FedEx (FDX) Stock: Delivery Giant Crushes Earnings Estimates on Surging B2B Strength

FedEx just delivered a financial beat that Wall Street didn't see coming. The logistics titan's latest quarterly report smashed analyst expectations, sending a clear signal: its core B2B engine is firing on all cylinders.

The Numbers Don't Lie

Forget the whisper numbers. The official figures tell the story of a company executing its turnaround playbook with precision. Revenue and profit both cleared the high bar set by forecasts, powered not by fleeting consumer trends, but by a resurgent demand from corporate clients.

B2B: The Silent Growth Engine

While everyone was watching e-commerce, FedEx was quietly reinforcing its industrial backbone. The strengthening B2B segment—shipping between businesses—proved to be the quarter's MVP. It's the high-margin, contract-driven work that provides stability when the economic winds shift, and right now, it's providing serious thrust.

A Cynical Finance Jab

Let's be real—analysts are probably just relieved they can finally write a report that doesn't include the phrase 'peak demand concerns' in the first paragraph. For once, the narrative isn't about a pandemic hangover; it's about old-school logistics getting the job done.

The market's verdict? A rally that suggests investors are buying more than just packages—they're buying into a recovery story with tangible proof. In a world obsessed with digital delivery, FedEx is reminding everyone that physical delivery, done right, still moves the needle. And the stock price.

TLDR

• FedEx reported Q2 earnings of $4.82 per share, beating analyst expectations of $4.11, with revenue of $23.5 billion versus estimates of $22.78 billion
• The company raised its full-year revenue growth forecast to 5-6% and lifted adjusted earnings outlook to $17.80-$19.00 per share
• FedEx Express margin expanded 100 basis points to 7.7%, driven by better pricing, cost savings, and higher U.S. domestic volumes
• CEO Raj Subramaniam highlighted growth in business-to-business segments, particularly in healthcare, aerospace, defense, and data center operations
• The planned spin-off of FedEx Freight remains on track for June 1, 2026, with NYSE listing under ticker FDXF

FedEx delivered better-than-expected results for its fiscal second quarter, posting earnings of $4.82 per share against analyst predictions of $4.11. Revenue reached $23.5 billion, surpassing the consensus estimate of $22.78 billion.

$FDX (FedEx) #earnings are out: pic.twitter.com/d9DKxhj2qS

— The Earnings Correspondent (@earnings_guy) December 18, 2025

The stock slipped 1.4% in premarket trading Friday despite the earnings beat. Analysts suggested investors may have wanted to see a larger increase in full-year guidance relative to the quarterly outperformance.

FedEx Corporation, FDX

CEO Raj Subramaniam called FedEx “the heartbeat of the industrial economy” in an interview with CNBC. He emphasized the company’s focus on differentiation and delivering value to customers.

The business-to-business segment now represents 66% of FedEx’s revenue. Subramaniam highlighted wins in key verticals including healthcare, aerospace, defense, and the emerging data center market.

The data center boom is creating new opportunities for FedEx. Companies investing billions in artificial intelligence technology need to MOVE parts both domestically and internationally. FedEx’s global network positions it well to serve these large corporate customers.

Margin Expansion and Cost Cuts Drive Results

The FedEx Express unit showed strong performance with operating margin rising to 7.7%. This exceeded the consensus estimate of 6.4% by 130 basis points.

Pricing gains, cost savings, and higher U.S. domestic volumes powered the Express unit’s results. The company achieved structural cost reductions while maintaining service quality.

Package yields strengthened in both U.S. domestic and International Priority segments. U.S. domestic package volumes increased during the quarter.

Higher wage and transportation costs partially offset these gains. The company also faced impacts from global trade policy changes and costs related to grounding its MD11 aircraft fleet.

Shifting Trade Patterns Create New Lanes

Trade between the U.S. and China has declined over the past six months. FedEx responded by reducing capacity on those routes.

However, Subramaniam pointed to growth in other markets. China’s trade surplus is up, driving more traffic to different regions.

Intra-Asia traffic is increasing. Asia to Europe routes, which are primarily business-to-business, are growing.

Latin America inbound shipments are up. Asia to the Middle East and India routes are seeing more volume. India outbound traffic is also rising.

Freight Spin-Off On Track

FedEx Freight results declined as shipments fell and wage costs increased. The freight unit incurred $152 million in one-time costs related to the planned separation.

The spin-off remains on schedule for June 1, 2026. FedEx Freight will list on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker FDXF.

The company raised its full-year revenue growth forecast to 5-6% from the previous 4-6% range. Adjusted earnings guidance increased to $17.80-$19.00 per share, excluding pension adjustments and one-off items.

FedEx cut its pension contribution forecast to $275 million from up to $400 million. The company reaffirmed $1 billion in permanent cost reductions and capital spending of $4.5 billion.