FedEx

RANK148

Second only to United Parcel Service in the package-shipping business, FedEx grew faster than its rival in 2019. The delivery dynamo brought in nearly $69.7 billion in its most recent fiscal year, up 6.5% from FY 2018. Still, FedEx investors despaired over a once marquee customer, Amazon, turning to a competitor. Readying itself for the fight of its life, FedEx spent big sums to revamp its delivery network, known primarily for catering to businesses, to go the “last mile” and drop off boxes on residential doorsteps. Costly investments, in part, caused profits to plummet more than 88%, to $540 million. On a December earnings call, FedEx’s chief financial officer described the hit as “horrific.” But instead of slashing costs, FedEx has swelled its ranks, adding nearly 30,000 more employees over the past year.