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Here's Why You Should Add FedEx Stock to Your Portfolio
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Shares of FedEx Corporation (FDX - Free Report) have gained 34%, outperforming the industry’s rally of 14.2% in 2017. In fact, the company has also outperformed its rival United Parcel Service (UPS - Free Report) that gained only 3.9% in the same period.
Reasons for FedEx’s Outperformance
The strong e-commerce growth bodes well for FedEx. Moreover, the company reportedly experienced a highly successful holiday season which is a huge positive. In fact, FedEx outperformed in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 (ended Nov 30, 2017) as well. The outperformance was driven by increased package volumes during the peak holiday season. Also, growth was witnessed across all the major segments of the company — FedEx Express, FedEx Ground and FedEx Freight.
Furthermore, we are impressed with the company's decision to reward shareholders through dividend payments and share buybacks. In June 2017, the company raised its quarterly dividend by 25% to 50 cents a share (or $2 annually) from 40 cents (or $1.60 annually). The dividend hike not only highlights FedEx’s commitment to create value for shareholders but also underscores the company’s strong financial condition and confidence in its business prospects. Additionally, a look at past records reveals FedEx’s stable dividend payment history.
The hike in shipping rates announced in September 2017 is expected to boost revenues. FedEx's efforts to modernize its aircraft fleet are also encouraging.
New Tax Regime is a Positive
On Dec 22, President Trump signed the much-anticipated tax bill into law (Tax Cut and Jobs Act). The $1.5 trillion tax overhaul package reduces corporate taxes from 35% to 21%. The significant reduction in corporate tax rate is likely to aid FedEx, for which the effective tax rate was 35.4% in the first half of fiscal 2018.
Moreover, companies like FedEx spend significantly for capital expenditures. In the new regime, these companies will be able to deduct their capital expenditures from taxable income immediately, which was not allowed earlier. As a result, their annual tax bills would be lowered significantly owing to higher deductions. This, in turn, will leave more cash in the hands of these companies to fund their capital expenditures, acquisitions, share repurchases, among others.
The new tax regime is expected to boost fiscal 2018 earnings per share in the range of $4.40 to $5.50 (before mark-to-market year end pension accounting adjustments, primarily due to the revaluation of the company’s net deferred tax liabilities).
Estimate Revisions & Style Score
Upward estimate revisions reflect optimism in a stock’s prospects. FedEx scores impressively on this front as well. The stock has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-quarter and current-year earnings being revised 2.5% and 3.3% upward, respectively, over the last 30 days.
Additionally, the stock has an attractive VGM Score of A. Here V stands for Value, G for Growth and M for Momentum and the score is a weighted combination of these three scores.
Such a score allows investors to eliminate the negative aspects of stocks and select winners. However, it is important to keep in mind that each Style Score will carry a different weight while arriving at a VGM Score.
Attractive Valuation & Zacks Rank
FedEx is attractively valued. Going by the EV by EBITDA ratio, the stock doesn’t look expensive at this point. The measure for the stock is 9.4, which is favorable compared with the S&P 500's 11.9. The stock’s favorable positioning compared with the overall market certainly signals more upside.
Taking into account the above-mentioned tailwinds and the favorable readings, we believe that the current price represents an attractive entry point for investors. The company’s Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) also supports our view. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Key Picks
Investors interested in the broader transportation sector may also consider GOL Linhas and Triton International Limited sporting a Zacks Rank #1.
Shares of GOL Linhas and Triton International have skyrocketed more than 200% and 100%, respectively, in 2017.
Investor Alert: Breakthroughs Pending
A medical advance is now at the flashpoint between theory and realization. Billions of dollars in research have poured into it. Companies are already generating substantial revenue, and even more wondrous products are in the pipeline.
Cures for a variety of deadly diseases are in sight, and so are big potential profits for early investors. Zacks names 5 stocks to buy now.
Image: Bigstock
Here's Why You Should Add FedEx Stock to Your Portfolio
Shares of FedEx Corporation (FDX - Free Report) have gained 34%, outperforming the industry’s rally of 14.2% in 2017. In fact, the company has also outperformed its rival United Parcel Service (UPS - Free Report) that gained only 3.9% in the same period.
Reasons for FedEx’s Outperformance
The strong e-commerce growth bodes well for FedEx. Moreover, the company reportedly experienced a highly successful holiday season which is a huge positive. In fact, FedEx outperformed in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 (ended Nov 30, 2017) as well. The outperformance was driven by increased package volumes during the peak holiday season. Also, growth was witnessed across all the major segments of the company — FedEx Express, FedEx Ground and FedEx Freight.
Furthermore, we are impressed with the company's decision to reward shareholders through dividend payments and share buybacks. In June 2017, the company raised its quarterly dividend by 25% to 50 cents a share (or $2 annually) from 40 cents (or $1.60 annually). The dividend hike not only highlights FedEx’s commitment to create value for shareholders but also underscores the company’s strong financial condition and confidence in its business prospects. Additionally, a look at past records reveals FedEx’s stable dividend payment history.
The hike in shipping rates announced in September 2017 is expected to boost revenues. FedEx's efforts to modernize its aircraft fleet are also encouraging.
New Tax Regime is a Positive
On Dec 22, President Trump signed the much-anticipated tax bill into law (Tax Cut and Jobs Act). The $1.5 trillion tax overhaul package reduces corporate taxes from 35% to 21%. The significant reduction in corporate tax rate is likely to aid FedEx, for which the effective tax rate was 35.4% in the first half of fiscal 2018.
Moreover, companies like FedEx spend significantly for capital expenditures. In the new regime, these companies will be able to deduct their capital expenditures from taxable income immediately, which was not allowed earlier. As a result, their annual tax bills would be lowered significantly owing to higher deductions. This, in turn, will leave more cash in the hands of these companies to fund their capital expenditures, acquisitions, share repurchases, among others.
The new tax regime is expected to boost fiscal 2018 earnings per share in the range of $4.40 to $5.50 (before mark-to-market year end pension accounting adjustments, primarily due to the revaluation of the company’s net deferred tax liabilities).
Estimate Revisions & Style Score
Upward estimate revisions reflect optimism in a stock’s prospects. FedEx scores impressively on this front as well. The stock has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-quarter and current-year earnings being revised 2.5% and 3.3% upward, respectively, over the last 30 days.
Additionally, the stock has an attractive VGM Score of A. Here V stands for Value, G for Growth and M for Momentum and the score is a weighted combination of these three scores.
Such a score allows investors to eliminate the negative aspects of stocks and select winners. However, it is important to keep in mind that each Style Score will carry a different weight while arriving at a VGM Score.
Attractive Valuation & Zacks Rank
FedEx is attractively valued. Going by the EV by EBITDA ratio, the stock doesn’t look expensive at this point. The measure for the stock is 9.4, which is favorable compared with the S&P 500's 11.9. The stock’s favorable positioning compared with the overall market certainly signals more upside.
Taking into account the above-mentioned tailwinds and the favorable readings, we believe that the current price represents an attractive entry point for investors. The company’s Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) also supports our view. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Key Picks
Investors interested in the broader transportation sector may also consider GOL Linhas and Triton International Limited sporting a Zacks Rank #1.
Shares of GOL Linhas and Triton International have skyrocketed more than 200% and 100%, respectively, in 2017.
Investor Alert: Breakthroughs Pending
A medical advance is now at the flashpoint between theory and realization. Billions of dollars in research have poured into it. Companies are already generating substantial revenue, and even more wondrous products are in the pipeline.
Cures for a variety of deadly diseases are in sight, and so are big potential profits for early investors. Zacks names 5 stocks to buy now.
Click here to see them >>