New York, Jan 26, 2026, 19:04 EST — After-hours
- Boeing shares slipped roughly 1.5% in after-hours trading, underperforming the broader U.S. market gains.
- Investors are bracing for Tuesday’s results, focusing closely on 737 MAX production updates and free cash flow figures.
- Certification hold-ups and supply-chain constraints continue to be the key variables driving the stock’s next move.
Boeing shares dropped 1.5% to $248.43 in after-hours trading Monday, slipping from an intraday range of $247.41 to $252.12.
Boeing’s next big event is just around the corner. The company will release its fourth-quarter results on Tuesday. Traders are focusing less on the anticipated loss and more on management’s outlook for production speed and cash flow in 2026 and beyond.
Boeing’s comeback depends heavily on two areas where it’s often fallen short: reliable factory output and flawless execution. Investors are zeroing in on free cash flow — the money left after capital expenditures — as the crucial metric for gauging debt reduction and the speed of any recovery.
Wall Street is forecasting a 39-cent per share loss for the quarter, per LSEG data, yet the majority of analysts stay bullish on Boeing. Reuters noted that 24 out of 29 analysts monitored by LSEG maintain a “buy” rating on the stock. Reuters
Boeing’s push to boost 737 MAX production beyond the federal limit of 38 planes monthly is key. Regulators gave the green light to raise output to 42 a month last October. Bernstein analyst Doug Harned called 42 “not a major challenge,” but flagged that moving up to 47 would put more strain on the supply chain. Reuters
CEO Kelly Ortberg confirmed Boeing won’t increase the 737 production rate more frequently than every six months. This slower pace prioritizes stability after years marked by quality issues.
The longer-term cash target has already sparked debate. Reuters reported investors are pressing for a clear timeline on when Boeing’s free cash flow will top $10 billion. Bernstein expects that milestone by 2028, but BNP Paribas analyst Matthew Akers argues the “math” demands it happen sooner to keep bulls happy, forecasting $9 billion in 2029. Reuters
Boeing’s stock has bounced back to levels seen about two years ago, before an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX experienced a mid-air panel blowout. That incident sparked renewed concerns over production quality and pushed the shares down over 30% in 2024, Reuters reported.
Since then, the company has worked to shift the narrative, including offloading Jeppesen for $10.6 billion and snapping up supplier Spirit AeroSystems. Add to that a U.S. fighter contract win and a pickup in orders ahead of Airbus, Reuters reported.
Risks remain clear. Boeing is still grappling with certification delays for the 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10—regulators must approve before any deliveries can go ahead—alongside the 777X widebody. That leaves the company little wiggle room to ramp up production without triggering fresh safety or quality issues.
Boeing slid even as U.S. stocks closed higher, with the S&P 500 rising 0.5% and the Dow gaining 0.64%. Investors are bracing for a packed week loaded with mega-cap tech earnings and a key Federal Reserve policy decision.
The next update comes Tuesday with a report and call featuring Ortberg and CFO Jay Malave at 10:30 a.m. ET. Investors will focus on any timeline for boosting the 737 production above 42 units per month, along with more precise free cash flow targets.
