Unlocking the potential of Boeing’s most important plane

  • Boeing’s 737 MAX is its highest-volume and most important plane
  • Currently, the 737 MAX is not profitable, but it has the potential to be
  • Analyst Seth Seifman believes MAX profitability is a few years away
  • Factors affecting profitability include product mix, volume, and quality control
  • Boeing’s deferred production balance for the 737 MAX program is $5.4 billion
  • Improvements in product mix, quality, and production ramp-up are expected to help
  • Boeing aims to generate $3.2 billion in free cash flow in 2023
  • Analysts project a 2025 free cash flow of $11.3 billion for Boeing
  • Wall Street buys into Boeing’s improvement goals

Boeing’s 737 MAX is the company’s highest-volume and most important plane, but currently, it is not profitable. However, according to analyst Seth Seifman, MAX profitability is within reach, although it may take a few years to achieve. Factors such as product mix, volume, and quality control have contributed to the lack of profitability. Boeing’s deferred production balance for the 737 MAX program is currently at $5.4 billion, indicating the need for improvement. The company aims to generate $3.2 billion in free cash flow in 2023, with analysts projecting a 2025 free cash flow of $11.3 billion. Wall Street is optimistic about Boeing’s improvement goals, and investors are excited about the recovery in global air travel. With improvements in product mix, quality, and production ramp-up, Boeing’s 737 MAX has the potential to become a profitable venture.

Public Companies: Boeing (BA), United Airlines (UAL), Southwest Airlines (LUV), Ryanair (RYAAY)
Private Companies:
Key People: Seth Seifman (analyst)


Factuality Level: 7
Justification: The article provides information about Boeing’s 737 MAX profitability and the factors affecting its cash flow. It includes quotes from an analyst and discusses the deferred production balance. The information seems to be based on research and analysis, but it lacks specific sources and data to support the claims.

Noise Level: 6
Justification: The article provides some analysis of Boeing’s 737 MAX profitability and cash flow, but it lacks in-depth insights and evidence to support its claims. It briefly mentions product mix, volume, and quality control as reasons for the current lack of profitability, but does not provide detailed analysis or data. The article also mentions the deferred production balance as a way to track progress, but does not explain how it is calculated or provide any specific numbers. Overall, the article touches on the topic but lacks depth and supporting evidence.

Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: Boeing

Presence of Extreme Event: No
Nature of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating of the Extreme Event: No
Justification: The article discusses the profitability of Boeing’s 737 MAX program and its impact on the company’s cash flow. While there is no mention of an extreme event, the financial performance of Boeing is relevant to investors and the financial markets.

Reported publicly: www.marketwatch.com