NEW YORK — As the curtain begins to fall on 2025, a year defined by stabilization and rigorous oversight for the world’s largest aerospace manufacturer, Boeing (NYSE: BA) is signaling a pivot toward aggressive growth. Shares of the Arlington-based planemaker edged higher on Monday, December 29, 2025, after a series of industry reports and analyst upgrades painted a picture of a company finally ready to accelerate out of its multi-year recovery phase.
In midday trading on the New York Stock Exchange, Boeing shares rose 0.4% to $217.34. While the gain was modest in percentage terms, it came during a session where the broader markets were retreating—with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq down 0.5% and 0.7%, respectively—highlighting investor interest in Boeing’s specific industrial narrative.
The “Renton Ramp”: Targeting 47 Jets a Month
The primary catalyst for Monday’s upward movement was a report confirming that Boeing is preparing to lift production of its cash-cow 737 MAX program to 47 aircraft per month by early summer 2026.
For Boeing, production rates are more than just manufacturing milestones; they are the fundamental gears of the company’s financial engine. Higher output directly correlates to increased delivery cadence, which in turn drives cash generation and chips away at a staggering multi-billion dollar backlog.
Katherine “Katie” Ringgold, Vice President and General Manager of the 737 Program, recently briefed media at the company’s Renton, Washington facility, characterizing 2025 as the “year of stability.” Ringgold noted that the company is currently comfortable at a rate of 42 jets per month—a level achieved in October 2025 following FAA approval to move up from the previous cap of 38.
“We are seeing the health of the line improving,” Ringgold stated, pointing to a more disciplined production system. She emphasized that while the Renton plant has a theoretical maximum capacity of 63 jets per month, the push to 47 is a “sustainable cadence” that accounts for the ongoing rebuilding of the global supply chain and workforce.
The $600 Billion Backlog: A Fortress of Demand
Monday’s optimism was further bolstered by Ivan Feinseth, senior partner and Chief Investment Officer at Tigress Financial Partners, who reinstated a “Buy” rating on Boeing with a price target of $275.
Feinseth’s bullish thesis centers on Boeing’s massive order book, which now stands at a record $600 billion. This backlog represents more than 5,900 aircraft, ensuring that Boeing’s production lines are essentially “sold out” through the early 2030s.
Key Drivers of the Backlog:
- India’s Aviation Boom: Carriers like Air India, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet have more than 400 Boeing 737s on order.
- Fleet Renewal: Global airlines are aggressively replacing aging, less-efficient aircraft with the MAX and 787 Dreamliner to meet sustainability targets.
- Strategic Diversification: Boeing has deepened its manufacturing ties with India and other emerging hubs to de-risk its supply chain from geopolitical shocks.
Regulatory and Supply Chain Hurdles
Despite the positive momentum, the path to 47 aircraft per month is not without obstacles. Any increase beyond the current rate of 42 will require formal sign-off from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The regulator has maintained a strict on-site presence at Boeing facilities throughout 2025, inspecting every single aircraft before it leaves the factory. Analysts suggest the FAA will only grant the next rate hike if Boeing can prove that its quality management systems can handle the increased speed without compromising safety.
Furthermore, the integration of Spirit Aerosystems remains a critical “watch point” for 2026. By bringing the fabrication of roughly 70% of the 737’s aerostructures back in-house, Boeing hopes to achieve “nose-to-tail” quality control, but the logistical transition remains a complex undertaking.
2026 Outlook: Execution is Everything
As investors look toward the new year, the narrative for Boeing has shifted from “Will it survive?” to “How fast can it grow?”
With the 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10 variants currently undergoing the final stretches of certification, 2026 is poised to be a landmark year for the company. However, as Derren Nathan, head of equity research at Hargreaves Lansdown, cautioned, “There could be sharper share price swings next year.” For Boeing, those swings will likely depend on whether the company can secure FAA approvals on time and keep its suppliers synchronized with its ambitious Renton ramp-up.