Quarterly earnings results are a good time to check in on a company’s progress, especially compared to its peers in the same sector. Today we are looking at Expeditors (NYSE: EXPD) and the best and worst performers in the air freight and logistics industry.

The growth of e-commerce and global trade continues to drive demand for expedited shipping services, presenting opportunities for air freight companies. The industry continues to invest in advanced technologies such as automated sorting systems and real-time tracking solutions to enhance operational efficiency. Despite the advantages of speed and global reach, air freight and logistics companies are still at the whim of economic cycles. Consumer spending, for example, can greatly impact the demand for these companies’ offerings while fuel costs can influence profit margins.

The 4 air freight and logistics stocks we track reported a very strong Q2. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 10%.

While some air freight and logistics stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 3.4% since the latest earnings results.

Best Q2: Expeditors (NYSE: EXPD)

Expeditors (NYSE: EXPD) offers air and ocean freight as well as brokerage services.

Expeditors reported revenues of $3.50 billion, up 32.1% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 18.6%. Overall, it was a stunning quarter for the company with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. (NYSE: EXPD) today announced that on May 4, 2026 its Board of Directors declared a semi-annual cash dividend of $0.81 per share, payable on June 15, 2026 to shareholders of record as of June 1, 2026. “Since 2024, we have returned nearly $2 billion to shareholders in dividends and share repurchases,” said David A. Hackett, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

Expeditors achieved the biggest analyst estimate beat and fastest revenue growth among its peers. Unsurprisingly, the stock is up 11.2% since reporting and currently trades at $189.66.

Is now the time to buy Expeditors? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

C.H. Robinson Worldwide (NASDAQ: CHRW)

Engaging in contracts with tens of thousands of transportation companies, C.H. Robinson (NASDAQ: CHRW) offers freight transportation and logistics services.

C.H. Robinson Worldwide reported revenues of $4.93 billion, up 19.3% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 12.7%. The business had an exceptional quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Although it had a fine quarter compared to its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 13.9% since reporting. It currently trades at $149.61.

Is now the time to buy C.H. Robinson Worldwide? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q2: FedEx (NYSE: FDX)

Sporting one of the largest air cargo fleets in the world, FedEx (NYSE: FDX) is a global provider of parcel and cargo delivery services.

FedEx reported revenues of $25.01 billion, up 12.5% year on year, exceeding analysts’ expectations by 4.3%. Still, it was a mixed quarter as it posted full-year EPS guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly.

FedEx delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates of the whole group. As expected, the stock is down 3% since the results and currently trades at $327.77.

Read our full analysis of FedEx’s results here.

United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS)

Trademarking its recognizable UPS Brown color, UPS (NYSE: UPS) offers package delivery, supply chain management, and freight forwarding services.

United Parcel Service reported revenues of $22.83 billion, up 7.6% year on year. This result beat analysts’ expectations by 4.4%. It was a very strong quarter as it also put up full-year EPS guidance slightly topping analysts’ expectations and full-year revenue guidance slightly topping analysts’ expectations.

United Parcel Service had the slowest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is down 7.8% since reporting and currently trades at $104.18.

Read our full, actionable report on United Parcel Service here, it’s free.

Market Update

Over the past year, investors have been forced to repeatedly answer the same question: what is the market’s biggest risk? The answer has changed several times, and each shift has reshaped market leadership.

Late in 2025 and early 2026, artificial intelligence became the market’s primary uncertainty. Investors questioned whether AI would erode software pricing power and weaken competitive moats as AI made it easier to replicate once-differentiated products.

By the spring, technology took a back seat to geopolitics. The U.S. conflict with Iran briefly became the market’s dominant narrative, raising concerns about oil prices, inflation, and global growth. But as energy markets remained orderly and fears of a prolonged supply disruption faded, investors quickly turned their focus back to fundamentals.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Hidden Gem Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.