"There's a little paradox in the identity of Seaspan (SSW), a company that specializes in container ships, which it acquires, crews, maintains and sails over the Seven Seas," suggests Paul Goodwin.

The global specialist suggests, "The paradox is that, despite all that ship-owning and sailing, Seaspan isn't actually a shipping company -- rather, it's a ship leasing company.

In his Cabot China & Emerging Markets Report, he continues, "Hong Kong-based Seaspan's business model is based on long-term leasing of its 57 container ships to companies that have goods to deliver.

Railway company CSX (CSX) shares are up for the year. Even though the chart may look choppy, the stock is up nearly 35% year-to-date. Tuesday, it closed at a price of $57.26. After the bell, the company, which competes with such companies as Norfolk Southern (NSC) and Union Pacific (UNP), released third-quarter earnings were, and investors thought enough of them to give the company a bid in the extended session.

According to theflyonthewall, earnings per share of $1.08 beat the market's estimate by four pennies. That $1.08 figure was, as the corporate press release states, 48% higher than the year-ago income level.

Shares of international shipping giant FedEx Corp. (FDX) are selling off in early morning trading after the company posted fiscal first quarter results that were a bit shy of analyst estimates.

As we noted in our FedEx earnings preview, analysts had been expecting to see the company report earnings of $1.21 for the quarter, but actual results came in a bit lower at $1.20.

International shipper FedEx (FDX) will get its chance to impress Wall Street tomorrow when it reports its fiscal first quarter results.

Headed into tomorrow's report, analysts are expecting to see earnings of $1.21 per share. During the same period last year the company had earnings of $0.58.

A new method of setting the price on iron ore for export is upsetting Chinese and European steel makers and auto manufacturers, but that same pricing scheme is most likely going to benefit U.S. steelmakers such as AK Steel (AKS), Nucor (NUE) and U.S. Steel (X).

In the past, iron ore pricing was largely set on an annual basis, with the first negotiated ore contracts of the season setting the price for the duration of that season. However, this year, the three largest iron ore miners, BHP Billiton (BHP), Rio Tinto (RTP) and Vale SA (VALE), have decided that they will seek quarterly renegotiation of ore contract pricing. This will allow those companies to take better advantage of increases in iron ore demand and spikes in spot prices.

After meandering for much of 2009, United Parcel Services' (UPS) stock finally broke through resistance, confirming the earlier bullish analysis, and it goes without saying that I'm reiterating my buy rating for the company's shares, first recommended on April 7, 2009, at a price of $51.28.

The worst is over for the delivery business and better quarters are ahead: increased pricing power, in some delivery segments, and higher volumes will ensue in the quarters ahead, as the U.S./global economic recoveries strengthen. Overall, revenue should increase 7-9% in FY2010 after a difficult FY2009.