What to watch in Boeing’s earnings report

Boeing (BA) is scheduled to report results of its fiscal fourth quarter before the market opens on Wednesday, January 30, with a conference call scheduled for 10:30 am ET.

What to watch for:

1. GUIDANCE:

When Boeing reported its fiscal third quarter results on October 25, 2017, the company increased its fiscal 2017 adjusted earnings per share view to $9.90-$10.10 from $9.80-$10.00, against consensus estimates of $10.04 at that time, and reaffirmed its FY17 revenue expectations of $90.5B-$92.5B, against analyst estimates of $92.15B.

Current consensus estimates sit at $10.21 and $92.55B, respectively. The company also backed its FY17 commercial airplane deliveries view of 760-765.

2. CAPITAL RETURNS:

On December 11, 2017, Boeing announced a new $18B share repurchase program and a 20% increase to its quarterly dividend. The board declared the dividend will increase 20% to $1.71 per share.

The board also replaced the existing share repurchase program with a new $18B authorization. The new dividend will be payable March 2, 2018, to shareholders of record as of February 9, 2018.

The company this year has repurchased $9.2B worth of its shares from the $14B authorization approved in December 2016. The new repurchase program replaces the existing one, bringing the total authorization to $18B.

3. ANTI-DUMPING:

On December 20, 2017, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the affirmative final determinations in the antidumping duty and countervailing duty investigations of 100-seat to 150-seat large civil aircraft from Canada.

“This decision is based on a full and unbiased review of the facts in an open and transparent process.” said Secretary Ross.

“The United States is committed to a free, fair, and reciprocal trade and will always stand up for American workers and companies being harmed by unfair imports.”

Commerce determined that exporters from Canada sold 100- to 150-seat large civil aircraft in the United States at 79.82% less than fair value.

Commerce also determined that Canada is providing unfair subsidies to its producers of 100- to 150-seat large civil aircraft at a rate of 212.39%. Commerce will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to collect cash deposits from importers of 100- to 150-seat large civil aircraft based on the final rates.

Bombardier (BDRBF), the Government of Canada, and Petitioners agreed that the proposed transaction between Bombardier and Airbus (EADSY) does not impact these investigations.

4. EMBRAER

Boeing confirmed takeover talks with Embraer (ERJ) during the quarter. The Brazilian government, which owns a golden share in Embraer, represents a potential hurdle in the deal.

Investors should look for more guidance on this topic when Boeing reports. BA last traded at $337.10.