FedEx’s Revenue Falls, Operating Income Tumbles in Fiscal Second Quarter

Image: FedEx’s revenue faced significant pressure during its second quarter of fiscal 2023. Image Source: FedEx By Brian Nelson, CFA On December 20, FedEx Corp (FDX) didn’t deliver what investors wanted when it issued its fiscal second-quarter results for its fiscal 2023. Though the firm’s non-GAAP earnings per share came in slightly better than the consensus forecast, the company’s top line missed by a large margin, declining ~3% on a year-over-year basis. We recently lowered our fair value estimate of FedEx to $214 per share from $293 per share, but even this reduced estimate may be a bit too bright given our growing concerns over its fiscal 2025 targets. We continue to be cautious on shares of FedEx in light … Read more

Union Pacific Outperforming North American Rail Traffic Trends But Facing Inefficiencies and Inflation Hurdles

Image Source: Chuckcars By Brian Nelson, CFA On November 30, the Association of American Railroads reported that North American rail traffic is down 1.9% on a year-to-date basis through November 26. Carloads of chemicals, coal, motor vehicles and parts, nonmetallic minerals, and petroleum products were strong, but weakness in farm products, forest products, grain, and metallic ores and metals weighed on overall strength. Rail remains among the most economical way to ship goods over long distances. The railroads were front and center in the news recently about a potential work stoppage over the issue of paid sick leave. President Joe Biden, however, was able to put an end to the potential for a strike by signing “into law a joint … Read more

Announcing Valuentum’s Customer Appreciation Day Winners!

In no particular order — the five winners… As a Chief Investment Strategist that oversees a significant amount of assets, it is vital to have unbiased research that we can lean on for decision making. Brian and the Valuentum team help provide a disciplined and fundamental approach to stock analysis without the typical Wall Street bias or conflicts of interest. The value we get on a monthly basis for having this detailed thought analysis and wise long-term thinking greatly outweighs the cost. We are very happy to have them on our short list of management we trust.  – Stephen H. (October 2022) —– I’d like you to know what my takeaways are from your research: 1) Be wary of capital … Read more

We’re Considering FedEx for the Dividend Growth Newsletter Portfolio

Image Source: Valuentum By Brian Nelson, CFA During the past several weeks, we’ve grown increasingly concerned about the health of consumer-tied entities across the consumer staples and consumer discretionary spaces. Many consumer staples entities, while raising prices, aren’t raising them fast enough to drive operating-income and bottom-line expansion, while many consumer discretionary companies may be facing higher freight and logistics costs and weaker performance in Greater China, as that exposed in Nike’s (NKE) most recently-reported quarter, where inventory advanced 23%. The tell-tale sign about the health of the consumer may be Amazon (AMZN) Prime Day, which is coming up on July 12-13, but based on many of the reports we’ve monitored this past earnings season, consumers may be willing to spend … Read more

FedEx Beats Estimates, Raises Guidance

Image Source: FedEx Corporation – Second Quarter of Fiscal 2022 Earnings Infographic By Callum Turcan On December 16, the logistics giant FedEx Corporation (FDX) reported second quarter earnings for fiscal 2022 (period ended November 30, 2021) that beat both consensus top- and bottom-line estimates. The firm also moderately raised its earnings guidance for fiscal 2022 in conjunction with its earnings update after previously reducing its full fiscal year guidance when reporting its fiscal first quarter earnings update. FedEx noted in its fiscal second quarter earnings press release that “higher revenue per shipment at all transportation segments” positively benefited its operating income performance and helped offset headwinds from labor shortages and related supply chain constraints. The company also recently announced a … Read more

Putting the Environmental in ESG

Valuentum’s ESG newsletter helps identify which stocks have strong ESG scores, and which ones come up short. Subscribe to the monthly Valuentum ESG Newsletter today by selecting the ‘Subscribe’ button below (12 editions, $1,000/year).   —– By Valuentum Analysts There is no single definition for ESG investing beyond the words that make up the acronym – Environmental, Social, and Governance. Investors looking at ESG may be doing so for a variety of reasons with a variety of different needs. But for every investor, a focus on ESG allows for a fuller consideration of the company, as a whole, as well as how that company impacts the 21st century landscape, as it relates to rewarding social responsibility by investing in companies … Read more

ICYMI — Video: Exclusive 2020 — Furthering the Financial Discipline

ICYMI — Video: Exclusive 2020 — Furthering the Financial Discipline — — In this 40+ minute video jam-packed with must-watch content, Valuentum’s President Brian Nelson talks about the Theory of Universal Valuation and how his work is furthering the financial discipline. Learn the pitfalls of factor investing and modern portfolio theory and how the efficient markets hypothesis holds little substance in the wake of COVID-19. He’ll talk about which companies Valuentum likes and why, and which areas he’s avoiding. This and more in Valuentum’s 2020 Exclusive conference call.   Note: This video was originally published August 2, 2020.    To watch the video >>   The Theory of Universal Valuation —– Valuentum members have access to our 16-page stock reports, … Read more

Valuentum Website Overview

Overview of the key features of valuentum.com/ (03:55). Valuentum (val∙u∙n∙tum) [val-yoo-en-tuh-m] Securities Inc. is an independent investment research publisher, offering premium equity reports, dividend reports, and ETF reports, as well as commentary across all sectors/companies, a Best Ideas Newsletter (spanning market caps, asset classes), a Dividend Growth Newsletter, modeling tools/products, and more. Independence and integrity remain our core, and we strive to be a champion of the investor. Valuentum is based in the Chicagoland area. Valuentum is not a money manager, broker, or financial advisor. Valuentum is a publisher of financial information. The Benefits of Premium Membership >> Subscribe Now!

FedEx Indicates Its Outlook Is Improving

Image Shown: An overview of FedEx Corporation’s revenue generation by business segment in fiscal 2020. Image Source: FedEx Corporation – June 2020 IR Presentation By Callum Turcan On June 30, FedEx Corporation (FDX) reported fourth quarter fiscal 2020 earnings (period ended May 31, 2020) that beat both consensus top- and bottom-line estimates. Shares of FDX rallied during normal trading hours on July 1 as the air freight and logistics company’s outlook looked better than feared. Management did not provide full year guidance for fiscal 2021 given the uncertainties created by the ongoing coronavirus (‘COVID-19’) pandemic. During the firm’s latest quarterly conference call FedEx noted (emphasis added): “The economic outlook is highly uncertain making forecasting incredibly challenging. Around the world, we … Read more

Reiterating Our Bullish Long-Term View on Stocks

Reiterating Our Bullish Long-Term View on Stocks Image: The NASDAQ 100 Index remains resilient, bouncing off support, after breaking out to new highs recently. Some of our best ideas are included in the NASDAQ 100, and our favorite concentrations include exposure to big cap tech and large cap growth. We continue to be bullish on equities for the long run. — By Brian Nelson, CFA — Hi everyone, — Hope you are doing great! First, I wanted to let you know that we’re still working to get the second release of the survey out to you. Your participation in the survey will determine whether we launch a new business, so please do fill it out and keep a watchful eye out for … Read more