FedEx raised the low end of its full-year profit and sales outlook, signaling the company’s efforts to slash costs and streamline its delivery networks are bearing fruit as demand improves. https://t.co/mUpLnK8Gwf ...

When gifts are facing shipping delays, DoorDash steps in to keep holiday celebrations on track. With a wide range of gifts across tech, beauty, home and more, DoorDash helps last-minute shoppers get a replacement gift in a few taps. SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, DoorDash (NASDAQ: DASH), the leading local commerce platform, unveiled its Holiday Rescue Sweepstakes to be the last-minute gifting solution for shoppers hit by shipping delays. From December 20 through December 21, DoorDash w ...

Core Viewpoint - FedEx Corporation is positioned for potential growth following a Fed rate cut, with expectations for a breakout quarter under new leadership [1] Group 1: Company Overview - FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX) provides a range of transportation, shipping, and logistics services, including express and freight delivery, e-commerce solutions, and supply chain management [1] Group 2: Investment Sentiment - Ariel Investments has expressed bullish sentiment towards FedEx, highlighting its status as a global leader in package delivery and its competitive positioning alongside UPS [1] - The company is making progress in improving margins through cost efficiencies despite macroeconomic uncertainties [1] Group 3: Catalysts for Growth - A significant catalyst for FedEx is the planned spin-off of FedEx Freight (LTL) by June 2026, which could unlock substantial value as LTL peers trade at higher valuations [1] - The upcoming anniversary of the United States Postal Service contract termination in October 2025, clarity on tariffs, and a potential cyclical recovery are additional catalysts that could benefit FedEx [1] Group 4: Risks and Opportunities - While risks such as economic slowdown and tariff impacts exist, FedEx is seen as having upside potential through operational improvements and portfolio simplification [1]

Group 1: United Parcel Service (UPS) - UPS is experiencing a 24% decline in stock price this year, trading at a price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of less than 15, significantly below the S&P 500 average of 25 [4][5] - The company has maintained a consistent revenue of around $21 billion in the last three quarters, but is focusing on improving profitability by reducing package volume for Amazon [4][5] - Despite current challenges from tariffs and a slowdown in global trade, the low valuation and nearly 7% dividend yield present an attractive investment opportunity [5] Group 2: Novo Nordisk - Novo Nordisk's stock has plummeted by 45% this year due to the resignation of its former CEO and a reduction in sales guidance, leading investors to favor rival Eli Lilly [6] - The stock is trading at a P/E ratio of just 13, which is considered low given the company's strong growth potential, with a 15% sales increase in the first nine months of the year when excluding currency impacts [6] - The company faces competition from compounding pharmacies selling copies of its drugs, Wegovy and Ozempic, which complicates its market position [8] Group 3: General Market Observations - UPS, Novo Nordisk, and Adobe are all trading below the S&P 500's average P/E ratio, indicating potential undervaluation despite their solid and profitable underlying businesses [7] - These companies possess promising long-term growth prospects that the market may not fully recognize [7]

Core Viewpoint - ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), indicating a positive outlook on its earnings estimates, which is a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Movement - The Zacks rating system is based on changes in earnings estimates, which are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements [4][6]. - Rising earnings estimates for ZTO Express suggest an improvement in the company's underlying business, likely leading to increased stock prices [5][10]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with Zacks Rank 1 stocks historically generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7][9]. - Only the top 5% of Zacks-covered stocks receive a "Strong Buy" rating, indicating superior earnings estimate revisions [10]. Earnings Estimate Revisions for ZTO Express - ZTO Express is expected to earn $1.63 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2025, with no year-over-year change [8]. - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for ZTO Express has increased by 8.8% [8].

Core Viewpoint - United Parcel Service (UPS) is showing potential for a bullish trend as it has recently surpassed a key technical level of support and the 200-day moving average, indicating a positive long-term outlook [1][2]. Technical Analysis - UPS has recently crossed above the 200-day simple moving average, which is a significant indicator of long-term market trends and serves as a support level [2]. - The stock has appreciated by 5.7% over the past four weeks, reflecting a positive price movement [2]. Earnings Estimates - There have been 9 upward revisions in UPS's earnings estimates for the current fiscal year, with no downward revisions, indicating strong investor confidence [3]. - The consensus earnings estimate for UPS has also increased, further supporting the bullish sentiment around the stock [3]. Investment Sentiment - UPS is currently rated as a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), suggesting that the stock may continue to experience upward momentum in the near future [2][3].

Market Overview - The equity markets are experiencing a general malaise, with major indices showing declines on the first trading day of December [1][6] - The S&P 500 is down approximately 0.5%, the Nasdaq indices are down about 0.4%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average is down roughly 0.9% [6] - The Russell 2000 index is the laggard, down 1.3% [7] Treasury Yields - U.S. Treasury yields are rising, with the ten-year yield above 4%, influenced by developments in Japan and expectations of a Federal Reserve interest rate increase [2][23] - The sell-off in Japanese debt due to inflation concerns has contributed to the increase in U.S. yields [23] Cryptocurrency Market - The cryptocurrency market is facing significant declines, with Bitcoin down 6.3%, Ether down 8.7%, and XRP down 7.5%, marking a more than 30% drop from Bitcoin's all-time high [3][4] Sector Performance - The energy sector is the top performer, up about 0.9%, while utilities are down approximately 2.4% and industrials down about 1.5% [7][8] - Notable gainers include Old Dominion Freight Line, which rose about 3.2%, and Nvidia, which gained nearly 5% following a $2 billion investment in Synopsys [9][11] Company News - BMO Capital Markets upgraded Old Dominion Freight Line to outperform, citing potential upside when the freight cycle turns, while slightly lowering the price target [10] - Nvidia's investment in Synopsys aims to integrate AI computing technology into chip design applications, enhancing collaboration between the two companies [11][12] - DoorDash shares increased by 3.6% after a major investor boosted their stake in the company [13] Regulatory Developments - Moderna shares fell by 7% following news of new FDA restrictions on vaccine approvals, which could limit vaccine availability [15][16] - Airbus shares declined by 3.2% due to quality issues with A320 fuselage panels, raising concerns about meeting earnings goals [18][19] Corporate Strategies - Disney is seeking an energy trader to manage power costs as major corporations become more strategic about energy management [24][25] - New York City has approved three casinos, including one by Steve Cohen, expanding his sports and gambling empire [27][28]

Core Viewpoint - United Parcel Service (UPS) is undergoing significant restructuring in response to rising labor costs and changing e-commerce trends, which has led to a notable decline in its stock value over the past five years [2][6]. Financial Performance - UPS's current market capitalization stands at $81 billion, with a current stock price of $95.83, reflecting a 0.17% increase [2]. - The stock has decreased nearly 24% year-to-date, and it has lost almost half its value over the past five years [3][2]. - The company's gross margin is reported at 18.48%, and it offers a dividend yield of 6.85% [2]. Business Challenges - The company experienced a surge in package volumes during the early pandemic but has since faced a decline in e-commerce spending and increased competition from rivals like Amazon [4][6]. - In response to these challenges, UPS has implemented a cost-cutting strategy that includes job cuts, factory closures, and a reduction in low-margin deliveries [6]. Recent Developments - In its latest quarter, UPS reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.74, exceeding analysts' expectations of $1.30, which has led to an approximate 8% increase in stock value since the announcement [7][8]. - The restructuring efforts may begin to yield positive results for value investors in 2026 and beyond, suggesting a potential buying opportunity in late 2025 [8].

Core Insights - Conagra Brands, a 105-year-old company with over 20 national food brands, is projected to achieve more than $11.6 billion in sales this year while modernizing its portfolio for future growth [1] - The company's stock has declined 37% year-to-date, making it one of the worst performers in the S&P 500, which has resulted in an increased dividend yield of 8% [2] - Conagra has a trailing payout ratio of 78% and has increased its dividend for the past six years, indicating a commitment to returning value to shareholders [7] Conagra Brands - Conagra is focusing on modernizing its product offerings to drive future growth [1] - The company has experienced a significant stock decline, which has led to a high dividend yield, attracting value investors [2] - The dividend payments from Conagra are projected to grow, with historical growth rates averaging 6.3% annually over the past five years [3] - The current dividend yield of Conagra is significantly higher than the S&P 500 average of 1.2% [5] - Conagra's price-to-earnings (P/E) and price-to-sales (P/S) ratios are near 10-year lows, suggesting potential value [7] United Parcel Service (UPS) - UPS has also faced a challenging year, with a 28% decline in stock price, resulting in a dividend yield of almost 7% [8] - The company has maintained or increased its dividend annually since going public in 1999, reflecting its financial strength [9] - UPS's dividend payout ratio is currently at 91%, but it is expected to decrease as earnings per share (EPS) are projected to grow by 4% and 11% in 2026 and 2027, respectively [10] Pfizer - Pfizer's stock has seen a modest decline of 5% year-to-date, with a current dividend yield of 6.9%, the highest in the healthcare sector [11] - The company has a 98% dividend payout ratio, which is projected to decline to 75% by 2026, indicating potential for sustainable dividends [12] - Pfizer has a strong track record of dividend increases over the past 16 years, supported by its balance sheet strength [12] Verizon - Verizon offers a dividend yield of 6.7%, making it one of the top dividend payers in the S&P 500 [13] - The company has a commitment to returning value to shareholders, with a 21-year track record of annual dividend increases [14] - Verizon's current P/E ratio is less than 9 times earnings for the next 12 months, indicating potential undervaluation [15]

Core Viewpoint - United Parcel Service (UPS) shows potential as a stock pick due to its recent technical movements and positive earnings revisions Group 1: Technical Analysis - UPS has surpassed resistance at the 20-day moving average, indicating a short-term bullish trend [1] - The 20-day simple moving average (SMA) is favored by traders for its ability to smooth out price fluctuations and provide trend reversal signals [2] - UPS has moved 8.5% higher over the last four weeks, suggesting a potential for further gains [4] Group 2: Earnings Estimates - There have been 9 upward revisions for UPS's earnings estimates for the current fiscal year, with no downward revisions, indicating strong bullish sentiment [4] - The consensus earnings estimate for UPS has also increased, reinforcing the positive outlook for the company [4] Group 3: Investment Considerations - Investors are encouraged to monitor UPS for potential gains based on its key technical levels and favorable earnings estimate revisions [5]