I know the market's all abuzz lately over rumors that Boeing
That's great news for Boeing, and for the multiple contractors who help it power (Honeywell
So what? Boeing wins multibillion-dollar contracts all the time!
True, and that's actually my point. After the initial exuberance over its winning argument at the GAO, Boeing's share price has slipped in anticipation that it will follow through on its threat to pull out of the KC-X Tanker competition -- and lose as much in $100 billion in revenue that will flow to the winner.
On the one hand, a well-played bluff could work to Boeing's advantage. (It has before.) Word has it that the Air Force prefers a big bird hauling its petrol, which could favor Northrop Grumman's
But to my mind, focusing too intently on KC-X risks missing the forest for the trees. Sure, it would be nice to see Boeing win. But it's not like that's the only arrow in Boeing's quiver. On the civilian side, there's still the 787 Dreamliner; once its kinks get worked out, the 787 should yield tens of billions in revenue for Boeing for decades to come. And as today's Chinook contract shows, Boeing has plenty of defense work to keep it busy, even if it withdraws from -- or loses -- the KC-X competition.
Foolish takeaway
In the world of defense contracting, you win some (contracts), and you lose some. Meanwhile, investors can take heart that with a price-to-free cash flow ratio of less than 9, and growth estimated to average 12% per year over the long-term, Boeing's chance of becoming a winning investment looks bright indeed -- KC-X or no.
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