FedEx hikes 2023 earnings forecast as cost-cutting initiatives bear fruit

FedEx on Thursday hiked its full-year earnings forecast as it said cost-cutting measures offset continued demand weakness at units including FedEx Express.

FedEx now expects adjusted earnings per share for fiscal year 2023 of between $14.60 and $15.20, up from a prior forecast of between $13.00 and $14.00. Wall Street had expectated full-year EPS of $13.56, according to Refinitiv consensus estimates.

The company’s stock popped 8% in after-hours trading.

Here’s how FedEx performed in its fiscal third quarter of 2023, compared with Refinitiv:

• Earnings per share: $3.41 adjusted vs. $2.73 expected
• Revenue: $22.17 billion vs. $22.74 billion expected

Revenue of about $22.2 billion marked a slight year over year decrease from $23.6 billion during the fiscal third quarter of 2022.

FedEx reported net income of $771 million for the period, down from $1.11 billion during the same quarter a year earlier. Adjusting for one-time items, FedEx posted per-share earnings of $3.41, which beat estimates but marked a dramatic year over year decline from the $4.59 per share it reported for the same period last year.

The company reiterated Thursday it is expecting to make more than $4 billion in cost reductions by the end of fiscal year 2025.

“We’ve continued to move with urgency to improve efficiency, and our cost actions are taking hold, driving an improved outlook for the current fiscal year,” CEO Raj Subramaniam said in an earnings release.

Last month, Memphis-based FedEx said it would lay off 10% of its officers and directors as part of its wide-sweeping plan reduce costs while consumer demand cools. Its plans also include cutting flights and grounding planes, reducing office space and making adjustments to the Ground unit in pick-up and delivery, CFO Mike Lenz said on the company’s second-quarter earnings call.

FedEx raised its shipping rates by an average of 6.9% in January to offset and on Thursday reported an 11% increase in revenue per shipment during its fiscal third quarter.

FedEx is expected to update investors at an April 5 event. The company could also comment on tense contract negotiations with its FedEx pilots’ union. Pilots unanimously approved allowing the union to authorize a strike, though strikes include a lengthy and complicated process in the industry.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.