Suppliers Feel More Boeing 787 Delays (BA, SPR, BEAV, HON, COL, LMIA, TIE, PCP)

The Wall Street Journal has announced that there may be (actually it says "near announcing") some new delays out of Boeing (NYSE: BA) on its 787 Dreamiliner.  We first noted that the Boeing suppliers were likely to be under pressure back on OCTOBER 10, 2007 on word of the first real delays in the Dreamliner.

Here is a snapshot of some of the many suppliers for Boeing, with some price comparisons:

• Spirit Aerosystems (NYSE:SPR) is the ex-Boeing unit, which makes fuselage parts: stock price on October 10 after the first Boeing delay: $36.50.  Share price today: $26.12 (-7%).
• BE Aerospace (NASDAQ:BEAV) has cabin and seating contracts with Boeing; Stock price on October 10 after the first Boeing delay: $43.30. Share price today: $40.10 (-3%).
• Honeywell (NYSE:HON) has the cockpit award; Stock price on October 10 after the first Boeing delay: $60.00.  Share price today: $56.69 (-1.9%).
• Rockwell Collins (NYSE:COL) has information management pacts with Boeing; Stock price on October 10 after the first Boeing delay: $73.35.  Share price today: $65.10 (-2.4%).
• LMI Aerospace (NASDAQ:LMIA) has Boeing as principal customer for structural components, assemblies, and kits; Stock price on October 10 after the first Boeing delay: $27.65.  Share price today: $22.97 (-1%).
• Titanium Metals (NYSE:TIE) has long-term Boeing titanium/metals supply pacts; Stock price on October 10 after the first Boeing delay: $33.29.  Share price today: $23.45 (-4.7%).
• Precision Castparts (NYSE:PCP) manufactures aerospace structural castings, aerospace airfoil castings, industrial gas turbine castings; Stock price on October 10 after the first Boeing delay: $146.75.  Share price today: $118.64 (-4.7%).

Shares of Boeing had been down in a weak market today, but shares rolled over on this announcement and are now down almost 3% to $79.27.  Its 52-week trading range is $77.81 to $107.83, and it closed at $98.33 back on October 10, 2007 when the first real delay came about.  The bulls look like they are going to have to hope the company refutes that delays will be anything significant.  Imagine if things get bad enough that some airlines start actually canceling or trimming orders.

Jon C. Ogg
January 15, 2008