Honestly, if you've been watching Boeing lately, it's been a total rollercoaster. For years, the ticker was basically a synonym for "headline risk." You couldn't check the news without seeing something about a production delay, a regulatory probe, or a massive strike. But as we sit here in January 2026, the boeing ba stock price is telling a story we haven't heard in a long time. It’s the story of a comeback that actually has some legs.
The stock is currently trading around $244.50. That’s a massive jump from the dark days of 2024 when it was languishing in the $130s. People are starting to wonder: is the "Ortberg Era" the real deal? CEO Kelly Ortberg has been making some aggressive moves—moving the HQ back to Seattle, buying back Spirit AeroSystems, and basically telling the world that Boeing is going back to being an engineering company instead of just a bank that happens to make planes.
What’s Actually Moving the Boeing BA Stock Price Right Now?
It’s all about the numbers coming out of the Renton facility. For the longest time, the FAA had their thumb on Boeing, capping 737 MAX production at 38 jets a month. It was a bottleneck that strangled their cash flow.
But things changed. Recently, the cap was nudged up to 42, and the goal for late 2026 is a staggering 47 planes per month. When you’re sitting on a backlog of over 5,900 aircraft worth $636 billion, every extra plane out the door is pure oxygen for the balance sheet.
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- The Deliveries: Boeing just delivered 63 jets in December—the best month in years.
- The Cash: After burning through $14 billion in 2024, the company is finally eyeing positive free cash flow of around $3 billion for 2026.
- The Backlog: They are essentially sold out for the next decade.
Think about that for a second. If you wanted to start an airline tomorrow, you couldn't get a new Boeing narrow-body until the 2030s. That kind of demand is a massive safety net for the boeing ba stock price, even if the economy hits a few bumps.
The Spirit AeroSystems Factor
One of the smartest—and most expensive—things Boeing did was re-acquiring Spirit AeroSystems for $4.7 billion. If you don't know the backstory, Boeing spun Spirit off decades ago to save money. It backfired. Quality suffered, and Boeing lost control of the very fuselages that make up their planes.
By bringing Spirit back in-house, Ortberg is trying to fix the culture from the inside out. Analysts like Dan Niles are calling Boeing a "top pick" for 2026 specifically because this acquisition allows them to control their own destiny again. No more blaming suppliers for loose bolts or misaligned panels. It’s all on Boeing now.
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Not Everyone Is a Believer
Look, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. The boeing ba stock price still carries a lot of baggage. The company is lugging around over $53 billion in debt. That’s a heavy backpack to wear while you’re trying to climb a mountain.
Also, the 777X is delayed again. We're now looking at 2027 for the first delivery of that giant wide-body. Every delay there means more "concession" payments to airlines like Emirates and Lufthansa who have been waiting for years. If the FAA finds another issue during the certification of the MAX 10 later this year, the "monstrous 2026" Jim Cramer is predicting could turn into a dud pretty fast.
Why 2026 Feels Different for Investors
Wall Street is currently leaning "Strong Buy" on BA, with average price targets floating around $251 to $259. Some bulls are even eyeing $285 if production hits those 47-per-month targets.
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What’s interesting is the sentiment shift. In 2024, everyone was scared. In 2025, they were cautious. Now? It’s a bit of a "FOMO" (fear of missing out) situation. Airlines are desperate for fuel-efficient planes to meet carbon targets, and Airbus is so backed up they can't take any more orders either.
Actionable Insights for Your Portfolio
If you’re looking at the boeing ba stock price as a potential investment, you need to watch three specific dates in 2026.
- January 27: The Q4 earnings call. This is where Ortberg will lay out the "important work" he keeps mentioning in memos.
- Spring 2026: Watch for the 737 MAX production ramp-up to 47 units. If they miss this, the stock will take a hit.
- Late 2026: The certification of the MAX 10. This is the big one. It’s the plane Boeing needs to finally compete with the Airbus A321neo.
Don't just look at the price chart. Look at the delivery numbers. If Boeing can consistently deliver more than 50 planes a month across all models, the debt starts to look manageable and the stock likely continues its march toward those $280 targets.
The era of "financial engineering" is supposedly over. Now we see if the actual engineers can get the job done. It’s a classic industrial turnaround story, and while the risks are still there, the floor feels a lot higher than it did twelve months ago.
Next Steps for You
- Check the delivery trackers: Sites like FlightRadar24 often track "test flights" from Renton and Everett; this is a leading indicator of upcoming delivery numbers.
- Monitor the FAA's "monitor" presence: Any news about the FAA pulling back their on-site inspectors would be a massive green flag for production speed.
- Compare the P/S ratio: Boeing currently trades at roughly 2.1x sales. If they hit their 2026 revenue targets, that multiple could look very cheap compared to historical norms.