On Wednesday, Wolfe Research adjusted its rating for Spirit AeroSystems (NYSE: NYSE:SPR), moving the stock from "Outperform" to "Peer Perform" status. The downgrade comes in the wake of the company's agreement to be acquired by aerospace giant Boeing (NYSE:BA). This significant corporate action is anticipated to be finalized by mid-2025.
The terms of the acquisition state that Spirit AeroSystems shareholders are set to receive $37.25 per share in Boeing stock. This transaction is structured with a collar agreement, which ensures that the exchange rate for the shares will be within a specified range. Shareholders will receive either 0.25 shares of Boeing (BA) if Boeing's share price is at or below $149, or 0.18 shares if Boeing's price is at or above $206.94.
The agreement between Spirit AeroSystems and Boeing is a notable event in the aerospace sector, marking the consolidation of two significant industry players. The deal is structured to provide Spirit AeroSystems shareholders with Boeing stock, tying the future value of the deal to the performance of Boeing's shares within the defined collar range.
As the transaction progresses towards its expected completion in the next couple of years, the market will be watching closely how this acquisition impacts both companies. The change in stock rating by Wolfe Research reflects the new dynamics that Spirit AeroSystems will face as part of Boeing.
Investors and market observers will likely monitor the implications of this acquisition on the broader aerospace industry, as well as its effects on the stock performance of both Spirit AeroSystems and Boeing as the deal approaches its closing date.
In other recent news, Boeing has agreed to acquire Spirit AeroSystems in an all-stock transaction valued at $4.7 billion. This move is seen as a strategic step to address ongoing quality issues with Boeing's 737 MAX aircraft.
Meanwhile, Airbus is planning to acquire certain loss-making operations from Spirit AeroSystems, including facilities in the United States, Northern Ireland, France, and Morocco. These acquisitions are part of significant recent developments in the aerospace sector.
JPMorgan (NYSE:JPM) has downgraded Spirit AeroSystems stock from Overweight to Neutral, while raising its price target slightly to $37. This shift follows a period of underperformance by Boeing shares. The firm remains optimistic about Boeing's long-term prospects, citing strong product demand and its position in a global duopoly.
Financial research firm CFRA has raised the price target for Spirit AeroSystems shares to $37, maintaining a Hold rating on the stock. This reflects the ongoing terms of the acquisition agreement with Boeing.
Deutsche Bank (ETR:DBKGn) and TD Cowen, on the other hand, have maintained their 'Buy' ratings on Boeing's stock, citing potential productivity enhancements from Boeing's proposed acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems.
Spirit AeroSystems' CEO, Patrick Shanahan, is among the frontrunners for Boeing's CEO position. However, the future of Shanahan's association with Spirit AeroSystems remains uncertain, as Boeing's acquisition of the company is not expected to finalize until mid-2025. Despite facing challenges such as layoffs and liquidity issues, Spirit AeroSystems has been focused on stabilizing operations and improving cash flow.
InvestingPro Insights
As Spirit AeroSystems (NYSE: SPR) navigates through its acquisition process by Boeing, the company’s financial health and stock performance remain pivotal for investors. According to InvestingPro data, Spirit AeroSystems holds a market capitalization of approximately $4.02 billion. Despite a promising revenue growth of 19.54% over the last twelve months as of Q1 2024, the company's gross profit margin was negative at -3.62%, indicating challenges in maintaining profitability.
InvestingPro Tips suggest that Spirit AeroSystems operates with a significant debt burden and may struggle with making interest payments, as evidenced by a negative P/E ratio of -3.99. Moreover, the company has not been profitable over the last twelve months, and analysts do not anticipate profitability this year. However, it's worth noting that the firm's liquid assets exceed its short-term obligations, providing some financial flexibility. For investors seeking a deeper analysis, there are an additional 10 InvestingPro Tips available, which can be accessed on InvestingPro's website using the coupon code PRONEWS24 for up to 10% off a yearly Pro and a yearly or biyearly Pro+ subscription.
The stock has experienced significant price volatility, yet there has been a strong return over the last month, with a 15.34% increase in price total return. This suggests that investor sentiment may be improving in the short term, possibly influenced by the acquisition news. As shareholders and potential investors evaluate Spirit AeroSystems' prospects within the Boeing deal framework, these financial metrics and insights can provide a clearer picture of the company's current position and future potential.
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