Alessandro Pasetti

Earlier this month, MSC's top brass gathered behind closed doors in Phoenix, Arizona, to discuss the future of the company. The agenda?

There's a deep sense of déjà vu when it boils down to assessing insider feedback* we received following this month's leadership seminar held by Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) in Phoenix, Arizona.

UPS down -6.6% to $105.5 on the stock market yesterday after releasing, just ahead of US trade, solid Q2 26 earnings that best analysts' estimates, also raising 2026 guidance for all its key financial metrics. Like so many other times in the past: it resembles a 6.2%-yielding bond, at its current price trading just above par.

The Dallas advisory verdict; pressure on contractual margins as spot rates remain elevated; depressed freight demand in a truckload market where growth is nowhere in sight; and more deal-making of a certain size – there was plenty on the CH Robinson (CHRW) menu during the call that followed the release of second-quarter (Q2 26) numbers after the US market close yesterday.

One instalment at a time: here comes the third under 'MSC EXCLUSIVE' this week following a leadership seminar that took place in Arizona two weeks ago.

…was when other deals that could have happened, never came through. Take would-be target JAS Worldwide, a private, highly respected second-tier forwarder from Atlanta, for instance.

The flip side of that narrative is how the leading ocean carrier worldwide is thinking about tech and AI, and what stands out for its management team in order to continue to gain market share across various modes in the supply chain.

Just over $2 EPS in the second quarter (Q2 26): delivered to you by Expeditors (EXPD), as disclosed yesterday ahead of US trade.

Every dog has its day, they say. Rewind You may recall this Premium piece published at the end of 2025: 'Flexport in Spaghetti-land – Pacman's shared insight'.

Forward Air (FWRD) rallied in after-hours trade last night, rising to $17.25 a share, up nearly +12% in the wake of a Q2 26 trading update released after US market close that didn't prompt joy – yet, at least, took the stock back to were it traded pre-Q1 26 update. And… not far off the liquidation value we estimated… well, over two years ago: $19.1.