Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

UPS Second Quarter Profit Skyrockets

Trucking and parcel delivery giant UPS reported a huge increase in its second quarter profit – 170% – despite a slight drop in revenue.

Evan Lockridge
Evan LockridgeFormer Business Contributing Editor
July 28, 2015
UPS Second Quarter Profit Skyrockets

 

2 min to read


Trucking and parcel delivery giant UPS Inc. (UPS) Tuesday reported a huge increase in its second quarter profit despite a slight drop in revenue.

Net income totaled $1.23 billion compared to $454 million during the second quarter of 2014, or diluted earnings per share of $1.35 versus 49 cents a year earlier.

Ad Loading...

Second quarter revenue fell 1.2% to $14.1 billion, which the Georgia-based company attributed to currency exchange rates and lower fuel surcharges.

During the quarter, UPS said, it expanded capacity and launched new capabilities "that provide higher value to customers,” said David Abney, UPS CEO. “The strong momentum in our International segment is expected to continue and gives us confidence in achieving the upper end of our guidance range.”

In the company’s supply chain and freight business, overall revenue fell 4.5% to $2.2 billion, due to forwarding revenue management initiatives, currency and lower fuel surcharges at UPS Freight, according to the company.

Ad Loading...

Operating profit improved $31 million, or 18% over the adjusted results for the same quarter 2014.

UPS Freight revenue declined 2.5% due to lower fuel surcharges and a drop in tonnage driven by changes in customer mix and slowing market growth. Less-than-truckload revenue per hundredweight growth remained positive, with a 1.4% gain.

U.S. domestic package revenue increased $140 million over the second quarter last year to $8.8 billion. Total daily deliveries grew 1.8% due to a slower pace of business-to-consumer growth.

Operating profit was $1.2 billion, up 3% over prior-year adjusted results.

In UPS’ international package business, operating profit increased $81 million, or 17% over the adjusted results for the same period in 2014.

Ad Loading...

“The second quarter results reflect continuing gains in our international business,” said Richard Peretz, UPS chief financial officer. “Even though the U.S. economy appears to be growing at a slower pace, our global portfolio and performance reinforces our expectations to attain the higher-end of the guidance range.”

The company’s guidance for 2015 full-year diluted earnings per share is $5.05 to $5.30, a 6% to 12% increase over adjusted 2014 results.

You can find more information on the UPS website.

More Fleet Management

Photo of cable bridge crossing Detroit River
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJuly 23, 2026

Long-Awaited Canadian Border Bridge to Open in Detroit

For trucking, the bridge opening should offer immediate improvements in efficiency and reliability, with new customs facilities, expanded inspection capacity, and direct freeway-to-freeway connections.

Read More →
Blue International heavy-duty truck with Aurora driverless truck software coming head-on on an interstate highway
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeJuly 22, 2026

Aurora Rolls Out Next Generation of Driverless Trucks for Commercial Freight

Aurora's latest autonomous trucks it's rolling out with International feature lower-cost hardware designed for a million miles as the company expands commercial driverless freight operations across the U.S. Sun Belt.

Read More →
American Trucking Associations for-hire tonnage graph
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJuly 21, 2026

Freight Tonnage Down, Rates up, as Lower Capacity Powers Trucking Recovery

The recovery from the freight recession continues to be driven by reduction in capacity rather than by increased demand.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Cyberstop column header depicting images of ChatGPT prompt on a smartphone and shadowy hooded figure
Fleet Managementby Ben WilkensJuly 17, 2026

Think Your Trucking Fleet Isn't Using Much AI? Think Again

Shadow AI — the use of unauthorized artificial intelligence tools at work — is becoming increasingly common, putting sensitive company data at risk. Learn how trucking fleets can protect sensitive data while embracing AI.

Read More →
Photo of semi trucks with Panther, ArcBest, and ABF trailers backed up to docks, with ArcBest logo superimposed on top
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJuly 17, 2026

ArcBest Consolidates Brands, Cuts Workforce

The company will bring three business units under the ArcBest brand, eliminate about 2% of positions, and expects the changes to generate $40 million in annual savings.

Read More →
Cover of ATRI operational costs study with graph clip art and photo of trucks on highway in the background
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJuly 15, 2026

Trucking Fleets Faced Record Operating Costs During Third Year of Freight Recession

ATRI's annual operational cost report shows carriers trimmed fleets, delayed equipment purchases, and ran older trucks as expenses continued to outpace freight rates.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Micheline AI Assistant.

Michelin Adds AI Assistant to MyConnectedFleet Platform

Michelin’s new generative AI tool delivers instant fleet insights, helping managers analyze fuel use, tire maintenance, vehicle status, and operational performance without manually creating reports.

Read More →
LytxOne Platform.

LytxOne Platform Now Features AI, Compliance, and Asset Tracking Tools

New enhancements add AI-powered insights, asset tracking, compliance automation, and configurable privacy controls to Lytx's all-in-one fleet management platform.

Read More →
Container ship at the Port of Long Beach.

July Imports Poised to Set Container Record

The National Retail Federation projects July container imports will surpass the pandemic-era record as shippers frontload freight ahead of expected August tariff increases.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Nine headshots of men and women with Truck Fleet Innovators logo and the word "Finalists"
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJuly 10, 2026

HDT Announces 2026 Truck Fleet Innovator Finalists

From AI and fleet electrification to safety, operations, and leadership, these HDT Truck Fleet Innovator finalists are changing how trucking gets done.

Read More →