FedEx beats earnings estimates, forecasts $1 billion cost savings in the next fiscal year

Core Insights - FedEx reported better-than-expected quarterly earnings and revenue, achieving its $4 billion cost-cutting goal and aiming for an additional $1 billion in the upcoming fiscal year [1][6] - Despite positive earnings, FedEx's stock dropped about 5% in after-hours trading due to current-quarter profit guidance that was slightly below Wall Street expectations [2] - The company’s fiscal fourth quarter net income was $1.65 billion, or $6.88 per share, compared to $1.47 billion, or $5.94 per share, a year earlier [4] Financial Performance - FedEx's revenue for the fiscal fourth quarter rose to $22.22 billion, up from $22.1 billion a year earlier [4] - For the full fiscal year, revenue was $87.9 billion, an increase from $87.7 billion in fiscal 2024 [5] - The U.S. daily package volume increased by 6% year over year, with U.S. ground home delivery volume specifically up 10% year over year [3] Cost Management and Future Guidance - FedEx's capital spending for fiscal 2025 was $4.1 billion, down 22% from $5.2 billion in fiscal 2024, marking the lowest capital spending as a percentage of revenue in the company's history [5] - The company achieved its DRIVE program target of $4 billion in savings by the end of fiscal 2025, with a goal of $1 billion in additional cost reductions for fiscal 2026 [6] - For the fiscal first quarter of 2026, FedEx forecasts revenue to be flat to up 2% year over year, while adjusted earnings per share are expected to be slightly under analyst estimates [7] Strategic Developments - FedEx announced plans to spin out its Freight division, expecting the tax-free spin-off to be executed within 18 months [8] - The quarterly results were released shortly after the death of FedEx's founder and executive chairman, Fred Smith [8]