Fall Mailing Season Underway As USPS Looks To Holiday Peak Season

The U.S. Postal Service today announced its financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2024 (Jan. 1, 2024 - Mar. 31, 2024). The net loss for the quarter under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) totaled $1.5 billion, compared to a net loss of $2.5 billion for the same quarter last year. GAAP results for the quarter were negatively impacted by $1.4 billion of expenses attributed to the amortization of unfunded retiree pension liabilities, offset by a workers' compensation non-cash benefit of $224 million driven by actuarial revaluation and discount rate changes; these factors are not controllable by the Postal Service. Controllable loss, as defined below, for the quarter was $317 million, compared to a controllable loss of $498 million for the same quarter last year. These results were favorably impacted by increased revenue and lower transportation costs, partially offset by the continued effect of inflation on operating expenses. Total operating revenue was $19.7 billion for the quarter, an increase of $410 million, or 2.1 percent, compared to the same quarter last year.

Who doesn’t feel a rush of joy when they open a handwritten card or letter received in the mail? Many of us rediscovered the simple, yet powerful pleasures of keeping in touch with pen, paper and a postage stamp during the pandemic. Later this month, everyone across America – and around the globe – is invited to send a card, deliver a smile and together create a much-needed wave of happiness during Thinking of You Week. Celebrated September 20 to 26, Thinking of You Week is an international movement to celebrate the joy of sending and receiving hand-written notes and greeting cards. Launched in the United Kingdom in 2014, the celebration was brought to the U.S. by the Greeting Card Association in 2018.

Simon & Schuster president and CEO Jonathan Karp has acquired a new book to be written by veteran investigative reporter and bestselling author Bob Woodward and fellow Washington Post political reporter Robert Costa. The book will examine the last days of the Trump presidency and the beginning of the Biden administration. Woodward and Costa were represented by Robert Barnett, who negotiated the deal with Karp. S&S acquired world, audio, and first series rights to the book. Karp will also edit the book, which is untitled and has no publication date.