The USPS has announced a 3rd quarter loss of 1.1 billion dollars (that's billion with a "B"). That adds up to a fiscal year-to-date net loss of $1.13 billion. This almost certainly means a substantial increase in postage next May (2009). With the consumer price Index going up rather fast this could mean a rate increase as high as 6% (more for some segments of mail).
For the third quarter 2008, the USPS reported operating revenue at $17.9 billion, down 2.4 percent from the same period in 2007. Operating expenses were $19 billion, an increase of 1 percent from the third quarter last year. Mail volume dropped 5.5 percent during the quarter, reaching 48.5 billion pieces. PMG Potter commented that mail volumes may not return to previous levels even when the economy rebounds.
In addition Potter announced at the latest MTAC meeting that there will not be a discount for mail sent using the IMB.
All in all, not good news for mailers.