10-KPeriod: FY2024

EXPEDITORS INTERNATIONAL OF WASHINGTON INC Annual Report, Year Ended Dec 31, 2024

Filed February 21, 2025For Securities:EXPD

Summary

Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. (EXPD) reported a strong performance in its 2024 fiscal year, driven by robust demand across its core airfreight and ocean freight services, alongside steady growth in customs brokerage and other services. The company experienced significant increases in both volumes and rates, particularly in ocean freight, where disruptions such as those in the Red Sea led to higher buy and sell rates. Airfreight also saw increased tonnage and rates, fueled by demand from the technology sector and e-commerce. Despite strong revenue growth, cash flow from operations decreased year-over-year due to substantial investment in working capital to support business expansion. Expeditors remains committed to returning value to shareholders, with significant capital allocated to stock repurchases and dividends. The company is actively managing an evolving market landscape characterized by global economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and increasing regulatory scrutiny, while also addressing material weaknesses in internal controls related to IT systems.

Financial Statements
Beta
Revenue$10.60B
Operating Expenses$9.56B
Operating Income$1.04B
Net Income$810.07M
EPS (Basic)$5.75
EPS (Diluted)$5.72
Shares Outstanding (Basic)140.99M
Shares Outstanding (Diluted)141.72M

Key Highlights

  • 12024 saw a significant increase in revenues for both airfreight (+13%) and ocean freight (+33%) services, driven by higher volumes and increased rates.
  • 2Ocean freight revenue was significantly boosted by Red Sea disruptions, leading to longer transit times, capacity issues, and a substantial rise in average buy and sell rates.
  • 3Airfreight tonnage increased by 12%, with strong demand from the technology sector and e-commerce contributing to volume and rate growth.
  • 4Cash from operations decreased by $330 million to $723 million in 2024, largely due to increased investment in working capital to finance growth.
  • 5Expeditors returned $1,059 million to shareholders through common stock repurchases and dividends, underscoring a commitment to shareholder value.
  • 6The company identified material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting related to IT general controls, impacting its ability to prevent or detect misstatements in a timely manner.
  • 7Expeditors is actively investing in enhancing its cybersecurity, internal controls, and IT infrastructure to address identified weaknesses and prepare for future growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Revenue growth in 2024 was primarily driven by increased demand for both airfreight and ocean freight services. Higher shipment volumes, coupled with significant increases in average buy and sell rates for ocean freight (exacerbated by disruptions like those in the Red Sea) and strong demand in airfreight (especially from the technology sector and e-commerce), contributed to the robust revenue performance.

Cash from operations decreased in 2024 primarily due to a significant investment in working capital to finance the company's business growth, particularly in the second half of the year. This investment is a strategic choice to support expanding operations and meet increasing customer demand.

Expeditors demonstrates a strong commitment to returning value to shareholders. In 2024, the company returned $1,059 million to shareholders through a combination of common stock repurchases and dividend payments, reflecting its focus on enhancing shareholder value.

Expeditors faces several key risks, including intense competition, reliance on third-party service providers (carriers), global economic and geopolitical uncertainties, currency fluctuations, and the potential for supply chain disruptions. A significant ongoing challenge is the remediation of material weaknesses identified in its internal controls over financial reporting, specifically related to IT systems, which requires ongoing investment and oversight.