FedEx has announced that its fiscal third-quarter profits more than doubled from a year ago, the first year-over-year profit increase in five quarters. Revenues increased by 7 percent to $8.70 billion, and the company posted earnings of $239 million, or 76 cents per share, compared to $97 million, or 31 cents per share, in the previous third quarter. Revenues and earnings for the quarter exceeded Wall Street expectations of $8.37 billion and 72 cents per share.

Caution is still in order

The Memphis, Tennessee-based shipping company is considered an economic bellwether because of the variety of products it ships, and its positive fiscal report is being roundly applauded as an indicator of a broadening economic recovery. In an Associated Press report, however, CEO Fred Smith stated that the company’s recent economic growth is primarily the result of improvements in the manufacturing sector and cautioned that the depressed housing market could continue to pose problems.

GDP is expected to rise

Plummeting real estate values affect economic conditions across the board, from shipping companies to retail outlets to lenders specializing in installment loans for people with bad credit and similar types of payroll loans.  Despite current housing market conditions, however, Smith expects a 3 percent increase in gross domestic product for 2010, which is in line with the predictions of economists.

Businesses are shipping more

Smith said the improved FedEx earnings resulted primarily from higher shipping volumes in its international express and ground units. Average daily shipping volume at FedEx Ground grew 5 percent, largely because more packages were shipped between businesses. Increased shipping by businesses is considered a positive sign for the economy as a whole. The improved earnings are also attributed to higher package weight, which is considered another positive economic sign.

FedEx has reinstated benefits

In the depth of the recession, FedEx announced sweeping cost reductions, including the suspension of 401(k) matches, executive pay cuts of 10 percent and a 20 percent cut of Smith’s own pay. Hourly wage reductions and layoffs eventually followed, all of which contributed to the third-quarter revenue increases. According to Forbes.com, the company has now reinstated merit-based pay increases and 401K matching programs, which are expected to negatively affect earnings growth in the fourth quarter.

Freight shippers continue to lose money

FedEx posted losses for the company’s freight unit in the third fiscal quarter, as fuel costs continue to hamper freight trade. Similarly, UPS, the world’s largest shipping company, reported last month that its fourth-quarter earnings nearly tripled, yet its freight business continued to lose money.

FedEx won't print your resume on a T-shirt for free, however...

Let it never be said that Personal Money Store (your cash advance source) fails to look out for those little financial tips and tricks that make the recession that much more bearable for those who have felt the pinch. Thanks to Kevin Purdy and Lifehacker at http://lifehacker.com/5166573/fedex-offices-offering-free-resume-printing-tomorrow, we have a hot tip that job seekers must take advantage of on Tuesday, March 10 at their local FedEx store.

Free resume printing!

Considering how expensive printer ink is for your trusty inkjet printer, it’s nice to have an alternative. Many job hunters will simply take a printer copy of their resume and copy it on a 10-cent machine, but the quality is not ideal. Thus, FedEx is not only going to save you money, but help your resume look more professional.

All you need is a paper or CD digital copy of your resume. Bring it to a FedEx Office (which were formerly known as Kinko’s) on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 and you can walk out with 25 free copies. CLICK HERE to use the FedEx store located to find the office located nearest you.

According to a press release from the company, all of the roughly 1,600 FedEx Office Print and Ship Centers in the U.S. are participating.

Black-and-white on resume stock

Job hunters will receive 25 black-and-white resume copies. Orders must be placed and picked up in-store. Copies will be printed single-sided on resume-quality paper, which makes a big difference over cheap copy-machine paper.

As Purdy puts it, “for those on the hunt for an elusive gig in our new, semi-busted economy, it could also be a serious decent money saver.”

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Despite the high price and the bad economy,  NBC has had no problem selling the air time. The biggest advertiser this year is Anheuser-Busch, who bought 4.5 minutes worth of advertising. Yep, that’s $27 million.

Super Bowl Dropouts

For some companies, not even a payday loan could get them to shell out the dough this year. FedEx will not be advertising this year. The company says it is because of the economy.

General Motors also won’t have a presence in Super Bowl advertising. GM says the timing is bad.

In it to win it

Most of the regular advertisers though, still think the coveted spots are worth it. Coca Cola and Pepsi will have spots during the game. Several car companies will advertise, and online marketplaces including GoDaddy and E*Trade bought advertising time.

Pedigree pet food will have a presence during the game, and the National Football League gets to advertise for free. Companies who still want to buy advertising don’t have much time; 90 percent of the air time has already been sold.

Making history

Super Bowl spots didn’t always cost millions. In fact, it wasn’t until 1995 that the average price of 30 seconds of air time passed $1 million. In ‘95, the average price to air one commercial was $ 1.15 million, up from $900,000 the year before.

The price passed the $2 million mark in 2000, and it stayed pretty close to that number until 2004. The price hit $2.5 million in 2006, and it has gone up about $300,00 per year since then, making the leap this year from $2.7 million to $3 million pretty well expected.

Buyer’s remorse?

Many of the companies bought their advertising back in September. Since then, the economy has steadily gotten worse. Last year also featured one of the worst holiday shopping seasons the United States has seen. But there’s no return policy on Super Bowl ad spots. Advertisers are stuck with their pricey purchases whether they still want them or not.

GM made its decision not to advertise in September, when it was already apparent that the auto industry was going to take a big hit in the recession. FedEx still has time to buy if it wants to advertise for a 13th year in a row, but the company’s managing director of advertising assures viewers that is not going to happen. Despite the fact that FedEx won awards for its advertising in last year’s Super Bowl, the company says “a Super Bowl ad buy is not where we should put dollars at this time.”

Coughing up the cash

Even though some big-name advertisers refrained from buying ad time this year, there are plenty of companies who were willing to pay the price, and Super Bowl ads this year should be just as celebratory and larger-than-life as usual. Audi and Hyundai plan to unveil new products in their ads.

The $3 million price tag seems pretty high in a time when some Americans need a payday loan just to eat, but over-the-top Super Bowl ads are just as much a tradition as the game itself.