We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience.
This includes personalizing content and advertising.
By pressing "Accept All" or closing out of this banner, you consent to the use of all cookies and similar technologies and the sharing of information they collect with third parties.
You can reject marketing cookies by pressing "Deny Optional," but we still use essential, performance, and functional cookies.
In addition, whether you "Accept All," Deny Optional," click the X or otherwise continue to use the site, you accept our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, revised from time to time.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Here's Why Investors Should Give FedEx Stock a Miss Now
Read MoreHide Full Article
Key Takeaways
FDX Q3 2025 operating expenses rose 2% YoY, with business optimization costs surging 57%.
Labor expenses rose 2%, but immediate gains from cost-cutting efforts remain unclear.
The Freight segment declined on weaker demand and fuel surcharges despite a stronger base yield.
FedEx (FDX - Free Report) is grappling with challenges arising from increased operating expenses, which are adversely impacting the company’s performance, making it an unattractive choice for investors’ portfolios.
Let’s delve deeper.
FedEx: Key Risks to Watch
Southward Earnings Estimate Revision: The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has moved 2.4% south in the past 60 days. For the next year, the consensus mark for earnings has been revised 1.04% downward in the same time frame. The unfavorable estimate revisions indicate brokers’ lack of confidence in the stock.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Dim Price Performance: The company’s price trend reveals that its shares have dropped 21% year to date compared to the Transportation - Air Freight and Cargo industry’s 20.5% rise.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Weak Zacks Rank: FedEx currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
Headwinds: FedEx continues to face significant pressure on its bottom line due to elevated operating costs. In the third quarter of 2025, operating expenses rose 2% year-over-year, driven by a staggering 57% increase in business optimization costs and a 2% rise in labor expenses. While the company frames these outlays as investments in long-term efficiency, the lack of immediate payoff raises concerns about the effectiveness of its cost-cutting strategy.
Geopolitical uncertainty, tariff woes and higher inflation continue to hurt consumer sentiment and growth expectations. FedEx Freight segment operating results decreased during the quarter due to lower fuel surcharges, reduced weight per shipment and fewer shipments, partially offset by higher base yield.
CPA has an expected earnings growth rate of 14.3% for the current year. The company has an impressive earnings surprise history. Its earnings outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average beat of 5.5%. Shares of CPA have risen 22.8% year to date.
RYAAY currently carries a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).
RYAAY has an expected earnings growth rate of 30.5% for the current year. The company has a mixed earnings surprise history. Its earnings outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the trailing four quarters and missed twice, delivering an average beat of 46.6%. Shares of RYAAY have rallied 32.1% year to date.
See More Zacks Research for These Tickers
Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:
Image: Bigstock
Here's Why Investors Should Give FedEx Stock a Miss Now
Key Takeaways
FedEx (FDX - Free Report) is grappling with challenges arising from increased operating expenses, which are adversely impacting the company’s performance, making it an unattractive choice for investors’ portfolios.
Let’s delve deeper.
FedEx: Key Risks to Watch
Southward Earnings Estimate Revision: The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has moved 2.4% south in the past 60 days. For the next year, the consensus mark for earnings has been revised 1.04% downward in the same time frame. The unfavorable estimate revisions indicate brokers’ lack of confidence in the stock.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Dim Price Performance: The company’s price trend reveals that its shares have dropped 21% year to date compared to the Transportation - Air Freight and Cargo industry’s 20.5% rise.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Weak Zacks Rank: FedEx currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
Headwinds: FedEx continues to face significant pressure on its bottom line due to elevated operating costs. In the third quarter of 2025, operating expenses rose 2% year-over-year, driven by a staggering 57% increase in business optimization costs and a 2% rise in labor expenses. While the company frames these outlays as investments in long-term efficiency, the lack of immediate payoff raises concerns about the effectiveness of its cost-cutting strategy.
Geopolitical uncertainty, tariff woes and higher inflation continue to hurt consumer sentiment and growth expectations. FedEx Freight segment operating results decreased during the quarter due to lower fuel surcharges, reduced weight per shipment and fewer shipments, partially offset by higher base yield.
Stocks to Consider
Investors interested in the Transportation sector may consider Copa Holdings (CPA - Free Report) and Ryanair (RYAAY - Free Report) .
CPA currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
CPA has an expected earnings growth rate of 14.3% for the current year. The company has an impressive earnings surprise history. Its earnings outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average beat of 5.5%. Shares of CPA have risen 22.8% year to date.
RYAAY currently carries a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).
RYAAY has an expected earnings growth rate of 30.5% for the current year. The company has a mixed earnings surprise history. Its earnings outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the trailing four quarters and missed twice, delivering an average beat of 46.6%. Shares of RYAAY have rallied 32.1% year to date.