What's actually happening with the Boeing share price today?
Look at the ticker for BA and you’ll see a company that finally seems to be catching its breath. After years of basically being the poster child for industrial "what not to do," Boeing is trading at $247.67 as of the most recent market close. That’s a tiny dip from the previous session, but don't let the daily noise fool you. The stock is sitting near its 52-week high, and compared to where things were just a year ago, the vibe has shifted from "total crisis" to "cautious optimism."
Most people tracking the boeing share price today are looking for one thing: proof of life. They want to see if the massive 2025 turnaround was a fluke or if Kelly Ortberg, the new CEO, has actually fixed the plumbing. If you look at the chart, the stock has climbed nearly 45% since early 2025. Investors are seeing a company that actually delivered 600 planes last year—the best it’s done since the world fell apart for them in 2018.
The certification race and the FAA shadow
Honestly, Boeing’s stock price right now isn't just about how many 737s they can push out the door. It’s about the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). For a long time, the FAA was basically living in Boeing’s Renton and Everett factories, and for good reason. The production cap on the 737 Max was a huge anchor on the stock.
But recently, the FAA raised that production ceiling. We’re moving from a capped 38 planes a month toward a target of 47 aircraft per month as we move through 2026. This is huge. Every extra plane represents millions in cash flow that was previously just stuck on the assembly line.
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There’s also the certification "triple threat":
- The 737 MAX 7 (Small, but crucial for Southwest)
- The 737 MAX 10 (The big boy meant to fight the Airbus A321)
- The 777-9 (The massive widebody the world is waiting for)
If you're wondering why the stock is holding steady despite a massive annual net loss of over $10 billion, it’s because the market is looking at the $545 billion order book. They have 5,900 planes to build. The demand isn't the problem; it’s the execution.
Analysts are getting aggressive
It’s kinda wild to see price targets jumping while the company is still technically losing money. Bernstein recently named Boeing their top pick for 2026, slapping a $298 price target on it. Susquehanna is even more bullish with a $300 target.
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Why? Because they expect free cash flow to finally turn positive in a sustainable way. For the last several years, Boeing has been a "cash incinerator." But management is projecting positive free cash flow in the low single-digit billions for 2026. If they hit that, it’s the first time they’ve been in the black since before the Max crisis started.
What could still go wrong?
Is it all clear skies? Sorta, but not quite. The boeing share price today still carries a "risk premium." You can’t ignore the fact that the 777X program has been delayed again, with first deliveries now pushed to 2027. That’s a lot of capital tied up in inventory that isn't moving.
Then there’s the labor situation. After the big strike in late 2024, the company is still integrating a newer, more expensive workforce. The culture shift that Ortberg is trying to lead—moving management closer to the factory floor in Seattle—is a multi-year project. You don't fix decades of "financial-first" culture over a weekend.
Also, Airbus is still winning the narrow-body war. While Boeing is leading in the 737-8 and smaller segment, Airbus is absolutely crushing it with the A321. Boeing only captured about 12% of the market share for those larger single-aisle jets last year. They need the MAX 10 certified and flying to even stand a chance there.
Practical steps for tracking the turnaround
If you’re watching the stock, don't just stare at the daily price. Follow these specific metrics to see if the recovery is real:
- Monthly Delivery Reports: Watch the 737 and 787 numbers specifically. If the 737 stays above 40 per month, the "bull case" is alive.
- FAA NOTAMs and Directives: Any new safety audits or production freezes will tank the stock instantly.
- 737 MAX 10 Certification: This is the big catalyst. Expect a lot of volatility as we approach the expected Q3 2026 certification date.
- Inventory Unwind: Watch the quarterly earnings for how many "parked" planes they’ve actually delivered. These are pure cash once they leave the lot.
The reality of the boeing share price today is that the market has already "priced in" a lot of the recovery. With a forward P/E ratio that looks astronomical because earnings are just starting to return, you’re betting on the 2027 and 2028 versions of Boeing. It’s a long-game play in a very high-stakes environment.
To stay ahead, keep a close eye on the production rate KPIs that the FAA is monitoring, specifically "travelled work" (out-of-sequence assembly) and "escapes" (quality defects leaving the factory). When those numbers stay low while production goes up, that’s when you’ll know the turnaround is truly cemented.
Monitor the upcoming Q1 2026 earnings call for specific updates on the Spirit AeroSystems integration progress. The $4.7 billion acquisition of their main fuselage supplier is intended to fix the supply chain from the inside out, and any news of "synergies" or simplified manufacturing there will be a key driver for the stock's next leg up toward that $300 mark.