'An Improvement in Quality', Says Unlikely Source, But Boeing Stock (NYSE:BA) Slips Regardless
If there were anyone out there that it would be hard for aerospace stock Boeing (BA) to please right now, who do you think it would be? Perhaps the CEO of Alaska Airlines (ALK), Ben Minicucci? That would be one tall order, right? And yet, that is just what happened. Despite this, investors were still skeptical, and sent Boeing shares down fractionally in Friday afternoon's trading.
Confident Investing Starts Here:
While at the International Air Transport Association's annual meeting, Minicucci noted that the material seen out of Boeing has been improving on a regular basis. Minicucci noted, 'What we've seen quarter to quarter is an improvement in safety, an improvement in quality.' Naturally, it was not a perfect run, as Minicucci also noted, 'Are they yet there? No, there's still a lot of work.' But even there, it seemed less like a specific criticism than a simple expression of ongoing distrust.
But there are signs of thawing everywhere. Tim Clark of Emirates Airlines was happy to hear 'clearer messages' coming out of Boeing's top brass, and was happy to see the 'change of style' found under Kelly Ortberg. Interestingly, Tim Clark had never met Ortberg's predecessor, Dave Calhoun, but has met Kelly Ortberg. Clark even made reference to 'cautious optimism' of the kind he had not seen 'in the last few years,' reports noted.
Tough Room
Naturally, not everything was so positive for Boeing. The deal finally reached with the government that allowed it to avoid prosecution did not even sort of sit well with the surviving families of those who died in the 737 Max jet crashes. In fact, one of the lawyer for the 16 families involved declared the deal 'morally repugnant.' It has also reportedly provoked 'visceral outrage' from his clients, who, reportedly, declared the $444.5 million payout to be insufficient.
Further, noted lawyer Sanjiv Singh, the deal allows Boeing to '…sidestep true criminal accountability.' Singh also declared that the penalties involved are '…actually like Boeing paying $10 to escape criminal liability. It's as if they got a misdemeanour ticket or a parking ticket.' Given that Boeing made around $66.5 billion in total revenue in 2024, $1.1 billion is actually a much more substantial portion than implied.
Is Boeing a Good Stock to Buy Right Now?
Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Strong Buy consensus rating on BA stock based on 16 Buys, three Holds and one Sell assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. After a 9.87% rally in its share price over the past year, the average BA price target of $218.37 per share implies 4.62% upside potential.
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Los Angeles Times
36 minutes ago
- Los Angeles Times
What it would take to convert a jet from Qatar into Air Force One to safely fly Trump
WASHINGTON — President Trump really wants to fly on an upgraded Air Force One — but making that happen could depend on whether he's willing to cut corners with security. As government lawyers sort out the legal arrangement for accepting a luxury jet from the Qatari royal family, another crucial conversation is unfolding about modifying the plane so it's safe for the American president. Installing capabilities equivalent to the decades-old 747s now used as Air Force One would almost certainly consign the project to a similar fate as Boeing's replacement initiative, which has been plagued by delays and cost overruns. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink told lawmakers Thursday that those security modifications would cost less than $400 million but provided no details. Satisfying Trump's desire to use the new plane before the end of his term could require leaving out some of those precautions, however. A White House official said Trump wants the Qatari jet ready as soon as possible while adhering to security standards. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, did not provide details on equipment issues or the timeline. Trump has survived two assassination attempts, and Iran allegedly also plotted to kill him, so he's well aware of the danger he faces. However, he seems willing to take some chances with security, particularly when it comes to communications. For example, he likes to keep his personal phone handy despite the threat of hacks. He boasted recently that the government got the jet 'for free,' saying, 'We need it as Air Force One until the other ones are done.' Here's a look at what it would take to make the Qatari plane into a presidential transport: Air Force One is the call sign for any plane that's carrying the president. The first aircraft to get the designation was a propeller-powered C-54 Skymaster, which ferried Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Yalta Conference in 1945. It featured a conference room with a bulletproof window. Things are a lot more complicated these days. Boeing has spent years stripping down and rebuilding two 747s to replace the versions that have carried presidents for more than three decades. The project is slated to cost more than $5.3 billion and may not be finished before Trump leaves office. A 2021 report made public through the Freedom of Information Act outlines the unclassified requirements for the replacement 747s under construction. At the top of the list — survivability and communications. The government decided more than a decade ago that the new planes had to have four engines so they could remain airborne if one or two fail, said Deborah Lee James, who was Air Force secretary at the time. That creates a challenge because 747s are no longer manufactured, which could make spare parts harder to come by. Air Force One also has to have the highest level of classified communications, anti-jamming capabilities and external protections against foreign surveillance, so the president can securely command military forces and nuclear weapons during a national emergency. It's an extremely sensitive and complex system, including video, voice and data transmissions. James said there are anti-missile measures and shielding against radiation or an electromagnetic pulse that could be caused by a nuclear blast. 'The point is, it remains in flight no matter what,' she said. If the Qatari plane is retrofitted to presidential standards, it could cost $1.5 billion and take years, according to a U.S. official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details that aren't publicly available. Testifying before Congress, Meink discounted such estimates, arguing that some of the costs associated with retrofitting the Qatari plane would have been spent anyway as the Air Force moves to build the long-delayed new presidential planes, including buying aircraft for training and to have spares available if needed. In response, Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) said that based on the contract costs for the planes that the Air Force is building, it would cost about $1 billion to strip down the Qatar plane, install encrypted communications, harden its defenses and make other required upgrades. James said simply redoing the wiring means 'you'd have to break that whole thing wide open and almost start from scratch.' Trump, as commander in chief, could waive some of these requirements. He could decide to skip shielding systems from an electromagnetic pulse, leaving his communications more vulnerable in case of a disaster but shaving time off the project. 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Air Force chief of staff Gen. David Allvin was there too. The U.S. official said the jet needs maintenance but not more than what would be expected of a four-engine plane of its complexity. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said it would be irresponsible to put the president and national security equipment aboard the Qatari plane 'without knowing that the aircraft is fully capable of withstanding a nuclear attack.' 'It's a waste of taxpayer dollars,' she said. Meanwhile, Boeing's project has been hampered by stress corrosion cracks on the planes and excessive noise in the cabins from the decompression system, among other issues that have delayed delivery, according to a Government Accountability Office report released last year. Boeing referred questions to the Air Force, which said in a statement that it's working with the aircraft manufacturer to find ways to accelerate the delivery of at least one of the 747s. Even so, the aircraft will have to be tested and flown in real-world conditions to ensure no other issues. James said it remains to be seen how Trump would handle any of those challenges. 'The normal course of business would say there could be delays in certifications,' she said. 'But things seem to get waived these days when the president wants it.' Copp and Megerian write for the Associated Press. AP writer Lolita C. Baldor in Washington contributed to this report.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Donald Trump wants his new Air Force One as soon as possible. That could be an issue
President Donald Trump really wants to fly on an upgraded Air Force One — but making that happen could depend on whether he's willing to cut corners with security. As government lawyers finalise the legalities of accepting a luxury jet from the Qatari royal family, discussions are underway regarding modifications to ensure the aircraft's suitability for the US president. Integrating capabilities akin to those of the current Air Force One Boeing 747s could mire the project in similar delays and cost overruns as Boeing's replacement initiative. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink told lawmakers on Thursday that security modifications would cost less than $400 million, though specifics were not provided. To meet Donald Trump's desire to utilise the new plane before his term concludes, some security precautions may need to be omitted. A White House official said Trump wants the Qatari jet ready as soon as possible while adhering to security standards. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, did not provide details on equipment issues or the timeline. Trump has survived two assassination attempts, so he's well aware of the danger he faces. However, he seems willing to take some chances with security, particularly when it comes to communications. For example, he likes to keep his personal phone handy despite the threat of hacks. He boasted this week that the government got the jet 'for free,' saying, 'We need it as Air Force One until the other ones are done.' Air Force One is the call sign for any plane that's carrying the president. The first aircraft to get the designation was a propeller-powered C-54 Skymaster, which ferried Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Yalta Conference in 1945. It featured a conference room with a bulletproof window. Things are a lot more complicated these days. Boeing has spent years stripping down and rebuilding two 747s to replace the versions that have carried presidents for more than three decades. The project is slated to cost more than $5.3 billion and may not be finished before Trump leaves office. A 2021 report made public through the Freedom of Information Act outlines the unclassified requirements for the replacement 747s under construction. At the top of the list — survivability and communications. The government decided more than a decade ago that the new planes had to have four engines so they could remain airborne if one or two fail, said Deborah Lee James, who was Air Force secretary at the time. That creates a challenge because 747s are no longer manufactured, which could make spare parts harder to come by. Air Force One also has to have the highest level of classified communications, anti-jamming capabilities and external protections against foreign surveillance, so the president can securely command military forces and nuclear weapons during a national emergency. It's an extremely sensitive and complex system, including video, voice and data transmissions. James said there are anti-missile measures and shielding against radiation or an electromagnetic pulse that could be caused by a nuclear blast. 'The point is, it remains in flight no matter what,' she said. If the Qatari plane is retrofitted to presidential standards, it could cost $1.5 billion and take years, according to a U.S. official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details that aren't publicly available. Testifying before Congress this week, Meink discounted such estimates, arguing that some of the costs associated with retrofitting the Qatari plane would have been spent anyway as the Air Force moves to build the long-delayed new presidential planes, including buying aircraft for training and to have spares available if needed. In response, Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., said that based on the contract costs for the planes that the Air Force is building, it would cost about $1 billion to strip down the Qatar plane, install encrypted communications, harden its defenses and make other required upgrades. James said simply redoing the wiring means 'you'd have to break that whole thing wide open and almost start from scratch." Trump, as commander in chief, could waive some of these requirements. He could decide to skip shielding systems from an electromagnetic pulse, leaving his communications more vulnerable in case of a disaster but shaving time off the project. After all, Boeing has already scaled back its original plans for the new 747s. Their range was trimmed by 1,200 nautical miles, and the ability to refuel while airborne was scrapped. Paul Eckloff, a former leader of protection details at the Secret Service, expects the president would get the final say. 'The Secret Service's job is to plan for and mitigate risk," he said. "It can never eliminate it.' If Trump does waive some requirements, James said that should be kept under wraps because "you don't want to advertise to your potential adversaries what the vulnerabilities of this new aircraft might be.' It's unlikely that Trump will want to skimp on the plane's appearance. He keeps a model of a new Air Force One in the Oval Office, complete with a darker color scheme that echoes his personal jet instead of the light blue design that's been used for decades. Trump toured the Qatari plane in February when it was parked at an airport near Mar-a-Lago, his Florida resort. 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Even so, the aircraft will have to be tested and flown in real-world conditions to ensure no other issues. James said it remains to be seen how Trump would handle any of those challenges. 'The normal course of business would say there could be delays in certifications,' she said. 'But things seem to get waived these days when the president wants it.'
Boston Globe
4 hours ago
- Boston Globe
Boston Legacy FC unveils team crest featuring an eight-feathered swan
'This crest is the culmination of a five-month design process, led by renowned graphic designer Matthew Wolff,' the club said in a statement. Per the announcement, the eight feathers of the swan 'represent the eight original NWSL teams, including the Boston Breakers, and are angled to reflect the lines of the iconic Zakim Bridge.' 'This crest is another step in building a new sporting legacy in Boston,' said controlling owner Jennifer Epstein. 'Swans encompass our core club values of integrity, grit, and style. They are famously loyal, relentless in defending their territory, and iconic residents of our waterways and green spaces. We are excited to see our fans and players wearing this incredible crest when we kick off in 2026 at Gillette Stadium, and continue to build towards the future with our home field of White Stadium in partnership with the City of Boston.' Related : Advertisement The team pivoted in early 2025 to 'Legacy FC' after the initial brand launch in October 2024 under the name 'BOS Nation FC' was In response, Advertisement With a team name, crest, and home venue established ahead of the inaugural season, attention will begin to turn toward building an expansion roster. The team already has appointed its general manager, former Barcelona executive Hayden Bird can be reached at
