Boeing's cash surges as 737 Max fuels record jet deliveries

Washington

BOEING's cash flow swelled as the company's 737 Max propelled jetliner deliveries to a record in the third quarter.

The manufacturer handed over 25 more of its narrow-body planes than a year earlier, the result of a faster production tempo and the smooth debut of the upgraded 737 Max after an engine hiccup in May. That helped boost free cash flow to US$3 billion, topping analysts' estimates.

The results fulfilled Wall Street's expectations for a relatively muted quarter after Boeing's previous earnings report pushed the shares to the biggest gain in more than eight years. On Wednesday, the Chicago-based planemaker broke out the financial performance of a newly create…