Boeing Stock Is Up as Investors Wait for 737 MAX Production to Rise

Boeing 737 MAX production is capped at 38 jets a month by the FAA. Boeing would like the cap to rise soon. (David RYDER/Getty Images)

Key Points

• Boeing’s stock rose 0.7% as reports indicate a potential increase in 737 MAX production to 42 jets per month.
• The FAA previously capped 737 MAX production at 38 jets monthly after a January 2024 incident involving a 737 MAX 9.
• Boeing aims to eventually produce 50 to 60 MAX jets monthly, with 4,500 unfilled orders. It has delivered 285 so far in 2025.

Boeing stock rose early Monday as investors focused on a potential increase in 737 MAX production rates that could occur as soon as this month.

Shares of the commercial jet maker gained 1.6% to $219.73 on Monday, while the added 0.4% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.1%.

The move came after Bloomberg reported that Boeing was readying its suppliers for a production-rate increase to 42 a month. The new rate could be in effect as soon as October.

The Federal Aviation Administration capped MAX production at 38 a month shortly after an emergency-door plug blew out of a 737 MAX 9 jet while in flight in January 2024. Boeing slowed its MAX production to fewer than 38 jets a month after the incident, focusing on improving quality and its supply chain, and reached that level in recent months.

Boeing declined to comment, noting that it is in its quiet period ahead of third-quarter earnings. The timeline suggested for an increase in output is consistent with recent comments from management. CEO Kelly Ortberg said at an investor conference in September that he felt “pretty confident” his company would soon be able to sit down with the Federal Aviation Administration to review its production and quality system.

That could lead to an increase in the limit, or it’s being lifted.

Eventually, Boeing aims to produce 50 to 60 MAX jets a month. That would be welcome news for customers. While it has unfilled orders for roughly 4,500 aircraft, Boeing only delivered 260 in 2024. Through August, it has delivered 285 so far in 2025.

Investors are feeling more optimistic about Boeing’s production recently. Coming into Monday trading, shares were up 22% year to date and 40% over the past 12 months.

Boeing stock, however, slipped 8% in September, which tends to be one of its weakest months, even though there is no good reason shares should struggle at that time. This September, however, news that the company’s 777X twin-aisle jet might not fly commercially until 2o27 created fears of additional expenses for Boeing.

It was targeting a 2026 commercial launch. Delays can result in higher costs, including potential compensation for customers who lost needed jet capacity.

Write to Al Root at allen.root@dowjones.com