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Bernstein downgrades FedEx stock, citing guidance risks and policy concerns

EditorEmilio Ghigini
Published 03/12/2024, 08:22
FDX
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Bernstein's updated stance reflects a more conservative approach to FedEx's stock, considering the potential for a lowered guidance to diminish the company's buffer against policy shocks.

The firm's revised position is a shift from its previously bullish sentiment, suggesting investors take caution with FedEx shares amid the current uncertainties.

For a deeper understanding of FedEx's valuation and growth prospects, investors can access the comprehensive Pro Research Report and additional insights through InvestingPro, which offers exclusive analysis of 1,400+ top US stocks.

For a deeper understanding of FedEx's valuation and growth prospects, investors can access the comprehensive Pro Research Report and additional insights through InvestingPro, which offers exclusive analysis of 1,400+ top US stocks.

Bernstein's updated stance reflects a more conservative approach to FedEx's stock, considering the potential for a lowered guidance to diminish the company's buffer against policy shocks.

The firm's revised position is a shift from its previously bullish sentiment, suggesting investors take caution with FedEx shares amid the current uncertainties.

For a deeper understanding of FedEx's valuation and growth prospects, investors can access the comprehensive Pro Research Report and additional insights through InvestingPro, which offers exclusive analysis of 1,400+ top US stocks.

The analyst's review also revealed a narrowing gap between the consensus estimates and their own projections for FedEx's fiscal years 2025 and 2026. This reassessment follows a less-than-expected performance in the first quarter and guidance for a below-seasonal second quarter.

Achieving the revised guidance would require a significant earnings increase in the second half of the year, which the analyst views as unlikely. Consequently, the anticipation of a guidance cut later this month has been factored into the new rating and price target.

Bernstein's updated stance reflects a more conservative approach to FedEx's stock, considering the potential for a lowered guidance to diminish the company's buffer against policy shocks. The firm's revised position is a shift from its previously bullish sentiment, suggesting investors take caution with FedEx shares amid the current uncertainties.

In other recent news, FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX) has been dealing with significant challenges, such as a 21% decrease in adjusted first-quarter earnings per share (EPS) for fiscal 2025 and a challenging freight market. Despite these difficulties, the company's DRIVE initiative is projected to yield $2.2 billion in cost savings during the fiscal year. The company has also responded strategically by implementing a general rate increase of 5.9% in January and new demand surcharges.

FedEx's international export package volumes rose by 9%, while FedEx Freight experienced a 3% decline in weight per shipment and average daily shipments.

In addition to these developments, FedEx Corp has made significant changes to its corporate governance structure, including limiting the personal liability of certain officers.

This amendment was approved by stockholders at the annual meeting, which also saw the election of fourteen directors and the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as its independent registered public accounting firm.

However, not all proposals were met with approval, such as a request for a Just Transition report and a proposal for a report on the alignment of lobbying activities with FedEx's carbon-neutral goals by 2040.

Analysts from Loop Capital, BofA Securities, and BMO Capital Markets have adjusted their price targets for FedEx, citing various challenges, including a decline in business-to-business volumes and lower-than-expected cost savings from the DRIVE initiative.

However, these analysts have maintained their ratings, suggesting a cautious outlook for FedEx's stock performance in the near term. These are some of the recent developments in FedEx's performance and strategic responses.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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