8-KOther Events

EXPEDITORS INTERNATIONAL OF WASHINGTON INC 8-K Report (Aug 21, 2002)

Filed August 21, 2002For Securities:EXPD

Summary

Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. (EXPD) filed an 8-K on August 21, 2002, addressing inquiries received through August 15, 2002. The report clarifies the company's position on several key operational and financial matters, providing transparency to investors. Notably, Expeditors downplayed the potential impact of bankruptcy proceedings at major carriers like US Airways and United, stating their operations would not be significantly affected as long as these carriers continue to operate. The company also addressed its capital expenditure outlook, revising previous guidance and indicating that a significant portion of expected spending would be deferred into 2003, partly due to a probable lack of major real estate transactions in the remainder of 2002. Furthermore, Expeditors reiterated its stance against quantifying the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on its financial results, deeming such calculations irrelevant and a method used by companies to obscure financial performance. The report also touched upon customer behavior regarding port diversions and labor negotiations, indicating that while some East Coast volume increases were observed, they were largely commensurate with overall volume growth rather than a severe trend, and did not mirror the dramatic increases seen by some competitors. The company also briefly mentioned ongoing litigation related to the loss of the Ford customs brokerage business.

Key Highlights

  • 1Expeditors believes its operations would not be significantly impacted by bankruptcy filings of major carriers like US Airways or United, provided they continue operating.
  • 2Share repurchases in Q2 2002 were funded by employee stock option exercises, not the discretionary buyback program.
  • 3Capital expenditure guidance for 2002 has been revised; approximately $30 million is expected in the second half, with some expenditures deferred to 2003.
  • 4Expeditors refuses to quantify the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, viewing such analysis as irrelevant and misleading.
  • 5While East Coast port volumes have increased, Expeditors attributes this more to overall volume growth than a clear trend of diversion due to West Coast labor issues.
  • 6Expeditors has not observed the extreme increases in East Coast bound freight bookings reported by some competitors.
  • 7The company briefly referenced ongoing litigation concerning the loss of the Ford customs brokerage business.

Frequently Asked Questions

Expeditors stated that bankruptcies of carriers like US Airways and United would not significantly affect its operations as long as those carriers continue to operate during reorganization. They also noted that United represents a smaller portion of their 'Sweet 16' carriers, reducing dependency.

All share repurchases in the second quarter of 2002, totaling 158,354 shares at an average price of $29.90, were made using proceeds from the exercise of employee stock options and not from the company's discretionary buyback program.

Yes, the company revised its capital expenditure guidance. While previously expecting around $40 million on property and equipment (including a building project in Egypt), it now anticipates spending approximately $30 million in the second half of 2002. Some expenditures have been pushed into 2003, and a major real estate transaction for 2002 is unlikely.

No, Expeditors explicitly stated they will not quantify the impact of foreign exchange translation or transaction changes. They consider this calculation to be a 'meaningless exercise' often used by companies to mitigate below-expectation financial results and avoid discussing underlying business performance.