Boeing takes US$2.8b hit in defence business, keeps cash flow goal
BOEING’s ailing defence unit on Wednesday (Oct 26) recorded a US$2.8 billion charge, but the US planemaker stuck to its forecast of generating cash this year despite struggling to raise commercial jet production due to labour and supply shortages.
Shares tumbled 4 per cent after the results as cost overruns in Boeing’s defence, space and security segment have hobbled a recovery for the company attempting to come out of successive crises by cashing in on rising air travel demand.
Both Boeing and its European rival Airbus have ramped up production of narrowbody jets, with Boeing delivering 112 jets in the third quarter compared to 85 jets last year.
That helped it generate a free cash flow of US$2.9 billion in the quarter. It had recorded a cash burn of US$507 million in the same period a year ago.
However, rising cost pressures over the last few months have hampered fixed-price contracts for US aerospace and defence firms, prompting an industry body to ask the US Congress for inflationary relief.
The planemaker said it took charges on its VC-25B programme, commonly known as Air Force One, as well as on the KC-46A refuelling tanker programme, among others.
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“Our revenue and earnings were significantly impacted by losses on fixed-price development programmes in our defence business, driven by higher estimated manufacturing and supply chain costs,” Boeing chief executive Dave Calhoun said in a message to employees.
The company has appointed a senior troubleshooter Steve Parker to help turn around loss-making programmes in its defence unit, Reuters reported on Tuesday.
On the commercial side, Boeing handed over 86 MAX jets in the quarter, or about 29 a month, according to company data. It needs to deliver roughly 44 jets per month in the fourth quarter to meet its 737 MAX delivery target of “low 400s” this year.
“We’ve also added more than 10,000 employees this year and are investing in their training and development to accelerate the experience curve and improve productivity,” Calhoun said.
“Within our production facilities, we’re not pushing the system too fast,” he said, underscoring the challenging environment for the aerospace industry.
The sector is facing persistent supply shortages, particularly of workers and castings, though General Electric said on Tuesday it was seeing early signs of some supply challenges easing.
Third-quarter revenue rose 4 per cent to US$15.96 billion, but adjusted loss per share widened to US$6.18 from US$0.60 a year ago.
Demand at the global services business that provides spare parts and services such as jet conversions was a bright spot in the quarter through September, with revenue rising 5 per cent. REUTERS
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