Postal Service First-Quarter Results Reflect Drop in Mail Volume

WASHINGTON, April 27, 2008 - The U.S. Postal Service announced that mail volume was down 3.0 percent, or 1.7 billion pieces, for the first quarter of fiscal 2008, according to preliminary financial results presented today to the Postal Service Board of Governors.

First-Class Mail volume decreased 3.9 percent and Standard Mail decreased 2.6 percent in the quarter ending Dec. 31, 2007.

Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President H. Glen Walker attributed the declining mail volume to “disturbing trends” in the overall U.S. economy.

“Unfortunately, two key sectors of the economy — finance and housing — suffered a downturn in the first quarter, and they’re both heavy users of the mail,” said Postmaster General John Potter.

Net income for the first quarter is estimated at $672 million on revenue of $20.4 billion.

“Although revenue is higher than in the same quarter last year, due to the price increase last May, it is $500 million less than expected,” Potter said. “We’re working to offset the disappointing revenue with cost reductions and new strategies for growth.”