While FedEx (NYSE:FDX) is purchasing twenty-seven Boeing (NYSE:BA) 767s to enhance its fleet, the company is also postponing taking on eleven 777Fs. This deferment, says CEO Fred Smith in an earnings CC, will assist the company in balancing international capacity without affecting FedEx’s capability to fulfill projected growth targets to FY18.

Gary Kelly, CEO of Southwest Airlines, issued a matter-of-fact letter to company employees acknowledging stiff competition from other budget airlines. In the letter, Kelley points out that Southwest’s advantage has been reduced by half thanks to both mainstream, large airlines and copycat low-budget operations like Spirit Airlines (NASDAQ:SAVE) and JetBlue (NASDAQ:JBLU).

Investing Insights: FedEx Gives Boeing a Deferral.

Work at General Motors‘ (NYSE:GM) plant in Lordstown, OH is halted for the fifth day now. The location produces Chevrolet Cruze automobiles, and has been shut down due to what GM calls a “supplier issue.”

Deer Consumer (NASDAQ:DEER), the Chinese kitchen appliance manufacturer, blames a last-minute crash in yesterday’s trading on “the spreading of false market rumors” by an anonymous “distressed online blogger” (Alfred Little has previously disparaged Deer). These assertions were made in an press release issued to remind investors of its 2011 guidance.

Charming Shoppes (NASDAQ:CHRS) rose 9.5% thanks to a NY Post assertion that Ascena Retail Group (NASDAQ:ASNA) “expressed interest” in the purchase of CHRS. Ascena, which owns Dress Barn, is specifically interested in the plus-size chain Lane Bryant, and not Fashion Bug. The NY Post quotes a source as saying, “They’re cleaning themselves up, dressing this lady up for sale.”

Don’t Miss: More Retailers with Depressed Margins to Join Best Buy.

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