Companies

Seaport Maintains Buy Rating for Boeing Amid Capital Raise

Published October 16, 2024

On Wednesday, Seaport Global Securities reaffirmed its Buy rating and maintained a stock price target of $207.00 for Boeing (NYSE:). This follows the aerospace company's recent announcement of a significant capital raising initiative, which the firm believes showcases Boeing's potential as a worthwhile investment. The new capital plans include a $10 billion credit agreement and a registration that allows for the issuance of up to $25 billion in debt securities and stock.

This announcement comes shortly after Boeing revealed $5 billion in financial charges last Friday, which addressed one of investors' key concerns by eliminating the strike as a negative issue. The second major concern involved a need for an equity raise, which appears to be somewhat resolved with the announcement of today's capital raise. However, details regarding the exact amount to be raised, the planned mix of debt and equity, and the timing of these actions remain undisclosed.

Seaport Global Securities noted that the market seems to have already anticipated the possibility of an equity raise, which is reflected in the positive response of Boeing's shares. The firm argues that Boeing will likely have no trouble securing the necessary capital, as indicated by the stock's performance following the announcement.

The analyst from Seaport pointed out that this capital raise is akin to a second catalyst that investors have been awaiting. Despite the lack of specifics on the capital raise, the upward movement in share prices suggests that investors are confident in Boeing's ability to navigate its financial strategy successfully.

In summary, Seaport Global Securities views Boeing's recent actions as positive steps toward addressing significant investor concerns. The firm continues to recommend purchasing the stock, holding firm to its Buy rating and $207.00 price target as Boeing proceeds with its capital raising efforts.

Apart from the capital raise, Boeing is facing several challenges. Recently, European airlines like Ryanair and Air France-KLM have experienced considerable delays in receiving new aircraft from manufacturers, including Boeing.

These delays have been attributed to a combination of supply chain issues and increasing demand for air travel. Ryanair's Group CEO, Michael O'Leary, mentioned that the airline would be fortunate to receive 10 to 15 aircraft from Boeing after March of next year, a number significantly lower than the 30 planes they were originally expecting.

Boeing is also under scrutiny from a U.S. federal judge who has requested clarification from both the company and the Department of Justice regarding how diversity and inclusion policies factored into the selection of an independent monitor. This inquiry relates to ongoing proceedings to determine the approval of Boeing's plea agreement, which includes a guilty plea to conspiracy charges aimed at defrauding federal regulators.

In its efforts to strengthen its financial position, Boeing is working on a capital raise that could reach up to $25 billion. This comes at a crucial time as the company faces $11.5 billion in debt that matures by February 1, 2026, in addition to its plans to acquire Spirit AeroSystems (NYSE:).

Furthermore, Boeing is dealing with a strike involving approximately 33,000 workers, which has disrupted the production of the 737 MAX, the company's most popular aircraft. This strike is reportedly costing Boeing over $1 billion each month, with workers demanding a 40% wage increase over the next four years. Amidst this situation, Boeing announced plans to lay off 17,000 employees to manage financial resources effectively and avoid a downgrade of its credit rating.

Investing Insights into Boeing

While Seaport Global Securities has a confident outlook on Boeing, with a $207.00 target price, additional insights reveal a more complex picture. Boeing's market capitalization currently stands at $93.87 billion, but it faces considerable challenges. As the stock trades at $152.35, it represents only 56.94% of its highest price in the past year, highlighting recent market pressures.

Investors should be aware of the concerns outlined by InvestingPro Tips, indicating that Boeing may struggle with interest payments on its debt, particularly with the new $10 billion credit agreement. Additionally, the company is facing weak gross profit margins, with a reported gross profit margin of just 10.46% for the last twelve months as of the second quarter of 2024.

The timing of the discussed capital raise is critical, particularly since data indicates that Boeing has not been profitable over the last year, and analysts do not expect profitability for the current year. This aligns with the article's focus on the recent charges and investor worries about possible equity raises.

For a thorough analysis, further insights on Boeing’s financial health and market status are available for those interested in a deeper understanding of the company’s situation.

Seaport, Boeing, Capital