What’s going on with the Boeing share price?

A giant of the aviation industry, Boeing (NYSE:BA) engineers and constructs aircraft for commercial and defence purposes. The Covid-19 pandemic, together with other historical issues, have battered the Boeing share price. It currently trades at $185, down 26% in the past year. I want to look deeper at recent company results, while asking if I should add this firm to my long-term portfolio. Let’s take a closer look.  

Recent results and the Boeing share price

Between the 2017 and 2021 calendar years, results have been on a downward trajectory. Revenue for the period declined from $94bn to $62.2bn. Furthermore, a $10bn pre-tax profit in 2017 turned into a $5bn loss in 2021. Additionally, earnings-per-share (EPS) fell from $14.03 to a loss-per-share of $7.15. 

Over this period, the results underpinning the Boeing share price clearly may not give me much confidence. 

Compared with the 2020 calendar year, however, the most recent results did show signs of improvement. During 2020, the pandemic led to a $14bn loss and to reduced revenue of $58bn. By this comparison, therefore, things appear to be on a better footing. 

Additionally, a trading update for the three months to 31 December 2021 showed that operating cash flow was $716m. This is a massive increase from the same period in 2020, when this figure was negative $4bn.

A healthy order book

Boeing is active in the aviation market and its 737, 777, and 787 are popular aircraft. In February 2022, Qatar Airways signed a deal to purchase 34 777X, with an option to add 16 more. The airline also ordered 25 737 Max 10 jets, leaving open the option to purchase a further 25. This entire order is worth $34bn to Boeing, over half of its 2021 revenue.  

The firm also concluded a deal with the UK Ministry of Defence. It’s worth about £460m and will involve the provision of logistics support. It will last for five years.

Things have not been totally smooth, though. The 737 Max model was grounded for two years in many areas including the US and EU. This was to investigate two fatal accidents that caused the deaths of 346 passengers. These bans were lifted last year, but did the company a great deal of reputational damage. The crash this week in China of a 737-800 was both a human tragedy and another nightmare for Boeing.

The firm has a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 46.51. By comparing this to the forward P/E ratio of a major competitor, this may indicate if the business is over- or undervalued. A major rival, Airbus, has a forward P/E ratio of 20.08, considerably lower than Boeing. This may suggest that the current share price is expensive.

What’s more, Airbus is actively competing for the market share, supplying 50 A350 Freighter and commercial aircraft to German airline Lufthansa in June 2021.

There’s no denying that Boeing is a giant in aircraft production. However, historical results and investigations into the 737 Max leave me feeling uneasy about this firm. While recent results seem to indicate a change for the better, I won’t be buying shares in this business.