Core Viewpoint - FedEx's stock price declined in pre-market trading after Evercore ISI downgraded its rating from "Outperform" to "In Line" due to ongoing demand headwinds that may pose greater risks to short-term earnings per share (EPS) expectations [1] Group 1: Rating Downgrade - Evercore ISI has lowered FedEx's target price from $249 to $243 [1] - The downgrade reflects concerns over persistent demand challenges facing FedEx [1] Group 2: Factors Affecting Performance - Two main factors are expected to exert additional pressure on FedEx: the global phase-out of de minimis exemptions and unresolved volume issues in FedEx Freight [1] - Analyst Jonathan Chappell indicated that while FedEx could mitigate some revenue impacts through network restructuring related to the "2.0 network," the cost-saving benefits are likely to materialize in the second half of the year [1] Group 3: Stock Performance - As of the report, FedEx's stock price fell by 0.5% in pre-market trading, with a 52-week price range of $194.30 to $308.53 [1] - FedEx is scheduled to release its earnings report after the market closes on September 18 [1]

Core Viewpoint - United Parcel Service (UPS) is initiating the largest network restructuring in its history, offering voluntary buyout packages to full-time delivery drivers in the U.S. to adapt to an unprecedented business environment and improve operational efficiency [1] Group 1: Company Actions - UPS is launching a voluntary buyout program for full-time delivery drivers, marking the first time such an offer has been made to this group [1] - The buyout participants will receive a substantial financial compensation while retaining their existing retirement benefits, including pensions and health insurance [1] Group 2: Business Environment - The restructuring is a response to the current unprecedented business environment, indicating significant challenges faced by the company [1] - The move aims to cut costs and enhance operational efficiency, reflecting a strategic shift in UPS's approach to its workforce management [1]

Core Viewpoint - UPS is implementing a significant network reconfiguration plan, which includes voluntary buyouts for full-time US drivers, cutting 20,000 jobs, and closing 73 facilities due to reduced deliveries from Amazon and the impact of tariffs [1][4]. Group 1: Company Actions - UPS will offer voluntary buyouts to its full-time US drivers as part of its network reconfiguration [1]. - The buyout package will be in addition to any retirement benefits such as pension and healthcare [2]. - The company intends to adhere to the terms of its contract with the Teamsters union [5]. Group 2: Union Response - The Teamsters union, representing about 330,000 workers at UPS, criticized the buyout plans as an "illegal violation" of the national contract, which included a commitment to create 22,500 more jobs [3]. - Sean O'Brien, the general president of the Teamsters, emphasized that union members cannot be "bought off" and will not allow themselves to be "sold out" [3][6].