Boeing(BA) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Performance - The company reported revenue of $23.9 billion for the quarter, a 57% increase, marking the highest quarterly total since 2018, driven by improved operational performance and higher commercial deliveries [16][17] - Core earnings per share reached $9.92, primarily reflecting a gain of $11.83 from the digital aviation solutions divestiture [16] - Free cash flow was positive at $375 million, slightly exceeding expectations due to higher commercial deliveries and improved working capital [16][27] Business Line Performance - The Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA) segment delivered 160 airplanes in the quarter and 600 for the year, the highest annual total since 2018, with revenue of $11.4 billion [16][17] - The Defense, Space & Security (BDS) segment delivered 37 aircraft in the quarter, with revenue growing 37% to $7.4 billion, despite a negative operating margin of 6.8% [21][22] - The Global Services (BGS) segment reported revenue of $5.2 billion, up 2%, with an adjusted operating margin of 18.6% [24] Market Data - BCA booked 336 net orders in the quarter, including significant orders for the 737-10 and 787-9, ending the year with a record backlog of $567 billion [17][19] - BDS secured $15 billion in orders during the quarter, contributing to a record backlog of $85 billion [21] - BGS achieved an annual high of $28 billion in orders for 2025, ending the year with a record backlog of $30 billion [24] Company Strategy and Industry Competition - The company is focused on stabilizing its business, executing development programs, and improving its culture to restore trust with stakeholders [3][10] - A significant investment was made in the Spirit AeroSystems acquisition to enhance safety and quality across operations [8][9] - The company aims to increase production rates for the 737 and 787 models, with plans to ramp up to 47 and 10 airplanes per month, respectively [6][19] Management Commentary on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged challenges in certification timelines for the 737 MAX derivatives and the 777-9 but expressed confidence in meeting revised schedules [10][11] - The company anticipates positive free cash flow of $1-$3 billion in 2026, despite some temporary impacts from the Spirit acquisition and delayed certifications [28][30] - Management emphasized the importance of continuous improvement and operational stability to meet customer commitments and enhance future performance [14][15] Other Important Information - The company completed the $10.6 billion sale of Jeppesen, strengthening its balance sheet while retaining essential digital capabilities [9] - A new five-year labor agreement was ratified with the IAM workforce in St. Louis, supporting production stability [8] Q&A Session Summary Question: Clarification on cash flow building blocks - Management discussed the excess advances and customer considerations, indicating that while both will normalize, excess advances will burn down quicker than customer considerations [41][42] Question: Free cash flow expectations - Management reiterated confidence in achieving $10 billion in free cash flow, emphasizing the need to complete certification programs and ramp up production rates [49][50] Question: Production ramp challenges - Management identified potential bottlenecks in increasing production rates, particularly from 47 to 52 for the 737, and emphasized the importance of managing the supply chain effectively [60][62] Question: BCA margins and Spirit's impact - Management acknowledged that current cash margins for the 737 and 787 are depressed but expect improvements over time, with Spirit's performance contributing positively in the future [68][70] Question: Defense program updates - Management clarified that the charge taken on the KC-46 tanker program is specific to that program and does not reflect on other BDS programs, with plans to deliver 19 tankers in 2026 [83][84]