J.P. Morgan downgrades Fedex, freight stocks under pressure

Company Summary - JP Morgan downgraded FedEx shares to neutral, citing weakness in its freight division which may challenge its full-year EPS guidance and impact the upcoming spin-off of FedEx Freight in June [1] - FedEx is underperforming compared to the broader transport market, reflecting a trend seen across major trucking companies, including XPO and Old Dominion, due to a freight recession affecting the entire sector [2][3] - Analysts noted that recent channel checks indicate that while price discipline in the industry is maintained, it is under pressure, which could affect multiples until volume conditions improve [3] Industry Overview - The freight market is currently experiencing contraction, particularly in the manufacturing sector, which is a significant source of high-margin freight [4] - The ISM index has remained below 50 for most of the year, indicating a contraction in manufacturing, compounded by tariffs affecting CEO confidence [5] - Increased capacity in the trucking sector is putting downward pressure on pricing, with orders for new tractor trailers rising significantly year-over-year and month-over-month as companies prepare for new truck tariffs effective November 1 [5][6] Competitive Landscape - FedEx faces heightened competition in the parcel business, particularly from smaller players entering the market, which is impacting its market share against UPS [7][8] - The ongoing tariff situation on heavy trucks and rising costs associated with cardboard are additional factors influencing the competitive dynamics in the freight and parcel sectors [8]