FedEx Earnings: When So-So Is Good Enough

In terms of its outlook, the company projected earnings in the range of $8.80 to $8.95 per share for the fiscal 2015 year. It assumes continued moderate global economic growth. The capital spending forecast for fiscal 2015 remains $4.2 billion. Consensus estimates for the fiscal year are $8.97 in EPS and $47.74 billion in revenue.

FedEx’s operating results in its third quarter improved due to volume and base yield growth in all of its transportation segments. There was a fairly significant net benefit from fuel for the quarter as well. These improvements were partially offset by higher variable incentive compensation accruals.

In terms of its segments in the fiscal third quarter, FedEx reported:

• Express had revenue of $6.66 billion, compared to last year’s $6.67 billion. Its operating margin was 5.8%, up from 2.5%.
• Ground had revenue of $3.39 billion, up 12% from last year’s $3.03 billion. It had an operating margin of 16.4%, up from 16.2%.
• Freight had revenue of $1.43 billion, up 6% from last year’s $1.35 billion. The operating margin was 4.8%, up from 2.6%.

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Frederick W. Smith, chairman, president and CEO of FedEx, said:

We had a very successful peak season as volumes grew across all transportation segments, and our profit improvement programs are moving ahead as scheduled. We believe our strategy is sound, our culture is unique, and our customers value our broad portfolio of business solutions.

Shares of FedEx closed Tuesday down 0.9% at $175.71. In premarket trading Wednesday, shares were down 1% to $174.00, following the earnings report. The culprit for the drop appears to be the guidance falling just below consensus estimates. The stock has a consensus analyst price target of $190.58 and a 52-week trading range of $130.64 to $183.51.