New York, Jan 23, 2026, 19:32 EST — After-hours
- Boeing shares ended the day 0.29% higher at $252.15 but slipped 0.14% in after-hours trading
- FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford insisted the agency is “not the roadblock” to certifying the MAX 7 and MAX 10 models
- A Commerce Department report showed a surge in Boeing orders for 2025, boosting U.S.-supported foreign deals
Boeing (BA.N) shares climbed on Friday, staying close to a recent peak into after-hours trading. Investors digested fresh remarks from the head of the U.S. aviation regulator alongside government data highlighting a recovery in major jet orders. The stock finished the regular session up 0.29% at $252.15 but slipped 0.14% in after-hours trading to $251.80.
Federal Aviation Administration’s Bryan Bedford insisted this week the agency isn’t the hold-up for Boeing’s certification of the long-delayed 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10. “Boeing has got to do the work,” he said. FAA approval is crucial—it lets airlines carry passengers, and any delay can push deliveries and revenue further out. Boeing has over 1,200 MAX 10 orders on the books, per Cirium. Bedford highlighted that the MAX 10 has entered a second phase of flight testing, and Boeing is gearing up to build the plane on a new line in Everett, Washington, while tackling an engine de-icing issue that’s stalling progress on both models. reuters.com
On Friday, the Commerce Department’s trade division reported that U.S. companies secured $244 billion in foreign government procurement contracts for 2025, nearly tripling last year’s total. Boeing led the surge, with jetliner net orders jumping to 1,075 from 377 in 2024, surpassing Airbus in net orders for the first time in seven years. The figure includes a $96 billion Qatar Airways widebody deal and a $50 billion agreement with Korean Air, both highlighted by Commerce. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg credited Commerce’s support as “a differentiator,” though the agency noted that aircraft order values generally reflect list prices and that payments mostly come with jet deliveries. reuters.com
These two developments come at a tricky time for investors. While orders can pile up quickly, Boeing’s market narrative still hinges on execution — consistent factory output, flawless inspections, and regulatory deadlines that hold firm.
Boeing will release its fourth-quarter results Tuesday, Jan. 27. CEO Ortberg and CFO Jay Malave are set to review the outlook during a 10:30 a.m. ET conference call.
On the call, traders will zero in on clear figures for Boeing’s 2026 shipments and the pace at which those deliveries convert into free cash flow — the money remaining after factory and equipment costs. If there’s any sign that certification for the MAX 7 and MAX 10 is slipping, or production rates are tightening, the stock usually reacts quickly.
Order numbers and the Commerce Department’s tally of government-backed deals are boosting sentiment ahead of earnings. But there are important caveats for valuation: these contracts span multiple years, and prices and margins differ significantly depending on the customer and delivery conditions.
The downside remains clear-cut. Certification delays can arise from technical issues, and another manufacturing hiccup could prompt stricter oversight or halt deliveries, jeopardizing the cash recovery investors are counting on.
Looking ahead to the next session and the week, all eyes are on two key dates and storylines: Boeing’s Jan. 27 earnings report and outlook, plus any updates on FAA timelines for the MAX 7 and MAX 10. Boeing aims to convert its growing order backlog into actual deliveries.
