Boeing (NYSE: BA), a leading commercial aerospace supplier, got socked on two fronts in the financial crisis: commercial and defense spending. Now it’s ready to make a comeback, and aerospace exchange traded funds (ETFs) could be poised to benefit.
Boeing has a seven-year backlog of airliner production as well as the prospect of increasing margins as it ramps up production on its 787 and 747-8 over the next few years. Boeing gets paid for its planes on delivery, so working through this backlog may boost the company’s bottom line. Rick Whittington for Forbes says global passenger traffic and air cargo volume are up, accelerating airliner and helicopter orders. [Can Boeing Lift Aerospace ETFs?]
Aerospace Manufacturing and Design reports that Boeing delivered more planes in the most recent quarter: 124, up from 113 the year earlier. The commercial airplane division is in recovery mode after suffering a 61% plunge in orders in 2009.
Forbes also notes a turnaround in Boeing’s defense unit may be in the offing, too. The division’s new head has a four-part plan to stabilize revenues. [Defense ETFs: Hit By Budget Reductions?]
- iShares Dow Jones U.S. Aerospace & Defense (NYSEArca: ITA): Boeing is 8%
- PowerShares Aerospace & Defense (NYSEArca: PPA): Boeing is 7.2%
Tisha Guerrero contributed to this article.
The opinions and forecasts expressed herein are solely those of Tom Lydon, and may not actually come to pass. Information on this site should not be used or construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation for any product.