On Friday, United Parcel Service Inc. raised its earnings' guidance, which sharing that the company will take a "one-time" restructuring charge, although it is still expecting a "gradual" economic recovery. The American package shipping group shared that a mix of cost cutting and better-than-expected performance at home and overseas are the reason for the rise in fourth-quarter profit guidance.

UPS is looked upon as an important measure for global trade activity, and the new raised guidance has come after a late rise in shipping business with retailers and manufacturers restocking ahead of the late 2009 holiday period.

The company also announced that it would be cutting about 1,800 employees in the US, with a "one-time charge" overshadowed by savings in UPS's local small-package unit.

"We're talking about adopting a leaner management structure for the domestic business. The latest cuts have nothing to do with the economic recession", UPS spokesman Norman Black said.

No comments have yet been shared by UPS on its own holiday shopping season figures.