FedEx Cost Cuts Take Spotlight

FedEx(FDX Quote) will release its second-quarter earnings report on Wednesday, but results will likely take a back seat to news on the company's cost-cutting efforts.

By and large, analysts know what to expect from FedEx, which has said earnings per share will come in between 80 cents and 90 cents for the second quarter. Analyst estimates are the high end of FedEx's range, with the average estimate at 90 cents, up from the 81-cent profit posted a year ago, according to Thomson First Call.

Revenue is also expected to grow from the year-ago quarter, with analysts forecasting $5.9 billion, on average, up 4.1% from last year's $5.667 billion, according to First Call. But analysts also say there could be more upside, as cost-conscious retailers use just-in-time inventory management to make operations more efficient. ...