USPS Loss Continues in Quarter 3

The U.S. Postal Service ended its third quarter of fiscal year (FY) 2011 (April 1-June 30) with a net loss of $3.1 billion, compared to a net loss of $3.5 billion for the same period in FY 2010. Total mail volume declined to 39.8 billion pieces for the quarter, compared to 40.9 billion pieces in the third quarter of FY 2010.

Postal Service third quarter revenue reflects the anemic state of the economy during the past three months. Additionally, the growth in electronic communications continues to erode core First-Class Mail volume. Net losses for the nine months ended June 30 amount to $5.7 billion in 2011 compared to $5.4 billion in 2010.

Even with significant cost reductions and revenue growth initiatives, current financial projections indicate the Postal Service will have a cash shortfall and will have reached its statutory borrowing limit by the end of the fiscal year. Absent substantial legislative change, the Postal Service will be forced to default on payments to the federal government.

Despite an overall dire financial situation, the Postal Service reports increased revenue for the quarter in certain areas. Standard Mail revenue increased 1.7 percent in the third quarter, and Package Services revenue increased 3.2 percent. Revenue from Shipping Services, including Express Mail and Priority Mail, increased 7.3 percent for the quarter.

Major elements of the third quarter financial results include:
-- Total mail volume of 39.8 billion pieces, compared to 40.9 billion pieces in the same period a year earlier, a decrease of 2.6 percent, led by a drop in First-Class Mail; and
-- Operating revenue of $15.8 billion, compared to $16.0 billion in the same period a year earlier, a decrease of 1.7 percent.

Mailing Services revenue of $13.6 billion decreased $429 million, or 3.1 percent, in the third quarter of 2011, compared to the same period a year ago. Mailing Services volume of 39.5 billion pieces represents a 2.7 percent decline from the same period a year earlier.

Mailing Services results in the third quarter include:
--First-Class Mail revenue of $7.8 billion, on volume of 17.7 billion pieces;
-- Standard Mail revenue of $4.2 billion, on volume of 19.8 billion pieces;
-- Periodicals revenue of $454 million, on volume of 1.8 billion pieces; and
-- Package Services revenue of $354 million, on volume of 143 million pieces.

Shipping Services revenue of $2.2 billion represents an increase of $150 million or 7.3 percent compared to the same period a year ago. Shipping Services volume of 359 million pieces represented a 5.9 percent increase compared to the same period a year earlier.

Electronic diversion continues to cause reductions in First-Class Mail. For the third quarter, single-piece First-Class letter revenue declined $259 million or 8.7 percent, while Periodicals revenue decreased 3.0 percent compared to the same period a year earlier.