The past few years have been a bumpy ride for Boeing (BA) investors, with safety concerns taking center stage. In fact, the latest jolt came last month on June 12, when a Boeing 787 Dreamliner operated by Air India crashed shortly after takeoff, claiming over 200 lives. Even though the Dreamliner has long been considered one of Boeing’s safest jets, the recent crash marked the first fatal incident involving the model. 

The tragic incident has not only cast a shadow over the Dreamliner’s clean reputation but also reignited long-standing concerns about Boeing’s manufacturing practices, particularly in the wake of persistent quality-control issues with the 737 MAX. Interestingly, despite the negative headlines, BA stock hasn’t yet lost altitude. While shares did take a hit in the aftermath of the crash, the stock has also shown surprising resilience this year. 

A mix of major contract wins, a strategic leadership shake-up, and encouraging second-quarter delivery numbers have helped keep investor sentiment afloat, even as public scrutiny intensifies. That optimism was on full display on July 9, when BA stock soared to a fresh 52-week high of $230.20. With Boeing climbing to new highs even as safety concerns resurface, would it be wise to buy shares now? 

About Boeing Stock

An iconic name in aviation, Boeing is a powerhouse in the global aerospace industry, renowned for its legendary aircraft like the 737 MAX, 787 Dreamliner, and the next-gen 777X. Beyond commercial jets, Boeing plays a critical role in defense and space, delivering a range of products that include advanced military aircraft, satellite systems, cutting-edge launch technology, and mission-critical logistics. The company’s market capitalization currently sits at $165 billion. 

While the company is still under intense scrutiny following last month’s fatal Air India crash and a track record of quality-control issues, investor confidence hasn’t wavered much, thanks to several key tailwinds. Big-name airlines are still putting their trust in Boeing. Qatar Airways recently ordered 210 widebody jets, AviLease signed up for new 737 MAX aircraft, and China Airlines added both passenger and freighter versions of the 777X to its fleet plans.

Adding to this momentum is Boeing’s leadership overhaul. Since taking over as CEO in August 2024, Kelly Ortberg has prioritized restoring safety standards and driving profitability. His turnaround strategy appears to be gaining traction, helping restore market faith in the aerospace giant’s long-term outlook. And that growing optimism is being reflected in the stock’s performance. 

BA stock has been on a strong upward trajectory, gaining an impressive 28% year-to-date (YTD), far outpacing the broader S&P 500 Index’s ($SPX) more modest 6.5% rise in 2025. The momentum appears more striking over the past three months, with Boeing shares soaring nearly 41%, signaling that investors may be looking past the headlines and betting on a long-term recovery.

Boeing’s Mixed Q1 Earnings Results

Boeing released its fiscal 2025 first-quarter earnings on April 23, offering a mixed but somewhat encouraging snapshot of its performance. Revenue came in at $19.5 billion, up 18% year-over-year (YOY), although that narrowly missed Wall Street’s estimate of $19.7 billion. The real highlight was the strong rebound in Boeing’s commercial business. 

The company delivered 130 commercial jets during the quarter, up from just 83 a year earlier, fueling a 75% annual surge in commercial aircraft sales to $8.1 billion. However, not all segments told the same upbeat story. Sales in Boeing’s Defense, Space & Security division declined 9% to $6.3 billion, and Global Services revenue was essentially flat at $5.1 billion compared to the prior year. 

Still, Boeing’s order pipeline remains strong, with a total backlog of $545 billion as of March 31. On the bottom line, the company reported an adjusted loss per share of $0.49 which, while still in the red, marked a sharp improvement from the $1.13 adjusted loss per share posted a year ago. Loss per share came in far better than expected, beating consensus estimates by a strong 68% margin.

CEO Kelly Ortberg believes the company is gaining traction, pointing to early signs of improved operational performance driven by Boeing's renewed focus on safety and quality. Ortberg emphasized that Boeing is staying the course on its turnaround strategy, with encouraging progress already taking shape.

That optimism from management found backing in Boeing’s Q2 delivery update released on July 8. The company’s commercial segment delivered 150 aircraft in the quarter ended June 30, its strongest Q2 showing since 2018. That year marked a high point before twin 737 MAX crashes triggered a prolonged crisis and grounded the fleet, ultimately derailing Boeing’s profits. While challenges remain, the latest delivery figures suggest a return to more stable operations. Boeing’s defense segment also showed a lift, with 36 helicopters and jets delivered, up from 28 in the same period last year. 

Wall Street’s Bullish Bet on Boeing Stock

Boeing just received a bullish nod from Susquehanna, which raised its price target on BA stock to $252 from $240 while maintaining a “Positive” rating. The upgrade follows Boeing’s June delivery update, with 60 aircraft handed over, bringing the Q2 2025 total to 150. The firm remains optimistic about Boeing’s ongoing efforts to ramp up commercial production, viewing the strong delivery numbers as a sign of steady operational progress.

With Boeing’s fiscal 2025 Q2 earnings set to land before the opening bell on July 29, Wall Street appears to be warming up to the stock, with the consensus now tilted toward a “Strong Buy” rating overall, up from a “Moderate Buy” just two months ago. Of the 24 analysts offering recommendations, a majority of 19 analysts advise a “Strong Buy,” two suggest a “Moderate Buy,” and the remaining three maintain a “Hold.” 

BA stock’s average analyst price target of $229.68 suggests only 1.3% potential upside from current levels. However, the Street-high target of $275 implies that shares can rally as much as 25% from current price levels.

Final Thoughts 

Lingering safety concerns and a history of quality-control issues continue to cast a shadow over Boeing’s long-term outlook. Still, the company has made meaningful progress, highlighted by strong aircraft deliveries, renewed airline trust, and a leadership team focused on safety and profitability. Analyst sentiment has grown increasingly bullish, and BA stock’s recent rally reflects rising optimism around its recovery story. With Q2 earnings on deck later this month, it might be wise to keep Boeing on the radar to see whether shares can maintain the upward momentum.