Boeing Q4 Earnings Call Highlights

Core Insights - Boeing is experiencing a turnaround with improved operational performance, record backlogs, and increased commercial production, although management cautions that the company has not fully turned the corner [3][4][7] Production and Delivery - The 737 program is stabilizing at a production rate of 42 airplanes per month, with plans to increase to 47 in 2026, and has received positive customer feedback on quality [1][6] - Boeing delivered 160 airplanes in Q4 and 600 for the year, with the 737 program accounting for 117 deliveries in the quarter and 447 for the year [7][8] - The 787 program is stabilizing at approximately 8 airplanes per month, targeting an increase to 10 later in 2026, with 27 deliveries in Q4 and 88 for the year [8] Financial Performance - Q4 revenue reached $23.9 billion, the highest quarterly total since 2018, with a full-year revenue of $89.5 billion, up 34% year-over-year [5][15] - Free cash flow for Q4 was positive at $375 million, while the full-year free cash flow was a usage of $1.9 billion, showing significant improvement year-over-year [5][15] Defense and Services - Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) revenue rose 37% to $7.4 billion in Q4, despite a $565 million loss on the KC-46A tanker [11][12] - BDS booked $15 billion in orders during the quarter, lifting the backlog to a record $85 billion [12] Strategic Initiatives - Boeing has implemented process changes to reduce complexity, including simplifying over 5,100 work instruction documents [2][7] - The company completed the acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems to support production stability and improve safety and quality across factories and the supply chain [16] Future Outlook - Boeing reaffirmed guidance for 2026 free cash flow of $1 billion to $3 billion, with expectations for improved cash flow driven by higher commercial deliveries and better BDS performance [17][19] - Management anticipates capital expenditures to rise to about $4 billion in 2026, including investments related to Spirit [17]