Form 10-Q

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2009

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                  to                 

Commission File Number: 0-13468

EXPEDITORS INTERNATIONAL OF WASHINGTON, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Washington    91-1069248

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

   (IRS Employer Identification Number)
1015 Third Avenue, 12 th Floor, Seattle, Washington    98104
(Address of principal executive offices)    (Zip Code)

(206) 674-3400

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ¨    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer  x   Accelerated filer  ¨   Non-accelerated filer  ¨   Smaller reporting company  ¨
    (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

At May 5, 2009, the number of shares outstanding of the issuer’s Common Stock was 212,345,480.

 

 

 


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

EXPEDITORS INTERNATIONAL OF WASHINGTON, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

 

     March 31,
2009
    December 31,
2008
 

Assets

    
    

Current Assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 883,679     $ 741,028  

Short-term investments

     598       658  

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $16,897 at March 31, 2009 and $14,414 at December 31, 2008

     613,283       788,176  

Deferred Federal and state income taxes

     8,924       7,986  

Other

     24,788       35,511  
                

Total current assets

     1,531,272       1,573,359  

Property and equipment, less accumulated depreciation and amortization of $232,922 at March 31, 2009 and $228,025 at December 31, 2008

     488,804       493,129  

Goodwill, net

     7,927       7,927  

Other intangibles, net

     5,904       6,503  

Other assets, net

     20,915       19,921  
                
   $ 2,054,822     $ 2,100,839  
                

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

    
    

Current Liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

     407,021       491,823  

Accrued expenses, primarily salaries and related costs

     148,145       150,487  

Federal, state and foreign income taxes

     29,465       28,039  
                

Total current liabilities

     584,631       670,349  

Deferred Federal and state income taxes

     47,657       46,574  
    

Shareholders’ Equity:

    

Preferred stock, none issued.

     —         —    

Common stock, par value $.01 per share.

    

Issued and outstanding 212,134,033 shares at March 31, 2009, and 211,973,377 shares at December 31, 2008

     2,121       2,120  

Additional paid-in capital

     6,154       7,150  

Retained earnings

     1,431,616       1,372,356  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (26,704 )     (15,208 )
                
    

Total shareholders’ equity

     1,413,187       1,366,418  
                
    

Noncontrolling interest

     9,347       17,498  
                

Total equity

     1,422,534       1,383,916  
                
    

Commitments and contingencies

    
   $ 2,054,822     $ 2,100,839  
                

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

2


EXPEDITORS INTERNATIONAL OF WASHINGTON, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings

(In thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
 
     2009     2008  

Revenues:

    

Airfreight services

   $ 374,456     $ 599,763  

Ocean freight and ocean services

     318,634       446,792  

Customs brokerage and other services

     219,595       260,766  
                
    

Total revenues

     912,685       1,307,321  
                
    

Operating Expenses:

    

Airfreight consolidation

     250,369       461,099  

Ocean freight consolidation

     238,226       360,440  

Customs brokerage and other services

     87,575       111,454  

Salaries and related costs

     187,209       205,815  

Rent and occupancy costs

     18,724       19,435  

Depreciation and amortization

     9,958       9,772  

Selling and promotion

     6,222       9,504  

Other

     22,928       24,238  
                
    

Total operating expenses

     821,211       1,201,757  
                
    

Operating income

     91,474       105,564  
    

Other Income (Expense):

    

Interest income

     3,606       4,964  

Interest expense

     (15 )     (71 )

Other, net

     4,553       1,274  
                
    

Other income, net

     8,144       6,167  
                
    

Earnings before income taxes

     99,618       111,731  

Income tax expense

     40,249       45,210  
                
    

Net earnings

     59,369       66,521  
    

Less net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest

     (109 )     (49 )
                

Net earnings attributable to shareholders

   $ 59,260     $ 66,472  
                
    

Diluted earnings attributable to shareholders per share

   $ .27     $ .30  
                
    

Basic earnings attributable to shareholders per share

   $ .28     $ .31  
                
    

Weighted average diluted shares outstanding

     216,319,959       220,437,979  
                
    

Weighted average basic shares outstanding

     212,100,504       213,062,231  
                

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3


EXPEDITORS INTERNATIONAL OF WASHINGTON, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
 
     2009     2008  

Operating Activities:

    

Net earnings attributable to shareholders

   $ 59,260     $ 66,472  

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Provision for losses on accounts receivable

     2,644       (177 )

Deferred income tax expense

     6,451       8,826  

Excess tax benefits from stock plans

     (3,062 )     (1,506 )

Stock compensation expense

     6,900       11,280  

Depreciation and amortization

     9,958       9,772  

Gain on sale of assets

     (4 )     (575 )

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest

     109       49  

Other

     362       417  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Decrease in accounts receivable

     153,964       59,754  

(Increase) decrease in other current assets

     (15 )     55  

(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses

     (80,170 )     15,078  

Increase in income taxes payable, net

     15,885       9,260  
                
    

Net cash provided by operating activities

     172,282       178,705  
                
    

Investing Activities:

    

Decrease in short-term investments

     44       47  

Purchase of property and equipment

     (8,656 )     (10,210 )

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

     44       42  

Other

     (1,482 )     363  
                
    

Net cash used in investing activities

     (10,050 )     (9,758 )
                
    

Financing Activities:

    

Borrowings of short-term debt, net

     —         810  

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

     8,536       4,614  

Repurchases of common stock

     (19,212 )     (18,618 )

Excess tax benefits from stock plans

     3,062       1,506  

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

     —         (107 )

Purchase of noncontrolling interest

     (2,122 )     —    
                
    

Net cash used in financing activities

     (9,736 )     (11,795 )
                
    

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     (9,845 )     9,215  
                
    

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

     142,651       166,367  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     741,028       574,599  
                
    

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 883,679     $ 740,966  
                
    

Interest and Taxes Paid:

    

Interest

   $ 15     $ 71  

Income taxes

     15,364       24,272  

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4


EXPEDITORS INTERNATIONAL OF WASHINGTON, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

A. Basis of Presentation

Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. (“the Company”) is a global logistics company operating through a worldwide network of offices, international service centers and exclusive or non-exclusive agents. The Company’s customers include retailing and wholesaling, electronics, and manufacturing companies around the world. The Company grants credit upon approval to customers.

The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a result, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted. The Company believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2009.

All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Certain 2008 amounts have been reclassified to conform with the 2009 presentation.

B. Accounts Receivable

The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts, which is reviewed at least monthly for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments for services. Additional allowances may be necessary in the future if the ability of its customers to pay deteriorates. The Company has recorded accounts receivable allowances in the amounts of $16,897 as of March 31, 2009 and $14,414 as of December 31, 2008. Additions and write-offs have not been significant.

C. Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income consists of net income and other gains and losses affecting shareholders’ equity that, under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, are excluded from net income. For the Company, these consist of foreign currency translation adjustments, net of related income tax effects, and comprehensive income attributable to the noncontrolling interests.

The components of total comprehensive income for interim periods are presented in Note 3.

D. Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of the assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

E. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an amendment of ARB No. 51” (SFAS 160). SFAS 160 changes the accounting and reporting for minority interests, which is recharacterized as noncontrolling interests and classified as a component of equity. SFAS 160 modifies the accounting for changes in a parent’s ownership interest and the valuation of retained noncontrolling equity investments when a subsidiary is deconsolidated. SFAS 160 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 160 beginning in the first quarter of 2009. Accordingly, minority interest of $17,498 as of December 31, 2008 has been reclassified to the noncontrolling interest section of equity. Also, the presentation of the consolidated balance sheets, statement of earnings, cash-flows and comprehensive income have been modified to meet the reporting requirements of SFAS 160. The adoption of this statement had no impact on net earnings attributable to shareholders.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (SFAS 141R). SFAS 141R establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree and the goodwill acquired. SFAS 141R also establishes disclosure requirements to enable the evaluation of the nature and financial effects of the business combination. SFAS 141R is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 141R beginning in the first quarter of 2009. The adoption had no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations. The impact will depend upon the acquisitions, if any, the Company consummates after the effective date.

 

5


Note 2. Income Taxes

Based on management’s review of the Company’s tax positions, the Company had no significant unrecognized tax benefits as of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008.

The Company or one of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state, local and foreign jurisdictions. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2005. In October 2007, the Internal Revenue Service initiated an audit of the Company’s federal income tax return for the year 2005. With respect to state and local jurisdictions and countries outside of the United States, with limited exceptions, the Company and its subsidiaries are no longer subject to income tax audits for years prior to 2000. In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to examination by taxing authorities throughout the world. Although the outcome of tax audits is always uncertain, the Company believes that adequate amounts of tax, interest and penalties have been provided for any adjustments that may result from these open tax years.

The Company recognizes interest expense related to unrecognized tax benefits or underpayment of income taxes in interest expense and recognizes penalties in operating expenses. Any interest and penalties expensed in relation to the underpayment of income taxes were insignificant for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008.

Note 3. Equity

A. Stock Option Plans and Stock Purchase Plan

The Company provides compensation benefits by granting stock options and employee stock purchase rights to its employees and restricted shares to its directors. The Company recognizes compensation expense based on the estimated fair value of options awarded under its stock option and employee stock purchase rights plans. The stock compensation expense, adjusted for expected forfeitures, is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The forfeiture assumption used to calculate compensation expense is primarily based on historical pre-vesting employee forfeiture patterns. The Company’s annual grant of option awards generally takes place during the second quarter of each fiscal year and no grants were made in the quarters ended March 31, 2009 and 2008. The grant of employee stock purchase rights and the issuance of shares under the employee stock purchase plan are generally made in the third quarter of each fiscal year and none were issued in the quarters ended March 31, 2009 and 2008.

Total stock compensation expense and the total related tax benefit recognized in the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 are as follows:

 

     For the three months ended
March 31,
     2009    2008

Stock compensation expense

   $     6,900        11,280

Recognized tax benefit

     77    363

B. Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share

The following table reconciles the numerator and the denominator of the basic and diluted per share computations for earnings attributable to shareholders per share for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008:

 

     Three months ended March 31,

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

   Net Earnings
Attributable to
Shareholders
   Weighted Average
Shares
   Earnings Per Share

2009

        

Basic earnings attributable to shareholders

   $ 59,260    212,100,504      .28

Effect of dilutive potential common shares

     —      4,219,455      —  
          

Dilutive earnings attributable to shareholders

   $ 59,260    216,319,959      .27
                  

2008

        

Basic earnings attributable to shareholders

   $ 66,472    213,062,231    $ .31

Effect of dilutive potential common shares

     —      7,375,748      —  
                  

Dilutive earnings attributable to shareholders

   $ 66,472    220,437,979    $ .30
                  

 

6


The following shares have been excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would have been antidilutive:

 

     For the three months ended
March 31,
     2009    2008

Shares

   6,690,423    4,708,895

C. Components of Equity and Comprehensive Income

The components of equity and comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 are as follows:

 

     Shareholders’
Equity
    Non Controlling
Interest
    Equity  

Balance at December 31, 2008

   $ 1,366,418     17,498     1,383,916  

Exercise of stock options

     8,536     —       8,536  

Shares repurchased under provisions of stock repurchase plans

     (19,212 )   —       (19,212 )

Stock compensation expense

     6,900     —       6,900  

Tax benefits from stock plans

     3,062     —       3,062  

Purchase of noncontrolling interest

     (281 )   (186 )   (467 )

Comprehensive Income

      

Net earnings

     59,260     109     59,369  

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of $6,305

     (11,496 )   (16 )   (11,512 )
                    

Total comprehensive income

     47,764     93     47,857  
                    

Distributions or declaration of dividends to noncontrolling interest(1)

     —       (8,058 )   (8,058 )
                    

Balance at March 31, 2009

   $ 1,413,187     9,347     1,422,534  
                    

 

     Shareholders’
Equity
    Non Controlling
Interest
    Equity  

Balance at December 31, 2007

   $ 1,226,571     16,748     1,243,319  

Exercise of stock options

     4,614     —       4,614  

Shares repurchased under provisions of stock repurchase plans

     (18,618 )   —       (18,618 )

Stock compensation expense

     11,280     —       11,280  

Tax benefits from stock plans

     1,506     —       1,506  

Comprehensive Income

      

Net earnings

     66,472     49     66,521  

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of $(4,300)

     7,987     217     8,204  
                    

Total comprehensive income

     74,459     266     74,725  
                    

Distributions or declaration of dividends to noncontrolling interest

     —       (107 )   (107 )
                    

Balance at March 31, 2008

   $ 1,299,812     16,907     1,316,719  
                    

 

(1) Amount of earnings owed to the noncontrolling interest at the time their ownership interest was purchased. These earnings, reclassified from noncontrolling interest to accounts payable, will be distributed in periods subsequent to the effective date of the purchase, including $1,655 paid during the quarter ended March 31, 2009.

 

7


Note 4. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company’s financial instruments, other than cash, consist primarily of cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses. The carrying value of these financial instruments approximates their fair value. Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at date of purchase. Short term investments have a maturity of greater than three months at date of purchase. Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments consist of the following:

 

     March 31, 2009    December 31, 2008
     Cost    Fair Value    Cost    Fair Value

Cash and Cash Equivalents:

           

Cash and overnight deposits

   $ 378,110    $ 378,110    $ 344,853    $ 344,853

Corporate commercial paper

     426,343      426,515      317,230      317,796

Time deposits

     79,226      79,226      78,945      78,945
                           

Total cash and cash equivalents

     883,679      883,851      741,028      741,594
                           

Short-Term Investments:

           

Time deposits

     598      598      658      658
                           

Total

   $ 884,277    $ 884,449    $ 741,686    $ 742,252
                           

The fair value of corporate commercial paper is based on the use of market interest rates for identical or similar assets.

Note 5. Contingencies

On October 10, 2007, the U. S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a subpoena ordering the Company to produce certain information and records relating to an investigation of alleged anti-competitive behavior amongst air cargo freight forwarders. The Company has retained the services of a law firm to assist in complying with the DOJ’s subpoena. As part of this process, the Company has met with and continues to co-operate with the DOJ. The Company expects to incur additional costs during the course of this ongoing investigation, which could include fines and/or penalties if the DOJ concludes that the Company has engaged in anti-competitive behavior and such fines and/or penalties could have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and operating cash flows.

On January 3, 2008, the Company was named as a defendant, with seven other European and North American-based global logistics providers, in a Federal antitrust class action lawsuit filed in the United States District Court of the Eastern District of New York, Precision Associates, Inc. et al v. Panalpina World Transport, No. 08-CV0042. The plaintiffs’ complaint, which purports to be brought on behalf of a class of customers (and has not yet been certified), asserts claims that the defendants engaged in price fixing regarding the provision of freight forwarding services in violation of the Sherman Act. The complaint seeks unspecified damages and injunctive relief. The Company believes that these allegations are without merit and intends to vigorously defend itself.

On June 18, 2008, the European Commission (EC) issued a request for information to the Company’s UK subsidiary, Expeditors International (UK) Ltd., requesting certain information relating to an ongoing investigation of freight forwarders. The Company replied to the request. On February 18, 2009, the EC issued another request for information to the same subsidiary requesting certain additional information in connection with the EC’s ongoing investigation of freight forwarders. The Company replied to the request. The Company expects to incur additional costs during the course of this ongoing investigation, which could include administrative fines if the EC concludes that the Company has engaged in anti-competitive behavior and such fines could have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and operating cash flows.

As of March 31, 2009, the Company had incurred approximately $14 million of cumulative legal and associated costs on the above matters. At this time the Company is unable to estimate the range of loss or damages, if any, that might result as an outcome of any of these proceedings.

The Company is involved in other claims and lawsuits which arise in the ordinary course of business, none of which currently, in management’s opinion, will have a significant effect on the Company’s operations or financial position.

 

8


Note 6. Business Segment Information

The Company is organized functionally in geographic operating segments. Accordingly, management focuses its attention on revenues, net revenues, operating income, identifiable assets, capital expenditures, depreciation and amortization and equity generated in each of these geographical areas when evaluating the effectiveness of geographic management. The Company charges its subsidiaries and affiliates for services rendered in the United States on a cost recovery basis. Transactions among the Company’s various offices are conducted using the same arms-length pricing methodologies the Company uses when its offices transact business with independent agents.

Financial information regarding the Company’s operations by geographic area for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 are as follows:

 

(in thousands)

  UNITED
STATES
  OTHER
NORTH
AMERICA
  LATIN
AMERICA
  ASIA   EUROPE and
AFRICA
  MIDDLE
EAST and
INDIA
  AUSTRAL-
ASIA
  ELIMI-
NATIONS
    CONSOLI-
DATED

Three months ended March 31, 2009:

                 

Revenues from unaffiliated customers

  $ 236,328   29,767   16,131   428,282   132,865   57,112   12,200   —       912,685

Transfers between geographic areas

    18,508   1,882   3,441   3,732   6,773   3,567   2,302   (40,205 )   —  
                                       

Total revenues

  $ 254,836   31,649   19,572   432,014   139,638   60,679   14,502   (40,205 )   912,685
                                       

Net revenues

  $ 131,147   16,199   10,513   94,698   54,118   21,074   8,766   —       336,515

Operating income

  $ 30,636   4,339   2,365   38,227   8,771   4,339   2,797   —       91,474

Identifiable assets

  $ 1,002,406   65,796   35,452   482,508   332,538   113,795   23,232   (905 )   2,054,822

Capital expenditures

  $ 6,095   149   231   543   1,086   340   212   —       8,656

Depreciation and amortization

  $ 5,310   326   238   1,933   1,406   594   151   —       9,958

Equity

  $ 1,561,104   35,135   26,686   393,599   131,539   62,567   13,689   (801,785 )   1,422,534

Three months ended March 31, 2008:

                 

Revenues from unaffiliated customers

  $ 300,072   35,069   19,734   679,850   185,564   67,193   19,839   —       1,307,321

Transfers between geographic areas

    24,189   2,073   3,199   5,111   10,502   3,997   2,134   (51,205 )   —  
                                       

Total revenues

  $ 324,261   37,142   22,933   684,961   196,066   71,190   21,973   (51,205 )   1,307,321
                                       

Net revenues

  $ 149,831   16,674   11,869   98,741   65,773   19,741   11,699   —       374,328

Operating income

  $ 32,690   3,131   3,112   46,021   12,437   4,701   3,472   —       105,564

Identifiable assets

  $ 1,002,929   70,349   49,176   465,475   444,133   109,713   36,072   5,396     2,183,243

Capital expenditures

  $ 3,638   336   269   3,303   1,610   860   194   —       10,210

Depreciation and amortization

  $ 5,364   312   297   1,254   1,768   528   249   —       9,772

Equity

  $ 1,450,614   34,711   24,673   362,378   171,294   52,381   23,068   (802,400 )   1,316,719

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

SAFE HARBOR FOR FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS UNDER PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995; CERTAIN CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS

Certain portions of this report on Form 10-Q including the section entitled “Currency and Other Risk Factors” and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” contain forward-looking statements, which must be considered in connection with the discussion of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. In addition to risk factors identified elsewhere in this report, attention should be given to the factors identified and discussed in the report on Form 10-K filed on February 27, 2009.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. is engaged in the business of global logistics management, including international freight forwarding and consolidation, for both air and ocean freight. The Company acts as a customs broker in all domestic offices, and in many of its international offices. The Company also provides additional services for its customers including value-added distribution, purchase order management, vendor consolidation and other logistics solutions. The Company does not compete for overnight courier or small parcel business. The Company does not own or operate aircraft or steamships.

International trade is influenced by many factors, including economic and political conditions in the United States and abroad, currency exchange rates, and United States and foreign laws and policies relating to tariffs, trade restrictions, foreign investments and taxation and regional and global conflicts. Periodically, governments consider a variety of changes to current tariffs and trade restrictions. The Company cannot predict which, if any, of these proposals may be adopted, nor can the Company predict the effects the adoption of any such proposal will have on the Company’s business. Doing business in foreign locations also subjects the Company to a variety of risks and considerations not normally

 

9


encountered by domestic enterprises. In addition to being influenced by governmental policies concerning international trade, the Company’s business may also be affected by political developments and changes in government personnel or policies in the nations in which it does business.

The Company derives its revenues from three principal sources: 1) airfreight services, 2) ocean freight and ocean services, and 3) customs brokerage and other services. These are the revenue categories presented in the financial statements.

As a non-asset based carrier, the Company does not own transportation assets. Rather, the Company generates the major portion of its air and ocean freight revenues by purchasing transportation services from direct (asset-based) carriers and reselling those services to its customers. The difference between the rate billed to customers (the sell rate), and the rate paid to the carrier (the buy rate) is termed “net revenue” or “yield.” By consolidating shipments from multiple customers and concentrating its buying power, the Company is able to negotiate favorable buy rates from the direct carriers, while at the same time offering lower sell rates than customers would otherwise be able to negotiate themselves.

Customs brokerage and other services involves providing services at destination, such as helping customers clear shipments through customs by preparing required documentation, calculating and providing for payment of duties and other taxes on behalf of the customers as well as arranging for any required inspections by governmental agencies, and arranging for delivery. This is a complicated function requiring technical knowledge of customs rules and regulations in the multitude of countries in which the Company has offices.

The Company’s ability to provide services to its customers is highly dependent on good working relationships with a variety of entities including airlines, ocean steamship lines, and governmental agencies. The significance of maintaining acceptable working relationships with governmental agencies and asset-based providers involved in global trade has gained increased importance as a result of ongoing concern over terrorism. As each carrier labors to comply with governmental regulations implementing security policies and procedures, inherent conflicts emerge which can and do affect global trade to some degree. A good reputation helps to develop practical working understandings that will effectively meet security requirements while minimizing potential international trade obstacles. The Company considers its current working relationships with these entities to be satisfactory. However, changes in the financial stability and operating capabilities of asset-based carriers, space allotments available from carriers, governmental regulation or deregulation efforts, “modernization” of the regulations governing customs brokerage, and/or changes in governmental quota restrictions could affect the Company’s business in unpredictable ways.

Historically, the Company’s operating results have been subject to a seasonal trend when measured on a quarterly basis. The first quarter has traditionally been the weakest and the third and fourth quarters have traditionally been the strongest. This pattern is the result of, or is influenced by, numerous factors including climate, national holidays, consumer demand, economic conditions and a myriad of other similar and subtle forces. In addition, this historical quarterly trend has been influenced by the growth and diversification of the Company’s international network and service offerings. The Company cannot accurately forecast many of these factors nor can the Company estimate accurately the relative influence of any particular factor and, as a result, there can be no assurance that historical patterns, if any, will continue in future periods.

Primarily as a result of the global economic downturn, the Company’s air and ocean freight volumes were lower in the first quarter of 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008. This decline in volumes started in the second half of 2008. At this point in time, the Company cannot predict the ongoing impact of the current global economic downturn or whether various governmental stimulus plans will be effective.

A significant portion of the Company’s revenues are derived from customers in retail industries whose shipping patterns are tied closely to consumer demand, and from customers in industries whose shipping patterns are dependent upon just-in-time production schedules. Therefore, the timing of the Company’s revenues are, to a large degree, impacted by factors out of the Company’s control, such as a sudden change in consumer demand for retail goods and/or manufacturing production delays. Additionally, many customers ship a significant portion of their goods at or near the end of a quarter, and therefore, the Company may not learn of a shortfall in revenues until late in a quarter. To the extent that a shortfall in revenues or earnings was not expected by securities analysts, any such shortfall from levels predicted by securities analysts could have an immediate and adverse effect on the trading price of the Company’s stock.

In terms of the opportunities, challenges and risks that management is focused on in 2009, the Company operates in 60 countries throughout the world in the competitive global logistics industry and Company activities are tied directly to the global economy. From the inception of the Company, management has believed that the elements required for a successful global service organization can only be assured through recruiting, training, and ultimately retaining superior personnel. The Company’s greatest challenge is now and always has been perpetuating a consistent global culture which demands:

 

   

Total dedication, first and foremost, to providing superior customer service;

 

   

Aggressive marketing of all of the Company’s service offerings;

 

   

Ongoing development of key employees and management personnel via formal and informal means;

 

   

Creation of unlimited advancement opportunities for employees dedicated to hard work, personal growth and continuous improvement;

 

   

Individual commitment to the identification and mentoring of successors for every key position so that when inevitable change is required, a qualified and well-trained internal candidate is ready to step forward; and

 

   

Continuous identification, design and implementation of system solutions, both technological and otherwise, to meet and exceed the needs of our customers while simultaneously delivering tools to make our employees more efficient and more effective.

The Company has reinforced these values with a compensation system that rewards employees for profitably managing the things they can control. There is no limit to how much a key manager can be compensated for success. The Company believes in a “real world” environment in every operating unit where individuals are not sheltered from the profit implications of their decisions. At the same time, the Company insists

 

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on continued focus on such things as accounts receivable collection, cash flow management and credit soundness in an attempt to insulate managers from the sort of catastrophic errors that might end a career.

Any failure to perpetuate this unique culture on a self-sustained basis throughout the Company, provides a greater threat to the Company’s continued success than any external force, which would be largely beyond our control. Consequently, management spends the majority of its time focused on creating an environment where employees can learn and develop while also building systems and taking preventative action to reduce exposure to negative events. The Company strongly believes that it is nearly impossible to predict events that, in the aggregate, could have a positive or a negative impact on future operations. As a result our focus is on building and maintaining a global culture of well-trained employees and managers that are prepared to identify and react to subtle changes as they develop and thereby help the Company adapt and thrive as major trends emerge.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Management believes that the nature of the Company’s business is such that there are few complex measurement issues or challenges in accounting for operations.

While judgments and estimates are a necessary component of any system of accounting, the Company’s use of estimates is limited primarily to the following areas that in the aggregate are not a major component of the Company’s statement of earnings:

 

   

accounts receivable valuation;

 

   

the useful lives of long-term assets;

 

   

the accrual of costs related to ancillary services the Company provides;

 

   

establishment of adequate insurance liabilities for the portion of the freight related exposure which the Company has self-insured;

 

   

accrual of various tax liabilities; and

 

   

calculation of share-based compensation expense .

These estimates, other than the calculation of share-based compensation expense, are not highly uncertain and have not historically been subject to significant change. Management believes that the methods utilized in all of these areas are non-aggressive in approach and consistent in application. Management believes that there are limited, if any, alternative accounting principles or methods which could be applied to the Company’s transactions. While the use of estimates means that actual future results may be different from those contemplated by the estimates, the Company believes that alternative principles and methods used for making such estimates would not produce materially different results than those reported.

As described in Note 3 in the condensed consolidated financial statements in this quarterly report, the Company accounts for share-based compensation based on an estimate of the fair value of options granted to employees and directors under the Company’s stock option and employee stock purchase plans. The stock compensation expense, adjusted for expected forfeitures, is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.

Determining the appropriate option pricing model to use to estimate stock compensation expense requires judgment. Any option pricing model requires assumptions that are subjective and these assumptions also require judgment. Examples include assumptions about long-term stock price volatility, employee exercise patterns, pre-vesting option forfeitures, post-vesting option terminations, future interest rates and dividend yields. The Company uses the Black-Scholes model for estimating the fair value of stock options.

For the three month periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, no options were granted by the Company.

Management believes that the assumptions used are appropriate based upon the Company’s historical and currently expected future experience. Looking to future events, management has been strongly influenced by historical patterns which may not be valid predictors of future developments and any future deviation may be material.

The Company’s expected volatility assumptions are based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The expected life assumption is primarily based on historical employee exercise patterns and employee post-vesting termination behavior. The risk-free interest rate for the expected term of the option is based on the corresponding yield curve in effect at the time of grant for U.S. Treasury bonds having the same term as the expected life of the option, i.e. a ten year bond rate is used for valuing an option with a ten year expected life. The expected dividend yield is based on the Company’s historical experience. The forfeiture rate used to calculate compensation expense is primarily based on historical pre-vesting employee forfeiture patterns.

The use of different assumptions would result in different amounts of stock compensation expense. Keeping all other variables constant, the indicated change in each of the assumptions below increases or decreases the fair value of an option (and the resulting stock compensation expense), as follows:

 

Assumption

   Change in assumption    Impact of fair value of options

Expected volatility

   Higher    Higher

Expected life of option

   Higher    Higher

Risk-free interest rate

   Higher    Higher

Expected dividend yield

   Higher    Lower

 

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The fair value of an option is more significantly impacted by changes in the expected volatility and expected life assumptions. The pre-vesting forfeitures assumption is ultimately adjusted to the actual forfeiture rate. Therefore, changes in the forfeitures assumption would not impact the total amount of expense ultimately recognized over the vesting period. Different forfeitures assumptions would only impact the timing of expense recognition over the vesting period. Estimated forfeitures will be reassessed in subsequent periods and may change based on new facts and circumstances.

Results of Operations

The following table shows the consolidated net revenues (revenues less transportation expenses) attributable to the Company’s principal services and the Company’s expenses for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, expressed as percentages of net revenues. Management believes that net revenues are a better measure than total revenues of the relative importance of the Company’s principal services since total revenues earned by the Company as a freight consolidator include the carriers’ charges to the Company for carrying the shipment whereas revenues earned by the Company in its other capacities include only the commissions and fees actually earned by the Company.

The table and the accompanying discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto which appear elsewhere in this quarterly report.

 

     Three months ended March 31,  
     2009     2008  
     Amount     Percent of net
revenues
    Amount     Percent of net
revenues
 
     (Amounts in thousands)  

Net Revenues:

        

Airfreight services

   $ 124,087     37 %   $ 138,664     37 %

Ocean freight and ocean services

     80,408     24       86,352     23  

Customs brokerage and other services

     132,020     39       149,312     40  
                            

Net revenues

     336,515     100       374,328     100  
                            

Overhead Expenses:

        

Salaries and related costs

     187,209     56       205,815     55  

Other

     57,832     17       62,949     17  
                            

Total overhead expenses

     245,041     73       268,764     72  
                            

Operating income

     91,474     27       105,564     28  

Other income, net

     8,144     3       6,167     2  
                            

Earnings before income taxes

     99,618     30       111,731     30  

Income tax expense

     40,249     12       45,210     12  
                            

Net earnings

     59,369     18       66,521     18  

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest

     (109 )   —         (49 )   —    
                            

Net earnings attributable to shareholders

   $ 59,260     18 %   $ 66,472     18 %
                            

Airfreight services net revenues decreased 11% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009, as compared with the same period for 2008. Asian airfreight services net revenues decreased less than 1% and North American and European airfreight services net revenues decreased 18% and 17%, respectively, for the first quarter of 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008. The decrease in global airfreight services net revenues was primarily due to a 29% decline in airfreight tonnage, which was partially offset by an overall 35% increase in net revenue per kilo. This decrease in airfreight tonnage is primarily due to the global economic downturn which began in the second half of 2008. The increase in net revenue per kilo resulted from favorable buying opportunities that developed in a number of short-term spot markets and an improved freight mix.

Ocean freight and ocean services net revenues decreased 7% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009, as compared with the same period for 2008. North America, Asia and Europe ocean freight net revenues decreased approximately 5%, 9% and 8%, respectively, for the first quarter of 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008.

Ocean freight net revenues are comprised of three basic services: ocean freight consolidation, direct ocean forwarding and order management. The majority of the Company’s ocean freight net revenue is derived from ocean freight consolidation which represented 55% and 58% of ocean freight net revenue for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Ocean freight consolidation net revenue decreased 12%, on an aggregate basis, for the first quarter of 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008 primarily due to a 20% decrease in volume as measured in terms of forty-foot container equivalent units (FEUs), partially offset by a 7% increase in net revenue per container. The increase in net revenue per container was largely due to a favorable spot market. Direct ocean freight forwarding, which is primarily fee-based, decreased 4% due to a decrease in volume. The decrease in ocean volumes is primarily due to the global economic downturn.

 

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Order management, which is also primarily fee-based, increased 7% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009, as compared with the same period for 2008. This increase was a result of continued marketing efforts that resulted in new customers and additional business from existing customers.

Customs brokerage and other services net revenues decreased 12% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009, as compared with the same period for 2008, primarily as a result of declines in air and ocean freight volumes. Consolidation within the customs brokerage market is continuing as customers seek out customs brokers with more sophisticated computerized capabilities critical to an overall logistics management program. The Company’s emphasis on providing high quality services and focus on regulatory compliance continues to benefit customs brokerage services.

Salaries and related costs decreased 9% during the three-month period ended March 31, 2009, as compared with the same period in 2008, primarily as a result of (i) an overall decrease in average base salaries, (ii) smaller bonuses due to lower operating income, and (iii) a reduction in stock compensation expense.

The effects of including stock-based compensation expense in salaries and related costs for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 are as follows:

 

     Three months ended March 31,  
     2009     2008  

Salaries and related costs

   $ 187,209     $ 205,815  

As a % of net revenue

     55.6 %     55.0 %

Stock compensation expense

   $ 6,900     $ 11,280  

As a % of salaries and related costs

     3.7 %     5.5 %

As a % of net revenue

     2.1 %     3.0 %

Excluding stock compensation expense, salaries and related costs as a percentage of net revenue increased 161 basis points for the three months ended March 31, 2009, as compared with the same period for 2008. This increase is largely due to the fixed nature of base salaries. Stock compensation expense declined 39% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009, as compared with the same period for 2008, primarily a result of a $4 million “true up” credit for the difference between the higher actual pre-vesting forfeiture experience and the pre-vesting forfeiture assumptions used to calculate stock option expense. This credit relates primarily to stock option grants made in 2006, the majority of which begin vesting in May 2009. The net impact on salaries and related costs was $3 million after consideration of the effect on bonuses.

Historically, the relatively consistent relationship between salaries and net revenues is the result of a compensation philosophy that has been maintained since the inception of the Company: offer a modest base salary and the opportunity to share in a fixed and determinable percentage of the operating profit of the business unit controlled by each key employee. Using this compensation model, changes in individual compensation will occur in proportion to changes in Company profits. Management believes that long term growth in revenues, net revenues and net earnings, are a result of the incentives inherent in the Company’s compensation program.

Other overhead expenses decreased 8% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009, as compared with the same period in 2008, primarily as a result of several cost reduction measures, including cutbacks on travel and entertainment expenses, which were partially offset by a $3 million increase in bad debt expense. Also, legal and related expenses during this same period decreased approximately $2 million, primarily attributable to lower activity related to governmental regulatory agencies’ ongoing investigations of air cargo freight forwarders and related legal proceedings as described further in Part II – Item 1 of this report on Form 10-Q entitled “Legal Proceedings”. The Company will continue to incur substantial legal costs, which could include fines and/or penalties, until these proceedings are concluded. If the governmental regulatory agencies conclude that the Company has engaged in anti-competitive behavior, such fines and/or penalties could have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and operating cash flows. Other overhead expenses as a percentage of net revenues remained constant for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009, as compared with the same period in 2008.

Other income, net, increased slightly as a percentage of net revenues for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009, as compared with the same period in 2008.

The Company pays income taxes in the United States and other jurisdictions, as well as other taxes which are typically included in costs of operations. The Company’s consolidated effective income tax rate remained constant at approximately 40.5% for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008.

Currency and Other Risk Factors

International air/ocean freight forwarding and customs brokerage are intensively competitive and are expected to remain so for the foreseeable future. There are a large number of entities competing in the international logistics industry; however, the Company’s primary competition is confined to a relatively small number of companies within this group. While there is currently a marked trend within the industry toward consolidation into large firms with multinational offices and agency networks, regional and local broker/forwarders remain a competitive force.

 

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Historically, the primary competitive factors in the international logistics industry have been price and quality of service, including reliability, responsiveness, expertise, convenience, and scope of operations. The Company emphasizes quality customer service and believes that its prices are competitive with those of others in the industry. Customers have exhibited a trend towards more sophisticated and efficient procedures for the management of the logistics supply chain by embracing strategies such as just-in-time inventory management. The Company believes that this trend has resulted in customers using fewer service providers with greater technological capacity and more consistent global coverage. Accordingly, sophisticated computerized customer service capabilities and a stable worldwide network have become significant factors in attracting and retaining customers.

Developing these systems and a worldwide network has added a considerable indirect cost to the services provided to customers. Smaller and middle-tier competitors, in general, do not have the resources available to develop customized systems and a worldwide network. As a result, there is a significant amount of consolidation currently taking place in the industry. Management expects that this trend toward consolidation will continue for the short- to medium-term.

The nature of the Company’s worldwide operations necessitates the Company dealing with a multitude of currencies other than the U.S. dollar. This results in the Company being exposed to the inherent risks of the international currency markets and governmental interference. Some of the countries where the Company maintains offices and/or agency relationships have strict currency control regulations which influence the Company’s ability to hedge foreign currency exposure. The Company tries to compensate for these exposures by accelerating international currency settlements among its offices or agents. The Company enters into foreign currency hedging transactions only in limited locations where there are regulatory or commercial limitations on the Company’s ability to move money freely around the world or the short-term financial outlook in any country is such that hedging is the most time-sensitive way to avoid short-term exchange losses. Any such hedging activity during the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 was insignificant. During the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company incurred primarily unrealized net foreign exchange gains of approximately $2,780 and losses of approximately $544, respectively. The Company had no foreign currency derivatives outstanding at March 31, 2009 and 2008.

Sources of Growth

During the first quarter of 2009, the Company opened one full-service office in New Orleans, Louisiana (formerly a satellite of Houston, Texas) and one satellite office in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Company closed one full-service office in Port Louis, Mauritius.

Acquisitions—Historically, growth through aggressive acquisition has proven to be a challenge for many of the Company’s competitors and typically involves the purchase of significant “goodwill,” the value of which can be realized in large measure only by retaining the customers and profit margins of the acquired business. As a result, the Company has pursued a strategy emphasizing organic growth supplemented by certain strategic acquisitions, where future economic benefit significantly exceeds the “goodwill” recorded in the transaction.

Internal Growth—Management believes that a comparison of “same store” performance is critical in the evaluation of the quality and extent of the Company’s internally generated growth. This “same store” analysis isolates the financial contributions from offices that have been included in the Company’s operating results for at least one full year. The table below presents “same store” comparisons for the first quarter of 2009 (which is the measure of any increase or decrease from the same period of 2008) and for the first quarter of 2008 (which measures growth over 2007).

 

     For the three months ended
March 31,
 
     2009     2008  

Net revenue

   (10 )%   12 %

Operating income

   (13 )%   12 %

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company’s principal source of liquidity is cash generated from operating activities. Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2009, was approximately $172 million, as compared with $179 million for the same period of 2008. This $7 million decrease is principally due to decreased earnings.

The Company’s business is subject to seasonal fluctuations. Cash flow fluctuates as a result of this seasonality. Historically, the first quarter shows an excess of customer collections over customer billings. This results in positive cash flow. The increased activity associated with peak season (typically commencing late second or early third quarter) causes an excess of customer billings over customer collections. This cyclical growth in customer receivables consumes available cash.

As a customs broker, the Company makes significant 5-10 business day cash advances for certain of its customers’ obligations such as the payment of duties to the Customs and Border Protection of the Department of Homeland Security. These advances are made as an accommodation for a select group of credit-worthy customers. Cash advances are a “pass through” and are not recorded as a component of revenue or expense. The billings of such advances to customers are accounted for as a direct increase in accounts receivable to the customer and a corresponding increase in accounts payable to governmental customs authorities. As a result of these “pass through” billings, the conventional Days Sales Outstanding or DSO calculation does not directly measure collection efficiency.

 

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Cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 was $10 million. The largest use of cash in investing activities is cash paid for capital expenditures. As a non-asset based provider of integrated logistics services, the Company does not own any physical means of transportation (i.e., airplanes, ships, trucks, etc.). However, the Company does have need, on occasion, to purchase buildings to house staff and to facilitate the staging of customers’ freight. The Company routinely invests in technology, office furniture and equipment and leasehold improvements. In the first quarter of 2009, the Company made capital expenditures of $9 million, as compared with $10 million for the same period in 2008. Capital expenditures in the first quarter of 2009 and 2008 related primarily to investments in technology, office furniture and equipment building improvements and leasehold improvements. Total capital expenditures in 2009 are currently estimated to be $70 million. This includes normal capital expenditures as noted above, plus additional real estate acquisitions and development although to a lesser extent than in the past few years.

Cash used in financing activities during the first quarter of 2009 was $10 million as compared with $12 million during the first quarter of 2008. The Company uses the proceeds from stock option exercises to repurchase the Company’s stock on the open market. The Company follows a policy of repurchasing stock to limit growth in issued and outstanding shares as a result of stock option exercises. The decrease in cash used in financing activities during the first quarter of 2009 compared with the same period in 2008 is primarily the result of this policy and a larger number of stock option exercises in the first quarter of 2009 when compared to the same period in 2008.

At March 31, 2009, working capital was $947 million, including cash and short-term investments of $884 million. The Company had no long-term debt at March 31, 2009.

The Company cannot forecast the potential impact that the recent disruptions in the world financial markets and associated credit tightening may have on the underlying global economy. Management believes that the Company has effective credit control procedures, and historically has experienced relatively insignificant collection problems. The Company cannot predict what fallout any of these disruptions might have on freight volumes due to changes in consumer demand or on customers’ abilities to pay.

The Company maintains international and domestic unsecured bank lines of credit. At March 31, 2009, the United States facility totaled $50 million and the international bank lines of credit totaled $20 million. In addition, the Company maintains a bank facility with its U.K. bank for $10 million which is available for issuances of standby letters of credit. At March 31, 2009, the Company had no amounts outstanding on these lines of credit and was contingently liable for $78 million from standby letters of credit and guarantees. The standby letters of credit and guarantees relate to obligations of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries for credit extended in the ordinary course of business by direct carriers, primarily airlines, and for duty and tax deferrals available from governmental entities responsible for customs and value-added-tax (VAT) taxation. The total underlying amounts due and payable for transportation and governmental excises are properly recorded as obligations in the books of the respective foreign subsidiaries, and there would be no need to record additional expense in the unlikely event the parent company were to be required to perform.

Management believes that the Company’s current cash position, bank financing arrangements, and operating cash flows will be sufficient to meet its capital and liquidity requirements for the foreseeable future, including meeting any contingent liabilities related to standby letters of credit and other obligations.

In some cases, the Company’s ability to repatriate funds from foreign operations may be subject to foreign exchange controls. At March 31, 2009, cash and cash equivalent balances of $512 million were held by the Company’s non-United States subsidiaries, of which $75 million was held in banks in the United States.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company is exposed to market risks in the ordinary course of its business. These risks are primarily related to foreign exchange risk and changes in short-term interest rates. The potential impact of the Company’s exposure to these risks is presented below:

Foreign Exchange Risk

The Company conducts business in many different countries and currencies. The Company’s business often results in revenue billings issued in a country and currency which differs from that where the expenses related to the service are incurred. In the ordinary course of business, the Company creates numerous intercompany transactions. This brings a market risk to the Company’s earnings.

Foreign exchange rate sensitivity analysis can be quantified by estimating the impact on the Company’s earnings as a result of hypothetical changes in the value of the U.S. dollar, the Company’s functional currency, relative to the other currencies in which the Company transacts business. All other things being equal, an average 10% weakening of the U.S. dollar, throughout the three months ended March 31, 2009, would have had the effect of raising operating income approximately $7 million. An average 10% strengthening of the U.S. dollar, for the same period, would have the effect of reducing operating income approximately $6 million. This analysis does not take in to account changes in shipping patterns based upon this hypothetical currency fluctuation. For example, a weakening in the U.S. dollar would be expected to increase exports from the United States and decrease imports into the United States over some relevant period of time, but the exact effect of this change cannot be quantified without making speculative assumptions.

As of March 31, 2009, the Company had approximately $1 million of net unsettled intercompany transactions. The Company currently does not use derivative financial instruments to manage foreign currency risk and only enters into foreign currency hedging transactions in limited locations where regulatory or commercial limitations restrict the Company’s ability to move money freely. Any such hedging activity during the three months ended March 31, 2009, was insignificant. During the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company incurred

 

15


primarily unrealized net foreign exchange gains of approximately $2,780 and losses of approximately $544, respectively. The Company had no foreign currency derivatives outstanding at March 31, 2009 and 2008. The Company instead follows a policy of accelerating international currency settlements to manage foreign exchange risk relative to intercompany billings. The majority of intercompany billings are resolved within 30 days and intercompany billings arising in the normal course of business are fully settled within 90 days.

Interest Rate Risk

At March 31, 2009, the Company had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $884 million, of which $506 million was invested at various short-term market interest rates. The Company had no short-term borrowings at March 31, 2009. A hypothetical change in the interest rate of 10% would not have a significant impact on the Company’s earnings.

In management’s opinion, there has been no material change in the Company’s market risk exposure in the first quarter of 2009.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Controls and Procedures

The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in the Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Changes in Internal Controls

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company implemented a new financial consolidation and reporting software package to enhance the Company’s worldwide consolidation function. This conversion to a new system resulted in changes to internal controls in the financial close process. During 2008, the Company designed and implemented internal controls over the new software package, including successful completion of parallel operations during 2008 and extending through January 2009. Testing of these controls related to the new application will be included in the scope of management’s ongoing assessment of its internal control over financial reporting for 2009. This system implementation was undertaken as a continuing effort to improve the efficiency of the financial reporting and accounting processes and not in response to any identified deficiency or weakness in internal control over financial reporting.

There were no other changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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EXPEDITORS INTERNATIONAL OF WASHINGTON, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

On October 10, 2007, the U. S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a subpoena ordering the Company to produce certain information and records relating to an investigation of alleged anti-competitive behavior amongst air cargo freight forwarders. The Company has retained the services of a law firm to assist in complying with the DOJ’s subpoena. As part of this process, the Company has met with and continues to co-operate with the DOJ. The Company expects to incur additional costs during the course of this ongoing investigation, which could include fines and/or penalties if the DOJ concludes that the Company has engaged in anti-competitive behavior and such fines and/or penalties could have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and operating cash flows.

On January 3, 2008, the Company was named as a defendant, with seven other European and North American-based global logistics providers, in a Federal antitrust class action lawsuit filed in the United States District Court of the Eastern District of New York, Precision Associates, Inc. et al v. Panalpina World Transport, No. 08-CV0042. The plaintiffs’ complaint, which purports to be brought on behalf of a class of customers (and has not yet been certified), asserts claims that the defendants engaged in price fixing regarding the provision of freight forwarding services in violation of the Sherman Act. The complaint seeks unspecified damages and injunctive relief. The Company believes that these allegations are without merit and intends to vigorously defend itself.

On June 18, 2008, the European Commission (EC) issued a request for information to the Company’s UK subsidiary, Expeditors International (UK) Ltd., requesting certain information relating to an ongoing investigation of freight forwarders. The Company replied to the request. On February 18, 2009, the EC issued another request for information to the same subsidiary requesting certain additional information in connection with the EC’s ongoing investigation of freight forwarders. The Company replied to the request. The Company expects to incur additional costs during the course of this ongoing investigation, which could include administrative fines if the EC concludes that the Company has engaged in anti-competitive behavior and such fines could have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and operating cash flows.

As of March 31, 2009, the Company had incurred approximately $14 million of cumulative legal and associated costs on the above matters. At this time the Company is unable to estimate the range of loss or damages, if any, that might result as an outcome of any of these proceedings.

On May 16, 2008, a former employee filed a putative class action lawsuit against the Company in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Kingery v. Expeditors International of Washington, Inc., No. 08-02510. The original lawsuit, purported to be brought on behalf of some group of current and former salaried management and supervisory employees, which the plaintiff alleges were misclassified as exempt from overtime and meal/rest breaks under California and Federal law. In February 2009, plaintiff, through his counsel, announced that the lawsuit will not be prosecuted as a class action, but solely as a lawsuit involving plaintiff individually, and the Court entered an Order on February 18, 2009 dismissing with prejudice all of plaintiff’s class claims. Plaintiff subsequently stipulated to dismiss his remaining claims, and on April 20, 2009, the Court dismissed with prejudice all remaining claims.

The Company is involved in other claims and lawsuits which arise in the ordinary course of business, none of which currently, in management’s opinion, will have a significant effect on the Company’s operations or financial position.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes in the Company’s risk factors from those disclosed in the report on Form 10-K filed on or about February 27, 2009.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Period

   Total number of
shares purchased
   Average price
paid per share
   Total number of shares
purchased as part of
publicly announced
plans or programs
   Maximum number
of shares that may yet be
purchased under the
plans or programs

January 1-31, 2009

   —      $ —      —      13,854,394

February 1-29, 2009

   109,373      31.58    109,373    34,259,140

March 1-31, 2009

   635,120      24.81    635,120    33,691,057
                     

Total

   744,493    $ 25.81    744,493    33,691,057
                     

In November 1993, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a Non-Discretionary Stock Repurchase Plan for the purpose of repurchasing the Company’s common stock in the open market with the proceeds received from the exercise of stock options. This plan was amended in February 2001 to increase the authorization to repurchase up to 20 million shares of the Company’s common stock. On February 9, 2009, the Plan was further amended to increase the authorization to repurchase up to 40 million shares. This authorization has no expiration

 

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date. This plan was disclosed in the Company’s report on Form 10-K filed March 31, 1995. In the first quarter of 2009, 281,626 shares of common stock at an average price of $25.81 per share were repurchased and retired under the Non-Discretionary Stock Repurchase Plan.

In November 2001, under a Discretionary Stock Repurchase Plan, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of such shares as may be necessary to reduce the issued and outstanding stock to 200 million shares of common stock. The maximum number of shares available for repurchase under this plan will increase as the total number of outstanding shares increases. This authorization has no expiration date. This plan was announced on November 13, 2001. In the first quarter of 2009, 462,867 shares of common stock at an average price of $25.80 per share were repurchased and retired under the Discretionary Stock Repurchase Plan. These discretionary repurchases were made to limit the growth in the number of issued and outstanding shares resulting from stock option exercises.

Item 5. Other Information

 

(a) Not applicable.

 

(b) Not applicable.

Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

 

Exhibit Number

  

Description

Exhibit 31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Exhibit 31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Exhibit 32    Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

    EXPEDITORS INTERNATIONAL OF WASHINGTON, INC.
May 8, 2009     /s/ PETER J. ROSE
   

Peter J. Rose, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

May 8, 2009     /s/ BRADLEY S. POWELL
    Bradley S. Powell, Chief Financial Officer

 

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EXPEDITORS INTERNATIONAL OF WASHINGTON, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Form 10-Q Index and Exhibits

March 31, 2009

 

Exhibit Number

  

Description

Exhibit 31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Exhibit 31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Exhibit 32    Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

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