FedEx could unlock $10-20bln in shareholder value from potential freight spin-off

Investing.com -- FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX) could unlock $10 billion to $20 billion in incremental shareholder value by spinning off its freight business into a standalone company,   Barclays   (LON:BARC) analysts said in a note.

The spin-off would allow for greater management focus and improved capital discipline, potentially boosting long-term growth prospects for both FedEx’s core package operations and its Freight unit.

The company has been evaluating strategic alternatives for the Freight business since earlier this year, a decision that could reshape the company’s future. Analysts argue that a spin-off would create significant value for shareholders, as the Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) freight sector, which FedEx dominates in the U.S., is trading at a premium compared to FedEx’s current valuation.

Competitors in the LTL space, such as Old Dominion and   Saia   (NASDAQ:SAIA), are currently trading at about 125% higher valuations than FedEx Freight, which suggests that the business could benefit from a similar premium once separated. Despite recent reductions in the size of FedEx Freight’s network, the unit’s profitability remains strong, trailing only Old Dominion in operating margins.

While FedEx Freight has seen a shrinking network, its focus on profitability and industry-leading margins positions it well in an LTL market that continues to see solid pricing gains.

Barclays highlights the potential for FedEx Freight to capitalize on these gains as a standalone entity, free from the constraints of FedEx's broader corporate priorities.

A spin-off would also allow FedEx Freight to pursue more targeted strategies, without the need to bundle pricing or product marketing with FedEx’s other operations. This increased focus could open up more market opportunities and improve profitability further.