Laser Focus World is an industry bedrock—first published in 1965 and still going strong. We publish original articles about cutting-edge advances in lasers, optics, photonics, sensors, and quantum technologies, as well as test and measurement, and the shift currently underway to usher in the photonic integrated circuits, optical interconnects, and copackaged electronics and photonics to deliver the speed and efficiency essential for data centers of the future.

Our 80,000 qualified print subscribers—and 130,000 12-month engaged online audience—trust us to dive in and provide original journalism you won’t find elsewhere covering key emerging areas such as laser-driven inertial confinement fusion, lasers in space, integrated photonics, chipscale lasers, LiDAR, metasurfaces, high-energy laser weaponry, photonic crystals, and quantum computing/sensors/communications. We cover the innovations driving these markets.

Laser Focus World is part of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

Laser Focus World Membership

Never miss any articles, videos, podcasts, or webinars by signing up for membership access to Laser Focus World online. You can manage your preferences all in one place—and provide our editorial team with your valued feedback.

Magazine Subscription

Can you subscribe to receive our print issue for free? Yes, you sure can!

Newsletter Subscription

Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Get Published!

If you’d like to write an article for us, reach out with a short pitch to Sally Cole Johnson: [email protected]. We love to hear from you.

Photonics Hot List

Laser Focus World produces a video newscast that gives a peek into what’s happening in the world of photonics.

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast dives deep into the fascinating world of photonics. Our weekly episodes feature interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community.

Editorial Advisory Board

  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
  • Natalie Fardian-Melamed, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
  • Professor Birgit Stiller, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, and Leibniz University of Hannover
  • Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Glasgow
  • Mohan Wang, Ph.D., University of Oxford
  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology

Air Freight and Logistics Stocks Q3 Highlights: Air Transport Services (NASDAQ:ATSG)

ATSG Cover Image

Let’s dig into the relative performance of Air Transport Services (NASDAQ: ATSG) and its peers as we unravel the now-completed Q3 air freight and logistics earnings season.

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 7 air freight and logistics stocks we track reported a mixed Q3. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 2% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 19.3% below.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady. On average, they are relatively unchanged since the latest earnings results.

Air Transport Services (NASDAQ: ATSG)

Founded in 1980, Air Transport Services Group (NASDAQ: ATSG) provides air cargo transportation and logistics solutions.

Air Transport Services reported revenues of $471.3 million, down 9.9% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 7.1%. Overall, it was a disappointing quarter for the company with a miss of analysts’ earnings estimates.

Mike Berger, chief executive officer of ATSG, said, "First off, we are excited about our future with Stonepeak. Our leasing business continued to benefit from strong demand for our freighter aircraft, as we added four Boeing 767-300 freighter leases during the third quarter."

Air Transport Services Total Revenue

Air Transport Services delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates and slowest revenue growth of the whole group. The market was likely pricing in the results, and the stock is flat since reporting. It currently trades at $21.93.

Read our full report on Air Transport Services here, it’s free.

Best Q3: Expeditors (NYSE: EXPD)

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

Expeditors reported revenues of $3 billion, up 37% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 21.3%. The business had an incredible quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Expeditors Total Revenue

Expeditors achieved the biggest analyst estimates beat and fastest revenue growth among its peers. Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 2.8% since reporting. It currently trades at $117.01.

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

Weakest Q3: FedEx (NYSE: FDX)

Infamously taking its last $5,000 to a Las Vegas blackjack table to keep the company afloat, FedEx (NYSE: FDX) is a provider of parcel and cargo delivery services

FedEx reported revenues of $21.58 billion, flat year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 1.5%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 4.7% since the results and currently trades at $286.38.

Read our full analysis of FedEx’s results here.

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 $4.64 billion, up 7% year on year. This print surpassed analysts’ expectations by 2.4%. It was an exceptional quarter as it also produced an impressive beat of analysts’ sales and EBITDA estimates.

The stock is flat since reporting and currently trades at $110.49.

Read our full, actionable report on C.H. Robinson Worldwide here, it’s free.

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 $22.25 billion, up 5.6% year on year. This result met analysts’ expectations. Overall, it was a strong quarter as it also logged an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

United Parcel Service pulled off the highest full-year guidance raise among its peers. The stock is flat since reporting and currently trades at $130.16.

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

Market Update

As expected, the Federal Reserve cut its policy rate by 25bps (a quarter of a percent) in November 2024 after Donald Trump triumphed in the US Presidential election. This marks the central bank's second easing of monetary policy after a large 50bps rate cut two months earlier. Going forward, the markets will debate whether these rate cuts (and more potential ones in 2025) are perfect timing to support the economy or a bit too late for a macro that has already cooled too much. Adding to the degree of difficulty is a new Republican administration that could make large changes to corporate taxes and prior efforts such as the Inflation Reduction Act.

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.

Join Paid Stock Investor Research

Help us make StockStory more helpful to investors like yourself. Join our paid user research session and receive a $50 Amazon gift card for your opinions. Sign up here.

Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.