NEW YORK, Jan 23, 2026, 11:50 AM EST — Regular session
- Boeing shares slipped 0.5% in late morning trading
- U.S. Commerce data highlights a surge in export-backed contracts driven by Boeing
- FAA chief insists Boeing complete outstanding work to clear the MAX 7 and MAX 10
Boeing shares slipped on Friday following a U.S. government report that flagged a jump in export-backed deals linked to the planemaker’s order book. Regulators also reiterated that crucial certification tasks remain Boeing’s responsibility. The stock dropped 0.5% to $250.11 in late morning trading.
Investors remain fixated on one big question: how fast Boeing can convert hefty jet orders into actual deliveries and cash, rather than just announcements. Friday delivered a quick back-and-forth on that front.
A Commerce Department tally highlighted strong demand for U.S.-made aircraft, but also underscored the lengthy delay before revenue arrives. The FAA was clear: moving forward hinges on Boeing’s ability to deliver, not on the agency’s resources.
The Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration reported that U.S. firms secured $244 billion in foreign government procurement contracts in 2025 with its assistance, nearly three times the amount in 2024. The surge was largely driven by a “massive increase” in Boeing jetliner net orders — those after cancellations — which climbed to 1,075 last year from 377 in 2024. This rebound catapulted Boeing ahead of Airbus in net orders for the first time in seven years. Reuters
The agency reported the contracts include roughly $206 billion in U.S. export content, supporting around 844,000 American jobs. It pointed out that aircraft deal headlines usually show list prices, with manufacturers receiving most payments upon jet delivery—so the bulk of revenue from large orders comes years down the line.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford told reporters the agency isn’t standing in the way of certifying the long-delayed 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10 models. But he stressed that Boeing “has got to do the work.” Boeing expects to wrap up certification this year. According to Cirium data cited by Reuters, the MAX 10 has over 1,200 orders still on the books. Reuters
The broader outlook continues to favor suppliers holding metal. Aircraft lessor Avolon flagged a shortage of wide-body — twin-aisle, long-haul — jets that could last into the 2030s, cautioning that the market remains structurally tight despite rising travel demand.
Looking ahead to next week, some analysts are betting on this momentum. Bernstein’s Douglas Harned raised his price target to $298 and named Boeing his “top aerospace pick for 2026,” according to a note picked up by TipRanks. TipRanks
Shares of GE Aerospace slipped 0.1% on Friday within the wider aerospace sector.
The risk remains clear. Any further delays in certification, or hiccups in production that push back deliveries, could quickly sour investors who have been betting on a turnaround. After all, the cash flow hinges on planes rolling off the line as scheduled.
Boeing’s upcoming quarterly update is the next major event. The company will report fourth-quarter results on Jan. 27. CEO Kelly Ortberg and CFO Jay Malave are set to host a conference call at 10:30 a.m. ET. Investors will be watching closely for any revisions to the MAX 7 and MAX 10 delivery schedules, along with new insights on cash flow projections for 2026.
