Boeing Sees a Resurgence in Sales: The Kiplinger Letter

Blueprint of airplane and seats.

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For now, the thaw in U.S.-China relations appears to be largely symbolic. But one likely beneficiary is Boeing. The U.S. planemaker is still waiting to resume deliveries of its popular 737 MAX jet to Chinese airlines, nearly four years after the plane was grounded following two deadly crashes that dented its reputation. Expect Beijing to clear the way for new orders of Boeing aircraft as well.

Boeing has been effectively shut out of the Chinese aircraft market since 2017 when trade tensions cost the company its appeal in China. Beijing’s ambitions to manufacture its own passenger aircraft have also eaten into Boeing’s sales, though the effort relies heavily on Western suppliers and is fraught with challenges.

Boeing continues to struggle with production issues, most recently regarding defects with the 737 MAX, limiting plane deliveries and constricting the company’s cash flow. But the planemaker remains on track to meet its year-end delivery target and has already netted 945 orders, its best showing since 2014.

This forecast first appeared in The Kiplinger Letter, which has been running since 1923 and is a collection of concise weekly forecasts on business and economic trends, as well as what to expect from Washington, to help you understand what’s coming up to make the most of your investments and your money. Subscribe to The Kiplinger Letter.