As U.S. markets prepare to open on Monday, December 8, 2025, Boeing Company (The) (NYSE: BA) enters the new trading week at the center of several major storylines: a potentially imminent closing of its Spirit AeroSystems acquisition, fresh political headlines about government equity stakes in defense companies, and upgraded expectations for aircraft deliveries and cash flow in 2026.
Boeing stock finished last week around $202 per share, with a market capitalization near $153 billion. [1] Shares have risen roughly 2% over the past month, outpacing the wider aerospace‑defense group, helped by a series of positive updates on production and defense contracts. [2] Yet the company is still loss‑making on a trailing basis, with a negative P/E ratio of about –15, and the investment case continues to hinge on management delivering on an ambitious 2026 recovery plan. [3]
Below is a breakdown of what traders and long‑term investors should know about Boeing stock before the bell on December 8, 2025—with a particular focus on the latest news, forecasts and analysis dated December 7, 2025.
Quick pre‑market takeaways for Boeing (BA)
Heading into Monday’s open, the key Boeing stock drivers are:
- Political clarity: Boeing’s defense chief says Trump’s plan for U.S. government equity stakes in “strategic industries” does not apply to major defense primes like Boeing, reducing fears of forced dilution. [4]
- M&A catalyst: The Spirit AeroSystems acquisition could close as early as today, with NYSE set to suspend Spirit’s trading on December 8, subject to final conditions. [5]
- Regulatory constraints: The FTC has cleared the Spirit deal with strict divestiture conditions, requiring Boeing to sell key Spirit assets serving Airbus and others, and to protect competition in both commercial and military aircraft. [6]
- 2026 recovery story: Boeing’s new CFO reiterates that free cash flow should turn positive in 2026, driven by higher 737 and 787 deliveries and a stabilizing production system. [7]
- Wall Street stance: Consensus remains bullish but not unanimous—analyst targets cluster around $230–$240 with ~20% upside, but some firms still rate the stock a Hold or even Sell. [8]
1. How Boeing stock is positioned after Friday’s close
Boeing shares last traded around $202, roughly flat on the day on Friday, December 5, and modestly up for the month. [9] Over the past 30 days:
- BA has gained about 2.1%, while the broader Zacks aerospace‑defense industry fell 3.3%, according to recent research. [10]
- Boeing’s market cap is about $153–154 billion, putting it firmly in the large‑cap industrial camp. [11]
From a valuation standpoint:
- The trailing P/E ratio is deeply negative (~–14.9) because Boeing is still reporting net losses on a 12‑month basis. [12]
- Consensus forecasts call for EPS to swing from roughly –$9.7 in 2025 to about +$2.15 in 2026, implying a rich forward P/E near 70 if those estimates are met. [13]
In other words, the market is already pricing in a significant recovery. The question for 2026 and beyond is execution: can Boeing ramp deliveries, integrate Spirit, manage debt and avoid fresh safety or quality crises?
2. Fresh December 7 headlines: politics, defense and fund flows
2.1. Trump equity‑stake plan: “doesn’t apply to the primes”
On December 7, 2025, Reuters reported that Steve Parker, CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, used the Reagan National Defense Forum to clarify a key source of investor anxiety: President Donald Trump’s proposal for the U.S. government to take equity stakes in “critical industries.” [14]
Parker’s key points:
- The policy is aimed at smaller supply‑chain companies, not major defense contractors.
- Large “prime” contractors such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, RTX and Northrop Grumman are expected to finance their own factory investments. [15]
- Boeing highlighted its multi‑billion‑dollar investments in its St. Louis fighter‑jet facilities as an example of self‑funded capacity expansion. [16]
For Boeing shareholders, this matters because earlier comments from Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had raised the possibility that large primes might see direct government ownership stakes, which could have meant dilution, governance changes or tighter political strings. [17]
Parker’s clarification reduces that overhang, suggesting that any equity injections will likely be focused on smaller, financially strained suppliers, not Boeing itself.
2.2. Institutional reshuffling: 1832 Asset buys, CW Advisors sells
Also dated December 7, 2025, a pair of MarketBeat “instant alerts” highlighted opposite moves by institutional investors: [18]
- 1832 Asset Management L.P. disclosed a new stake of 9,800 Boeing shares in Q2, worth about $2.05 million at the time of filing.
- CW Advisors LLC reported it had cut its Boeing position by 42.6%, selling 10,068 shares and retaining 13,581 shares valued around $2.85 million.
The same filings and commentary note that: [19]
- Insiders are active but modestly so—SVP Dana Deasy recently bought 554 shares around $179, while EVP Uma Amuluru sold 1,366 shares near $198.
- Roughly 64.8% of Boeing’s float is held by institutions, reinforcing that BA remains very much an institutional name.
These flows are small versus Boeing’s overall market cap but underscore a mixed institutional mood: some managers view the post‑CFO rally and Spirit deal as an opportunity to build positions, while others are trimming exposure after recent gains and ongoing execution risk.
2.3. Boeing as a “space stock to watch”
On the same date, a MarketBeat round‑up of “promising space stocks to watch now” included The Boeing Company among a group of aerospace and space‑related names. [20]
The piece highlights Boeing’s:
- Role in space systems, satellites and NASA partnerships.
- Position as a diversified play on commercial aviation, defense and space under one ticker.
While such round‑ups rarely move the stock on their own, they reinforce Boeing’s visibility among growth‑minded and thematic investors, especially those tracking the emerging “space economy.”
3. Spirit AeroSystems: the deal that could close today
The single biggest near‑term stock catalyst for Boeing is its acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems (SPR).
3.1. NYSE notice: closing “as early as Monday”
A New York Stock Exchange notice, reported by Reuters and other outlets on December 6, states that: [21]
- Trading in Spirit AeroSystems is set to be suspended on December 8,
- Because Boeing’s planned all‑stock acquisition of Spirit “could close as early as Monday,”
- Although completion remains subject to final conditions being satisfied.
Boeing reiterated that it still intends to close the deal this year, and a company spokesperson told Reuters that its team is working to meet the closing conditions. [22]
For BA shareholders, a Monday close would likely mean:
- Finalizing the all‑stock transaction valued at $4.7 billion in equity and $8.3 billion including debt, as originally announced in 2024. [23]
- Bringing critical 737 and 787 structures back in‑house in Wichita, Tulsa and Dallas, in an effort to stabilize quality and production. [24]
3.2. FTC conditions: divestitures and ongoing commitments
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission cleared the merger on December 3, 2025, but imposed significant conditions to protect competition: [25]
- Boeing must divest Spirit’s businesses that supply Airbus, transferring those aerostructure assets (and staff) to Airbus itself.
- It must also divest Spirit’s Subang, Malaysia, aerostructures business to a local company, CTRM.
- Spirit is required to continue serving non‑Boeing military customers, to avoid Boeing gaining the ability to starve rivals of critical components or misusing their confidential information.
An independent monitor will oversee these divestitures and ensure Boeing and Spirit comply. [26]
Bottom line for investors: the Spirit deal is still a net positive for Boeing’s quality control and supply‑chain visibility, but regulators have ensured it won’t become a choke point for Airbus or other competitors. Integration risk, divestiture execution and potential one‑time costs will be important to watch in upcoming earnings.
4. 2026 cash‑flow story: CFO guidance and production ramp
Even before the weekend headlines, last week’s market action was dominated by Boeing’s new CFO, Jay Malave, and his updated outlook for 2026.
4.1. Reuters: first positive cash flow since 2023
At a UBS investor conference on December 2, Malave told investors that: [27]
- Boeing expects about –$2 billion in free cash flow for 2025,
- But is targeting positive free cash flow in 2026, likely in the “low single‑digit billions” of dollars.
- Stronger output from both the 737 MAX and 787 programs, together with improvements in the Defense & Space unit, are central to this plan.
The comments sparked a double‑digit intraday rally in BA, making it one of the top performers in the S&P 500 that day. [28]
4.2. 737 MAX and 787: from “light” November to heavier 2026
In a follow‑up analysis on December 3, AeroTime reported Malave’s additional color on the production ramp: [29]
- November 2025 deliveries were “a little bit light”, as expected, but production rollouts are tracking to plan.
- Boeing now expects a gradual step‑up in 737 output as its manufacturing system stabilizes, with at least six months between rate increases.
- The FAA removed a cap that had limited 737 MAX production to 38 jets per month, allowing Boeing to work toward 42 aircraft per month, a key lever for 2026 cash flow. [30]
- In 2026, 737 and 787 deliveries should rise further, with far fewer planes coming out of stored inventory—meaning more cash per aircraft. [31]
The overarching narrative from Malave and outside analysts is that 2026 is the first real test of Boeing’s post‑crisis model: if deliveries rise and cash turns positive, the case for a multi‑year re‑rating strengthens. If not, the stock’s rich forward multiples could be at risk.
5. Deliveries, backlog and December’s “must‑hit” targets
A widely cited piece from Investor’s Business Daily argues that Boeing needs a “mammoth December” to hit Q4 delivery goals. [32]
Key datapoints:
- Boeing delivered about 44 aircraft in November, down from 48 a year earlier and 56 in 2023, according to Forecast International estimates. [33]
- Combined October–November deliveries total around 97 aircraft, implying that Boeing would need roughly 63 deliveries in December to meet Wall Street’s Q4 target of ~160 aircraft. [34]
- That would be close to the company’s record 67 deliveries in December 2023, so the bar for this month is high.
On the positive side, Boeing still commands a backlog of about 5,900 jets worth roughly $636 billion, reinforcing long‑term demand for its aircraft once production and certification issues are fully resolved. [35]
For today’s trading, any intra‑month delivery updates or airline order announcements could move BA shares, especially if they change the probability of hitting those Q4 targets.
6. What the latest forecasts and analyst research say about Boeing
6.1. Quantitative analyst targets
Different data providers show slightly different readings, but the message is broadly consistent:
- StockAnalysis: 18 analysts rate Boeing a “Strong Buy”, with an average 12‑month price target of $239.56, implying ~19% upside from around $202. Targets range from $140 to $282. [36]
- MarketBeat institutional alerts: Collating brokerage research, they find a “Moderate Buy” consensus with an average target around $232, based on 3 Strong Buys, 15 Buys, 4 Holds and 5 Sells. [37]
Meanwhile, Simply Wall St’s fair‑value modeling suggests: [38]
- A long‑term scenario where Boeing reaches $114 billion in revenue and $7.1 billion in earnings by 2028,
- Which supports an internal fair value estimate near $245 per share (about 21% above current levels),
- But only if Boeing successfully executes on a multi‑year ramp, manages debt and avoids major setbacks.
6.2. Fundamental outlook: slow but steady recovery
Several recent research and commentary pieces from Zacks, Benzinga and others frame Boeing as a slow‑burn recovery story rather than a straight‑line growth stock:
- Zacks/Finviz: notes BA is benefiting from strong commercial and defense demand, new contract wins (including 96 Apache helicopters for Poland and additional KC‑46A tanker orders), and a growing backlog—but warns about supply‑chain bottlenecks, negative ROIC and ongoing execution risk. It rates Boeing a “Hold” (Zacks Rank #3) despite attractive long‑term EPS growth estimates of +53% in 2025 and +110% in 2026. [39]
- Benzinga’s price‑prediction piece expects a “slow but steady recovery” through 2025 and 2026, backed by fleet‑modernization demand, the eventual entry‑into‑service of the 777X, and continued defense strength, while flagging supply‑chain and geopolitical risks. [40]
6.3. Mixed sentiment from opinion‑driven services
Opinion‑oriented platforms add more nuance:
- Motley Fool (via Nasdaq) recently asked whether Boeing is a good buy heading into 2026, noting that management has raised delivery expectations for that year—but also pointing out that Boeing did not make the Fool’s current list of its 10 favorite stocks. [41]
- A TipRanks‑linked note from Bernstein reiterates an “Outperform” rating and a $267 price target, arguing that Malave’s cash‑flow update gives far more clarity than the current share price reflects. [42]
Taken together, Wall Street leans bullish, but not unanimously. The upside case hinges on the Spirit integration going smoothly, deliveries ramping as promised, and no fresh safety or regulatory crises disrupting the trajectory.
7. Key risks to keep in mind before the bell
Despite the optimism in some corners, Boeing stock remains high‑risk relative to many blue‑chip industrials. Key issues to remember:
- Still unprofitable on a trailing basis
- The negative P/E (~–15) reflects accumulated losses and large charges; free cash flow is still expected to be –$2 billion for 2025 before turning positive in 2026. [43]
- Heavy balance‑sheet burden
- Boeing carries significant debt from the 737 MAX crisis and the pandemic. Higher rates and any delay in the cash‑flow inflection could weigh on equity value.
- Execution risk on the Spirit integration
- Divestitures to Airbus and CTRM reduce antitrust risk but complicate the integration. Any cost overruns, quality issues or customer disruptions could impact margins and cash. [44]
- Regulatory and safety scrutiny remains intense
- FAA oversight of Boeing’s production and self‑certification processes has tightened since the MAX crises. Although some restrictions have been eased, the company remains under a microscope, and any new incident could quickly hit the stock. [45]
- Competitive pressure from Airbus
- Airbus still leads in narrow‑body orders, particularly with the A321neo. At the same time, Airbus has its own production and quality challenges, which could somewhat level the playing field but don’t eliminate Boeing’s need to catch up. [46]
- Macro and political uncertainty
- Trump administration policies—on defense spending, trade, and now equity stakes in strategic sectors—could reshape Boeing’s operating environment over the next few years, even if the latest comments reduce near‑term dilution concerns. [47]
8. What to watch in Boeing stock today (December 8, 2025)
As the market opens, here are the practical things BA traders and investors will be watching:
- Spirit AeroSystems trading halt and closing confirmation
- Whether NYSE suspends SPR as scheduled and whether Boeing confirms same‑day closing or signals a slight delay.
- Market reaction to political clarity
- Does Parker’s reassurance on Trump’s equity plan narrow Boeing’s risk discount, or do investors remain skeptical about future policy shifts?
- Any intra‑month delivery or order updates
- New airline orders, December delivery updates, or Dubai‑style show announcements could move the stock given the tight Q4 delivery math.
- Analyst rating or target changes
- With consensus targets clustered around the high‑$230s to mid‑$240s, any major upgrade/downgrade or price‑target revision could influence short‑term momentum. [48]
- Sector moves in aerospace & defense
- Headlines around Airbus, defense budgets, or broader industrials often spill over into BA, especially on days with macro or political news.
- Pre‑market and early‑session volume
- Elevated trading volume in the first hour may signal institutions repositioning around the Spirit close or reacting to weekend headlines.
Final thought
Going into the December 8, 2025 open, Boeing stock sits at the crossroads of a long‑promised turnaround and a still‑fragile financial and regulatory reality. The latest December 7 news helps by:
- Reducing the probability of direct government equity dilution,
- Moving the Spirit AeroSystems deal one step away from completion, and
- Reinforcing the narrative of higher deliveries and positive cash flow in 2026.
At the same time, Boeing remains a high‑beta, execution‑heavy story with meaningful downside risk if any part of that plan slips.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice. Every investor should consider their own risk tolerance, time horizon and financial situation—or speak with a qualified advisor—before making decisions about Boeing (BA) or any other stock.
References
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