FedEx Earnings Call: Strong Growth Amid Key Headwinds

FedEx Corporation ((FDX)) has held its Q2 earnings call. Read on for the main highlights of the call.

FedEx Balances Strong Earnings Momentum With Operational Headwinds

FedEx Corporation’s latest earnings call painted a picture of solid momentum tempered by notable operational challenges. Management struck an overall positive tone, underscoring strong revenue and earnings per share (EPS) growth powered by strategic initiatives and an expanding business-to-business (B2B) franchise. At the same time, executives acknowledged meaningful headwinds from the grounded MD-11 fleet and continued weakness in industrial demand. Even so, ongoing network transformation and the planned freight spin-off left investors with a generally optimistic outlook.

Robust Revenue and EPS Growth Underpins Confidence

FedEx reported a 7% year-over-year increase in revenue and a 19% rise in adjusted EPS, signaling that its core businesses are performing well despite a choppy macro environment. The company also delivered a 17% increase in adjusted operating income and expanded its adjusted operating margin by 100 basis points, reflecting improved pricing discipline and cost management. Management emphasized that these gains were broad-based, with U.S. domestic package services a key driver, reinforcing the company’s ability to grow profits even as it navigates operational disruptions and sector-specific softness.

B2B Segment Emerges as a Growth Engine

The B2B segment again took center stage as a major growth catalyst, contributing nearly half of the company’s revenue increase for the quarter. FedEx highlighted strong momentum in high-value verticals such as healthcare and automotive, where reliability and time-sensitive delivery are critical. New business wins in these areas are helping FedEx diversify away from more volatile consumer e-commerce volumes and deepen relationships with industrial and commercial customers. Management positioned B2B as a structural tailwind, supporting both revenue quality and margin expansion over the long term.

Network 2.0 Transformation Drives Efficiency

FedEx continued to advance its Network 2.0 initiative, a multi-year effort to streamline and optimize its delivery infrastructure. The company reported that 24% of eligible volume is now flowing through optimized facilities, a key milestone toward a more integrated and efficient network. This transformation is designed to reduce redundancy, cut handling and transportation costs, and improve service reliability. FedEx reiterated that it is on track to unlock significant cost savings and operational efficiencies by fiscal 2027, framing Network 2.0 as a central pillar of its profitability strategy.

FedEx Freight Spin-off Plans Move Forward

The company confirmed that preparations to spin off FedEx Freight remain firmly on schedule for June 2026. The executive team for the standalone freight business is already in place, and strategic planning is progressing. Management framed the separation as a way to give both FedEx’s core parcel operations and the freight business sharper strategic focus and more tailored capital allocation. For investors, the spin-off is being positioned as a value-unlocking event that could highlight the distinct growth and margin profiles of the two businesses.

Digital and AI Investments Enhance Capabilities

FedEx is stepping up its digital and artificial intelligence initiatives, with a clear emphasis on improving customer service and operational efficiency. The company is scaling AI applications across its network, from route optimization and capacity planning to predictive analytics. These tools are particularly important in complex, high-value sectors like healthcare and data centers, where precise logistics are essential. By deepening its digital capabilities, FedEx aims to create stickier customer relationships, reduce operational waste, and better manage the volatility of package flows.

MD-11 Fleet Grounding Weighs on Operations

One of the quarter’s most significant setbacks was the unexpected grounding of the MD-11 fleet, which disrupted operations and added to costs. Management quantified the impact at roughly $25 million in adjusted operating income for the second quarter and warned that additional costs are likely in the third quarter. The grounding forced FedEx to reconfigure portions of its air network quickly, underscoring both the complexity of its global operations and the importance of ongoing fleet modernization. While the issue is being actively managed, it remains a near-term drag on profitability.

Industrial Weakness Hits FedEx Freight

FedEx Freight continues to be pressured by a weak industrial economy, a theme that weighed on the segment’s performance throughout the quarter. The business saw a decline in average daily shipments, which, combined with softer demand from industrial customers, is expected to drive a $300 million decline in adjusted operating income. Management acknowledged this cyclical headwind but emphasized ongoing efforts to manage costs and maintain pricing discipline. The freight softness also adds context to the planned spin-off, which may allow the segment more flexibility to navigate its own economic cycles.

Rising Costs and Second-Half Headwinds

Despite strong earnings growth, FedEx is contending with a heavier cost burden in the back half of the fiscal year. The company flagged approximately $600 million in second-half headwinds, including higher variable incentive compensation, continued softness in the less-than-truckload (LTL) business, and costs tied to the MD-11 grounding. These factors will offset some of the operational gains from network optimization and B2B expansion. Nonetheless, management reiterated its commitment to cost discipline and network efficiencies to help cushion these pressures.

Forward-Looking Guidance Stays Upbeat Despite Disruptions

For the remainder of fiscal 2026, FedEx maintained an upbeat outlook, reflecting confidence in its strategy and resilience. The company reaffirmed the 7% revenue growth trajectory and highlighted a 24% increase in adjusted operating income at Federal Express Corporation and a 5% rise in U.S. domestic package yield as key performance indicators. Importantly, FedEx raised its adjusted EPS guidance to a range of $17.80 to $19.00, signaling that management expects strong profit growth even after accounting for the MD-11 disruption and industrial softness. The continued progress toward the FedEx Freight spin-off and the ramp-up of Network 2.0 and digital initiatives are central to this constructive view.

In sum, FedEx’s latest earnings call showcased a company executing well on its strategic transformation while wrestling with real but manageable headwinds. Strong B2B growth, expanding margins, and ongoing network optimization are driving solid financial results, even as the grounded MD-11 fleet and a sluggish industrial backdrop create near-term noise. For investors, the story remains one of steady operational improvement, rising earnings power, and potential long-term value creation from the freight spin-off and digital investments.