New York, Jan 29, 2026, 21:29 EST — Market closed
- Shares of GE Aerospace finished Thursday up 2.2%, closing at $298.86
- Boeing has raised concerns about a possible durability problem with GE’s GE9X engine used on the 777-9
- Investors are bracing for inspection updates and air show news set to drop next week as they head into Friday.
GE Aerospace shares rose 2.2%, finishing Thursday at $298.86, after closing Wednesday at $292.48. The stock has shown volatility recently, with traders balancing new technical developments against solid profits fueled by its services segment. 1
Jet engines have become the bottleneck in commercial aviation, with rising flight volumes, delayed aircraft deliveries, and limited repair capacity all piling up maintenance backlogs. Rick Deurloo, head of commercial engines at Pratt & Whitney, said the supply-demand mismatch should “level off by the end of the decade.” Still, he cautioned the supply chain remains a tough grind. 2
Boeing raised a fresh concern this week. CEO Kelly Ortberg told investors the company uncovered “a potential durability issue” during a recent check of the 777-9 engine. Boeing is collaborating with GE to finalize a solution, FlightGlobal reported. 3
Boeing’s latest results highlighted why investors keep a close eye on its production pipeline. The aerospace giant posted a fourth-quarter profit, boosted by a unit sale, and signaled plans to ramp up output on major programs as it pushes through certifications like the 777X, according to a Reuters report.
In its regulatory filing for the year ended Dec. 31, 2025, GE reported an 18% jump in total revenue to $45.855 billion, with services accounting for $30.163 billion. Net income from continuing operations available to common shareholders reached $8.601 billion. Free cash flow — the cash remaining after capital expenditures and other exclusions — hit $7.694 billion. The company’s remaining performance obligation, representing contracted work not yet recognized as revenue, was $190.564 billion. GE also revealed it bought back 29.6 million shares for $7.4 billion last year, with approximately $2.698 billion still available under its buyback authorization. 4
Aerospace suppliers saw a generally positive signal on demand. Honeywell reported its aerospace unit’s sales climbed 13.4% to $4.52 billion in the fourth quarter, driven by robust aftermarket activity, Reuters said. 5
Durability concerns can quickly turn costly. Should the GE9X inspection expand or reveal the need for a major redesign, investors will factor in bigger expenses, delayed deliveries, and tighter cash flow — and the stock won’t hang around for a clear resolution.
Friday’s session hinges on one key thing: fresh updates from Boeing or GE about the root cause and how deep the issue goes. If those don’t come, traders will fall back on the usual signals — moves from other aerospace stocks, macroeconomic data, and whether buyers stick around after Thursday’s rebound.
Next week sets the scene for deals and headlines. GE is scheduled to appear at the Singapore Airshow from Feb. 3-8, a hotspot where engine makers and airlines frequently announce orders, partnerships, and service deals. 6
Another key event looms: the U.S. employment report is set for Feb. 6. This comes after Thursday’s weekly jobless claims dropped by 4,000 to 209,000, according to a Reuters report. 7
GE Aerospace’s next key trigger will be any update that narrows the timeline on the GE9X durability testing. If that doesn’t come through, eyes will shift to order buzz from Singapore next week, followed by the February 6 payrolls report, which could shape the mood for industrial shares.
