NEW YORK, Jan 15, 2026, 12:16 EST — Trading in the regular session.
- Boeing’s stock climbed roughly 1.6% around midday following a boost in its price target from Bernstein
- Delta’s order for 787-10s and Boeing’s delivery numbers for 2025 continue to focus scrutiny on production ramp-ups
- Investors are now focused on Boeing’s Jan. 27 earnings for insight into cash flow and its outlook for 2026
Boeing (BA) shares climbed 1.6% to $246.40 by midday Thursday following a price target boost from Bernstein. Analyst Douglas S. Harned maintained a Buy rating and raised the target to $298 from $277, according to MarketScreener data.
The stock hinges on a straightforward issue: whether Boeing can boost production and convert its growing backlog into reliable cash flow—without facing another production hiccup or safety problem.
Deliveries are the key driver of both the numbers and sentiment, since the manufacturer records most of its revenue at that point. Traders are keeping an eye on “free cash flow” too — the cash remaining after capital expenditures — as a reality check on the strength of the recovery.
Delta Air Lines placed an order for 30 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners and secured options to buy 30 more, Boeing announced on Jan. 13. “Delta is building the fleet for the future,” CEO Ed Bastian said. Boeing Commercial Airplanes chief Stephanie Pope highlighted the 787-10’s “unmatched efficiency” as the key reason for the choice. MediaRoom
Delta described the widebody order as a key part of its premium-focused approach, projecting roughly 20% earnings growth by 2026. The airline noted the Boeing deal broadens its widebody fleet, stepping away from its recent Airbus-heavy lineup.
Boeing announced Tuesday that it delivered 160 commercial jets in the fourth quarter and totaled 600 for the full year 2025, with 447 coming from its 737 line and 88 from the 787 series.
Reuters reported that Boeing’s deliveries in 2025 hit their highest level since 2018, jumping 72% from the previous year. Net orders, after cancellations, reached 1,075—surpassing Airbus for the first time in seven years. Boeing anticipates positive cash flow in 2026, driven by increased commercial jet deliveries. Investors are closely tracking the progress on certifying the 737 MAX 10.
Bernstein named Boeing its top aerospace and defense pick for 2026, maintaining an Outperform rating and hiking its price target to $298, according to an Investing.com report. Analysts led by Douglas Harned highlighted a market “where demand will outstrip supply through the decade,” citing 737 production at 42 planes per month and the 787 at eight. They also noted management’s guidance for “low single-digit” billions in free cash flow for 2026, despite a $700 million drag from a Department of Justice payment, and project free cash flow rising “to be above $11 billion in 2028.”
Boeing still faces courtroom and regulatory challenges. Reuters reported the company has reached tentative settlements in a Chicago trial involving the family of a Canadian victim from the 2019 Ethiopian Airlines 737 MAX crash. The settlement terms weren’t disclosed. Boeing said it has settled more than 90% of the civil cases related to the two MAX crashes.
Separately, the National Transportation Safety Board revealed that a cracked component on a UPS MD-11 cargo jet, which crashed in Kentucky last November, was highlighted in a Boeing service letter back in 2011. Air safety expert Anthony Brickhouse warned that fatigue issues can escalate into serious hazards if left unchecked.
Any new quality issue, certification hold-up, or extra regulatory scrutiny could still squeeze deliveries and throw off the cash flow, especially with airlines vying for limited production slots industry-wide.
Boeing plans to release its fourth-quarter 2025 results on Jan. 27. CEO Kelly Ortberg and CFO Jay Malave will discuss the numbers during a 10:30 a.m. ET conference call. Investors are focused on the company’s 2026 delivery and cash flow goals, along with any updates on key certification timelines.
