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Is a Beat in Store for Expeditors (EXPD) in Q1 Earnings?

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Expeditors International of Washington (EXPD - Free Report) is scheduled to report its first-quarter 2024 results on May 7 before market open.

The company has a disappointing earnings history, having missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the preceding four quarters and surpassing once. The average miss is 3.37%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EXPD’s first-quarter 2024 earnings has been revised upward to 2.80% in the past 60 days.

Given this backdrop, let’s see how things have shaped up for Expeditors this earnings season.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EXPD’s first-quarter 2024 revenues is pegged at $2.17 billion, which indicates a 16.20% decline year over year. However, Expeditors' strong financial position supports its growth-by-acquisition strategy. Efforts to reward its shareholders also bode well.

Our estimate for first-quarter Airfreight Services revenues is pegged at $680.6 million, which indicates a 24.8% decline from the year-ago reported figure. Revenues from ocean freight and services, customs brokerage and other services are expected to be $468.6 million and $929.8 million, indicating a loss of 32.8% and 6.1% year over year, respectively. EXPD is looking to cut costs to drive the bottom line in this weak demand scenario.

Our estimate for the first-quarter total operating income has decreased 32.3% year over year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for quarterly earnings is pegged at $1.10 per share, which implies a 24.14% decline from the first-quarter 2023 actuals.  

What Our Model Says

Our proven model predicts an earnings beat for EXPD this time. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat, which is the case here. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

EXPD has an Earnings ESP of +6.39% and a Zacks Rank #2. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they're reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Highlights of Q4

EXPD’s fourth-quarter 2023 earnings per share of $1.09 missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.21 per share. The bottom line plunged 21% year over year due to volume woes. Total revenues of $2.28 billion beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.24 billion but declined 33.8% year over year.

Q1 Performances of Other Transportation Companies

Delta Air Lines’ (DAL - Free Report) first-quarter 2024 earnings (excluding 39 cents from non-recurring items) of 45 cents per share comfortably beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.36 and improved 7.75% year over year.

Revenues of $13.75 billion surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $12.84 billion and increased 7.75% on a year-over-year basis. Adjusted operating revenues (excluding third-party refinery sales) came in at $12.6 billion, up 6% year over year.

United Airlines (UAL - Free Report) reported a first-quarter 2024 loss (excluding 23 cents from non-recurring items) of 15 cents per share, narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 53 cents and improved 76.19% year over year.

Operating revenues of $12.54 billion beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $12.43 billion. The top line increased 9.71% year over year due to upbeat air travel demand. Cargo revenues fell 1.8% year over year to $391 million. Revenues from other sources jumped 10.3% year over year to $835 million.

J.B. Hunt Transport Services’ (JBHT - Free Report) first-quarter 2024 earnings per share of $1.22 missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.53 and declined 35.45% year over year.

Total operating revenues of $2.94 billion lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.12 billion and fell 9% year over year. Total operating revenues, excluding fuel surcharge revenues, decreased approximately 6.5% year over year.

Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.

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