Boeing stock ended higher Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, even as U.S. stocks slid. Here’s what moved BA after the bell, the latest FAA and Air Force One headlines, new analyst forecasts, and what to monitor before the next session.
The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) finished the week with a notable show of relative strength. Boeing stock closed at $204.38 on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, up 1.83%, bucking a broader market pullback and keeping investors focused on two big storylines: 737 MAX certification progress (and regulatory scrutiny) and high-profile U.S. government programs, including the long-running Air Force One replacement timeline. [1]
In after-hours trading, BA shares were little changed, with MarketWatch showing $204.50 as of 5:18 p.m. ET (a modest move from the regular-session close). [2]
Below is a detailed, news-driven breakdown of what happened after the bell on 12/12/2025, what analysts are forecasting right now, and the specific items investors will likely be watching heading into the next U.S. equity session.
Boeing stock price recap after the bell (Dec. 12, 2025)
Boeing shares ended Friday’s regular session at $204.38, up $3.67 (+1.83%). Intraday, BA traded between roughly $201.64 and $206.12, with about 6.8 million shares traded, according to Investing.com’s historical data for the session. [3]
In after-hours action, MarketWatch showed BA around $204.50 by early evening, indicating no major incremental headline shock immediately after the close. [4]
Just as important for context: Boeing’s gains came on a down day for the major averages—MarketWatch data articles pegged the S&P 500 down ~1.07% and the Dow down ~0.51% on Friday, a backdrop that made BA’s green close stand out. [5]
Why Boeing outperformed Friday: the four narratives investors are pricing in
1) FAA review of the 737 MAX 10 cockpit alerting system is back in focus
The biggest Boeing-specific regulatory headline Friday was the FAA’s announcement that it will review Boeing’s proposed enhanced flight crew alerting system for the 737 MAX 10. Reuters reported that Boeing’s proposal includes a synthetic angle-of-attack system and controls that can shut off stall warning and overspeed alerts—details that matter because MAX 7/MAX 10 certification has been a persistent investor overhang. [6]
Why this matters for BA stock:
- MAX 10 certification timing is closely tied to Boeing’s ability to deliver aircraft already sold and to compete for incremental narrow-body orders.
- Certification is not just “paperwork”; it’s linked to design requirements and reforms made after the two fatal 737 MAX crashes and the subsequent grounding. [7]
- Reuters noted ongoing certification delays for the MAX 7 and MAX 10, including issues such as engine de-icing. [8]
Investors generally treat credible “process milestones” with the FAA as positive—even when they also highlight scrutiny—because they imply movement on a timeline that has repeatedly slipped.
2) Air Force One delivery delayed again—now targeted for mid-2028
Another major headline on Dec. 12: Reuters reported the U.S. Air Force said delivery of the first of two new Air Force One aircraft from Boeing is delayed again, now expected mid-2028—about a four-year delay versus schedule. [9]
This is a complicated story for BA stock:
- The program is high-profile and reputationally sensitive.
- It can be a margin and execution headache, yet it is also a small part of Boeing’s overall commercial aircraft recovery narrative, which remains the primary driver of equity sentiment.
Reuters also reported Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said Elon Musk has been “helping” the company navigate delivery of the presidential jet. That comment keeps the story in the headlines—and headlines matter for sentiment even when direct financial impact is limited. [10]
3) Wall Street “reset” bullishness: Citi initiates with Buy and a $265 target
Analyst tone shifted more constructively in widely read coverage Friday. Barron’s reported that Citi’s aerospace/defense analyst John Godyn initiated coverage across the sector and highlighted Boeing as a Buy with a $265 price target, pointing to secular “megatrends” and emphasizing confidence in Boeing’s new management execution. [11]
Investor’s Business Daily also echoed Citi’s Buy call and $265 target for Boeing, positioning BA as a “turnaround” opportunity inside broader aerospace tailwinds. [12]
For markets, new coverage can matter because it:
- Brings fresh models and targets into the consensus.
- Creates a new “anchor” valuation number traders reference.
- Adds visibility to the “turnaround + normalization” thesis many longs are betting on.
4) Legal and reputational risk: toxic fumes lawsuit headline
Not all headlines were bullish. The Wall Street Journal reported a law professor filed a $40 million lawsuit against Boeing over alleged exposure to toxic fumes on a Delta-operated Boeing 737 flight in August 2024, claiming lasting injuries. Boeing and Delta declined to comment, per the report. [13]
These kinds of stories can weigh on sentiment because they:
- Keep attention on aircraft safety and passenger experience.
- Reinforce the “headline risk” discount that Boeing bulls argue will eventually fade—while bears argue it remains structural.
The bigger market backdrop on Dec. 12: risk-off tape, Boeing up anyway
Boeing’s green close arrived as macro concerns pressured equities. Reuters’ market wrap described stocks sliding while yields rose, with investors weighing commentary from Fed officials concerned inflation remained too high to warrant lower borrowing costs. [14]
That matters for BA because Boeing is often treated as:
- A cyclical recovery story (commercial aerospace demand, production ramps).
- A company whose long-term equity case can be sensitive to rates and risk appetite—yet Friday showed BA can still rally on company-specific catalysts even on a risk-off day.
Forecasts and analyst outlook for Boeing stock right now
Street targets: what the consensus implies
MarketWatch’s analyst snapshot shows Boeing with an average target price around $247.05 across 28 ratings (as listed on that page). [15]
That’s the “consensus baseline” many investors benchmark against. Citi’s newly public $265 target is above that average, reinforcing the idea that at least some analysts see meaningful upside if Boeing executes on production stability, deliveries, and cash-flow normalization. [16]
What bulls are watching in the model (and what bears challenge)
Even without new earnings on Dec. 12, Boeing’s valuation debate typically centers on three operating levers:
- Certification + deliveries (especially MAX 7/MAX 10 timing and downstream deliveries)
- Production stability and quality control (avoiding stoppages, rework, and regulatory throttles)
- Cash flow trajectory (the “prove it” metric for turnarounds)
The Dec. 12 FAA review story lands squarely in lever #1 and #2. The Citi initiation story speaks to the “management + normalization” narrative supporting lever #3 over time. [17]
What to know “before the market open” on Dec. 13, 2025 (and the calendar reality)
A crucial point: U.S. stock markets do not open on Saturday. Since Dec. 13, 2025 is a Saturday, there is no regular NYSE/Nasdaq session for Boeing shares.
So what investors are really doing on Dec. 13 is preparing for the next regular trading session (the next business day), while monitoring any weekend developments that could impact Monday pricing.
Here are the most practical items to watch before the next session:
1) Any follow-through or clarification from the FAA on MAX 10 certification steps
Reuters’ reporting makes clear the FAA review is part of the certification and safety enhancement process. Any additional FAA statements, airline comments, or leaked timeline expectations can move BA quickly because MAX 7/MAX 10 certification has been a long-running catalyst. [18]
What to monitor:
- Airline customer reactions (especially MAX-heavy carriers)
- Any detail on testing, documentation, or “gating items” (like de-icing fixes mentioned by Reuters) [19]
2) Air Force One program headlines can create sentiment swings
The Air Force One delay story is politically and publicly visible, which means it can generate “second-day” commentary and follow-ups. Even if the direct financial impact is limited, headline velocity often affects short-term trading in BA. [20]
3) Analyst note ripple effects after Citi’s initiation
New coverage often triggers:
- Re-quotes on finance TV
- Follow-on notes from other banks
- Upward/downward “target clustering”
If more firms publish commentary reacting to Citi’s framing—especially around production stability and management credibility—BA can see momentum flows. [21]
4) Litigation and safety-related headlines
The WSJ lawsuit story is the kind of headline that can evolve with additional plaintiffs, airline comments, or regulatory responses. Even absent new facts, it can remain part of the weekend news cycle. [22]
5) Macro: rates narrative still matters for cyclicals
Reuters’ market wrap linked the day’s risk-off tone to inflation concerns and rising yields. If that theme accelerates (or reverses) by the next session, it can influence Boeing’s multiple and the market’s willingness to pay for turnarounds. [23]
The takeaway for Boeing stock holders going into the next session
Boeing’s Friday close delivered a clear message: BA can rally even when the broader tape is weak, provided the market gets a mix of (a) visible progress on certification/production narratives and (b) supportive analyst framing.
But the same day’s headlines also underline the risk investors keep paying attention to:
- Regulatory complexity (MAX certification and safety systems)
- Execution delays in marquee programs (Air Force One)
- Reputational/legal overhang from safety-adjacent litigation
For traders, the after-hours “quiet” move suggests investors didn’t receive a late-breaking shock after the close. For longer-term investors, the real question remains whether Boeing can convert incremental milestones into sustained delivery volume and cash flow—the metrics that ultimately determine whether BA stock’s “turnaround multiple” expands or contracts.
Quick FAQ (SEO-friendly)
Why did Boeing stock rise on Dec. 12, 2025?
BA rose as investors digested FAA-related MAX 10 certification news and a fresh bullish analyst initiation from Citi, while Boeing outperformed in a broader down market. [24]
What was Boeing’s after-hours price on Dec. 12, 2025?
MarketWatch showed Boeing around $204.50 in after-hours trading as of 5:18 p.m. ET. [25]
Is the stock market open on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025?
No—U.S. equity markets are closed on Saturdays, so investors are effectively positioning for the next regular session.
References
1. www.investing.com, 2. www.marketwatch.com, 3. www.investing.com, 4. www.marketwatch.com, 5. www.marketwatch.com, 6. www.reuters.com, 7. www.reuters.com, 8. www.reuters.com, 9. www.reuters.com, 10. www.reuters.com, 11. www.barrons.com, 12. www.investors.com, 13. www.wsj.com, 14. www.reuters.com, 15. www.marketwatch.com, 16. www.barrons.com, 17. www.reuters.com, 18. www.reuters.com, 19. www.reuters.com, 20. www.reuters.com, 21. www.barrons.com, 22. www.wsj.com, 23. www.reuters.com, 24. www.reuters.com, 25. www.marketwatch.com
