A s economists grow more skeptical about the U. S economic recovery, a number of corporate executives are sounding more upbeat these days, making the two groups look at odds with one another. Who's right?. On Monday, FedEx Corp. FDX N became the latest company to express optimism after it raised its guidance for the current fiscal quarter and full year." O ur revenue and earnings growth are exceeding original expectations," said Alan Graf, FedEx's chief financial officer, in a statement that sent the share price surging 5.6 per cent and also helped lift major indexes. He attributed the forecast boost, in part, to FedEx's superior execution. But wait a minute: Rival United Parcel Service Inc. UPS N also raised its full year earnings forecast last week, suggesting that there is more going on here than reliable, courteous service. 
Share:  A s economists grow more skeptical about the U. S economic recovery, a number of corporate executives are sounding more upbeat these days, making the two groups look at odds with one another. <span class="sent">Who's right?. On Monday, <span class="company">FedEx</span> Corp. FDX N became the latest company to express optimism after it raised its guidance for the current fiscal quarter and full year." O ur revenue and earnings growth are exceeding original expectations," said <span class="analyst">Alan Graf</span>, <span class="company">FedEx</span>'s chief financial officer, in a statement that sent the share price surging 5.6 per cent and also helped lift major indexes.</span> He attributed the forecast boost, in part, to <span class="company">FedEx</span>'s superior execution. But wait a minute: Rival United Parcel Service Inc. UPS N also raised its full year earnings forecast last week, suggesting that there is more going on here than reliable, courteous service. Tweet this   read full story

On Monday, FedEx FDX increased earnings per share guidance for its fiscal first quarter (ending in August) to a range of $1.05 $1.25, versus earlier guidance of $0.85 $1.05. FedEx also raised its guidance for full year fiscal 2011 (ending May 2011) to a range of $4.60 $5.20 per share, versus its prior guidance of $4.40 $5.00 per share. While the rate of recovery in trucking and rail volume may have slowed a bit during recent weeks, compared to last year freight volume it is indeed recovering across myriad modes of transportation. 
Share:  On Monday, <span class="company">FedEx</span> FDX increased earnings per share guidance for its fiscal first quarter (ending in August) to a range of $1.05 $1.25, versus earlier guidance of $0.85 $1.05. <span class="company">FedEx</span> also raised its guidance for full year fiscal 2011 (ending May 2011) to a range of $4.60 $5.20 per share, versus its prior guidance of $4.40 $5.00 per share. While the rate of recovery in trucking and rail volume may have slowed a bit during recent weeks, compared to last year freight volume it is indeed recovering across myriad modes of transportation. Tweet this   read full story

"They're getting volume, which is growing the top line, and they've got leverage on the bottom line.". "We continue to like both FedEx and UPS as we see strong leverage to volume growth amidst a more stable pricing environment," Deutsche Bank analyst Justin Yagerman wrote in a note to clients. 
Share:  <span class="sent">"They're getting volume, which is growing the top line, and they've got leverage on the bottom line.". "We continue to like both <span class="company">FedEx</span> and UPS as we see strong leverage to volume growth amidst a more stable pricing environment," <span class="analyst">Deutsche Bank</span> analyst Justin Yagerman wrote in a note to clients.</span> Tweet this   read full story

For the full year, FedEx expects to earn $4.60 to $5.20 per share compared to $3.76 last year, a 22 to 38 percent increase. "Resumed growth in industrial production and global trade is increasing demand for our transportation services," said CEO Alan Graf Jr in FedEx's latest earnings release. In the most recent quarter, FedEx swung to a profit compared to a loss last year, while revenues grew 20 percent. Rival UPS also reported strong results in its latest quarter. 
Share:  For the full year, <span class="company">FedEx</span> expects to earn $4.60 to $5.20 per share compared to $3.76 last year, a 22 to 38 percent increase. <span class="sent">"Resumed growth in industrial production and global trade is increasing demand for our transportation services," said CEO <span class="analyst">Alan Graf</span> Jr in <span class="company">FedEx</span>'s latest earnings release.</span> In the most recent quarter, <span class="company">FedEx</span> swung to a profit compared to a loss last year, while revenues grew 20 percent. Rival UPS also reported strong results in its latest quarter. Tweet this   read full story

There was more evidence of an improving economic environment Monday when bellwether FedEx Corp raised its profit outlook and said it would again match its employee payments into their retirement fund. "Our revenue and earnings growth are exceeding original expectations, primarily due to better than anticipated growth in FedEx Express and FedEx Ground volumes," said Alan Graf Jr., executive vice president and chief financial officer. "Of particular benefit to our earnings is the continued strong demand for our higher margin FedEx International Priority package and freight services, with IP package volumes expected to grow more than 20% again this quarter," he said. For the fiscal first quarter ending August 31, the Memphis shipping giant said it now expects earnings in the range of $1.05 a share to $1.25 a share, up from its prior forecast of 85 cents a share to $1.05 a share. 
Share:  There was more evidence of an improving economic environment Monday when bellwether <span class="company">FedEx</span> Corp raised its profit outlook and said it would again match its employee payments into their retirement fund. <span class="sent">"Our revenue and earnings growth are exceeding original expectations, primarily due to better than anticipated growth in <span class="company">FedEx</span> Express and <span class="company">FedEx</span> Ground volumes," said <span class="analyst">Alan Graf</span> Jr., executive vice president and chief financial officer.</span> "Of particular benefit to our earnings is the continued strong demand for our higher margin <span class="company">FedEx</span> International Priority package and freight services, with IP package volumes expected to grow more than 20% again this quarter," he said. For the fiscal first quarter ending August 31, the Memphis shipping giant said it now expects earnings in the range of $1.05 a share to $1.25 a share, up from its prior forecast of 85 cents a share to $1.05 a share. Tweet this   read full story

In the past, it has owned a stake in the Danish postal service and has made an offer for Britain's Royal Mail. Investors are betting that separating TNT's mail from its express business will increase the chances of an offer from U. S rivals FedEx ( FDX. N ) and UPS ( UPS. N ) for express, analysts have said.(Reporting by Catherine Hornby and Greg Roumeliotis; editing by Patrick Graham). 
Share:  In the past, it has owned a stake in the Danish postal service and has made an offer for Britain's Royal Mail.<span class="sent"> Investors are betting that separating <span class="company">TNT</span>'s mail from its express business will increase the chances of an offer from U. S rivals FedEx ( FDX. N ) and UPS ( UPS. N ) for express, analysts have said.(Reporting</span> by Catherine Hornby and Greg Roumeliotis; editing by Patrick Graham). Tweet this   read full story

FedEx shares fell in pre market trading Wednesday after its profit outlook fell short of estimates. The world's second largest package delivery company said its net income was $1.33 a share in its fiscal fourth quarter, compared with 64 cents a share this time last year. 
Share:  <span class="sent"><span class="company">FedEx</span> shares fell in pre market trading Wednesday after its profit outlook fell short of estimates. The world's second largest package delivery company said its net income was $1.33 a share in its fiscal fourth quarter, compared with 64 cents a share this time last year.</span> Tweet this   read full story