The Boeing Company reported Q2 2024 revenue of $16.87 billion, up 1.79% QoQ but down 14.61% year over year, reflecting ongoing normalization in commercial aircraft deliveries against a challenging year-ago quarter. Gross profit was $1.23 billion with a gross margin of 7.29%, while operating income remained negative at -$1.09 billion and net income posted a larger loss of -$1.44 billion, translating to an EPS of -$2.33. The quarter marked the continuation of a difficult profitability trajectory despite improving top-line stability, underscored by aggressive working capital dynamics and a heavy build-out of deferred revenue.
From a liquidity and balance-sheet perspective, Boeing carried a sizable total debt load and a negative stockholders’ equity position, with total liabilities of roughly $160.7 billion against total assets of $142.7 billion and equity of -$17.98 billion. Free cash flow remained negative at -$4.42 billion for the quarter, driven in part by working capital outflows and capital expenditure, though cash and cash equivalents stood at about $10.89 billion at period end. Management commentary in the call (not provided in the dataset) would typically address 737 MAX production ramp, defense and space program momentum, and cost-reduction initiatives, which are critical levers for turning this trajectory. In the near term, Boeing faces heightened leverage and negative profitability, even as the broader aerospace cycle improves with recovered air travel demand and Defense/Security spending.
Comparatively, Airbus (AIR.DE) demonstrates a stronger profitability profile with gross margins in the low-to-mid-teens and a positive net margin, underscoring ongoing competitive pressure for Boeing as it navigates the post-pandemic recovery and program-specific headwinds. Investors should weigh Boeing’s enduring leverage and the cadence of MAX deliveries against a favorable defense pipeline and potential long-term cash-flow normalization.