Alaska Airlines Places Historic Order for 105 Boeing 737 Max 10 Jets
Alaska Air Group Inc's stock fell 3.42% and hit a 20-day low amid a generally positive market, with the Nasdaq-100 up 0.05% and the S&P 500 up 0.01%.
The catalyst for this movement is the historic order placed by Alaska Airlines for 105 Boeing 737 Max 10 jets and five 787-10 Dreamliners. This record purchase aims to secure order slots through the mid-2030s, reflecting the airline's confidence in Boeing's production capabilities and its strategy for international expansion. Despite the 737 Max 10 not yet being FAA certified, Alaska Airlines believes this order will enhance its competitive positioning.
This significant order underscores Alaska Airlines' commitment to growth and modernization, as it prepares to expand its route network and improve customer experience with newer, more efficient aircraft.
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- Transportation Shares Movement: Recent activity in transportation stocks indicates potential for continued stock market rally despite recent downturns.
- Market Resilience: The resilience of transportation shares suggests that investor confidence may remain strong, supporting overall market performance.
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- Significant Revenue Growth: Boeing reported $23.9 billion in revenue for Q4 2025, a 57% increase year-over-year that surpassed analysts' expectations of $22.6 billion, indicating a gradual recovery after years of crisis.
- Rising Delivery Numbers: The company delivered 600 airplanes last year, nearly double the number from 2024 and the highest since 2018, demonstrating a substantial increase in production capacity.
- Strong Cash Flow: Boeing's cash flow reached $400 million in Q4, nearly double Wall Street's expectations, reflecting improvements in operational efficiency and financial health.
- Market Demand Rebound: Boeing secured 1,173 net orders in 2025, outpacing Airbus's 889, highlighting strong demand from airlines looking to grow and replace older aircraft in the coming decade.
- Significant Delivery Increase: Boeing delivered 600 airplanes in 2024, nearly doubling the 348 delivered the previous year, marking the highest delivery volume since 2018, which is expected to drive revenue growth and improve cash flow.
- Improved Financial Outlook: The company anticipates reporting a fourth-quarter loss of 39 cents per share and revenue of $22.6 billion in its upcoming earnings report, indicating positive progress in reducing losses and the potential for annual profitability in 2024.
- Competitive Market Dynamics: While Boeing's delivery numbers have increased, they still lag behind Airbus's 793 deliveries; however, Boeing secured 1,173 net orders in 2025, surpassing Airbus's 889, reflecting strong market demand for Boeing's products.
- Ongoing Regulatory Challenges: Boeing still requires Federal Aviation Administration approval for increased production of the 737 Max, and investors are keenly awaiting updates on the certification timelines for the 737 Max 7 and Max 10, which will directly impact the company's delivery pace and future profitability.

- Analyst Rating Boost: On January 20, UBS analyst Atul Maheswari maintained a Buy rating for Alaska Air Group (NYSE:ALK) with a $77 price target, indicating strong market confidence and positive expectations for the airline sector.
- Price Target Increase: Prior to this, Susquehanna raised Alaska Air's price target from $52 to $70 while maintaining a Buy rating, highlighting an optimistic fundamental outlook for the airline industry into fiscal year 2026, suggesting significant potential for the company amid industry recovery.
- Long-Term Expansion Plans: Alaska Air advanced its fleet expansion strategy by ordering 53 additional 737-10 aircraft for delivery between 2032 and 2035, demonstrating its commitment to capacity and fleet growth well into the next decade.
- Diverse Revenue Sources: Analysts noted that Alaska Air and select carriers are well-positioned to benefit from diverse revenue streams and strong brand loyalty, indicating a favorable market position as the airline industry recovers.

- Earnings Beat: Alaska Air reported an adjusted EPS of $0.43 for Q4, down from $0.97 year-over-year but exceeding Wall Street's expectation by $0.32, indicating effective cost management amidst challenges.
- Stable Revenue Growth: The company achieved $3.63 billion in revenue for Q4, a 3% increase year-over-year, despite falling short of consensus estimates, with a 0.6% rise in revenue per available seat mile (RASM) reflecting resilience during the government shutdown.
- Strategic Investment Plan: Alaska Air's three-year 'Alaska Accelerate' initiative aims to generate $1 billion in incremental profit by expanding international routes and upgrading premium offerings, targeting at least 12 widebody international destinations by 2030.
- Cautious Future Outlook: The company anticipates that sustained macroeconomic recovery and stable fuel prices are necessary to achieve its earnings guidance of $3.50 to $6.50 per share for 2026, highlighting vigilance regarding future market uncertainties.









