Investors eye Boeing jet production outlook, delivery schedule

As Boeing battles disruption in its supply chains, investors will be looking for the largest US planemaker to satisfy questions about its planned ramp-up for commercial jets and set aside concerns over losses in major defense projects when it reports earnings Wednesday. Boeing has seen 737 MAX customer demand recover briskly after two crashes and the COVID-19 pandemic battered the airline industry. CE Dave Calhoun said in October Boeing has “mitigated these existential moments.” Boeing is expected to report an increase in Q4 revenue to $20.38b from $14.79b in the same quarter last year, with earnings of 26 cents a share, according to Refinitiv data. However, analysts warn Boeing still faces major risk to increasing aircraft production, as supply chain recovery and additional regulatory requirements could delay schedules. "It's not just a simple production recovery story," said Aerodynamic Advisory analyst Richard Aboulafia, who pointed to Boeing's backlog of hundreds of undelivered 737 and 787 planes sitting in storage. Boeing plans to increase production of its flagship 737 MAX family of narrowbody airliners, which make up most of the company's sales volume, from 31 planes a month to about 50 by 2025. Executives previously pointed to supply chain bottlenecks as the major driver for lagging 737 MAX production, and investors will be listening for details about how many aircraft are expected to be manufactured and delivered this year.<br/>