"Federal Express is optimistic about the shipping demand and the company's stock price has surged."

FedEx stock surged in after-hours trading on Thursday, with the package delivery giant previously stating that despite the potential for larger disruptions in shipping and higher fuel prices due to the Iran conflict, the company expects sales and profits for this year to be slightly better than previously expected. FedEx's stock rose 9.2% after-hours. At the company's earnings conference call, CEO Fred Smith said he expects demand trends to "basically remain unchanged" in the fourth quarter ending in May, with the impact of fuel prices relatively moderate. He mentioned that the Middle East region accounts for a small proportion of FedEx's total sales. CFO John Dieterich stated that the company's performance outlook already incorporates the "moderate resistance brought by the impacted business in that region."