FedEx's Operating Margin Goal Can Deliver Long-Term Value

With the company still targeting operating margins, new investors should buy the stock.
By Richard Saintvilus ,

NEW YORK (TheStreet) –-FedEx (FDX) - Get Report has a recent history of success. In the past decade, the package delivery giant has rewarded shareholders with almost 90% stock gains, not to mention the consistent dividends the company has paid along with its buybacks.

FDX 1 Year Total Returns (Daily)

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YCharts

But some new investors have wondered if FedEx stock will perform as well in the future. The company's shares are trading at near 52-week highs after gaining 15% in the past six months. 

Their fears are misplaced. Fedex should continue to perform well largely because it has an aggressive but sound strategy in place to increase margins. 

Ahead of fiscal third-quarter results Wednesday, Fedex plans to grow its operating margins to 10% by 2016. Fedex's five-year operating margin has averaged approximately 6%, according toYCharts. This is a sign of the company's confidence that it can increase efficiency and that demand for its services will remain robust. 

FDX Profit Margin (TTM)

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YCharts

Last quarter, the company grew its operating margin to just over 8%. That represents the latest in ongoing improvements over the past year in operating margin. In 2013, operating margins for the year was 5.8%. 

Fedex will achieve the remaining 2% through further increases in efficiency, and by raising prices. The company is already pursuing the latter. 

Effective January 5, FedEx hiked prices across six of its product lines by an average of 4.9%, including in its largest segment, Express Freight. The impact of these price increases likely won't be felt for several quarters, but that's what makes the stock more attractive. When the market realizes the boost FedEx has gained in profits, these shares will be more expensive.

In addition, next year's earnings estimates of $9.26 per share, according toYahoo! Finance, might be conservative.

For the quarter that ended February, analysts expect earnings of $1.87 per share on revenue of $11.79 billion, representing increases of 52% and 4%, respectively. For the full year, earnings are projected to be $8.97 per share on revenue of $47.74 billion, translating to increases of 33% and 5%, respectively.

That both quarterly and full-year earnings-per-share are projected to grow at significantly higher rates than revenue underscores FedEx's attention to the bottom line. Whether through buybacks, cost-cutting or dividends, investors have done well. That should continue if Fedex continues to execute on its recent strategy. 

This article is commentary by an independent contributor. At the time of publication, the author held no positions in the stocks mentioned.

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