• Operating revenue grew 4.7 percent to $17.7 billion
• Controllable income totaled $576 million; net loss of $2.0 billion reported
• Postal Service revenue benefited from exigent surcharge, which expired on April 10, 2016 
• Legislative reform and focus on innovation and efficiency remain necessary 

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service reported operating revenue of $17.7 billion for the second quarter of fiscal year 2016 (January 1, 2016 - March 31, 2016), an increase of $788 million or 4.7 percent over the same period last year. The increase was primarily due to an 11.4 percent increase in Shipping and Package volume and pricing strategies.

“While we have been successful in achieving controllable income during the quarter, we are still reporting net losses and contending with long-term financial challenges,” said Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer Megan J. Brennan. “We continue to focus on improving operating efficiencies, speeding the pace of innovation, and increasing revenues for the Postal Service.”

Controllable income for the quarter was $576 million compared to $313 million for the same period last year. Calculation of controllable income takes into account the impact of operational expenses including compensation, benefits and work hours; but does not reflect factors such as the legally-mandated expense to prefund retiree health benefits (see Non-GAAP Financial Measures table on following page for full description).

Net loss for the quarter was $2.0 billion compared to $1.5 billion for the same period last year. The change in net loss was most significantly impacted by a $547 million unfavorable change in the workers' compensation expense as a result of interest rate changes - a factor outside of management’s control.

Operating expenses also increased in the second quarter compared to the same period last year, driven by increased work hours and transportation expenses due in large part to the increase in package volume. Labor costs increased by $362 million, and transportation expense increased by approximately $149 million.

"During the second quarter, we expanded work hours and our transportation network, taking more trips and increasing miles flown," said Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President Joseph Corbett. “This largely resulted from strategic business decisions enacted to accommodate package growth and enhance service across the country.”

“I am grateful to our dedicated employees who helped us to achieve controllable income this quarter, but we cannot let this result mask the financial challenges we face,” said Brennan. “Our financial situation is serious, but solvable. We are confident that we can return to financial stability through the enactment of prudent legislative reform and a favorable resolution of the upcoming regulatory review of our rate-setting system.”

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