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Expeditors International of Washington Inc.: Q3 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 4 November 2025: press release. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Diluted EPS rose while revenue fell: Diluted EPS was $1.64, up 1%. Revenues were $2.9 billion, down 4%. Net earnings attributable to shareholders were $222 million, down 3%. Source
  • Operating income declined on lower revenue: Operating income was $288 million, down 4% from $301.5 million a year earlier. The company reported both declines in the same release. Source
  • Airfreight tonnage rose 4%: Airfreight tonnage rose 4% in the quarter, while ocean container volume fell 3%. Airfreight revenue was $1.02 billion, against $986.95 million a year earlier. Source
  • Ocean revenue fell sharply: Ocean freight and ocean services revenue was $746.1 million, against $1,017.6 million a year earlier. Management attributed the decline to pricing volatility and slightly lower volumes. Source
  • Container volume and rates both fell: Ocean FEU volume fell 3% in the quarter, mainly on retail customers. Sell and buy rates declined substantially as additional capacity came on-line. Source
  • Customs volume and complexity rose: Management said the increase in volume and complexity of customs entries continues to test the customs group under tariff conditions. Source
  • Share repurchases of $212 million: Repurchases were $212.3 million in the quarter at an average of $119.65 per share. Including dividends, $725 million was returned in 2025 so far. Source

“We also believe that while the freight environment remains unpredictable, our continued focus on fee-based services will help balance the performance of our overall product portfolio.”

Daniel R. Wall, President and Chief Executive Officer

What changed from last quarter

  • New: The company names David A. Hackett as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. The prior release named Bradley S. Powell in that role. Source
  • New: Management said air capacity eased in the quarter after the de minimis exception for goods entering the U.S. expired. Source

Consolidated results

  • Diluted EPS rose while revenue fell: Diluted EPS was $1.64, up 1%. Revenues were $2.9 billion, down 4%. Net earnings attributable to shareholders were $222 million, down 3%. Source
  • Operating income declined on lower revenue: Operating income was $288 million, down 4% from $301.5 million a year earlier. The company reported both declines in the same release. Source
  • Nine-month results were higher: Nine-month revenues were $8.21 billion, up 7%, and nine-month diluted EPS was $4.46, up 10% from $4.04. Source

Airfreight services

  • Airfreight tonnage rose 4%: Airfreight tonnage rose 4% in the quarter, while ocean container volume fell 3%. Airfreight revenue was $1.02 billion, against $986.95 million a year earlier. Source
  • Asian exports led air tonnage growth: Management said airfreight tonnage grew on exports, particularly from North and South Asia, and in the technology, pharmaceutical and aviation verticals. Source
  • Air capacity eased and rates slipped: Air capacity loosened after the de minimis change, and rates were slightly lower. Management said earlier shipper orders had been accelerated ahead of tariffs. Source
  • AI infrastructure investment cited: Management said technology customers' artificial intelligence infrastructure investment continues to benefit the airfreight business. Source

“We delivered consistent profitability across our portfolio of businesses in the quarter, especially given the volatility in the ocean market and tough comparisons to prior-year results.”

David A. Hackett, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Ocean freight and ocean services

  • Ocean revenue fell sharply: Ocean freight and ocean services revenue was $746.1 million, against $1,017.6 million a year earlier. Management attributed the decline to pricing volatility and slightly lower volumes. Source
  • Container volume and rates both fell: Ocean FEU volume fell 3% in the quarter, mainly on retail customers. Sell and buy rates declined substantially as additional capacity came on-line. Source
  • Ocean adjusted to slower growth: Management said it adjusted the ocean business for slower market growth and recognized the capacity and demand imbalance could continue for some time. Source
  • Early tariff shipments in first half: U.S. importers had accelerated shipments in the first half of the year ahead of expected tariffs, according to management. Source

Customs brokerage and other services

  • Customs brokerage revenue rose: Customs brokerage and other services revenue was $1.13 billion, against $995.6 million a year earlier. Management said the group's products tend to be more stable than air and ocean. Source
  • Customs volume and complexity rose: Management said the increase in volume and complexity of customs entries continues to test the customs group under tariff conditions. Source
  • Productivity tools under development: The company is investing in and exploring productivity gains for customs work, including AI and other technology solutions. Source

“Companywide, we continue to perform at a high level because of our uniquely talented and experienced people.”

Daniel R. Wall, President and Chief Executive Officer

Regional segments

  • United States and Latin America earnings: United States operating income was $144.8 million, against $157.3 million a year earlier. Latin America operating income was $5.7 million, against $4.4 million. Source
  • North Asia revenue fell, Europe rose: North Asia revenue was $721.4 million, down from $914.4 million. Europe revenue was $487.9 million, up from $433.7 million. Source
  • South Asia operating income increased: South Asia operating income was $33.1 million, against $24.1 million a year earlier, while South Asia revenue was $406.1 million, against $445.3 million. Source

Costs, headcount and margins

  • Directly related costs fell with ocean: Directly related cost of transportation and other expenses was $1.94 billion, down 7%. Salaries and other operating expenses rose 10% to $667.1 million. Source
  • Salaries and related costs increased: Salaries and related costs were $490.4 million, against $450.3 million a year earlier. Other operating expenses rose to $84.4 million from $69.9 million. Source
  • Headcount rose to 20,170: Full-time equivalents were 20,170 at September 30, 2025, against 18,690 a year earlier. Source
  • Cost structure aligned to lower growth: Management said it is aligning the operating cost structure with a lower growth environment while investing in high-return areas. Source

Cash, balance sheet and returns

  • Share repurchases of $212 million: Repurchases were $212.3 million in the quarter at an average of $119.65 per share. Including dividends, $725 million was returned in 2025 so far. Source
  • Operating cash flow was higher: Net cash from operating activities was $201.4 million, against $90.0 million a year earlier. Nine-month operating cash flow was $723.2 million. Source
  • Cash balance higher than year-end: Cash and cash equivalents were $1.19 billion at September 30, 2025, against $1.15 billion at December 31, 2024. Source
  • Shares outstanding declined: Shares outstanding were 134.0 million at September 30, 2025, against 138.0 million at December 31, 2024, following repurchases. Source
  • Capital spending remained small: Capital expenditures were $11.1 million in the quarter, against $12.3 million a year earlier, and $40.1 million year to date. Source

Leadership and strategy

  • New CFO named in release: David A. Hackett, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, commented on the quarter. The prior release named Bradley S. Powell in that role. Source
  • Fee-based services focus: Management said its continued focus on fee-based services will help balance the overall product portfolio while the freight environment remains unpredictable. Source
  • Investment in the customs group: Management said the company will continuously invest in productivity tools for its customs brokerage business as the landscape evolves. Source

Coming up, as management said on 4 November 2025

  • Responses to investor questions: Written investor questions received by November 7, 2025 will be considered in an 8-K titled Responses to Selected Questions. Source
  • Continued customs productivity investment: Management said it will continuously invest in productivity tools for the customs brokerage business as the landscape evolves. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Airfreight tonnage, quarter year over year Sourceincreased 4%
Ocean container volume (FEU), quarter year over year Sourcedecreased (3)%
Air sell and buy rates Sourceslightly lower
Ocean sell and buy rates Sourcedeclined substantially

Risks management discussed

  • External: Management cited geopolitical dynamics, supply and demand shifts, and ongoing challenges in the marketplace. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.