FedEx margins likely to improve on y/y, q/q basis, says Cowen. Cowen analyst Helane Becker reiterated an Outperform rating and $280 price target on FedEx (FDX), telling investors in a research note that she believes margins will improve on a y/y and q/q basis, albeit at a moderately slower than expected pace. She lowered her 2Q19 earnings estimates to reflect higher purchase transportation costs and softer international pricing, but raised 2H19 estimates due to a strong peak and improving Express and Ground operations. She notes that investors are concerned Amazon (AMZN) will mitigate rising transportation costs by launching their own delivery network to compete with FedEx and its peers, but says that a new entrant will have to meaningfully ramp up its cost profile and forgo other investment opportunities to achieve the operating efficiencies of FedEx, UPS (UPS) and others.
