XML 61 R32.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT

Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

May. 31, 2015

Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS. FedEx Corporation (“FedEx”) provides a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services through companies competing collectively, operating independently and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Our primary operating companies are Federal Express Corporation (“FedEx Express”), the world's largest express transportation company; FedEx Ground Package System, Inc. (“FedEx Ground”), a leading North American provider of small-package ground delivery services; and FedEx Freight, Inc. (“FedEx Freight”), a leading U.S. provider of less-than-truckload (“LTL”) freight services. These companies represent our major service lines and, along with FedEx Corporate Services, Inc. (“FedEx Services”), form the core of our reportable segments. Our FedEx Services segment provides sales, marketing, information technology, communications and certain back-office support to our transportation segments. In addition, the FedEx Services segment provides customers with retail access to FedEx Express and FedEx Ground shipping services through FedEx Office and Print Services, Inc. (“FedEx Office”), and provides customer service, technical support and billing and collection services through FedEx TechConnect, Inc. (“FedEx TechConnect”).

Fiscal Years

FISCAL YEARS. Except as otherwise specified, references to years indicate our fiscal year ended May 31, 2015 or ended May 31 of the year referenced.

Reclassifications

RECLASSIFICATIONS. Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior years' consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year's presentation.

Principles of Consolidation

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of FedEx and its subsidiaries, substantially all of which are wholly owned. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. We are not the primary beneficiary of, nor do we have a controlling financial interest in, any variable interest entity. Accordingly, we have not consolidated any variable interest entity.

Revenue Recognition

REVENUE RECOGNITION. We recognize revenue upon delivery of shipments for our transportation businesses and upon completion of services for our business services, logistics and trade services businesses. Transportation services are provided with the use of employees and independent contractors. FedEx is the principal to the transaction for most of these services and revenue from these transactions is recognized on a gross basis. Costs associated with independent contractor settlements are recognized as incurred and included in the caption “Purchased transportation” in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. For shipments in transit, revenue is recorded based on the percentage of service completed at the balance sheet date. Estimates for future billing adjustments to revenue and accounts receivable are recognized at the time of shipment for money-back service guarantees and billing corrections. Delivery costs are accrued as incurred.

Our contract logistics, global trade services and certain transportation businesses engage in some transactions wherein they act as agents. Revenue from these transactions is recorded on a net basis. Net revenue includes billings to customers less third-party charges, including transportation or handling costs, fees, commissions and taxes and duties.

Certain of our revenue-producing transactions are subject to taxes, such as sales tax, assessed by governmental authorities. We present these revenues net of tax.

Credit Risk

CREDIT RISK. We routinely grant credit to many of our customers for transportation and business services without collateral. The risk of credit loss in our trade receivables is substantially mitigated by our credit evaluation process, short collection terms and sales to a large number of customers, as well as the low revenue per transaction for most of our services. Allowances for potential credit losses are determined based on historical experience and the impact of current economic factors on the composition of accounts receivable. Historically, credit losses have been within management's expectations.

Advertising

ADVERTISING. Advertising and promotion costs are expensed as incurred and are classified in other operating expenses. Advertising and promotion expenses were $403 million in 2015, $407 million in 2014 and $424 million in 2013.

Cash Equivalents

CASH EQUIVALENTS. Cash in excess of current operating requirements is invested in short-term, interest-bearing instruments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase and is stated at cost, which approximates market value.

Spare Parts, Supplies And Fuel

SPARE PARTS, SUPPLIES AND FUEL. Spare parts (principally aircraft-related) are reported at weighted-average cost. Allowances for obsolescence are provided for spare parts currently identified as excess or obsolete as well as expected to be on hand at the date the aircraft are retired from service. These allowances are provided over the estimated useful life of the related aircraft and engines. The majority of our supplies and our fuel are reported at weighted-average cost.

Property And Equipment

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT. Expenditures for major additions, improvements and flight equipment modifications are capitalized when such costs are determined to extend the useful life of the asset or are part of the cost of acquiring the asset. Expenditures for equipment overhaul costs of engines or airframes prior to their operational use are capitalized as part of the cost of such assets as they are costs required to ready the asset for its intended use. Maintenance and repairs costs are charged to expense as incurred, except for certain aircraft engine maintenance costs incurred under third-party service agreements. These agreements, which became effective June 1, 2014, resulted in costs being expensed based on cycles or hours flown and are subject to annual escalation. These service contracts transfer risk to third party service providers and generally fix the amount we pay for maintenance to the service provider as a rate per cycle or flight hour, in exchange for maintenance and repairs under a predefined maintenance program. We capitalize certain direct internal and external costs associated with the development of internal-use software. Gains and losses on sales of property used in operations are classified within operating expenses.

For financial reporting purposes, we record depreciation and amortization of property and equipment on a straight-line basis over the asset's service life or related lease term, if shorter. For income tax purposes, depreciation is computed using accelerated methods when applicable.

The consolidated balance sheet for 2014 reflects the reclassification of $1.1 billion of vehicles that were previously presented in package handling and ground support equipment and $72 million of facilities and other that were previously presented in computer and electronic equipment. The reclassification has no impact on the net book value of property and equipment, total assets, or depreciation expense.

The depreciable lives and net book value of our property and equipment are as follows (dollars in millions):

		Net Book Value at May 31,
	Range	2015		2014
Wide-body aircraft and related equipment	15 to 30 years	$	7,548	$	7,223
Narrow-body and feeder aircraft and related equipment	5 to 18 years		2,943		2,639
Package handling and ground support equipment	3 to 30 years		2,410		2,024
Vehicles	3 to 15 years		2,717		2,615
Computer and electronic equipment	2 to 10 years		866		923
Facilities and other	2 to 40 years		4,391		4,126

Substantially all property and equipment have no material residual values. The majority of aircraft costs are depreciated on a straight-line basis over 15 to 30 years. We periodically evaluate the estimated service lives and residual values used to depreciate our property and equipment. In May 2015, we adjusted the depreciable lives of 23 aircraft and 57 engines. These changes will not have a material impact on near-term depreciation expense. In May 2013, FedEx Express made the decision to accelerate the retirement of 76 aircraft and related engines to aid in our fleet modernization and improve our global network. In 2012, we shortened the depreciable lives for 54 aircraft and related engines to accelerate the retirement of these aircraft, resulting in a depreciation expense increase of $69 million in 2013. As a result of these accelerated retirements, we incurred an additional $74 million in year-over-year accelerated depreciation expense in 2014.

Depreciation expense, excluding gains and losses on sales of property and equipment used in operations, was $2.6 billion in 2015 and 2014 and $2.3 billion in 2013. Depreciation and amortization expense includes amortization of assets under capital lease.

Capitalized Interest

CAPITALIZED INTEREST. Interest on funds used to finance the acquisition and modification of aircraft, including purchase deposits, construction of certain facilities, and development of certain software up to the date the asset is ready for its intended use is capitalized and included in the cost of the asset if the asset is actively under construction. Capitalized interest was $37 million in 2015, $29 million in 2014 and $45 million in 2013.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment when circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. For assets that are to be held and used, an impairment is recognized when the estimated undiscounted cash flows associated with the asset or group of assets is less than their carrying value. If impairment exists, an adjustment is made to write the asset down to its fair value, and a loss is recorded as the difference between the carrying value and fair value. Fair values are determined based on quoted market values, discounted cash flows or internal and external appraisals, as applicable. Assets to be disposed of are carried at the lower of carrying value or estimated net realizable value.

We operate integrated transportation networks, and accordingly, cash flows for most of our operating assets to be held and used are assessed at a network level, not at an individual asset level, for our analysis of impairment.

In the normal management of our aircraft fleet, we routinely idle aircraft and engines temporarily due to maintenance cycles and adjustments of our network capacity to match seasonality and overall customer demand levels. Temporarily idled assets are classified as available-for-use, and we continue to record depreciation expense associated with these assets. These temporarily idled assets are assessed for impairment on a quarterly basis. The criteria for determining whether an asset has been permanently removed from service (and, as a result, potentially impaired) include, but are not limited to, our global economic outlook and the impact of our outlook on our current and projected volume levels, including capacity needs during our peak shipping seasons; the introduction of new fleet types or decisions to permanently retire an aircraft fleet from operations; and changes to planned service expansion activities. At May 31, 2015, we had one aircraft temporarily idled. This aircraft has been idled for approximately two months and is expected to return to revenue service.

In May 2015, we retired from service seven Boeing MD11 aircraft and 12 related engines, four Airbus A310-300 aircraft and three related engines, three Airbus A300-600 aircraft and three related engines and one Boeing MD10-10 aircraft and three related engines, and related parts. As a consequence of this decision, impairment and related charges of $276 million ($175 million, net of tax, or $0.61 per diluted share) were recorded in the fourth quarter. Of this amount, $246 million was non-cash. The decision to permanently retire these aircraft and engines aligns with FedEx Express's plans to rationalize capacity and modernize its aircraft fleet to more effectively serve its customers.

In 2013, we retired from service two Airbus A310-200 aircraft and four related engines, three Airbus A310-300 aircraft and two related engines and five Boeing MD10-10 aircraft and 15 related engines. As a consequence of this decision, a noncash impairment charge of $100 million ($63 million, net of tax, or $0.20 per diluted share) was recorded in 2013. All of these aircraft were temporarily idled and not in revenue service.

Goodwill

GOODWILL. Goodwill is recognized for the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of tangible and identifiable intangible net assets of businesses acquired. Several factors give rise to goodwill in our acquisitions, such as the expected benefit from synergies of the combination and the existing workforce of the acquired business. Goodwill is reviewed at least annually for impairment. In our evaluation of goodwill impairment, we perform a qualitative assessment to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the qualitative assessment is not conclusive, we proceed to a two-step process to test goodwill for impairment, including comparing the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value (including attributable goodwill). Fair value for our reporting units is determined using an income or market approach incorporating market participant considerations and management's assumptions on revenue growth rates, operating margins, discount rates and expected capital expenditures. Fair value determinations may include both internal and third-party valuations. Unless circumstances otherwise dictate, we perform our annual impairment testing in the fourth quarter.

Pension and Postretirement Healthcare Plans

PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT HEALTHCARE PLANS. Our defined benefit plans are measured using actuarial techniques that reflect management's assumptions for discount rate, investment returns on plan assets, salary increases, expected retirement, mortality, employee turnover and future increases in healthcare costs. We determine the discount rate (which is required to be the rate at which the projected benefit obligation could be effectively settled as of the measurement date) with the assistance of actuaries, who calculate the yield on a theoretical portfolio of high-grade corporate bonds (rated Aa or better) with cash flows that are designed to match our expected benefit payments in future years. Our expected rate of return is a judgmental matter which is reviewed on an annual basis and revised as appropriate.

During the fourth quarter of 2015 we changed our method of accounting for our defined benefit pension and postretirement healthcare plans. Under our new method of accounting, we will immediately recognize changes in the fair value of plan assets and actuarial gains or losses in our operating results annually in the fourth quarter each year. Further, we voluntarily changed our method for determining the expected return on plan assets (“EROA”), which is used in the calculation of pension and other postretirement expense for funded postretirement benefit plans for interim periods. We now use the fair value of plan assets to calculate the EROA. The new methods of accounting are collectively referred to as “mark-to-market” or MTM accounting. Historically, we recognized actuarial gains and losses, subject to a corridor, as a component of other comprehensive income and amortized these gains and losses as a component of pension and postretirement healthcare expenses over the average future service period of the covered employees (13 years). Previously, we used a calculated value method to determine the value of plan assets and amortized changes in the fair value of plan assets over a period no longer than four years.

We believe the immediate recognition of actuarial gains and losses under MTM accounting is a preferable method of accounting as it aligns the recognition of changes in the fair value of plan assets and liabilities in the income statement with the fair value accounting principles that are used to measure the net funded status of the plans in our balance sheet. MTM accounting also eliminates the impact on future periods of the amortization of the increasingly material amount of accumulated actuarial losses resulting from persistently low interest rates and changes in demographic assumptions.

The adoption of MTM accounting is a voluntary change in accounting principle that is required to be adopted retrospectively. Therefore all periods presented have been recast to conform to the current year presentation reflecting the retirement plan accounting changes as discussed further in Note 13 and Note 14.

The cumulative effect of the change on retained earnings as of June 1, 2012, was a pre-tax reduction of $8.9 billion, with an offset to accumulated other comprehensive income (OCI) and therefore no net impact to shareholders' equity. The impact of all adjustments made to the financial statements presented is summarized below (amounts in millions, except per share data):

			2014						2013
			Previously				Effect of		Previously				Effect of
			Reported		Adjusted		Change		Reported		Adjusted		Change
Consolidated Statements of Income
Operating expenses
	Salaries and employee benefits	$	16,555	$	16,171	$	(384)	$	16,570	$	16,055	$	(515)
	Retirement plans MTM adjustment		-		15		15		-		(1,368)		(1,368)
Operating Income			3,446		3,815		369		2,551		4,434		1,883
Income Before Income Taxes			3,289		3,658		369		2,455		4,338		1,883
Provision for Income Taxes			1,192		1,334		142		894		1,622		728
Net Income			2,097		2,324		227		1,561		2,716		1,155
Basic Earnings per Common Share			6.82		7.56		0.74		4.95		8.61		3.66
Diluted Earnings per Common Share			6.75		7.48		0.73		4.91		8.55		3.64

Consolidated Statements of
	Comprehensive Income
Net Income			2,097		2,324		227		1,561		2,716		1,155
Amortization of prior service credit and
	other, net of tax		151		(76)		(227)		1,092		(63)		(1,155)

Consolidated Balance Sheets
Retained Earnings			20,429		16,229		(4,200)		18,519		14,092		(4,427)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			(3,694)		506		4,200		(3,820)		607		4,427

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Operating Activities
	Net Income		2,097		2,324		227		1,561		2,716		1,155
	Deferred income taxes and other noncash items		581		339		(242)		521		734		213
	Retirement plans MTM adjustment		-		15		15		-		(1,368)		(1,368)

Income Taxes

INCOME TAXES. Deferred income taxes are provided for the tax effect of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements. The liability method is used to account for income taxes, which requires deferred taxes to be recorded at the statutory rate expected to be in effect when the taxes are paid.

We recognize liabilities for uncertain income tax positions based on a two-step process. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step requires us to estimate and measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement. It is inherently difficult and subjective to estimate such amounts, as we must determine the probability of various possible outcomes. We reevaluate these uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis or when new information becomes available to management. These reevaluations are based on factors including, but not limited to, changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, successfully settled issues under audit and new audit activity. Such a change in recognition or measurement could result in the recognition of a tax benefit or an increase to the related provision.

We classify interest related to income tax liabilities as interest expense and, if applicable, penalties are recognized as a component of income tax expense. The income tax liabilities and accrued interest and penalties that are due within one year of the balance sheet date are presented as current liabilities. The noncurrent portion of our income tax liabilities and accrued interest and penalties are recorded in the caption “Other liabilities” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Self-Insurance Accruals

SELF-INSURANCE ACCRUALS. We are self-insured for costs associated with workers' compensation claims, vehicle accidents and general business liabilities, and benefits paid under employee healthcare and long-term disability programs. Accruals are primarily based on the actuarially estimated cost of claims, which includes incurred-but-not-reported claims. Current workers' compensation claims, vehicle and general liability, employee healthcare claims and long-term disability are included in accrued expenses. We self-insure up to certain limits that vary by operating company and type of risk. Periodically, we evaluate the level of insurance coverage and adjust insurance levels based on risk tolerance and premium expense.

Leases

LEASES. We lease certain aircraft, facilities, equipment and vehicles under capital and operating leases. The commencement date of all leases is the earlier of the date we become legally obligated to make rent payments or the date we may exercise control over the use of the property. In addition to minimum rental payments, certain leases provide for contingent rentals based on equipment usage, principally related to aircraft leases at FedEx Express and copier usage at FedEx Office. Rent expense associated with contingent rentals is recorded as incurred. Certain of our leases contain fluctuating or escalating payments and rent holiday periods. The related rent expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The cumulative excess of rent payments over rent expense is accounted for as a deferred lease asset and recorded in “Other assets” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The cumulative excess of rent expense over rent payments is accounted for as a deferred lease obligation. Leasehold improvements associated with assets utilized under capital or operating leases are amortized over the shorter of the asset's useful life or the lease term.

Deferred Gains

DEFERRED GAINS. Gains on the sale and leaseback of aircraft and other property and equipment are deferred and amortized ratably over the life of the lease as a reduction of rent expense. Substantially all of these deferred gains are related to aircraft transactions.

Foreign Currency Translation

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION. Translation gains and losses of foreign operations that use local currencies as the functional currency are accumulated and reported, net of applicable deferred income taxes, as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income within common stockholders' investment. Transaction gains and losses that arise from exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in a currency other than the local currency are included in the caption “Other, net” in the accompanying consolidated statements of income and were immaterial for each period presented.

Employees Under Collective Bargaining Arrangements

EMPLOYEES UNDER COLLECTIVE BARGAINING ARRANGEMENTS. The pilots of FedEx Express, which represent a small number of FedEx Express's total employees, are employed under a collective bargaining agreement. The contract became amendable in March 2013, and the parties are currently in negotiations. In October 2014, FedEx Express formally requested assistance from the National Mediation Board (“NMB”) to mediate the negotiations, and the NMB has been actively mediating the talks since that time. The NMB is the U.S. governmental agency that oversees labor agreements for entities covered by the Railway Labor Act of 1926, as amended. The conduct of mediated negotiations has no impact on our operations. In addition to our pilots at FedEx Express, GENCO Distribution System, Inc. (“GENCO”) has a small number of employees who are members of unions, and certain non-U.S. employees are unionized.

Stock-Based Compensation

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION. We recognize compensation expense for stock-based awards under the provisions of the accounting guidance related to share-based payments. This guidance requires recognition of compensation expense for stock-based awards using a fair value method. We issue new shares or repurchase shares on the open market to cover employee share option exercises and restricted stock grants.

Treasury Shares

TREASURY SHARES. In September 2014, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 15 million shares of common stock. It is expected that the share authorization will primarily be utilized to offset equity compensation dilution over the next several years. During 2015, we repurchased 8.1 million shares of FedEx common stock at an average price of $154.03 per share for a total of $1.3 billion. As of May 31, 2015, 12.2 million shares remained under the share repurchase authorization. Under this program, shares may be purchased from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. Repurchases are made at the company's discretion, based on ongoing assessments of the capital needs of the business, the market price of its common stock and general market conditions. No time limit was set for the completion of the repurchase program, and the program may be suspended or discontinued at any time.

In 2014, we repurchased 36.8 million shares of FedEx common stock at an average price of $131.83 per share for a total of $4.9 billion.

Dividends Declared per Common Share

DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE. On June 8, 2015, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share of common stock. The dividend was paid on July 2, 2015 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on June 18, 2015. Each quarterly dividend payment is subject to review and approval by our Board of Directors, and we evaluate our dividend payment amount on an annual basis at the end of each fiscal year.

Business Realignment Costs

BUSINESS REALIGNMENT COSTS. During 2013, we announced profit improvement programs primarily through initiatives at FedEx Express and FedEx Services and completed a program to offer voluntary cash buyouts to eligible U.S.-based employees in certain staff functions. As a result of this program, approximately 3,600 employees left the company by the end of 2014. Costs of the benefits provided under the voluntary employee severance program were recognized as special termination benefits in the period that eligible employees accepted their offers. Payments under this program were made at the time of departure and totaled approximately $300 million in 2014 and $180 million in 2013.

The voluntary buyout program included voluntary severance payments and funding to healthcare reimbursement accounts, with the voluntary severance calculated based on four weeks of gross base salary for every year of FedEx service up to a maximum payment of two years of pay. Of the total population leaving the company, approximately 40% of the employees vacated positions on May 31, 2013. An additional 35% departed throughout 2014 and approximately 25% of this population remained until May 31, 2014.

We incurred costs of $560 million ($353 million, net of tax, or $1.11 per diluted share) during 2013 associated with our business realignment activities. These costs related primarily to severance for employees who accepted voluntary buyouts in the third and fourth quarters of 2013. The cost of the buyout program is included in the caption “Business realignment, impairment and other charges” in our consolidated statements of income. Also included in that caption are other external costs directly attributable to our business realignment activities, such as professional fees.

Use Of Estimates

USE OF ESTIMATES. The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the reported amounts of revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent liabilities. Management makes its best estimate of the ultimate outcome for these items based on historical trends and other information available when the financial statements are prepared. Changes in estimates are recognized in accordance with the accounting rules for the estimate, which is typically in the period when new information becomes available to management. Areas where the nature of the estimate makes it reasonably possible that actual results could materially differ from amounts estimated include: self-insurance accruals; retirement plan obligations; long-term incentive accruals; tax liabilities; loss contingencies; litigation claims; and impairment assessments on long-lived assets (including goodwill).