GE Aerospace stock (NYSE: GE) traded around $317 on December 23, 2025, pushing into fresh highs as investors continue to price in strong commercial aftermarket demand, rising engine output, and a busy news flow spanning aviation orders, manufacturing investments, and defense-related headlines. In early trading, GE changed hands near $317.16 after opening around $314.97, with an intraday range roughly $314.03–$317.58, according to market data.
The move extends what has been a strong late-December run for the stock. On Monday (Dec. 22), GE shares closed at $314.73—up 2.45% on the day—finishing within about 1% of its prior 52-week high at the time, with trading volume above its recent average. [1]
Why GE Aerospace stock is rallying into year-end 2025
The simplest explanation for GE’s strength is that the market keeps rewarding what GE Aerospace has increasingly become: a pure-play aviation and defense propulsion business with a large installed base and a services-heavy revenue model—exactly the kind of mix that can generate resilient cash flow even when new-aircraft deliveries remain uneven.
GE Aerospace launched as an independent public company in April 2024, highlighting an installed base of ~44,000 commercial engines and ~26,000 military and defense engines worldwide—scale that supports long-duration, recurring services revenue. [2]
That services “flywheel” matters because maintenance demand tends to persist through cycles. And in recent quarters, the company has paired that structural advantage with visible execution improvements—especially on supply chain and engine deliveries—helping reinforce confidence in its near-term guidance and longer-term outlook. [3]
The latest GE Aerospace stock news today: new highs and momentum signals
Several widely followed market updates on December 23 focus on the stock’s momentum near new highs, with commentary emphasizing the recent “breakout” setup and strong year-to-date performance. Market coverage Monday noted GE’s outperformance versus several large industrial and aerospace peers during a broadly positive session for U.S. equities, alongside elevated volume relative to its 50-day average. [4]
Meanwhile, another market update flagged GE reaching a 52-week high around $316.88—a level the stock has now surpassed in Tuesday trading based on intraday pricing. [5]
Fundamentals check: what GE said last quarter, and what it raised
A key underpinning for the rally is GE Aerospace’s most recent quarterly performance and its decision to raise full-year guidance.
In its third-quarter 2025 results, GE Aerospace reported:
- Total revenue (GAAP) of $12.2B (+24% year over year)
- Adjusted revenue of $11.3B (+26%)
- Adjusted EPS of $1.66 (+44%)
- Free cash flow of $2.4B (+30%) [6]
Operationally, GE pointed to improved inputs from priority suppliers and strong output, including record LEAP deliveries (up 40% year over year) and sharply higher defense deliveries. [7]
Most importantly for investors, GE updated 2025 guidance in that release, indicating:
- Adjusted EPS:$6.00–$6.20
- Free cash flow:$7.1–$7.3B
- Operating profit:$8.65–$8.85B (non-GAAP) [8]
Reuters coverage of the quarter emphasized the same core point: GE raised its full-year earnings forecast again on strong demand for commercial jet engines and aftermarket services, while continuing efforts to ease supply constraints. [9]
Demand drivers: why jet-engine services remain a powerful tailwind
GE’s positioning is closely tied to the commercial fleet cycle—and right now, the industry is still living with production and delivery constraints across the broader aerospace supply chain. When airlines can’t get new aircraft (or engines) on ideal timelines, they often fly existing jets longer—driving more shop visits, more spare parts, and more service revenue for engine makers.
Reuters has repeatedly framed this as a central pillar of GE’s current results: strong servicing and spare parts demand, with the company noting how constrained engine supply can push airlines toward maintenance-intensive operations. [10]
The company has also highlighted the importance of services in its business model historically, including the services share of its commercial engines economics discussed around its investor messaging. [11]
News roundup: the late-December catalysts investors are tracking
1) CFM LEAP order momentum: Pegasus signs up for up to 300 LEAP-1B engines
One of the biggest fresh commercial headlines in the sector is a substantial LEAP engine deal tied to Boeing’s narrowbody pipeline.
Safran announced that Pegasus Airlines selected CFM LEAP-1B engines (CFM is the GE–Safran joint venture) as part of Pegasus’s 737-10 program, covering an order for up to 200 engines plus 100 spares and including a long-term services agreement. [12]
Aviation Week also reported the associated long-term maintenance agreement for the future fleet, reinforcing that aftermarket/service attach is a key element of modern engine “wins,” not just original equipment deliveries. [13]
Why it matters for GE stock: Even though deliveries depend on aircraft production schedules, large LEAP commitments can expand the future installed base—setting up years of higher-margin services revenue if utilization holds up.
2) Manufacturing capacity push: West Jefferson investment to boost narrowbody engine support
GE Aerospace also continues to lean into the supply chain and capacity narrative. In late November, the company announced a nearly $53 million investment to expand its West Jefferson, North Carolina facility by more than 35,000 square feet, aimed at boosting capacity for in-demand narrowbody aircraft engines and adding jobs at the site. [14]
Earlier in 2025, Reuters reported GE planned to invest nearly $1 billion in U.S. manufacturing and its supply chain during 2025, including significant spending to expand engine manufacturing capacity and supplier capability—alongside plans to hire thousands of U.S. workers. [15]
Why it matters for GE stock: Investors want confirmation that GE can convert strong demand into actual deliveries and cash flow. Capacity investments are part of the credibility story—especially when the entire aerospace supply chain is scrutinized.
3) MRO footprint: GE plans a £19 million modernization of its Wales site
On the services side, GE Aerospace said it will invest £19 million to modernize its Wales site—an investment framed as modernization that can reduce energy use and support infrastructure upgrades over multiple years. [16]
Why it matters for GE stock: It reinforces the company’s commitment to the aftermarket engine-support ecosystem, where margins and recurring revenue are typically stronger than original equipment sales.
4) Defense-adjacent updates: LM2500 orders and propulsion milestones
GE Aerospace also announced it secured orders for LM2500 marine gas turbines to power the U.S. Navy’s next-generation Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, building on the long-running installed base for that engine family. [17]
Separately, GE reported its CT7-2E1 engine surpassed 500,000 flight hours, pointing to durability and reliability milestones in the rotorcraft propulsion category. [18]
Why it matters for GE stock: While commercial engines and services dominate the market narrative, incremental defense and marine propulsion wins help diversify cash flows and can support longer-cycle revenue visibility.
5) Dividend update: $0.36 quarterly dividend declared
In December, GE Aerospace’s board declared a $0.36 per share quarterly dividend payable January 26, 2026, with shareholders of record as of December 29, 2025 (also listed as the ex-dividend date in the release). [19]
Aircraft program timing: a crucial swing factor for GE’s engine runway
GE’s commercial engine growth is linked not only to airline demand, but also to airframer schedules and regulatory timelines—especially at Boeing.
Boeing 737-10 certification: still a gating item for future LEAP deliveries
The Boeing 737-10 remains a “watch item” for the supply chain and engine ecosystem. A December 2025 Federal Register notice stated the 737-10 is still a proposed design and not yet type certificated by the FAA, outlining how required safety enhancements will be handled. [20]
Reuters also reported in December that the FAA was reviewing Boeing’s cockpit alerting system work for the MAX 10, part of the broader certification path. [21]
Aviation Week coverage quoted Boeing’s CFO indicating Boeing envisioned 737-10 certification later in 2026. [22]
GE investor takeaway: Large LEAP engine wins tied to the 737-10 can expand the long-term installed base story, but the timing of engine deliveries—and therefore near-term revenue recognition—still hinges on certification and production ramp realities.
Boeing 777X schedule: GE9X visibility depends on widebody timelines
Widebody programs also matter for GE—especially because the GE9X powers Boeing’s 777X family. Reuters reported Boeing expects the 777-9 in 2027 and the first 777-8 Freighter around 2029, in the context of Boeing seeking an FAA emissions waiver related to the 777F freighter line. [23]
GE investor takeaway: Widebody engine revenue tends to be lumpy, but widebody services economics can be substantial over time. Program shifts can move the cadence of those benefits.
Capital returns: buybacks remain part of the GE Aerospace stock narrative
GE’s stock performance in 2025 has also been supported by capital return and balance-sheet improvement, alongside operations.
In its Q3 2025 10‑Q, GE Aerospace disclosed that under its board-authorized repurchase program, it repurchased 23.2 million shares for $5.4 billion in 2025, and had repurchased $10.3 billion total under the authorization as of that filing. [24]
This matters because, for large-cap industrials, investor perception often comes down to a combined equation:
(earnings and cash flow growth) + (credible delivery execution) + (disciplined capital returns)
When all three are working, valuations tend to stay elevated.
Forecasts and analyst outlook: what Wall Street is signaling for 2026
Earnings trajectory: raised 2025 guidance sets the base, 2026 is the next debate
GE’s own raised 2025 guidance—$6.00–$6.20 adjusted EPS and $7.1–$7.3B free cash flow—sets the near-term “floor” investors are using to anchor expectations. [25]
Beyond that, many market updates reference a continued earnings step-up into 2026, largely driven by services volume and improving output—an idea repeatedly emphasized in market commentary around the stock’s new-high setup. [26]
Price targets: dispersion is real, but the center of gravity is above today’s price in many summaries
Analyst target ranges vary by data provider and update cycle, but multiple summaries put the “average” target in the low-to-mid $340s with upper-end estimates closer to $390–$394. [27]
On the more “note-driven” side, Wolfe Research raised its GE Aerospace price target to $340 (from $330) while maintaining an outperform rating, according to an analyst-rating report. [28]
Citi’s initiation also drew attention recently, with a sector call that included a buy rating and a long-horizon argument that GE’s market capitalization could potentially scale substantially over several years if execution remains strong. [29]
Next catalyst date: Q4 earnings in late January
For the immediate calendar, MarketWatch’s estimates page lists GE’s Q4 2025 earnings report date as January 22, 2026. [30]
Risks and watchpoints: what could derail GE Aerospace stock in 2026
Even with strong momentum, GE’s bull case isn’t risk-free. Here are the issues that matter most heading into 2026:
1) Supply chain and delivery friction
GE has talked openly about supplier constraints and the work required to improve material inputs and output. Continued progress is central to sustaining raised guidance and meeting investor expectations. [31]
2) Airframer certification and production schedules (Boeing and Airbus)
For GE and CFM, the 737-10 timeline remains a major gating item for some future narrowbody growth, and FAA steps remain in motion. [32]
On widebodies, schedule changes around the 777X family influence the runway for GE9X deliveries and the pace of installed-base expansion. [33]
3) Policy headlines around defense contracting and shareholder payouts
Investors are also digesting political and regulatory headlines around defense procurement reform and contractor financial practices.
Reuters reported the Trump administration was preparing an executive order aimed at limiting buybacks, dividends, and executive pay for defense contractors with programs that are significantly over budget and delayed (scope and mechanism still unclear). [34]
Reuters also reported Trump said he would meet major defense contractors to address delays and overruns, with scrutiny around whether executive pay, dividends, and buybacks contribute to missed targets. [35]
Why it matters for GE: GE Aerospace is not typically grouped with the largest “prime” contractors in the way Lockheed or Northrop are, but it does have meaningful defense exposure. Sector-wide shifts in contracting posture, incentives, or allowable capital allocation can impact sentiment—even before specifics are finalized.
4) Valuation sensitivity
With the stock near highs, the market is implicitly assuming GE can keep compounding earnings and free cash flow at an attractive rate. Any disappointment in shop-visit volume, pricing, delivery cadence, or guidance tone can create disproportionate downside volatility simply because expectations are higher.
Bottom line: GE Aerospace stock enters 2026 with momentum—and a packed catalyst calendar
As of December 23, 2025, GE Aerospace stock is trading at or above prior highs, supported by a combination of:
- Raised 2025 EPS and free cash flow guidance [36]
- Operational progress on deliveries and supplier inputs [37]
- Commercial order signals that expand the long-term LEAP installed base opportunity [38]
- Ongoing capacity and MRO investments that aim to turn demand into output [39]
The next major checkpoint for investors is Q4 earnings on January 22, 2026, when the market will look for confirmation that higher output and services demand are translating into sustainable margins and cash generation—and for updated assumptions about 2026. [40]
This article is for informational purposes only and is not investment advice.
References
1. www.marketwatch.com, 2. www.geaerospace.com, 3. www.reuters.com, 4. www.marketwatch.com, 5. au.investing.com, 6. www.geaerospace.com, 7. www.geaerospace.com, 8. www.geaerospace.com, 9. www.reuters.com, 10. www.reuters.com, 11. www.reuters.com, 12. www.safran-group.com, 13. aviationweek.com, 14. www.geaerospace.com, 15. www.reuters.com, 16. www.geaerospace.com, 17. www.geaerospace.com, 18. www.geaerospace.com, 19. www.geaerospace.com, 20. www.federalregister.gov, 21. www.reuters.com, 22. aviationweek.com, 23. www.reuters.com, 24. www.geaerospace.com, 25. www.geaerospace.com, 26. www.investors.com, 27. www.tradingview.com, 28. www.investing.com, 29. www.investors.com, 30. www.marketwatch.com, 31. www.geaerospace.com, 32. www.reuters.com, 33. www.reuters.com, 34. www.reuters.com, 35. www.reuters.com, 36. www.geaerospace.com, 37. www.geaerospace.com, 38. www.safran-group.com, 39. www.reuters.com, 40. www.marketwatch.com
