Boeing Company (NYSE) shares are trading lower on Friday, nearing their 52-week low of $176.77, as investors weigh progress toward 737 MAX 10 certification against cash flow and execution risks ahead of the company’s third-quarter earnings report next week.
FAA Approval Advances 737 MAX 10 Program
On Tuesday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted final approval to Boeing’s long-delayed 737 MAX 10, paving the way for deliveries of the largest model in the 737 family, according to Reuters.
Boeing expects the aircraft to support its financial recovery and cash flow generation. Airlines have ordered more than 1,550 MAX 10s, accounting for 31% of Boeing’s outstanding 737 backlog, according to aviation consultancy IBA.
Major customers include United Airlines Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ), Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE), Alaska Air Group Inc. (NYSE), American Airlines Group Inc. (NASDAQ) and Ryanair Holdings PLC (NASDAQ).
Certification Delays Have Pushed Back Deliveries
Boeing initially planned to begin 737 MAX 10 deliveries in 2020. However, heightened regulatory scrutiny following two fatal 737 MAX 8 crashes, along with engine anti-ice system issues and software concerns, delayed certification.
The FAA approved the smaller 737 MAX 7 in August. Meanwhile, Boeing continues working toward certification of its 777-9 aircraft, with deliveries expected in 2027.
BA Earnings Preview: October 2026 Date, Estimates, Analyst Targets
Boeing is scheduled to report earnings on Oct. 27, 2026, with analysts expecting a loss of $0.21 per share, compared with a $7.47 loss a year earlier. Revenue is forecast at $23.84 billion, up from $23.27 billion year over year. The stock trades at 67.5x earnings, indicating a premium valuation relative to peers.
Analyst Consensus & Recent Actions: The stock carries a Buy rating with an average price forecast of $269.42. Recent analyst moves include:
- Morgan Stanley: Equal-Weight (Lowers Target to $225.00) (Oct. 19)
- RBC Capital: Outperform (Lowers Target to $235.00) (Oct. 15)
- Bernstein: Outperform (Lowers Target to $278.00) (Oct. 12)
Boeing Edge Scorecard: Weak Momentum and Value, What It Means
Below is the Benzinga Edge scorecard for Boeing, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses compared to the broader market:
- Momentum: Weak (Score: 19.55) — The stock is still lagging on trend-following signals, consistent with price staying below key moving averages.
- Value: Weak (Score: 28.26) — The setup screens as expensive versus peers, which can limit dip-buying appetite unless the trend improves.
The Verdict: Boeing’s Benzinga Edge signal reveals a weak profile driven by soft momentum and a below-average value score. For longer-term bulls, the chart likely needs to reclaim major moving averages to improve the momentum read, while bears will focus on whether support near $183.50 gives way.
Top Boeing ETF Exposure: ITA, PPA, and MISL Weightings
- iShares US Aerospace & Defense ETF (BATS:ITA): 7.53% Weight
- Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (NYSE:PPA): 9.03% Weight
- First Trust Indxx Aerospace & Defense ETF (NYSE:MISL): 7.19% Weight
Significance: Because BA carries such a heavy weight in these funds, any significant inflows or outflows for these ETFs will likely force automatic buying or selling of the stock.
BA Stock Today: Boeing Trades Lower in Regular Session
BA Stock Price Activity: Boeing shares are trading lower by 0.57% at $186.49 at the time of publication on Friday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
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