8-KOther Events

EXPEDITORS INTERNATIONAL OF WASHINGTON INC 8-K Report (Mar 16, 2001)

Filed March 16, 2001For Securities:EXPD

Summary

Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. (EXPD) filed an 8-K on March 15, 2001, addressing various investor inquiries. A significant portion of the filing clarifies insider stock sales, attributing them primarily to the exercise of expiring stock options rather than concerns about the company's economic outlook. The company emphasized that these were individual financial decisions to avoid losing the value of granted options, often necessitating share sales to cover exercise costs and taxes, and does not reflect management's view on the company's future performance. The report also touches on operational aspects, including the impact of potential airline strikes, highlighting Expeditors' "freight corollary" to the first law of thermodynamics which suggests freight will simply be moved later or by another carrier. Additionally, the company provided insights into its revenue mix by industry sector and discussed its operational performance in the first two months of 2001, noting a robust gross revenue growth rate of approximately 20% year-over-year, defying general economic gloom narratives.

Key Highlights

  • 1Insider stock sales were primarily due to the exercise of expiring stock options, not a reflection of negative business outlook.
  • 2Expeditors' operational philosophy suggests that freight interruptions (like airline strikes) will be compensated by later movement or alternative carriers.
  • 3The company reported strong year-over-year gross revenue growth of approximately 20% for the first two months of 2001.
  • 4China represents about 10-15% of Expeditors' Far East regional gross revenue.
  • 5Expeditors' business is diversified across sectors: approximately 26% technology, 34% retail, 21% industrial/manufacturing, and 19% other.
  • 6The company stated that no single customer accounts for more than 5% of gross revenue or 4% of net revenue.
  • 7Expeditors generally aims for 15-20% annual business growth, viewing anything over 20% as 'icing on the cake'.

Frequently Asked Questions

These transactions were primarily related to the exercise of stock options granted ten years prior that were nearing expiration. To avoid losing the value of these options, employees exercised them, which often requires selling shares to cover the exercise price and taxes, which can be substantial.

Expeditors believes that freight is neither created nor destroyed by interruptions in asset availability. If a carrier experiences a strike, freight will likely be moved later or by another carrier, and Expeditors expects to manage this as well as any other company in the industry.

Despite general economic concerns, Expeditors reported approximately 20% gross revenue growth for the first two months of 2001 compared to the same period in 2000. The company was satisfied with revenue and operating income results for January and February, and internally does not use terms like 'slow-down'.

Expeditors strongly opposes employee furloughs as a cost-saving measure, viewing it as detrimental to employee morale and the company's long-term success. They prioritize maintaining the value of their 'people' as operating assets over short-term financial pressures and would not ask employees to make such an 'investment'.