Global reach makes FedEx the better buy

Article Excerpt

The recession has hurt the earnings of these two high-quality shipping companies. However, both are doing a good job of controlling their costs. This should improve their profitability, particularly as the economy rebounds. The recent drop in fuel costs also brightens their prospects. However, we prefer FedEx to Arkansas Best right now, as its larger international operations lower its reliance on North America. FEDEX CORP. $74 (New York symbol FDX; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 312.5 million; Market cap: $23.1 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.7; WSSF Rating: Average) delivers packages and documents in the U.S. and over 220 other countries. FedEx earned $0.58 a share in its first quarter, which ended August 31, 2009. That’s down 52.8% from $1.23 a year earlier. Revenue fell 19.7%, to $8 billion from $10 billion. Like most shipping companies, FedEx added a surcharge to its fees when fuel costs were rising. But now that oil prices have fallen to around $77 a barrel from last…