FedEx Reports Strong Third Quarter Results
Key Terms
diluted eps financial
non-gaap financial
mark-to-market financial
spin-off financial
senior notes financial
all-cash offer financial
effective tax rate financial
forward-looking statements regulatory
Raises Full-year Fiscal 2026 Earnings Outlook
On Track to Spin Off FedEx Freight on June 1, 2026
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Fiscal 2026 |
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Fiscal 2025 |
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Adjusted (non-GAAP) |
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As Reported (GAAP) |
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Adjusted (non-GAAP) |
Revenue |
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Operating income |
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Operating margin |
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Net income |
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Diluted EPS |
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This year’s and last year’s quarterly consolidated results have been adjusted for:
Impact per diluted share |
Fiscal 2026 |
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Fiscal 2025 |
FedEx Freight spin-off costs |
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Business optimization costs |
0.21 |
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0.56 |
Fiscal year change costs |
0.02 |
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— |
International regulatory and legacy FedEx Ground legal matters |
— |
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0.12 |
Consolidated operating income improved in the third quarter, reflecting strength in
“Team FedEx delivered another quarter of strong financial results and excellent service for our customers, powered by disciplined operational execution, the resilience of our global network, and the accelerating impact of our advanced digital solutions,” said Raj Subramaniam, FedEx Corp. president and chief executive officer. “We are the industrial network that powers the global economy, and our network and digital transformation is enabling us to make supply chains smarter for everyone. Our strategy not only strengthens our operations but also drives robust free cash flow, positioning FedEx to deliver durable, long-term value for stockholders.”
Federal Express segment operating results improved during the quarter, driven by higher
FedEx Freight segment operating results decreased during the quarter due to increased costs associated with the company's planned spin-off, lower shipments, and higher wage rates, partially offset by increased yield.
FedEx Freight Separation On Track
The planned spin-off of FedEx Freight into a new publicly traded company is on track for June 1, 2026. On February 5, 2026, FedEx Freight completed the issuance of
FedEx Freight will host an Investor Day in
InPost Offer
On February 9, 2026, FedEx announced that, together with Advent International, A&R Investments, and PPF Group, it reached a conditional agreement on a recommended all-cash offer to take InPost private at
Outlook
FedEx is unable to forecast the fiscal 2026 mark-to-market (“MTM”) retirement plans accounting adjustments. As a result, FedEx is unable to provide a fiscal 2026 earnings per share (“EPS”) or effective tax rate (“ETR”) outlook on a GAAP basis and is relying on the exemption provided by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). It is reasonably possible that the fiscal 2026 MTM retirement plans accounting adjustments could have a material effect on fiscal 2026 consolidated financial results and ETR.
FedEx is revising its fiscal 2026 outlook, and now expects:
-
A
6.0% to6.5% revenue growth rate year over year, compared to the prior forecast of5% to6% growth; -
Diluted earnings per share of
to$16.05 before the MTM retirement plans accounting adjustments compared to the prior forecast of$16.85 to$14.80 , and$16.00 to$19.30 after also excluding costs related to the planned spin-off of FedEx Freight, business optimization initiatives, the planned change in the company's fiscal year end, and an international regulatory matter, compared to the prior forecast of$20.10 to$17.80 ;$19.00 -
Permanent cost reductions of more than
in transformation-related savings from structural cost reductions and the advancement of Network 2.0, compared to the prior forecast of$1 billion ;$1 billion -
An ETR of approximately
24% prior to the MTM retirement plans accounting adjustments, compared to the prior forecast of approximately25% ; -
Pension contributions of
, compared to the prior forecast of up to$275 million ; and$275 million -
Capital spending of no more than
, with a priority on investments in network optimization and efficiency improvement, including fleet and facility modernization and automation, compared to the December forecast of$4.1 billion .$4.5 billion
These forecasts assume the company's current economic forecast and fuel price expectations, and no additional adverse economic, geopolitical, or international trade-related developments. FedEx’s ETR and EPS forecasts are based on current law and related regulations and guidance.
“Our third quarter results and improved financial outlook reflect the resilience of our business and outstanding execution against our strategy to drive profitable growth,” said John Dietrich, FedEx Corp. executive vice president and chief financial officer. “As we look ahead, we are very well positioned to drive higher profitability and generate strong free cash flow both this fiscal year and longer-term, supporting meaningful stockholder value creation.”
Corporate Overview
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenue of
Additional information and operating data are contained in the company’s annual report, Form 10-K, Form 10-Qs, Form 8-Ks and Statistical Books. These materials, as well as a webcast of the earnings release conference call to be held at 5:30 p.m. EDT on March 19, are available on the company’s website at investors.fedex.com. A replay of the conference call webcast will be posted on our website following the call.
The Investor Relations page of our website, investors.fedex.com, contains a significant amount of information about FedEx, including our SEC filings and financial and other information for investors. The information that we post on our Investor Relations website could be deemed to be material information. We encourage investors, the media and others interested in the company to visit this website from time to time, as information is updated and new information is posted.
Certain statements in this press release may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, such as statements regarding expected cost savings, the optimization of our network through Network 2.0, the planned tax-free full separation of the FedEx Freight business into a new publicly traded company (the “FedEx Freight Spin-Off,”), future financial targets, business strategies, management’s views with respect to future events and financial performance, and the assumptions underlying such expected cost savings, targets, strategies, and statements. Forward-looking statements include those preceded by, followed by or that include the words “will,” “may,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “believes,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “estimates,” “targets,” “projects,” “intends” or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from historical experience or from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic conditions in the global markets in which we operate; uncertainty and additional volatility in the global trade environment; our ability to successfully implement our business strategies and global transformation program and network optimization initiatives, including Network 2.0 and Tricolor, effectively respond to changes in market dynamics, and achieve the anticipated benefits of such strategies and actions; our ability to achieve our cost reduction initiatives and financial performance goals, including our 2029 financial performance targets; our ability to successfully implement the FedEx Freight Spin-Off and achieve the anticipated benefits of such transaction; the timing and amount of any costs or benefits or any specific outcome, transaction, or change (of which there can be no assurance), or the terms, timing, and structure thereof, related to our global transformation program and other ongoing reviews and initiatives; a significant data breach or other disruption to our technology infrastructure; damage to our reputation or loss of brand equity; our ability to meet our labor and purchased transportation needs while controlling related costs; failure of third-party service providers to perform as expected, or disruptions in our relationships with those providers or their provision of services to FedEx; the effect of any international conflicts or terrorist activities, including as a result of the current conflicts between
The financial section of this release is provided on the company's website at investors.fedex.com.
RECONCILIATIONS OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
TO GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
Third Quarter Fiscal 2026 and Fiscal 2025 Results
The company reports its financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in
- Costs related to the planned spin-off of FedEx Freight incurred in fiscal 2026 and 2025;
- Business optimization costs incurred in fiscal 2026 and 2025;
- Costs related to the planned change in the company's fiscal year end incurred in fiscal 2026; and
- Costs related to international regulatory and legacy FedEx Ground legal matters incurred in fiscal 2025.
In December 2024, FedEx announced that its Board of Directors had decided to pursue a full separation of FedEx Freight through the capital markets, creating a new publicly traded company. The transaction, which will be implemented through the spin-off of shares of the new company to FedEx stockholders, is expected to be tax-free for
Our business optimization costs relate to the following transformation initiatives aimed to improve long-term profitability, drive efficiency within and between our transportation segments, lower our overhead and support costs, and transform our digital capabilities: our Network 2.0 program, the
In January 2025, FedEx announced that its Board of Directors had approved a change in the company’s fiscal year end from May 31 to December 31, which will be effective June 1, 2026. We incurred costs associated with the planned fiscal year change in the third quarter of fiscal 2026. These costs were primarily related to professional fees.
The charges incurred in connection with the international regulatory matter are extraordinary in nature and do not represent recurring expenses in our ordinary course of business. This item has been reduced in the amount of a gain recognized in the third quarter of fiscal 2025 in connection with the partial reversal of a loss accrual related to a legacy FedEx Ground legal matter that was also extraordinary in nature following a settlement.
Costs related to the planned spin-off of FedEx Freight, business optimization initiatives, the planned fiscal year change, and international regulatory and legacy FedEx Ground legal matters, are excluded from our third quarter fiscal 2026 and 2025 consolidated Federal Express segment and FedEx Freight segment non-GAAP financial measures, as applicable, because they are unrelated to our core operating performance and to assist investors with assessing trends in our underlying businesses.
The income tax effect of these costs is calculated based upon the tax laws and statutory income tax rates applicable in the tax jurisdiction(s) of the underlying non-GAAP adjustment. The impact of these non-GAAP items on the company's effective tax rate represents the difference in the effective tax rate calculated with and without the non-GAAP adjustment.
We believe these adjusted financial measures facilitate analysis and comparisons of our ongoing business operations because they exclude items that may not be indicative of, or are unrelated to, the company's and our business segments' core operating performance, and may assist investors with comparisons to prior periods and assessing trends in our underlying businesses. These adjustments are consistent with how management views our businesses. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in making financial, operating and planning decisions and evaluating the company's and each business segments' ongoing performance.
Our non-GAAP financial measures are intended to supplement and should be read together with, and are not an alternative or substitute for, and should not be considered superior to, our reported financial results. Accordingly, users of our financial statements should not place undue reliance on these non-GAAP financial measures. Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies' non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names. As required by SEC rules, the tables below present a reconciliation of our presented non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.
Fiscal 2026 Earnings Per Share and Effective Tax Rate Forecasts
Our fiscal 2026 EPS forecast is a non-GAAP financial measure because it excludes fiscal 2026 MTM retirement plans accounting adjustments, the planned spin-off of FedEx Freight, estimated costs related to business optimization initiatives, the planned fiscal year change, and the partial reversal of a loss accrual related to an international regulatory matter. Our fiscal 2026 ETR forecast is a non-GAAP financial measure because it excludes the effect of fiscal 2026 MTM retirement plans accounting adjustments.
We have provided these non-GAAP financial measures for the same reasons that were outlined above for historical non-GAAP measures. Costs related to the planned spin-off of FedEx Freight, business optimization initiatives, and the planned fiscal year change, as well as the partial reversal of a loss accrual related to an international regulatory matter, are excluded from our fiscal 2026 EPS forecast for the same reasons described above for historical non-GAAP measures.
We are unable to predict the amount of the MTM retirement plans accounting adjustments, as they are significantly affected by changes in interest rates and the financial markets, so such adjustments are not included in our fiscal 2026 EPS and ETR forecasts. For this reason, a full reconciliation of our fiscal 2026 EPS and ETR forecasts to the most directly comparable GAAP measures is impracticable. It is reasonably possible, however, that our fiscal 2026 MTM retirement plans accounting adjustments could have a material effect on our fiscal 2026 consolidated financial results and ETR.
The table included below titled “Fiscal 2026 Diluted Earnings Per Share Forecast” outlines the effects of the items that are excluded from our fiscal 2026 EPS forecast, other than the MTM retirement plans accounting adjustments.
Third Quarter Fiscal 2026 |
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FedEx Corporation |
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Diluted Earnings Per Share |
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Operating |
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Income Taxes1 |
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Net Income2 |
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Dollars in millions, except EPS |
Income |
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Margin |
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GAAP measure |
$ |
1,348 |
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5.6 |
% |
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$ |
207 |
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$ |
1,056 |
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$ |
4.41 |
FedEx Freight spin-off costs3 |
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194 |
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0.8 |
% |
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48 |
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|
147 |
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0.61 |
Business optimization costs4 |
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65 |
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0.3 |
% |
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16 |
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49 |
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0.21 |
Fiscal year change costs4 |
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8 |
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— |
% |
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2 |
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6 |
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0.02 |
Non-GAAP measure |
$ |
1,615 |
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6.7 |
% |
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$ |
273 |
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$ |
1,258 |
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$ |
5.25 |
Federal Express Segment |
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Operating |
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Dollars in millions |
Income |
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Margin |
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GAAP measure |
$ |
1,572 |
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7.4 |
% |
FedEx Freight spin-off costs |
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32 |
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0.2 |
% |
Business optimization costs |
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67 |
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0.3 |
% |
Fiscal year change costs |
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5 |
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— |
% |
Non-GAAP measure |
$ |
1,676 |
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7.9 |
% |
FedEx Freight Segment |
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Operating |
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Dollars in millions |
Income |
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Margin |
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GAAP measure |
$ |
8 |
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0.4 |
% |
FedEx Freight spin-off costs |
|
126 |
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6.3 |
% |
Non-GAAP measure |
$ |
134 |
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6.7 |
% |
Note: tables may not sum to totals due to rounding. |
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Third Quarter Fiscal 2025 |
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FedEx Corporation |
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Diluted Earnings Per Share |
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Operating |
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Income Taxes1 |
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Net Income2 |
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Dollars in millions, except EPS |
Income |
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Margin |
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GAAP measure |
$ |
1,292 |
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5.8 |
% |
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$ |
272 |
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$ |
909 |
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$ |
3.76 |
Business optimization costs4 |
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179 |
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0.8 |
% |
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42 |
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137 |
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0.56 |
International regulatory and legacy FedEx Ground legal matters5 |
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38 |
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0.2 |
% |
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9 |
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29 |
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0.12 |
FedEx Freight spin-off costs3 |
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5 |
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— |
% |
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5 |
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17 |
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|
0.07 |
Non-GAAP measure |
$ |
1,514 |
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6.8 |
% |
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$ |
328 |
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$ |
1,092 |
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$ |
4.51 |
Federal Express Segment |
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Operating |
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Dollars in millions |
Income |
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Margin |
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GAAP measure |
$ |
1,294 |
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6.7 |
% |
Business optimization costs |
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92 |
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0.5 |
% |
International regulatory and legacy FedEx Ground legal matters5 |
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38 |
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0.2 |
% |
Non-GAAP measure |
$ |
1,424 |
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7.4 |
% |
Note: tables may not sum to totals due to rounding. |
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Fiscal 2026 Diluted Earnings Per Share Forecast |
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Diluted Earnings Per Share |
Dollars in millions, except EPS |
Adjustments |
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Diluted earnings per share before MTM retirement plans accounting adjustments (non-GAAP)6 |
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FedEx Freight spin-off costs |
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Business optimization costs |
290 |
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Fiscal year change costs |
30 |
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International regulatory matter |
(12) |
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Total adjustments |
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Income tax effect |
(228) |
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Net of tax effect |
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3.25 |
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Diluted earnings per share with adjustments (non-GAAP)6 |
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Notes: |
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1 – |
Income taxes are based on the company’s approximate statutory tax rates applicable to each transaction. |
2 – |
Effect of “total other (expense) income” on net income amount not shown. |
3 – |
These expenses were recognized at FedEx Freight, Corporate, other, and eliminations, as well as Federal Express. |
4 – |
These expenses were recognized at Corporate, other, and eliminations, as well as Federal Express. |
5 – |
These expenses were recognized at Federal Express. |
6 – |
The MTM retirement plans accounting adjustments, which are impracticable to calculate at this time, are excluded. |
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260319879864/en/
Media Contact:
Caitlin Maier
901-434-8100
mediarelations@fedex.com
Investor Relations Contact:
Jeni Hollander
901-818-7200
ir@fedex.com
Source: FedEx Corp.