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 September 30, 2017

March 31, 2020

OR

o

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

Washington91-1069248

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(IRS Employer

Identification Number)

1015 Third Avenue, 12th Floor, Seattle, Washington

98104

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

(206) 674-3400

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code): (206) 674-3400

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

EXPD

NASDAQ Global Select Market

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 o

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 x No o

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

Large accelerated filer

x

Accelerated filer

o

Non-accelerated filer

o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company

o

Emerging growth company

o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
o

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). 

Yes o No x

At November 3, 2017,May 4, 2020, the number of shares outstanding of the issuer’s Common Stockcommon stock was 177,702,850.



166,426,186.


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements


EXPEDITORS INTERNATIONAL OF WASHINGTON, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

 

March 31,

2020

 

 

December 31,

2019

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

1,111,973

 

 

$

1,230,491

 

Accounts receivable, less allowance for credit loss of

   $3,578 at March 31, 2020 and $11,143 at December 31, 2019

 

 

1,268,798

 

 

 

1,315,091

 

Deferred contract costs

 

 

143,986

 

 

 

131,783

 

Other

 

 

94,060

 

 

 

92,558

 

Total current assets

 

 

2,618,817

 

 

 

2,769,923

 

Property and equipment, less accumulated depreciation and

   amortization of $481,490 at March 31, 2020 and $478,906 at

   December 31, 2019

 

 

484,588

 

 

 

499,344

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

372,748

 

 

 

390,035

 

Goodwill

 

 

7,927

 

 

 

7,927

 

Deferred federal and state income taxes, net

 

 

9,680

 

 

 

8,034

 

Other assets, net

 

 

16,207

 

 

 

16,621

 

Total assets

 

$

3,509,967

 

 

$

3,691,884

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

700,944

 

 

$

735,695

 

Accrued expenses, primarily salaries and related costs

 

 

201,756

 

 

 

189,446

 

Contract liabilities

 

 

170,866

 

 

 

154,183

 

Current portion of operating lease liabilities

 

 

63,748

 

 

 

65,367

 

Federal, state and foreign income taxes

 

 

21,864

 

 

 

23,627

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

1,159,178

 

 

 

1,168,318

 

Noncurrent portion of operating lease liabilities

 

 

313,644

 

 

 

326,347

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, NaN issued

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share. Issued and

   outstanding: 166,193 shares at March 31, 2020 and 169,622

   shares at December 31, 2019

 

 

1,662

 

 

 

1,696

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

682

 

 

 

3,203

 

Retained earnings

 

 

2,202,208

 

 

 

2,321,316

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(169,746

)

 

 

(131,187

)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

 

2,034,806

 

 

 

2,195,028

 

Noncontrolling interest

 

 

2,339

 

 

 

2,191

 

Total equity

 

 

2,037,145

 

 

 

2,197,219

 

Total liabilities and equity

 

$

3,509,967

 

 

$

3,691,884

 

(Unaudited)
 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
Current Assets:   
Cash and cash equivalents$1,033,444
 $974,435
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $11,217 at September 30, 2017 and $9,247 at December 31, 20161,349,854
 1,190,130
Other135,623
 54,014
Total current assets2,518,921
 2,218,579
Property and equipment, less accumulated depreciation and amortization of $413,219 at September 30, 2017 and $406,652 at December 31, 2016513,070
 536,572
Goodwill7,927
 7,927
Other assets, net28,963
 27,793
Total assets$3,068,881
 $2,790,871
Current Liabilities:   
Accounts payable$836,055
 $726,571
Accrued expenses, primarily salaries and related costs216,146
 185,502
Federal, state and foreign income taxes23,853
 17,858
Total current liabilities1,076,054
 929,931
Deferred Federal and state income taxes11,746
 13,727
    
Commitments and contingencies
 
    
Shareholders’ Equity:   
Preferred stock, none issued
 
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share. Issued and outstanding 177,559 shares at September 30, 2017 and 179,857 shares at December 31, 20161,776
 1,799
Additional paid-in capital1,464
 2,642
Retained earnings2,053,723
 1,944,789
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(78,960) (104,592)
Total shareholders’ equity1,978,003
 1,844,638
Noncontrolling interest3,078
 2,575
Total equity1,981,081
 1,847,213
Total liabilities and equity$3,068,881
 $2,790,871

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.




EXPEDITORS INTERNATIONAL OF WASHINGTON, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Airfreight services

 

$

709,039

 

 

$

714,901

 

Ocean freight and ocean services

 

 

493,427

 

 

 

568,641

 

Customs brokerage and other services

 

 

699,398

 

 

 

736,509

 

Total revenues

 

 

1,901,864

 

 

 

2,020,051

 

Operating Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Airfreight services

 

 

520,169

 

 

 

509,210

 

Ocean freight and ocean services

 

 

366,483

 

 

 

420,331

 

Customs brokerage and other services

 

 

400,076

 

 

 

436,396

 

Salaries and related

 

 

342,040

 

 

 

356,910

 

Rent and occupancy

 

 

42,524

 

 

 

41,523

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

12,660

 

 

 

13,393

 

Selling and promotion

 

 

8,243

 

 

 

11,076

 

Other

 

 

50,614

 

 

 

43,611

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

1,742,809

 

 

 

1,832,450

 

Operating income

 

 

159,055

 

 

 

187,601

 

Other Income (Expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

 

4,807

 

 

 

6,106

 

Other, net

 

 

3,384

 

 

 

1,665

 

Other income, net

 

 

8,191

 

 

 

7,771

 

Earnings before income taxes

 

 

167,246

 

 

 

195,372

 

Income tax expense

 

 

44,464

 

 

 

55,261

 

Net earnings

 

 

122,782

 

 

 

140,111

 

Less net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling

   interest

 

 

438

 

 

 

412

 

Net earnings attributable to shareholders

 

$

122,344

 

 

$

139,699

 

Diluted earnings attributable to shareholders per share

 

$

0.71

 

 

$

0.80

 

Basic earnings attributable to shareholders per share

 

$

0.73

 

 

$

0.81

 

Weighted average diluted shares outstanding

 

 

171,450

 

 

 

175,388

 

Weighted average basic shares outstanding

 

 

168,735

 

 

 

171,818

 

(Unaudited)
 Three months ended Nine months ended
 September 30, September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Revenues:       
Airfreight services$735,164
 $621,566
 $2,022,577
 $1,764,512
Ocean freight and ocean services563,386
 495,460
 1,585,730
 1,414,344
Customs brokerage and other services503,616
 445,368
 1,411,270
 1,277,174
Total revenues1,802,166
 1,562,394
 5,019,577
 4,456,030
Operating Expenses:       
Airfreight services547,595
 444,359
 1,490,417
 1,236,555
Ocean freight and ocean services411,061
 359,991
 1,163,051
 1,006,710
Customs brokerage and other services244,368
 212,785
 675,729
 597,320
Salaries and related costs319,050
 291,204
 930,159
 868,091
Rent and occupancy costs30,533
 27,091
 87,826
 81,029
Depreciation and amortization12,272
 11,882
 36,241
 34,853
Selling and promotion10,608
 10,134
 32,476
 29,817
Other39,784
 37,685
 102,429
 103,702
Total operating expenses1,615,271
 1,395,131
 4,518,328
 3,958,077
Operating income186,895
 167,263
 501,249
 497,953
Other Income (Expense):       
Interest income3,444
 2,924
 9,565
 8,593
Other, net96
 925
 2,584
 3,407
Other income (expense), net3,540
 3,849
 12,149
 12,000
Earnings before income taxes190,435
 171,112
 513,398
 509,953
Income tax expense69,829
 63,163
 190,470
 188,518
Net earnings120,606
 107,949
 322,928
 321,435
Less net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest343
 368
 550
 1,218
Net earnings attributable to shareholders$120,263
 $107,581
 $322,378
 $320,217
Diluted earnings attributable to shareholders per share$0.66
 $0.59
 $1.77
 $1.75
Basic earnings attributable to shareholders per share$0.67
 $0.59
 $1.79
 $1.76
Dividends declared and paid per common share$
 $
 $0.42
 $0.40
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding181,788
 182,692
 181,951
 182,958
Weighted average basic shares outstanding179,416
 181,177
 179,827
 181,645

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.





EXPEDITORS INTERNATIONAL OF WASHINGTON, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Net earnings

 

$

122,782

 

 

$

140,111

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax expense of

   $1,174 and $521 for the three months ended

   March 31, 2020 and 2019

 

 

(38,849

)

 

 

1,365

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income

 

 

(38,849

)

 

 

1,365

 

Comprehensive income

 

 

83,933

 

 

 

141,476

 

Less comprehensive income attributable to the

   noncontrolling interest

 

 

148

 

 

 

282

 

Comprehensive income attributable to shareholders

 

$

83,785

 

 

$

141,194

 

(Unaudited)

 Three months ended Nine months ended
 September 30, September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Net earnings$120,606
 $107,949
 $322,928
 $321,435
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:       
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of $4,128 and $202 for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 and $14,019 and $223 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 20167,489
 260
 25,585
 (457)
Other comprehensive income (loss)7,489
 260
 25,585
 (457)
Comprehensive income128,095
 108,209
 348,513
 320,978
Less comprehensive income attributable to the noncontrolling interest285
 260
 503
 1,167
Comprehensive income attributable to shareholders$127,810
 $107,949
 $348,010
 $319,811

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.




EXPEDITORS INTERNATIONAL OF WASHINGTON, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

122,782

 

 

$

140,111

 

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash from

   operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provisions for losses (recoveries) on accounts receivable

 

 

1,820

 

 

 

(1,888

)

Deferred income tax (benefit) expense

 

 

(5,139

)

 

 

2,108

 

Stock compensation expense

 

 

11,156

 

 

 

13,382

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

12,660

 

 

 

13,393

 

Other, net

 

 

433

 

 

 

189

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease in accounts receivable

 

 

16,680

 

 

 

230,477

 

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued

   expenses

 

 

917

 

 

 

(122,283

)

(Increase) decrease in deferred contract costs

 

 

(16,068

)

 

 

31,259

 

Increase (decrease) in contract liabilities

 

 

21,201

 

 

 

(36,725

)

Increase in income taxes payable, net

 

 

10,488

 

 

 

16,993

 

(Increase) decrease in other, net

 

 

(11,930

)

 

 

2,467

 

Net cash from operating activities

 

 

165,000

 

 

 

289,483

 

Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of property and equipment

 

 

(6,127

)

 

 

(9,435

)

Other, net

 

 

(143

)

 

 

255

 

Net cash from investing activities

 

 

(6,270

)

 

 

(9,180

)

Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

 

 

23,399

 

 

 

27,190

 

Repurchases of common stock

 

 

(283,240

)

 

 

(44,334

)

Payments for taxes related to net share settlement of equity

   awards

 

 

(1,396

)

 

 

 

Net cash from financing activities

 

 

(261,237

)

 

 

(17,144

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(16,011

)

 

 

2,535

 

Change in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(118,518

)

 

 

265,694

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

 

1,230,491

 

 

 

923,735

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

1,111,973

 

 

$

1,189,429

 

Taxes Paid:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes

 

$

35,304

 

 

$

37,253

 

(Unaudited)
 Three months ended Nine months ended
 September 30, September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Operating Activities:       
Net earnings$120,606
 $107,949
 $322,928
 $321,435
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash from operating activities:       
Provision for losses on accounts receivable1,741
 1,321
 3,187
 2,461
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense(28,854) (1,439) (16,000) 2,342
Stock compensation expense11,210
 10,476
 39,036
 34,264
Depreciation and amortization12,272
 11,882
 36,241
 34,853
Other, net377
 11
 (148) 41
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:       
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable(126,102) (58,279) (123,790) 6,087
Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses61,833
 38,070
 96,132
 74,148
Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable, net38,149
 7,197
 10,814
 (16,612)
Increase in other current assets(5,872) (1,395) (6,147) (2,089)
Net cash from operating activities85,360
 115,793
 362,253
 456,930
Investing Activities:       
Purchase of property and equipment(34,462) (12,659) (67,603) (39,973)
Other, net(261) 1,617
 (892) 5,472
Net cash from investing activities(34,723) (11,042) (68,495) (34,501)
Financing Activities:       
Proceeds from issuance of common stock65,915
 57,522
 162,781
 147,645
Repurchases of common stock(202,776) (101,690) (340,736) (268,097)
Dividends paid
 
 (75,726) (73,000)
Net cash from financing activities(136,861) (44,168) (253,681) (193,452)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents4,758
 1,853
 18,932
 5,927
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents(81,466) 62,436
 59,009
 234,904
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period1,114,910
 980,264
 974,435
 807,796
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$1,033,444
 $1,042,700
 $1,033,444
 $1,042,700
Taxes Paid:       
Income taxes$58,257
 $58,696
 $190,911
 $205,049

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.



EXPEDITORS INTERNATIONAL OF WASHINGTON, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2020

   and 2019

 

Shares

 

 

Par

value

 

 

Additional

paid-in

capital

 

 

Retained

earnings

 

 

Accumulated

other

comprehensive

loss

 

 

Total

shareholders’

equity

 

 

Noncontrolling

interest

 

 

Total

equity

 

Balance at December 31, 2019

 

 

169,622

 

 

$

1,696

 

 

$

3,203

 

 

$

2,321,316

 

 

$

(131,187

)

 

$

2,195,028

 

 

$

2,191

 

 

$

2,197,219

 

Cumulative effect of accounting

   change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,074

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,074

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,074

 

Shares issued under employee

   stock plans

 

 

571

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

21,997

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22,003

 

 

 

 

 

 

22,003

 

Shares repurchased under provisions of

   stock repurchase plan

 

 

(4,000

)

 

 

(40

)

 

 

(35,799

)

 

 

(247,401

)

 

 

 

 

 

(283,240

)

 

 

 

 

 

(283,240

)

Stock compensation expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,156

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,156

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,156

 

Net earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

122,344

 

 

 

 

 

 

122,344

 

 

 

438

 

 

 

122,782

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(38,559

)

 

 

(38,559

)

 

 

(290

)

 

 

(38,849

)

Dividends paid

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

125

 

 

 

(125

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2020

 

 

166,193

 

 

$

1,662

 

 

$

682

 

 

$

2,202,208

 

 

$

(169,746

)

 

$

2,034,806

 

 

$

2,339

 

 

$

2,037,145

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2018

 

 

171,582

 

 

$

1,716

 

 

$

1,896

 

 

$

2,088,707

 

 

$

(105,481

)

 

$

1,986,838

 

 

$

882

 

 

$

1,987,720

 

Shares issued under employee

   stock plans

 

 

654

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

27,184

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

27,190

 

 

 

 

 

 

27,190

 

Shares repurchased under provisions of

   stock repurchase plans

 

 

(588

)

 

 

(6

)

 

 

(38,484

)

 

 

(5,844

)

 

 

 

 

 

(44,334

)

 

 

 

 

 

(44,334

)

Stock compensation expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,382

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,382

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,382

 

Net earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

139,699

 

 

 

 

 

 

139,699

 

 

 

412

 

 

 

140,111

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,495

 

 

 

1,495

 

 

 

(130

)

 

 

1,365

 

Balance at March 31, 2019

 

 

171,648

 

 

$

1,716

 

 

$

3,978

 

 

$

2,222,562

 

 

$

(103,986

)

 

$

2,124,270

 

 

$

1,164

 

 

$

2,125,434

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


EXPEDITORS INTERNATIONAL OF WASHINGTON, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)


Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Note 1.

A.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
A.

Basis of Presentation

Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. (the Company) is a non-asset based provider of global logistics services operating through a worldwide network of offices and exclusive or non-exclusive agents. The Company’s customers include retailing and wholesaling, electronics, industrial and manufacturing companies around the world.

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 note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP) 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, consisting of normal recurring items, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary tofor 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 23, 2017.

21, 2020.

All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. All dollar amounts in the notes are presented in thousands except for per share data or unless otherwise specified.

B.

Revenue Recognition

The Company derives its revenues by entering into agreements that are generally comprised of a single performance obligation, which is that freight is shipped for and received by the customer. The Company's three principal services are the revenue categories presented in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings: 1) airfreight services, 2) ocean freight and ocean services, and 3) customs brokerage and other services.

The Company typically satisfies its performance obligations as services are rendered over time. A typical shipment would include services rendered at origin, such as pick-up and delivery to port, freight services from origin to destination port and destination services, such as customs clearance and final delivery. The Company measures the performance of its obligations as services are completed over the life of a shipment, including services at origin, freight and destination. The Company fulfills nearly all of its performance obligations within a one to two month-period and contracts with customers have an original expected duration of less than one year. The Company satisfied nearly all performance obligations for the contract liabilities recorded as of December 31, 2019.

Beginning in the second quarter 2019, the Company revised its presentation for revenue transfers between its geographic operating segments and services rendered at the destination, which moved certain revenues and directly related operating expenses for air and ocean transactions to destination services within customs brokerage and other services. These changes better align revenue reporting with the location where the services are performed, as well as the transactional reporting being developed as part of the Company’s new accounting systems and processes. The change in presentation had no impact on consolidated or segment operating income. The impact on reported consolidated and segment total revenues and expenses for these changes was immaterial and first quarter 2019 presentation has not been revised.

C.

Leases

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Right-of-use (ROU) assets represent the Company's right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent the Company's obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. All ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the commencement date at the present value of lease payments over the lease term. ROU assets are adjusted for lease incentives and initial direct costs. The lease term includes renewal options exercisable at the Company's sole discretion when the Company is reasonably certain to exercise that option. As the Company's leases generally do not have an implicit rate, the Company uses an estimated incremental borrowing rate based on market information available at the commencement date to determine the present value. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conformof our leases include variable payments, which may vary based upon changes in facts or circumstances after the start of the lease. The Company excludes variable payments from ROU assets and lease liabilities, to the 2017 presentation.extent not considered fixed, and instead expense variable payments as incurred. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and is included in rent and occupancy expenses on the condensed consolidated statement of earnings.


B.

D.

Accounts Receivable

Effective January 1, 2020, the Company adopted a new accounting standard update related to the measurement of credit losses on financial instruments. The adoption had an immaterial effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures. Under this new standard, the valuation allowance reduces a financial asset’s balance for credit losses expected to be incurred over the assets contractual term. The Company maintainsdetermined that this new guidance is applicable to its accounts receivable, which are short term and for which the Company has not historically experienced significant credit losses. The Company adopted this standard using the modified retrospective transition method resulting in a $6 millionadjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings and an $8 million reduction to the opening balance of allowance for doubtfulcredit loss. The Company’s trade accounts whichreceivable present similar credit risk characteristics and the allowance for credit loss is reviewed at least monthly for estimated losses resulting fromon a collective basis, using a credit loss-rate method leveraging historical credit loss information and including considerations of the inability of its customers to make required payments for services and advances.current economic environment. Additional allowances may be necessary in the future if the ability of customerschanges in economic conditions are significant enough to pay deteriorates.affect expected credit losses. The Company has recorded an allowance for doubtful accountscredit loss in the amounts of $11,2173,578 as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and $9,247$11,143 as of December 31, 2016. 2019. Additions and write-offs have not been significant in the periods presented.

C.

E.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of the assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. The Company uses estimates primarily in the following areas: accounts receivable valuation, accrual of costs related to ancillary services the Company provides, accrual of liabilities for the portion of the related exposure that the Company has self-insured, accrual of various tax liabilities including estimates associated with the U.S. enacted Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the 2017 Tax Act), accrual of loss contingencies, and calculation of share-based compensation expense.expense and estimates related to determining the lease term and discount rate when measuring ROU assets and lease liabilities. Actual results could differbe materially different from those estimates.the estimated provisions and accruals recorded.

F.

Recent Accounting Pronouncement





In December 2019, the FASB issued an ASU, which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740. The ASU also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application among reporting entities. This standard will become effective for the Company on January 1, 2021. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

Note 2. Share-Based Compensation

The Company has historically granted the majority of its share-based awards during the second quarter of each fiscal year. On May 2, 2017, shareholders approvedDuring the 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan (2017 Plan), which made available 2,500 shares of the Company's common stock in aggregate to be issued under any award type allowed by the 2017 Plan. In the nine-month periodthree months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company awarded 583 restricted stock units (RSU) under the 2017 Plan to certain employees at a weighted-averagedid 0t grant date fair value of $54.04. The RSU vest annually over 3 years based on continued employment and are settled upon vesting in shares of the Company's common stock on a one-for-one basis. The value of an RSU grant is based on the Company's stock price on the date of grant. Additionally, in the second quarter of 2017 and 2016, respectively, 38 and 41 fully vested shares were granted to non-employee directors.

The Company also awarded 23 performance stock units (PSU) under the 2017 Plan. The PSU include performance conditions and a time-based vesting component. The final number of PSU will be determined using an adjustment factor of up to two times each PSU granted, depending on the degree of achievement of the designated performance targets. If the minimum performance thresholds are not achieved, no shares will be issued. Each PSU will convert to one share of the Company's common stock upon vesting.
RSU and PSU granted under the 2017 Plan have dividend equivalent rights, which entitle holders of RSU and PSU to the same dividend value per share as holders of common stock. Dividend equivalent rights are subject to the same vesting and other terms and conditions as the corresponding unvested RSU and PSU and are accumulated and paid in shares when the underlying awards vest.
Under the 2016 Stock Option Plan, 2,973 options were granted in the nine months ended September 30, 2016, vesting over 3 years from the date of grant. The Company does not plan to grant stock options in 2017.
any share-based awards.

The grant of employee stock purchase rights and the issuance of shares under the employee stock purchase plan are made in the third quarter of each fiscal year and 682 and 703year. NaN shares were issued in the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The fair value ofunder the employee stock purchase rights granted was $11.69plan in the three months ended March 31, 2020 and $10.99 per share for the quarters ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

2019.

The Company recognizes stock compensation expense based on an estimate of the fair value of awards granted to employees and directors under the Company’s omnibus incentive, stock option director restricted stock and employee stock purchase rights plans. This expense, adjusted for expected forfeitures, is recognized in net earnings on a straight-line basis over the service periods as salaries and related expenses. RSU awardscosts on the condensed consolidated statements of earnings. Restricted stock units and performance share units awarded to certain employees meeting specific retirement eligibility criteria at the time of grant are expensed immediately as there is no substantive service period associated with those awards. Approximately $4 million


Note 3. Income Taxes

During 2019, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the U.S. Department of stock compensationTreasury (Treasury) issued additional guidelines and clarifying regulations related to the implementation of the 2017 Tax Act. The Company expects that additional guidance will continue to be issued in future periods. As this guidance is issued, the Company will continue to evaluate the information to determine whether any additional adjustments to its tax provisions are required.

The 2017 Tax Act included provisions for Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (GILTI) under which taxes on foreign income are imposed on the excess of a deemed return on tangible assets of certain foreign subsidiaries and for Base Erosion and Anti-Abuse Tax (BEAT) under which taxes are imposed on certain base eroding payments to affiliated foreign companies. The Company treats BEAT and GILTI as components of current income tax expense. For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, there was 0 BEAT expense and GILTI expense was recognizedinsignificant.

The Company’s consolidated effective income tax rate was 26.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to 28.3%for the comparable period in 2019. The effect of higher average tax rates of our international subsidiaries, when compared to U.S. federal and state tax rates, were partially offset by U.S. foreign tax credits and U.S. income tax deductions for Foreign-derived intangible income (FDII).  

The Company is subject to taxation in various states and many foreign jurisdictions including the People’s Republic of China, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam, India, Mexico, Canada, Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The Company believes that its tax positions, including intercompany transfer pricing policies, are reasonable and consistently applied. The Company is under, or may be subject to, audit or examination and assessments by the relevant authorities in respect to these and any other jurisdictions primarily for years 2009 and thereafter. Sometimes audits result in proposed assessments where the ultimate resolution could result in significant additional tax, penalties and interest payments being required. The Company establishes liabilities when, despite its belief that the tax return positions are appropriate and consistent with tax law, it concludes that it may not be successful in realizing the tax position. In evaluating a tax position, the Company determines whether it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position and in consultation with qualified tax advisors.

The total amount of the Company’s tax contingencies may increase in 2020. In addition, changes in state, federal, and foreign tax laws and changes in interpretations of these laws may increase the Company’s existing tax contingencies. The timing of the resolution of income tax examinations can be highly uncertain, and the amounts ultimately paid including interest and penalties, if any, upon resolution of the issues raised by the taxing authorities may differ from the amounts recorded. It is reasonably possible that within the next twelve months the Company may undergo further audits and examinations by various tax authorities and possibly may reach resolution related to income tax examinations in one or more jurisdictions. These assessments or settlements could result in changes to the Company’s contingencies related to positions on tax filings in future years. The estimate of any ultimate tax liability contains assumptions based on experiences, judgments about potential actions by taxing jurisdictions as well as judgments about the likely outcome of issues that have been raised by the taxing jurisdiction. Any interest and penalties expensed in relation to the underpayment of income taxes were insignificant for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019.

As discussed above, some elements of the recorded impacts of the 2017 Tax Act could be impacted by further legislative action as well as additional interpretations and guidance issued by the IRS or Treasury. As a result, the amount of income tax recorded in the second quarterfuture may differ, possibly materially. For further information and discussion of the potential impact of the 2017 for RSU grants meeting retirement eligibility criteria.

BeginningTax Act, refer to Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements in the Company's 2019 Annual Report on January 1, 2017, the Company adopted accounting guidance requiring that, prospectively, excess tax benefits and deficiencies be recorded in income tax expense for vesting of RSU, stock option exercises, cancellations and disqualifying dispositions of employee stock purchase plan shares. Also, the Company has elected to continue to estimate forfeitures expected to occur in determining compensation cost to be recognized in each period.
Total stock compensation expense and the total related tax benefit recognized are as follows:
 Three months ended Nine months ended
 September 30, September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Stock compensation expense$11,210
 $10,476
 $39,036
 $34,264
Recognized tax benefit$2,311
 $2,149
 $8,187
 $5,928




Form 10-K.

Note 3.4. Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share

Diluted earnings attributable to shareholders per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares and dilutive potential common shares outstanding. Dilutive potential shares represent outstanding stock options, including purchase options under the Company's employee stock purchase plan, and unvested restricted stock units. Basic earnings attributable to shareholders per share is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding without taking into consideration dilutive potential common shares outstanding.


The following table reconciles the numerator and the denominator of the basic and diluted per share computations for earnings attributable to shareholders:

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

��

 

Net earnings

attributable to

shareholders

 

 

Weighted

average

shares

 

 

Earnings per

share

 

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings attributable to shareholders

 

$

122,344

 

 

 

168,735

 

 

$

0.73

 

Effect of dilutive potential common shares

 

 

 

 

 

2,715

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings attributable to shareholders

 

$

122,344

 

 

 

171,450

 

 

$

0.71

 

2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings attributable to shareholders

 

$

139,699

 

 

 

171,818

 

 

$

0.81

 

Effect of dilutive potential common shares

 

 

 

 

 

3,570

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings attributable to shareholders

 

$

139,699

 

 

 

175,388

 

 

$

0.80

 

 Three months ended 
 September 30,
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
Net earnings
attributable to
shareholders
 
Weighted average
shares
 Earnings per share
2017     
Basic earnings attributable to shareholders$120,263
 179,416
 $0.67
Effect of dilutive potential common shares
 2,372
 
Diluted earnings attributable to shareholders$120,263
 181,788
 $0.66
2016     
Basic earnings attributable to shareholders$107,581
 181,177
 $0.59
Effect of dilutive potential common shares
 1,515
 
Diluted earnings attributable to shareholders$107,581
 182,692
 $0.59

 Nine months ended
 September 30,
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
Net earnings
attributable to
shareholders
 
Weighted average
shares
 Earnings per share
2017     
Basic earnings attributable to shareholders$322,378
 179,827
 $1.79
Effect of dilutive potential common shares
 2,124
 
Diluted earnings attributable to shareholders$322,378
 181,951
 $1.77
2016     
Basic earnings attributable to shareholders$320,217
 181,645
 $1.76
Effect of dilutive potential common shares
 1,313
 
Diluted earnings attributable to shareholders$320,217
 182,958
 $1.75
The following

Substantially all outstanding potential common shares have been excluded from the computationas of diluted earnings per share because the effect would have been antidilutive:

 Three months ended Nine months ended
 September 30, September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Shares1
 8,646
 1,233
 9,516



March 31, 2020 and 2019 were dilutive.

Note 4. Components of5. Shareholders' Equity

The components of equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 are as follows:
 
Shareholders’
equity
 
Noncontrolling
interest
 
Total
equity
Balance at December 31, 2016$1,844,638
 2,575
 1,847,213
Exercise of stock options134,014
 
 134,014
Issuance of shares under stock purchase plan28,767
 
 28,767
Shares repurchased under provisions of stock repurchase plans(340,736) 
 (340,736)
Stock compensation expense39,036
 
 39,036
Net earnings322,378
 550
 322,928
Other comprehensive income (loss)25,632
 (47) 25,585
Dividends paid ($0.42 per share)(75,726) 
 (75,726)
Balance at September 30, 2017$1,978,003
 3,078
 1,981,081
      
Balance at December 31, 2015$1,691,993
 2,683
 1,694,676
Exercise of stock options119,509
 
 119,509
Issuance of shares under stock purchase plan28,136
   28,136
Shares repurchased under provisions of stock repurchase plans(268,097) 
 (268,097)
Stock compensation expense34,264
 
 34,264
Tax benefits from stock plans, net(2,533) 
 (2,533)
Net earnings320,217
 1,218
 321,435
Other comprehensive loss(406) (51) (457)
Dividends paid ($0.40 per share)(73,000) 
 (73,000)
Balance at September 30, 2016$1,850,083
 3,850
 1,853,933

The Company has a Non-Discretionary Stock Repurchase Plan to repurchase shares from the proceeds of stock option exercises and employee stock purchases. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, 2,902 and 2,822 shares were repurchased at an average price of $55.58 and $49.84 per share, respectively.

The Company also has a Discretionary Stock Repurchase Plan approved by the Board of Directors that authorizes management to reduce issued and outstanding common stock down to 170 million shares of common stock.160,000 shares. During the nine-month periodsthree months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, 3,189 and 2,579March 31, 2020, 4,000 shares were repurchased at an average price of $56.26 and $49.41$70.81 per share, respectively.
compared to 500 shares at an average price of $75.64 per share during the same period in 2019. In the first quarter of 2019, the Company also repurchased 88 shares at an average price of $74.03 under a Non-discretionary Stock Repurchase Plan that expired in 2019.

Accumulated other comprehensive loss consisted entirely of foreign currency translation adjustments, net of related income tax effects, for all the periods presented.

On

Subsequent to the end of first quarter 2020, on May 2, 2017,5, 2020, the Board of Directors declared a semi-annual dividend of $0.42$0.52 per share payable on June 15, 20172020 to shareholders of record as of June 1, 2017. On May 3, 2016, the Board of Directors declared a semi-annual dividend of $0.40 per share payable on June 15, 2016 to shareholders of record as of June 1, 2016.

Subsequent to the end of the third quarter, on November 7, 2017, the Board of Directors declared a semi-annual dividend of $0.42 per share payable on December 15, 2017 to shareholders of record as of December 1, 2017.





Note 5. Assets Held for Sale
In January 2017, the Company formally approved a plan to sell land and buildings located in Miami, Florida. The decision to sell these assets was largely based upon changes in local operational requirements and the Company's intended use of the property. The net book value of the property assets is $80 million, and is reported within the United States segment. The Company continues to market the land and buildings at a selling price which, after selling costs, is expected to exceed the net book value. As of September 30, 2017, these assets are being reported as held for sale and are classified in other current assets.
2020.

Note 6. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company’s financial instruments, other than cash, consist primarily of cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses. The carrying value of these financial instruments approximates their fair value. All highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at date of purchase are considered to be cash equivalents.

Cash and cash equivalents consist of the following:

 

 

March 31, 2020

 

 

December 31, 2019

 

 

 

Cost

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Cost

 

 

Fair Value

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and overnight deposits

 

$

440,121

 

 

$

440,121

 

 

$

417,456

 

 

$

417,456

 

Corporate commercial paper

 

 

635,697

 

 

 

636,169

 

 

 

775,504

 

 

 

776,356

 

Time deposits

 

 

36,155

 

 

 

36,155

 

 

 

37,531

 

 

 

37,531

 

Total cash and cash equivalents

 

$

1,111,973

 

 

$

1,112,445

 

 

$

1,230,491

 

 

$

1,231,343

 

 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
 Cost Fair Value Cost Fair Value
Cash and Cash Equivalents:       
Cash and overnight deposits$385,432
 385,432
 406,787
 406,787
Corporate commercial paper613,433
 613,825
 507,777
 507,889
Time deposits34,579
 34,579
 59,871
 59,871
Total cash and cash equivalents$1,033,444
 1,033,836
 974,435
 974,547

The fair value of corporate commercial paper and time deposits is based on the use of market interest rates for identical or similar assets (Level 2 fair value measurement).


Note 7. Commitments

The Company generally enters into short-term, unconditional purchase obligations with asset-based providers reserving space on a guaranteed basis. The pricing of these obligations varies to some degree with market conditions. Historically, the Company has met these obligations in the normal course of business within one year. Purchase obligations outstanding as of September 30, 2017 totaled $62 million.
Additionally, the Company occupies offices and warehouse facilities under terms of operating leases expiring up to 2028. At September 30, 2017, future minimum annual lease payments under all noncancelable leases are as follows:
2017$16,984
201865,813
201953,209
202041,565
202127,696
Thereafter47,009
 $252,276

Note 8. Contingencies

The Company is involved in claims, lawsuits, government investigations and other legal matters that arise in the ordinary course of business and are subject to inherent uncertainties. Currently, in management's opinion and based upon advice from legal advisors, none of these matters are expected to have a significant effect on the Company's operations, cash flows or financial position. As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, the amounts accrued for these claims, lawsuits, government investigations and other legal matters are not significant to the Company's operations, cash flows or financial position. At this time, the Company is unable to estimate any additional loss or range of reasonably possible losses, if any, beyond the amounts recorded, that might result from the resolution of these matters.



Note 9.8. Business Segment Information

The Company is organized functionally in geographic operating segments. Accordingly, management focuses its attention on revenues, net revenues1,directly related cost of transportation and other expenses for each of the Company’s three primary sources of revenue, salaries and other operating expenses, 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. 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. Certain costs are allocated among the segments based on the relative value of the underlying services, which can include allocation based on actual costs incurred or estimated cost plus a profit margin.

Financial information regarding the Company’s operations by geographic area is as follows:

 

 

UNITED

STATES

 

 

OTHER

NORTH

AMERICA

 

 

LATIN

AMERICA

 

 

NORTH

ASIA

 

 

SOUTH

ASIA

 

 

EUROPE

 

 

MIDDLE

EAST,

AFRICA

AND

INDIA

 

 

ELIMI-

NATIONS

 

 

CONSOLI-

DATED

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2020:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues1

 

$

650,407

 

 

 

81,831

 

 

 

37,890

 

 

 

537,955

 

 

 

169,042

 

 

 

320,640

 

 

 

105,039

 

 

 

(940

)

 

 

1,901,864

 

Directly related cost of transportation and

   other expenses2

 

$

373,961

 

 

 

45,890

 

 

 

23,765

 

 

 

425,301

 

 

 

121,282

 

 

 

221,998

 

 

 

74,976

 

 

 

(445

)

 

 

1,286,728

 

Salaries and other operating expenses3

 

$

225,944

 

 

 

23,712

 

 

 

11,749

 

 

 

57,433

 

 

 

29,908

 

 

 

81,854

 

 

 

25,950

 

 

 

(469

)

 

 

456,081

 

Operating income

 

$

50,502

 

 

 

12,229

 

 

 

2,376

 

 

 

55,221

 

 

 

17,852

 

 

 

16,788

 

 

 

4,113

 

 

 

(26

)

 

 

159,055

 

Identifiable assets at period end

 

$

1,858,250

 

 

 

135,810

 

 

 

68,402

 

 

 

512,808

 

 

 

179,508

 

 

 

554,831

 

 

 

200,382

 

 

 

(24

)

 

 

3,509,967

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

4,497

 

 

 

61

 

 

 

102

 

 

 

325

 

 

 

188

 

 

 

645

 

 

 

309

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,127

 

Equity

 

$

1,369,580

 

 

 

63,378

 

 

 

28,020

 

 

 

237,255

 

 

 

102,001

 

 

 

159,222

 

 

 

113,349

 

 

 

(35,660

)

 

 

2,037,145

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2019:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues1

 

$

659,784

 

 

 

91,410

 

 

 

34,179

 

 

 

632,853

 

 

 

177,179

 

 

 

312,690

 

 

 

112,675

 

 

 

(719

)

 

 

2,020,051

 

Directly related cost of transportation and

   other expenses2

 

$

367,355

 

 

 

56,241

 

 

 

19,116

 

 

 

498,646

 

 

 

129,810

 

 

 

215,895

 

 

 

79,503

 

 

 

(629

)

 

 

1,365,937

 

Salaries and other operating expenses3

 

$

218,416

 

 

 

24,209

 

 

 

12,427

 

 

 

68,427

 

 

 

31,462

 

 

 

82,843

 

 

 

28,811

 

 

 

(82

)

 

 

466,513

 

Operating income

 

$

74,013

 

 

 

10,960

 

 

 

2,636

 

 

 

65,780

 

 

 

15,907

 

 

 

13,952

 

 

 

4,361

 

 

 

(8

)

 

 

187,601

 

Identifiable assets at period end

 

$

1,906,278

 

 

 

175,034

 

 

 

71,168

 

 

 

511,589

 

 

 

174,512

 

 

 

579,924

 

 

 

234,195

 

 

 

(9,788

)

 

 

3,642,912

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

6,915

 

 

 

228

 

 

 

93

 

 

 

344

 

 

 

176

 

 

 

982

 

 

 

697

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,435

 

Equity

 

$

1,401,450

 

 

 

82,170

 

 

 

28,581

 

 

 

238,518

 

 

 

114,290

 

 

 

165,718

 

 

 

126,953

 

 

 

(32,246

)

 

 

2,125,434

 

1

Beginning in the second quarter of 2019, the Company revised its process to record the transfer, between its geographic operating segments, of revenues and the directly related cost of transportation and other expenses for freight service transactions between Company origin and destination locations. This change better aligns revenue reporting with the location where the services are performed, as well as the transactional reporting being developed as part of the Company’s new accounting systems and processes. The change in presentation had no impact on consolidated or segment operating income. The impact of these changes on reported segment revenues was immaterial and first quarter 2019 segment revenues have not been revised.

2

Directly related cost of transportation and other expenses totals operating expenses from airfreight services, ocean freight and ocean services and customs brokerage and other services as shown in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings.

(in thousands)
UNITED
STATES
 
OTHER
NORTH
AMERICA
 
LATIN
AMERICA
 NORTH ASIA SOUTH ASIA EUROPE MIDDLE EAST, AFRICA AND INDIA 
ELIMI-
NATIONS
 
CONSOLI-
DATED
Three months ended September 30, 2017:                 
Revenues from unaffiliated customers$476,575
 65,544
 24,181
 686,915
 170,225
 273,606
 105,120
 
 1,802,166
Transfers between geographic areas26,888
 2,782
 3,679
 5,253
 5,681
 10,302
 5,318
 (59,903) 
Total revenues$503,463
 68,326
 27,860
 692,168
 175,906
 283,908
 110,438
 (59,903) 1,802,166
Net revenues1
$257,030
 30,664
 14,710
 138,667
 41,411
 85,390
 29,956
 1,314
 599,142
Operating income$74,645
 9,215
 2,652
 72,070
 11,697
 11,124
 5,495
 (3) 186,895
Identifiable assets at period end$1,636,293
 100,651
 52,238
 446,826
 143,893
 473,509
 212,210
 3,261
 3,068,881
Capital expenditures$7,398
 263
 2,436
 589
 390
 23,138
 248
 
 34,462
Depreciation and amortization$7,905
 405
 310
 1,313
 569
 1,309
 461
 
 12,272
Equity$1,345,266
 52,212
 25,709
 231,831
 102,477
 139,688
 119,649
 (35,751) 1,981,081
Three months ended September 30, 2016:                 
Revenues from unaffiliated customers$423,362
 56,747
 21,592
 590,622
 154,156
 228,256
 87,659
 
 1,562,394
Transfers between geographic areas24,610
 2,770
 3,724
 5,368
 6,206
 9,938
 5,551
 (58,167) 
Total revenues$447,972
 59,517
 25,316
 595,990
 160,362
 238,194
 93,210
 (58,167) 1,562,394
Net revenues1
$229,773
 30,211
 14,063
 124,251
 42,711
 74,888
 29,363
 (1) 545,259
Operating income$69,457
 6,200
 3,328
 59,682
 14,045
 7,018
 7,534
 (1) 167,263
Identifiable assets at period end$1,410,287
 95,390
 56,192
 480,587
 117,333
 388,543
 237,104
 8,788
 2,794,224
Capital expenditures$8,319
 720
 139
 739
 319
 2,127
 296
 
 12,659
Depreciation and amortization$7,566
 369
 328
 1,404
 594
 1,116
 505
 
 11,882
Equity$1,145,293
 41,542
 37,765
 293,383
 87,926
 129,989
 150,395
 (32,360) 1,853,933

3

Salaries and other operating expenses totals salaries and related, rent and occupancy, depreciation and amortization, selling and promotion and other as shown in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings.



(in thousands)UNITED
STATES

OTHER
NORTH
AMERICA

LATIN
AMERICA

NORTH ASIA
SOUTH ASIA
EUROPE
MIDDLE EAST, AFRICA AND INDIA
ELIMI-
NATIONS

CONSOLI-
DATED
Nine months ended September 30, 2017:
















Revenues from unaffiliated customers$1,354,811

187,997

69,747

1,873,393

475,163

764,596

293,870



5,019,577
Transfers between geographic areas79,356

8,246

11,073

15,139

16,520

29,288

15,316

(174,938)

Total revenues$1,434,167

196,243

80,820

1,888,532

491,683

793,884

309,186

(174,938)
5,019,577
Net revenues1
$737,842

84,630

43,634

371,459

117,634

242,244

89,973

2,964

1,690,380
Operating income$191,256

26,583

8,349

183,515

37,434

36,189

17,928

(5)
501,249
Identifiable assets at period end$1,636,293

100,651

52,238

446,826

143,893

473,509

212,210

3,261

3,068,881
Capital expenditures$19,492

1,066

3,648

2,492

1,172

38,717

1,016



67,603
Depreciation and amortization$23,389

1,163

930

3,995

1,656

3,707

1,401



36,241
Equity$1,345,266

52,212

25,709

231,831

102,477

139,688

119,649

(35,751)
1,981,081
Nine months ended September 30, 2016:
















Revenues from unaffiliated customers$1,248,923

165,527

62,825

1,605,343

442,464

680,035

250,913



4,456,030
Transfers between geographic areas79,617

8,141

11,512

15,849

18,338

30,396

16,452

(180,305)

Total revenues$1,328,540

173,668

74,337

1,621,192

460,802

710,431

267,365

(180,305)
4,456,030
Net revenues1
$683,331

88,404

42,264

357,159

128,486

227,068

88,745

(12)
1,615,445
Operating income$184,876

23,091

11,016

176,621

48,090

31,109

23,162

(12)
497,953
Identifiable assets at period end$1,410,287

95,390

56,192

480,587

117,333

388,543

237,104

8,788

2,794,224
Capital expenditures$25,234

1,476

941

2,502

1,325

6,386

2,109



39,973
Depreciation and amortization$22,264

1,113

869

4,111

1,649

3,402

1,445



34,853
Equity$1,145,293

41,542

37,765

293,383

87,926

129,989

150,395

(32,360)
1,853,933
_______________________

1Net revenues

The Company’s consolidated financial results in the first quarter 2020 were significantly impacted by the effects of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and are a non-GAAP measure calculated as revenues less directly related operating expenses attributableexpected to be further impacted in the remainder of 2020. In the first quarter of 2020, North Asia and United States experienced the most significant declines in results due to the Company's principal services. The Company's management believes that net revenues aredisruptions of trade to and from China, which impacted overall freight movement around the globe. Factories in China experienced extended closures and many airlines cancelled flights to and from China. Additionally, ocean carriers have reduced their capacity by anchoring vessels and skipping ports due to the decline in demand. As a better measure thanresult, starting in January certain of the Company’s central China offices experienced temporary closures and limited operations and shipments were rerouted or delayed by customers and service providers taking their own precautionary measures. Also, available airfreight capacity was reduced affecting the ability to efficiently route customers’ freight. In the first quarter 2020 and 2019, the People's Republic of China, including Hong Kong, represented 23% and 27%, respectively, of the Company’s total revenues when evaluating the Company's operating segment performance since total revenues earned as a freight consolidator include the carriers' charges for carrying the shipment, whereas revenues earned in other capacities include primarily the commissions and fees earned by the Company. Net revenue is one25% and 29%, respectively, of the Company's primary operational and financial measures and demonstrates the Company's ability to concentrate and leverage purchasing power through effective consolidation of shipments from customers utilizing a variety of transportation carriers and optimal routings.

Company’s total operating income.



The following table presents the calculation of consolidated net revenues:
 Three months ended Nine months ended
 September 30, September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Total revenues$1,802,166
 $1,562,394
 $5,019,577
 $4,456,030
Expenses:       
Airfreight services547,595
 444,359
 1,490,417
 1,236,555
Ocean freight and ocean services411,061
 359,991
 1,163,051
 1,006,710
Customs brokerage and other services244,368
 212,785
 675,729
 597,320
Net revenues$599,142
 $545,259
 $1,690,380
 $1,615,445



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 sections entitled “Overview,”"Overview," "Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)," "Expeditors' Culture and Strategy," "International Trade and Competition," "Seasonality," “Critical"Critical Accounting Estimates,” "Recent Accounting Pronouncements," “Results"Results of Operations,” “Currency" "Income tax expense," "Currency and Other Risk Factors”Factors" and “Liquidity"Liquidity and Capital Resources”Resources" contain forward-looking statements. Words such as "will likely result," "expects", "are expected to," "would expect," "would not expect," "will continue," "is anticipated," "estimate," "project," "plan," "believe," "probable," "reasonably possible," "may," "could," "should," "intends," "foreseeable future" and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to projections of future financial performance, our anticipated growth and trends in the Company's businesses, the anticipated impact and duration of COVID-19, and other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. These statements 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. AttentionIn addition to risk factors identified in Part II, Item 1A, Risk Factors of this report, attention should be given to the factors identified and discussed in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K filed on February 23, 2017.

21, 2020.

Overview

Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. (herein referred to as "Expeditors," the "Company," "we," "us," "our") isprovides a full suite of global logistics company.services. Our services include air and ocean freight consolidation and forwarding, customs brokerage, warehousing and distribution, purchase order management, vendor consolidation, time-definite transportation services, temperature-controlled transit, cargo insurance, specialized cargo monitoring and tracking, and other logistics solutions. We do not compete for overnight courier or small parcel business. As a non-asset based carrier, we do not own or operate transportation assets.

We derive our revenues by entering into agreements that are generally comprised of a single performance obligation, which is that freight is shipped for and received by our customer. Each performance obligation is comprised of one or more of the Company's services. We typically satisfy our performance obligations as services are rendered over time. A typical shipment would include services rendered at origin, such as pick-up and delivery to port, freight services from origin to destination port and destination services, such as customs clearance and final delivery. Our three principal sources:services are the revenue categories presented in our financial statements: 1) airfreight services, 2) ocean freight and ocean services, and 3) customs brokerage and other services. These are the revenue categories presented in our financial statements.

We generate the major portion of our air and ocean freight revenues by purchasing transportation services on a wholesale basis from direct (asset-based) carriers and reselling those services to our customers on a retail basis. The difference between the rate billed to our customers (the sell rate) and the rate we pay to the carrier (the buy rate) is termed “net revenue” (a non-GAAP measure), “yield” or “margin.” By consolidating shipments from multiple customers and concentrating our buying power, we are 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. The most significant drivers of changes in gross revenues and related transportation expenses are volume, sell rates and buy rates. Volume has a similar effect on the change in both gross revenues and related transportation expenses in each of our three primary sources of revenue.

We generate the major portion of our air and ocean freight revenues by purchasing transportation services on a wholesale basis from direct (asset-based) carriers and then reselling those services to our customers on a retail basis. The rate billed to our customers (the sell rate) is recognized as revenues and the rate we pay to the carrier (the buy rate) is recognized in operating expenses as the directly related cost of transportation and other expenses. By consolidating shipments from multiple customers and concentrating our buying power, we are 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.

In most cases, we act as an indirect carrier. When acting as an indirect carrier, we issue a House Airway Bill (HAWB), a House Ocean Bill of Lading (HOBL) or a House Seaway Bill to customers as the contract of carriage. In turn, when the freight is physically tendered to a direct carrier, we receive a contract of carriage known as a Master Airway Bill for airfreight shipments and a Master Ocean Bill of Lading for ocean shipments.

Customs brokerage and other services involve providing services at destination, such as helping customers clear shipments through customs by preparing and filing required documentation, calculating and providing for payment of duties  and other taxes on behalf of customers as well as arranging for any required inspections by governmental agencies, and import services such as arranging for delivery. These are complicated functions requiring technical knowledge of customs rules and regulations in the multitude of countries in which we have offices. We also provide other value added services at destination, such as warehousing and distribution, time-definitive transportation services and consulting.

In these transactions, we evaluate whether it is appropriate to record the gross or net amount as revenue. Generally, revenue is recorded on a gross basis when we are primarily responsible for fulfilling the primary obligor, are obligatedpromise to compensate direct carriers forprovide the services, performed regardlesswhen we assume risk of whether customers accept the service, have latitude in establishing price,loss, when we have discretion in selectingsetting the prices for the services to the customers, and we have the ability to direct carrier, have credit risk or have several but not allthe use of these indicators. Revenuethe services provided by the third party. When revenue is generally recorded on a net basis, where we are not primarily obligated and do not have latitude in establishing prices. Suchthe amounts earned are determined using a fixed fee, a per unit of activity fee or a combination thereof.

For revenues earned in other capacities, for instance, when we do not issue a HAWB, a HOBL or a House Seaway Bill or otherwise act solely as an agent for the shipper, only the commissions and fees earned for such services are included in revenues. In these transactions, we are not a principal and report only commissions and fees earned in revenue.


Customs brokerage and other services involve providing services at destination, such as helping customers clear shipments through customs by preparing and filing required documentation, calculating and providing for payment of duties and other taxes on behalf of customers as well as arranging for any required inspections by governmental agencies, and arranging for delivery. These are complicated functions requiring technical knowledge of customs rules and regulations in the multitude of countries in which we have offices.

We manage our company along five geographic areas of responsibility: Americas; North Asia; South Asia; Europe; and Middle East, Africa and India (MAIR). Each area is divided into sub-regions that are composed of operating units with individual profit and loss responsibility. Our business involves shipments between operating units and typically touches more than one geographic area. The nature of the international logistics business necessitates a high degree of communication and



cooperation among operating units. Because of this inter-relationship between operating units, it is very difficult to examine any one geographic area and draw meaningful conclusions as to its contribution to our overall success on a stand-alone basis.

Our operating units share revenue using the same arms-length pricing methodologies that we use when our offices transact business with independent agents. Certain costs are allocated among the segments based on the relative value of the underlying services, which can include allocation based on actual costs incurred or estimated cost plus a profit margin. Our strategy closely links compensation with operating unit profitability, which includes shared revenues and allocated costs. Therefore, individual success is closely linked to cooperation with other operating units within our network.

The mix of services varies by segment based primarily on the import or export orientation of local operations in each of our regions. In accordance with

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected our revenue recognition policy (see Note 1. E. business operations in the first quarter of 2020, and we expect these disruptive conditions to continue through the consolidated financial statementsremainder of the year. At this time, the main elements of its impact on our business are summarized below:

Governments have designated our operations as essential business in all regions where we operate because of our important role in supply chains operations worldwide. As such, our districts continue to serve our customers while operating within the regulations established in those countries.

We activated our business continuity plan, first regionally in China in January 2020, expanding to other regions worldwide in February and March 2020. Our business continuity plan includes measures to protect and safeguard the health of our employees and service providers, such as sanitization of our facilities, providing protective equipment to employees, restricting travel and requiring all employees to work remotely if they are able to. Our plan includes measures to minimize adverse impacts to our operations and those of our customers’ businesses. We have identified areas of the supply chain process that can be supported remotely and through automation, and those which require physical operations and handling. We continue to monitor the rapidly changing situation and may take additional actions based on recommendations from governments and local and national health authorities.

Travel restrictions, government mandated lockdowns and additional precautionary measures resulted in business and supply chain disruption, and limited operations first in China, and then worldwide with a sharp decrease in international trade. We have also seen a shift in the goods we handle with increased shipments of medical equipment and supplies to combat COVID-19 and technology products to support social distancing and working remotely. In contrast, we have seen a significant decline in shipments from our customers in retail, aerospace, automotive, oil and energy sectors. Overall, this has negatively impacted our results of operations in the first quarter of 2020 as our freight volumes have decreased.

These disruptions are threatening the financial stability of our service providers and our ability to efficiently route customer freight. Reduced passenger flight schedules and cancellations have significantly impacted available belly space, limiting our ability to utilize space under our existing capacity agreements with carriers and requiring us to buy space in a tight airfreight market and utilize chartered planes. Ocean carriers have continued to reduce their capacity by anchoring vessels and skipping ports due to the decline in demand. These freight market conditions create pricing volatility that further challenges Expeditors’ ability to maintain historical unitary profitability.

Many of our customers are experiencing disruptions in their revenue and cash flow, prompting these customers to attempt to renegotiate contractual terms and increasing our accounts receivable collection risk. We have continued to apply our established credit control procedures and collection monitoring that have historically been effective in limiting credit losses. These conditions could result in the loss of business and additional bad debt allowances in the future if our customers’ ability to pay further deteriorates.

These disruptive conditions continued in April 2020, and we expect them to continue through the remainder of the year. A prolonged slowdown in the global economy and trade would further negatively affect our annual report on Form 10-K filed on February 23, 2017), almost all freight revenues and related expenses are recorded at origin and shipment profits are split between origin and destination offices by recording a commission fee or profit share revenue at destination and a corresponding commission or profit share expense as a component of origin consolidation costs.operations in the future.


Expeditors' Culture and Strategy

From the inception of our 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. We believe that our greatest challenge is now and always has been perpetuating a consistent global corporate culture, thatwhich demands:

Total dedication to providing superior customer service;

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

Compliance with our policies and procedures and government regulations;

Compliance with our policies and procedures and government regulations;

Aggressive marketing of all of our service offerings;

Aggressive marketing of all of our service offerings;

A positive, safe work environment that is inclusive and free from discrimination and harassment;

A positive, safe work environment that is inclusive and free from discrimination and harassment;

Ongoing development of key employees and management personnel;

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;

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 change occurs, a qualified and well-trained internal candidate is ready to step forward; and

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

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

Continuous identification, design and implementation of system solutions and differentiated service offerings, 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.

We reinforce these values with a compensation system that rewards employees for profitably managing the things they can control. This compensation system has been in place since we became a publicly traded company. There is no limit to how much a key manager can be compensated for success. We believe in a “real world” environment where the employees of our operating units are held accountable for the profit implications of their decisions. If these decisions result in operating losses, management generally must make up these losses with future operating profits, in the aggregate, before any cash incentive compensation can be earned. Executive management, in limited circumstances, makes exceptions at the branch operating unit level. At the same time, our policies, processes and relevant training focus on such things as cargo management, risk mitigation, service provider management, compliance, accounts receivable collection, cash flow and credit soundness in an attempt to help managers avoid the kinds of errors that might end a career.

We believe that failure to perpetuate our unique culture onis a self-sustained basis throughout our organization may pose a greater threatcritical component to our continued success than any external force, which likely would be largely beyond our control.success. We strongly believe that it is nearly impossible to predict events that, individually or in the aggregate, could have a positive or a negative impact on our future operations. As a result, management's focus is on building and maintaining a global corporate culture and an environment in whichwhere well-trained employees and managers are prepared to identify and react to changes as they develop and thereby help us adapt and thrive as major trends emerge.

Our business growth strategy emphasizes a focus on the right markets and, within each market, on the right customers that lead to drive profitable business growth. Expeditors' teams are aligned on the specific markets; on the targeted accounts within those markets; and on ways that we can continue to differentiate ourselves from our competitors.

Our ability to provide services to customers is highly dependent on good working relationships with a variety of entities including airlines, ocean carriers, ground transportation providers and governmental agencies. The significance of maintaining acceptable working relationships with these entities has gained increased importance as a result of the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing concern over terrorism, security, changes in governmental regulation and oversight of international trade. A good reputation helps to develop practical working understandings that will assist in meeting security requirements while minimizing potential international



trade obstacles, especially as governments rapidly promulgate new regulations in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic and increase oversight and enforcement of new and existing laws. We consider our current working relationships with these entities to be satisfactory.

Our business is also highly dependent on the financial stability and operational capabilities of the carriers we utilize. Many air and ocean carriersCarriers are highly leveraged with debt. Moreover, certain oceandebt and incurring operating losses. As a result, carriers are facing significant liquidity challenges.challenges exacerbated by COVID-19 pandemic and are seeking relief under various government support programs. This situationenvironment requires that we be selective in determining which carriers to utilize. Further changes in the financial stability, operating capabilities and capacity of asset-based carriers, spacecapacity allotments available from carriers, governmental regulations, and/or trade accords could adversely affect our business in unpredictable ways.


International Trade and Competition

We operate in over 60 countries in the competitive global logistics industry and our activities are closely tied to the global economy. The global economy is experiencing a rapid slowdown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and related precautionary measures including lockdown government mandates worldwide, shutdown of manufacturing and operations for non-essential businesses and travel restrictions. International trade is influenced by many factors, including economic and political conditions in the United States and abroad, currency exchange rates, and laws and policies relating to tariffs, trade restrictions, foreign investments and taxation. Periodically, governments consider a variety of changes to current tariffs and trade restrictions and accords. Currently, the United States and China have significantly increased tariffs on certain imports and are engaged in trade negotiations and changes to export regulations and tariffs for goods deemed essential to combating COVID-19. The United Kingdom and the European Union are negotiating the terms of the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union. We cannot predict which, if any,the outcome of these proposals may be adoptedor negotiations, or the effects the adoption of any such proposalthey will have on our business. As governments implement higher tariffs on imports, manufacturers may accelerate, to the extent possible, shipments to avoid higher tariffs and, over time, may shift manufacturing to other countries. Doing business in foreign locations also subjects us to a variety of risks and considerations not normally encountered by domestic enterprises. In addition to being influenced by governmental policies and inter-governmental disputes concerning international trade, our business may also be negatively affected by political developments and changes in government personnel or policies in the United States and other countries, as well as economic turbulence, political unrest and security concerns in the nations and on the trade shipping lanes in which we conduct business and the future impact that these events may have on international trade, oil prices and oil prices.

security costs.

The global logistics services industry is intensely competitive and is expected to remain so for the foreseeable future. Our pricing and terms continue to be pressured by uncertainty in global trade and economic conditions, concerns over airfreight capacity availability, volatile fuel costs,airfreight pricing, disruptions in port services, political unrest and fluctuating currency exchange rates. We expect these operating and competitive conditions to continue.

Air carriers are experiencing significant cash flow challenges as a result of travel restrictions resulting in cancellation of flights. Ocean carriers have incurred substantial operating losses in recent years, and many are highly leveraged with debt. These financial challenges have resulted in the 2016 bankruptcy of a major carrier, as well as multiple carrier acquisitions and carrier alliance formations. Carriers continue to pursue scale and market share in an effort to reduce operating costs and improve their financial results. Additionally, while overall global demand has recently increased, carriers continue to take delivery of new and larger ships, which creates additionalmay increase capacity. Carriers also face new regulatory requirements that became effective in 2020 requiring reductions in the sulfur in marine fuel, which are increasing their operating and capital costs. When the market experiences seasonal peaks or any sort of disruption, the carriers react by increasingoften increase their pricing as quickly as possible.suddenly. This carrier behavior creates pricing volatility that could impact Expeditors' ability to maintain historical unitary profitability.

There is uncertainty as to how new regulatory requirements and volatility in oil prices will continue to impact future buy rates. Because fuel is an integral part of carriers' costs and impacts both our buy rates and sell rates, we would expect our revenues and costs to be impacted as carriers adjust rates for the effect of changing fuel prices. To the extent that future fuel prices increase and we are unable to pass through the increases to our customers, this could adversely affect our operating income.

The global economic environment and trade growthenvironments remain uncertain.uncertain, including the impacts of COVID-19. We cannot predict whatthe impact this may haveof future changes in global trade on our operating results, freight volumes, pricing, changes in consumer demand, carrier stability and capacity, customers’ abilities to pay or on changes in competitors' behavior. Additionally, we cannot predict the direct or indirect impact that further changes in consumer purchasing behavior, such as online shopping, could have on our business.

In response to governments implementing higher tariffs on imports as well as responses to COVID-19 disruptions, some customers have begun shifting manufacturing to other countries which could negatively impact us.

Seasonality

Historically, our operating results have been subject to seasonal demand trends with the first quarter being the weakest and the third and fourth quarters being the strongest; however, there is no assurance this seasonal trend will occur in the future.future or to what degree it will be impacted in 2020 by COVID-19. This pattern has been the result of, or influenced by, numerous factors, including weather patterns, national holidays, consumer demand, new product launches, economic conditions, pandemics, governmental policies and inter-governmental disputes and a myriad of other similar and subtle forces. In addition, this historical quarterly trend has been influenced by the growth and diversification of our international network and service offerings.

A significant portion of our revenues is derived from customers in the retail and consumer technology 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 our revenues are, to a large degree, impacted by factors out of our control, such as a sudden change in consumer demand for retail goods, changes in trade tariffs,


product launches 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, we 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 or investors, any such shortfall from levels predicted by securities analysts or investors could have an immediate and adverse effect on the trading price of our stock. We cannot accurately forecast many of these factors, nor can we estimate accurately the relative influence of any particular factor and, as a result, there can be no assurance that historical patterns will continue in future periods.



Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates and judgments. We base our estimates on historical experience and on assumptions that we believe are reasonable. Our critical accounting estimates are discussed in Part II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" section of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016,2019, filed on February 23, 2017.21, 2020. There have been no material changes to the critical accounting estimates previously disclosed in that report.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Revenue recognition
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued an Accounting Standard Update amending existing revenue recognition guidance and requiring related detailed disclosures to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of our revenues and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The standard is effective for us beginning on January 1, 2018. We formed a cross-functional project team that is in the process of evaluating the adoption impacts for each of our products and services.
Under the current standard, our transportation revenue is recognized at the point in time freight is tendered to the direct carrier at origin. Under the new standard, our transportation and related services revenue will be recognized over time as control is transferred to the customer. We expect to defer more revenues under the new standard. We are also evaluating whether we act as principal or an agent with regards to our promise to transfer services to the customer and we expect the presentation to change for certain of our services from net to gross revenue amounts.
We are developing and implementing systems solutions and process changes to facilitate revenue recognition under the new standard. We are also identifying and designing changes to our internal controls to support the adoption. We will adopt this standard using the modified retrospective transition method applied to those contracts that are not completed as of January 1, 2018. Upon adoption, we will recognize the cumulative effect of adopting as an adjustment to our opening balance of retained earnings. Prior periods will not be retrospectively adjusted.
At this time, based on the nature of our operations and the short transit time of most of our transportation services, we do not believe that the adoption of the standard will have a material impact on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows once implemented. As we work towards completing our assessment, we continue to design and implement necessary process and system changes around gathering the data required to quantify the impact of the adoption and to comply with the new standard. We expect to complete our assessment of the impact towards the end of 2017.
Leases
In February 2016, the FASB issued an Accounting Standard Update changing the accounting for leases and includes a requirement to record all leases exceeding one year on the consolidated balance sheet as assets and liabilities. The new lease standard will be effective for us beginning on January 1, 2019 and will be adopted using a modified retrospective transition. Adoption will impact our consolidated balance sheets as future minimum lease payments under noncancelable leases totaled approximately $252 million as of September 30, 2017. We are currently evaluating our existing lease portfolios, including accumulating all of the necessary information required to properly evaluate and account for the leases under this new standard. Additionally, we are beginning the implementation of an enterprise-wide lease management system that, along with accompanying process changes, will assist us in the accounting and internal control changes necessary to meet the reporting and disclosure requirements of the new standard when it becomes effective.

Results of Operations

The following table shows the revenues, andthe directly related cost of transportation and other expenses for our principal services and total net revenues (a non-GAAP measure calculated as revenues less directly related operating expenses attributable to our principal services) and ouroverhead expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and nine-month periods ended September 30, 20172019, including the respective percentage changes comparing 2020 and 2016, expressed as percentages of net revenues. Management believes that net revenues are a better measure than total revenues when analyzing and discussing management's effectiveness in managing our principal services since total revenues earned by Expeditors as a freight consolidator include the carriers’ charges to us for carrying the shipment, whereas revenues earned by Expeditors in our other capacities include primarily the commissions and fees actually earned by us. Net revenue is one of our primary operational and financial measures and demonstrates our ability to manage sell rates to customers with our ability to concentrate and leverage our purchasing power through effective consolidation of shipments from multiple customers utilizing a variety of transportation carriers and optimal routings. Using net revenue also provides a commonality for comparison among various services.

2019.

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

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

(in thousands)

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Percentage

change

Airfreight services:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

709,039

 

 

$

714,901

 

 

(1)%

Expenses

 

 

520,169

 

 

 

509,210

 

 

2

Ocean freight services and ocean

   services:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

493,427

 

 

 

568,641

 

 

(13)

Expenses

 

 

366,483

 

 

 

420,331

 

 

(13)

Customs brokerage and other

   services:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

699,398

 

 

 

736,509

 

 

(5)

Expenses

 

 

400,076

 

 

 

436,396

 

 

(8)

Overhead expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries and related costs

 

 

342,040

 

 

 

356,910

 

 

(4)

Other

 

 

114,041

 

 

 

109,603

 

 

4

Total overhead expenses

 

 

456,081

 

 

 

466,513

 

 

(2)

Operating income

 

 

159,055

 

 

 

187,601

 

 

(15)

Other income, net

 

 

8,191

 

 

 

7,771

 

 

5

Earnings before income taxes

 

 

167,246

 

 

 

195,372

 

 

(14)

Income tax expense

 

 

44,464

 

 

 

55,261

 

 

(20)

Net earnings

 

 

122,782

 

 

 

140,111

 

 

(12)

Less net earnings attributable to

   the noncontrolling interest

 

 

438

 

 

 

412

 

 

6

Net earnings attributable to

   shareholders

 

$

122,344

 

 

$

139,699

 

 

(12)%


 Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 
 2017 2016 2017 2016 
 Amount 
Percent
of net
revenues
 Amount 
Percent
of net
revenues
 Amount 
Percent
of net
revenues
 Amount 
Percent
of net
revenues
 
(in thousands)          
Airfreight services:                
Revenues$735,164
   $621,566
   $2,022,577
   $1,764,512
   
Expenses547,595
   444,359
   1,490,417
   1,236,555
   
Net revenues187,569
 31% 177,207
 32% 532,160
 31% 527,957
 33% 
Ocean freight services and ocean services:                
Revenues563,386
   495,460
   1,585,730
   1,414,344
   
Expenses411,061
   359,991
   1,163,051
   1,006,710
   
Net revenues152,325
 26
 135,469
 25
 422,679
 25
 407,634
 25
 
Customs brokerage and other services:                
Revenues503,616
   445,368
   1,411,270
   1,277,174
   
Expenses244,368
   212,785
   675,729
   597,320
   
Net revenues259,248
 43
 232,583
 43
 735,541
 44
 679,854
 42
 
Total net revenues599,142
 100
 545,259
 100
 1,690,380
 100
 1,615,445
 100
 
Overhead expenses:                
Salaries and related costs319,050
 53
 291,204
 53
 930,159
 55
 868,091
 54
 
Other93,197
 16
 86,792
 16
 258,972
 15
 249,401
 15
 
Total overhead expenses412,247
 69
 377,996
 69
 1,189,131
 70
 1,117,492
 69
 
Operating income186,895
 31
 167,263
 31
 501,249
 30
 497,953
 31
 
Other income (expense), net3,540
 1
 3,849
 
 12,149
 1
 12,000
 1
 
Earnings before income taxes190,435
 32
 171,112
 31
 513,398
 31
 509,953
 32
 
Income tax expense69,829
 12
 63,163
 11
 190,470
 12
 188,518
 12
 
Net earnings120,606
 20
 107,949
 20
 322,928
 19
 321,435
 20
 
Less net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest343
 
 368
 
 550
 
 1,218
 
 
Net earnings attributable to shareholders$120,263
 20% $107,581
 20% $322,378
 19% $320,217
 20% 

Airfreight services:

Airfreight services revenues increased 18% and 15%, respectively, indecreased 1% during the three and nine-month periodsmonths ended September 30, 2017, as compared with the same periods for 2016, primarily due to a 12% growth in tonnage in both periods and higher sell rates in response to increased buy rates resulting from higher overall market demand. Airfreight services expenses increased 23% and 21%, respectively, in the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017, principally as a result of the increase in tonnage and higher buy rates due to tighter carrier capacity.

Airfreight services net revenues increased 6% for the three-month period ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020 as compared with the same period for 2016. This was principally due to 12% tonnage growth, partially offset by a 5% decrease in net revenue per kilo. Europe, North America, and North Asia net revenues increased by 20%, 8%, and 7%, respectively, while tonnage increased 13%, 19%, and 6%. Europe's average net revenue per kilo improved2019, primarily due to the increasesa 7% decline in tonnage offset by 6% increase in average sell rates. Average net revenue per kilo declinedrates. Tonnage decreases in North America primarily due to competitive market conditions, which resulted in lowerall regions were mostly offset by on average higher sell rates. South Asia net revenues decreased 19% despite tonnage growth of 6%, primarily due to higher average buy rates. Carriers in South Asia increased pricing significantly as a result of higher demand relative to available capacity.
rates achieved.

Airfreight services net revenues expenses increased 1% for2% during the nine-month periodthree months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020 as compared with the same period for 2016. This was2019, principally due to a 12% increase in tonnage, mostly offset by a 13% decrease in net revenue per kilo. Average net revenue per kilo declined in most regions primarily due to competitive market conditions and tight carrier capacity. Carriers in North Asia and South Asia increased pricing significantly as a result of higher demand relative to available capacity.an 8% increase in average recorded buy rates, offset by a 7% decline in tonnage.

North Asia, South Asia and North America had decreases in tonnage of 9%, 11% and Europe net revenues increased by 4% and 10%, respectively, whilefor the three months ended March 31, 2020. The largest declines in tonnage were exports out of North Asia. After a significant decrease in January and February 2020, tonnage increased 13% and 11%, respectively.in March 2020 in North Asia net revenues remained flat, despitewhile in other regions tonnage growth of 11%, due principally to higher average buy rates. South Asia net revenues decreased 18% despitedeclined. The decrease in airfreight tonnage growth of 10%was primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in extended closures following Chinese New Year. As a result of COVID-19, the governments around the world have implemented travel restrictions and suspended non-essential services. Additionally, factories have experienced extended closures. This has caused supply chain disruptions to our domestic and international customers, which correspondingly decreased our airfreight volumes.

As a result of travel restrictions and lower average sell rates and higher average buy rates.

The global airfreight market is experiencingpassenger demand, airlines cancelled flights reducing available belly space for cargo at a time where demand for time-sensitive delivery of essential supplies was high, resulting in imbalances between carrier capacity and demand in certain lanes,lanes. In order to accommodate the transportation of our customers’ shipments we increased our use of charter flights and purchases of capacity on the spot market, which is resultingresulted in significantly higher average buy rates. Customers remain focused on improving supply-chain efficiency, reducing overall logistics costs by negotiating lower rates and utilizing ocean freight whenever possible. We expect these trends to continue in conjunction with carriers' efforts to manage available capacity. These conditions could be affected by new product launches during periods that have historically experienced higher demand. Historically, we have experienced lower airfreight margins in the fourth quarter as seasonal volumes increase and carriers correspondingly increase buysell rates. These conditions should they continue to occur, could createcreated a higherhigh degree of volatility in volumes, and, ultimately, buy and sell rates.
rates and are expected to continue in the second quarter of 2020 and the remainder of the year.

Ocean freight and ocean services:

Ocean freight consolidation, direct ocean forwarding and order management are the three basic services that constitute and are collectively referred to as ocean freight and ocean services. Ocean freight and ocean services revenues increased 14% and 12%, respectively, expenses decreased 13% for the three and nine-month periodsmonths ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020 as compared with the same periodsperiod in 2016, primarily due to 4% and 5% increases in container volume and higher average sell rates to customers. Ocean freight and ocean services expenses increased 14% and 16%, respectively, for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017, due to increased volumes and higher average buy rates as overall market demand increased and carriers managed available capacity.

Ocean freight and ocean services net revenues increased 12% and 4%, respectively, for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017, as compared with the same periods in 2016.2019. The largest component of our ocean freight netand ocean services revenue was derived from ocean freight consolidation, which represented 46%63% and 48%68% of ocean freight netand ocean services revenue for the nine-month periodsthree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 2016,2019, respectively.

Ocean freight consolidation net revenues increased 18% inand expenses decreased 20% and 19%, respectively, for the third quarter of 2017,three months ended March 31, 2020 as compared with the same period in 2016,2019, due primarily to a 15% increase10% decline in net revenue per containercontainers shipped, primarily in North Asia, as well as a decrease in sell and buy rates. The changes in freight consolidation revenues and directly related expenses include a 4% increaserevised presentation of destination services that started in volume. In the thirdsecond quarter of 2016, net revenue per container was negatively affected by the bankruptcy of a large2019, which decreased revenues and directly related operating expenses in ocean carrier, which resulted in a spike in buy rates. Ocean freight consolidation netbut did not change consolidated operating income.

Direct ocean freight forwarding revenues decreased 2%and expenses increased 9% and 18%, respectively, for the nine-month periodthree months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020 as compared with the same period in 2016. Decreases in net revenue per container in the first half of 2017 were largely offset by 5% volume growth and the increases in net revenue per container in the third quarter. Direct ocean freight forwarding net revenues decreased 3% in the third quarter of 2017,2019, primarily due to increased costs, principallyhigher volumes and changes in customer mix. This was partially offset by a decrease in volumes in North Asia. Order management revenues and expenses decreased 8% and 11%, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019, primarily due to lower volumes in North Asia, as well as a decrease in sell and buy rates. This was partially offset by higher volumes in South Asia.

North America. DirectAsia ocean forwarding netfreight and ocean services revenues increased 3%and expenses decreased 31% and 32%, respectively for the nine-month periodthree months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020 as compared with the same period in 2016,2019, primarily due to higher volumes. Order management net revenues increased 19%decrease in container volume and 15%, respectively, forlower sell and buy rates. The decline in containers shipped from North Asia followed decreases in trade volumes starting in 2019 and were accelerated by the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017, mostly resulting from higher volumes with new and existing customers primarilyCOVID-19 pandemic. This was partially offset by an increase in North Asia.

North AmericaSouth Asia ocean freight and ocean services net revenues increasedand expenses of 9% and remained flat, respectively, forfor the three and nine-month periodsmonths ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020 as compared with the same period in 2019, primarily due to an improvementincrease in import margins during the third quarter that offset margin declines during the first half of 2017. Europe net revenues increased 8% in the third quarter due principallycontainer volume. 

Ocean carriers continue to higher average sell rates. Europe net revenues decreased 3% in the first nine months of 2017 as the increases in average buy rates during the nine-month period of 2017 were partially offsetreduce their capacity by the improvement in average sell rates in the third quarter. South Asia net revenues increased 12%anchoring vessels and remained flat, respectively, for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017, due primarily to higher order management volumes and higher net revenue per container during the third quarter of 2017. North Asia net revenues increased 19% and 11% in the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017, respectively,skipping ports due to increasesthe decline in order management and direct ocean forwarding, resulting from higher volumes, and a third quarter increase in ocean consolidation net revenues, driven by higher volumes and net revenue per container.

demand. We expect that pricing volatility will continue as customers solicit bids, react to governmental trade policies, adjust to the slowdown of the global economy from the COVID-19 pandemic and carriers continue to adapt to changingchanges in capacity, market conditions,demand and merge or create alliances with other carriers. Carriers also face new alliancesregulatory requirements that became effective in 2020 to reduce the use of sulfur in marine fuel, which are increasing their operating and liquidity challenges.capital costs, which could result in higher costs for us. These conditions could result in continued lower margins.operating income.


Customs brokerage and other services:

Customs brokerage and other services revenues increased 13%decreased 5% and 10%, respectively,expenses decreased 8% for the three and nine-month periodsmonths ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020 as compared with the same periodsperiod in 2016,2019, primarily as a result of higher volumesdue to decrease in both customs brokerage and road freight services. Customs brokerage and other services expenses increased 15% and 13%, respectively, for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017, as compared with the same periods in 2016, principally as a result of higher volumes.

Customs brokerage and other services net revenues increased 11% and 8%, respectively, for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017, as compared with the same periods in 2016, primarily as a result of an increase in customs brokerage and road freightshipments from existing customers. Slowdowns due to COVID-19 related closures affected volumes, particularly in North America.the retail, aerospace, automotive, oil and energy sectors. Customers continue to value our brokerage services due to changing tariffs and increasing complexity in the declaration process. Customers seek outknowledgeable customs brokers such as Expeditors, with sophisticated computerized capabilities critical to an overall logistics management program including rapid responsesthat are necessary to rapidly respond to changes in the regulatory and security environment.

North America net revenues increased 12%decreased 7% and directly related expenses decreased 10%, respectively, for the three and nine-month periodsmonths ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020 as compared with the same periods for 2016, 2019, primarily as a result of higherlower volumes in customs brokerage and road freight services. Europe net revenues increased 12% and 9%, respectively, in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 primarily due to higher customs brokerage and road freight services net revenues.

freight.

Overhead expenses:

Salaries and related costs increased 10% and 7%, respectively, decreased by 4% for the three and nine-month periodsmonths ended September 30, 2017, March 31, 2020as compared with the same periodsperiod in 2016,2019, principally due principally to an increasereductions in the number of employees, primarily in North America, Europe,commissions and South Asia, higher base salariesbonuses earned from lower revenues and benefits, higher share-based compensation expense and increased bonuses from higher operating income. The number of employees increased primarily to support the volume growth in our business operations and our continuing investments in information systems.

Historically, the relatively consistent relationship between salaries and net revenuesoperating income has been the result of a compensation philosophy that has been maintained since the inception of our 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 incentive compensation occur in proportion to changes in our operating income, creating a directan alignment between branch and corporate performance and shareholder interests. Bonuses to field and executive management for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017 were down 1% while operating income increased 1%. In 2017, we reduced senior executive management bonus pool allocations by 6% to help fund expansion of our strategic growth initiatives.

Our management compensation programs have always been incentive-based and performance driven. Salaries and related costs as a percentage of revenues was 53% for both of the three-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 and increased 1%Bonuses to 55%field management for the nine-month periodthree months ended September 30, 2017, asMarch 31, 2020 were down 10% when compared to the same period in 20162019. Bonuses under the executive incentive compensation plan were down 22%, primarily due a decrease in operating income and a reduction made to senior executive management bonus allocations, as well as unused bonus allocations available for future investments in the development of key personnel.

Because our management incentive compensation programs are also cumulative, generally no management bonuses can be paid unless the relevant business unit is, from inception, cumulatively profitable. Any operating losses must be offset in their entirety by operating profits before management is eligible for a bonus. Executive management, in limited circumstances, makes exceptions at the branch operating unit level. Since the most significant portion of management compensation comes from the incentive bonus programs, we believe that this cumulative feature is a disincentive to excessive risk taking by our managers. Due to the nature of our services, it has a short operating cycle. The outcome of any higher risk transactions, such as overriding established credit limits, would be known in a relatively short time frame. Management believes that when the potential and certain impact on the bonus is fully considered in light of thisthe short operating cycle of our services, the potential for short-term gains that could be generated by engaging in risky business practices is sufficiently mitigated to discourage excessive and inappropriate risk taking. Management believes that both the stability and the long-term growth in revenues, net revenuesoperating income and net earnings are a result of the incentives inherent in our compensation programs.

Other overhead expenses increased 7% and 4%, respectively,4% for the three and nine-month periodsmonths ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, as compared with the same periodsperiod in 2016. We continue2019. The increase in expenses was due to investan increase in additionalbad debt expense, information technology consulting expense, claims and facilities, which resulted in higher rent and facilities expenses, technology-related fees and consulting costs. These increases werelegal expense, partially offset by lower claims, the recovery of certain legal and related costs totaling $8 million for the year-to-date period ended September 30, 2017 compared to $5 milliona decrease in the same period in 2016 and the favorable resolution of an indirect tax contingency of $6 million in the second quarter of 2017.travel expense. We will continue to make important investments in people, processes and technology, as well as to invest in our strategic efforts to explore new areas for profitable growth. Other overhead expenses as a percentage of net revenues for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 remained comparable with the same periods in 2016.

Income tax expense:

We pay income taxes in the United States and other jurisdictions.

Our consolidated effective income tax rate was 36.7% and 37.1%, respectively,26.6% for the three and nine-month periodsmonths ended September 30, 2017, and 36.9% and 37.0%March 31, 2020, as compared to 28.3% for the same periodsperiod in 2016. Our effective2019. The effect of higher average tax rate is subjectrates of our international subsidiaries, when compared to variationU.S. federal and state tax rates, were partially offset by U.S. foreign tax credits and U.S. income tax deductions for Foreign-derived intangible income (FDII).  

Some elements of the rate canrecorded impacts of the 2017 Tax Act could be moreimpacted by further legislative action as well as additional interpretations and guidance issued by the IRS or less volatile based onTreasury. See Note 3 to the amount of pre-tax income or loss. For example, the impact of discrete items and non-deductible expenses on the effective tax rate is greater when pre-tax income is lower.

condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information.




Currency and Other Risk Factors

The nature of our worldwide operations necessitates dealing with a multitude of currencies other than the U.S. dollar. This results in our being exposed to the inherent risks of volatile international currency markets and governmental interference. Some of the countries where we maintain offices and/or agency relationships have strict currency control regulations, which influence our ability to hedge foreign currency exposure. We try to compensate for these exposures by accelerating international currency settlements among our offices and agents. We may enter into foreign currency hedging transactions where there are regulatory or commercial limitations on our 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 mitigate short-term exchange losses. Any such hedging activity during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 20162019 was insignificant. We had no foreign currency derivatives outstanding at September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2016.2019. During the three and nine-month periodsmonths ended September 30, 2017, totalMarch 31, 2020, net foreign currency gains were approximately $4 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, net foreign currency losses were approximately $3 million and $12 million, respectively. During the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016, net foreign currency gains were less than $1 million and net foreign currency losses were $1 million, respectively.

million.

International air and ocean freight forwarding and customs brokerage are intensivelyintensely competitive and are expected to remain so for the foreseeable future. There are a large number of entities competing in the international logistics industry, including new technology-based competitors entering the industry, many of which have significantly more resources than us; however, our primary competition is confined to a relatively small number of companies within this group. Expeditors must compete against both the niche players and larger entities. The industry continues to experience consolidations into larger firms striving for stronger and more complete multinational and multi-service networks. However, regional and local brokers and forwarders remain a competitive force.

The primary competitive factors in the international logistics industry continue to be price and quality of service, including reliability, responsiveness, expertise, convenience, and scope of operations. We emphasize quality customer service and believe that our prices are competitive with those of others in the industry. Customers regularly solicit bids from competitors in order to improve service, pricing and contractual terms such as seeking longer payment terms, higher or unlimited liability limits and performance penalties. Increased competition and competitors' acceptance of expanded contractual terms could result in reduced revenues, reduced margins,operating income, higher operating costs, higher claims or loss of market share, any of which would damage our results of operations and financial condition.

Larger customers utilize more sophisticated and efficient procedures for the management of their logistics supply chains by embracing strategies such as just-in-time inventory management. We believe 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 and maintaining 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.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our principal source of liquidity is cash and cash equivalents and cash generated from operating activities. Net cash provided by operating activities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 was $85$165 million and $362 million, respectively, as compared with $116 million and $457$289 million for the same periodsperiod in 2016.2019. The decreasesdecrease of $31 million and $95$124 million in the third quarter and first ninethree months of 2017, respectively, areended March 31, 2020 was primarily due to increaseschanges in accounts receivable from higherworking capital, principally as a result of reduced customer collections when compared to the same period in 2019 due to lower revenues partially offset by growth in accounts payablethe fourth quarter 2019 and accrued expenses and higher earnings. the first quarter 2020. At September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, working capital was $1,443$1,460 million, including cash and cash equivalents of $1,033 million. We$1,112 million. Other than our recorded lease liabilities, we had no long-term obligations or debt at September 30, 2017.March 31, 2020. Management believes that our current cash position and operating cash flows will be sufficient to meet our capital and liquidity requirements for at least the next 12 months and thereafter for the foreseeable future, including meeting any contingent liabilities related to standby letters of credit and other obligations.

As a customs broker, we make significant cash advances for a select group of our credit-worthy customers. These cash advances are for customer obligations such as the payment of duties and taxes to customs authorities in various countries throughout the world. Increases in duty rates could result in increases in the amounts we advance on behalf of our customers. Cash advances are a “pass through” and are not recorded as a component of revenue and expense. The billings of such advances to customers are accounted for as a direct increase in accounts receivable from 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. For customers that meet certain criteria, we have agreed to extend payment terms beyond our customary terms. Management believes that it has established effective credit control procedures, and historically has experienced relatively insignificant collection problems.


Our business historically has been subject to seasonal fluctuations and this is expected to continue in the future. Cash flows fluctuate 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 periods of higher demand (typically commencing late second or early third quarter and continuing well into the fourth quarter) causes an excess of customer billings over customer collections. This cyclical growth in customer receivables consumes available cash.

Cash used in investing activities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 was $35$6 million and $68 million, respectively, as compared with $11 million and $35$9 million in the same periodsperiod of 2016. We had2019, primarily for capital expenditures of $34 million and $68 million for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017, as compared with $13 million and $40 million for the same periods in 2016, respectively.expenditures. Capital expenditures in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 were related primarily to building construction and continuing investments in technology, office and warehouse furniture and equipment and building and leasehold improvements.improvements and technology and facilities equipment. Occasionally, we elect to purchase buildings to house staff and to facilitate the staging of customers’ freight. In 2016, we completed a land acquisition in Europe. Additional expenditures are expected to be made in 2017 and 2018 in connection with the construction of a building on this land. Total anticipated capital expenditures in 20172020 are currently estimated to be $100$50 million. This includes routine capital expenditures including the construction of the buildingand investments in Europe, plus additional real estate development.

technology.

Cash used in financing activities during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 was $137$261 million and $254 million, respectively, as compared with $44 million and $193$17 million for the same periodsperiod in 2016.2019. We use the proceeds from stock option exercises, employee stock purchases and available cash to repurchase our common stock on the open market to limit the growth in issued and outstanding shares. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, we used cash to repurchase 3.6 million and 6.14.0 million shares respectively,of common stock to reduce the number of total outstanding shares, compared to 2.00.6 million and 5.4 million shares in the same periodsperiod in 2016.

2019.

We follow established guidelines relating to credit quality, diversification and maturities of our investments to preserve principal and maintain liquidity. Historically, our investment portfolio has not been adversely impacted by disruptions occurring in the credit markets. However, there can be no assurance that our investment portfolio will not be adversely affected in the future.

We cannot predict what impact growing uncertainties in the global economy, political uncertainty nor the COVID-19 pandemic may have on our operating results, freight volumes, pricing, amounts advanced on behalf of our customers, changes in consumer demand, carrier stability and capacity, customers’ abilities to pay or on changes in competitors' behavior.

We maintain international unsecured bank lines of credit. At September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, we were contingently liable for $71$68 million from standby letters of credit and guarantees. The standby letters of credit and guarantees relate to obligations of our 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 booksaccounting records of the respective foreign subsidiaries, and there would be no need to record additional expense in the unlikely event the parent company is required to perform.

At September 30, 2017, our contractual obligations are as follows:
    Payments due by period
In thousands Total
 
Less than
1 year
 
1 - 3
years
 
3 - 5
years
 
After 
5 years 
Contractual Obligations:          
Operating leases $252,276
 77,266
 92,184
 49,135
 33,691
Unconditional purchase obligations 62,481
 62,481
 
 
 
Construction, equipment and technology purchase obligations 33,445
 26,996
 6,449
 
 
Total contractual cash obligations $348,202
 166,743
 98,633
 49,135
 33,691
We typically enter into short-term unconditional purchase obligations with asset-based providers reserving space on a guaranteed basis. The pricing of these obligations varies to some degree with market conditions. We only enter into agreements that management believes we can fulfill.

Our foreign subsidiaries regularly remit dividends to the U.S. parent company after evaluating their working capital requirements and needsfunds necessary to finance local capital expenditures. In some cases, our ability to repatriate funds from foreign operations may be subject to foreign exchange controls. At September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, cash and cash equivalent balances of $436$419 millionwere held by our non-United States subsidiaries, of which $50$6 million was held in banks in the United States. Earnings of our foreign subsidiaries are not considered to be indefinitely reinvested outside of the United States and, accordingly, a deferred tax liability has been accrued for all undistributed earnings, net of foreign related tax credits that are available to be repatriated.



States.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

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

Foreign Exchange Risk

We conduct business in many different countries and currencies. Our business often results in billings issued in a country and currency that differs from that where the expenses related to the service are incurred. In the ordinary course of business, we create numerous intercompany transactions and may have receivables, payables and currencies that are not denominated in the local functional currency. This brings foreign exchange risk to our earnings. The principal foreign exchange risks to which Expeditors is exposed are ininclude Chinese Yuan, Euro, Mexican Peso, Canadian Dollar and British Pound.


Foreign exchange rate sensitivity analysis can be quantified by estimating the impact on our earnings as a result of hypothetical changes in the value of the U.S. dollar, our functional currency, relative to the other currencies in which we transact business. All other things being equal, an average 10% weakening of the U.S. dollar, throughout the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, would have had the effect of raising operating income by approximately $35 million.$12 million. An average 10% strengthening of the U.S. dollar, for the same period, would have the effect of reducing operating income by approximately $29$10 million. This analysis does not take into 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.

We currently do not use derivative financial instruments to manage foreign currency risk and only enter into foreign currency hedging transactions in limited locations where regulatory or commercial limitations restrict our ability to move money freely. Any such hedging activity throughout the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 20162019 was insignificant. During the three and nine-month periodsmonths ended September 30, 2017, total netMarch 31, 2020, foreign currency gains were approximately $4 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, foreign currency losses were approximately $3 million and $12 million, respectively. During the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016, net foreign currency gains were less than $1 million and net foreign currency losses were $1 million, respectively.million. We had no foreign currency derivatives outstanding at September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2016.2019. We instead follow a policy of accelerating international currency settlements to manage foreign exchange risk relative to intercompany billings. As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, we had approximately $17$74 millionof net unsettled intercompany transactions. The majority of intercompany billings are resolved within 30 days.

Interest Rate Risk

At September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, we had cash and cash equivalents of $1,033$1,112 million,, of which $648$672 million was invested at various short-term market interest rates. WeOther than our recorded lease liabilities, we had no long-term obligations or debt at September 30, 2017.March 31, 2020. A hypothetical change in the interest rate of 10 basis points at September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 would not have a significant impact on our earnings. In management’s opinion, there has been no material change in our interest rate risk exposure in the thirdfirst quarter of 2017.

2020.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Controls and Procedures

We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our 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 our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report at the reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Controls

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

As a result of COVID-19, many of our employees are working remotely and are able to do so within our established internal controls over financial reporting.

We are developing a new accounting system, which is being implemented on a worldwide basis over the next several years. This system is expected to improve the efficiency of certain financial and transactional processes and reporting. This transition affects the processes that constitute our internal control over financial reporting and requires testing for operating effectiveness.

In the next two fiscal years, we will adopt two significant new accounting standards related to revenue recognition and accounting for leases. The adoption of these accounting standards will require changes to existing processes and systems that are an integral part of our internal controls and will require testing for operating effectiveness.

Our management has confidence in our internal controls and procedures. Nevertheless, our management, including Expeditors’ Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal controls will prevent all errors or intentional fraud. An internal control system, no matter how well-conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of such internal controls are met. Further, the design of an internal control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all internal control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all of our control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected.





PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Expeditors is involved in claims, lawsuits, government investigations and other legal matters that arise in the ordinary course of business and are subject to inherent uncertainties. Currently, in management's opinion and based upon advice from legal advisors, none of these matters are expected to have a significant effect on our operations, cash flows or financial position. As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, the amounts accrued for these claims, lawsuits, government investigations and other legal matters are not significant to our operations, cash flows or financial position. At this time, we are unable to estimate any additional loss or range of reasonably possible losses, if any, beyond the amounts recorded, that might result from the resolution of these matters.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, careful consideration should be given to the risk factors under Item 1A Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 21, 2020. There have been no material changes in Expeditors' risk factors from those disclosed under Item 1A Risk Factors in our annual report on Form 10-K filed on February 23, 2017 other than21, 2020, except for the following:


Novel Coronavirus

(COVID-19)

Network Continuity

COVID-19 significantly impacted worldwide economic conditions and Cybersecurity

As Expeditorsglobal trade and may continue to have an adverse effect on our operations, and the operations of our service providers and our customers, which may further impact our business. COVID-19 was declared as a global health emergency and later declared as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. As a result, governments have implemented travel restrictions, mandated lockdowns and other precautionary measures that resulted in significant business and supply chain disruptions and a slowdown in international trade. This crisis has, and is expecting to continue affecting our business in many aspects. Governments have designated our operations as essential business and we activated our business continuity plan to increase reliance on systemsbe able to conduct operations. Our facilities and asemployees are operating under the constraints of special protective measures and many are working remotely. These disruptions are also threatening the financial stability of our service providers and the ability to efficiently and profitably route our customers’ freight. Reduced flight schedules and cancellations have significantly reduced available space for airfreight, while ocean carriers have continued to reduce their operating capacity. These freight market conditions create pricing volatility that challenges Expeditors’ ability to maintain historical unitary profitability. Many of our customers are experiencing disruptions in their revenue and cash flow, prompting these customers to renegotiate contractual terms and increasing our accounts receivable collection risks. Such conditions could result in the loss of business and additional featuresbad debt allowances in the future if our customers’ ability to pay deteriorates. Although we are added,monitoring the risks also increase.situation, we cannot predict for how long, or the ultimate extent to which the pandemic and related precautionary measures may disrupt our operations. Any significant disruptions todisruption resulting from this on a large scale or over an extended period of time would negatively affect our business and our financial results.

Service Providers

As a non-asset based provider of global systems, significantlogistics services, Expeditors depends on a variety of asset-based service providers, including air, ocean and ground freight carriers. The quality and profitability of our services depend upon effective selection, management and discipline of service providers. COVID-19 is expected to place significant stress on our air, ocean and freight ground carriers, which may result in reduced carrier capacity or the Internet for any reason,availability, pricing volatility or more limited carrier transportation schedules which could include equipmentadversely impact our operations and financial results. During the COVID-19 pandemic, air carriers have been particularly affected having to cancel flights due to travel restrictions resulting in dramatic drops in revenues, historical losses and liquidity challenges. Ocean carriers have incurred significant operating losses in recent years, further exacerbated by trade reductions from COVID-19 measures, and are highly leveraged with debt. Additionally, several ocean carriers have consolidated, with the potential for more to occur in the future. Changes in the financial stability, operating capabilities and capacity of asset-based carriers and capacity allotment made available to Expeditors by asset-based carriers affects us in unpredictable ways. Any combination of reduced carrier capacity or network failures; co-location facility failures; power outages; sabotage; employee erroravailability, pricing volatility or other actions; cyber-attacks (suchmore limited carrier transportation schedules, such as those recently experiencedcaused by COVID-19, could further negatively affect our ability to execute services and maintain profitability. Expeditors cannot predict if relief measures extended by certain governments will be effective in our industry)supporting the financial viability of carriers nor can we predict the long-term effects of this crisis on carriers’ financial stability and ability to provide services.

Additionally, Expeditors' carriers are subject to increasingly stringent laws, which could, directly or other security breaches; reliance on third party technology; geo-political activity or natural disasters; all of which couldindirectly, have a material negativeadverse effect on our results. Thisbusiness. Future regulatory developments in the U.S. and abroad could include loss of revenue; customers; business disruptions (such asadversely affect operations and increase operating costs in the inabilitytransportation industry, which in turn could increase our purchased transportation costs. If we are unable to process shipments); loss of property, including trade secrets and confidential information; legal claims and proceedings; reporting delays or errors; service provider disruptions; interference with regulatory reporting; significant remediation costs; an increase inpass such costs to protect our systems and technology; or damageon to our reputation.customers, our business and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.



Economic Conditions

The global economy is experiencing a rapid slowdown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected trade and could further affect demand for our services. Continued unfavorable economic conditions will result in lower freight volumes and adversely affects Expeditors' revenues, operating results and cash flows. These conditions should they continue for extended period of time would further adversely affect our customers and service providers. Should our customers’ ability to pay deteriorate, additional bad debts may be incurred.

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

 

 

Maximum number

of shares that

may yet be

purchased

under the plans

 

January 1-31, 2020

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,748,977

 

February 1-29, 2020

 

 

2,000,000

 

 

 

74.09

 

 

 

2,000,000

 

 

 

8,283,602

 

March 1-31, 2020

 

 

2,000,000

 

 

 

67.53

 

 

 

2,000,000

 

 

 

6,192,763

 

Total

 

 

4,000,000

 

 

$

70.81

 

 

 

4,000,000

 

 

 

6,192,763

 

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
July 1-31, 2017 
 $
 
 14,683,556
August 1-31, 2017 1,552,335
 55.34
 1,552,335
 13,101,686
September 1-30, 2017 2,057,379
 56.80
 2,057,379
 10,982,748
Total 3,609,714
 $56.18
 3,609,714
 10,982,748

In November 1993,2001, Expeditors' Board of Directors authorized a Non-DiscretionaryDiscretionary Stock Repurchase Plan for the purpose of repurchasing our common stock in the open market with the proceeds received from the exercise of stock options. On February 9, 2009, the Plan was amended to increase the authorization to repurchase up to 40 million shares of our common stock. This authorization has no expiration date. This plan was initially disclosed in our annual report on Form 10-K filed on March 31, 1995. In the third quarter of 2017, 1,251,635 shares of common stock were repurchased under the Non-Discretionary Stock Repurchase Plan.

In November 2001, under a Discretionary Stock Repurchase Plan, Expeditors' Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of our common stock in the open market to reduce the issued and outstanding stock down to 200 million shares. In February 2014,Subsequently, the Board of Directors has from time to time increased the amount of our common stock that may be repurchased. The Board of Directors last authorized repurchases down to 190160 million shares of common stock. In February and August 2015 and May 2016, the Board of Directors further authorized repurchases down to 188 million, 180 million and 170 million, respectively. stock in November 2018. 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. In the third quarter of 2017, 2,358,079 shares of common stock were repurchased under the Discretionary Stock Repurchase Plan.


Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information

(a)

(a)

Not applicableapplicable.

(b)

(b)

Not applicableapplicable.



Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

Exhibit

Number

Description

  31.1

Exhibit NumberDescription
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

101.INS

Inline XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.

101.SCH

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

104

The cover page from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, has been formatted in Inline XBRL.



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.

November

May 7, 20172020

/s/ JEFFREY S. MUSSER

Jeffrey S. Musser, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

November

May 7, 20172020

/s/ BRADLEY S. POWELL

Bradley S. Powell, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


23

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