FedEx Freight takes a step forward in its independent journey. Here's why we like the stock
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CNBC Finance
6 min read
FedEx Freight reported better-than-expected segmented results on Thursday, as previously released by FedEx Corporation earlier this week. With the spin-off now complete, FedEx Freight management's focus now shifts to building a stronger business with more profitable growth. Revenue in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2026 was $2.4 billion, above the $2.26 billion consensus forecast, according to estimates compiled by LSEG. Adjusted operating income fell 24% to $363 million, beating expectations of $359, LSEG data showed. FDXF shares were little changed in after-hours trading Thursday, a possible reflection that the stock isn't on investors' radars just yet. There are some other things to keep in mind. One is that the company didn't provide an earnings per share figure. It's not unusual for a recently spun-out company to de-emphasize EPS in a quarterly period where it still operated inside its parent company. Secondly, Freight's revenue and adjusted operating income results were reported inside FedEx's quarter on Tuesday, so these figures aren't a surprise. The third thing is that LSEG's estimates were based off three different analysts, which doesn't make for a broad consensus. FedEx Freight is a less-than-truckload carrier. LTL services consolidate shipments from multiple customers onto a single trailer. These shipments are too large for standard parcel delivery, such as something over 150 pounds or a few pallets of product, but not big enough for the customer to need a whole truck. FedEx Corporation, meanwhile, provides parcel delivery, which includes the trucks that do neighborhood deliveries, and logistics services. FDXF ALL mountain FedEx Freight's stock performance since spinning off from FedEx Corporation on June 1, 2026. Bottom line The separation from fellow Club name FedEx Corporation is complete. Now comes the important part: delivering on the promises made at its investor day. Back in April, FedEx Freight management set medium term targets of compound annual revenue growth of 4% to 6%, alongside adjusted operating income growth of 10% to 12% on a compound annual basis. The profit guide includes expanding margins from 12.6% in fiscal year 2026 (as reported in FedEx Corporation's results) to about 15%. The margin improvement story is probably the most critical part of our investment thesis, and many believe it is a credible goal given the experience of CEO John Smith, who joined FedEx in 2000 and previously led the Freight division from 2018 to 2021. Over this period, Freight's operating ratio â a key profitability metric in the industry â improved by more than 1,000 basis points, from 92.8% in FY18 to 82.6% by FY22, according to a recent note by analysts at Jefferies. Operating ratio is essentially the inverse of operating margin, so a lower OR translates to higher margins. Volume growth, expanding revenue per shipment (known as yield), and cost efficiencies are how margins are expected to improve. Management plans to hit its target by enhancing its customer mix by adding higher-yielding customers, focusing on efficiency initiatives, and improving its cost to serve. It also intends to expedite the end of transition service agreements (TSAs) to reduce cost and risk. TSAs cover services that FedEx Freight is still using from its old parent company while it gets all own corporate infrastructure stood up. Freight also is planning to make investments in its LTL-focused capabilities, automation, and technology. Against the backdrop of management's self-help plan, the broader freight cycle may finally be inflecting. A brutal, multiyear freight recession began in 2022 after the industry added too much capacity during the pandemic to meet the incredible demand for goods. As the economy emerged from the pandemic, consumer spending shifted to services from goods. When inflation soared, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates and trucking rates collapsed. It took years to work through, but the cycle may have turned. Even though volumes were softer in FedEx Freight's quarter, Smith said on the earnings call that trends have improved sequentially. "We're encouraged by these early signs that demand may be stabilizing for our services, supported by improving manufacturing indicators, truckload trends, and higher year over year contractual increases," Smith said. "The leading indicators⦠that we watch are the [Institute for Supply Management] manufacturing activity and trends in the truckload spot rates and capacity. These are the early signals. The demand is showing positive signs across the industry" Smith later added. FedEx Freight is the largest LTL carrier in North America, but Old Dominion Freight Line is the best-in-class company in the industry with a superior operating ratio and operating margin. Under Smith's leadership, we believe Freight is on a course to narrow the gap against ODFL, leading to strong operating income and earnings growth in the years ahead. Sure, Freight could have pursued some of these new initiatives as part of FedEx Corporation, but becoming a standalone company allows management to execute on them with greater focus. The impending breakup was part of the reason why we initiated a position in FedEx Corporation in mid-May. Based on the current setup, we intend to remain shareholders in both firms as the two companies work to realize the benefits of independence. We reiterate our 1 rating on shares of FedEx Freight and $175 price target. Guidance Similar to its old parent company, FedEx Freight is transitioning its fiscal year to one that aligns with the calendar year (instead of ending in May). As a result, FDXF management provided a forecast for the seven-month transition period of June 1 through Dec. 31. Revenue up 4% to 6% year over year from $5.1 billion in the seven months ended Dec. 31, 2025. GAAP operating income between $475 million to $515 million, versus $394 million in the prior year. Adjusted operating income of $605 million to $645 million, compared to $600 million in the prior year. Operating margin of 9.0% to 9.5%, up from 7.8% in the year-ago period, and adjusted operating margin of 11.5% to 12.0%, versus 11.8% in the prior year. Adjusted earnings per share of $2.40 to $2.60 after excluding costs related to its spin-off from FedEx. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long FDXF and FDX. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. 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