said Jeffrey S. Musser, President and Chief Executive Officer. “These positive third-quarter results reflect those efforts in securing higher tonnage and volumes, which were further boosted as some shippers pulled freight forward out of concern over port actions and geopolitical disruptions, and in advance of fourth quarter holiday sales. Geopolitical events continued to impact pricing and the flow of freight during the quarter. Ocean transit times remained extended because carriers avoided the Red Sea and were further disrupted by prior concerns over potential port strikes. Air capacity is too scarce and costly to serve as a viable widespread alternative for most shippers.
“Strong growth in air tonnage and ocean volumes had a positive impact on all areas of our business during the quarter. Air tonnage and rates increased across all regions. Direct e-commerce continued to absorb available air freight capacity and boost rates on North Asia exports, and manufacturing relocations and sea-to-air conversions drove higher rates on exports from South Asia. Higher volumes moving through our network led to an increase in fees for customs brokerage and other ancillary services, in addition to new road freight business and growth in order management services. All in all, I would be hard pressed to point to an area of our business where our people did not perform at their highest level.
“We would again caution that our ability to see much beyond our day-to-day levels of activity remains challenging. We believe that ocean rates may decline if demand softens and capacity increases, particularly if commerce on the Red Sea returns to normal. We also believe that global freight markets and pricing are likely to remain volatile for some time. Unpredictable events seem to occur with such increased regularity as to make us wonder if disruption is the new state of normal. Regardless, we remain focused on servicing our current customers and gaining market share, while keeping costs in check.”
Bradley S. Powell, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, added, “We handled increased volumes and tonnage in the third quarter and executed well throughout our network, while keeping headcount flat and controlling operating expenses. Our measure of operating efficiency (operating income as a percentage of revenue less directly related cost of transportation and other expenses) is now back to our 30% target for the year to date. We continue to control and carefully manage our cash, while working to improve operational efficiencies and return capital to investors.”
Mr. Powell noted that the Company repurchased $140 million in common stock during the third quarter of 2024, and $603 million year to date.
Source: Expeditors
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