Here's Why Shares of XPO Logistics Were Up 11% in June

The transport giant gained as trade war rhetoric eased. Read More...

What happened

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Shares of XPO Logistics (NYSE: XPO) climbed 11% in June, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence, rebounding from a miserable performance in May. June was a good month for a number of transport companies, as some of the worst fears about the potential for U.S. trade wars with its neighbors receded into the background.” data-reactid=”12″>Shares of XPO Logistics (NYSE: XPO) climbed 11% in June, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence, rebounding from a miserable performance in May. June was a good month for a number of transport companies, as some of the worst fears about the potential for U.S. trade wars with its neighbors receded into the background.

So what

The big catalyst for XPO in June came early in the month as tensions eased between the U.S. and Mexico and the threat of new North American tariffs faded. A softening in rhetoric between the U.S. and China helped as well, with the two countries agreeing to a tariff truce late in the month.

XPO-labeled containers stacked at a port.

Image source: XPO Logistics.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="The rally brought XPO shares back to about even in what has been a highly volatile year for the company. XPO surprised markets back in February by reporting weaker-than-expected fourth-quarter results, including the unexpected loss of a major customer. XPO didn’t identify the customer, but it is believed to be Amazon.com.” data-reactid=”27″>The rally brought XPO shares back to about even in what has been a highly volatile year for the company. XPO surprised markets back in February by reporting weaker-than-expected fourth-quarter results, including the unexpected loss of a major customer. XPO didn’t identify the customer, but it is believed to be Amazon.com.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="XPO trimmed its management ranks in March, raising questions about the historically acquisitive company’s future M&A plans. And its first-quarter results did little to ease investor concerns.” data-reactid=”28″>XPO trimmed its management ranks in March, raising questions about the historically acquisitive company’s future M&A plans. And its first-quarter results did little to ease investor concerns.

Now what

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="There's so much negativity surrounding XPO right now that it can be easy to forget this is still a profitable company forecasting 3% to 5% revenue growth in 2019 and adjusted EBITDA up 6% to 10% while increasing free cash flow by $100 million year over year to $625 million.” data-reactid=”30″>There’s so much negativity surrounding XPO right now that it can be easy to forget this is still a profitable company forecasting 3% to 5% revenue growth in 2019 and adjusted EBITDA up 6% to 10% while increasing free cash flow by $100 million year over year to $625 million.

Hitting the pause button on trade wars appears to have been cause for investors to take a fresh look at transport companies like XPO, but the stock is still well below the highs it reached last fall before the troubles hit.

XPO has been a fantastic performer over the years, with its shares up more than 3,000% over a 10-year period ending last fall. It’s going to take a lot more than one month’s gains to get XPO back on that sort of trajectory, but for shareholders stuck in the slow lane for most of 2019, June was at least a move in the right direction.

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<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Lou Whiteman owns shares of XPO Logistics. The Motley Fool recommends Amazon and XPO Logistics. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.” data-reactid=”41″>John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Lou Whiteman owns shares of XPO Logistics. The Motley Fool recommends Amazon and XPO Logistics. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.