New York, Jan 20, 2026, 18:21 (EST) — After-hours
- Shares of GE Aerospace fell about 4% in Tuesday’s trading
- With the IATA-CFM pact extended, airlines are zeroing back in on engine-maintenance costs and capacity
- Investors are turning their attention to GE Aerospace’s quarterly report due later this week
GE Aerospace (NYSE: GE) shares slid about 4% Tuesday, closing at $312.34 after trading between $323.72 and $309.97 during the session.
Investors are turning their attention from today’s trading to the company’s forthcoming update. The next stock move hinges on guidance and cash conversion figures.
The real issue runs deeper: aftermarket demand versus the ability to fix and resell engines. “Aftermarket” means the parts-and-repair business that takes over once an engine is up and running, usually delivering fatter margins than selling new gear.
On Tuesday, IATA revealed it had extended its pro-competitive engine maintenance agreement with CFM International through February 2033, spotlighting ongoing concerns about costs and capacity. “Airlines have long struggled with the aftermarket business practices of manufacturers, which have limited competition and resulted in high costs for airlines,” said IATA Director General Willie Walsh. 1
The broader market weighed on stocks, with U.S. shares posting their steepest one-day drop in three months. The slide followed President Donald Trump’s announcement of new tariffs targeting several European countries, set to start Feb. 1 and potentially rise again by June 1 if talks collapse, Reuters reported. Jamie Cox, managing partner at Harris Financial Group, said he wasn’t ready to label the tariff spat as the spark for a wider equities selloff. 2
CFM, the GE Aerospace and Safran joint venture, powers every Boeing 737. It also competes head-to-head with RTX-owned Pratt & Whitney on Airbus’s A320 family, according to Reuters. CFM President Gaël Méheust highlighted the company’s competitive edge, saying, “CFM places customers at the heart of its DNA.” 3
On Tuesday, GE Aerospace unveiled its AI-powered “white light robot” inspectors aimed at speeding up inspections in maintenance, repair, and overhaul shops. Sam Blazek, a GE Aerospace services technology lead on the project, said the idea is simple: “The goal is to mount a part for inspection, hit ‘go.’” 4
GE Aerospace is preparing for its upcoming big moment: the fourth-quarter 2025 earnings webcast scheduled for Jan. 22 at 7:30 a.m. EST, according to its investor relations calendar. 5
Traders are watching closely for shifts in the company’s stance on shop capacity, spare-parts supply, and how quickly engines are processed. Updates on deliveries tied to Boeing and Airbus production rates, plus changes to service pricing, also draw immediate market response.
Behind the scenes, the engine supply chain struggles to balance supporting airlines’ current fleets with the demands of fresh aircraft production. You see this tension in delivery schedules, shop-visit numbers, and the ebb and flow of cash from quarter to quarter.
That said, the picture isn’t all one-sided. If parts shortages drag on or newer engines show unexpected wear causing more removals, GE could face higher costs and tougher customer ties — even as demand holds steady.
Attention shifts to Jan. 22, the day the company will unveil its outlook. Investors are eager to find out whether the maintenance backlog is truly easing or merely relocating within the system.
