FedEx 2nd-Quarter Earnings Up 26%

FedEx Corp.'s fiscal second-quarter earnings rose 26% as the biggest overnight delivery company received government aid after Sept. 11. FedEx said it may earn less than forecast this quarter.

Net income climbed to $245 million, or 81 cents a share, in the quarter ended in November, from $194 million, or 67 cents, a year earlier, FedEx said. Sales rose 4.9% to $5.14 billion.

The company expects to earn 25 cents to 35 cents a share this quarter, while the average forecast was 35 cents.

FedEx was forecast to earn 64 cents a share in the quarter ended in November.

FedEx shares, which fell 81 cents to close at $49.99 on the NYSE, have risen 25% this year.