3 Reasons to Buy Boeing Stock and 1 to Avoid It Before Oct. 29

Core Viewpoint - Boeing is experiencing a turnaround under CEO Kelly Ortberg, with operational improvements and a significant backlog of $619 billion as of the end of Q2 [1] Group 1: Stock Performance and Investment Case - Boeing stock shows potential for near- to medium-term attractiveness if operational improvements are sustained [2] - The defense segment, known as Defense, Space & Security (BDS), has recently shown profitability after years of issues, which is a positive sign for the stock [2] - The majority of losses in BDS come from fixed-price development programs, which only make up 15% of the portfolio, indicating potential for margin improvement [4] Group 2: Management Changes and Operational Improvements - Management believes that BDS margins will improve as key milestones are achieved, with new BDS CEO Steve Parker focusing on better cost estimations [5][6] - The swift management changes under Ortberg are aimed at addressing past issues and improving operational efficiency [5] Group 3: Production and Delivery Rates - Boeing has over 4,800 unfilled orders for the 737 MAX, and the FAA has approved an increase in the production rate to 42 per month, enhancing delivery capabilities [8][9] - The increase in production rate is expected to positively impact delivery rates over time, contributing to the company's momentum [9][11] Group 4: Long-term Considerations - There are concerns about Boeing's financial feasibility to compete in the next generation of aircraft, with an estimated investment of $50 billion needed over a decade [12] - Boeing's current net debt stands at $30.3 billion, raising questions about cash generation cycles from the 737 MAX [12] - Competitive pressures are increasing, particularly with Airbus advancing its RISE program, which may put Boeing at a disadvantage if it does not adapt to new technologies [14][15]